Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-03
HOSTS OF LABOR
TAKE AN OUTING
Variety of Amusements Pro-
vided at Nearby Resorts.
ATHLETIC EVENTS IN LEAD
Luna Park, River View and Marshall
Hall Crowded.
THE PROGRAMS ELSEWHERE
Annual Tournament at Suitland Park
Washington Grove Program
German Orphan Asylum.

A drizzling rain and leaden skies greeted
the hosts of labor when they arose this
morning intent upon celebrating the one &C.
casion in the year in which they feel a par
ticular proprietary interest-Labor day.
Soon after Old Sol made his appearance In
the heavens. however, the rain ceased and
there were occasional blazes of sunlight
through the riffs Of cumulus and mackerei
clouds which formed vapory canopy, but
withal. the day remained overcast or partly
SO, the sun shining brightly at intervals
only during the afternoon.
The workingmen of Washington their
relatives and friends were astir early this
morning. notwithstanding the gloomy out
look. and. arrayed In summer attire, they
made their way to the steamboat wharves
and railroad stations to enjoy an outing,
either at River View or Marshall Hall,
where the carpenters and knights of Labor
are holding FORTH with the members Of
the Central Labor Union at Luna Park.
This being legal holiday, the great army
of government employees also took advan-
taSe of the occasion to spend the day in
some suburban place or else to enjoy a
quiet occasion at their homes.
One of the attractive features of Labor
day Is the Middle States Regatta, near the
AQueduct bridge. Others were the day
the outings to Chesapeake Beach and Co
lonial Beach
Labor day has been termed 1.-The working
mans Fourth of July" as 1t is distinctively
an occasion on which the sons Of toll lay
aside their implements of labor and enjoy
themselves in varied ways.
Origin in 1882.
The history of the day shows that on
September 5. 1882. the trades organizations
allied with the Central Labor Union of New
York city put aside the implements of toll
and generally observed the day as a holi-
day. Even the most enthusiastic at that
time did not anticipate that within the
comparative short period of a decade the
day would be legaliZed holiday by
every state of the Union and by the federal
government. The observance of one day
in the year as Labor day" was first pro-
posed and urged. it is said, by P. ]. Nc
CURE formerly first vice president of the
American Federation Of Labor. at a ses-
sion of the Central Labor Union of New
York city. held on May 8. 1882. The pro-
priety of devoting one day of the year to
recreation and rest was earnestly advised
by Mr.. Mcclure and others, not only as
being labor's tribute to labor. but as an ex-
hibition of the consciousness of labor of the
dignity and worth of those whose toiling
hands alone are builders of a nations
wealth and fame" The holiday therefore,
is of peculiar interest, having its genesis In
public sentiment, and was generally OBJ
served before it was made legal holiday
by the various states. The first act legal
iZing the day was passed by the legislature
of New York In 1897 which provided that
1.-The first Monday of September shall here
after be known as Labor day. which shall
be considered as a public holiday" SINH
lar action was later taken by other states
On June %, 1894. by act of Congress, the
first Monday in September was made a ma
tional holiday.
Place in Calendar.
Labor day has place forever in the
calendar of holidays which are observed as
commemorative of important events in the
religious. civil and martial life of nations
1t is the one day of the year dedicated to
the triumphs Of labor. The toilers on this
day. surrounded by the fruits of their Ia
Dor. bring their offerings to the shrine Of
peace. Proudly conscious Of what they
have contributed to the honor and defense
of the republic and the comfort and happi-
ness of the people. they can lay their labor
hardened hands upon the pillars of state
and truthfully exclaim. This is our work"
Mr.. Milford Spohn, who Is known as the
father of the Central Labor Union" is
chairman Of the Labor day committee of
that organization. and has charge of the
varied entertainment at Luna Park. Act
ing under his orders Is staff of assist
ants
The attendance at this resort today was
not as large as the committee had expected.
Program at Luna Park.
The program there includes the following
ey ents:
Three-legged race-First prize, 81; second
prize, 81.
Sack race-First prize. 81; second prize. 81,
Egg race (for girls under eighteen)-First
prize, $3.50: second prize. 81.
Potato race-First prize. 81; second
prize, 81.
Wheelbarrow race for women-First prize,
pair gloves: second prize. pocketbook.
Running jump-First prize, pair shoes;
second prize, hat
Pole vaulting-First prize, dress suit case;
second prize, military brushes.
Base ball game at O'Clock; prize for
winning team. $50.
Music is being furnished by the new
Greater Washington Band. In addition to
the general committee there will be four
other committees to look after the many
events.
The officers Of Central Labor Union. who
are taking an active part In the pro-
gram, are: President E. L. Adams. Co
lumbia Lodge Machinists: Vice President
John Colpois, carpet mechanics: Secretary
ers: Treasurer Milton Smelling. engineers
local, No. 80: Financial Secretary c. e.
Mcclure, plate printers: Sergeant-at-arms
Samuel Beckett tile layers helpers.
The carpenters and joiners OF the District
had a splendid program at River view.
and the attendance was large. while at
Marshall Hall the members OF District AS