Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1906-03-02
Continued from last week.)

Continued from last week,)
In short time, everything indicated
the awful catastrophe known as the
great flood Of the Mississippi in 1908.
Some things occurred at that time
that would make the blood of self
respecting working man boil. Again,
some things were very amusing.
When the water was nearing the |
tops of the levees thrown up for the
protection of the city, men were in de-
mand at from 80 to so cents an hour.
The "silk stockings" as we called
them, i. e., the clerks and Office help,
lawyers, doctors and merchants, were
given tin stars and made special
policemen. The "cotton socks" i. e.,
men willing and able to work, were
formed into crews, under some one as
captain, and put to work filling bags
with sand, or doing anything to help
build embankments. From Sunday
morning, until Tuesday midnight,
when the embankment broke and the
water poured over the city in torrent,
men labored know that the crew l
was in had but six hours sleep in three
days and two nights. The city fed us,
and the "society ladies" were the
walters at table.
An incident occurred at this time
that shows the difference between the
professed and the real friend Of the
laboring men. We, that is, the men
who labored, each received, as we
passed in line, one cup of coffee and
other rations, and had table on the
north side of the entrance. The mos
of us called for the second cup ot
coffee, but could not get it. We OBJ
served, however, that the silk-stockinG
fellows could get a second supply o
anything they wanted. We called tn
attention of Congressman Roden
baugh and some others to the dis
tinction being made, and also to tn
fact that we needed the coffee to kee
us up. They promised to look int
the matter, but that was all.
At the next meal, our requests &c
more coffee we're ignored; but not 6
with the "darlings." Just then, tf
CITY Attorney came along, and "
called his attention to it. He quletl
turned to one man and said, "Go u
and ask for a second cup" The ma
did so, and came back without
Then the Attorney got move on hin
SELF His little statement, made
the women at the serving station, WI
something like this;
= "Those men over there" pointing
" rs. "are working to the limit OF e
q durance. You give these men oV
g here" indicating the tin stars, "tN
. cups Of coffee, and refuse it the M
Z who labor. From this time on, al
q difference shown must be for the m
: who work" We got the coffee
e wish I could recall that mans nan
: He was elected City Attorney wh
= Cook was first elected Mayor OF E'
= ST Louis, and was City Attorney
= the time of the flood.
e On Wednesday morning, L stepI
Z into one of the few stores not closed
e account of high water, and called
5 something to eat. About all they
Z was ginger snaps, the regular pI
e Of which had been five cents a doz
! When I entered the store, the proprie
e was kicking at the rate per hour
manded by laborers for work IN
= inc TO save the city. He said e
: should have been compelled to W
1 for regular wages, if they even
g that much; that it was a conn
: calamity, and that all should W
e for the common good. I put dow
: nickel and asked for some gin
GR snaps. He gave me three as
him if that was all he gave tor
Fl money. He said Eyes" that they
very scarce and in great Gema. Z :.
aWhen labor is scarce" said l
in GREAT demand, you call it eXtor
70 ask increased pay, but 1 sup
YOUR act you call business
That afternoon an outrage was
netrated by the Chief of Police
his men. A large number OF laOC
who had worked hard were neal
Citv Hall, resting as best tney q
We were lined up and marched a. a.
5 +be long bridge into st Louis IL
whispered that we were Oelns -, =
across to get our pay. Once owe
we're left to shift as best we G
Tbov % attempted to justify this az
(, ewing that the town was lniesDe
thieves. The bridge is a toll-Di
ii and I hut few Of the men had any III
consequently the greater M hu
conld not return. One man !.,il. %nl
1 9yiren over had been a faithful
pared osort ploye of the Tudor Iron 5H vito TorT
yraph se'eIal a. o,rief and anxiety. Fl
n de- anoble ~ to obtain the neceSsar
price until the end of four days. =, q
TO the in the large city, and put mn "a .
IS are strangers, and he is voted a ~ -
the slightest prete1t l soon llonl lg
keep, nv pay, and, aIUeI W. o. n
1t. labor on the Granite CITY y
noon. Works, 11 found other business
night. remunerative ana llu0r ~