New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1926-09-07
Speaking on Prohibi-
ton, Pres. O'Meara
Insists Business Inter-
ests Get All Alcohol
They Want For Club
houses
In Annual Report, He Also
Expresses Need for
Union Newspaper in
State-Condemns Capt.
tai Class Legislation.

Danhury, Sept. R-In his re-
port here today to the officers and
delegates of the forty-hrst annual
convention of the Connecticut Fed
Grafton of Labor, Patrick F.
o'Meara, president OF the state
| body, discussed variety of subjects
that are of great interest to union
members.
Labor Newspaper Needed.
President O'Meara said there was
need for labor newspaper IF labor
wants to get its news before the pub
lie On prohibition he said:
working classes are protesting FOR
business interests seem to get all thu
alcohol needed for their club
houses, The working people are not
violating the law as much as the Of
ilcials charged with law enforcement
are.
we are unanimous in standing
out squarely for return of the SO.
cial conditions that prevailed pre-
Vlous to 1920. when the law took
away the poor mans meeting place.
For Government Supervision.
we want to have in this country
return to the constitutional priv
lleges-f man desires to buy a
good beverage that he should get II.
and TO see that the government SUI
pervised its manufacture and sale.
If this comes you will see more con-
tented people and better social
contact"
On the cooperative movement,
President O'Meara said: Remember
that the leading label trades need
your support, remember that the
bread and tobacco trusts are spend
ing large sums to defeat the pur-
poses of the international union of
clgarlnakers and bakery workers"
Compensation Insurance.
AS to the compensation law, he
said: Our large insurance COM
panies are proclaiming that there
are no more profits in workingmen's
compensation insurance. I say to
these companies that organized labor
in Connecticut invites them to join
with us to propose the Ohio plan of
insurance in Connecticut. the funds
being created by employer and en-
ploye."
On policies. he said: I'VE must
interest ourselves in the primaries
to select those that will run for the
office, and after succeeding in this
to work hard until election time to
elect those nominated. We must
have friends in the halls of legisla.
ton"
On legislation his comment was
Il am convinced that this country
has had enough of capital class leg
islation and corruptness beginning
with the days OF the discredited At
torney General Harry NJ Dougherty
and 1 am sure that our wage earn
ers are becoming more enlightened
each day."
Reviewing the activities OF the
unions with educational problems
he said. little attention was paid to
this element until two years ago.
We must encourage the drama in
pictures, for 1t is silent, powerful.
educational weapon"
I'VE will have a labor bank in
Connecticut soon and It's organization
calls for full cooperation OF all
trades unionists," he also declared.
The following future problems Of
the federation were outlined:'
Continue to organize the indus
trial fields, work for higher COM
pensation for injured workers; re-
duce the waiting period and get
better medical treatment; old age
pensions: more aid for widows and
orphans; home rule legislation: the
tive-day week in industry; study Of
the immigration problems; elimina-
ton of child labor: cooperation in
playground and recreational activi-
ties; work for better educational
facilities.