The March on Washington
Seattle’s contingent of the Industrial Army prepares to depart for Washington D.C. by train, complete with yellow paper, drill squads, and a parade.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The Industrial Army made considerable progress yesterday in organizing and recruiting, with quarters constantly crowded. Gen. Shepard, leading the movement, is arranging for a special train of box cars to carry the men to Washington D.C. in seven days. The group plans a parade on Saturday led by the Rialto band, and they have begun standardized drilling. Interestingly, the army plans to issue its own newspaper, printed on yellow paper, utilizing borrowed type. Donations of food, including smoked salmon and corned beef, have been flowing in from the public to sustain the marchers.
“The army will also issue the issue of a paper, printed on yellow wrapping paper. There are enough printers in the ranks to do the work.”
This movement, part of the national 'Coxey’s Army' phenomenon, serves as a stark historical reminder of the desperation during the Panic of 1893, when thousands of unemployed workers marched on the capital to demand public works—a precursor to modern labor and protest movements in the city.
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