The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1921-09-06
Ideal Weather Accompanies
Celebration Held Monday
at Diamond Point
ABLE SPEECHES FOLLOW
= FREE DINNER AT NOON
Sports Program in Afternoon
Completes Labor's Biggest
Celebration Here

with the weather man in his best
humor and the sun shining at it's best,
the Labor Day celebration Monday
marked an epoch for Labor Day
crowds in Bemidji. Starting at 1890
from Library park, headed by the
Union band, the parade started off
on the line of march selected Fire
men, members of the various labor
unions of the city, labor floats, in
dustrial floats, Boy Scouts, the Moose
Lodge and Women of M6oseheart Le-
gion and their floats made up a pa
rade more than a mile long. After
parading through town, the line of
march continued to- Diamond Point
Park where Acting Major j. P. Lair
flttingly extended the welcome of the
city to all present. Dr. G. H. Zentz
offered invocation, following which
a barbecue dinner was served to
over 5000 people. The American
Legion served the coffee, and the
Boy and Girl Scouts assisted in serv-
ing the dinner.
At 1 o'clock the crowd gathered
around the speakers platform where
Judge c.. w. Stanton, of Bemidji,
was first introduced by Chairman H.
r. Bridgeman. Judge Stanton con-
graduated the citizens of Bemidji,
both business and laboring interests,
upon the unity of spirit demonstrated
in the large gathering to celebrate
Labor Day. He drew attention to
the heritage enjoyed by the citizens
of. the state where opportunity was
afforded every man to make good,
the extent of his success depending
almost entirely upon the individuals
use of his opportunity. He reviewed
the efforts of the laboring people for
the last SO years to obtain legisla-
ton which would better their condi-
tions. The fight was long one and
a hard one, but was finally rewarded
by the placing in the cabinet of the
president Of the United States a de-
partment of Labor with a cabinet
minister at it's head. Ex-President
Taft signed the bill creating the posi-
ton of. Secretary of Labor and Ex-
President Woodrow Wilson appointed
the first Secretary of Labor in the
person Of William B. Wilson. Upon
the election of President Harding, the
appointment of James J. Davis was
made, and he is at present Secretary
of Labor with large number of bu-
reaus under his charge.
Judge stanton was followed by
Attorney T. J. McGrath, of St. Paul,
who spoke upon the crisis confront
ing organized labor today both in the
nation and the state. He referred to
the various occasions when Wall
Street was considered, through it's
representatives, to be fighting the
system of collective bargaining, a
foundation stone of organized labor
He also referred to the efforts put
forth by the United States Chamber
of Commerce through a questionable
sent out to the business interests of
the country to influence an opinion in
favor of the "open shop" He char
acterized the work of the Citizens
Alliances as of no value to the gen.
eral public or business man and an
other thrust at the life-blood Of or
ganized labor, and finally concluded
with an arraignment of Governor
Preus and the tonnage tax, assign
ing to the governor aspirations to
eventually become United States
senator.
Vice-president A. j. Lowell, of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen
and Enginemen, was the last speaker
and he confined his remarks to the
present condition Of some of the rail-
roads and the causes of their unfor-
tunate condition. He referred to the
actions of former railroad men such
as Hartman and Leeds, who, after
Continued on Page 81