The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1907-02-25
Growing Sentiment Against
Use Of IntOxicantS.
IN INTEREST 0E MORALITY
Gompers' Recommendation That Union
Meetings Be Held in Halls With
out Saloon Attachments Sup
ported BY Trade Unionists.

In looking over the labor papers that
have come to my office recently found
some of the finest material for cam
paign against lntemperanee among
workingmen that have seen any
where. This simply confirms the state
ment which l have frequently made
that the Labor union and the labor
press are great forces for righteousness
and decency. First there came under
my eye the following statement in
President Gompers annual report;
There is constantly growing de-
sire among our membership to hold
their meetings In halls on the premises
Of which there Is no sale of intoxi-
cants. There Is. however in nearly all
eenters q dearth of sufficient halls suit
able for meeting rooms other than
those with saloon attachments.
I'm the interest OF sobrlety and mo-
rality 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 school rooms for the evening meet
ings Of our labor organizations" A
mighty fine suggestion that
Then read an item in the Tailor
with reference to set OF resolutions
unanimously adopted by the Federated
Trades council OF Madison, the passage
Of which must have required consider
able nerve. Here are some Of the par
agraphs:
Whereas The excessive use Of intoxi-
eating drink Is detrimental to society In
general and especially so to those who
depend upon their daily labor for means
OF support for themselves and families
and Is recognized as one OF the greatest
obstacles to the happiness Of the toilers
Of this country therefore be Il
Resolved That tho time has come when
organized labor, having the advantage of
concerted action through organization.
should take the lead in favor Of deceney
and sobriety and take n flrm stand
against any excuses that breed poverty,
lead to crime and destroy the happiness
OF the home. and be It
Resolved, That. realizing that 1--WE are
our brothers keeper" we declare IL our
duty when SEEING weaker brother
tempted to intoxestion To assist him by
precept and manly example to resist the
ruinous habit that he may be preserved
TO society as q good husband, : good ia
Their and good citizen.
Another article which has been going
the rounds Of the labor press bears the
title The Union Annex 70 the Saloon"
wish that had the space to give 1t
in full. But read these lines;
In the east II has spread over the
whole labor movement so that It forms
the rule rather than the exception.
refer 70 that damnable, soul weaken
ing, debauehlng annex to the meeting
hall-the saloon. Must this mighty
giant-lnbor- demean itself forever By
carrying around upon its back the sa-
loon, as Sindbad. 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 q greater conception Of its
dignity and mission would come to 1t,
If It would divorce its meeting halls
from saloons. Indeed, II we are to agi-
tate for municipal ownership OF one
thing in particular II would serve la
boris interests better and would be a
boon to society In general IL the ercc.
ton and maintenance OF public meet
Ing halls In eaeh city ward were to be
advocated and agltated for.
There We're many other similar arti-
Giles aud editorials all Of which prove
that President Gompers Is simply ex-
pressing a sentiment which exists gen
orally IN the world Of labor and all OF
which indicate that organized labor Is
moving steadily upward and onward
Rev. Charles u. Sickle.