The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-07-22
Fine Meeting Held at Ar
mory Hall Last Night
MINISTER'S TALK ON ORGANIZATION
Rev. Austin Rice and Rev. M. n.
Marvin Discuss Labor
Problem.

The attendance at last nights meet
ing of union labor at ArmOry hall al
though lacking somewhat in numbers,
made up for this deficiency by great
punches of enthusiasm distributed at
intervals throughout the addresses.
The number of nOn-uniOn men pres
ent was most gratifying to members
of the Trades council and the mastery
addresses of Rev. Austin Rice and
Rev. NJ. H. Marvin met the approval
and commentator of all.
Mr. Rice's subject was Union La
Dor, It's Advantages and Objects to
err, a logical and clear reasoner Mr..
Rice was amply able to prove to his
hearers where the capitalist, the pub
lie and labor itself were gamers by
having the workers organized. In the
short time he spoke Mr.. Rice hand
led his topic well. He pictured the
growth and spread of labor unions
in the United States, and told of the
advantages and objects of organized
labor to the working man, embodylng
four things, child labor, minimum
wage scale. shorter hours and pro-
lection against unfair and unhealthy
labor conditions, as some of the adj
vantageS now accruing to the working
man as the result of organization. In
many different ways and trades, he
said, labor unions were a guaranty OF
the good quality of the workmen and
their work.
In reference to the locomotive engi-
neers, the speaker paid high tribute
to the efficiency of its members ana
declare that the travelling public feel
more safe riding behind a union"
engineer than We're the engine driver
mon union" product. Membership
in an association which demands
thorough technical skill and strict So
briefly from its members could not
but appeal to all thinking persons,
What is true OF this union" said he,
lis true in the main of all national
and international organizations"
Referring to the closing Of stores at
and o'clock Mr.. Rice put forth con-
vincing arguments in favor of early
closing that went home to the hearts
of his hearers In closing the rever-
organized labor forces which secured
the closing of barber shops and stores
on Sunday. He chided the labor un-
! ions for going it alone on this ques-
ton and not allowing the church and
| its adherents to lend helping hand.
His closing remark awOke hearty ap-
plause.
Rev. Marvin's address was like that
of the preceding speaker in logic and
concise reasoning. His remarks were
| interspersed with many humorous il
Illustrations that captured the audience
| who applauded nightly.
Rev. Marvin's address might have
included any phase of union labor, it
was so general In the main, hOwevr,
| he spoke Of what organized labor has
accomplished and ventured a predic-
| ton of the future. He touched the
character of the labOring man, saying
| there was a tendency among the fair
sex to regard a man with tOil-wOrn
| hands as one not fit to associate with.
Because certain classes of women re-
| gard the labOring man in this light
| there is a tendency to ignore manual
| toll The ennobling qualities of hon
est labor were touched upon with a
master hand and the dignity Of labor
| concisely shown.
| Referring to the invitation extended
Rev. Rice and himself he said it show
| ed the labor unions believe in religion
Labor unions have contributed a great
| deal to education in the United States
which has greatly increased since or
ganized labor has become an active
force Organizer labor is the strong
est force educationally in the United
States, he added.
| Speaking Of foreign labor and the
! effect organized labor had upon it Mr..
| Marvin said it was the most powerful
factor in Americanizing the people of
Southern Europe who every year
flock to the United States in ever in
| creasing numbers. 1t is, also, a great
total abstinence society.
| In closing his address Mr.. Marvin
spoke of the ethical side of the labor
union and the reforms it has forced
upon the country. He said the
Franco Prussian war and the Civil
war would never have happened if the
| labor unions had been listened to and
the time is coming when organized
labor will become such a gigantic
brotherhood that it will bring about
universal peace Mr.. Marvin ended
| by paying glowing tributes to Presi-
| dent John Mitchell and President
| Theodore Roosevelt.
|