The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-12-22
DOMAIN OF TEMPERANCE
THE TOTAL ARsTA1NER FIRST.


Quite recently the president of the
Carnegie Steel Co. issued an order
which declared that hereafter all pro-
motions of whatever character will be
made only from the ranks of those not
indulging in intoxicants.
The fight for temperance in the Brit
ish Colonies is as bitter and sustained
as that against her continental enc
mics, only with far more signal sue
cess. 1t is popular fight, too; and
because it is the peoples war it must
succeed. We are, thank heaven, a
long way from the day when eighty
men were discharged from a colliery
for being total abstainers on the as
sumption that alcohol was necessary
for hard work. Today, both masters
and men recognize that abstinence
from strong drink is in the public in
terest. The public conscience and the
public mind have undergone a. mighty
change in that important respect.
The day is fast coming, if it has not
actually come, when the total alb
stainer can start life with clear ad-
vantage over even the moderate
| drinker
The lead given by the president of
the Carnegie Steel Co. deserves the
deepest consideration from all en-
ployers of labor For successful enter
prises and efficiency in industries tenn
| perance on the part of the workers
will be a necessary condition in the
future; and employers will find it to
their advantage to give a preference
to the sober workman. 1t does hap
pen at present that in advertisements
for men the condition of sobriety ap-
pears as requisite of employment
Wanted, total abstainer, as farm
laborer." But we should like to see
that condition appended to all notices
asking for men. If the working man
once realizes that drink stands be-
tween him and advancement in his
trade, he is too shrewd to continue to
imbibe, too shrewd not to see that
temperance is one of the first lessons
to be taught his children, and to be
insisted on as they grow up around
him.
l
the mind, diminishes self-control, and
adversely affects physical endurance.
The trader who is little scrupulous in
giving drink to the stranger is more
than timorous in serving alcoholic
drink to his own children. We sim
cerely hope that the day is not far
distant when employers of labor will
L To Ixyn $50 oINnx +rsp
| to positions of trust and responsible
ties in preference to the drinker,
other qualifications being equal. And
the position and prospect of the work
ing man will have improved immense
ly the moment he sees and admits
the wisdom of such an agreement.
Let the suggestion be applied all
round. Let the working men them
selves put their cause only in the
hands of those on whom they can
: rely.
, DR.. Victor Adler, the Austrian So
cialist leader, does not hesitate to
say: 0Alcohol is a poison which de-
7itstroys our most important organ, tho
brain; the instrument with which VIC.
as a party, obtain all that we can oh
tain. This is especially true O..
those in trusted positions in the labor
movement. :. know of no one i
our ranks who has ever compromise!
us who was not brought thereto b.
alcohol" What this Socialist leader
says of his labor movement is equall>.
true of our Catholic workingmen's So
cieties. Temperance is, more THAI
ever before, the hope of the workers.
i Father Mathew Record