The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-12-10
LIQUOR BSTIOW
TO BRING "A FIGHT
Soon in the American Fedora
tion of Labor Says Federal
Council of Churches.
tsry Assee,srRD rRrss,

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 9.The attitude
Of the great labor organizations OF
this country on the liquor question
must soon be decided. according TO
the Commission on Temperance of
the Federal Council Of the Churches
Of Christ In America, which reported
at today's session of the quadrennial
meeting Of tho council.
In It's report the commission speaks
of "a big fight in the labor federation
coming soon" It says:
Various groups in the federation
have from time to time made an Mt
tempt to open the discussion, and at
the convention of the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor held in San Francis
co, during November, 1915, a NUM-
Der Of resolutions were brought to the
convention byayarfous delegates seek
ing to have action, favorable to the
liquor business, taken by the conyen-
ton. But these resolutions were has
tfly withdrawn when the consequ ence
Of such action was brought home to
the leaders, OF the convention. How
ever, there is no doubt that, in the
near future, the entire question Will
be discussed by the American Fedora
ton Of Labor. Such pressure is be-
ing brought to bear by the liquor In.
iterests, that the federation must de-
eide definitely where 1t stands This
will result in the bitterest fight that
has ever taken place at any conven-
ton of the federation. Because of
this, 1t is supremely important that
a campaign Of education be engaged
In (by the churches) which will not
only furnish material for those who
must make this fight on the floor Of
the convention. but for the benefit
IL n
who should support to the 1astidegree
the labor men who will be called up
on to make this fight. and against
whom all the bitterness OF the liquor
Discussing Married Men and the
Saloon" the commission says:
1t is "a striking fact that married
men spend more time In the saloon
than single men. This is som ewhat
startling, because married life is sup
posed to have q SOLDERING effect upon
a man. Can it be that in many OF
these cases the home has failed to
function? For let it be said with al
the emphasis possible, that IN the last
analysts the home must be the best
substitute for the saloon. It is very
generally true that men do not dc
their part IN making the home what
it should be from the social stand
point; and perhaps too much has been
said about wives failing to make
themselves and their homes more at
tracttve, thus driving their poor hus-
bands to drink; but the fact remains
that a careful student Of the subject
revealed that about twice as many
married men go to the saloon as do
single men. This may be due to the
higher idealism of the younger men.
and 1t may also attributed to the
fact that they spend a great deal OF
time in the company OF their sweet
hearts, VIII o naturally would not visit
the saloon with them. Perhaps nc
satisfactory solution may be found
of this particular aspect Of the prob
lem until in some way it becomes pos
ssible to provide more cheerful homes
for working people, in point of ven
tilation, light, space and general out
look. This condition must be met by
men and women of large social con
Iceptions. It may be taken up by the
municipality or the state somebody
must do it, for! it is unfair and short
sighted to charge UP to married men
and women social sins and omissions
for which they are only IN part re
gsponsible.S