The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-17
Union Vote May Not Fol
low Him to
Bryan.
PRINTERS FAVOR
TAFTS ELECTION
Hearsts Cutting Reply TO Fedora
ton Chief Scores Record of
Democratic Party.

In political ana labor circles there
IS much interest evinced in the return
10 washington of President Samuel
Gompers. of the American Federation
of Labor. who is confronted with tho
caustic refusal of William Randolph
, Hearst to adopt GOmpers' suggestion
and support Bryan, and also an alleged
threatened detection from the GOmpers-
Mitchell campaign plans by labor lend
ers in some parts of the country.
Mr.. Gompers may reach the city this
afternoon or tonight, although his Of
flee has not been advised. Secretary
Morrison has wired that he viii arrive
tomorrow morning.
The matter resolves itself into a
question whether the bulk Of union
voters will acquiesce in the arrange
ments made ry MT GompeTs. Mr..
Mitchell, Secretary Morrison, and other
leaders at Denver 20 support unquali-
hedly the Democrat ticket. II the Ia
Dor vote can be swung by the platform
makers It means some two million
votes for the Democrats.
Labor Leaders Divided.
In certain sections, however, local
labor leaders Of more or less impor
lance have declared that by no means
would labor as "A unit support Bryan.
Others have been just as insistent that
the ticket was acceptable 10 union Ia
Dor and that the detection would be
insignificant
Even in Washington Mr.. Gompers'
plans have been opposed by a leader Of
considerable influence in the person of
James L. Feeney. president of the Book
binders Union Mr.. Feeney'S allegiance
10 Mr.. Taft, however, is explained as
rather a personal one. the union printers
ard Mr. Feeney particularly feeling in
debted to the former Secretary of War
for his influence in landing the position
OF Public Printer for John 5. Leech,
a union man and a friend Of labor
Others acquainted with the feeling Of
labor IN general in this city, say that
as whole the unions VIII support Mr..
Bryan. IN accordance with the prear-
ranged plan Of the leaders who obtained
at Denver an Injunction plank. which
they were unable TO obtain for labor
at Chicago
Bryan Assured of Support.
Mr.. GOmpers and his associates. it is
believed. have no fear that labor will
not vote the Democratic ticket IN No
vember and assurances have been given
Mr. Bryan to this effect. Nevertheless,
Mr.. GOmpers' appeal 10 the union
voters is being awaited with extreme
interest.
Considerable interest also centers in
the probable action of Mr.. Gompers
aneut the reply of Mr.. Hearst who was
advised by the FederatiOn'S president
that in view Of the Democratic stand
for labor il would be IAN act of great
est patriotism for the Independence
party TO indorse the Democratic plat
form"
Mr. Hearst has cabIed. with request
that his reply be transmitted 10 Mr..
Gompers, that he considers il a greater
aCt.Of patriotism 10 endeavor to estab-
fish a party that Will be consistently
devoted 10 the interest Of the producing
masses.
Hearst's Cutting Reply.
Says Mr. Hearst, in his positive and
cutting refusal to look at the matter
from the Gompers' viewpoint:
Il do not think the path Of patriotism
lies in supporting a discredIted and
deCadenr Old party which has neither
conscientious conviction nor honest in
tention Of indorsing chameleon candi-
dates who change the color Of their Do
htical opinion with every varying hue
OF opportunism.
Il do not think the best benefit OF
labOring men lies in supporting that old
party because of a sop of false promise
when the performance Of that party
while in power did more TO injure labor
than all the injunctions ever issued
before or since.
Il have lost faith in the empty pro-
fessions of an unregenerate Democracy
1 have lost confidence In the ability
in the sincerity and even in the integrity
of It's leaders.
Il do not consider II patriotism TO pre-.
tend to support that which. as n either
7 detest and L earnestly hope that the
Independence party will give me az
opportunity to vote for candidates thai
are honest and for a declaration o,
principles that is both sound and
sincere.
WILLIAM RANDOLPH HEARST