The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1936-09-14
BY The Out. Easter

ny AAS OuS- SoOSSA
We've had our Labor day for
1895, but 1t wasn't like the Labor
days of old, say around 35 years
ago. No stree, nothing like the
days In and around the turn Of
the century.
Why, say those of you who can
look back, think Of the Labor day
OF 1908, Sept. 7, 10 be exact, Of that
year. The manufacturers here
were never friendly TO tho observ-
ancc of Labor day, and we hesi-
tated for many years TO celebrate.
or course, the day was proclaimed
q legal holiday some time before,
but 1t wasn't until after 1900 that
we were really able TO get to-
gether, and make some kind OF
a showing on the day set aside
as q real holiday for the So
called workingman and his fam
lily. We had Forest park, now
known as Lakewood park, the old
driving park, and Bellevue lake,
adjoining the then Forest park.
The general rule then was for US
to spend the day at some. one OF
these places. The old Meriden
railroad always ran an excursion
to Hanover lake, and some Of US
went there; others might 80 to
Coney Island by way Of the
Naugatuck railroad excursion, but
as O general rule we stayed at
home and celebrated right here In
the midst Of the people we knew
so well. Mind you, 1908 was the
year Of the famous trolley strike
that caused us so much trouble.
But by the time Labor day rolled
around the strike had been set
tied, and we all felt the better
for II. The Central Labor union
was In full bloom. and nearly
every line Of trade was repre-
sented In It's membership. The
shops were fairly organized with
their Buffers Union, and their
Platers' union. Others who were
organized also were the theater
employees, the BARRIERS, the bar
tenders, the electrical workers,
the plumbers, the carpenters, the
inasons, the hod-carriers, yes, and
even the printers OF the city,
those employed on the news
papers, and others that were en-
ployed IN the various print shops
Of the city.
Valiant Leader
John T. Daley, who lived In the
McGrath house at the corner OF
East Main and william Sts., was
the president OF the Central UNI
ion. He was employed at the
Waterbury Clock Company, rs
we recall, In spite Of the appar-
ent antagonism Of that institu-
ton toward labor, and Its lead
ers. But Mr.. Daley had plenty Of
gumption; he fought valiantly
for the rights Of labor, upon any
and all occasions.
But let's get down TO the Labor
day parade we were talking about
In 1908. Mr.. Daley was the general
marshal, and rode O fine buck.
skin horse. His aides were our well
liked Jimmy Donahue, Bart Cross
Of Naugatuck, prominent In labor
circles In those days, and Billy
Barrett, one Of the original strik.
ing trolleymen, Billy Barrett was
clearly O misunderstood individ-
ual. No fairer or better type OF
man could be found, from our
observation Of the man In the
days when he collected fares IN
the East Main ct. trolley, and
also collected premiums In the
insurance business he followed,
either before or after his trolley
days. He came to our house, and
we were always glad and pleased
to meet him.
Veteran Statutes
Old Rogers a. Bros. out here on
Silver st. was In the parade that
day, about IS employees. We
worked out there at the time In
the old buff room. Our float COM
prised o mammoth spoon built
for the occasion, and we had sew.
eral Of our old time employees On.
gagged In bufiing II as the big van
was drawn through the public
streets by an attractive team Of
grays. And when we reached the
home OF our good boss, Capt. Da.
vid B. Hamilton on East Main
st., opposite st. Mary's school lot,
the genial old Civil War veteran
saluted us royalty, and gave Us Q
cheerful reception. We oil thought
the world Of him. And why
shouldn't We have felt kindly
toward him: the old spoon shop
gave us some great contracts