The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-09-08
LABOR DAY HERE
Plants Shut Down and Business was
Generally Suspended.

Plants Shut Down and Business was
Generally Suspended.
Yesterday was, Labor Day, an anniver-
sary looked fo.,.ard to all the year by
the organized labor element throughout
the entire country, and In recent years
celebration growing more and more IN
Importance. All through the State the.
day was observed esterday, not only as
the usual State and national holidays are
conimemorated, but by very general ces.
y,aAton from labor by the masses OF
organized labor. The day has seldom, II
ever, been more generally observed IN
Richmond than yesterday, and despite the!
fact that large. trainload had gone to
West Point to celebrate the day there
with a programme arranged by and car.
ried out under the auspices of the Gem
trail Trades and Labor Council, thousands
observed the day at home. The absu-g
nence from labor WAS so general that
almost every plant OF any kind employ
ing many operatives shut down for tho
day, and many stores and offices observed
the day by at least q partial cessation
from labor. ~
the city took hundreds away. but brought
thousands hitler In their stead. Many
went from this city to Washington and
others to the seashore and to other points.
besides the large crowd to West Point
The Richmond Cedar Works Was about
the only large Industrial plant employing
many operatives that failed to shut down.,
and thsi failure to observe the day was
due solely to the large accumulation Of
orders, necessitating work even on labor's
festival day. The Locomotive Works. the
large tobacco and cigarette and cheroot
factories, the Marcuse can factory, and
all tho other enterprises employing or
ganized labor, and many OF those whose
operatives are unorganized, shut down for
the day, and all enjoyed O holiday
The suspension Of work by the negroes
| was. perhaps, even more general than
that by the whites, there being one or
two excursions from this city and several
to this place from other points, notably
q crowd of twelve hundred from Norfolk
and intermediate points, accompanied by
ball team from Norfolk. The game Of
| ball. or two games, at Broad Street Park
attracted several thousand persons In
Guiding many whites
The chief observance Of the day, how
| ever, was celebrated by the nero absti-
| nence from work and an outing at the
parks in and near the city. All were
crowded during the day. West End Park
caught the greater crowd but Fulton
Park. Forest FILL Lakeside and all the
other breathing spots were visited. and
| even the Capitol Square was thronged oil
day, chiefly by slght-seers who had come
OF the excursions The attractions at
the Reservoir, or West End Park. In the
afternoon and evening We're the bc,ud
concerts, though the varied diversions Of
| the place attracted many and caught
many nickels and dimes and dollars, lar
della s Band gave concerts at in the
afternoon ad at In the evening. and
| these were drawing cards. Fine pro-
grammes We're rendered,
The street cars did a thriving business.
and the revenue was the largest in many
months for single day. Practically
| every available piece Of rolling stock was
crowded cars were the rule. It mattered
little In whatever direction they were
| going, each car was pretty we'll filled
all day and until midnight
| Pedestrians were numerous also Broad
| Street especially being crowded all day
and we'll into the evening and IN the
evening both the theatres drew large and
! enthusiastic audiences.
The celebration OF the day that incor-
venienced the people most of all perhaps
| was by the BARRIERS who closed their
shops at noon or P. NJ, and as a conse-
quence many a man went unshayed, hav-
| Ing neglected to shave the day before,
| The suspension OF business In the city
and State and Federal offices was very
general The postoh1ce observed the usual
holiday hours, Few merchants closed their
doors, and these generally for but S1kr-
| ton Of the day Many Of the stores and
| restaurants and hotels had their force
of employees trifle short Tor the day,
owing to holiday absentees. That remain
ing was generally adequate to attend to
business. for 1t was not good day TOR
business.
In many respects the celebration OF the
day was an ideal one. The weather and
the temperature had contributed greatly
| to the pleasure OF q day out OF doors, be-
Ing an ideal early September day. with
lust a suggestion of autumn IN u, but
with a. mild waTrnth that sayored OF suns
mer. Not only in point Of weather w the
i day noteworthy It was remarkable for
the excellent order maintained the In
frequency Of drunkenness, and Immunity
from, accidents Of all kinds. The police
and hospital reports for the day make
n most credtsble showing, not only to the
| city but to the Visitors.