The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-03-29
AFTER THE LABOR VOTE.
Political Leaders Already Preparing to
Make Strong Bids for II.

Washington Dispatch to the Chicago Post
Signs increase that the democrats are
depending upon labor to help them de-
feat any candidate for the presidency
whom the republicans gay nominate
Many men say that democratic depen-
dence is upon frail rod, but the party
in opposition believes that 1t has found
strength in it. 1t is the intention of the
democratic congressional and national
committees to try hard to win back the
worlxingmen from the republican lines,
in which they have stood consistently for
twelve years.
In the presidents message of twelve
days ago the democrats found an invita-
ton for the workingmen to stay where
they are, coupled with the tacit promise
that things would be made pleasanter
and safer for them in the future than
they have been. No doubt a part of the
presidents strong letter to the country
by way of congress was intended to
strengthen the standing of the adminis-
tration and incidentlly the standing of
the administrations candidate with the
laboring men of the United States.
There is little doubt in Washington that
between now and the convention day
most of the republican candidates whose
labor records are not past explaining will
have something to say in the hope that
they can win the workers affections. The
winning viii be of little service in a
convention hall. but 1t may be of service
at the polls, though many politicians be-
lieve the laborer votes as a democrat or a
in ma f.
ional elections, and that the work of
gaining labor sympathy is largely lost.
If Secretary Taft could take some para
graphs from President Roosevelt's mes
sage of January 81 and say, "TKese are
my sentiments" he probably wouldn't
need any stronger labor platform for
campaign use. When the secretary was
on the bench he handed down certain
decisions that have been spoken of as
offensive to labor" but whether they
were offensive to labor or not, the claim
has been made for them, seemingly with
entire justice, that they were in accord
ance with the law, and If they were
there is nothing for Mr.. Taft to explain.
1t is believed that befoSe his campaign
has progressed much further he will
make known definitely his views upon
certain matters bearing on labor-views
that won't hurt him with worlSingmen.
given the subject thought seem to hold
that Mr.. Knox and Mr.. Cortelyou have
better labor records-less assailable from
the standpoint of labor-than have any
of the other men named as presidential
possibilities Gov. Hughes never has had
any marked difficulties with the work
ingman, and the democr<s seem to have
forgotten about him. feeling, perhaps, as
some of the republicans have begun to
feel, that Hughes is eliminated as pres
idential factor. /.
Speaker Cannon apparently Is one or
those politicians who think that labor as
la.bor will not figure strongly in results
when the November votes are counted.
There seems to be reasons for the Speak
ers belief-a reason founo in his own
experience. He went to Maine In 1905 and
made speeches for Representative Little
field, whom the unions were trying to de-
feat Labor threatened Mr. Cannon in
ris own district, but nothing came of the
threat.
Attempts in plenty will be made before
congress adjourns to lead the country to
believe that the democrats are the only
true friends of labor in the land. In the
House there will not be much opportunity
under the five-minute rule of debate, but
there are House occasions, with the time
divided. when the democrats will have
chance to say anything they like upon
any subject under the sun.