Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-10-13
LABOR QUESTION PRINCIPAL 1AtlE
Candidate Alleges That His Injune-
tions and Law Laid Down Therein
Have Been Salvation Of Labor Un-
ions-sryan and Gompers Come in
For Scoring.
(By Associated PreSs)

AKRON OHIO, Oct. 1Z.-oeSeHteeh
Ohio towns heard William H. TAFT
today. He talked from Cincinnati to
Akron through a portion of the state
conceded to have been a Foraker
stronghold with portion of the ter
ritory Democratic. While there was
not the same vim and snap TO the
enthusiasm which the can0Iiate got
in some portions Of the West. he was
listened to by large crowds, number
ing thousands in many places. ana
what he said was well applauded
There were no shouts for Bryan
heard.
The important speeches Of the day
were at GAINESVILLE. Cambridge ard
Akron. In his GAINESVILLE speech.
Mr.. Taft went after both Mr.. Bryan
and Mr.. Gompers.
Mr.. Bryan goes around the coun-
try saying I am the father of injunc-
TONS" declared Mr.. Taft. 1T is not
true. did not invent injunctions
or iniunctions in la0or disputes. But
it is quite natural that Mr.. BrysA
should make the mistake, because in
q letter he wrote TO the district at
torney of belmont, Ohio. he says he
has not read my decisions"
Laid Down Law.
Il laid down the law" he said. land
laid down the principles, upon which
labor organizations in this country
have since built up their prosperity
and their usefulness, and instead OF
saying that l am an enemy they rec
ognize that / am one Of the greatest
benefactors labor has haa. l decided
a case against the brotherhood OF
Ensineers and the brotherhood con-
demned me. In four years they got
into court in ST Louis and they had
to cite my case to induce the court
to withdraw the injunction there be-
cause ] had laid down the principles
upon which they could organize be-
fore their officers could raise their
fund and 20 on and conduct strikes,
and in that case. they induced, on the
authority Of my decision. the judge
to withdraw his injunction and they
went ahead and won the strike.
was Elected Unionist-
Il have been something besides
Judge. had thirty thousand labor-
ers rnder me on the Panama Canal.
We had the question of wages. and
decided against the laborers. What
did they do? gave them the reasons
for deciding the way did. They
elected me q member of their union.
Why. Because I am fair to labor"
At Canal Dover while making his
labor speech, the candidate was in
terrupted by an exclamation from the
audience declaring:
Labor unions are gone.
Says ~ 10 labor's Best Friend.
The labor organizations are more
prosperous. have more money. have
more influence. and more control than
they ever had In their lives before.
The American Federation Of Labor
has increased its numbers one hund-
red per cent. The International
Typoersphica; Union in its annual re-
port showed an increase from $4,000
to 5000. They paid in FIVE millions
og dollars. They had $2So.600 in
their treasury and they never before
had such prosperity or influence in
their lives. and the basis upon which
those organizations have been con
struc:ed are the legal lines which J
laid down in my legal decision"
At the Akron meeting today Mr..
Taft reiterated the statements he had
previously made on the labor question
and brought to his support the recent
" published letters o! Daniel J. keefe.
member OF the executive council OF
the American Federation Of Labor
and bead Of the International Long
shoremcn ard Transfers organiza-
ton.
United States Senator Charles Dick
presided 1t the Music Hail meeting
here tonight.