The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-08-17


labor is Overwhelmingly opposed to
absolute prohibition and to bring up
the question now is to "throw the
apple of discord among the people of
this country" said Samuel Gompers,
president of the American Federation
Of Labor, who appeared with Chair
man Hurley and others at the senate
committee hearing on the Jones pro-
hbition amendment. Secretary Dan
iels appeared to advocate prohibition.
Washington, June 26.-Declaring the
nation cannot afford to conduct expert
ments at this time, Chairman e. N.
Hurley Of the shipping board before
the senate agricultural committee OPP
posed absolute prohibition.
Percy Fl. Johnson, vice president OF
the Chemical National bank of New
York, speaking for committee of
bankers from the principal cities, told
the committee an absolute prohibition
amendment forbidding the withdrawal
Of spirits from bond would result in
a financial catastrophe, throwing many
banks and thousands of firms In bank
ruptcy.
Burleson Against Prohibition.
Postmaster General Burleson joined
In expressing fear that prohibition at
this time might interfere with prose-
cutiOn of the war. He said he was not
prepared to say whether 1t was nee
essary to conserve food and suggested
that the committee confer with the
food administration.
Mr.. Burleson said he was express
ing his personal views and not speak
ing for the administration.
II don't believe In class legislation"
ne continued. Brandy and wine are
regarded as beverages of the rich and
beer Of the poor. If prohibition is nee
essary to win the war I'd vote for 1t,
but if / had any doubts I'd hesitate a
long time. This is no time to have pa
tience with fanatics nor TO listen to ex-
tremists. If we listen to extremists
and do foolish things 1t might delay
the end of the war many months"
Mr.. Hurley, answering many ques-
lions by prohibition advocates on the
committee, said the chief labor diff
cultles in shipbuilding had occurred
in "dry territory" 1t was brought out
that 125, 265 men are employed at ship
yards in prohibition states, and 29O,151
In wet" territory.
Calls Experiment Nonessentlal.
"We've got to put all the smash and
drive we've got into this war" said Mr..
Hurley. We've got to fight, fight and
still fight with every muscle straining
and put aside nonessential experiment.
ing If we are to wiring victory from
the Huns"
He said that, In his opinion, there
would be more risk connected with pro-
hibition at this time than In the coz
scription of labor, as taking beer away
from workingmen would be practical
interference with labor. He added: II
don't want to take any chances"
Mr.. Hurley and other officials APP
peared to support the statement made
several days ago by cambridge Colby,
member of the shipping board, which
led the committee to reopen hearings
on the Jones prohibition amendment
to the emergency agricultural appro-
priation bill. Mr.. Colby told the COM
mittee that to take wine and besF
from the workingman would reduce
the output of American shipyards Is
per cent.
"If merely private interests were az
fected," Mr.. Hurley said, Il have no
hesitancy In saying that I would well
come the prohibition experiment Any
Temporary disorganization 1t might
cause would have its compensation
But 1t is not private business but the
country's business in great war eme>
gency, and am unwilling In this crisis
to stand sponsor for any experiment
with the personal liberty of nearly
half million men In the shipyards ana
contributing industries. on whom
we are relying to put through the big
gest shipping program in the history
of this or any other nation" t
Referendum In the States.
"An the states are now taking what
virtually amounts to referendum on
the constitutional amendment which Is
pending before the legislatures. II
The states act favorable upon 1t the
workmen can have no feeling that
there has been o lack of fair play.
The result sought by the proposal be-
fore the senate committee then will be
achieved gradually and with ample mo-
tice for the accommodation Of habits
and temperaments.
ssuTo my mind there Is more risk in
this proposal than there would be In
the CONSUMPTION of labor because 1t Is
a partial interference with liberty,
without any increase OF control. I
have opposed the conscription Of labor
because have felt that we should, so
long as 1t may be possible, rely upon
the voluntary and patriotic co-opera.
ton Of American labor"
Sand Us Your Jsb Printing.
- -A-- 49,