Denver labor bulletin., 1915-11-27

prohibition campaign was on and spell
binders for ''wets" and ''drys" were hold
ing forth to big crowds on every down
town street corner. Old familiar Foun
tain square was open ground for orator,
OF every political or reform faith, an,
reminded me of .Champa street during
the recent campaign in Denver. Gin
cinnati don't show as much change il
the past ten years as other place,
visited, but has every evidence of pros
perity and stability.
From Cincinnati | made a straight
drive for Atlanta, the objective point OF
my journey. Leaving the Ohio river al
Il u. m. the daylight ride thru Ken.
tncky and Tennessee was a real pleasure
passing thru the Cumberland Mountains
OF the latter state. Arriving in Atlanta
at o:30 p. m. L was met at the depot
by my son and taken to his home on
Battle Hill, ground that was made
sacred by the blood of thousands OF
Southern and Northern soldiers during
the days when Sherman's army besieged
the city. 1t is now beautiful residence
section, covered by comfortable homes
interspersed with boulevards and parks
OF flowers. Two weeks We're delightfully."-
spent here, during which 1 had the
pleasure of meeting scores of old friends.
1t was most gratifying to note that my
work in the labor movement and in the
Legislature had not been forgotten. In
vitations to attend meetings and deliver
speeches Were received from several or
CARNATIONS, few of which could be ac-
cepted owing to previous engagements.
| was present at the opening session OF
the State Legislature and heard Governor
Nat Harris, who succeeded Governor
Slaton. deliver his address. Quite
number OF the present members were
lawmakers when l was in the Georgia
Legislature twelve years ago.
In Atlanta and other cities Of To
south, was Impressed with the pros
perity that abounds and the happy state
of the people. This section has recovered
from the depression OF last summer and
and cotton is now quoted around ~
cents a pound, and in demand. Much
building is going on and skyscrapers that
rival those OF New York and Chicago
are plentiful. Atlanta was making big
preparations for her annual Harvest
Festival and Street Carnival, together
with the customary Stock and Baby
show. The Frank case was Il closed book
and the people had ceased to discuss it.
Birmingham, Americas second Pitts
burg, is a veritable hive of industry, and
the nights are made bright by the glow
OF scores of iron blast furnaces and
great steel plants. The war has helped
this district and the wheels and lathers
are going day and night. New hotels
and Office buildings have made work
for the builders, and there appeared to
he no idle workmen anywhere. The one
bad feature OF the birmingham district
is that leased convicts are worked in
the coal mines, and organization in that
industry is consequently at low ebb.
Memphis was next visited on the re.
turn Journey. This is one of the real
solid business, and industrial cities of-the
south Here again / ran into red hot
political campaign, with three Democratic
candidates for United States Senator.
speaking in as many different auditor
iums. My stay here was brief but had
opportunity to look up few old friends
in the labor movement. From memphis
] made daylight trip to st. Louis over
the Frisco road, which follows the west
bank OF the Mississippi thru Arkansas
and Missouri the entire way. distance
of 305 miles. Here one has am oppor-
tunity TO contrast transportation be-
tween steam railroads and the slow
moving river boats and bargc-. II also
brings to mind the fact that the gov
! ernment has spent enough money on
Ievi'- and dredging to have erected a
concrete wall fifty feet high on either
side of the river from its source above
st. Paul to the delta below New Orleans.
II rlined all Of the night and day Of my
stay in st. Louis. but even after pur-
, chasing new umbrella. did not venture
forth much for sightseeing. Visited some
Of the labor union headquarters and was
told that Industrial conditions there are
showing marked improvements. Had
dinner with friend in hotel where
they have Il cabaret show of twelve
numbers, but We did not remain Ia Sc,
IL all.
| Kansas City WAS the last place visited
Was pilotcd around to all the news
paper Offices and had the pleasure OF d
grand tour of the Kansas City Star Office
said to be the most model newspaper
plant in the world. Visited the Libo
Temple, a 100000 structure, where mos
of the unions have their headquarters
Kansas City appeared like new place
since was there eight years ago. Th'
business district has moved and the new
81 0000 union depot is being :ronte'
by beautiful park. ] was escorted
thru Petticoat lane, heart of the biz
department store district, but must con
fess the girls are not any prcttier ther
L ~ H..