The Oskaloosa herald., 1912-09-05


Several of the unions made special
efforts. The float of Union Laundry
Workers, employees all in white gar
ments, was pretty feature. Carpen-
ters and Joiners all carried white
umbrellas. Garment Workers were
conspicuous with big red auto truck.
Don Mcclure with his auto truck was
also to be seen. Moving picture OPP
orators let the crowds know they
were in town with special float The
BARRIERS. who are always a jolly set
had a special float on which Chef
Brown and Fay Beles, with several
waiting their turn, demonstrated how
' it was done. A street railway car
operated by the employees of the Trac-
ton Company, called for special no.
tice.
Oskaloosa police and fire depart
ments and an auto car with officers
and speakers headed the parade and
the Ottumwa delegation had the place
of honor at the head of the column.
Several hundred union workers from
.
there was no organized body or any
separate union making showing
Abba band had the next place and
then came the Iowa Brigade band
Other musical organizations that
were to participate did not come on
account of the storm.
| Almost without exception, women
members of unions were carried in
automobiles and the parade was con.
spicuous on account of this feature
many of the business men and citi,
zens giving the use of cars to the
unions for the parade.
The Afternoon Program.
The afternoon program was one
that pleased everybody. Several
thousand people were in attendance
a larger crowd than the fair grounds
have seen since the days when the
Mahaska County Fair was at its best
Rev. Alexander McFerran acted as
platform manager.
The exercises started about one
thirty with a selection by the 54th
Regimental Band of Ottumwa, which
was well applauded.
Hon S. V. Reynolds. mayor of Os
'kaloosa, then welcomed the fedora
ton of labor to. the city in a brief
speech.
Music by the Abba Band was the
next thing on the program.
Major Lacey's Speech.
Major John +. Lacey, who was In
town for the day, was sought out
when 1t was learned that Hon Nate
Kendall Of Abba was unable to ap
pear Labor sent the Major com
mand to which he responded in a
most acceptable way. It was a diff
cult position in which the Major
found himself, before a great multi
tude of holiday people and only ter
minutes notice. Mr.. Lacey was par
ticuarly timely in his brief talk. HI
commanded the attention of his hear
ers and he soon had them IN the bes
of humOr.
Speaking somewhat rapidly ant
with characteristic emphasize. Mr.
Lacey regretted the circumstances
that called for him to take the stand
the illness of Mr. Kendall Of Abba
the brilliant young orator to whom
the people always listen with pleas
ure. He spoke of the nature of the
holiday and its significance and al
luded to the demonstration in bOnol
OF labor, paying fitting tribute to tht
toilers of the land. He turned the at
tention of the crowd upon itself anc
said he was pleased to see so large
a crowd and one so marked by the
evidences and badges of prosperity
Nations are great through their toll
ers. The speaker then took his Grove
into history and told of the Spartan
general, Boosting that not one Of hi
soldiers was an artisan. The Athen
ian general calling upon all in his
army who were artisans TO stand
brought the entire force to its feet
and in the battle that followed the
Athenians demonstrated the superior
ity of those who toiled with theil
hands in the times of peace by de
feating the proud warriors of the
Spartans. He went on to show il
the recorded events of history where
liberty had been nursed in the cradle
of toll on down to the present time
when the laborers are still safeguard
ing the rights and the privileges o
the land He drew a picture of The
evolution of organized labor and con
trasted the early workers of the ole
time family shop with the vast army
of laborers in the modern factory
where the management has no means
of knowing the individual workers II
a personal way. The union with its
representatives became necessity
for the meeting of labor with capital
The unions are here and they have
come to stay. Major Lacey comment
ed upon the presence of so many
farmers in the audience and said hi
was glad to see them out in such
numbers. The farmer works in the
eight hour system, he works eight
hours in the forenoon and eight hours
in the afternoon. This and othel
thrusts found the humor of the crowd
Consumption and production and the
relations of the producer and the con
sumner received attention. Another