Evening star., 1907-09-02
This is Labor day for certain"

HIS is lIdDOT DAY lot
In the annals of the labor world the fore
going words OF Robert Price, a grimy
miner OF Lonaconing Nd. are written as
the shibboleth which brought about the
enactment of laws which constituted as
Labor day the first Monday in September.
Price standing on the reviewing plat
form in New York city as the hosts of toll
were passing by in panoramic review. Sep
tember 5, 1882 1t was the first genertl
parade of labor unions in this country and
the scene was an inspiring one. 1t was
particularly inspiring to Robert Pr.ce. the
coal miner, who was enjoying a holiday
from his daily toll of digging dusky dia-
monds down in the coal mine, where a
ray OF sunshine nevet can be found" as
the old song tells the story.
The general assembly of the Knights OF
Labor had been called together to wit
ness the passing regiments of work!Ismen.
about GO.nO0 in all, when Price turned to
one of the labor leaders and exclaimed
ioyously.
This is Labor day for certain
Adopted by the States.
From that time the official designation
of the holiday has been Labor day." and
state after state passed laws setting aside
the first September Monday OF each year
rs one on which the toilers may lay aside
their tools of trade and enjoy the occa-
sion with their families and friends in a
sort of Christmas and -Fourth-of-July ex.
ubcrance of spirits
The weather conditions for the celeb-a-
.tion in Washington and vicinity were IDEAL.
The celebrants were protected from the
direct rays of the September sun by sky
canopy of dense gray stratus clouds. and
at intervals there were bursts of balmy
breeZes from the southeast, while the tenn
perature at IL o'clock was but seventy de-
grees.
The principal event is the all-day out-
ing Of the Central Labor Union at Luna
Park, and early in the forenoon the cleo
trio cars bound for that resort were crowd
ed to their capacities with men. women
and children bent on having q good time. :
The knights of Labor and their friends
went down the Potomac to historic Marshall
Hall to celebrate beneath the venerable and
gigantic shade trees for which the place ID
noted.
The Army and Navy Union will celebrate
this after rnoon at a lawn fete at 18th street
and Lincoln Park northeast. and there were
other affairs of lesser importance. including
many family outings to the picturesque
places about Washington.
Parade Feature Abolished.
Up to 1896 the principal Labor day feature
in the District was a great parade, the
members of the several unions wearing dis-
tfnctive uniforms carrying flags and BAN
ners and marching behind brass bands. But
in 1897 the parade feature was abolished
by action of the central labor body and
1t was decided to give the money collected
for parade purposes TO the worthy charities
of Washington.
was q series of loud, rumbing reports
which awakened the echoes-anc elso The
citizens Some of the labor folks thought
the noise was that of an approaching thun-
might interfera with the
celebration of the day in the open. Down
at labor headquarters there were A few
early birds and they heard the booming
II wonder IL that is a salute for the day
from the artillery at Fort Myer?" said one.
No" responded man. who looked as IL
he knew. That's the Blasters' Union up
by Chain bridge busting rock with dyna-
What the Day Means.
Speaking of the day and what It means
to the American workers. Mr, Sam
DeNedrey. secretary OF the Central Labor
Union. said:
with Labor day. that one day in the
year that has become a sentiment. a charm
and a purpose to the man who tolls, those
in the District, the home OF the national
government. are already prepared TO show
their appreciation of the movement in n
fitting manner.
probably IN no other sectlon of me
United States has this idea. conceived years
ago. become more OF a reality than here in
the home of the American Federation of
Labor"
All the government employees were given
a day off," and they TOO. in common with
those who are not employed by Uncle Saai.
spent the holiday in variety OF ways.
Those who possessed sho:guns were cut on
the marshes popping away at reed birds
and ortlans while others went 70 Luna
Park, down to Marshall Hall or enjoyed
quiet outings in nearby forests and fields.
The streets of the city were almost deserted
and wore n decidedly Sunday appca -ance.
Sports, Speeches and songc.
Central Labor Union celebrated l.a:'1r
day WITH "a rig gathering at Luna :'art
where sports. speeches and songs, ad1ei
to the regular attractions of ths :s-ort.
made the occasion, oae q: ;Ee most mcmo-