The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-09-07

servance of labor Is being fittingly
celebtated today, although not en-
tirely in accordance with the pro-
gram set forth.
An excellent turnout of the la
Dor unions of the city composed
the parade, which was fully mile
long. 1t had been planned by the
committee in charge of the pro-
gram to fill every seat in the arm
ory after the procession, where the
speakers of the day held forth, but
owing to some flaw in conducting
the parade the line was broken
by the horseshoers' union at First
avenue and Washington street on
the return to the armory. This
caused a general mixup at that
point and the entire line of march
was dissolved. Marchers struck
out for every direction and mean.
while the chairs at the armory
were vacant.
At the time the speakers were
due upon the stage the band was
outside playing enticing strains
and couriers were dispatched to
bring the wanderers in.
The vaudeville program this aft
ernoon was somewhat curtailed by
the final refusal of the theatrical
people playing at the Orpheum to
appear with the two features the
committee had relied upon. Two
turns each from the Washington
and Pantages were presented.
The gathering in the forenoon
waws addressed by Mayor Moore.
T.. A. Cooney, d. G. Coates and A.
W. Jones, who made the principal
speech.
Mr.. Jones said:
1T is indeed pleasure to be
called upon to address a gathering
of labor unionists on labor's great
day and to be able to recount
few of the reasons why we cele-
brate, which | think Is the usual
stunt performed by labor speakers
In the absence of an assigned sub
ject.
"Theh onward march of the
American labor movement has
been a source of wonder on the
part of those who have not studied
we'll the reasons and who do not
know the immense sacrifices made
by the old timer in the movement
4 and the spirit of unselfishness
which is its underlying principle.
y THE early history Of the or
ganized labor movement contains
the record of many bloodless bat
ties fought on the industrial field
with varying success, but in all its
reverses the principle of the
preservation of the right to organ
ize for the protection of the wage
worker has never been lost sight
Of, and while in many cases de-
feated, and even ruled out of ex-
istence by the courts. it has again
arisen stronger than ever until to-
ganize is generally conceded by
all fair minded people, The time
was when to advocate the cause of
labor one was very liable to be
accused of anarchy and be consid-
cred menace to society, but with
the growth of organization and
the passing OF time. a more gener-
ally correct idea of your aims and
objects Is now prevalent. and no
person need feel called upon to
apologize for carrying union
card. Many Of the most prom.
inent men of this nation now hold
passive union cards and many in
public life are graduates of the
trade union hall, the experience
which they have gained there hav-
Ing always been of value to them
In their after life.
Labor unions in the past few
years have had great deal to do
+ with the passage of considerable
humanitarian legislation. The
child labor laws which have been
adopted in many states have al
ways been fostered by the unions.
The many laws recently adopted
for the protection Of life and limb
in mine, factory and mill and upon
our great railroad systems, are
direct and tangible result of trade
union agitation. We stand for the
best there is In public education
and would try to make 1t possible
for all to share in its benefits. And
along this line want to tell you
that the first free library In this
country was established by the
trade unions OF Boston.
4 1.-THE trusts are recognized as
the greatest enemies OF many OF
our labor unions and many meth
DDS OF curbing these great cor
porations have been suggested but
none of these proposed remedies
will work as smoothly and with as
little effort as good strong home
industry sentiment and persistent
demand for the home made goods.
You can readily understand what
would hpcnma NJ tho maat trust