The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1903-09-11
SPEAKING At
Meyers LAKE
Thomas E. Snyder's Ad-
dress on Labor Con.
ditions an Able Effort.

The speaking program, which con.
stituted the afternoon portion Of the
Labor day celebration. was carried out
at Meyers lake. There was a tremen-
dous crowd on the grounds and quite
a large assemblage gathered about the
band stand, which was used as the
rostrum for the speakers
Labor day addresses are usually long
and drawn out. but 1t must be admit
ted that the speeches of Monday after
noon were short, terse and full of
salient points Thomas F. Snyder's ex-
position of the organization of workers
was the leading address of the day.
Mr.. Snyder, in the course of his ad-
dress, made a strong comparison of the
aims of the Manufacturers association,
as championed by David Parry. and
the aims of the American Federation
of Labor. as furthered by its president,
Samuel Gompers.
The meeting was called to order by
President of the Day Jacob Nicodemus,
who extended a word of welcome to
the visiting trades unionists. Mayor
w. II. smith followed and predicted
that the time was not far distant when
the manufacturers would grant half
holiday to their employees. In the opin-
ion of Canton's executive the worker
would accomplish as much in the five
and one-half days. il he received hol-
iday of half day, as he would BY
working the entires six days of the
week.
Robert A. Pollock of North Law
renee occupied a few minutes in ex-
plotting the development of the Miners
union, with special reference to the
union in the Massillon coal district.
Mr.. Snyder's speech follows:
Upon this day 1t is q custom to laud
and praise the labor movement, but l
believe that on this day organized la
icism which it deserves as it is recog-
nized for its many accomplishments.
Our methods should conform to the
laws of justice, and we should be de-
clared wrong to the extent that they
do not
LABOR ORGANIZED.
History shows that organization
among working men has existed as
long as employer and employe has ex-
listed, and / hold that organization |
at oil nd fr,l
all climes, has been the result of the
same causes, and that it is justified in |
the present as it was in the past
During the reign of Rameses H., the |
Egyptian ruler. many revolts and
striAes occurred among the slaves be- |
cause siey were given insufficient food
while compelled to work long hours
upon the pyramids. Many strikes oc-
CURED in the Roman empire among the
captive slaves, who were compelled to
till the soil and grow the necessities OF
life. of which they received an INSULT
cient quantity.
81 abor organizations existed and
strikes have been frequent since the
beginning of the Sixteenth century in
England.
so we find organization among the
working classes from the earliest per-
iods of history. and let me say that
such organization in past times was, as
it is at present. an organized protest
OF the worker against the injustice of
the employer.
1T is not alone an effort for higher
wage or fewer hours of toll, but de-
termined fight for better homes, better
education. better social surroundings
and better civilization
FORCES COMPARED.
Let us compare briefly the two
great forces which keep alive the fight
OF capital and labor, the American
Federation of Labor and the National
Manufacturers association. The Amer
lean Federation of Labor is an organi-
zation OF over 100000 workingme,.
who are struggling to protect the rights
of labor. The greatest effort Of this
organization has been directed against
two national eyils-the sweat shop and
child labor.
"A recent report OF William S
wauby. special agent OF the United
States labor commission. shows that
at the present time 1,75e.OoO children.
between the ages OF 10 and Is. are EN-
ployed within the United States Their
condition is unquestionabIy the great
est enemy Of our future civilization
Let me briefly view the National
Mnnufacturers' association. its objects
and methods. II Is an Organization of
employers. and Is organized for the
purpose Of combating every effort OF
the American Federation Of Labor and
hx that nosifion declares iiseif In favor