Omaha daily bee., 1915-09-17
LABOR FEDERATION
AGApsE,rsss,Ss, 2Y LAW
Z " Auon Passes Anti -Prohi-
SNsN IN Resolution by Thirty
to-Twelve Vote.
WOULD REGULATE LIQUOR SALES


passed an anti-prohibition resolution
yesterday afternoon by vote of so
to IL.
The resolution protests against
prohibition laws and favors reason
able regulation of the liquor TRAFFIC
as enunciated in previous conven-
tions. II was the original resolution
reported from committee and
amended by the committee shortly
before the final vote was taken.
The result was forecasted a few
inutes previously by vote of 30 tn
IL on substitute resolution offered
by Labor Commissioner Coffey in
which the protest against prohibition
laws was eliminated. Secretary
Shamp of the International firemen
moved the adoption of the anti-pro-
hibition resolution.
Delegates who spoke for resolutions as
passed. declared their only concern was
preservation II employment OF workers.
newly organized Traces Union Liberty
league. Of which he is president. twill
not accept l cent from brewery bosses
or saloon men," was cheered by the dele
gates.
A resolution demanding that the city OF
Omaha shall not require firemen In it's
employ to do other work while on duty.
was adopted. The federation also asked
the city of Lincoln to put into effect the
double shift system in its fire houses as
authorized by the legislature.
Want u. y. Make War Supplies.
A resolution favoring government man
ufacture of munitions of war and ships
by day labor was passed. The res 1lu-
tion asserts that private profit n war
supplies is largely responsible for the de-
mand for war preparations.
The anu-prohibition resolution as passed
read in part
Resolved. that the Nebraska State
Federation of Labor in convention assem-
bled emphatically protest against any law
having for its object county or state
wide prohibition am instructs its execu-
tive board and legislative committee to
work against the same and for reason
able regulation as enunciated In former
conventions.''
Coffey would 'reaffirm fromer declara-
tions'' for ''just. and equitable regulation
of the liquor traffic"
EiEht-HOur Law Not Wanted.
The convention defeated resolution de-
claring for law fixing a days work at
eight hours. The opinion was Expressed
In debate that contests in the various
trades for shorter hours Is one OF the
issues which holds the unions together
After a two-hour fight on the floor on
the Issue whether to State Federation OF
Labor should adopt an anti-prohibition
resolution reported out of committee, the
convention adjourned shortly after noon
without having taken action. The issue
was made the special order of business
for the afternoon session.
Two votes were taken, however in
which the vets were numerically su-
perior. A motion by Delegate Larsen OF
the local carpenters to indefinitely post
pone consideration of the resolution was
lost, Ito II. and motion to adjourn,
supported by drys and some vets, was
defeated, 21 to 20. A recess was taken.
however
Several warm speeches were made by
delegates.
Threatens to withdraw.
Burr OF the Lincoln printers threw
bomb into the convention when he de-
clared that II the anti-prohibition resolu-
ton was passed he would recommend that
his union withdraw from the federation,
that he expected such action would be
taken and that he believed adoption of
the resolution would mean the disruption
OF the organization. He declared the
resolution If passed would be misunder-
stood and that It would be black eye to
the federation
Ashland Of the steamfitters declared he
would starve by inches before he would
accept job in a brewery.
Vice President Beal declared there
would be no disruption OF the federation |
in any event.
Does Not Prohibit.
Prohibition does not prohibit" Beal
declared There is not a town OF more
than 5000 In the United States in which |
man cannot get a drink Of liquor one |
hour after he arrives" he asserted. He |
presented statistics showing more crime |
In prohibition cities than in wet and told |
OF thousands Of men thrown out OF work |
In prohibition territory.
Chelbroad OF the local brewery workers |
said; 1T is a death struggle for the |
brewery workers."
He read a quotation from a speech OF |
Lincoln opposing prohibition.
To Stand Together.
Wangberg of the mAchinists asserted
that the interests or one local b the
concern OF ALL" and urged the federation |
to stand by the men who would be in
jured by prohibition. He resented i'm
putations that the liquor interests were
behind the fight against prohibition made
by the workers In the trade.
Frank NJ. Coffey. labor commissioner.
read a report In which ne pointed out |
benefits and weakness Of the oompsnsa-
ton law.
He told OF one case IN which a WAGON
driver who was stung on the wrist By q \
bee received compensation.
The law on the whole is vastly bene-
ncial, he said but he urged the fedora
ton members TO be prepared TO offer
amendments to the next Legislature 10
remedy weak spots.
The present female labor law "a
amended is almost useless. according 70
MT Coffey. He declared It was almost
impossible to get evidence against en-
ployers. because women who 'peaohed"