The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-09-06
Thousands of ToiIers in the
Quaker City This Afternoon
Heard Eloquent Addresses
BY Speakers.
CONDITIONS IN CITY
DISCUSSED BY Keller
Local Attorney Tells Union
Men Of Situation Now Ex-
isting- Fireworks Planned
For This Evening.

~
Business was practically suspended
In the city today and Labor Day was
generally observed in Richmond In a
most appropriate and fitting manner.
Under the auspices of the Central La
Dor Couhcil. a program Of unusual
merit was arranged at Glen Miller.
Notwithstanding the threatening
weather. and chilly atmosphere, the
beautiful park was crowded all day,
and conspicuous among the number
were viiitors from other cities.
Addresses by John F. McNamee, of
IndianaDolis, editor of The Firemen
and EnGinemen's magazine, and Will
w. RellNr, a prominent young attorney
Of this city, pleased large audiences
this Afternoon. Both speakers are
we'll veraed in matters pertaining to
the laborSauestion and their remarks
were frequently interrupted by out
bursts of APPLAUSE, from the great
crowd. s.
a Fireworks Display.
Music was provided by the Union
band and an excellent program was
rendered. This evening there will he
grand display of fireworks and in,-
mediately following there will be a
dance given at Odd Fellows hall at
Eighth and Main streets. Indications
point to a liberal patronage of the
dance. and the committee In charge arc
confident Of securing enough income
by this means to meet the days ex-
nenses. g
The parade, which has been a fen
ture OF each years program, hereto
fore, was not deemed advisable this
year and will probably be discontinued
In the future, it is said. There are a
number of active unions here and
Richmond ranks we'll in the matter Of
organized labor in the state. The ex-
ercises. which were conducted at the
Glen today, were decided success in
every particular and fully up to the
standard of former years.
Address by Keller.
Mr.. Keller spoke Of the situation in
the national realm of labor and cap
ital and then touched on the local ques-
ton in rar !; follows:
The national problem of labor is so
big that its field could not be covered
in day Of speaking. Men well quail
flied to study the problem are now
giving 1t attention, and it is our duty
to listen carefully. analyze critically.
and then give our support to such
measures as we think honest and fair
"Thus feeling that the national prob
lem of labor is to be we'll taken care Of
1t seems to me that our most serious
concern is with local conditions.
don't believe that am unfairly influ-
natural desire to boost our town when
say that labor conditions here, in
many respects are ideal Small.
struggling Industries have had their
inception here. and steadily grown to
we'll established corporations. With
this steady growth the workmen and
their families have grown, and the
whole has developed into a community
founded upon a rock, in truth a panic
proof city. We have escaped the I'M
portation of established concerns, and
the influx Of organized capital bring
ing with it uneducated workmen, and
undesirable citizens. Our employers
know their employees; they have in
many Instances fought life's battles
side by side. Each has built his home
and while the employer has extended
his fortune investing in stocks and
bonds. the employee has likewise pros
pered as the many savings bank ac-
counts will show. Thus we now have
a home-loving. conservative. industri-
Gus community Even more than that
our laborers read many books, educate
their children. enjoy art exhibits, ap-
preciate good music and attend chau-
tauquas.
Good Wages Paid Here.
Here, too. the scale of wages Is
higher than In many cities where con-
ditions are much the same. The state
statistician In his last annual report,
credits Richmond with paying an av-
1rage weekly wage to its shop en-
ployes Of $123S. while Muncie, the
much talked-of shop mans town, Num-
Gle. the boom city. pays but an average
wage Of $9.37 per week. Comparisons
are not always fair, but believe that
cannot be successfully refuted when
say that everything considered, the
laborer's lot in Richmond is happier
than in any city in the state. and pos
sibly in the United States.
Then what is the problem OF the
Richmond laboring man? voice the
sentiment Of one Of the largest and fair
est employers of labor in Richmond
when I say that the greatest need OF
the Richmond laboring man is cheaper
public utilities. and lower tax rate.
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