The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-08-19
EVERY WORKER BENEFITED BY
 LABOR UNIONS

complish. In closing, he outlined what he. felt was the hopes and as- pirations of organized labor in the United States.
 Secretary Wilson is a wonderful ex- ample of the self-made man and the ssibilities which this country of- fers to it's workers. He is 55 years old. He was born in Scotland came to this country with his parents when a boy. Between the age of nine and 10 years he began life as a breaker boy in the coal mines of Pennsyl- vania. He continued to work in coal mines studying as best he could until qualities of ability and natural leadership found for him executive office in the Mine Workers of Ameri- ca, the miners union. Subsequently he was elected to- the Pennsylvania legislature and later was sent to Con- gress for four terms, being called at last by President Wilson to the labor portfolio, the only official in organized labor ever asked to fill cabinet po- sition.
 Secretary Wilson was entertained at The Stratfield and left Bridgeport this afternoon for short visit with friends in Boston.
 Thousands of the members of Bridgeport and Remington locals. In- ternational Association of Machinists and their friends enjoyed a gala day at the big Machinists' outing at Pleas ure Beach. Commencing with a big parade in which thousands of the Ma chinists and their guests took part about the principal streets of the city and continuing with speech making by prominent men at Pleasure Beach, g series of athletic events at the island stadium and a dinner at the Stratfield this evening. the event was one of the most successful ever attempted by a labor union here.
 For months. committees of the as- sociation have worked hard evolving plans for the big celebration and how we'll these plans were conceived and executed was attested by the fact that all events were on time and there was not a single incident to mar the pleas ure of the success of the day.
 One of the notable features of the most enjoyable features of the gather ing was the presence and speeches of such notables as Secretary of Labor Wilson, William H. Johnson. national president of the Machinists associa- tion, and John H. O'Connell, vice. president of the American Federation of Labor and president of the Metal Trades association, and Ella Reeves Bloor. general organizer of the Inter- national Cloth Hat and Cap Makers.
 Secretary Wilson and MT. O'Con- nell arrived here this forenoon and were entertained at The s'tratf1eld by the reception committee:, John F. Ryan, M. w. Bull and Samuel Levitt. Later. the party drove in automobiles for visit to the Remington factories, the parks, the Bridgeport Projectile Co.,, the Crane factories and the Graphophone factory.
 At noon the visiting officials. and re- ception committee and Mayor Wilson had luncheon at The Stratfield.
 The parade led by Marshall B. B. Allen started from Machinists' head quarters in Cannon street at o'clock. The line of march was Main street to Fairfield avenue to Courtland street to State street to Main street to Fair- field avenue to the Pleasure Beach wharf where the steamer Caswell and a number of launches were taken for the island.
 
 and his aides were: Fred Drelfort. Arthur Rishman and Edward Bos- worth. The Coast Artillery Corps band furnished music for the march and music at the beach. The invited guests rode in automobiles and be- sides those mentioned above there were Lynn W. Wilson. Julius Strem- lau of Meriden, president of the Con- necticut Federation of Labor, Jasper McLevy, president of the Interna- tional Tile and Slate Roofers, and John T. King. Messrs. Wilson and King spoke to the machinists in the stadium later in the day. Among other guests present were officers and members of the union from Hartford, New Haven, New York, Ansonia. and D C.
 In his address, President OConnell, | who was a member of the committee on industrial relations appointed by former President Taft. spoke of the benefits of organization and the good effect 1t had in the dealings of both | employers and employees. He de- | clared the employer got more for his | money by the employment of the skill | ed workers who have recognized that | organization is for the best interest | of both. l
 "This is an age of organization" he | said. 'In every walk of life it has | become necessary. It Is no longer | disputed but universally recognized by | the banker. the manufacturer and the business men as we'll as by the la- boring man that association is abso- l lutely essential to success
 Robert Walmsley was chairman of the general committee and under his | direction most of the events of the | day were carried out. The sports be- l gan in the stadium at 3:30. Mayor | Wilson awarded the prizes to the win | ners. E. J. Hill had been invited to | be present but telegraphed his regrets. |
 The big day ended with the dinner at the Stratfied this evening at which covers were laid for 150.