The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1900-09-04
LABOR'S LONG LINES
PEACEFULLY PARADE
Throngng Thousands Tell Their Tale of Attach
ment to the Men Who Toll

| was being observed, and then introduced
Mayor Drennen as the first speaker. Mayor
| Drennenn, as he arose, was greeted with
applause. He said:
Mayor Drennen'a speech
"Since received an invitation from you
| to participate in your parade today, have
| been comparing the prices paid to organized
labor with the prices paid to disorganized
labor, and also have compared the advance
| In wages paid to organized labor for the
| past four years, with the prices paid to dis
organized labor during this same period.
For instance the prices paid disorganlzed
labor four years ago, say railroad section
man, was ninety cents to one dollar per day
and the prices paid this same class of labor
today averages from ninety cents per day
to $1.10 per day.
1.-The average prices paid disorganized
labor four years ago, such as railroad
grading, street grading and all work where
organized labor is not employed, will av-
erage from ninety cents to one dollar and
the price today will average from one dol
lar to $1.10 per day.
II find that in our own district organized
labor has advanced much more proper
tionately than has disorganized labor.
advanced from 371k cents per ton for min
ing coal to 521a cents per ton
1.-THE roll.Ig mill men who are better
known as puddlers, four years ago received
| $4S per ton for pudding iron, now receive
$625 per ton for this same work.
-Four years ago the brick mason received
Is cents per hour for laying brick, now he
receives As cents per hour for this same
work.
-Four years ago carpenter received
only $1.75 per day for ten hours now ne re-
ceives s2.7O per day for nine hours.
mot only has this advance been made
in the occupations 1 have named, but it
applies to all lines of trade where organ
lied labor is employed.
Some people may tell you that you can
be just as good man and belong to no
church; some people may tell you that you
can be just as good mechanic or just as
good a carpenter and belong to no labor
organization, but 1 want to tell you that
the best men in these United States are
members of some church, and assist in sup
porting them.
II want to tell you today that the best
bricklayers, mechanics and carpenters in
these United States belong to some labor
attend their meetings.
II want to say to you today If I were
laboring man that Iowuld belong to some
labor organization.
1.-THE old adage that 'in union there is
strength" is more fully demonstrated here
than ever before in the history of Birm-
ingham and the Birmingham district, and
I most heartily congratulate you on your
success
1--WE are proud of the wealth and prog
ress of Alabama; we are proud of our sub
stanial cities and towns; we are proud Of
our labor organizations, but above all we
are proud of our stalwart and Independent
citizenship
"It affords me great pleasure to welcome
you to a city that less than thirty years
ago was an old cotton field, and today
boasts of the largest population of any
city in Alabama; city that has the hand
soonest churches In the State; the best pub
lie school system In the south and city
through its combined capital and organized
labor, sets the price of pig iron for the
whole world"
Mr.. Williams introduced w. H. Kettig,
president of the Birmingham Commercial
Club, who said:
Mr. Kettie's Remarks
"Mr Chairman and Fellow Citizens:
"As a representative of the Commercial
Club and as a citizen of Birmingham, L
take pleasure in accepting your cordial in
yitation to address you on this, the occa-
sion of the annual celebration of Labor
Day. Representing the Commercial Club
of Birmnham, which is composed of near
ly all classes of citizens-merchants, man
ufacturers and professional men-I know
that l voice their sentiments when l say
that they are in hearty sympathy with
organized labor.
Some years ago, when an unfortunate
disagreement between the miners and OPP
orators caused a long and continuous
strike, it was the Commercial Club of
Birmingham that stepped in and proposed
arbitration, which finally brought about
settlement. This organization has always
shown itself to be friend of honest la
Dor, and 1 hope that as long as it lasts 1t
will continue to prove its fidelity to that
grand cornerstone of prosperity - fairly
paid labor.
"In these days of aggregated capital,
when labor must of necessity organize for
its own protection, 1t is appropriate and
right that at least one day in the year be
set aside for the recognition of labor. Our
National Legislature has accordingly made
this a legal holiday No business can le-
gally be transacted on Labor Day. 1t is
but proper for the wheels of industry to
pause, for the sound of the saw and ham,
mer to cease, so that for one day of the
year all men who labor can meet on a
common ground and enjoy themselves.
The establishment of Labor Day is also a
grand recognition of the workingmen. 1t
reminds them of the necessity of organiza-
ton, and it also warns opposing interests
that labor Is organized and has rights
which must be respected.
II am glad to be with you today and par
ticipate In the pleasures provided for your
recreation and amusement. rejoice in the
prosperity and good feeling that obtains
today among the great army of wage