Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-03
President Roosevelt Summons
Influential Leaders.
AFTER SUPPORT FOR TAFT
Morrissey, Keefe and Stone Called
to White House.
NO CRITICISM OF HITCHCOCK
Nothing to Be Allowed to Disturb
Republican Harmony-Laggard
Campaign Contributions.

That the labor vote will not get away
from William II. Taft If President Roose-
welt can prevent it is evidenced by some
conferences held at the White House to-
day and q few days ago.
The President called to Washington
three of the most influential labor leaders
in the country and said things to them
regarding the labor vote and Taft. No
body at the White House will talk about
the conferences except to admit what the
labor leaders said-that they had been
sent for by Mr.. Roosevelt. who is we'll
known to them personally and liked by
them
Thu men called in are P. II. Morrissey
Of Cleveland. grand chief of the Broth
erhood of Railway Trainmen. one of the
world; Daniel ]. Keefe. president of the
Longshoremen's Union, and Warren S.
Stone, grand chief of the Brotherhood
of Locomotive Engineers. Keefe is also
Federation Of Labor. Keefe and Nor
rissey were in conference with the
President today, while Stone was here
two or three days ago. Nothing could
induce any one of the three to say any
thing about his visit.
Stands in With Railway Men.
President Roosevelt has always been on
good terms with the railway men Of the
country. and has frequently consulted the
leaders of these particular organizations.
He appointed f. E. Clark. grand chief
conductor of the Order Of Railway Con-
ductors. a member Of the interstate COM
merce commission. and he is an honorary
members OF the Brotherhood of Locomo-
tive Firemen. The President was elected
at Chattanooga nearly seven years ago.
With Commissioner Clark taking care OF
the conductors Grand Chief Stone looking
after the engineers; Morrissey working
the trainmen and the President himself
being on fraternal terms with the firemen
the railway mems vote is we'll locked
after Keefe is to take care of the long
shoremen and SO on down the line:
The President has never failed. when
travelling over the country. to shake hands
with engineers and firemen on leaving a
train. making it a point frequently to
walk away up to the engine to grasp the
besrimed hands OF the men at the throt-
tie.
Former Grand Chief Clark now with
the interstate commerce commission, is
said to be doing fine work among the
conductors for the republican ticket. As
the head of that. organization for years,
he knows just what machinery to put into
operation.
According to inside information. the
labor people have shown a rather un-
friendly disposition to Chairman Hitch
cock and it may be their Discrimination
to confer with him that has caused the
President to personally take things up.
No More Hitchcock Opposition.
Word was passed down the line that
there must be no more criticism OF
Chairman Hitchcock's work. Republican
success depends on everybody getting
in line and showing a solid front. Hitch
cock is all right. headquarters are all
right, and everything is all right. No
mean words must be said about anybody
connected with headquarters Secretary
Root last night poured jug of his cele-
brated Ice mixture on story that he
had criticised Treasurer Sheldon of the
national committee. because the latter
had not been able to pour enough
shekels into the strong box.
Mr.. Root. who talked for several hours
with the President last night, declared
he had not said that any tagging in the
campaign was due to Mr.. Sheldon. He
thought there was enough money to
admitted that he had visited Chairman
Hitchcock in New York. but he had not
done so for the purpose Of investigating
conditions there at the request Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt.
Laggard Contributions.
Just what is going to happen to Mr..
Sheldon nobody around the White House
seems to know. for publication. Mr.
Root has told the President all about
what he discovered at New York head
quarters. and those who know Mr.. Root
are pretty sure that he will not talk to
anybody else. Yet the President and
every other republican leader knows that
the trouble in getting money is that the
former contributors are holding off.
A well known republican said q few
days ago that the protected manufac-
turers of the country have plainly an
nounced that there is no reason why
they should cut their own Threats by Civ
ing money to the republicans. One of
them said: IF Taft comes in we are
assured there will be tariff revision at
once II Bryan Is elected We may not be
bothered for four years" Although they
are not doing anything for Bryan. they
do not feel like huYing disturbance for