Labor Gathers for Celebration at Fairground

From The Indianapolis Times, Monday, September 1, 1924:  10,000 labor union members gathered at the State Fairground today for a celebration of Labor Day.  For the first time the annual parade was done away with in favor of an outdoor affair to coincide with the opening of the State Fair.  Events began with a rousing speech by Albert Henning, assistant Secretary of Labor, who pointed out that ninety per cent of labor disputes have been resolved before reaching the strike stage and during the past three years the twelve-hour day has been practically abolished, and the seven-day work week is no more.  In the afternoon, many visitors watched the horse races that include the Labor Committee Stakes in honor of the day and took in the union label exhibit in the Manufacturers’ Building.  An evening firework display ended the day.

“Labor Gathers for Celebration at Fairground,” The Indianapolis Times, 1 September 1924, p. 1:3

Pitching Machine to Be Explained

From The Indianapolis Star, Friday, August 29, 1924:  Officials of Indianapolis amateur baseball organizations have been invited to attend a demonstration of a baseball pitching machine that will be given tonight.  Benjamin L. Blair, of Indianapolis, who invented the machine, has trained batters on the New York Yankees and New York Giants teams.    He says the machine will do more than a human arm can do in pitching “in” and “out” curves, “drops, and “fadeaways;” it primarily is a trainer of eyes.  A graduate of Purdue University’s school of engineering, Blair worked with compressed air machinery and conceived of the idea during the World War of using compressed air for a hand grenade projector, however the government wasn’t interested.  In 1922, he received a patent on a machine using compressed air that could eject baseballs at any rate of speed. 

“Pitching Machine to Be Explained,” The Indianapolis Star, 29 August 1924, p. 3:3

Sanitation to Be Objective in Market House Remodeling

From The Indianapolis News, Thursday, August 21, 1924:  The city board of public works awarded contracts for the remodeling of the City Market with the main objective of improving its sanitation.  The old floor of the market building will be torn out and a new cement floor with proper drainage will be installed.  The old stands will also be replaced with the same number of new stands that will be elevated above the floor nine inches, allowing for frequent flushing of the floor.  A modern refrigeration system will be placed on the mezzanine floor near the meat department, keeping the meat and poultry display cases cold and sanitary and the wooden doors and window casings will be replaced with steel.  The building will be rewired providing better illumination throughout and the exterior will be cleaned, and the metal work painted.    

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“Sanitation to Be Objective in Market House Remodeling,” The Indianapolis News, 21 August 1924, p. 12:2