Evening star., 1931-06-16
LABOR FAIR OPENS; |
/ MORRISON SPEAKS
A. F. Of |. Official Urges
Shorter Work Period for
JobIess Relief.

A program for the relief Of unem-
ployment was proposed last night by
Frank Morrison, secretary Of the Amer
ican Federation Of Labor, at the OPEN
ing Of the Central Labor Union Fair
and Exposition at Fifth street and
Florida avenue northeast.
Speaking over q public address sys-
tenn en- the fair grounds, to q huge
crowd, which spread among the wide
variety of exhibitions and fair attrac-
tions, Mr.. Morrison declared the prob
lem of unemployment must be solyed." I"
. II hold that 1t can be solved" said
the speaker, 80 that every man and
woman who desires to will have an OPP
portunity to work, and at wage which
will enable them and their families to
live in reasonable comfort. The solu-
ton Of Unemployment is the introduc-
ton. of the Jfive-day week and the
shorter work day, the number Of days
per week and the number Of hours .
day to be lowered so that men and
women who are displaced by labor
saving, labor eliminating devices and
new processes Of production will be able
to secure employment.
"In the meantime" he continued,
"the next Congress should appropriate
q large sum of money to be expended
upon public improvements to furnish
employment to the unemployed and in
that way prevent another Winter CT
suffering among the workers Of our
country"
whole Hearted support Urged.
Mr.. Morrison urged all trade union
lists and their friends to give whole
hearted support" to the exposition and
fair to raise the $4,000 necessary to
complete the quota Of $4,000 which or
ganized labor pledged toward the nm
ancing of the District Of Columbia
World War Memorial.
Mr.. Morrison was the principal
speaker Of a group of four. who opened
the fair following an elaborate parade
of about two miles in length through
the Northeast section Of the city.
John Colpoys, editor of the Trade
Unionist, who was chairman OF the
evening, deplored the present unemploy-
ment situation, when he said 5000. 900
people are going hungry and can't find
work"
with our banks bulging with money,
people anxious to work, still out OF a
job, eager to earn money to buy more
things" said the editor, I'VE haven't
got the brains in this country to deal
with this condition" The speaker de-
plored what he said was the practice
Of some banks of withholding credit
unless industrial firms cut wages.
r. A. Dickson, president of the Gen.
trail Labor Union, expressed apprecia-
ton to all who had worked for the sue
cess of the exposition and fair.
Frank w. Lee, vice president Of the
Mount Vernon Savings Bank, and chair
man of the Central Labor Union Me-
mortal Executive Committee, expressed
q Hat fV1a - vnfo 4ka
pledged quota.
A downpour of rain threatened to
dispel the crowd at the fair grounds,
but large number remained and as
the rain stopped, the attendance grew,
Two big outdoor features were pre-
sented, Valencia" an expert on q
high pole, who also will perform on q
trapeze tonight, and Beach Bentum and
her aquatic troupe. The aquatic show
will go on tonight at 1890. Valencia
will perform on the pole at $50 and
on the trapeze at $50 o'clock.
Firnandow Fee Marshall, who was to
have been buried alive in a cofin
underground last night, postponed his
FIRST burying until o'clock today.
There Is q large number Of shows
along the midway. numerous carnival
attractions, including . ferris wheel
and merry-go-round.
Large Crowd Secs Parade.
The parade last night was witnessed
by q large crowd along the route from
Fourteenth street and Florida avenue to
the fair grounds.
The parade was led by the marshals,
John M. Beane, president of the North
east Business Mems Association; r. A.
Dickson, president of the Central Labor
Union, and F. Denwood Parrish, preSi-
dent Of the Union Terminal Market
mems Association. Next in line were
the guestS-Mr. Morrison, Mr.. Colpoys,
Frank j. Coleman, secretary of the Cen
tral Labor Union; N. w. Jones, Miss
Mignon Miller and John Cookman,
members of the executive board of the
Central Labor Union. Next came q
contingent Of the Gold Star Mothers,
headed by Mrs. Ida @. Smith, vice
president of the organization. There
followed floats from the Business Mems
Association, the Marketmen's Associa-
ton, representatives Of go labor groups
in the city and a long parade Of deco
rated trucks and automobiles from fair
exhibitors.
Musical organizations in the parade
included the Overseas Drum Corps Of
the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Victory
Post American Legion Band, Costello
Post American Legion Band and Boys,
Elks Band Playing in the fairgrounds
were the 121st Engineers Band, under
direction of Meyer Goldman. Music
was also furnished throughout the fair
grounds by a large public address sys-
tenn donated by Lee D. Butler.