Bridgeton pioneer., 1903-06-11
MASS MEETING
in THE RAIN.

tion Saturday night would have been
had the weather permitted is difficult
to conjecture, but from the meeting,
despite the rain, it is safe to say that
probably three thousand people would
have gathered at popular Tumbling
Dam Park.
1t was six O'Clock when the rain be-
gan falling. and it fell in business
like manner for two hours, flooding
the streets, and everyone was of the
opinion that an open air meeting was
out Of the question.
The prominent leaders, we'll known
in the labor movement, were here,
however, and there was greatest dis
appointment expressed. The rain
ceased falling little after eight
O'Clock, and it was then determined
that the meeting should be held under
the most unfavorable auspices. This
decision followed the arrival in
Bridgeton of more than four hundred
people from Millville, accompanied
by the Vineland band, who had start
ed across the pike before the rain be-
gan.
At half-past eight the arrangements
were complete for the meeting, and
the prominent speakers, with the
Vineland and Liberty Band, proceeded
to the Park, the cars being ablaze
with bright colored fires, furiously
burning.
The open Grove Auditorium was
very damp, water soaked, as it had
been, but hundreds of people crowded
within the enclosure and stood up for
two and half hours despite the in
convenience and discomfort Many
Of them held umbrellas over their
heads to shelter them from the drip
ping trees.
Upon the stage were the members
of the two bands and many of those
prominent in the labor movement, to-
gether with the distinguished speak ers
advertised to be present.
The meeting was in charge of
Samuel Harbert, chairman of the
local committee, and after a selection
= by the bands he introduced President
Dennis A. Hayes, of the Green Bottle
Blowers Association of the United
States and Canada.
President Hayes was given an ova-
tion but he said that he would merely
take the time of the people to express
tScfo oti ho
which ne had been received, and said
he regretted that the weather had
seriously interfered with the meeting
which had been planned. With we'll
chosen sentiment he then presented to
the audience Mr.. Samuel Gompers,
President of the american Federation
of Labor
Mr.. Gompers one Of the most dis
tinguished leaders in the labor move
ment, briskly stepped to the front of
the platform and was given a most
cordial greeting.
For nearly an hour and half Mr..
Gompers spoke to that standing audi
ence who seemed to be unmindful of
the weather conditions. and he was
frequently applauded when presenting
telling point.
Mr.. Gompers presented conserva-
tive. economic address, explaining in
detail the labor movement, and ex-
pressing his hopes for the future, and
setting forth at length what was
hoped to obtain.
He reviewed for a little time the
recent strike of the glasswork and
referred briefly to the fact that he
had once before had an opportunity
of addressing the people of Bridgeton.
There is no standing still in this
world to-day, said Mr.. Gompers.
There was no such thing as absolute
stagnation. He was at variance with
the idea that there was to come de-
cay and the death of industry. Bust
ness was bound to move, the country
was certain to grow, and keeping pace
with all great matters, the labor
movement was bound to advance. He
referred to the early inception of the
growth of the labor movement and
showed it's strides in the past and ex-
pressed the hopes for the future, and
advised along lines which he felt by
study, observation and experience,
were certain to accomplish something.
He declared the labor movement
was here to stay, would expand, grow
greater, and felt that with its ad-
vancement the nation would be better.
He deprecated strikes and labor diff
culties. He urged conservative, law
full. manly adjustments of perplexing
problems, but felt that the power of
strikes must always be held in reserve
for crisis that could not be met by