The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1901-09-02

Vice President Roosevelt should have
seen the whole Labor Day parade as it
marched down Nicollet avenue with colors
and banners waving to the lively melodies
OF numerous bands.
Admiring as ne does the man of action
the man OF red blood and brawny
strength, manly bearing and independent
spirit, Colonel Roosevelt would have been
stirred by the sight of the labor forces
Of the western metropolis, swinging along
with the free and easy western stride
His heart would have gone out to that
long line of workers, who by their
strength and toll and by their cunning
and skill are transforming the raw prod
ucts of the earth into articles of utility
and beauty, who are creating wealth for
the whole community, good living and
health for themselves. prosperity for all.
There were thousands out to see the
paraders to-day. 1t would be folly to at
tempt an estimate OF the numbers in the
crowds. Nicoilet avenue was packed from
Tenth street to Bridge Square as tightly
as straws in a broom. More people might
have been crowded in, but where it would
not be easy 10 see. Hennepin avenue had
its thousands and the side streets upon
which the parade formed were thronged
with great crowds of those unable to get
q position along the line of march, but
determined not to return home without
seeing what they could
Some people viii have the temerity to
say whieh was the best appearing body in
line this morning. There is even a COM
mittee of three men willing to place
themselves on record as deciding which
union made the best appearance. Some
men have a uperabundance of confidence
in their own judgment. Others are not
so constituted and will not commit them
selves further than to say that every un-
ion made creditable appearance-even
the pOlicemen's union, the horse owners
branch and the sidewalk squad.
The police detail was large, but none
too large to make way for such a big
parade. 1t was difficult at times to keep
the platoon front on the mounted con-
tingent, but by pushing back until dents
made by the crowd, the police were able
to make clear a space so Grand Marshal
Phil Carlin, mounted on a prancing steed,
could be seen to advantage Mayor Ames
and Labor Commissioner O'Donnell fol-
lowed in a carriage. Officers and mem
bers of the State Federation of Labor and
the trades and labor council followed.
How They Looked.
District Chiefs Hernlund and Hanley
led cloud of dark down the street and
then came a big patch of shimmering
white. 1t was the bakers and they shone
with cleanliness from the tops of their
white baker caps to the bottoms of their
white trousers.
Two carriages for ladies led off the boot
and shoe workers, whose distinguishing
sign was a big red boot on the left breast
of each marcher.
Marching in two columns of twos the
iron molders in black costumes with white
caps marched sturdily over the asphalt
They were followed by six carriages
brightly decorated with pampas, grass
pldmes and twined with colored paper
rope. The occupants were ladies bearing
red, white or blue parasols. The official
program made the stationary engineers
follow the iron molders, but the pretty
occupants of the carriages were much toe
dainty and pretty to be engineers.
The latter needed no substitutes, how
ever, and appeared in line behind the
Morgan post drum corps looking not as
if they had come from the shop but as if
they were going there. The style of blue
overalls and black cap affected by engi-
neers was worn by each member of the
union.
Next came a shirt waist party, white
shirt waists and white duck pants. 1t
was the carriage painters and they were
just as proud as any union that was out
A dash of bright color turned into Mic
ollet avenue when the cigarmakers in
purple shirt waists reached the main
thoroughfare. Another group had white
T. D. l. u, and the Federal Labor unior
label as conspicuous as they could.
The Coopers' Machine Operators, the
T. D. l. u, and the eFdeTal Labor union
attracted attention by wearing no other
uniforms than their Sunday-go- to- meet
ing clothes, and just as many people saw
them as the more striking uniforms.
A band with a real drum major, wear
ing a top-heavy shake, introduced the
blacksmiths in blue waists and white
pants. No one ever saw a smith logged
out in such willie boy attire, but the
smiths looked well, nevertheless.
The plumbers helpers had workman
like costume, and every one was about
ready to go to work as he ever Is. They
had gray hats, striped cotton shirts and
white suspenders.
Some Wore Umbrellas.
Big umbrellas, red, white and blue
triangles, were carried by the members OF
the Woodworkers' union and the little fell
lows standing in the rear of the big
crowds could at least see those giddy
umbrellas.
The broommakers, stage employees,
teamsters. mattress makers, elevator en-
ployes, meat cutters, leather workers ma
chinists and some smaller unions did not
appear in uniform, but did their share to
swell the parade into the biggest in the
history of the state. They had at least
banners and the banners added much color
and animation to the procession.