Albert Evans of Hemingray supervised construction of stand for Labor Demonstration

BOOST FOR UNIONISM

The Great Labor

Demon­stration Sunday

WAS A GRAND SUCCESS.

Speeches Made by Leading Union

Promotors and Heard by Thousands

— Railroads Kept a

Crowd Away.

"In union there is strength," are the words spoken in conclusion of the elo­quent appeal made by Rev. Father Weichman in Heekin park Sunday It is an old adage, but its real meaning was never before so thoroughly proven in Muncie as on that day, after the par­ade made by the members of the different unions in line for the Union Glass Workers' rally.

The weather, though a little warm, was not hot, and with a clear sky, the conditions in this line were all that had been hoped for. The crowd of strangers was not so large as expected, and this afforded the only disappointing feature of the day. Anderson, Elwood and Al­exandria, who were expected to send at the least calculation 2,000 people, were represented by less than 100 people. For some unknown reason the railroads re­fused to run excursions at any price, and those who attended were compelled to leave Elwood and Alexandria on Sat­urday and come via Anderson, arriving here at 5:45 a m. This was so incon­venient that it is not surprising that no one came, as was predicted. Redkey had no special train, and the people from that town and Albany were compelled to come here at 1 o'clock and leave at 4. This time was too short. Hartford City and Eaton could get here under no cir­cumstances without driving. The only excursion train was from Marion, and it was not run by a railroad company that penetrates Muncie. The train was run by the Clover Leaf railroad, and consist­ed of seven cars containing 827 passen­gers. About 700 of that number were from Marion and the rest from Gas City, Bluffton and Montpelier. The train stopped en route at these points, but not people, were at Hartford City and Eaton. A report was circulated that Hartford City as­sured the L. E. & W. company that they had 1,000 people anxious to get here if a train was furnished them. If this is true, it is not characteristic of the rail­road company, and the whole thing seems to have been a conspiracy against Muncie by the railroads. As a result there were not over 1,200 strangers in Muncie Sunday, bicycles and all com­bined.

At the meeting of the executive committee Saturday night the above state of affairs was plainly shown, causing much regret, but the effort was only increased in getting into line all local un­ion men possible, and the result was quite gratifying, as a conservative esti­mate of the number of men in line with clearance cards was 1,300, making it the largest labor demonstration ever made in Muncie. In addition to this number, the ladies made a public demonstration of their sympathy for the cause by as­sembling at the park in vast numbers, being nearly on equal terms with the sterner sex; and they, with other citizens who congregated to hear the addressee, formed a crowd estimated at from 8,000 to 10,000 people. It was an intelligent, good looking assembly, not alone made up of the factory boys, but the retired merchant and all other classes were there to hear and be instructed on the very interesting problem by some of the most learned gentlemen for the cause of labor that the country has, and it is safe to say all were pleased alike.

THE BUSINESS MEETING.

At 9 o’clock the delegates representing Marion, Anderson, Dunkirk, Gas City, Fairmount, Hartford City, Orestes, Windfall, Redkey, El wood, Alexandria and Muncie met in Labor hall and held a two hours' session. Philip McGuigan, president of the United Glass Workers of Indiana, Secretary Edward Daily, of the same organization, at their posts. Mr. Daily resides at Fairmount. The only action done and made public was the decision to hold another meeting. It will occur in Elwood some time next September.

THE PARADE.

The different unions formed on the streets as allotted to them, the column moving east on Adams street and over the prescribed route to the park, where the speech making began shortly after 2 o’clock.

The procession was headed by Super­intendent of Police Fortner and patrol men Alstadt and Ball mounted, James Berry, marshal of the day and his aide, William Tobin, W. A. Miller, Frank Beaver, John Gaughan, Harry Densford, John Sharp, Daniel Rodgers and Allen Jackson.

Next in line was the 40 delegates, fol­lowed by the Marion delegation numbering over 400 in all, headed by the Marion City band, which discoursed some fine music.

Next to this column was the Gas City union men, with the sprinkling from other towns.

Muncie Typographical Union, No. 332 was next in line, with 15 typos from the Marion Morning News and a real office "devil" from Marion, too.

Following this came the Midland Steel workers' band followed by 394 Midland workers, 200 Indiana Iron workers, 40 bricklayers and masons, 85 barbers, 20 cigar makers, 49 clerks and 30 hod carriers.

The Indiana Iron works band, the best in the line, came next followed by 100 window glass workers, 200 flint glass workers from the three factories here, and a great crowd of jolly little boys employed in three factories as well as at Ball Bros, were in line also and very noticeable. The green glass workers at Ball Bros big plant brought up the rear with over 400 in line. The speakers carriages and citizens in carriages came next.

At the corner of Hackley and Willard street the column stopped in open order and the speakers reviewed the fine look­ing army, leading the procession to the park.

After some band music Prosecutor Henry Hopping, who was chairman, opened the meeting and Rev. J. F. Carney pronounced the blessing Mayor Cromer was then introduced for the address of welcome.

His words were well prepared, making the strangers feel doubly welcome, and at the same time making a fine plea in behalf of organized labor. His remarks were frequently interrupted with ap­plause. Rev. Father Weichman of Gas City was next introduced. Rev. Father Weichman is a very eloquent speaker and at all times in readiness to lend a word for union labor, and he has become a fixed figure at these glass workers gatherings. His effort yesterday was a brilliant one and the applause was well merited. One statement by him that meant a great deal, was that labor could better afford to accept an injury than to inflict one.

President M, M. Garland of the Amal­gamated Association of Iron and Steel workers was introduced after the re­marks by Father Weichman. Mr. Garland made a business like talk. He has had years of experience at the head of a big labor organization and his words carried much weight with them. In part he said: "Labor is looked upon as the agency of riot, strike and trouble, but it simply is an organization to educate and better all conditions. We make peace between man and master. You are in a magic city but without un­ionism it is safe to predict it would not be so long. The time is coming when there will be a universal price for labor the country over. The farmers are benefitted because when the laboring man gets good wages he gets a good market for his products because of the increased consumption. Electricity and other modern improvements are throwing thousands of men out of employment, but the education labor is getting will meet and adjust this decrease by shorter hours and better pay. It is not now revolution but evolution."

The next speaker was President Dennis A. Hayes of the Green Glass Workers association, who is the father of these meetings. The first one being held at Redkey as a result of trouble in a glass factory in that town. Mr. Hayes be­lieved that it was best to go before the people with the trouble and called a public meeting of the union glass workers of the Indiana gas belt in that city. "Considering the few at Redkey and the great crowd present Sunday the contrast showed plainly that the people felt the injustice of the industrial system under which we live, the country now recovering from what was called the panic," said Mr. Hayes. Continuing he said: "This so-called panic occurred in a country where there was an abundance of everything that goes to make men happy, but in spite of this the men were unable to purchase the very things they helped to produce. Some people are inclined to treat such occurrances [sic] occurrences as the natural order of things, when in fact they only indicate the fact that we need a higher order of statesmanship and a truer conception of the laws of God and man. This also means that the old system of labor organization will not meet the needs of the present day. If such occurrences as I mention are not in accordance with justice and equity they cannot be solved behind closed doors, as the labor question, like all other questions that have been settled by civilization, must be brought before the court of public opinion. About 30 years ago this nation decided by a civil war that one man could not own the person or labor of another. The slave won his suit, but when he went out of court a free man the man with labor to sell took his place. Civilization today has to deal with his case The old idea upon which all civilization has been built is that the world's work could not be done unless one class was kept in subjection and degradation for the especial purpose of doing this. Time and violent social upheavals have wiped out serfdom and chattel slavery, but labor is not yet free. A class of human beings must now be kept on the ragged edge of dispair [sic] despair, so that the industries of society may be carried on, thus implying that same must be kept upon much less than they want to force them to work for the rest. We cannot change this belief by abusing capital, which if persisted in deprives us of self reliance and causes us to lose sight of our own duties aa citizens. It is common phase of the workers to see their rights become a prey to capital as now organized and protected by the courts. Eternal vigilance and activity in this movement is our only hope of checking the evils of which we complain before they become any worse. The meeting today is remarkable from the fact that you see upon this platform a priest, a minister of a leading church, judge of your court, mayor of your city and representative citizens. This tells us how universal is the principles we represent, they are liberal and just and all classes and people can stand upon an equal footing of our banner. Every creed and race is welcome for the workingman's side is the right side. We hold aloft for your inspection the principle of civilization. Again the presence of these clergymen proves our assertion that the labor question is one of morality. No man can be a Christian or good citizen who incurs a system that keeps men in ignorance and want and then tries to justify his conduct by using such catch words and worn out phrases as being compelled to do so by competition or an effort to run my own business. At present wages know no law except the competition between trades, there must be a limit on this line as to all other things, a living wage does not mean a mere existence. Trades unionism strives to put within the reach of all workers a reasonable share of the comforts and blessings of modern civilization. When the capitalist says he is determined to run his own business he then puts a rough edge on what we call the labor problem. His desire and the natural intentions of the workingmen favors the problem. When a corporation conducts its business in such a manner as to deprive any citizen of his rights as such, it is then the duty of society to inquire into the causes which give one man such an advantage over an another. The true meaning of a sign on a factory in this city is that before a man can enter its gates he must cast aside the only rights left him, that of organization and representation. Is any man who creates such a situation an American citizen?

"We hold these meetings on Sunday because it is the only time we have. We are compelled to work by night and day, and work alike when sick and well, and only at the will of another. Sunday is not only a day of worship and recreation, but it affords us the only opportunity to present moral side of this question and elevate it to a higher plain, where it belongs."

Last but not least on the program was the address of Henry Bostock of Pen­dleton. Mr. Bostock is an old "wheel horse" so to speak, having served many years in L. A. 300. His speeches for union labor have been many and all of them combined have done great good. Mr. Bostock plead to the girls not to marry a man who did not have a clearance card in his pocket, and he told a pathetic story that showed the good a wife can do for unionism, that brought tears to the eyes of many. His talk was a brilliant feature.

NOTES.

Even a dog fight under the speakers stand did not bother Father Weichman's eloquence.

President Hayes says the meeting was never eclipsed in any town, Pittsburg not excepted.

The committee requests the News to publicly thank all donators who as­sisted in defraying the expenses which amounted to about $225.

That banner of the flints of the Hemingray factory is one of the finest ever made. Master Harry Nervian [sic] Nuerman occupied a seat in a cab holding it in line.

Elmer Sutton of the Marion Leader with his wife was here. The Marion Morning News was well represented by Howard Roosa, one of the proprietors, who wore a typo union badge.

The Saloon Keepers' league wanted to help swell the parade, but were rejected. As a personal matter on the part of the members there was no objection, but the committee objected to the organization:

Over 200 copies of the Morning News was ordered by President Hayes, Secre­tary Dailey and others, to be sent to local unions the country over, with instructions to read the reports before meetings.

Secretary Al Evans, of the Flint union at Hemingray's, superintended the construction of the stand, and it was not very commodious but quite attractive. The sides and roof were made of leafy branches from trees.

Will Toban proved to be the right fel­low, and his work was greatly appreciat­ed along the line with the other members of the committee on arrangements. It consisted of Albert Evans, Charles Smith, Greeley Ferguson, Wm. Strong, Wm. Geltz and Mr. Tobin.

Albert Evans informs the News that the trouble between union labor and the Atlantic and Pacific Tea company had been adjusted by the company shipping back to the producer several car loads of non union glassware which they had been giving away as prizes.

President Garland left for Indianapolis yesterday. President Hayes will spend the week in Muncie. He will address the clerks Friday night and on next Sunday will talk to the members of his union. Mr. Hayes is deservedly very popular. He is a self made man and surely the right person in the posi­tion be holds. He makes friends with all whom be meets.