The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-05
HEFL|N SPEAKS AT
 LABOR DAY PICNIC Enormous Crowd at East
 Lake Celebration PARKS ALL CROWDED (n
 Eloquent Congressman Pays Glowing Tribute to the Workingman.
 Athletic Sports Were
 Feature of the Day


 The official Labor Day celebration was held yesterday at East Lake under the auspices of the Birmingham Trades Coun- ell over 10000 persons were present cur ing the day and everyone seemed to have good time. No displeasure was felt over the humidity of the day and every fea- ture of a long gladsome programme passed without the slightest untoward lh- cident The programme included oratlons by well known men, contests exciting the rivalry of many persons skilled in yari- ous athletic sports and ball games dances and other features were included in the afternoon programme
 During the evening one of the best pyrotechnic displays ever looked upon In Birmingham was held across the lake. During the afternoon and until the last cars were scheduled to depart from the place of amusement, dancing was induged in by scores of couples Prizes were of fered for the dances and at no time was the interest abated.
 The most spirited contest of all those arranged at East Lake was the question of selling the greatest number of the Mac namara buttons. Those in charge of that proposition worked with unfagging zeal to gather nicltes and dimes to help swell the great defense fund being secured for the McNamara brothers accused by the celebrated detective, William J. Burns, with the blowing up of the Los Angeles Times building. The buttons bore furled American flag, surrounding photographic likeness of McNamara, the prominent la bor leader The slogan Justice for Me Namara" was instribed above the emblem.
 The speakers addressed large crowd in the theatre, that place having been given over for the orators by Manager Robert E.. Murphy, who extended every courtesy to the vast throngs who visited East Lake. The speaking was presided over by James Wood, executive officer Of the Trades Council The speakers includ- ed Congressman J. Thomas Hefiin, Judge William E. Fort, pr. Elkourie and Isadore Shapiro.
 Heflin Chief Speaker
 Congressman Heflin was billed as the principal speaker and while Judge Fort and the other speakers received a cordial welcome MT. Hefin was given almost an ovation when he concluded his address.
 After talking of the work of Congress and other matters of general interest he said:
 'T am glad of the opportunity to join in the observance of Labor Day. John Ruskin has truly said, There is an idle class among both rich and poor, weak, wicked and miserable, and there is a working class among both rich and poor, strong, healthy and happy.
 "Generally speaking, disappointment, failure and crime are the fruits of inac- tivity and idleness. The idle mind is truly the devils workshop. The mind that works, that gives intelligent direction to the hands that toll, is the most potent factor in the universe of God. AL things of value that we see accomplished in the world today are the results of laborious planning and unremitting toil great naturalist has said, The hand of man pre- figures his destiny as an intelligent work man..
 Gods blessings are upon the honest working man. The scripture teens with promises that his labor shall be rewarded. We read of his first labor and that wealth gathered by labor shall De in- creased.
 Since the lowly Nazarene announced that doctrine that the laborer is worthy of his hire, the laboring man has been slowly but surely rising higher in she scale of human worth and developing in moral strength intellectual power and today in the democracy of America the laboring man stands square to every wind that blows with her best and most highly respected citizens.''
 MT. Heflin continued to point out the virtues of organized labor. setting out that in union there Is strength. He dwelt with peculiar force upon the accomplish ments of the American workman pointing as parallel the workmen of other coun- tries While he admitted that mistakes had been made MT. Hefin said they were few and insignificant as compared to the mighty and lasting good accomplish ed He quoted John Mitchell in whose
 book MT. Heflin said there was the statement that mistakes have taken place but he pointed out that those who make no mistakes seldom make anything. John Mitchell in his book said" con- tinued Mr Heflin, " That trade unionism
 should aim to constantly elevate the moral standard of the workingman. And that trades unions must do everything in their power to improve the relations
 betw cen employer and empoye.' The capital of the laboring man is his skill, his physical strength and his manhood. These three constitute labors power. All crease He is contributing to the welfare of society and to the strength and glory of the government.
 The speeches were concluded at East Lake by a short address by Mir. Wood who said the speeches had been greatly enjoyed and that they were very glad to have been given the pleasure of hearing thm.
 Events at Other Parks At Germania park the Eagles of this district held picnic. The day was pass ed with a barbecue, dancing and other
 sports The park was thronged with friends of that order and every one seemed to have a most enjoyable time.
 The whole city joined in paying trb- ute to the workingman yesterday. The
 barbecue at North Birmingham under the auspices of the Twenty-frst Avenue
 Methodist church was success in every