Evening journal., 1909-04-21
LIQUOR QUESTION
FIRES LABOR MEN
Members Of Chicago Fedora
ton in a Lively Debate
Over the Matter

CHICAGO. April 2l-The Chicago Fed
Grafton Of Labor spent a strenuous session
the other day graphing with the temper
anoe auetion and tho issue brought up by
the carriage and cab drivers Of aDollshinR
Sunday funerals. on tho latter subject
the federation went ON record as being de-
csiveiy opposed to any movement OF the
carriage drivers designed TO abolish tho
holding of funerals on Sundays In the
matter Of the liquor question and the pro-
hibltion wave the labor body refused to
follow the lead Of tho bartenders union
and go on record as being opposed to The
prohibition, local option, and anu-saloon
movement The introduction OF these two
questions brought on a heated debate
which occupied the greater part OF the ses-
sion.
Several OF tho delegates Insisted that
workingmen would be better off morally.
intellectually. physically. and financially
II the saloon and liquor were banished
from tho country. other speakers declared
the question is political one and should
have no place in a labor organization
some OF the delegates. however argued
that It Is a question Of personal liberty
and that II tho temperance advocates. who
l
were allowed to continue IN their restric-
tive legislation program. large numbers OF
bartenders would be thrown out Of work.
Delegate swaving lnjoots lssue.
The temperance question was injected
into the proceedings by Delegate Fred
Swaving Of tho bartenders union. whe
presented resolution from his organiza-
ton asking the federation to indorse a
proposition 10 so into tho courts and ask
that tho Prohibition party. the anti-saloon
and local option advocates DO held liable
under the provisions OF tho Sherman anti
trust law on a charge OF being In restraint
OF trade and commerce. Several OF the
delegates saw that an indorsement of this
In effect would be an Endorsement Of tho
brewers and diatiilers' campaign against
the temperance movement. and a motion
was made to place the resolution on hle-
Other Delegates Present Views.
Il know that tho carpenters don't pat-
ronize the saloons" said Delegate Flora of
the carpenters union. This created laugh
ter.
III the saloons had to depend on Brother
Flora and myself for a living they would
have to 80 out OF business" said +. @.
Hopp OF the cgarmakers union. but I
know this temperance legislation IS not
honest. Most Of those back OF it have their
cellars full of wine. II man hasn't viii
power enough to stay sober he is an idiot" p"
''This IS not a labor question, and for
that reason / am opposed to having the
federation take a stand either for or
against prohibition" said Delegate Chas.
l.. Young. OF the printers union.
IT believe we should deal with the tom-
perance people as they deal with us" said
Secretary Edward y. Nocl1eie. "remper-
ance advocates are known enemies OIL ia.
Dor, and believe we should give them 1
huntp."
Woman Hits at Hypocrites.
II don't believe IN hypocrites." said MIS-.
Anna Willard, OF the bartenders and wait.
resses' union. 1T may sound peculiar for
{. a woman to take the stand / do. but /
want to tell you that every one OF you men
here take a drink. II liquor were shut out
Of Chicago you would be the first TO cry.
''1f a man spends his money for liquor
instead OF giving II TO his wife and baby.
2 he would find some other way Of spending
, Il n he couldn't get liquor. That's my
opinion Of a man who doesn't think more
OF his wife and baby than that.