The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1914-10-20
Elite union and GERAANAERICAN League PROTEST AGAINST DRY AMENDMENT
Mutual Conference Committee
Adopts Resolution Full of Con-
vincing Arguments Against
Prohibition.

In view of the labor organizations In California
took the lead resolving against Statewide Prohibition II
will of interest the Federation OF Labor In Washington
be able read the why similar organizations In
California oppose Statewide Prohibition Hence tho follow
ing Is reproduced:
THE Committee Mutual Conference of the Celtic Union
and German American League. representing the allied
and IshAmeean societies OF San Fran
the and empowered TO act for them adopted
at their meeting Thursday resolution opposing the
posed statewide prohibition The resolution which IS ui
Of convincing arguments against the proposed prohibition
amendment is as follows:
Whereas There will be submitted the voters OF Cali
forna at the November 1914 election amendment TO the
Constitution OF this state 10 prohibit the manufacture sale
gift or transportation within the OF Intoxicating liquors.
prohibiting the transportation thereof into the state I'M
Il is shown be for medical scientific mechanical or
sacramcnta purposes; and,
Whereas California has $4,000 acres devoted viii
culture The wine industry represents an investment OF
SlSOOOOOOO Welding annually 100000; supports T5OC
persons The California breweries represent investment
Of 100000 distribute 100000 to 1000 employees con-
sumo 100000 worth OF California barley. SHSoo worth
California hops and Soooo worth OF other essentials
They pay the general government an annual revenue OF
5OOOO and about the amount to towns and cities
In the manufacture and distribution OF liquors $4,000
sons employed and dependent In the distribution OF
liquors 100000 is invested and the annual license tax paid
is So 100000; and.
Whereas The adoption of the foregoing amendment would
not only destroy great properties and Industries impoyesn
thousands of families and increase the OF unemployed
but would substitute the ve OF poisonous connections for
beers and brandes and make every taxpayer
pay the OF this industrial cataclysm; and,
Whereas The industrial. agricultural and commercial de-
veopnent OF California should every be encouraged
assisted instead of being retarded and destroyed by the
adoption of this prohibitory measure; and
Whereas The foregoing considerations should Of them
selves WELD tremendous influence ourselves IN deter
mining the attitude that should toward the
posed constitutional amendment there other considerations
of personal and political which should WELD
more powerful influence in determining what this a
tude should be.
Of the people compel the other part do In all things what
first part thinks the latter ought do for its benefit
We believe that such doctrine invasion OF the right OF
Individual freedom We believe that individual freedom the
of American liberty That the doctrine OF ind
vdua freedom is expressed in the wodsthat il the right
Of the citizen and live he thinks best long his
conduct does invade like right the Of others 1t
is the doctrine which enhrones individual conscience and nd
vidual responsibility
There is lacking eminen, authority both medical and
otherwise that the Of the moderate intelligent ndu
gence OF such beverages Is beneficial whereas the abuse Of
the unreasonable indulgence of the same Is dc
rmental Is this not true Of everythngf Is it not true OF
fire and water, the greatest Of human agenoiesr
Yet such would not be different in principle
from that involved in the proposed constitutional amendment
under consideration Where the line to be drawn the
government represented by the majority has the right
troll the individual in the OF his drink has the equal
right control him in the matter Of his diet his dress his
right OF reasonable regulation denied challenged but
the right of compulsion in these is The question
VOWED the constitutional amendment under consideration is
the right regulate abolish the saloon but the right
say what the individual shall drink in his home with
without his meals We do not approve OF folly
Of any kind but believe that the correction of all such dis
orders should in the good of the people themselves
mat regulation ana conol shoud come 70 everyone from
himself from within and not from the outside We believe
that have been endowed with this right OF free
That is brthgt That the surrender of this right
scmposcd slavery subsection the domination OF others
Trying to make by compuson Of the favortc
occupations of many socaed Americans We say SUCH
look to yourselves and let do likewise for thus alone
equal before the law.
Therefore be it resolved by the Committee Mutual Con
ference OF the Celtic Union and League that
opposed to the adoption OF the proposed prohibition
amendment unfair contrary political
principles and direct interference with the cause OF true
perance and an infringement Of personal liberty
Resolved further That this resolution be given the widest
possible circulation among the membership OF the constituent
bodies hereto
Dated September 3, 1914.
COMMITTEE OF MUTUAL CONFERENCE OF CELTIC
UNION AND GERMAN-AMERICAN LEAGUE
GEORGE II. BAHRS President
r. P. ODOWD. Secretary.
JOHN DONOHUE Vice President