The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-08-10
BIG MASS MEETING
Open Session at Opera House Addressed
by Gompers

Open Session at Opera House Addressed
by Gompers.
To the stirring strains Of Hail TO the
Qhiet by the Barre Citizens band,
President Gompers, on the veranda OF
Hotel Barre last evening acknowledged
an official greeting from the assembled
delegates and many professional and
business men as well a. a crowd Of I'M
ion men who joined the musicians in
their serenade It was spontaneous
greeting and part Of the evenings pro-
gram that formed an admirable subati-
tute for the parade that had to be post
poned on account OF unfayorable weather
conditions. The bandmen presented an
unusually fine appearance as they
marched up North Main street and the
music they discoursed was OF quality
to make most of the folks assembled on
the sidewalks and sharing with them the
right to march along on the paving sigh
for the good old days when Barre's ma
jor band was doing business regularly in
its own stand.
1t was a fine piece of forethouglt on
the part of the local committee in en-
listing the aid Of the band and from it's
beginning to the end the little chapter
in the doings OF the past three days
formed real tribute to the great labor
leader. Mr. Gompers and his party re-
viewed the serenade and manifestation
and acknowledged the tribute gracefully.
Afterward the band marched to the
opera house and continued its concert in
the gallery while a crowd of nearly 500
people was being seated. The audience
was on its toes when the band began
PLAYING my Country It's OF Thee" and
there was a big show Of spirit when the
A. r. OF l.. president and Others marched
across the procenium. Fred w. Suitor,
president of the state federation and
secretary OF the international quarry
was the chairman of the meet
ING and others seated on the stage with
the speaker were: Coils Lovely vice
president of the boot and shoe workers
Secretary Alex Ironsde. Nelson A.
Malmgren Of Rutland. treasurer OF the
state branch; Patrick Cudmore Of Bel
lows Falls, Angus Mcdonald and j. T
Chairman Suitor introduced as the first
speaker, Mr.. Lovely, who graciously re
-ired in favor Of Mr.. Gompers after pay
ng a warm tribute to his leader in or
,anized labor. In the brief space alIot-
ed him, he spoke of the union label, |
With special reference to its origin and /
He credited the cigarmakers !
If San Francisco with issuing the first /
abel back in 1870 for the purpose OF /
smokers an earmark to dis /
inguish the difference between cigars |
made by white labor and Chinese labor |
The label. he declared has stood between /
air conditions and high wages and un
air conditions and low wages When /
,tissouri cigarmakers later stood out for
he red label as against the white labei
: distinguishing mark of union made
igars, both factions compromised on the
bird color of the national flag, blue.
The union label had small beginnings
nut its significance is growing yearly.
Prolonged applause greeted President
'ompers as he arose to speak Some
hing about his manner OF address
eemea to electrifv the audience and a.
e warmed into his speech his well
nown personal magnetism became more
nd more effective. Seldom has a public
peaker appearing before Barre audi
nee received more whole-soulel recep-
ion than that accorded the leader Of Z
rganized labor in America Mr.. Com
ers took to himself the task Of answer
" some Of the criticism levelled at Ia
or and then developed his theme INTO
arrative Of what the organization has
ceomplshed in the past and aims 10 I
,hieve in the future. His statement Of G
be Gompcrs -Carrana correspondence.
hich forms a part 81 the history that /
in the making. was wen received and 2
mong the most -kcpticsl. there. could s
ave remained little mere than q lincer- Q
g doubt, If any doubt = the para that &