The Washington times., 1903-09-06
National Holiday VIII Be
Celebrated TomoS1ol0 WHR
Outings at River Vle1o and
Marshall Hall.
Street Pa1adeS WW MOI Be
a Part of Observance.
Committees in Charge Of
of the RiUez Excursions.

Workingmen throughout the United
States. particularly members of organ
lied labor, Will celebrate tomorrow as
national holiday. In fact, in nearly
every State and Territory in the Union
legislation has been enacted making
the first Monday in September Labor
Day. a general holiday. In these States
and Territories, especially in their large
cities, there will be a general cessation
from work, except so much as is neces-
sary to satisfy the most urgent needs
of commerce, travel and the convent
ence and comfort of the public.
The hum Of machinery, the buzzing OF
the saw, the tapping of the hammer,
and the swish of the plane will not be
heard tomorrow. 1t will be observed as
day of rest by workmen everywhere,
who. dressed in their best, and accom-
panied by their families and friends,
will seek pleasure in their own way.
1t is not the workman alone, however,
who celebrates Labor Day as general
holiday. He is Joined by the banker and
his clerk, the merchant and his en-
ployes and the retired business man in
the observance of the occasion, for
Labor Day has been legalized as holi-
day for all
Local Celebration.
Nowhere Is Labor Day more generally
observed than in the District of Colum-
bia, although it was not until twelve
years after the Legislature OF the State
of New York had made the first Monday
in September a general holiday that
Congress, in 1894. passed an act making :
it a legal holiday in the District In the
year following, the first Monday in Sep
tember was celebrated by the members
OF organized labor, irrespective Of the
national Affiliations Of the bodies par
ticipating. with a grand street parade
On that occasion fully 5000 members Of
organized labor took part in the ceie d.
pration.
Before another year rolled around dis
sensions divided the forces of labor, ard
only members OF trades unions observed
the day by organizing a street parade
Since then. however. neither the trades
uniOnists nor the knights of Labor have
made a street parade part of their cele-
bration in the District
As result of the difference between
the trades unionists and the Knights Of
Labor at that time, the Central Labor
Union, a trades unionist body. was or
ganized March 2S, 1886. 1t had a small
beginning. but has rapidly increased in
membership and influence, until now It
has eightytwo affiliated unions. with an
aggregate membership of about IS, 900.
District Assembly No. 66, Knights OF
Labor, the Oldest central labor body in
the District, has since the split" in
1886 maintained its organization and de-
spite dissensions and litigation with the
national officers OF the order, has pros
pered and retained its influence.
Split Not Yet Healed.
While there are many things about
which the Knights of Labor and the
trades unionists agree. still they have
not become friendly enough since the
split in 1896 TO join hands in the
celebration OF their national holiday in
common. Because of lack of friendly
cooperation between the two local CEN
tral bodies the members of the afhI-
brated Labor Day separately and at
diaerent places.
With the exception of 1901 the unions
affiliated with the Central Labor Union.
which is a part of the American Fedora
tion OF Labor. have celebrated the work
mems national holiday by an outing at
River View on the Potomac River. The
Knights OF Labor have continuously
since 1885 held their Labor Day exercises
at Marshall Hall. Both organizations
have used every effort to provide pro-
gram Of athletic sports and amusements
for the entertainment of the young and
old and the day has always been most
satisfactorily spent by the members of
organized labor and their friends.
Steamers Every Hour.
Ample arrangements have been made
by the committees in charge for the
transportation OF the excursionists 20
and from River View and Marshall Hall
Steamers viii be run every hour 10 these
places, beginning at 10 a. m. and con
tinuing until 1880 D. n. All the boats
of the transportation companies will be
on hand at Marshall Hall and River
View TO bring the excursicnists back 10
Washington in the evening. Arrange
ments have been made to avoid any
crowding on the return trips.
feature OF the celebration OF Labor
Day at Marshall Hall Will De game Of
baseball between teams representing the
Carpenters and Painters assemblies, af-
fliated with District Assembly No. 66.
X. of L. The prize is the star" silver
cup. which was won last year by the
carpenters.
Professionals Barred.
The committee on sports recon-
mended that professional baseball pitch
ers should not be allowed TO participate
in the contest for the star" silver cup.
The recommendation was made because
It was alleged the winners OF last years
game. in order to maintain their ad-
vantage for permanent possession Of the
cup. had gone outside the ranks OF or
ganized labor for pitching talent.