The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-09-06
Man noth Parade the Forenoon Many Elaborate Floats
Were in Line.
One of the Largest Crowds that Charleston Lined
StreetsThe Most Successful Ever Held in the Civ
Nugent Made Fine Address to Large Crowd

Charleston's Labor Day celebra-
ton by far exceeded the eXpecta-
'tions of both the promoters and the
public. The industrial and trades
display parade was the largest ever
seen in Charleston. Some of the
floats were exceptionally good. The
parade took place in the forenoon
as arranged by the committee. At
= 2o'clock an immense crowd assem-
blcd at Athletic Park where they
listened to one of the best speeches
ever delivered in this city, which
was, made by John Nugent, the
speaker of the day. Capt f. e.
Hood made a very apt address on
behalf of the city which was well
received. After the speaking the
Plumbers and Electrical Workers
entertained the crowd with a base
ball game.
. Ticket No. 545 drew the $40. 90
pastel portrait offered by Prof. j (.
G. Adler, the prominent artist.
Chairman Heller, of the Labor
Day Committee, called the meeting
to order and announced that owing
to the unavoidable absence Of some
of the scheduled speakers the pro-
gram had to be changed at the last
> minute. He announced that in.
stead of the scheduled chairman Of
the meeting Frank w. Snyder, ed
ltoriof the Lobor Argus, had been
selected chairman OF the meeting
Mr.. Snyder took the chair and
called on. Rev. Ernest Thompson
of the First Presbyterian church to
open the meeting with prayer. Mr..
Thompson lead in Il short and APP
.propriate prayer.
e. CAPT. Hoops ADDRESS.
b.. Mr.. Chairman, ladies and gentle
Emcn of the Federation Of Labor of
Charleston and the Kanawha Val
sleN:-l want to assure you that no
greater pleasure has ever been ac-
corded me than, as the acting eX-
:ecutlve head of the City of Charles
ton, to welcome this great concoulse
:o1 people to the City of Charleston,
and beSpeak for them the full en-
5loNment of this day especially set
apart by legislative enactment for
their pleasure and recreation.
\: want also to take this occasion
70 congratulate organized labor in
this section generally:upon its prog
less III organization, utilization and
wise leadership. Your progress, en-
1tuged membership and increased
recognition in all trades has been
clue to the careful and conservative
!nethodS you have adopted and the
leadership of men whose patriotic
impulses have guided you in the
shaping of policies and the conduct
OF your federation along all lines. 1t
mas been but Il few years since or
ganlzed labor in the City of Char
eston and the surrounding commu-
MY was at an extremely low ebb,
anu many sincere and earnest
workers i'll the cause were diScour-
aged for the future. But new blood.
a+better understanding of condi-
tlons, conservative leadership. link
Ell with the splendid prosperity
With which we are blessed. have
Az, been potent fact rs in reviving
tne spirit of unionism, until today
u IS the boast and pride of most of
you here today that the local feder-
aton OF labor is more closely uni
Ieq. has stronger membership, and
better men in its ranks than at any
ume in the history of our splendid
city l also note with qualification
the spirit of good feeling and har-
rnony that exists between the en-
ployer and employed. 1t is an un-
n1allstakable ms indication that the great
battle for fair days pay for fair
days work has been fought and
won in this locality, at least. and
1et us hope that these gratifying
conditions will continue to exist
through the wise counsel and de-
llperate leadership Of those who are
IN control of both these great inter
ests, the employer and the en-
ployed
at has been the habit and custom
upon occasions similar to this for
the chief executive of the CITY. or
has representative, to deliver over
the keys of the city into the keep
Ing of the representative of the