The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-07-18
BRYAN TALKS TO LABOR MEN Explains Denver Plat form to Them. THE ANTLIWUNcTION PLANK Central Labor Union of Lincoln
 Pledges Support. nr. Bryan Declares That He Has Not Discussed Brownsville Affsir
 ss an Issue of the cam-
 paign.
HE ANTEIWUNcTION PLANK

Following nts declafation ok yestSiVay to The Baltimore Sun that he had not discussed the Brownville affair or the question of the appointment of negroes to ofice, W. ] Bryan today announced that he did not wish to be misunder- stood.
 He said he did not mean to convey tho impression that he had never talked about the Brownsville case in any man. ner, but that he had not discussed 1t as an issue in the present campaign While he had not read the evidence bearing on that subject, he recalled an editorial written by him two years ago in which he made the frank assertion that, if the facts were as stated, Presi- dent Roosevelt was fully Justified in his course.
 Tonight MT. Bryan went into Lin- coin to attend a Masonic meeting and two hours afterwards received at his home large delegation from the local central labor union.
 Pledges Support.
 The Chairman of the labor delega- ton which visited him tonight. pre- sented Mir. Bryan with resolutions ex- pressing confidence in him and pledg- Ing support of his candidacy for Pres ident by the central labor union.
 While this feature was purely local. the resolutions afforded Mfr. Bryan an opportunity to make his first real po- lltical speech since his nomination. MT. Bryan said.
 T am very grateful to you. men of the central labor union, for this gen. erous expression of confidence and this pledge of your support. The resolu- tion Is the more pleasing to me because 1t comes from you, among whom have lived for now a little more than twen- ty years Among the testimonials that have been given by nelghbors and friends. there Is none that prize more highly than thIs voluntary proffer of your support. this expression of your coafdenes and of your good win.
 t is trua that our platform inaeEzez a number Of remedial measures, and am in hearty sympathy with the plat form Endorsements. There ia not 3 line In that platform declaration in favor of the laboring men that does not have my cordial approval.
 This is not the time or the place to elaborate on those blanks. There Is one plank that l was very. anxious to have in the platform: 1t was in the platform of eight years ago. athe plank that proposes a new cabinet position, a Department of Labor with . Secre- taryl at It's head.
 T have for many years believed that the great body of our population known as ywage-eaEners ought to besrepresent- ed in the councils of the chief execu- tive, have siong believed that you ought to have a representative of the toilers In shops and factories sitting at the President's table sharing in his de- Alterations and speaking forth there those questions In which labor has as an especial interest. And. I am very much gratified that that plank is there. and that the party has made the prom ise If entrusted with the power to give to labor that high honor to which 1t Is entitled.
 Apti-Trust Law.
 T think. too. that 1t Is very import ant that we should have an amendment to the antitrust law that will draw a distinction between those who assocI- ate themselves for mutual benefit and those who associate themselves toReth- CT in an industrial corporation for the purpose Of monopolizing some article of commerce.
 There is a distinction so broad bee tween these two classes of organiza- tons that 1t seems to me every one ought to be able to see 1t and that dis tinction ought to be drawn by law. I am glad that that Is In the platform.
 T am glad that there is a provision in there tn regard to a trial by jury in cases of indirect contempt. It is now something like thirteen years ago. I believe. since I first had occasion to discuss that subject It was after | went out of Congress and before was nominated for the Presidency the first time. A bill was before the Senate. and as recollect the history of 1t, it was about like this: It was reported back from the committee of the Senate and In which the form reported the judge could permit a jury. When I read that report l at once criticized 1t and said that the bill should not pro- vide merely that the judge might per- init jury. but a jury should be de- manded as a right by the accused. and my recollection Is that Senator AL len, of this State, introduced an amendment to that effect and 1t was adopted, and that went through the Senate by so unanimous a vote that no one called for the roll. It Is now more than twelve years since that time ana yet the influences which have been op- posed to this legislation have been 20 strong that up to this time. that meas ure of justice has been defeated.
 sT am glad that we were able to agree hpon an injunction plank that was satisfactory to the leaders of tho laboring men and the members of the Resolution Committee. was much gratified and think the form in which the party's position Is stated upon that subject ought to be satisfactory to all
 For Totling Masses.
 T believe 1t can be said that 10 great party has ever adopted a plat form that embodies so much as our platform does that is of vital interest to the great toiling masses of the coun- try and ! am glad that platform has been broad enough to embody remedial Iegislation needed by all elements of our population and the unanir1ity with which you gentlemen speak for those who are known as wage earners, those who belong to the labor organizations. This unanimity among you ought to be initiated by those who toll in other departments of industry for that plat form Is just as true to those who toll upon the farm as to those who toll in the factory; 1t is as true to those who toll in the exchange of products as to those who toll in the original product ion.
 "In a word, that platform. 1t seems to ma sneaks forth in the interest of