The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-12-08
STELzLE TALKS ABOUT
LABOR AND THE SALOON
Presbyterian Preacher Comments
on Position of MIR. Gompers
on Saloon.
Growing Desire Among Working.
men to Hold Meetings Where
No Beer is Sold.
BY the Rev. Charles Stelzle.

BY the Rev. Charles Stelzle
In looking over the labor papers that
have come to my office recently, I
found some Of the finest material for
campaign against intemperance
among Workingmen that I have seen
anywhere. This simply confirms the
statement which l have frequently
made thta the labor union and the
eousness and decency. First there
came under my eye the following
statement in President Gompers an
nual report:
There Is a constantly growing de-
sire among our membership to hold
their meetings in halls on the premises
OF which there is no sale Of intoxicants.
There 1s,, however, in nearly all CEN
ters a dearth Of sufficient halls suit
able for meeting rooms other than
those with saloon attachments
In the interest Of sobriety and NOR
ality, again urge that this convention
strongly recommend to our affiliated
organizations throughout the country
that they inaugurate movement
which shall permit the use Of our pub
lie schoolrooms for the evening meet
1ngs of our labor organizations" A
mighty fine suggestion, that.
Then I read an item in THE Tall
Or with reference to a set Of reso-
lutions unanimously adopted by the
Federated Trades Council Of Madison,
the passage Of which must have re-
quired considerable nerve. Here are
some of the paragraphs:
whereas, the excessive use Of in
toxicating drink is detrimental to So
ciety in general ,and especially 50 to
those who depend upon their daily la
Dor for means Of support for Them
selves and families, and is recognized
as one Of the greatest obstacles to the
happiness of the toilers Of this coun-
try; therefore, be it
Resolved, that the time has come
when organized labor having the ad-
vantage of concerted action, through
organization, should take the lead in
favor of decency and sobriety and take
firm stand against any excesses that
breed poverty, lead to crime and de-
stroy the happiness Of the home: and,
Resolved. that realizing that we
are our brothers keepers we declare
it our duty, when seeing a weaker
brother tempted to intoxication. to as
sist him by .precept and many example
to resist the ruinous habit that he NAV
be preserved to society as a good hus-
oand, good father and good citizen"
Another article which has been 60
ing the rounds of the labor press bears
the title, '"The Union Annex to the
Saloon" I wish that 1 had the space
to give it in full. I saw it last in the
"Horseshoers' Magazine" But read
these lines:
In the east 1t has spread over the
whole labor movement SO that it forms
the rule rather than the exception. I
refer to that damnable, soul weaken
Ing, debauching annex to the meeting
hall-the saloon. Must this mighty
Observation-Disclosures itself forever bv
carrying around upon Its back the sa-
loon AS Sinbad, the Sailor carried the
old man OF the sea? How long is the
gin mill to continue to be the ante
room? Come up on the mourners,
bench, boys and tell the wholesome
truth!
Labor would find a regeneration:
the stimulus of greater conception
of its dignity and mission would come
to 1T If it would divorce It's meeting
nails from saloons. Indeed, if We are
10 ag1tate for municipal ownership of
one th1ng In particular, it would serve
laoor's interests better ,and would be
a boon to society in general If the
erection and maintenance of public
meeting halls in each city ward was
TO be advocated and agitated for.
There We're many other similar ar
ticles and editorials. all of which
proves that President Gompers is SIM
ply expressing a sentiment which ex-
1sts pretty generally in the world Of
labor and all Of which indicates that
organized labor is moving steadily up-
ward and onward.