Evening star., 1915-09-13
URGES LABOR MEN
TO FAVOR BALLOT
Suffrage for District Advo-
Gated Before Convention by
John B. CoIpoys.
RESIDENTS OF CAPITAL
NOT CITIZENS. he SAYS
Speakers at Federation Meeting Ask
Endorsement of Brewery Workers
Strike in Washington.

That all representatives O. labor
should work to obtain suffrage for the
District of Columbia wSs urged bv
John b. Colpoys. editor of the Trades
onionist. in an address a. the openiny
session of 'he annual convention of the
District and Maryland state branches
OF the American Federation of Iabo- at
Typographical Temple today
We of the District are not citizens OF
this city," declared Mr.. CoIpoys. We
are deprived of the right enjoyed in all
other American cities-.he right os suf-
frage"
He also declared that "a certain ele-
ment in Congress will do oil in its
power to cripple the efforts of the De-
partment of Labor on behalf of the
tollers of this country" and urged his
auditors ever to watch members of
Congress in their relations with that
department. The Department of Labor,
said Mr.. Colpoys, should be one of the
largest and most important depart
ments of the government Organized
labor does not need it's assistance,
however. as much as does unorgantzed
Dor. he said.
Touches on Prohibition.
Mr.. Colpoys also alluded to the prohi-
bition question while urging the dele
gates to work to uphold the rights of
brewery workers now striking in the
District. Many of the leaders Of the
prohibition movement are fanatics and
hypocrtes as regards the question OF
alcohol" he said. 1T makes no diff
ference on what side Of this question
you are, however, you certainly want
to see union men in all industries.
Following Mr.. Colpoys. A. J. kugler.
president of the International Brewers
Union. reviewed the strike of the brew
ers in the District. He declared that
the employers had broken gentle
mems agreements" and that they had
not met the men with any sort OF
proposition that was acceptable to
them He declared that the fight was
just beginning, and that the brewers
would stay out until they could get
an acceptable proposition. He told
Of the fights which brewers had in New
York. San Francisco. Los Angeles.
Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Chicago. MIL
waukee and St. Louis
The international union is spending
thousands and hundreds of thousands
of dollars each year opposing prohibit
tion.' he said. in conclusion. But [
want to tell you now that it is either
union breweries or no breweries at all
that are going to stay OPEN.
Janitors of the District public schools
are to Introduce resolutions at the con-
vention asking the support of the labor
increase in pay. The resolutions are to
be introduced through T. J. Jones,
president of School Custodians and
Janitors' Union, No. 1886, and delegate
to the sessions.
Contention Supported.
Pointing out the increase in the cost
of living and that with but one clight
exception the janitors have had no
increase in salaries in the last twenty
five years. the resolutions urged that
the board of education and superin-
tendent of schools ask Congress for an
appropriation sufficient to give the in
crease, which, it claimed, Is necessary
in order that they may maintain re-
spectacle homes. The wages received
here are far less than in other cities
of similar size, il is asserted. the un-
official claim being that the pay here
is so per cent less than in many cities.
and the responsibilities are heavy, both
in guarding the lives of thousands of
children and in looking after the val
liable property.
Late this afternoon Samuel Gompers.
president of the American Federation
of Labor and Frank Morrison, secre-
tary of that organization, are to de-
liver addresses.
Mr.. Colpoys presided at the session
this morning. This afternoon John H.
Ferguson, president of the state
branches. is to preside. A program Of
entertainment has been arranged for
the delegates This evening they are to
attend a meeting of the labor union OF
this city.