, 1908-09-03
GoMPERs' CLAIM RIDIcULED.

The Labor World, published at Pitts.
burg and having a wide circulation
among the union men affiliated with
the American federation of labor, com.
ments upon Mr.. Gompers' offer to de-
liver the labor vote to Bryan as-fol-
lows:
Political sentiment and prediction
among the wage workers are just
about az deeply rooted as are reiig-
ious convictions, and We all know
what sacrifices. most men will make
before they will act contrary to these
convictions. 1t Is. therefore, absolute.
ly necessary that this question Of
trades unionism be dealt with from q
practical point of view, and with due
consideration OF consequences that
will likely be entailed by the defeat
of Bryan and his party, which seems
to be a certainty.
Despite the remarkable action of
President Gompers, every trade un-
ionist In the country has a perfect
right to- vote for whom he chooses.
No trade union now dares to presume
to dictate to Its members for whom
they shall vote for president OF the
country. No matter how theoretically,
or how d~ictatorially, President Com
pers may work for Bryan and the free
trade party, the rank and file of labor
will please itself as to the manner in
...ht.l. 4. Mill xtztn md xpa will he for
Taft and protection of American In
dustries.
THE injunction question is not the
only N at issue, and II 1t were GER
tain that It is, the disposal Of 1t could
be better left to Mr.. Taft than to q
wavering, uncertain and chameleon
like politician like Mr.. Bryan. The
democratic injunction plank Is q piece
of the most beautiful sophistry that
has ever been handed to the masses.
and how Il has ever happened to so
strongly allure Samuel Gompers Is al.
most uncomfortable.
IF President Gompers desires to
support a party that promises most
to wage-workers, he ought to consis-
tently work for the socialist party and
Mr.. Debs. Socialists. whether they be
trades unionists or not. will not I'M
der any condition follow the advice OF
President Gompers, and we urge most
earnestly all wage workers who are
trades unionists to support that party
which has made the country what 1t is
industrially today--viz.. the republi-
"a party.
mot for a moment do we mean to
convey the idea that we object to
President Gompers declaring his pref
erence for Bryan instead Of for Taft.
To do 30 is his right, even though he
may not be able to vote for either.
but there Ia serious objection to Presi-
dent Gompers using trades union
funds for the propagation of his po-
litical preferences, which at best only
seem 10 be personal. We urge the
fact that these funds were more or
less contributed by persons who are
absolutely opposed to President Com
lpers' political policy. This is = most
vital feature, and is OF sufacient I'M
lportant to rend the American friends
iof labor in twain. How far 1t will go
in this direction remains to be seen.
I'm the meantime, we most emphat
.ically declare that the disposal OF the
injunction question may safely be left
ito Mr.. Taft, rather than to Mr.. Bryan
and the democrats. That Secretary
TAFT is a true friend of labor Is Ger
tain, and all the untrue, ungenerous,
vicious attacks that President Com
ipers or anyone else may make on him
cannot prevent him from continuing
ito be the friend Of the wage worker.
That President Gompers is wrong in
forcing this fight is certain, and all
intelligent wage workers will come to
this conclusion"