The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1907-06-20
LABOR INTENSELY DIGNlfIED.

LABOR INTENSELY DIGNlFIED.
The following story from last Sat.
urday's Norfolk Landmark is worthy
a place in the columns of any paper
in America. and we print it with
PRIDE
Jacob Riis, the author and sociolo-
gist, of New York, who delivered an
address before the National Editori.
al Association, which held it's twenty:
second annual convention at the Ex.
position, was driving through the
grounds on the afternoon of June 9,
when he was surprised to see a num-
Der of prominent looking men at
work on the streets: cleaning lib;
gravel]ing and loading debris upon
carts.
He stopped the carriage and in
quired who the men were and why
they were at work Sunday. He was
told that they represented the best
citizens of Norfolk and Portsmouth,
who unwilling that President Foose-
welt should find the grounds in an
diminished condition when he arrived
to take part in the Georgia Day cere-
monies the next day, had volunteer
ed to assist the management in clean
ing up the streets and buildings.
In an instant Mr.. Riis was out of
the carriage. Off came his coat, and,
Selling a shovel he fell to with the
lasted did as much as anyone on the
grounds.
That's the kind of public spirit |
like to see," he added, when he rest
ed at last. That's the kind of work
that counts. am told," he contin-
ued, to gentleman in his party
that that man there pointing out
a distinguished looking gentleman
leaning on his pick is the president
OF one of the largest banks in Tide
water Virginia."
There is one of the most inauen-
t1al business men in Norfolk. Here
Mr. Rlls pointed out another gentle
man. Designating third, he said:
And that man is otie of the larc-
ast real estate owners in Portsmouth.
They are patriots in the truest sense
Of the word, and l feel honored that
was given the opportunity to work
.ith them.
IF for nothing else, the Exposition
deserves to be a great success. and 7
10 not doubt that it will be a success
With such public spirited citizens
Who are ready and willing to work
ike this the undertaking could not
re failure
forscveral days preceding Georgia (
'ay' these men worked on the Expo
ltlon grounds, and that their work l
ounted for something goes without
aging. Practically every road street I
nd avenue was cleaned, and the
rounds put in tip top condition. y
Ihls emergency brigade consisted &c
nearly two thousand men-bank- \
rs lawyers, physicians, business S
len and others. They had not been /
allied upon, but had themselves re- Q
uested to be allowed to do the
ork.
Inc emergency committee, which 9
ad organized the brigade, simply q
1nounced itself through its chair .
an John r. Walker, secretary of .
lie North Carolina Pine Association r
lat the Exposition Company could :,
Ut ind laborers to do the work and .,
lat men were needed on the Exposi- r
on grounds. The announcement .,
ld hardly been made before hum =,
eds OF applications began pourino
Those who could not themselves Of
Dirk, sent money with which to send C
en- IN their places. Those who went
the grounds, went to work. There
IS no Sinking or idleness. Picks
q shovels were provided, and that W. NJ
al work was done, the grounds
idly proclaim, for the present con-
ions OF the walks and streets at >.
e Exposition is due considerably to III, lie
2 graveling and repairing done by to
IS emergency brigade. hi