The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1903-09-08

~ ~ listen to the literary exercises
- Of the Labor Council in the aft
ernoon. The theater was hardly
quarter full and not even an ordinary
Sunday crowd was in the grounds. Plen-
tiful criticism was heard among the mem
bers Of the unions because the manage
ment had chosen a place for the speak
ing where an admittance fee was charged.
One Jealous individual arose in the thea
ter Just as the meeting commenced and
proposed to send out the band TO round
up the delinQuents. He was squelched
with difficulty.
j. N Jones presided and introduced tho
speakers, prefacing the introductfOns with
some eloquent remarks. Mayor Schmitz
ana many other prominent labor leaders
were on the platform.
BENHAM SPEAKS.
G. B. Benham. president Of the Labor
Council, made a brilliant and forcfble ad-
dress. He said in part:
These exercises are held under the auspices
OF the san Francisco Labor Council an Organi-
zation credited with being second 10 none IN
this or any other country in its knov-ledgs ri
the necessities OF the working people Ths
ends 1t seeks are those which make for the
elimination OF a great part OF the restrictions
which surround the worker at the present time
We stand here. pledged by our declaration Of
principles 70 secure the enactment OF such
laws. or aid to establish such systems OF gov
eminent as viii secure to the producers the
full prod let Ct their laIOr."
1t would be well for America nor Tor
the world If the fraternaI bonds OF the workers
were torn asunder. Picture TO yourself the de-
struction OF the trades unions and then compare
that catastrophe to the mere financial panics OF
the past. 1t Is something that should Ak itself
indelibly upon the minds Of the thinking people
Of this land Prosperity rests upon the broad
back Of productive laborers. mechanics and
artisans The wage received is the means OF
purchasing power remove from the workers
the greater part OF the purchasing power
gained by organizations and you ring the first
death knell Of prosperity.
Into the Industrial world has come a force
which the powers Of coercion cannot conquer.
Against the associated Iaborers Of this country
the gates OF the Manufacturers Association
cannot prevail. If Ii could be otherwise n
immense social disaster Is pictured IN the de-
feat Of the trades unions. If the wishes Of
these. opponents. were carried cut ths
capitalists themselves would be among the We
Tins OF the general disaster and be forced TO
camp in the economic ruin they had made.
The result OF these labor day celebrations
is a more adequate understanding Of orr obi
cations one to the other, and from the better
understanding OF past events and having in
view the expanding hope Of the future. may
be further inspired TO carry forward the prin-
Those OF Us who are here may not be per-
mitted to enter the promised land where reason
and equity are the guiding stars Of human
effort. but we all may. BY an intelligent fore
sight gaze upon the possibilities OF glorious
future for the workers OF the world
FURUSETH CHEERED.
Andrew Furuseth was given a tumultu-
Gus welcome when he was introduced and
several minutes elapsed before he could
quiet the applause. He reviewed the
growth of labor development since the
days of absolutism. tracing a connection
with the Acknowledgement Of the tOiler5
and the spread Of the doctrine Of Christ.
The labor movement. he said was a CO.
rollary of the doctrine enunciated by
Christ Of the equality Of man under the
fathershfp Of God
Trades unionism, he said, IN its sim
plest form was an association Of workers
in similar lines who Joined together pri-
marily to learn that greatest OF all les
sons, how to govern themselves Out OF
this had grown many forms OF orSaniza-
ton and OF that form which bound to-
gether a large number Of different crafts
under a strong central executive he ex-
messed the greatest concern as being the
rock upon which trades unfonism might
be wrecked The contract system also
whereby organizations agreed to work
for certain parties and compelled re-
turn contract to refuse the employment
~ others he denounced as treason to
labor and of the utmost danger
Dancing was INDUCED in during the aft
ernoon and evening and a magnificent dis
play Of fireworks wound up the exercises
at night.
which comes through the equal domination OF
the law over all men alike. and through It's ad-
minIetratfon in such resolute and fearless fash
ion as shall teach all that no man Is above Il
and no man below II.
At the close Of the speech the Presi-
dent. the State officers and the reception
committee were the guests OF the State
Fair commission at a luncheon In the
club house.
The President, who watched the races
from the clubhouse veranda, was particu-
larIy interested in the attempt of the
stallion John A. McKerron to break the
track record. When 1t was announced
that he had accomplished this and low
cred his own record besides the President
seemed greatly pleased. and later when
Harry X Devereaux Of Cleveland. the
owner and driver, was introduced TO him
he congratulated the latter on his tri-
umph.
Coming back to the city at o'clock.
the President went again to the review
ing stand and for lnearly an hour stood.
hat in hand, and saw $500 letter carriers
march by. Just before the parade the
President was presented with handsome
vase. suitably inscribed. in behalf Of the
East Liverpool, Ohio, delegation Of letter
carriers, and later received a large floral
offering from the letter carriers at large