The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1907-09-03
EXERCISES AT COLISEUM
Parade Largest Ever Seen Here-.,Thou.
sands Witness Sports at Park.

Nearly $500 members of the or.
ganized labor unions of the city yes
terday celebrated Labor day in q
proper and fitting manner. The day
was one fitted for the occasion and
while there was not cloud In the
sky to mar the occasion, the rays of
sun poured down upon sweltering
and almost exhausted multitude dur
ing the morning nours and after
noon.
1t was the greatest celebration Of
it's kind ever held in Billings or east
ern Montana. Organized labor was
out in force from early sun up to a
late hour last night making the most
of the holiday set apart by the con-
gress Of the United States and the
state Of Montana.
The parade was a long one, reach
ing many blocks and covering nearly
mile and a half III length.
The Parade.
The parade was led by Chief OF Fo-
lice Talgo and he was followed by
the entire peace force of the city,
mounted. Members Of the Maverick
Hose company were next in line
with their fire fighting apparatus.
Carriages containing the speakers of
the day followed the firemen. In
them were Hon. William Gallagher.
Police Magistrate r. l.. Mann, City
Treasurer Watkins, e. B. Camp and
several others. The Second Regiment
band, together with the members of
the Musicians union, came next, and
at stated intervals rendered special
selections. In the rear of the band
marched the Electrical Workers. They
were dressed in white and carried
heavy copper wire canes, with an in
oandescent light attached to one end,
while streamers Of red, white and
L.ue foated from their canes. They
were followed by the union telephone
operators in large and handsome
float. all dressed in white and who
presented a beautiful appearance.
They were at different times, along
the long route greeted with many
cheers, which they acknowledged in a
cheerful and graceful manner.
Nearly 800 carpenters and joiners
followed the telephone float. They
marched two abreast, and made a
good showing. Many wore special
uniforms in honor Of the day. The
union clerks OF the city were repre-
sented by nearly 60 men members Of
their organization, while several OF
the lady members rode in carriages.
The cooks and walters organization
followed. The cooks carried knives
and other kitchen utensils in their
hands, while the rear of their divi-
sion was represented by the walters
of the different hotels and restau'
rants.
The laundry workers, Of whom
there were large number, rode in 8
float. The delivery wagons followed
the float. Following the laundry
workers came the only four-horse
foat that was in the parade. It car
ried the brewery workers. Their
float was decorated in a tasteful man
ner and two men were kept busy dur
ing the long waits In handing out
large glasses of beer to the thirsty
along the line OF march.
After the brewers marched the
painters and decorators. They Wore
white canvas suits, with caps &c
match and carried small white para
soils. At the head OF their column
rode their mascot, a little fellow, at
tired in the same manner. There
were A members of their union II
line.
The cigarmakers followed the paint
ers and decorators. They wert
dressed in uniforms of white canvas
and blue Jackets. Each member car
ried small white parasol on which
was the union label of their organi
cation. The cigarmakers were fol
lowed by the bartenders. They car
ried small canes and each wore can
vas cap trimmed with deep blu'