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Show Idea of Labor Day Goes Back to 1884 George McGuIre, a cigar maker. Is credited with having been the father of the Labor day Idea He urged, at a labor convention In Chicago in 1884 that one day be set apart each year a a labor holiday, when labor organizations organ-izations could celebrate their achievements achieve-ments and recount the progress of their causa McGulre continued to urge this plan until the first Monday in September was set apart In most state a a holiday, to be known as Labor day. There is a vast difference between Labor day In this country and abroad. Most of 'he European countries observe ob-serve the first of May as their Labor day, and It Is frequently marked by riotous demonstrations. In America It Is the custom to observe ob-serve Labor day much a other holiday holi-day are observed. The banks and public buildings close, business Is suspended sus-pended generally and labor organization organiza-tion meet In an orderly manner to celebrate their day of days. As they " ' -- - - look over the year that Is past they realize again tbe truth of the assertions asser-tions frequently made by William Green, president of the American Federation Fed-eration of .Labor, that the worker lu this country Is the best (aid In the world, that he ha a better home life, better working conditions and bore progress to bis credit than the men who labor nnder any other Hog. It is worth recalling that the American Ameri-can Federation of Labor ha stood quarely against any radical movement in America. Samuel Gomper held that position during his long service with the federation, and Uieen, who succeeded him, ha made the federation' federa-tion' position even stronger. Labor realizes that what It ha won ba been through an orderly campaign, and It . has no use for the Insidious forces that would tear down our Institution. |