The First Banquet of Organized Labor

Last Saturday evening, the two local unions of carpenters and painters combined to give a banquet and smoker for their membership. It was the first of its kind in the ranks of organized labor in this city, and to say it was appreciated would be to express it mildly. The banquet hall was crowded to its utmost capacity, and waiters hustled to attend to the needs of the assembled. Through the ability of Toastmaster Myron E. Leon, one of the first officers of the Painters' Union, an impromptu program was carried out which was greatly appreciated. Shortly after 8 o’clock, the members filed into the banquet chamber. The first guest called upon was H. L. Blandford, who, despite suffering from severe hoarseness, gave an interesting talk on the causes leading up to the formation of the labor movement. He clearly set forth the necessity of the labor union as a means to combat the vicious aims of organized capital. The second speaker, Louis Kan, a pioneer manufacturer of union cigars in this city, spoke on Labor Legislation, urging that labor should make prompt and proper use of its ballot to protect the toiler. David Maple, president of the Carpenters' Union, responded in a happy vein on the progress of the 'wood butchers,' and Will Cauvel, president of the Painters, was also called upon. The evening closed with a vote of thanks to the committee and to the Maennerchoir for donating the hall. The universal sentiment was in favor of holding many such gatherings in the future to build the fraternal spirit of the movement.