Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1914-08-03
L.ARoR- I5l'E D.
Issue Discussea fesIaent
State Federation at Newport
News.

Newport NEWS, fhoSu'o % -
ing in opposition to state wide pro-
hibition, E. c. Davidson, president OF
the State Federation of Labor, Sat
urday night declared at a meeting OF
the Central Labor Union that loeal
option is the only feasible form soi
prohibition and, if properly !app'ied,
will work to the better interests l OF
all parties concerned. His speech II. IN
part folloYsi, .2:
"The flahering men OF WIS.,!
have reason for deep concern IN ~
outcome of the, election next septesrm-
Der. There IS. at stake more than a
nrincinle of government. Upon the
result depends directly the employ.
ment and welfare of thousands OF
workinemen whose interests can not
be injured: without working cores
ponding injury to Trades Unions.
az touch upon the big issue which
confronts Virginia today with fully
realization of the responsibility that
7 carry as head of your State organ
ization. would not perform my
full duty if failed at this time to
sound a warning against the prohlbl-
ton law, which it is proposed to
substitute for the local option sys-
tenn now in force in Virginia.
at is not necessary for the Vir-
GINA State Federation of Labor to
re-assert its independence of the sa-
loon interests. The organization
has consistently pursued temper
ance policy and exerted its power and
influence to reduce the abuses of
liquor. What 1 say now is in the full
belief that I am forwarding the
cause of true temperance and with it
the cause OF the Virginia working
man.
"We have now local option law
under which each self-governing
community decides the licensing
question in accordance with the will
of it's local majority. 1t is right that
it should be so. Wherever prohi-
bition is desired it is put in force.
Where it does not meet with the APP
prevail of the majority saloons are
not licensed.
"In my opinion, the repeal of this
Democratic law and the substitution
Of statewide prohibition would
strike blow at real temperance and
encourage a general evasion of the
law which would bring evils in its
train far worse than those from
which we fled. I do not speak idly.
NV experience and observation in
North Carolina, Tennessee and West
Virginia warrant me in making the
statement that statewide prohibition
is an utter failure and that instead Of
furthering the cause of temperance
it Eetards it.
"There are union men in this State
who will be thrown out of employ
ment if prohibition goes into eff
feet. They have u right to appeal
to us to aid them in their hour of
need, and it is the duty of every
workingman in Virginia to join with
them in opposing prohibition. l
am glad that Virginia laboring men
can, perform this act Of loyalty in
the full consciousness that they are
serving their State and guarding
her against law perncious in the
DRY and proven failure in practice.
"Look at the people of Georgia. Has
the moral or material welfare Of the
people Of that State improved any as
the result of statewide prohibition
Not by any means. The law is abso-
lutely disregarded . The condition of
children and women in the factories
Of the prohibition states have not
improved. We, as workingmen, should
not sacrifice the thousands of broth
ers who work at these industries. IF
we do, the men we depose of employ.
ment by our vote will be justified in
taking our jobs.
What has prohibition done for
Maine workngmen The laborers
there are worse off in every line of
endeavor than in any state in the
Union. They work longer hours for
less pay than in any state in the
United States. Give men short
hours. better wages and sanitary con-
ditions and they will progress along
Temperatures lines and education and
cultivate stronger will than in any
other way.
"The local option law is the best
yet devised. Under it any commun-
ity can have real prohibition. New
port News can have it if it wants it,
but if Iynchburp tries tn imroSe II