Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-09-04
STRANGERS IN THOUSANDS
Came to Participate h Laler Dly
 Festivities at Waterbury.

Yesterday was "the" day of the year in the opinion of tho thousanda of labor men who came to this city to participate in the annual parade of the Connecticut Federation of La- bor. There were more than 1000 men In line and the parade was tho longest ever seen in this city. The line was of such big dimensions that 1t took the marchers almost an hour to pass given point.
 The wet weather made the union admirers feel down in the boots In the early part of the morning as 1t looked as If 1t were to be . very dis agreeable day. Still, the unionites are hardy fellows and are accustomed to trials and troubles 50 such little thing as the rain could not prevent the program from being carried out. and the various divisions took their places even though 1t seemed as If the marching would be carried out amidst a downpour of rain.
 But the weather man was only playing with the toilers, for short- ly after ii o'clock "Old Sol'' pushed his way from behind the clouds. and in about half an hour the sky was as crystal, and the remainder of the day everyone was in happy frame of mind, with the exception of those who went to the Hartford-Water- bury ball game and lost part of their roll backing O'Hagan's men.
 The parade which was headed by a platoon of police showed undoubt- edly that the labor unions of Conneo- ticut are still a mighty combination. The Danbury contingent which was about 1.500 strong was rather con- spicuous in the parade as the Hating town had the largest number in line and had more visitors on the streets than any other town. Twenty-Five carloads arrived in Waterbury dur ing the day and the fellows from the sporting town certainly made them- selves known. Several of the fair sex from Danbury also were in line.
 As the parade passed in front of city hall Grand Marshal James P. Donahue had his men marching as best they knew how and the sight was well appreciated by the city ofl- cials on hand. The various unions were dressed in the uniforms suit able to their calling and made rath- CT odd appearance as they tramped along. The Bartenders' union as usual had their blue and white um- brellas, while the stage hands were seated on the float seen many times before. The Horseshoers were strap ping looking bunch and the local bricklayers and masons appeared as If they never were on strike.
 No sooner was the parade over than the crowd began to board cars for the Driving park where the picnic was to be held. All afternoon there was rush for the cars going toward Oakville and there were fully 1000 at the park during the afternoon. The horse racing. the ball game and the track events were run on without any accidents to speak .of. although one fellow who was endeavoring to give an exhibition on his trotter re- ceived fall, but was not Injured. Dancing was also enjoyed afternoon and evening.
 Many of the visitors left town early in the afternoon, but the great CT part did not go home until last evening. It was a great day for the union and the Central Labor union was well satisfied with the results of the day.
 If 1t were not for the labor parade, this city would undoubtedly have been deserted yesterday. The onicers of the Central Labor union last evening were proud of the showing made.