Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-16
LIQUOR N Ay
STIR MEETING
OF FEDERATION
SUNDAY DISCUSSION OF DRINK
QUESTION MAY BRING A RE-
sPoNsE FROM BREWERY Work.
ERs AND BARTENpERs.

Toronto, Ont. Nov. 15.-The attack
upon the saloon at yesterdays big
temperance meeting by Vice President
John Mitchell and Treasurer Lennon
of the American Federation Of Labor
Mine Workers of America, was the
subject of much quiet discussion
among the delegates to the American
Federation Of Labor The meeting has
stirred up the representatives of the
brewery workers, bartenders and
cigarmakers and the possibility is
that they will have something to say
later in the convention.
The Saloon Question UP.
The question of labor and the sa-
loon was discussed yesterday after
noon by prominent labor leaders at a
big mass meeting. Rev. Charles Stelzle,
of the American Federation Of Labor
from the federal council of the
Churches of Christ in America, presid-
ed and made the principal address.
The other speakers included Vice
President john Mitchell, Treasurer
John B. Lennon of the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor, and President Thos.
L. Lewis of the United Mine Workers
of America
Labor Helps Temperance.
Mr.. Mitchell declared organized Ia
bor in it's fight for better conditions
for the wage Garner, is doing more to
promote temperance than any other
organization. He refuted the conten-
lion that shorter hours of labor and In
creased wages result in added profits
20 the saloon.
Mr.. Lennon said the liquor business
lowers the standard of efficiency Of
the workingman, and prophesied the
time would come when the forces of
labor would be arrayed against the sa-
loen.s
The United Mine Workers, Nh.
Lewis said, have prohibited their mem
bers from selling intoxicants, even at
picnics. Education of the masses, he
argued. would go a long way toward
eradicating the liquor traffic.
Rev. Mr.. Stelzle, in his Introductory
address, declared the saloon and the
labor hall must be divorced.
Saloon In Power.
I'm too many cities of the country
he said, trades unionists are compell-
ed to pass through the saloon in order
to get to their meeting places, and woe
betide the man who doesn't stop to
take a drink. Many of the working
men of America are helplessly in the
power of those hall owners.
ut is the duty Of the municipality
to provide centers which may be used
for the gathering places of the people
in their organizations In many In
stances workingmen have taken the
matter in hand, and in some of the
leading cities they have erected labor
temples, which are used for the social
physical and moral uplift Of the peo-
pie.
'tTo the task of labor temple build
Ing organized labor may well direct IT.
self The work should be entered up
on with program which includes the
entire American continent.
"Such movement would, give or
ganized labor dignity not yet achiev-
ed in our American life"
Sympathize With Miners.
A shadow of gloom was cast over
the convention of the American FEEDER
alton of Labor by the news of the mine
disaster at Cherry, ILL.,, and the con
vention, when it reconvenes, will take
official notice by adopting suitable res
olutions.
ut is terrible, terrible" said Presi-
dent Gompers. "They talk about the
risk of capital. What is that compared
to the risk workingmen take every day
of their lives?
Eve must have more safety devices
for the protection of life and limb"
The American Federation of Labor
today adopted resolution presented
by Vice President Mitchell extending
sympathy to the families and depend
ents of the victims of the mine dis
aster at Cherry, Ill.
.