Evening star., 1915-09-17
LABOR UNIONS NOT
FOR BAN ON DRINK
Maryland and D. C. Federation
Opposed to National
Prohibition.
STIRRED BY RESOLUTION
INDORSING THE MILITIA
Said to Be First Time Labor Body
Ever Advocated Military
Service.

The Maryland state and District of
Columbia Federation of Labor, which
closes it's annual sessions tonight at
Typograp phical Temple, went on record
today against national prohibition,
.insomuch as it does not stop the
drink habit, and interferes with the in
dividual liberty of law-abiding citi-
zens and a livelihood for many" the
adopted resolution declared.
The convention likewise Endorsed
the Liberty League of Maryland. which
is carrying on a fight against prohibi-
tion.
Stirred by Militia Resolution.
The delegates this morning were still
discussing the resolution adopted yes
terday afternoon, after much debate,
in favor of any plan by which every
wage worker in Maryland and the Dis
trict of Columbia would become MEM
Der of the organised militia. 1t is de-
clared that this is the first time in the
history OF organized labor that any
branch of the American Federation of
Labor has openly approved the enlist
ment of it's members in military bodies
A letter was received recently by Presi-
dent Ferguson of the federation from
Brig. Gen. William E. Harvey, COM
manding the militia of the District of
Columbia, calling for declaration and
action on the part of the convention
land and the District of Columbia be-
coming part of and aiding the militia
in preparation for national defense.
A man who is wage Garner and
honorably working at his trade or call
ing to support himself and those de-
pendent upon him has not only a right
to become a citizen soldier, but that
right must be and will be unquestioned
by this organization declares the
adopted resolution.
SOfdiprv-fhpf C ha
militia of the several states of our
country. supplies what otherwise may
take its place. large standing army to
which We are unalterably opposed as
tending for the esta biishment of mill
tarism in all its phases.
Liberty Versus Tyranny.
I'VE declare that the difference between
the citizen soldiery (miiitia) of the United
States and the large standing armies of
many European countries is the difference
between republic and monarchy it is
the difference between the concepts Of
liberty and tyranny.
This convention declares that we are
against the arbitrament of international
or internal disputes by force of arms vet
We realize that We have not yet reached
the millennium; that in the age in which
We live We have not the choice between
armed force and absolute disarmament
but the alternative of a large standing
army and small one supplemented by a
volunteer citizenship soldiery. the militia
OF our several states and the District OF
Columbia.
We declare that the citizen soldiery
Of Our several states and the District of
Columbia should be democrat ticaly organ
Ized and controlled, so that this Volunteer
force Of citizen soldiers may never be di-
verted from It's true purpose or perverted
10 the tyranny of the masses Of our
people
The president of the convention was
authorized to appoint a committee of FIVE,
OF which he shall be one. and upon which
The representatives from the state OF
maryland and the District of Columbia
shall be the members, for the purpose of
holding conference with Gen. Harvey
Aid for Brewery Strikers.
Tive convention this morning donated
$50 TO the striking brewery workers
Of the District. One of the delegates
from the brewery workers declared
that their financial condition is good
but that they desired the moral SUP.
port Of all labor men.
Another resolution was adopted this
morning instructing the legislative
committee Of the body to draw up bills
and present them to the MARYLAND leg.
islature and to the Congress Of the
United States TO enact such laws a.
VIII give redress in case of strikes
to labor men who lose through the in.
PRODUCTION of strikebreakers
resolution was adopted as favorins
Il Sunday closing law for barber shops
IN the District of Columbia. The reso
luton declared seven days work i.
now being done in this CITY by tn,
BARRIERS. and that this lengthens tn,
hours of labor. thereby shortening tn.
pay.
Officers will be elected this afternoon
John II. Ferguson. the president. is thu
"nly candidate for that Office