The Omaha guide., 1933-09-16
Chicago g Chicssosns
BY CLIFFORD Q. MITCHELL
"A Day in the LOOP!

BY CLIFFORD Q. MITCHELL
"A Day in the Loop!
Recently, I spent the entire day in
the Loop-the business district IF the
City Of Chicago. And the day shall
never be forgotten. What q contrast?
What a tragedy life really is?
Walking along one street, I saw
thousands Of women roaming and
milling about the sidewalks. Not
knowing what it all meant for SO
many women to be hanging around
n particular section and doing
nothing but standing there and talk
ing | asked one of the many police
man who was at hand, the reason for
such unusual gatherings. He politely
informed me that it was a strike in
the millinery trade and while every
thing was peaceful just then the po-
lice were stationed throughout the
crowd just in cas- things got out of
order.
There they were! Thousands Of
women, who had jobs, but for some
reason or other, were striking for
some sort Of adjustment or demands
In better pay or working conditions.
1 thought Of the Presidents NRA and
wondered why and how strikes could
be countenanced when everybody was
boosting the national proclamation Of
providing more jobs and regulating
wages, etc.
But the above sight was nothingl
Walking four or five blocks away l
saw both sides Of the street lined
with people all waiting for some
thing. l thought maybe a circus par
ade was about to pass, so again l in
quired as to the possible excitement
for which the people were waiting.
And again / learned that it was a
parade Of some strikers. So, / too,
waited and such a sight ! never saw
before in my life and hope never to
see again.
They were strikers all wight but
not because they objected to the con-
ditions Of their jobs-no they had no
jobs at all. It was a parade on the
City Hall of the unemployed. Thous-
ands and thousands Of people, Of
every race, color ad nationality, men,
women, and children, were in that
parade.
The sight was pitiable People,
raggedy, hangry, dirty, marching
along, or rather t~rudging along, with
banners here and there announcing
their grievance Or stating their de-
mands. Some were, to me. like raying
maniacs-but maybe they had enough
Of the tragedy Of life to make them
rave-while other, were quiet. sad
eyed, crying, singing and Others
praying.
The contrast of the two sights i'm
mediately flashed before me. o, how
these poor creatures marching along
here would love to have the jobs that
those in my first sight were striking
against.
| really didn't know that there was
SO much misery in the world. Espe-
cially after reading Of SO much balIy
hood, and hearing so much Of it over
the radio, about how prosperous
things were becoming, and Of the
songs about there being no more
bread lines, and all that.
Then l thought Of another contrast.
The greatest, the most spectacular,
and most bizarre Of all shows on
earth being staged right in the same
city where 10 much misery is exist
ing. / didn't know whether TO be
saddened because l was living amidst
such inconsistent conditions. A thea
tire (Palace) was right at hand and I
strolled in there to wipe away the
sights had cen and to get my mind
on other things. And there I received
another contrast The house seated
thousands and it was literally crowd
ed while without and right In front
Of their door, paraded other thous-
ands who would have felt rich with
just price Of entrance to the theatre.