The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-10-23

Leaders of organized labor are OPP
posed to Samuel Gompers in his efforts
to deliver the labor vote to Bryan, and
there Is every indication that Taft will
get the votes Of most laboring men. At
least three Of the most influential vice
presidents of the American Federation
Of Labor evidently disagree with Com
pers.
One OF the men who called on Presi-
dent Roosevelt recently gave assurance
that John Mitchell Is not for Bryan, as
intimated In a telegram alleged to be
from him published In the last two
days He declared on authority. said
to be that OF Mr.. Mitchell himself, that
the noted labor leader did not write
any telegram putting himself In the
Bryan column. The telegram Is said
to be a fabrication.
James Duncan, first vice-president OF
the American Federation Of Labor, next
In authority to Gompers and a man of
great influence In the organization, has
written a letter to Willis Moore, chief
Of the weather bureau, pOintedly an
tagonlzing the attitude Of Mr.. Gompers
and asserting that each individual
should be allowed to vote without pres
sure from any one.
Daniel Keefe, sixth vlce-presldent Of
the federation and president OF the
Longshoremen's union, is out for Taft
nd tn ha. ri Go n
vises abor people to vote for Taft. Thus
three of the six vice-presidents under
Mr.. Gompers are either supporting
Taft or are opposing any plan that will
place the organization as a body against
the Republican nominee. Mr.. Keefe
said recently:
Bryan has not been Endorsed for
president by the executive council OF
the American Federation Of Labor.
Neither has any one the right to criti
else a union man for voting for any
other candidate for president. In fact
l will vote for Taft"
Tnft's True Attitude Understood.
The Labor world of Pittsburg says:
every day it Is becoming more and
more apparent that the more the labor
record of Judge Taft is discussed the
more does the fact shine forth that he
is a real friend Of labor. The truth
has always been recognized by the in
telligent and fair-minded trade union
leaders and officials, many Of whom
have the courage to stand boldly out
and declare themselves to this effect
despite the fact that undue pressure is
being exercised to subdue such declara-
ton"
The United Mine Workers Of Amer
lea. the strongest organization numer-
ically in the country, will not be bound
by the political program Of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor, to support
Bryan and the Democratic platform.
In an official circular issued by T. L.
Lewis, international president Of the
union, to the 100000 members, he says
the membership has intelligence enough
to know how to vote without any ad-
vice from him and he will do nothing
to influence their political preferences
In any way.
"PubIis Beggar'' story Confirmed.
A campaign sensation was sprung at
Wheeling, West Virginia, at a Repub-
lican rally when Honorable NJ. M. Gar
land Of Pittsburg, former president Of
the Amalgamated Association, declared
he was present when william Jennings
Bryan stigmatized union labor leaders
as "beggars" and labor unions as "nuis-
ances" In 1893, when the Ways and
Means Committee of the National
House Of Representatives was consid-
ering the original Wilson tariff bill.
William II. Farley, Of Alabama, for
the last ten years a member Of the ex-
ecutive board Of the United Mine Work
ers, has come out with the statement
that it was the duty Of laboring men
to vote for Taft and Sherman. His
stand Is practical reputation Of the
of Samuel Gompers, and ad-
ditional evidence that the attempt of
Gompers to deliver" the labor vote to
Bryan Is dismal failure.
Among the well-known trade union
lists Of Pennsylvania Is George w.
Boyd of the Structural Ironworkers'
Union. He is fearless in the dec!ara-
ton of his opinion and is always guild
ed by what he absolutely believes to be
the truth. He is q believer in w. III.
Taft as a friend Of labor.
Chicngonn Defies Gompcrx
In the Piano, Organ and Musical In
strument Workers Official Journal
Charles Dold, the editor, who was for
nerly president of-the Chicago Fedora
lion of Labor, bitterly assails Samuel
Iompers for his effort to deliver the
union labor vote in this campaign. He
In particular circular issued
by the executive council OF the Ameri-
AN Federation of Labor, asking the
wage-earners to contribute to the DEM
,cratic campaign fund. Two quotations
rom the editorial are sufficient to show
what Is thought Of Gompers' effort:
1--WE have searched diligently for
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