110 Years Ago, 1915 transcribed as originally published in the Youngstown Vindicator:

“Most successful celebration in history of local unionism. Labor Day observed with great procession and outing at Idora Park — many unions respond to full quota, displaying unusual enthusiasm for the cause — powerful addresses in the afternoon thrill mighty concourse — ideal weather for the occasion and plans are carried out without a single hitch — committee wins compliment.”

“Marching in a mighty host, with Labor’s banner unfurled, 5,000 trades unionists turned out in solid phalanx for Monday’s imposing pageant, celebrating with all of the enthusiasm of loyal supporters, American workers’ holiday, that had its beginning with municipal gatherings in the east, later to be firmly established by an act of congress. It was easily Youngstown’s biggest Labor Day celebration.

“The parade was without doubt the most satisfactory ever held by the trades unionists of Youngstown, and the arrangement committee is to be congratulated for the clock-like precision with which everything pertaining to the celebration moved. It was purely a Youngstown gathering, few strangers being numbered among the marchers outside of a delegation, that swelled the ranks of the Amalgamated Association of Street & Electric Railway Employees, from nearby points….

“The largest divisions in the monster parade were the Journeymen Carpenters, Bricklayers & Masons and the International Association of Machinists. Other unions including the Journeymen Painters and Allied Printing Trades marched to their full quota of membership, which showed unusual interest in the exercises of the day….

“The afternoon session at Idora Park opened at 3 o’clock, as delegates of the United Labor Congress filed into a speakers stand about the center of the pleasure grounds, and John J. Graney called the gathering to order. He began his informal talk, by stating that once a year the toilers of the land assemble to celebrate and observe America’s greatest holiday. The chairman proceeding said that Labor Day was first suggested by the gatherings in New York and other big eastern cities on the first Monday in September, beginning some 35 years ago, and finally congress enacted a law, establishing a real national holiday….

“Mr. Graney next introduced James O’Connell, first vice president of the A.F. of L. and member of the Federal Commission on Industrial Relations, who came here from Washington D.C….

“He said: ‘we are gathered together as the chairman aptly stated, to celebrate a national holiday, the United States being the only country in the world to designate a Labor Day annually to the toilers, it remaining for America to so honor the wealth makers of its nation. It is a day when the whistles of the mill and factory cease blowing, the inactivity calling forth the men from the shops and mines, to observe and glorify.

“‘This is a day of organization, combination, association and those who do not give way to such, are of little consequence in these times. If life is to be worth living all must partake of association in some form or manner. Labor form associations, and why? To better conditions, to meet with manufacturers’ associations, organizations and combinations. The highest authority in the land says we have a right to organize, and those who oppose us do not understand our motive….

“‘We trade unionists want steady work, more school buildings and less vice, shorter hours and fewer jails….’

“The movement and progress of trades unionists was further explained, after which the speaker closed his talk. He was given a flattering reception by the big gathering.”

• Compiled by Dante Bernard, museum educator at the Mahoning Valley Historical Society