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Story
March 18, 1932
The Butler County Press
Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio
What is this article about?
In Kansas City, over 5,000 labor union members attended a mass meeting demanding 2.75% beer and Volstead Act modification. Speakers Matthew Woll (AFL VP) and Clarence Darrow criticized prohibition hypocrisy and called for labor action against temperance groups.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
OVER FIVE THOUSAND
Voice Labor's Demand For
2.75% Beer
Kansas City, Mo. (ILNS)—Organized labor's demand for 2.75 beer was voiced here at a great mass meeting in convention hall. More than 5,000 persons were present.
Matthew Woll, vice president of the American Federation of Labor, and Clarence Darrow, famous attorney, urged modification of the Volstead act to create an industry whereby they asserted the national economic structure could be strengthened.
Darrow expressed pleasure that labor "is using its influence to put down hypocrisy and bigotry in America."
"Our politicians don't care about repeal," he declared. "Why shouldn't they? They get all the liquor they want.
"Our people have submitted tamely to the W. C. T. U., the Methodist Board of Temperance, Prohibition and Public Morals, the Anti-Saloon League and other fanatical organizations. Now it's time for labor to awaken the country and accomplish something."
Among trade unionists in attendance were Martin F. Ryan, international president of the Railway Carmen of America; R. T. Wood, Springfield, Mo., president of the Missouri State Federation of Labor; John Pfeiffer, international secretary of the Leather Workers of America, and Joseph Obergfell, Cincinnati, international secretary-treasurer of the Brewery Workers' Union.
Voice Labor's Demand For
2.75% Beer
Kansas City, Mo. (ILNS)—Organized labor's demand for 2.75 beer was voiced here at a great mass meeting in convention hall. More than 5,000 persons were present.
Matthew Woll, vice president of the American Federation of Labor, and Clarence Darrow, famous attorney, urged modification of the Volstead act to create an industry whereby they asserted the national economic structure could be strengthened.
Darrow expressed pleasure that labor "is using its influence to put down hypocrisy and bigotry in America."
"Our politicians don't care about repeal," he declared. "Why shouldn't they? They get all the liquor they want.
"Our people have submitted tamely to the W. C. T. U., the Methodist Board of Temperance, Prohibition and Public Morals, the Anti-Saloon League and other fanatical organizations. Now it's time for labor to awaken the country and accomplish something."
Among trade unionists in attendance were Martin F. Ryan, international president of the Railway Carmen of America; R. T. Wood, Springfield, Mo., president of the Missouri State Federation of Labor; John Pfeiffer, international secretary of the Leather Workers of America, and Joseph Obergfell, Cincinnati, international secretary-treasurer of the Brewery Workers' Union.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Social Manners
Justice
What keywords are associated?
Labor Demand
2.75% Beer
Volstead Act
Prohibition
Clarence Darrow
Afl
Mass Meeting
What entities or persons were involved?
Matthew Woll
Clarence Darrow
Martin F. Ryan
R. T. Wood
John Pfeiffer
Joseph Obergfell
Where did it happen?
Kansas City, Mo.
Story Details
Key Persons
Matthew Woll
Clarence Darrow
Martin F. Ryan
R. T. Wood
John Pfeiffer
Joseph Obergfell
Location
Kansas City, Mo.
Story Details
Organized labor holds mass meeting with over 5,000 attendees to demand 2.75% beer and modification of the Volstead Act to strengthen the economy. Matthew Woll and Clarence Darrow speak, criticizing hypocrisy and urging labor to oppose prohibition organizations.