The Washington herald., 1908-03-17
DEMAND A Big NAVY
Central Labor Union Wants
More Battle Ships.
PASS A SET OF RESOLUTIONS
IndOrse Plan OF President Roosevelt
for Better Equipped and More
Formidable Fighting Machines.
To Urge Application of Erdman
Act 10 Building Industry.

President Rooseveits plan for a better
equipped and more formidable navy was
indorsed last night by the Central Labor
Union. after vigorous opposition by the
socialist delegates.
The resolution presented by John p.
colpoys, Of the Carpet Mechanics Union.
was unanimously supported by the me-
chanics present. Il reads as follows:
Whereas the Secretary Of the Navy has recon-
mended 70 the pre-e session Of the Sixtioth Con-
grcss that the con traction q four new battle
ships be suthcrizcd; md
Whereas This recon incubation has been indorsod
and approved hy the csdcut Of The United States
as legislation pecessap for the protection Of the
country and is commerce. and tie maintenance
OF peace with ali nations and
wbsroas this body is firm in its opposition 70
the Encouragement u war. and viii lend eTeJ
effort in the direction Of the permanent establish
ment Of the brotherhood Of man. yet believe that
rights and interests can best b. maintained By
larger and possible. mere Efficient navy; and
Whereas Of the opinion that present
navy is inadequate 20 afford proper protection from
encroachment 10 the wide and extensive territory
and the millions Of people whose security is safe
guarded by. and 20 the extent az. the ability Of
the navy 70 defend: Therefore. he IL
Resolved That the Central Labor Union Of the
District u Columbia d. earnestly indorse the- naval
Programme as approved by the President q The
United States.
Sam De Nedrey. secretary Of the Cen
tral Labor Union. opposed the resolution,
declaring the best interests of the coun-
try are injured by large navy.
I believe that II there WAS no navy.
there would be less likelihood OF war. -
said Mr.. De Nedrey
The resolution was opposed from an
economic standpoint by the socialist men,
bers. They declared that a larger navy
was illogical from every standpoint. espe-
cially an economic one. They contended
the world would be benefited II there was
a general disarmament Of the nations.
The working people would be bene-
flied II there were no wars. according
20 Emmett l. Adams. He declared the
working people suffer most from wars.
but as other nations were assuming a
belligerent attitude. il was necessary for
this country 10 guard itself For this rea-
son he said he favored a big navy
To Visit the President.
a committee Of five was appointed TO
visit the President and the members Of
the Interstate Commerce Commission 70
ask that the provisions OF the Erdman
act De applied 10 the unfortunate and
distressing conditions that exist in the
District az the present time n the build
ing industry"
The committee will urge the President
and the Commissioners to try 10 settle
the difficulties between the employers and
the employed in the District
1t was voted 70 instruct the executive
committee 10 devise methods, so the
funds recently gathered for rha raliaF 81
the unemployed in the District might be
distributed
Jere Mccarthy Of the Bartenders'
Union. reported that the anti-prohibition
meeting Sunday night showed the feel
ings of the people on the prohibition
movement. He asserted the bills for pro-
hibition now pending in Congress would
not be passed. II the feelings OF the peo-
pie OF the District we're considered