The Washington herald., 1911-10-23

The impression that the saloon and
the labor element are in close alli-
lnce. is erroneous and largely caused by
he attitude of the wealthy toward the
Ialoon, was an argument advanced yes
mWy by Frank Morrison, secretary of
mt American Federation of Labor, who
addressed a large audience at the Y. NJ
c. A mems meeting, on "Labor's inter
Vretation"
FORCE SALOON on WORKERS.
In great cities like New. York, Chi
cago, and Pittsburg, where people of
great wealth reside" said Mr. Morrison,
they do not permit the saloon among
their residences, but force it back into
the quarters where the wage-earners live.
thus creating the impression that the
aboring man and the saloonkeeper are
working hand in hand.
Nothing is further from the truth"
exclaimed Mr.. Morrison, for there never
was a more powerful and effective me-
dunn to fight intemperance than organ
tied labor, whose effort it is to secure
for its members and their children a de-
cent We ge and wOrkday
Speaking of the accomplishments Of
organized labor, Mr.. Morrison said it
had placed a child labor law on the
statute books of forty-four States; COM
PEELED the enactment of compulsory edu-
cation laws. and placed free textbooks
in the hands Of the pupils; has secured
the enactment of laws for the prot 4cticn
~ ha Of
millions OF workers in the mines. mills,
and workshops; compelled great railroads
TO use safety appliances; secured the en-
actment of factory laws, and is endeavor-
ing to secure the enforcement Of the
employers liability law
Attitude Toward Employers.
Mr. Morrison denied that organized la
bor Is opposed to employers associations
which are organized for the purpose Of
safeguarding the interests of their mem
bers, but we deplore 'union-smashing
alliances that would deny our rights to
US. There are times when a strike is
justifable. In so far as employers or
ganizatiOns stand for law and order we
are with them, but in their present at
utude, which only makes for class dis
tlnctions and class hatred. We are dia-
metrlcally opposed to them
1t was explained by the speaker that
the unions do not demand equal earnings
for all wOrkmen, thus reducing the
skilled workmcn to the level of the low
est. The unions do insist" said Mr.
Morrison, that "A minimum living wage
be paid, but there is nothing in the laws
of the American Federation of Labor or
any of its affiliated unions that prevents
All employer from paying an employe as
much as he pleases. Unions do not in
slst upon the employment of incompetent
men. The employer can hire any man
he pleases in compliance with the terms
of the agreement
That trades unionism does not antag-
onize labOrSaving machinery was stated
by the speaker. He said:
Tt welcomes all such inventions. 1t
does believe, however, that such ma
Chinery was intended to be a blessing
and in order that it may not become a
curse, a shorter workday is advocated
so that a gigantic proportion of labor
shall not be displaced and thus become
sufferers instead of recipients of some
of the benefits conferred by modern in
Nention."
Union Not n Trust.
The charge that trades unionism Is a
trust was contradicted by Mr. Morrison,
who said "A trust excludes the many for
the benefit of the few. Trades unionism
opens wide its doors to every working
man in the craft, frequently reducing
or ahrogatIng the initiation fee in order
to make it easier for the candidate a
trust is closed corporations; a trades
union diligently seeks new members"
Mr.. Morrison declared the charge ma
Ncious that labor unions admit immoral
and even vicious men to membership
Trades unions he said, have character
qualifications, and men are required to
be sober, steady, industrious workmen
before membership can be gained. 1t
would be foolish to assert that the trades
unions did not have immoral or even
vicious members, but not to a greater ex-
tent than other organizations that are
supposed to have a higher standard of
ethics"
In closing, the speaker said:
ORGANIZED labor has done much for
the cause of temperance among working
men. There probably is no purely phi
lanthropic organization which has done
more in this direction. In many
instances there is a prohibition clause
in the contract with the employer. The
rules of the union declare that an in
jured man will not receive the weekly
sick benefit if the injury was suffered,
while he was intoxicated More and more
labor union meetings are being held in
halls which are free from saloons"