Worcester High School of Commerce - Caduceus Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

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lass Qbratiun, 192541 THE GREAT AMERICAN Joseph Dumas ERHAPS no name, will ever stand out so impressively l in the history of organized labor as that of Samuel Gompers. It is with a deep sense of my own limited powers, that I endeavor to eulogize his most laudable achievements. His life was an eventful one, composed of one good deed after another. All that is just, all that is virtuous, all that is sublime, he strove, for righteousness sake, to accomplish. There is nothing in Gompers' birth, education, or cir- cumstances, as far as these are known, calculated to arrest the attention or impress the imagination. His coming in this country, was as that of many, un- heralded and unproclaimed, whose calling is to shape the f l destinies of men. He came to America a poor, little immigrant boy, but with the foresight and keen perception of one destined to do so, he won his way into the heart of labor and public sentiment. When organized labor made its first advent into the affairs of industry, it found conditions in a most deplorable state. VVomen and children, deprived of the sunshine and happiness of life were toiling long dreary days in the mills and factories. Man, whose labor was regarded as a commodity, was struggling for very existence. The oppressive heel of autocracy crushed the holiness of homes and left misery and suffering in its wake. Picture to yourself a large city, the metropolis of today. ln its great canyons, we see the young and innocent, whirled along in the merciless throng. We see, in its slums, the growing generation bred in dark, squalid tenements, where young minds are warped and bent, innocents pitifully stunted, and where they are exposed to crime and avaricious vice. Here was the life's blood of America, the flower of American Alemocracy, slowly being crushed into obscurity! Here was tempting food for the germ of Bolshevism and radicalism! Here was the awful ulcer in the side of America Alemocracyl But was it destined to corrupt the nation, was it destined to drag down to ruin so young and promising a people? ln their dire necessity there was a dumb pleading, an earnest supplication, which Gompers, great humanitarian that he was, discerned. He heard their prayers, and l22l

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High School of Commerce and the efforts of the pupils were Well rewarded by its undoubted success. Much credit was due to the coaching of Miss Gordon. Class Games were again held at the New England Fair Grounds. Commerce spirit was evident everywhere, and with the co-operation of the athletes Commerce placed second. Another picnic was held, only this time it was called the Senior Picnic. Lake Chauncy again was graced by the presence of our Seniors and a wonderful time was enjoyed by everyone. A new Mercury staff was elected with every position Hlled by our classmates, who, brought about a very successful year. Summer vacation came and went and we were again together in September for our last term at Commerce. We had no sooner returned than election time came once more. Frank Stevens was chosen President, Ruth Stickney, Vice-President, Helen Daley, Secretary, Albert Carlson, Treasurer. That year our boys won great fame for Commerce. In the inter-high cross country run we broke North's fourteen year monoply of the championship by winning four victories in four days. This is the first time in the history of the school that Commerce has ever held this honor. Much credit is due to Frank Sanella, former Commerce boy, who coached the boys on to victory. The Senior Prom, held on Nov. 21, was a gala affair and almost everyone attended. The success of the evening was due to the co-operation of the pupils and the chaperonage of Miss Laura E. Carrigan and Mr. and Mrs. Calvin H. Andrews. Class Day elections were held and the result was: Class Prophet, Bertha Lavertyg Class Orator, Joseph Dumas, Class Musician, Albert Shellang Class Pianist, Mildred Johnson, Class Soloist, Leslie Partridge, and Class Historian, Gloria Ragagli. And so now we prepare to leave the place Where we have learned our lessons of love, loyalty, school spirit and friendship, and to turn our faces toward our life's work. I extend to all the teachers and our ever-helping principal, Mr. Andrews, gratitude for aiding the class of 1925 to fit themselves for life's great work. The records of the past have been a pleasant story to write. The glorious past may be a prophecy of the success of our class in the future. And so, the pen of time writes a Finis to the four chapters of our history. As we may never all be together again, we pledge this day loyalty to High School of Commerce and to the class of 1925-A. E211

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High School of Commerce answered by weilding a sword of indomitable will power against the barrier that suppressed them. He severed their bonds, snapped the manacles that chained them to the earth and opened to them the path to success, which resulted in the birth, development and final recognition of the American Federation of Labor. What is labor? Who is the wage earner, for whom so noble a life has been given ?, ls it those men, who because of necessity toil, with no moral goal in mind? Those who nurse only petty grievances against fate and government? Those whose least desire is to contribute to the wealth and power of his country? May God Forbidl Turn to the great cities whose growth has been one of the striking characteristics of the past sixty years. In those cities, marvelous structures seem to stretch upward almost touching the cloudland, expressing the infinite ambition of man. Structures overwhelming, well- nigh unbelievable in conception and execution, reaching upward twenty, thirty years more than fifty stories and downward into the depths of the earth. Or turn to the mighty, yet exquisitely delicate structures spanning rivers and chasms, that the forces of civilization may conquer every barrier-the bridges-the great engineering achievements in the heart of civilization. Watch one of these constructions in the process of erection, the iron skeleton as it rises skyward, the frame about which building materials are to be gathered and fashioned. As the girders and separate pieces are lifted into position, watch the workers moving along narrow places, boldly poised on perilous heights, securing bolts and rivets. Watch the human worker as he stands on an iron skeleton of a building, thirty stories up from the earth's security, and lifts his head upward. There is nothing between him and the vast, bare expanse of the heavens, as he looks out upon the city, the handiwork of his craft and his fellow-workmen, and down, down into the narrow passageway below. There tiny speck-like men scurry to and fro, like ants, occupied with little plans and business. Then ponder well, what manner of man is this builder of our modern civilization. These are the men Gompers strove to bring into recognition, these workers who are the founders of government, builders of nations, with whom rests the march of civilization and progress of National Strength and Power. May the name and spirit of this noble statesman long dwell in our minds. Let us look to him as the father of American Labor, and remember him as a stalwart champion of American Ideals, and, above all, a valiant defender of his Country's Rights. l23l