The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-07-29
SALOON AND
THE WORKERS
Rev. Charles StelzIe Discusses the
Liquor Question and it's Connect
ion With the Labor Movement.

industries not because they want to be,
but because they must 1t is not their
fault, but their misfortune. But since
they are workingmen, honestly trying to
make living, and since they are now
of Labor, it is our duty, as fellow work
ers, to see that they get square deal
from their employers, just we must
insist upon square deal for all other
workers. This does not mean that we
must endorse their business, any more
than We would endorse the rascalty that
is practiced in connection with other
enterprises, but with which some of our
fellow members are helplessly identified.
However, it is our right to stamp out the
rascality, and if, in order to do this, we
must also stamp out the business, so much
the worse for the business If we must
accept with the saloon all of it's accom-
panying evils, then it becomes qucs-
ton as to whether the benefits which
it brings to comparatively few workers
is really worth while. Organized labor
cannot afford to stand for any sort of
enterprise nor for any institution which
results in the degradation of the workers
or of the people as a whole. No man
can successfully deny that the saloon, as
an institution, is one of the greatest
curses of modern times. There is scarce
y room for argument this point Ev-
erybody knows of the suffering and hard
ship which have come to many lives on
account of its influences. Scarcely one
OF us but what has felt the grip of it's
Shiny claws or seen the agony of loved
ones who have been helpless in it's power
Can we, men, and women, remain in
different to such an institution? Dare
we, who are pledged to seek the welfare
OF every fellow trades -unionist, declare
that, as the saloon does not hurt us,
therefore we shall make no effort to as.
sist him whom it does njurc? 1 do not
argue here for prohibition. That ism It
the question before us. 1t is a question
as to whether we shall countenance-and
worse still, ENDORSE certain business
in our midst which is doing more to I'M
fit men for their life g work, which is do
ing more to bring disgrace upon the la
Dor movement, than any other enterprise
known. We are our brothers keepers
Not only are we pledged to be such, but
we shall be held responsible for our
brothers.
But what is to become of the bartend
ers and the brewery workers and the men
who are now benefiting from the brew
ing and the distillery interestsa In the
first place, it must not be imagined that
the saloon and the liquor interests are
the only consumers of the materials
manufactured by the glass bottle blow
ers, the harness makers, the wagon max
ers and all the other industries more or
less related to a saloon. The money now
spent in the saloon will be spent for
other goods, or in other places, which will
bring these workers at least as much
profit as they now receive for their pro-
duct. AS a matter of fact, the amount
of money now spent in the saloon will
purchase or will cause to be purchased
more of the same material that these
workers are producing than is the case
in the liquor business. 1t will require
more bottles, more wagons, more har
ness and many more men than is now
required to supply the brewery and the
saloon. So far as the bartenders are
concerned, it is a well known fact that
very few men have been brought up in
the business. They have had other trades
or occupations, but on account of their
personal popularity or their natural abil-
lty as statesmen, they either opened sa-
looms of their own or became employees
of those who did. In any event, they may
either go back to their trades or they
may become statesmen in other enterpris-
es. The class for whom it may be most
difficult to provide are those who are d.
rectly engaged in the manufacture of
beer and whiskey. But, after all, the out
side craftsmen who are affiliated with the
brewery workers are eliminated, such as
engineers, fremen, carpenters, drivers,
hOrscshoers, grain handlers and many
others who really have nothing to do
with the manufacture of beer, it will be
found that there are comparatively few
workers left. Like all other industries.
the brewery industry is depending less
and less upon men and more and more
upon machinery. The old fashioned brew
er has gone out of existence The chem
list is the big man in the brewery today
Therefore, the number of men who are
directly involved is not as great as it
generally supposed. 1t should be re
membered also that these very men re
celve smaller percentage of the profits
than is paid the workingmen in any other
craft. Furthermore, if the breweries
should ever be closed this event will