davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-01

so-called sand lot riots" Dennis Kearney,
an engaging and fiery Irshman, led the
mobs of whites who protested against "Chi-
nese cheap labor" and marched up Mob
Hill, threatening to apply the torch to the
mansions Of the millionaires, whom they
held responsible for the Oriental invasion.
What may be called the beginning of the
modern war came during the administra-
ton of Mayor (now Senator) James D..
Phelan. The Transfers struck, and for
weeks the city was convulsed. The atroci-
ties of the Germans in Belgium are hardly
worse than were those of these San Fran
cisco transfers. To mention one: When
they caught a "scab" they stretched his
arms, elbows up, across the curb and
leaped on them.
Phelan was never a member Of the rail
road machine" that ruled the state and city
in the interests of capital. But he was
big business man, and he put policemen on
the non-union trucks. 1t was fatal po-
litical error. The strike was broken, after
considerable bloodshed-but so was the ad-
ministraton.
The next Mayor was Eugene +. Schmtz,
a union fiddler in the Columbia Theatre
orchestra He was elected through the
votes of the transfers and their friends
and the acumen of Abe Ruef, a French
Jew. who was affiliated with the Southern
IA
Pacific political steam roller. In LETT
handed way the railroad politicians sup
ported Ruef and Schmitz from the begin
ming but only because they thought they
could use them
Thus partnership was established
which the city did not understand for some
time. 1t was combination of graft,
almost shameless graft. Labor refused
TO understand it; it was being well taken
care Of. and continued to vote fanatically
for the labor candidates.
Consequently, Heney's graft prosecu-
t;on." which aimed to rid the city of these
"paint-caters," opened cold
1t is unnecessary TO rehearse the FEVER
sh history of the graft prosecution.
ecbmitz. Ruef and the rest of the admins
tration grafters were cleaned out. In the
state at large the railroad machine was
demolished. But in San Francisco, though
n compromise Mayor on neutral ticket
was elected. all the more important BRIDE
rivers escaped and corporation district
attorney was saddled on the city. This
was Charles Fickert, admittedly the can
didate of the United Railroads. who wished
insurance against renewed graft prosecu'
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-01

present. They listen to the evidence with
intense seriousness. Miss Luela Twinlng
the one woman member, and the jury's
secretary, sits on the aisle seat and takes
copious notes. There is absolute silence
among them, and when court adjourns
there is no discussion of the case.
Patrick Gallagher is the most striking
member. He is a "hard-rock" miner,
six feet four inches III and weigh
ing 24o pounds. He wears soft shirt,
open at the throat, with no necktie, and
there is no redundancy in the bulge of
muscle which swells his shoulders and BIZ
ceps. The chin rests on huge, hard
fist. somewhat in the attitude of lie
Penseur"
Gallagher was chosen by the Arizona
branch of the Western Federation of
Miners to represent this organization and
the Central Labor Council of Miami on
the labor jury. He seems strangely alien
and obtrusive in the hushed ourtroom,
with its gold succeed rosettes on the cell
ing, its elaborate brass fixtures and rose
wood finishing.
1t is Gallagher who has expressed most
wildly the attitude of the labor jury. He
says:
THE boys down in Arizona got an idea
these people were up against a brace
game, and when they head about this
labor jury they sent me up to sit in
to help keep cases and see whether they're
dealing a trained deck. Maybe we're
wrong. Maybe they're square shooters,
after all. If they are, and if these folks
went out and blew up all those people,
they ought to get all that's coming to
them. That's all right. But we're going
to make them produce
what will you do if they convict Rena
Mooney and the labor jury concludes that
the case was 'framed'?'
IF it comes out that way we're going
TO tell the boys about it. There are a
few million of us scattered around the
world. here and there. The workers know
all about this in Russia and Holland and
England and Sweden, and they're going to
listen to what we tell them. We're not
making any threats, but we believe the
way to get a square deal is to stand to-
gether and demand it."
George Sweet, the foreman of the jury,
is a sheet-metal worker He has deep
.ense of his obligation, and refused to
discuss the case, either before or after
the beginning Of the trial. 4. c. Green
ley, of the Brotherhood Of Railway Train.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-01
Miners View
or Prohibition

Here is another side. The Secretary Of
the Northumbrian miners said: "Wn have
been told the government is afraid work
ingmen would resist prohibition. That
might be true in times of peace, and even
IN time of war were our foodstuffs abun-
dant, but TO sugges. that workngmen
faced with a choice such as they now face
between beer and bread would choose beer
is such reflection on the character and
Intelligent Of the workingman that for
che repudia.e the suggestion.
"Tha great majority of workingr,en like
their class of beer and whskey, and some
of them sometimes take more than is good
for them. But make no mistake, when the
pinch of hunger comes and their wives and
children have to go on short food, beer will
have to go without any question whatever"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-01

| The Board Of Liquor Control, which has
the powers of despot, was formed. and
includes Lord Dabernon, Waldorf Aston.
Sir William II. Lever, soap manufacturer;
Philip Snowden, NJ. p, Socialist Sir
George Newman, chief medical officer Of
the Board of Education, and w. Towle, a
hotel manager. By March, 1916 the board
had extended regulations restricting the
hours for the sale of drink and prohibiting
treating to areas containing a population
of 100000 To-day they affect thirty
eight out of forty-one millions in Britain.
No requests to consider scheduling any
areas in Ireland have been made to the
board by naval, military or munitiOn au-
thorities. No spirits are sold in the north
or northwestern parts of Scotland. Early
In February, 1916, the board permitted
the dlution Of spirits In certain areas
to fifty degrees under proof. On July l.,
1916, this provision was extended to all
scheduled areas, and the same order pro-
vided that spirits should not be sold or
supplied in licensed premises or clubs at
greater strength than twenty-five degrees
under proof, and by further order, opera
ing from February /, 1917, the moximum
strength was reduced to thirty degrees tn
der proof.
On the recommendation of the Women's
Advisory Committee the board made COM
pulsory a statement on the labels of bottles
giving the amount of alcohol contained
in medicated wines. Before the war a
bottle of whiskey cost 81; now the same
bottle sells for s1.60. While the price has
risen so per cent, the quality has decreased
in even greater degree. The same things
hold good for beer. lt>is estimated that
ten million barrels will De diluted 0y pub
licans to twelve or thirteen millions. The
government does not order ills, bu. it is TO
the advs ,tage : pvblicans to do SO.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-01
Railway Labor Man
Reviews Previous Case

"When these five defendants were first
arrested union labor throughout the
country took the position that if there
was any legitimate evidence against them
they should be prosecuted by every agency
at the command of the District Attorney.
The slightest evidence of implication in
such a monstrous crime should be fol-
lowed up vigorously and relentlessly The
unions raised no fund for the defendants
and awaited the disclosures of the trial.
"As the Billings and Mooney trials pro-
crossed various representatives Of union
labor became convinced that behind these
cases lay a conspiracy CT the allied cap
italistic interests not only to get rid of
/ five enemies, but to convict union labor
itself of this crime. Then came the Oman
letters. The trial judge Immediately de-
manded a new trial for Mooney. The Dis
trict Attorney and the representatives of
big business back of him, instead of ap-
pearing candidly before the public and
demanding an open and frank investiga-
ton of the entire affair, battled desper-
ttely through various court proceedings TO
defend him, and they are still his sponsors
and friends. This in spite of the fact that
Justice Angelotti, of the Supreme Court,
said from the bench that the evidence
against Oman was overwhelming. In all,
eleven judges found against Oman.
with this state Of affairs, Thomas j..
Mooney, convicted on Oxmans testimony,
according to the frank admissions Of his
prosecutors, is now at the foot of the gal
/ lows. What was there for us to do but
to confront this conspiracy with an ex-
preston of the economic solidarity and
power of labor, as represented by the
labor jury?
There is no challenge of existing insti-
tutions, no assault on any Of the sancti-
ties of the law, in such proceeding.
I'VE have pledged ourselves to return
2 verdict based on the law and the evil
tence alone and we shall adhere to this
pledge. We are here as impartial OBJ
servers for the men of labor who believe
their rights and the liberties of their COM
rades are imperilled, and We are not here
in any cause of intimidation or special
pleading. Let the law take its course, but
let it be law and not perjury"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-01

trying to maintain their trade connection,
and they send beer from one end Of Eng
land to the other needessly, throwing ad-
ditional burden on the railway traffic. The
breweres are being worked one-third of
their normal capacity, thus wasting plant
and man power. If the government took
control it could concentrate the business
and make an enormous economy.
1T is also important to prepare for the
after-war period. After the privations,
restrictions and horrors of the war there
is danger of reaction. There is a risk that
rehabilitation and the celebration Of the
homecoming of troops will be accom-
panied by excessive drinking. So it is
most important that the government should
then have an absolute control Of the liquor
trade.
"Now, as to total prohibition, have at
tended practically all Of the conferences
of the board since the early days. have
met labor leaders in the storm centres of
Glasgow, Sheffield, Newcastle and the
lockers Of London. / am convinced they
are willing to make any response the gov
eminent thinks essential to win the war.
They have not complained of any restric-
tons because the government has always
stated quite clearly that the restriction is
necessary to efficiency, economy and ton
mage of food.
"The average workingman is suspicious
Of what he calls the temperance fanatic.
The average workingman is not drunk
ard. He objects to being labelled as a
drunkart. He suspects the extreme tee
totaler of pushing what he thinks is his
fad under the guise of war emergency.
"There is a fundamental difference be-
tween intoxicaton and the slight loss of
efficiency due to drinking. Intoxication
has been probably greatly exaggerated,
but loss of efficiency due to drinking is
probably greatly underestimate. Work
ingmen know they don't get drunk, but
they don't quite realize their lost efficiency,
due to drinking. If the government, owing
to the necessity of war, has to make fur
Their restrictions, am convinced they will
get the proper response. Organized labor
is extremely loyal. 1t believes in the ma
tionalization of drink and will always re-
spond when it understands the emergency"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-01

bountiful harvest, as shown by the large
sums they paid in excess profits duty.
Liquor has been constantly rising N price
during the last two years. The closing of
some breweries and distilleries caused loss
of employment temporarily to great num-
bers of men. Guinness and other breweries
in Dublin already have discharged 1920
men, while Bass in this country has cut its
force. But the men thus thrown out of
employment easily find work in national
service. The extent to which Britain has
gained in limiting dstiling is shown by
the following figures:
British dStilleres used $4,000 tons of
grain in 1914 to 1915; 412,000 tons in 1915
to 1916; 100000 tons in 1916 to 1917. The
government has now limited the grain to
100000 tons, distributed among the yeast
distilleres. In 1916 to 1917 100000
quarters Of grain was used in the produc-
ton of beer. Under the new arrangement
the amount is limited to 2,245,000 quarters,
representing a saving of 3,355,OOO quar-
tiers.
According to DR.. Addison, Minister of
Munitions, the aggregate saving of grain
by cutting off the patent still distilleries
has been approximately $4,000 tons in the
year, whhe 100000 tons has been saved by
the reduction in brewing. This year TO-
100000 barrels of beer has been 5rewed,
excluding 5000 barrels weekly--250, 900
per year-for military requirements. Said
DR.. Addison in Parliament recently:
"If you represent the grain used by 600,-
600 tors a month of imported grain they
represent at least six weeks grain food
which has been cut off since January /,
and | think myself that this is a very
great contribution to the end we all have
in view.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-01
Convictions of
Women Decrease

"Confirmatory disproof of this sugg 81
ton has also been found in figures OF the
convictions of women, which had dc ,reased
nearly in the 50 n , ratio as tie convictions
of men. 1t is gratifying also 20 lbservc
that the predict MS of reaction have been
falsified and, speaking generally, the de
crease of the convictions in the areas
scheduled more tran year ago OF '.Gh-
teen months ago has been veil ma,E'a!nc
and in many instance has progress I'd ap-
preciably.
"The prohibition Of treating and oi IT,"
sales of liquor on credit have contributed
to the general result and in particular
there is a mass of testimony to TIE effect
that the prohibition of treating hes been
welcomed as checking convention which
has been enormous, and that the value Of
this prohibition in restraining superiiuous
drinking is now widely recognized Doih
by the army and civilian population.
"The beneficial effects of prohibition of
treating on the efficiency of the army have
obtained for it warm general approval
from the military authorities, some OF
whom have included it in the military or
ders for districts not scheduled under the
liquor control regulations.
"As valuable, however, as the results OF
the no-treating have been, its full value
has not yet been universally secured. In
districts where public attention is lax,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-01

reduced the gravity of beer. You ask
what prevents the further reduction? Our
reply is we cannot stop the importation of
liquor into these areas. So long as heavy
beer comes in we must keep up the gravity
of our beer, because the workingman is not
satisfied with light beer when heavy beer
is purchasable.
The workingman thinks that beer is
nourishing. He believes that it has a GER
tain amount of food value. And he judges
its food value by the taste. In his opinion,
the heavier it is the greater its food value.
Heavy beers require more barley. AS a
matter of fact, although the human body
can assimilate alcohol in small quantities,
it is burnt up so when alcohol is taken in
large amounts that actually more energy
Of the barley is lost if put into heavy beer
than into light beer.
1--WE have found for this reason that 1t
is impossible to introduce total prohibition
in specific areas. You cannot have little
dry areas entirely surrounded by wet dis
tricts. The beer is not diluted by legisla-
tive action. The gravity is reduced In
areas where the drink trade has heceme
nationalized, but by administrative act
only. The dilution Of beer does not par
ticularly injure the makers Of non-pro-
prietary brands, but such an order ap-
piled to Guinness or Bass would injure
them to a greater extent.
"The government could re6u:" re spe-
cific gravity of all beer only if it took over
the drink trade, because then it would not
have to protect the trade names and their
interests.
"In munition works you now find chiefly
old men accustomed to the drinking of
beer all their lives, the young men being
in the army. These old men are not drunk
ards, but they have strong habits. They
consider beer an aid to digestion, if they
don't drink it to excess. They work hard
in hot atmosphere and often eat unpala-
table food They are working harder now
than ever before, with long hours, no holt
DAYS and lots of overtime, and it is telling
en- them. They consider that beer helps
them to assimilate more food.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-01

A court is being tried by jury in San
Francisco.
In an ornate courtroom overlooking the
golden sailed ship which stands as mon
ument to Robert Louis Stevenson twelve
representatives Of organized labor sit
silently outside the railing, taking evidence
for a verdict on the justice melted out
and behind that, on CALIFORNIA; whole So
cial system.
Their verdict will be heard round the
world. An organized labor is waiting 10
learn the Judgment of its own representa-
tives as to whether wealth and power can
array the law against innocent men ana
women. The very fact that the issues
bore at stake had been raised was nrSC
learned by the majority OF Americans
,ybon q mob in Petrograd attacked the
American Embassy because OF them'
Tho case that is being tried by the court
&c that of Rena Mooney, accused OF COM
nlicitv in the bomb plot that resulted Ill
Tho death Of ten persons during the pre-
narodross narade in San Francisco last
,.oar She is the third of the alleged con-
.nirators to be brought to trial, and inc
triaIs and convictions of the other two'
ono of them her husband, Thomas Mooney
were surrounded by welter OF Di''er
charges. charges of perjury ana pripeiy'
backed by intrenched power, to convict a'
orv cost. in money or in right, represent
atives Of the labor unions with wnich II
has been fighting for decaces' 49,.
Il is on the guilt of Mrs. Mooney tha'
,be silent jury will return its ofilcial YER
diet But the whole labor world KNOWS
,bat the real judgment will be on 'ne
s .,, of corruption, and it will reflect
hack over the whole chain of hatreds ana
,,rongs which have convulsed western
hmorica since the days OF the C@ur
TAIene riots, and which have lncluoed 'n ,
c,ourenberg murder, the Ruef gral' 'r'a''
and "The Los Angeles Times" outrage
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-01
Prohibitions Effect
On Workingmen

The extent TO which complete prohibit
tion would create dissatisfaction among the
working classes has been holly debated,
with strong advocate on both sides. II
must be understood ,nere is no SUI stitute
here for beer for the British workiugman.
For generations he has considered his pint
of ale or stout as necessary 10 him as
bread and butter. The cold British climate
seems to give him capacity greatly in ex-
cess Of the average American. His beer,
which he bought before the war al four
cents the half-pint, now costs ten cent?. but
he manages TO End tie additional pennies.
In Parliament Addison said: "Thc nie.1-
bers must bear in mind there are la-gs
sections Of the popula )n engaged at the
present time in very fat.gulng and labo-
rious work who, whetnerit is wise or not, or
whether it is physiological or not, az used
to having their drink of beer after their
work and feel they want it. That is the
case you have to meet and you cannot shut
your eyes to it,
When pressed to declare whether the
ieaso' why the government did not end
brewing was Deca1g n their opinion it
was necessary muntlon workers. should
have beer. Addison said: "Oh, no. only
gave it as an opinion of large section Of
the population"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-01
Light Beer Of
The Government

The government last year legalized In
certain areas of EnglaHd and Wales the
sale of beer containing not more than 2
per cent proof spirits during all hours of
the day after Q o'clock in the morning
until evening closing for the sale of in
toxicants. This liquor, called light beer,
is much cheaper, but has not become
popular. However, there is no legislative
act ordering dilution of beer to certain
strength.
Up to the time the government shut
down on them the brewers had reaped a
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-01
8v ARTHUR S. DRAPER

fondon, June 25.-Prohibition is coming
4. Britain, but not soon.
Great economies have been effected by
n, restrictive measures adopted and
Great things have been accomplished in the
s..sss Of man power for the war and the
;,,,.ase Of efficiency in all activities.
rr,tber restrictions are almost certain to
.on. soon. and it is a safe prophecy that
eventually total prohibition will be voted.
Rut that time is apparently still far off.
cbonld the government attempt to intro
1pc. complete prohibition now there I'M
Soubtedly would Re strong dissatisfaction
,mope the working men. There are two
reasons for this:
First, the public does not believe that
~. food situation demands 1t as yet
sse1ad, tho working class would feel
.s,. II was being Disseminated against,
,...uss the workers believe the rich have
,.,cs reserves of liquor which the govern
r.,. could not or would not seize. And
hbar Is -. 0lrs great consideration
these day
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-01
Dilution Aim
of Authorities

What the authorities are aiming at |.
the gradual dilution of beer and spirits to
the point where they are no longer intoxi.
eating. That is why they have introduced
Gilution, and have placed practically no re.
s.r.ctions on the sale of diluted drinks
The authorities think it unwise to prohibit
the sale of liquor completely, holding that
It mus be cut off gradually.
Carlisle is one of the boards great con-
troll areas where the state is regulating
the IMPLY and sale of liquors. When this
o. 90, cathedral city was invaded By hosts
of wJrkingmen who were without the usual
ties and occupations of home life, drunk
enness increased tremendously. From five
convictions a week in the autumn # 1915
10 average jumped to forty-two week
curing the month of June, 1916. The
board thereupon decided to acquire all
licensed premises in Carlisle itself. This
decision involved the purchase IF four
breweries besides several hundred licensed
premises. Other similarly controlled areas
are Gretna, lvergordon ard Engield. The
board summarizes its results as follows:
~ mas been proved that by extngush-
ing private interests in the sale Of liquor
and by establishing strict So stem for con-
tgol and inspection of ppo.c homes il is
possible both to reduce eycessiye thinking
in very marked degree and to insure that
restriction shall be effected 20 AZ extent
which is impossible under the conditions of
private management and Of i'll regulated
trading; that in houses in
which liquor can be sold under the condi-
tons of comfort and decency and under
which facilities are provided for recreation
and for the sale Of food, supervision is not
only made easier, but customers are less in
clined to drink TO excess; that many Of the
people who frequent public houses desire
food as well as drink, and whatever the
regime may do TO attempt TO meet this 4
demand, only safeguard against possible
peace should be encoura -ed; that under
unified system such as is necessarily in
volved in state management, arrangements
can be made to regulate the conluct Of
trade in order to meet local requirements
or temporarv emergencies"