European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 04, 1967, Darmstadt, Hesse Labor Day Down the years from speeches to car crashes by Sio Whipple staff writer sixty years ago while american were observing labor Day with the customary parades perforations and picnics a new York daily newspaper car ried on its front Page the following succinct headline Many killed by some 20 years previously the pro motion of the first monday in septembers a Day for emphasizing the dignity of labor had been spreading until wit Federal recognition of the Date in 1894, the Observance had become a also with the expansion of the automobile Industry increase in car ownership reduced hours for labor an americans natural proclivity to enjoy Long week ends fatality statistics Aris ing from the reckless misuse of Leisure began mounting towards to Day s tragic totals. Consciousness of the Power and importance of organized labor in the econ omy and welfare of a nation undergoing vast expansion in its Industrial might was also growing. Historians record that what was probably the first suggestion for labor Day came in 1882 As the result of a join convention of the knights of labor and the Central labor Union in new Yor City at which Peter j. Mcguire Secre tary of the brotherhood of carpenters and joiners proposed to set aside the first monday in september to Honor american workers. It was so ordered. Five years later Oregon became the first state to pass a Law giving official recognition to labor Day. One by one other states fell in line until As noted above the Observance became National in 1894. Stripes daily Magazine Celebration of labor Day in those Early years provided a Field Day for politicians and presidents. The Opportunity to express their appreciation support and love of the working Man was made to order. Almost invariably the parades under the banners of every Union from boilermakers to Woodwork ers of America marched to some open Fairgrounds where in a carnival Atmo sphere feasts or floods of oratory swept Over the were the Days when William Jennings Bryan the Silver tongued or Ator of the Platte you shall not press Down upon the brow of labor this Crown of thorns took every labor Day Opportunity to promote a love affair be tween himself and the proletariat. He was a Star performer from 1896 until world War i. Other presidents regardless of part affiliations invariably embraced the cause. Teddy Roosevelt William How Ard Taft Franklin d. Roosevelt Harry Truman Dwight d. Eisenhower All took to the platform when the Golden Opportunity presented itself. From the very beginning of those annual observances they took on a Dou ble character. To the adherents of organized labor they were an Opportunity for sober consideration of the Workingman s problems and social improve ment. To the general Public not Affili ated with the labor movement they provided a Long weekend for relaxation for boating and swimming for touring for getting out into the wit increasingly tragic results. In 1935, 199 people were killed in High Way accidents in 1949 the figure had risen to 550 two years later there were650 deaths recorded. Last year 1966799 americans die Din Continental United states As a result orator Bryan labor Day was his favorite speaking Day. Of labor Day weekend accidents. There were 631 automobile fatalities 96 drown Ings 17 deaths in plane crashes and 55dead from other accidental causes. Every year in an Appeal to Drivers to curb Road madness the National safety Council urges the exercise of common sense during the highly dangerous conditions that exist during the Holiday season. The prime killer it makes Plain i drunkenness at the wheel. You can t do much More than repeat Over and Over again the time worn slogans if you drive Don t drink if you drink Don drive there Are still thousands of folks who say that does t apply to me. Ican take it Only to find they can t. There Are six other situations Call ing for Cool deliberate action on the part of a Driver. The safety Council lists them and their remedies 1. You Are following another car in Stream of traffic. The Driver ahead of you stops suddenly. You Jam on you brakes too late to avoid a crash. Remedy maintaining one car length behind the other car for each 10 Miles of Speed thus providing sufficient Roo for a Safe emergency Stop. 2. You Are out in front with someone following you. You slow Down suddenly for a turn and bang remedy signalling your intentions Well before reaching your turn.3. As you Are driving along minding your own business an oncoming car drifts into your Lane or starts a left turn in front of you. A head on Colli Sion looks imminent. Remedy pull to the right Flash your lights blow your Horn Wake him up slow Down.4. Approaching an intersection you have the right of Way As another car approaches from a Side Road. The other Driver ignores the right of Way Rule. Crash May result. Remedy rember the old Couplet Here lies the body of Richan d Day. He died defending his-right-of-Way."5. Another Driver attempts to pass you and a collision is in the making if you try to beat him by passing into his Lane or if he cuts Back sharply in front of you. Remedy reduce your Speed and give the other Driver a Chance. It May Hurt your Pride but it May save your skin.6. You attempt to pass another car on a two Lane Road and suddenly find Youcan t make it. Remedy hit the brakes and fall i behind the car you were trying to pass. Happy labor Day up monday september 4, 1967 a sad Way to celebrate a Holiday a head on collision in Illinois. The stars and stripes Page 11
