Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-07-05
The Fisht Of the Brewery Interests.

Many kcnneDec JoHrndi ieoeS
have been deeply stirred by the fact
that prominent government officials
have come out openly for the booze
interests and in opposition to national
prohibition. We have received some
singing communications concerning
IN. attitude OF President Samuel
C;ompers Of the American Federation
OF Labor; and OF Chairman Hurley,
OF the L. S. Shipping BOARD: and OF
cambridge Colby OF the Shipping
Board; and especially Of the part
played BY Postmaster General Burle-
son.
". have felt too deeply disappoint-
ed at the attitude Of the administra-
,ion on the liquor question TO deal
with II as calmly, at all times. as the
country's critical affairs advis,.
We mean the attitude of politicians
catering TO the booze interests and
eseusino the tremendous economic
waste, while driving millions who
have never known other than the
bare necessities Of life to pledges Of
unusual saving and penury-while
bloated tradesmen are piling up mil
lions at the peoples expense and in
full view ~ all the governments
minions.
We mean the saving at the vent Of
the nations resources while leaving
the hung wide open.
We mean the attempt to drive the
struggling millions of sober Christian
people 10 half rations, fuel and cloth
ing while maintaining money
grabbing business for the wallowing
% extra vagantly paid tout OF the
peoples money workers in favored
war industries"
We mean that MIR. Hoover should
no. be surprised at lack Of en-
ihusiastic support or his food saving
plans; at sometimes sullen accept
ance Of, and even opposition to. the
governments high banded pretense,
In some cases.
lot US examine the testimony Of
government experts md trusted
agents and advisers before the L. S.
senate agricultural committee on
June IS. The spectacle was illumi-
nnting-a clean. strong man with the
courage of his convictions. Secretary
OF the Navy Daniels, AGAINST Chair
man Hurley. Mr.. Colby. and the law
yors Of the shipping board. Samuel
Gomper. and Mr.. Burleson. And the
spectacle was one TO shame enlight-
encd Americans.
For instance. MIR Gompers. head
~ American labor and with great in
fuencc at the White House. made one
of his Characteristic pro-brewery
speeches. In which he expressed the
conviction that We must cater to the
opinion OF the Teuton blood in our
midst-'they must have their beer"
he declared.
This is the same Samuel Gompers
who shouts OF his patriotism and OF
what he Is doing 10 hold labor to it's
duty. But our American-made laws
are not good enough for his "Teu-
tonic workers" and they will not
work II OUR laws interfere with
them.
Can any red -hlooded American re-
member an act Of dislo, atty or sedi-
ton In this country that makes his
blood boil moro than that utterance
Of sam Gompers?
II was probably true OF Gompers'
"Teutonic workers" bu, i, was a libel
~ an outrageous lie against the
great majority OF American labor
and Gompers would have the com
parative few Of those whose blood VIC
are nghting control us all in Amer
Tea, a. they have controlled us for
two. generations.
Even while Gompers was on his
feet before tho senate committee, a
telegram from the representatives OF
500 trade unionists. petitioning
for prohibition, came to the commit
tee. giving the lie direct to Gompers'
declaration.
Here is another specimen: Mr.
Hurley. the chairman CT the United
states Shipping Board. was the
major witness for the vets. H
testimony was probably the most
tonishing in character ever Of
by Government osicial b6
congressional committee.
expected ~ give informal
frankly declared THAI he
upon which 10 bar bis
prohibition wo
among the wo
cast. His who
the status quo
should not be :"
Various scnat
ator Thompson
Senator Grcnh
Hurley. and as 3
crossed even his
thized with his
was obliged to q
munications VIII
x,.~.