The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-01
ITS TENTH anniversary
COMMEMORATIVE BANQUET OF
w. g. l.. u.
Men Representing All the Trades
Gather Around Tables Generously
Laden - Choice Music, Artistic

Three hundred and fifty OF the best men
in the state OF Washington sat down at
a banquet siast night in commemoration
of the tenth anniversary Of the organiza-
ton of the Western Central Labor Union.
1t was $3.50 when the announcement was
made that the preparations In the big
ball room OF Germania hall were COM
pleted ard the procession was started
from the crowded reception room up
the stairs and into the presence
OF an ample spread that did JUS
tice to every one connected with the
gathering together Of the Drawn and
muscle of the city Of Seattle. and par
ticuIar.y to the Cooks Union. which had
the immediate detail Of the tables and the
banquet in hand. AS the procession, head
cd by the POSTMASTER. officers and dee
gates made its appearance, LANCER Il
Leubens orchestra, stationed on the stage
at the farther end of the hall, struck up
a march. and two by two men represent
ing every trade entered and sought places
at the tables in regular order. There
were six tables in all. One crossing the
hail directly In front of the stage. and
the other five running lengthw!se with the
bal. room
the whole scheme of the banquet showed
careful study. The balcony railing was
araped with the national coiors. and the
spaces between the windows and the
panels on the dead walls were also trim
med with flags. while the windows them
selves were festooned with ivy and roses.
The corners AT the upper end of the hal
were banked with green and flowers. Both
gas and electricity were used to light the
hall.
The entertainment was half patriotic In
its character. and those who were gath
cred together to uphold the dignity OF
organized labor did not for a moment for
get that they were Americans. which fact
they emphasized by the lusiy cheers
which greeted the playing of national airs
and the singing Of patriotic songs.
William Blackman. state factory in
spector. who had been chosen toastmas-
ter, sounded the attack In proposing
toast to the Western Central Labor Union.
which was drunk with enthusiasm. Fol-
lowing the toast the charge on the tables
began and to the inspiring music that was
frequently interrupted by cheers, the bat
tie was kept up until nature declared an
arnistice and the labor forces retired. the
victory being a glorious one.
At the table In front OF the stage sat
Toastmaster Blackman President Taylor
ard Secretary Middleton, OF the Western
Central Labor Union. and the delegates
from the various unions Of the city. At
ali OF the tables in the big hall. all creeds,
al trades ard al ages were seated In fra
tcrual good fellowship an! never were the
arts of entertainment more happily exem-
plified than in the joviality and hap-haz-
zard bad.nage that passed from the cpen-
ing Of the festivities until its close. Mr..
Biackmau called tho asSemblage 20 order
and the rattle Of knives and forks and
tae cllrk az glasses was Quleted while he
thanked his hearers for the honor they
had conferred or him III naming him 10
preside at the banquet and the subse-
Qeent feas, Of intellectual good things
which he promised.
He compmented the various commit
tees who had so successfully drawn TO-
gether N a social exchange so many wide
~ separated trade relations which became
homogeneous IN the organization OF the
Western Central Labor Union. he knew
that MS hearers would join WIKI hi.n In
saving: Wei done. committee: d. x
again" In reviewing The organization Re
said that !; Is bow in & better condition
than ever before lie referred % the pas;
and pfesen, officers and the delegates as
the "OiA Guard, and paid tribute 20
their loyalty 10 the cause OF organized
labor.
To the toast. The western Central Ia
t+sF sttists secretary &4AtfttNFl isl&.t4S4A
~ a few wels,choscn words telling of -
organization and struggles. lis greats;
success was just before the fire o. ISS9
vhea Z os3 men in parade showed whA. or
canned .shcr then WAS IN Seattle He
81 took up what the union has done IN
Ire past few years. The outdoor sports and
t-ahor DAY celebrations The unions ne
s@.1. are growing.
NJ Middleton was followed by Sar,ae!
CA3derheaa who was asked 70 state how
is FL. IA re a defeated labor candidate
NJ: Ca4aerhsaa said thar he vas sure that
= ass not ghe labor vote which had DE-
teatea h.n3- lie sndulged in a peasant
nFe-E0l1uts tax ami was allowed 10 re-
tiTs and much applause. Councilman
1ssson closed The regular programme ana
The rest ~ ths eyea,Rg was given up 70
Informal :upfomp5u talks by wesl-kncwn
members. Altogether the affair was
grsat success aaf one long 20 be rerrern-
berei as ore - she bright chapters in the
his;ory az The Western Central Labor
Caion-
I'm ~ Id : s. ~ white shirt th% hest