The Washington herald., 1908-07-30

Il deliberate attempt IS being made
by the opposition press 10 make il ap-
pear that AIr- Gompers has promised 10
deliver the labor vote 10 the Democratic
party"
This statement VIII be made by Samuel
GOmpers, head OF the American Fedora
tion Of Labor. in a signed editorial in the
August issue Of the official organ OF the
American Federation OF labor.
According 10 M Gompers. this VIII be
the first authoritative statement on his
alleged promises 70 Bryan 10 deliver the
labor vote 10 the Peerless Leader" 0Ir
Gompers says he never promised 10 turn
the vote Of the labor people over 10
any one
His exact statement, as IT VIII appear
IN the editorial. is:
I never have promised 70 deliver the
labor vote TO the Democratic ticket"
Stories in the Press.
Stories published in the press through
out the country. alleged Mr.. Gompers
said he would deliver the labor vote 10
The Democratic party L that body would
make certain concessions 10 organized
labor
The editorial is a lengthy one. but
the extract quoted is sufficiently nlumina-
tive Of its pUrport- Mr. Gompers. as re-
ported, hrst made the statement attrib-
uted 10 hinl-and which he now repud-
iates-immediately after the Democratic
national convention at Denver.
In labor circles there are two factions.
one Of which is opposed 10 AIr- Gomps-s.
while the other supports his every act
The opposition has pointed out thar 8fr.
Gompers had abundant opportunity 70
deny the charge that he agreed 70 de-
liver The labor vote. and did not take ad-
vantage Of IL II is further urged that
his denial in trade union paper viii
rot reach the many thousands who Ger
tainly would see il if Il were. given gen
eral circulation in the pag,ers v-hich
originally printed the GOmpe-s interview.
and which never have seen IT 10 amend
their original quotation OF the, labor
leader.
say He Is Doing Right.
Mr. Gompers' friends, however. declare
that he is doing right il giving his first
Official exposition OF his position 10 his
official publication. and insist that II VIII
be given sufficient publicity. They say.
also that he was not Influenced by the
storm Of protest which went Up from
labor leaders all over the country against
his alleged promise 10 deliver. and that
he IS acrUated only by his desire 70 set
himself right before his friends Herman
Robinson. secretary and general repre-
sentative OF the New York c. F L. said:
1t is a shame 10 use Gompers' name in
this manner He never has communi-
Gated on political matters TO the c. F L,
nor has he ever discussed politics On the
floor I an sure he did not promise 70
deliver the labor vote think he has
been grossly misused-"
IN reference 70 2 story which found
wide publicity, 70 the effect that repre-
senIatives OF tbirty-one Of the go unions
which make up the c z [. net secretly
and agreed 10 revolt from the central
body II Nj G0mpers insisted upon his
efforts 70 deliver the labor vote" AIr.
Robinson said
That story is absolute rot There isn't
a word OF truth in il Il would be in
possible for such a meeting 70 be kept
a secret from Us We know no such
meeting was held or such action agreed
upon Before the representatives Of the
thirty-one unions which are said 70 be
planning revolt could enter such a meet
Ing they must obtain the consent Of
their unions That was not given by
any union IN New York"
Mr. Robinson was inclined 70 believe
that II any such meeting were held It
was attended by only q few diseruntled
individuals IN their private capacity as
kickers-
They might pass all the resolutions
they wish, but they couldn't bind a single
union" said he.
Following close on the announcement
OF the reputation Of the delivery OF the
labor vote. AIr. Gompers issues another
statement IN which he makes reference
70 the abuse Of the writ Of injunction
He goes into some detail on the question.
and refers 10 Mr Taft-s acceptauce
speech 70 bear out some Of his state
ments. He said
Abuse of Injunction.
Mr.. Tafts reference 10 the abuse Of
the writ OF injunction justifes the abuse
Of that writ by the courts and against
which We protest. It 5ustifles the infunc-
tions that were issued in recent and moss
aggravated cases Without mentioning the
name. Mr. Taft justlhes the injunction
which the Van Cleave Buck Stove and
Range Company Of St Louis obtained
from Justice Gould Of the District Of
Columbia Supreme Court against the
American Federation OF Labor. lis on
GERS the members of all labor orEaDiza-
tons and their friends
Mr. Taft : consistent with Judge Taft
when he was upon the bench. and issued
his injuncCons which are now quoted BY
the courts for their justification in issuing
injunctions denying to the men Of labor
the rights accorded TO every other citizen
IN the country
Mr.. Gompers says he IS in receipt Of
letters from Industrial centers. il which
the information is conveyed that his
recent editorial in the organ OF the Fed
eraticnist IS receiving the enthusiastic
.---.----------- .,s IL, ----.--.-