The Washington times., 1908-09-07
Events Include a Gala Day
at Benning and Excursions
70 All Resorts.
G.. L. u IS IN CHARGE
AT OLD RACE TRACK
Old-Time Circus, Motorcycle Races,
and Other Things on the
Program.

Although no labor nOSIS maTCneu
through its wide avenues and streets
TO the stirring strains Of martial music,
Labor Day is being observed in Wash
ingtOn by all its citizens with eXcur-
sions, speechmaking, boar Faces and
other sports. and a general celebration.
From the upper Potomac, where the
big Middle States regatta is being held.
to the Benning race track. where thou
sands make merry at the Central Labor
Union celebration, work and business
were laid aside and the spirit OF pleas
ure and recreation holds sway.
Along the shores of the Potomac stood
crowds Of people who cheered the boat
crews on 10 greater efforts this morn
ing. The day was beautiful. ideal for
boat racing, and the warmth drew
thousa ads from their homes to the river
side 10 Faze on the fieeting shells as
they Slot through the shimmering
waters.
Out at l3enning, the scene in the race
TRACK grhunds was an animated one
Men. b. 5 o. organized labor were there
in fo.ce. To52v Is Iaoor's day, devoted
to recognition Of labor's power.
Every Attraction There.
~ IN EhEEg diLluEllbi AAbll q oLila4A
country circus to the inevitable peanut
vender. many sporting events to en-
liYen the day and over al a perfect
sky, the celebration at Benning was
one of the greS test ever held by the
labor organizations of the Capital
Down the riyes and up the river, 10
CheSaDeake Beach and TO Glen Reno
and Luna Park, suburban resorts, 70
the woods and to the fields, went WASH
ingtOaians on pleasure bent Inc Qay'
the !ast holiday Of the summer season
marks the beginning OF the END al the
resorts. and as II intent on having one
last gOot time, the people crowded 10
them ami held high carnival
Uniert ,nately there was no profes-
sional baseball in Washington today,
but the amateurs are crossing bats IA
every available ball grounds and size
able back yard in the District
Among the chief sporting events OF
the day are the motorcycle races ~
the BenniEg track this afternoon. Iha
first TwentY-nVe-mile endurance race
for gasolene cycles ever held IN WASH
nt.4ient IS one of the features, and the
knights rode at the rings with JReif
long wooden lances. like the knlghts
of Old-Only different. j. EnoS Ray
delivered the charge TO the knights,
dwelling on the sooo old days, when
il was the real thing TO be "a knight
with a suit Of armor, a. heavy sword,
ana a good StAuch morse
Crowd Arrives Early
The gates were opened at the Ben
ming track before 10 o'clock this morn
ing. and before II. the time set for the
ban game between teams representing
Columbia Typographical Union, No. I0l,
and the Painters and Decorators Local
Union. the grounds were crowded EaCh
car put of a fun load of passengers at
the gate all morning. and women and
children were in the majority. Never
before has any labor celebration been
so well attended,
Thomas McGntOn, rlngmaster OF the
country circus in the lnheld. was the
man who started the amusements. He
was on the grounds early with all his
talent. With him was lusty lunged
individual, who Invited everybody in
range of his voice to come and see the
only real show, the exCruCiatingly fun
ny ringmasteT, and the greatest acts
ever,
Circus Well Patronized
This invitat IN was directed princi-
paIly to the women and children, and
the circus did a remarkable business.
The big tent was crowded from the
time the first few carloads OF visitors
arrived.
At II o'clock. the men drifJed casual
" TO the other end of the field, where
the two baseball teams were warming
up. Most of the women, however, held
their places IN the grandstand, TO have
vantage spa for the tournament and
the moto- cycle races.
It w. o'clock when the knights
rode up1~ .he field. and listened 10 the
inspiring remarks of J. E.nos Ray,
whose powerful voice and poetic eIo-
quence flooded the grandstand. Each
one Of them was In fun costume and
wearing the cOlors Of his lady, Who,
he had resolved. should be crowned
the UCee7.
After listening to the fiery message
Of 3dr. Ray to go forth and do battle,
each and every one, spear in hand
gaIoped OF with waving plumeS and
q big determination. Then the fitting
began. Each knight, as he charged
urdeT the beTibbOned arches and
brought out gayly colored ring was
greeted with cheers and handcIapping
Grand Marshal Feeney said that be-
fore nigh Tau every one of the % 900
union men in Washington, with their
wives and families, would be at Ben
ming to take part IN the celebration
II, the morning there was a baseball
game betT5 sn members Of Columbia
Union, No. 10l, and the Painters and
Decorators Local Union. The printers
got three runs ahead in the 6rst inning
and leld their lead.
WhCl the bugle sounded for the grand
tournament the baseball ground was
deserted, and all but the stanchest
rooters made rush for points of
vantaGs in the grandstand The prize
for the winner of the tournament is $40
in cash.