Evening star., 1901-09-02
ENJOY A HOLIDAY
Local Labor Unions Celebrate With
Elaborate Programs.
BARBECUE GIVEN At GLEN ECHO
Excursions to Nearby Resorts on
the Potomac River.
DAY GENERALLY OBSERVE ED

Significant among national holidays is
Labor day. Other nations and other peo-
pes commemorate events or epochs in their
histories by setting aside certain days in
each year upon which the memories of such
happenings and the lessons they teach shall
be refreshed and reinvigorated. The Amer
lean people alone have fittingly created
day to the honor of the Drawn and muscle
which are so dstinctiyely characteristic of
the nation and which are the fundamental
bases upon which the granGest of republics
securely rests.
The wheels of the national government
temporarily cease their mighty whir on the
first Monday in each September, and n
large majority of the states of the Union
discontinue active business pursuits ana
give their citizens an opportunity to recog-
nize the day and realize its meaning so
in all parts of the republic today the skilled
and the unskilled workers devote them
selves TO pleasure and recreation, and while
seeking relaxation from their toll In TINS
way find fruitful theme for thought in the
addresses of orators and the advice of their
leaCerS.
The several labor organizations of the
District observed the day with elaborate
ceremonies one body going TO Glen Echo,
another to Marshall Hall, and third to
River View.
Glen Echo Events.
The feature of the celebration under the
auspices of the Central Labor Union at
Glen Echo was a barbecue. and a free
feast was served to all holders of tickets
Of admission to the grounds. There
were exercises also at intervals in the am
phitheater. including a vaudeville perform
ance. and athletic games in the park al
joining.
Glen Echo never looked prettier than it
did today Every preparation had been
made for the occasion. The arrangements
We're under the direction of Mr.. w. Fran
els Thomas, the lessee of the place.
The first arrivals of visitors came in on
the O'Clock cars From this on the num-
bers increased steadily and slowly.
Several skillful roasters under the direc-
ton of the veteran Charles Wicks, attended
to the roasting of the OK. When alive the
animal tipped the scales at 1,2o0 pounds
To the early comerS the barbecue scene
was the center of attraction. \ space about
fifty feet across was fenced in to give room
to the roasters. This fence was covered
with planed boards. over which the juicy
steaks We're to be served when the cook
ing was done Lying in large piles nearby
several hundred loaves of bread
wheat and rye.
Inside the space the committee in charge
of the serving consisted of ]. H. Buscher,
Charles Gerner. Joseph Geier, Charles LOef-
fer. Charles p. Myrtle. Charles H. kettler
and Mr.. Stonell. Outside the inclosure the
wants of the people.
Large Attendance.
While the number of people on the
grounds was limited up to IL o'clock the
bright sun came out, and between that
hour and noon every car left full load at
the picturesque resort. The numbers con-
tnued to increase, and President Feeney
stated to a Star reporter that by this after
noon late he calculated upon $1,000 persons
being upon the grounds.
1t was about o'clock before the exer-
Cises of the amphitheater opened. a chorus
OF sixty-three little girls suitably attired.
rendered the Labor day ode, America,
with good effect. the band accompanying
the chorus. Miss Nettie NJ. Tolson was the
sponsor for the children on behalf of the
Central Labor Union. The song was tol-
lowed by the opening address.
President Feeny's Address.
Mr. James L. Feeny, president of the Cen
tral Labor Union. upon being introduced.
made an address, follows:
Ladies and gentlemen, and friends Of la
bor: / desire to express to the large audi
ence present on behalf Of the Central Labor
Union of the District of Columbia our cor
dial greeting and to bid you welcome to
our Labor day outing Labor day in the
District OF Columbia was declared a legal
holiday by act of Congress and the bill was
signed by the President June %. 1894. We
celebrated the event the first Monday in
September of that year by a large parade,
and since then we have looked forward to
the day as one of rest recreation and pleas
ure for the organized workers Of our city.
Labor day Is now a legal holiday In
thlrty-Six states, and in every state and
territory of our Union it is celebra ted by
organized labor in street parades, picnics,
mass meetings or river excursions. 1t Is
the day that we are called on. to celebrate
as it has been instituted in our honor and
it affords us opportunity to rekindle the
enthusiasm in our brethren who are worn
and weary in labor's struggles for right and
Justice. 1t is also the day for congratula-
ton on the continuous growth OF new
unions and the largely Increased member
ship in all our locals; therefore, We should
all commemorate the day in worthy man
ner and TO impress upon the organized as
well as the uuorganized workers the neces-
sity of more extensive organization so that
we can cope effectively with the combina-
uons. growth and solidarity of capital
1T is my privilege today to speak to YOU
of our Central Labor Union of the District
OF Columbia. Up to 1893 the knights of
Labor assemblies predominated in the city
anG no trade union central body existed
The local Federation of Labor was con-
trolled by the Knights but local trade
unions were admitted to membership a
great deal OF dissatisfaction was soon en-
gendered among the trade unionists and
especially among the trade unions that
were affiliated with the American Fedora
ton OF Labor. which resulted in the issuing
p
gates 10 form a central labor union. A
preliminary meeting was held February O.
1897, when twelve organizations were rep
resented and the Central Labor Union of
the District OF Columbia was organized by
the election of full board of officers
Objects of the Association.
THE objects and principles were declared
TO be 10 unite the various bona fide labor
organizations of the city and to assist I'm
the formation of organizations where none
exist; 10 discuss and examine all questions
affecting the general interests of the worS-
ers; to give aid to all organizations affli-
ated with the Central Labor Union; to use
all honorable means to arbitrate difficulties
that may arise between workers and their
employers. and to impress upon the various
branches OF labor the necessity of organ
lzlng the toilers. both men and women. of
Washington and vicinity into unions with
out discrimination as To color or national
ity.
Up to the present time our central body
mas prospered. and we have steadily ad-
Vanced. We have now on our rolls ffty-
three locd! unions aggregating in member
snip over 1000 union men and women and