The Washington times., 1908-10-26

In what IS believed TO be MS final ap-
peal TO labor in behalf Of Judge Taft,
President Roosevelt in a letter, made
public today, calls upon the workingmen
OF the country to elect the one man WHO
viii prove 10 be the creates friend
| they have ever had in the White House.
The letter was written in response ia
! one received by the President from p
II. Grace. OF Binghamton. n Z. a
member Of the Brotherhood Of Railroad
TrainrGcn. Mr.. Grace asked that Judge
| Taft's labor record be given in full.
THE Presidents reply is a lengthy one,
but In two paragraphs 1t sums up what
the President believes would happen
in the event OF the election Of Tart
or Bryan.
Mr.. Tafts election" writes the Pres
ident, should be advocated by all who
/ believe in making a far-reaching effort
| toward the betCerment OF our scheme Of
| social ana Industrial life. It should also
be advocated by all who wish an i'm
| mediate advance In these social and In
| dUstriaI conditions"
| The President predicts a reverse of
these conditions II Mr. Bryan is elect
/ cd. He says:
II Mr.. Bryan were elected, I have
| little doubt that the ensuing industrial
chaos, necessitating great reduction Of
wages and widespread unemployment,
would be beyond the reach Of such &C
| ton as that which averted the threaten
ed disaster last spring"
Dated October 70.
October 10. 1905.
| Ny Dear Mr.. Grace:
; thank you for your letter. I need
D. sTsH2Tr 90 val To-.
ter5st in the men VINO work on the
| railroads In this country, and l prize
I as one OF the hOnOTs or which ! am
most proud this fact that I am an
honorary member OF the Brotherhood
| of Locomotive Firemen.
| Throughout my whole term as Presi-
dent, now in its eighth year, I have de-
voted myself with especial interest 10
the questions affecting labor I earnest
ly advise all WOTkiEgmen, in their oUn
interest as WOrkingmen but above all
as American citizens concerned Ia the
| honor and the prosperity of this great
free republic 70 support Mr. Taft for
/ President. just as / advise all farmers,
business men. and men OF the profess
sions.
Taft Their Friend.
I do not believe the wage earners Of
this country have ever had a better
friend in the White House than Mr..
Taft viii prove to be. He las always
shown his faith by his deeds In the
matter OF the inJunctions lie issued he
was absolutely right, and the principles
he laid down IN those injunctlonJ have
since then been accepted by every
worthy leader OF labor, and they are
embodied IN the principles and prac-
liccs OF al the railroad brctherhoods at
the present day The abuses OF in
junction have been feaTlessly exposed
AMI attacked by Mr.. Taft. He TccOc-
mixes, as in my judgment all fair
minded men must recognize, that again
and again IN the past this process has
been used 10 the detriment OF wage
workers bV certain Judges- He IS doing
and Will continue to do everything that
can be done 20 do away with these
abuses. He viii not make vague prom
actually and in good faith Try 10 secure
action Let me give you an ex ample
OF what he has just done.
Based on Taft's Decision.
The right of peaceful pIcketing and
persuasion. so that employees may ~
peaceful means induce other employees
70 join them IS based largely upon Judge
Iafts decision and upon the decision
Ia the Wabash injunction c2se.
The great importance OF this opinion
is that 1t coTrects abuses that have
cTept into injunctions and labor dis
putes in the Federal as we'll as the
State courts This decision goes far
TO protect the rights Of workiugmen,
and it does so because it is explicitly
based upon the labor decisions OF Judge
Taft; and this decision was secured only
In consequence Of following the advice
given by Judge TaIt as To the proper
course OF procedure. 1 speak from nTsl-
hand knowledge, as I was personally
cOgnizaut Of all the facts. A more
striking instance could not be imagined
OF the jealous effort OF a public ser
want, which Judge Taft then was. TO I
secure justice for WOrlIingmen 10 whom
be thought injustice had been done. al
though the matter was not within his
immediate control at the s!ane. In this
enc instance Mr.. Taft rendered to labor
great and signal service: a practical /
service which shared the popularity
Of Mr.. Tafts other services, for MS