The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-09-04
Solid Line Two Miles Long
Down Kansas Avenue.
Largest Labor Day Celebration
in History of City.
THIRTY-FIVE MERCHANT FLOAT
Other Features of DemOnstra-
ton for the Local Unions.
Men in Afternoon Sport Events
at Garfield Park.

Two thousand Topeka laboring men
marched in solid line two miles long
today and presented to Topeka citi-
zens the biggest Labor day parade in
the history of the city, the opening of
the Labor day celebration.
Only a few hours before organized
labor represented in Topeka by this
long line of men, through its power
had broken all legislative records and
had won the greatest victory in the
history when congress passed an s.
hour day law for railroad brother
hoods despite the protests of millions
of dollars of capital. Probably every
citizen in Topeka, who witnessed the
parade today. thought of the power
of this organization brought home to
them a few hours before and the men
themselves were thinking of 1t, too, no
doubt.
Merchants Floats Many.
'Thirty-five floats manufactured by
friendly Topeka merchants added to
floats prepared by the unions pune
tuated the long line and added color to
the parade. Also there was a number
of unexpected features, among them
being float by the Christian Endeav-
or society and industrial display
by the boys of the Topeka Industrial
school.
Starting promptly at 1 o'clock from
Sixth avenue and Monroe streets, the
parade began the long march to Gar
field park. special feature was the
review by the leaders. Fred w. Fell
ton, marshal of the day, R. I. Cross
| white, aide, members of the police
| department and Marshall's band
started first from Sixth avenue and
Monroe street and marched south to
| Tenth avenue reviewing the other
sections lined on both sides of Mon
roe street from Sixth to Tenth avenue.
Gradually the various sections fell in
line.
All Had a Surprise.
| 1t was not until they marched past
the line of parade that the leaders had
any idea of the magnitude and beauty
Of the floats prepared by the various
unions and merchants. Each union
and each merchant had tentatively
agreed to keep all others in ignorance
of the nature of the floats and thus
surprise those in the parade as well as
the thousands of spectators lining
Kansas avenue from Tenth avenue 70
Garfield park where the parade dis
| banded.
| The float prepared by Crosby Broth
| ers probably attracted as much atten-
ton as that of any merchant. Crane
& Company's float also called forth
much applause. The cigar makers.
electricians. printers and building
trades council all had pretty floats
representing their organizations by
clever designs. A noticeable feature
of the floats was the number of signs
on them bearing the painters and dec
orators labels. The growth of this
organization probably has been more
ra pid in the last year than that of any
other in Topeka
| Post Speaks.
| Upon reaching Garfield park. those
marching in the parade, were given
large slices of iced watermelon fur
nished to them by the Owl grocery
secretary of the United States depart
ment of labor, delivered a Labor Day
address. He was introduced by Gov
ernor Capper. who rode with Mr.. ano
Mrs. Post in the parade. Other public
officials in the parade were the city
commissioners. Chief of Police Par
sons. Joseph Hanlon, chief of the fire
department, and w. r. Smith, state
printer. who is a member of the print
ers' union. All shops and offices OF
| the Santa Fe in Topeka closed at noon
| in honor of Labor Day.
Mr.. and Mrs. Louis F. Post accom-
panied by Governor Capper and ridine
| in the governors automobile followed
the leaders of the parade.
Order of the Parade.
| The stone masons were the frs
union men in the parade followed by
other organizations as follows:
Bricklayers, stonecutters. carpen
ters, fathers, plumbers, electricians
timers, pasterers, cement finishers
hod carriers, building trades float
Knights and Ladies of Security band
fire department, printers. stereotypers
| electrotypers, photoengravers, press
men, pressfeeders, bookbinders, alliec
printing trades float, cigarmakers
bakers, BARRIERS, stage employees, NOV
ing picture operators. machinists, re
tail clerks. switchmen, car men, visit
| ing unions. oranges, Christian En-
deavor boys from Industrial school
merchants floats
/ At Garfield Park.
Following the address the following
sport events were features of the pro
gram at Garfield park:
Sack race for boys under 16, 2
yards Prize 81. Three legged rae
for boys of the Industrial school, 81
Egg race for boys and girls under 2
Isl Cracker eating contest for boy
under IS, 81. Fifty-yard dash 70
men over so, first SO; second. 81
third. 81. Nail driving contest fo
women. 81. Fifty-yard dash for girl
under Is, 81. Seventy-five-yard dasl
for Industrial school boys, 81.
Rope climbing contest for boys un
der / 5. 81. Tug of war between me
of local unions, ten on a side, S.
Rooster race-three roosters will b
liberated and will belong to the on
who catches them
The woman having the creates
number of union labels on her wear
ing apparel is to be given a prize O
81 and a like prize is offered for tn
man displaying the greatest number G
union labels on his clothes. A priz
of 81 will be given to the tallest won
Ian competing in any event