The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1908-02-08
HUMAN !! 1 SIDE Of
LABOR QUESTION
Fifth Paper Of. the Series on
Above Subject. by Rev.
Charles Stelz1e.
Liquor Interest Harmful to Indi.
viduals as Well as to'the
Community.

artisans and their families. sThis atti-
tude towards the saloon is becoming
increasingly characteristic Of the
American worlztngmen: which goes to
show that the great majority of work.
ingmen ate not given over to drunk
enness, as some, foll-public speakers
have recently declared.
T. Brewery Interests Uneasy.
just what effect this. action of the
majority of totlers: will have upon
those. who are engaged in the crafts
which are identified with the brewing
interests, is a question which is now
giving the brewery workers much con-
Germ. A short time ago these brewery
workers sent out: broadcast a circular
petitioning the worktngmen Of this
country to oppose every movement
which looked toward the abolition Of
the saloon. on the ground that if the
saloon should be wiped out, it would
not only throw out of employment the
many thousands who are engaged di-
rectly In the manufacture and sale Of
1ntoxicants, but also many Of those
who furnish supplies to the brewery
interests, such as saloon fixtures.
wagons, harness, barrels, and a multi
tude Of other articles. Just as though
the breweries and the saloons were
the only business. Enterprises. which use
these articles; and just as though the
money now spent in the saloon would
suddenly be taken out of circulation
If the saloon should go out of bust
ness!
Not Profitable to. Workers.
AS a matter Of fact, the government
reports plainly indicate that among all
the businesses in the country, the
liquor gives the smallest percentage of
their profits to the workingman. The
1gures given are: really startling in
their significance: Furthermore, If
three-fourths of the voters in the
United States have, in some way. de-
clared that the liquor business is
harmful to individuals as we'll as to
the community. it, would seem as
though the plea Of the brewery work.
ers is very similar to that Of the under
taker who. wanted men to- die because
ne needed. the money. It's rather in
teresting, in this connection, to note
that large number Of bartenders are
total bstainers, and they take consid-
cradle pride, in their .sobriety and i'm
piled common sense.
Whether or not f,sworkingmen are
justified in closing up the saloons, and,
incidentally, throwing out of employ
ment thousands Of. their fellow-work-
ers, Is a, question. which need not be
discussed just now. :, They. certainly
have the right to register their pro-
tests against a business which is ruin
ing thousands Of homes and destroying
the usefulness and. l1appines Of mil
lions. It. seems to be question of
doing the greatest good to the largest
number. 49,.
Personal Interests Secondary. =.
In. the economic changes which are
constantly abeing made, men are COM
PEELED to find other avenues Of useful
ness and means OF support It, does
not at all. follow that in the readtust-
ment, those who, are now dependent
upon the liquor traffic. will be unem-
ployed. Is it too much, to say that
even the employees of the liquor inter-
ests will be >uplifted by the cleaning
out OF the business? I constantly re-
joice that my father gave up his occu-
patton as a brewery worker and later
as a saloonkeeper, even though his
work was. for time, more humble
than that to which he had been accus-
toned. think. that Il know, from
this personal experience, just what
the coming inevitable change in the
saloon business is going to mean to |
the more unfortunate workers.. and
they have my sincerest sympathy, but
IN this labor movement, we. dare not
forget that we are interested primarily
in the building up of the entire body
Of workers. Our personal interest |
must be adecidedly secondary matter.
Menace TO: Society /
It needs to be said that men ara
constantly being restimcted in their
liberties as civilization advances, be-
cause the exercise OF: certain liberties |
may. result: in hardship. and. suffering
to the majority Of the people. When
ever: an institution. g. custom. or al
business enterprise becomes a menace
to society, 1t should be either discon-
tinued or so rietdly restricted. that it's
chance for doing harm will be reduced
to the, minimum. This principle un-
queetionably applies to the saloon. As
this whole matter, so far as the aver
age workingman IS concerned, has to
do purely with personal indulgence and
the Satisfaction Of his appetite, it
should be no great hardship for him
to make the sacrifice watch will bring
JOY and happiness to millions OF. wo-
men and little children, to say nothing
about the men, who, on account Of
weaker wills, cannot withstand the
temptation ~ at,,nnnr drink A *z%. .sE