Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-11
PAY TRIBUTES TO THE DEAD
LABOR'S MEMORIAL DAY OBJ
SERVED BY ORGANIZATIONS.
Grafton by President Gompers Of the
American Federation-Pro-
gram of Exercises.

ne vi ldOOIS ulcIlOIldi was
explained by President John II. Lorch of
the Central Labor Union yesterday after
noon at the opening of the services at
Typographical Temple for the dead of or
ganized labor. He was followed by Sam
uel Gompers, president of the American
Federation of Labor, who delivered an
impressive memorial Grafton.
President Torch told of the purpose of
the gathering and eulOgized in the highest
terms the late John Hammerstrom and
A--ford Spohn. former presidents OF the
central body. He paid high tribute to
their interchangeable work in behalf of the
workingman in the fight between capital
an. labor.
Sam De Nedrey, secretary of the Cen
trail Labor Union. conducted the solemn
service of calling the roll of honor, to
which there was no response AS each of
the more than 100 names of union work.
men who died during the past year was
called Dy Mr.. De Nedrey. d deep silence
broken only by the speakers voice. settled
upon the assembled hundreds.
Louis \. Sterne. chairman Of the me
moriai committee of the Central Labor
Union. was in charge of the ceremonies.
The speakers rostrum was decorated
with american flags and banked with
ported palms anu ferns. interSperSed with
ildNuSoHle lnul|idudl designs OF cut HOW
ers. Almost every branch of organized
labor in the city was represented. and
t--ere Was large number of women and
children in the audience.
Mr.. Gompers' Address.
President Gompers said in part:
ITO portray infinitely and accurately
the deeds OF our dead brothers would be
almost impossible. Suffice it to say that
tho{r Hyoo eri, ~, 10 {nt 80
their fellowmen. They lived in an era
and strive for maintenance. And they
did their work nobly They supported or
ganized labor. fought for it's principles
and lauded its benefits.
Organized labor has faced serious
struggles, and it proposes to continue
facing them. The men and women who
have allied themselves with our cause
never will have occasion to regret their
course. In organized labor lies the pro-
lection of the workmen. We have sue
ceeded In increasing the wages of the
toilers, taking children from factories
mines and other places Of toll. and plac-
ing them In schoolhouses, the Fairgrounds
and their homes.
There are many heroes in history.
Ana there are many holidays observed
throughout the country that the masses
may honor those who have died on the
battlefield or succumbed after performing
there never before has been a day SET
apart that the laboring classes might
honor their dead. And now that We have
decided upon the second Sunday of each
May to honor our dead brothers and sis
tiers trust that it will be reverently and
appropriately observed.
Benefit Of Toilers.
Organized labor proposes to exert ef-
forts to make the lives of toilers happier
and brighter. We have struggled long
and hard, but now there appears upon
the horizon beacon light of promise The
civil war was Il bitter struggle, and many
lives were sacrificed; the war with Spain
was sanguinary conflict but 1t even
tually terminated, as all struggles do So
1t will be with our cause. In time all
struggle and strife will disappear and or
ganized labor will come into its own 1t
will be accorded justice and recognition,
and them its supporters will reap the ben
ef1ts.
"In our ranks We have many heroes
whom the world never knows What can
be learned and extolled of the poor who
labor day and night that they may sur
and deprivation? We do not know how
some of our poorer brothers exist. But
I will say that while there are many be-
nevolent organizations, charities. etc, that
IL ~ tHe pour WHICH nelpS the poor.
William Davis then played a cornet solo,
after which Secretary Samuel De Nedrey
read the roll of departed members. which
numbered something over 100. Miss Laura
Black sang a vocal solo. after which Rev.
George A. Miller spoke on the brother
hood of man. Following this was an ad
dress by Rev. John Lee Allison and plac-
Ing of wreaths by the memorial commit
tee
The congregation then united In singing
"Nea rer NV God to Thee" Rev Mr.. Mil
Ter pronounced the benediction and .he
services closed with the selection Our
Honored Dead" by the orchestra.