The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1910-09-06

the American Federation of Labor and
seeretary-treanrer ol the Granite CUT
ters international association. The rain
began TO fan at I o'clock and most Of
the crowd had arrived before il, but
even when the storm was the worst
people continued to come, until they
filled the grand stand t0 iis capacity
including an available standing room,
and during the speaking many more
stood with their umbrellas over them
on tie steps leading M to the stand
For an hour before the speaking the
Barre Citizens band played in the band
stand and a few of the sports were
pulled Off The speaking over, the fes-
tisities were continued in the evening
with a banquet ID Wondmen's hah and
grand Labor day BAN in Howland hall,
both OF which were enjoyable occasions
and went to make the day success and
credit 70 the Central Labor union
Of Barre and vicinity, under whose au-
spices the celebration was held. Mr..
Duncan arrived at the park at o'clock
and standing Just inside the center en-
trance to the grand stand delivered his
address, He was introduced by Alex.
Ironside, president of the Barre Central
labor union Mr. Duncan spoke for
an hour and forty minutes His power
fnl voice could be easily heard at either
end of the stand, and the large crowd
heard him to the end with pronounced
interest and enthusiasm He was free
quently interrupted BY applause, and
when be finished he was given an ova-
tion, which included hotn applause and
cheers He said;
"The intent and purpose Of Labor
day Is to hold public demonstrations,
indicating unity Of purpose and eco
nomic solidity among organized workers.
In short, to do honor to the great labor
movement. to recount its achievements
and to voice its wrongs.
Display Of numbers by itself i not
sufficient The street parade il but one
Of the features
"Bands playing patriotic and inspir-
ing music are cheerful helpful and re-
freshing, but discussion in public places
on the unGcation and defense Of those
who toll and produce, and on the preser.
walton Of the rights and liberties Of the
people, constitutes the real observance
of Labor day.
$50 much has been said BY opponents
Of trade unions about their alleged
shortcomings that the uninformed might
think working people organize simply to
strike and to cause annoyance to the
public, but men do not 60 on strike
unless to correct very unsatisfactory
conditions. Strikes should only occur
as last resort and after all,honorable
means Of pacific adjustment have failed.
"There Is no fun in striking, 1t IS
the most serious of trade union prob
lens. II it is a war measure, defensihle
only on those grounds. We are opposed
to wars between nations War does
not contain the clement OF logical deci-
sion, and the net result TOO often IS
death or hurt TO thousands Of human
beings, no one Of whom had any prima
ry quarrel with those they tried to kill.
III like manner union men do not favor
strikes; and investigation will show
that 80 per cent. OF all suspensions Of
the kind are caused through failure Of
the employers representative to meet
them in conference or to deal with the
situation as he would with other busi-
ness affairs.
yet no justified strike, whatever be
the result, is lost. for the element Of
protest it contained is the surest guar
antee against repetition Of the inits
tice.
unfortunately trade unionism is too
often Judged by its mistakes. The good
it accomplshes IS seldom published with
big type headings. while its errors are
proclaimed from the housetops It's
good deeds outnumber its mistakes, a
hundred to one. yet the one mistake is
put forward BIZ its enemies as the pur-
pose and failure Of organization
"A hobby Of the Kirby class Of manu-
Continued on fourth page.