The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1907-09-03

ribbon. Next in the parade were
wood and metal workers. They made
good showing. Following them
marched the plasterers, each carrying
fnishers. They wore natty suits of
canvas. After the plasterers marched
the lathers. They wore handsome
uniforms. Large red placards In
tneir hats identified the members Of
the Typographical Union, which was
the last organization in line. Several
business floats followed the printers
The parade counter marched two
blocks on Montana avenue and then
went to the Coliseum rink, where the
speakers Of the day held forth for
nearly one hour The first speaker
of the day was Police Magistrate f.
l.. Mann, who was introduced by the
marshal of the day, J. C.s5Joy. Mr..
Mann spoke in place of Mayor Fred
Fl. Foster, who was to have made an
address, but owing to his absence
from the city Judge Mann spoke In
Als place.
Prizes Awarded.
Before the speaking began in the
rink the decision Of the judges ap-
pointed for the purpose OF awarding
the prize of s25 in cash to the best
appearing union in the parade, was
announced. The first prize went to
the electrical workers and telephone
operators, while the cigarmakers won
second. The judges, F. L. Mann, City
Treasurer Watkins and =. B. Camp,
also decided that the showing made
by the clerks, painters, laundry work
ers, bartenders and plasterers was
worthy of mention for their creditable
showing. The announcement was
greeted with cheers.
Another notable feature before the
speaking began was the way the DIFF
ferent organizations were received as
they marched into the rink. Cheer
after cheer greeted each organization
as it entered.
Address OF Judge Mann.
"This day is known all over the
world as Labor day, and we feel
thankful that it has been set apart
SO that the laboring men can lay
aside their labors and all join IN
making this second day Of September
one glad and eventful occasion am
glad to see the progress of this union
in our city. The Yellowstone Trades
and Labor council was started in
June, 1899, with 76 members, and
am told now that it has upwards Of
/ 500 members and from the day Of
its first organization it has beer
blest with steady growth. Why
should not the people of Billings be
proud of such an organization, who
are trying their utmost to better
their condition in life by their loyal
ty, devotion and friendship for one
another?
Y Labor is the foundation OF society
and the backbone of this country
This labor council has benefited the
city Of Billings in various ways. Il
has been instrumental in closing the
stores at s o'clock and also for ths
eight-hour day, and has given youns
men time for selfimprovement ant
brought them to their homes in the
early evening and thus kept then
out of temptations which beset ;
young man after nightfall.
"They have fixed the prices of la
Dor at reasonable scale, and thu
given the working man more none.
for their. families and thereby bene
l flied the business men in general
Unions are necessary. The capital
} lists combine to get more than fhei
l share of the profits of business, an'
you must combine or you will not &c
: even the share that rightfully be
, longs to you. You have great worl
) to do. You must first reduce tn
: hours of labor to a time which yo
\ can endure from youth until old ag
: without breaking down. which wi
I -lgive you more time for thought an
: study.