The Topeka state journal., 1919-09-01

It's hard to remember when Kan.
sas avenue ever looked SO deserted
early on a Monday morning as it did
today. Practically every store was
closed and the usual crowd of clerks
and others who work half the holiday
was lackinE--But, by Sc cloel--tkA
incoming cars were crowded, -princf-
pally with union men getting ready
for the big parade.
S-s-s-s-s popi A look of gloom
overspreads the face of the lad riding
the bicycle and he dismounts and
looks at his flat tire. Nothing
daunted, he gets out his mending ma
terials and begins hastily fixing the
puncture. Must get thru in time for
the bicycle parade. This happened to
many boys and girls today.
The few who labored as usual this
Labor day at least had the satisfaction
of being comfortable in riding to work
on the early morning street cars.
Those who so desired were able to
spraddle out over a whole seat and
spread their feet over another one.
And the day after tomorrow we will
have another big parade-one in
which the elephants trunk will be
among the floats.
Marshalrs jazz band. riding in one
of Roy Payne's trucks. drew much
comment from the crowds that lined
the streets. The jazz tunes gladdened
the hearts of hundreds and almost
brought tears to the eyes of the stern
old masters of music who hold Jazz in
adherence. But Marshalls original
band brought applause everywhere.
There were a number of new
unions in the Labor day parade today
representing crafts that have only re-
Gently affiliated with the American
Federation of Labor.
The windows at the postoffice closed
at 10 o'clock this morning in order to
give the employees the advantage of a
partial holiday. Only one city deliv-
cry was made. and the rural carriers
did not go out on their routes. The
North Topeka office observed the
same rules.
One of the features of the parade
was the advertisement of the Plumb
plan of government ownership. Ban
ners such as Study the Plumb Plan; -
Join the Plumb Plan League" Rail
roads are Public Highways. Not Pri-
vate Enterprises" and others were
scattered thruout the length of the
column.
did not participate in the parade this
morning. The shops closed at noon,
however. and those who neglected re-
ceiving tonsorial attention in the
morning found themselves destined to
wear beard the rest of the day, or
shave themselves.
Those who witnessed the parade
were not allowed to forget that the
cereal workers are on strike. I'VE Are
Out TO Win" and "All Topeka Flour
Mills Are Unfair to Organized Labor
were banners carried by the flour mill
workers.
The Topeka firemen marching in
the parade brought up that eternal
question again: Why do firemen wear
red suspenders?"
A man in overaIls currently is be-
lieved to be the street car patron. But
the number of overall garbed union
men in automobiles today taking their
families out for ride gives the lie TO
the popular belief.
The police say they experienced no
trouble. A few automobiles parked on
Kansas avenue before the hour of the
parade were removed by request
Every office in the court house,
and state house was closed today.
On the running board of an auto
mobile in the street railway motermen
and conductors section lay a conduc-
tor asleep. A habit acquired. perhaps
I while waiting on the switches.