The Washington herald., 1909-10-13

were ready for linking into the chain OF
march. the procession got under way
The defiant and breezy bare OF the brass
instruments was the signal for thousands
or fiuttering little flags 10 be hoisted 10
proud shoulders. The marchers cast out
all thought OF the chilly October air and
marched as if every step resounded and
echoed Welcome"
Down the line they embarrassing
swollen crowds at many intersecting
points threading their way through the
narrow lane. which the police fought like
Trojans to keep open. A vast sea OF
plug hats brought out the first cheer
from the crowds. President Gompers'
carriage was the signal for explosive APP
plause at all points. He was in imminent
danger OF pneumonia through the con-
slant process Of tipping mis- hat in re-
Spouse.
Those who were caught in front OF the
paraders were swept forward and on
ward, and little knew what a mighty
host brought up the rear guard. The
stream was fed from a score of trib-
utaries. and at times it became a swol-
len torrent 50 that orderly and rhythmic
marching was lost Every side street
became pocket where impatient delega-
tons were ambushed waiting to swing
into line.
Line Grew and Grew.
With infinite elasticity the line grew
and grew. ard the vanguard warped into
Fifteenth street long before the end
was in sight at the Peace Monument.
The heavy layers Of spectators. glued
to the open lane. settled themselves COM
fortabIy and unreservedly to watch the
spectacle. Lavish were the cheers.
Whenever some symbolic noat or some
glittering slogan doomed into view. ap-
probation was thrown out with impartial
extrIvagaEce
IL was not until President Gompers and
his party had been seated at the review
ing stand that the climax of the parade
was reached. The the official welcome
began, and IL was Of royal quality and
quantity. From this coign OF vantage
the great kaleidoscope Of the passing host
made an inspiring sight. The background
was the Treasury Building. IL he watch
ed the paradeTs curve into Fifteenth
stleet from the Avenue. he saw the Mon
ument dimly looming up in the moon
light. Below him and about him were
congested masses OF workers, all out TO
do him honor.
As each delegation passed the reviewing
stand hats we're raised in unison. and a
salvo OF cheers arose. The procedure
was a varied one. and originality was
often in evidence.
''Oh. you Uncle Sam" cried one leather
lUnged marcheT.
We want our only. only Gompers."
was another
Welcome home 20 our leader" was a
familiar bromide
President Gompers spent fully forty-flve
minutes leaning over the railing and tip
ping his hat His features were not hard
~ discern In the brilliant light. and his
followers were often loath TO go onward
I'm the brisk marching time in the warmth
% their greeting. But they were all
swept forward by the pressure from be-
hind.
A philosophy Of unionism was practi-
cally revealed in the transparencies. which
were carried on high Such slogans as
We want an eight-hour day" "No open
shop for ours. The American Fedora
ton OF Labor is right was right, and
judged right" President Gompers will be
upheld, and others were buttressed with
tumultuous cheers all along the line.
The Plate Printers.
The first delegation in line. Plate Print
ers' Union, No. ,. who were 400 strong.
made a splendid showing In conjunction
with the Bureau Of Engraving and Print
ing employees, they had a sumptuous and
dazzling float. indicative OF the processes
Of making the "greenbacks." which are
priced by flnanciers and others. The plate
printer and his assistant were shown. and
life-like imitation Of the printing ma
chine was on view, and In the most bril-
liant and patriotic colors. II was the
first big sensation Of the parade and as
such was the cynosure Of all eyes.
The Washington Association OF Steel
Plate Transferers and the Photo En-
gravers. No. Il, came next. and follow
ing were the Steel and Copper Plate
Cleaners, No $50 Then came the union
label float. SYMBOLIC Of the United we
stand divided we fall" sentiment. While
not so pretentious as the float which won
the lions share OF the cheering a few
minutes before, it was greeted with a
great burst Of enthusiasm.
The JOurneymsn Stone and Marble Cut
ters made marked showing with their
distinctive costume. Following were the
Marble and Slate Cutters and HELPERS.
No. ;, and the Sheet Metal Workers. No.
l2. the latter making one or the longest
tournouts Of the parade. The Structural
Iron Workers, No. 5, and the Information
al Union Of Steam Engineers were in
the garb Of their craft and were cheered
70 the echo The Stationery Firemen. No.
s. brought up the rear Of this section.
The printers section came next. with
the crisp strains OF Dixie" giving nerve
TO its marching. Columbia TypograpbI-
cal Union. No 101. was the proud leader.
and IL has never made a better showing.
The delegation wore plug hats. with little
tickets In them, and marched eight
abreast making probably the most popu-
lous division in the line OF march.
In Sightseeing Car.
After them came the Ladies'. Auxiliary
Of Columbia Typographical Union in a
sightseeing car, which rooled slowly by
the reviewing stand while the ladies gave
something dangerously like three cheers
and a tiger
There were seventy-five men to repre-
sent the Evening Star chapel. They
marched at the head of the division. i'm
mediately behind the Junior Order OF
American Mechanics Drum Corps The
banner which was presented TO the chapel
more than twenty years ago. was car
ried at the head of the delegation Each
member wore crysanthemum and car
ried silk American flag
One Of the most effective touches in
the entire parade was the silk flag con-
tingent IN the printing trades division. As
they fluttered past the reviewing stand. in
the full blaze Of powerful searchlight. !
the effect was brilliant beyond descrip-
ton II seemed a shimmering, flowing
panorama OF red white, and blue
The Unions I'm Line.
Bookbinders' Union. No. 4; Ladies'