The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-10-31

cent upon himself until he has pro-
vided for bis family.
The average workingman does not
yet earn enough to give bis family
all the comforts they deserve. He
has no money to spend on drink
without robbing his family. [ be-
lieve that as the labor movement
grows, so will the temperance move
ment grow.
Mr.. Lennon discussing the effect
of the liquor traffic on the standard
of living declared that ito the trade
unionist there is no redeeming fea-
ture in the saloon. He says,
"What is the effect of the liquor
traffic on the standard Of living of
the people? Is there any Influence
going out from the saloon that has
helped to make men and women
better? The labor movement is
essentially a moral movement. IT
stands for equal opportunity for
men and women, though it believes
that il should be made more easily
possible for women to become home
makers. Who could deny that the
liquor traffic was driving women to
work in factories, in workshops, and
at sswashtubs who ought not be
there? The trade union movement
was opposed to child labor, yet who
who could deny that the liquor trail
fic was driving into industrial life
boys and girls who should be in
the school or on the play ground?
The liquor traffic tended to decrease
wages but never to increase them.
The use of alcohol made workman
less skilful, aud drove men to lower
scales OF employment and reward.
Every cent spent in the liquor bust
ness was wasted bringing no social
benefit or moral uplift. If You want
to know where the miners Of Ameri-
ca stand upon the temperance ques-
ton Til tell you. In our constitL
ton we have clause which forbids
any member to sell intoxicahts even
at a picnic. That is what We think
of the liquor traffic. F"
Some people say that the saloon is
NJ ccessary evil, | don't believe
in that kind OF doctrine. | don't
believe that legislation alone will
eradicate the traffic. Nothing but
the spread of education will accomp-
lish that.
The trade union movement is or
gaEized TO educate the people, to
drive out ignorance, and elevate the
toilers of the land. Because the
liquor traffic tends to !enslave the
people, to make them satisfied with
improper conditions and keep them
ignorant. The leaders of the trade
union movement are called on to
fight the saloon"
Not only the purely trade union
movement in the ranks of labor
is taking this stand, but al>o the
socialist labor movement through
out the world. The American So
cialists first took notice of the liquor
problem in their rational platform
of 1903 in which they said; "Anv
excessive use of such liquors by the
working class postpones the day of
final triumph of our cause" The
Austrian Socialists were the first
to take stand, in 1903, when they
declared.
This convention declares that al
coho.ism has disastcrous effect on
the physical and mental powers of
the working class. No means to
remove the evils arising from al
coholism should, therefore, be neg
lected.
The Socialists Of Germany declare
it to be the duty of organized labor
to see to it that the workingmen,
and especially their children, be en-
Iightened by oral and written pro-
paganda on the dangers arising
from the use of ale biol and the
drinktreating habit.
In Sweden the socialist program
con tains plank demanding, as the
Woman's Christian Temperance
Union is demanding in America,
that the public schools include in
their curriculum a regular study
course on the evils of alcoholism.
In England, Holland, Norway and
Switzerland a somewhat similar
stand has been taken. This is all
joyus news.
1t means that mighty results are
going 10 be accomplished Tor
temperance and for clean and happi-
or lives.
The w. G. T. U. would like to Sc.
cure a large number of old maya
zines, which have been read, and
which will be distributed among
camns and where thew have no read