The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1906-12-07
LABOR AND THE SALOON.
Union Becoming Factor in Work of
Temperance Reform.

that have come to my office recently, |
found some of the finest material for
a campaign against intemperance !
among workingmen that | have seen
anywhere. This simply confirms the
statement which l have frequently
made that the labor union and the
labor press are great forces for right
eousness and decency. First there
came under my eye the following
statement in President Gompers' an
nual report
There is constantly growing de-
sire among our membership to hold
their meetings in halls on the prem
ises of which there is no sale of in
toxicants There is, however, in nearly
all centers dearth of sufficient halls
suitable for meeting rooms other than
those with saloon attachments.
In the interest of sobriety and NOR
ality, l again urge that this conven
ton strongly recommend to our at
filiated organizations throughout the
country that they inaugurate a move
ment which shall permit the use of
our public schoolrooms for the even
ing meetings of our labor organiza-
TONS A mighty fine suggestion, that.
Then I read an item in 1.-The Tailor
with reference to set of resolutions
unanimously adopted by the Federated
Trades Council of Madison, the pas
sage of which must have required con-
siderable nerve. Here are some of the
paragraphs
Whereas, The excessive use of in
toxicating drink is detrimental to So
ciety in general, and especially to
those who depend upon their daily
| labor for means of support for them
selves and families, and is recognized
| the happiness of the toilers of this
country; therefore, be it
Resolved, That the time has como
when organized labor having the adj
vantage of concerted action, through
organization, should take the lead in
favor of decency and sobriety and
take firm stand against any excuses
that breed poverty, lead to crime and
destroy the happiness of the home;
and, be it
Resolved, That, realizing that we
are OR brothers keepers we declare
it our duty, when seeing weak:
brother tempted to intoxication, to as
sist him by precept and manly ex
ample to resist the ruinous habit that
he may be preserved to society as q
good husband, 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" | wish that l had the space
TO give it in full. l saw it last in the
"iiorseshoers' Magazine" But read
lnese lines:
In the East it has spread over the
whole labor movement so that it forms
the rule rather than the exception. I
refer to that damnable, southwestern
ing, debauching annex to the meeting
hall-the saloon. Must this mighty
ant-labor-demean itself forever by
carrying around upon it's 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 -J
| Labor would find a regeneration;
| the stimulus of "a greater conception
OF its dignity and mission would come
| to it, if it would divorce. its meeting
halls from saloons. Indeed, If we are
to agitate for municipal ownership of
one thing in particular, it would serve
labor'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 were many other similar ar
ticles and editorials, all of which
proves that President Gompers is sim
| ply expressing a sentiment which eX-
lists pretty generally in the world of
labor, and all of which indicates that
organized labor is moving steadily up
ward and onward.-Rev. Charles