The San Francisco call., 1908-07-14
BRYAN TO HAVE
GOMPERS' SUPPORT
Labor Leader Says Democrats
Acknowledged Demands of
WOrkingmen
John w. Kern, Nominated for
Second Office, Calls Upon
Presidential Candidate

FAIRVIEW, LINCOLN, Neb., July 49,
Samuel Gompers, president of the Amer
can federation of labor and inferen-
TALLY head of 100000 voters of or
ganized labor affiliated with the fedora
tion, will support William J. Bryan in
the coming presidential campaign. In
political circles here today this an
nouncement overshadowed all others,
even the arrival of John w. Kern, the
vice presidential nominee.
Mr.. Gompers' support was promised
to the ticket, but he specifically denied
any present intention of the taking the
stump in the coming campaign. Re
ports gained circulation that the labor
leader would speak from the platform,
but he made no such announcement. AT
present it is believed there will be no
need for Gompers< services in an ora
torical sense. The republican conven-
tion, he asserts, ignored the demands
of labor, the democrats acknowledged
them in their platform. His course is
clear; he will do what is demanded of
him in the interests of labor best ex-
pressed in the platform adopted at Den
Yer. AS the situation is at present
Gompers' efforts can be better eX-
pended elsewhere than in the speaker S
stand.
In his interview with Bryan Gompers
was attended by Frank Morrison, secre-
tary of the federation, and James Dun
can, also a labor leader
The representatives of organized Ia
Dor and Vice Presidential Nominee Hern
and party rode to Bryan station" by
the same trolley car. Bryan in his
neglected fedora hat and alpaca coat
was there to greet them.
All, how is the vice presidents" in
quired the leader of the ticket smil-
ing and extending his hand.
What Kern said in reply was lost in
the confusion, but his smile was assur-
ing as he shook hands vigorously with
the standard bearer of his party.
The presidential and vice presidential
nominees. arm in arm, led the way to
the Bryan home, followed by Abraham
Simmons, delegate at large to the con-
vention; John E. Osborne member of
the state central committee of Indiana,
and United States Senator Jackson,
chairman of that committee Jackson.
after talking with Bryan, declared that
Indiana would go for Bryan by 10000
votes. He based this prediction on a
canvass which he said he had been MAX
ing ince the middle of-5anuary. He
anticipated the enrolment of many
Roosevelt republicans on the Bryan
list. rryan told his visitors that it had
been reported he would make a front
porch campaign; he was no means Ger
tain of this, but admitted that he had
promised TO make speech in Chicago
on Labor day. Aside from this single
date the candidate for the presidency
had made no plans.
Interest today naturally centered in
the visit here tomorrow of members of
the new national committee. DR.. Hall,
national committeeman from Nebraska,
yesterday stated that the chairman
ship of the committee lay among
James of Kentucky, Campau of Mich
igan, Lamb of Indiana and Atwood of
Kansas Today speculation on the sub
ject had narrowed to Campau and
James, to the latter largely because
Mr.. Bryan has expressed such admira-
tion of his political and intellectual
qualities, and Campau because of his
admitted business ability. David r.
Francis is out of il by his own plea
that, though stories of his connection
with Standard oil were untrue, the
lfbels were sufficient to prevent his
running for any office. Tom L. John
son has been eliminated, it is said, by
his fat refusal TO occupy any office
where he might be asked for legisla-
tive favors in exchange for campaign
contributions. Mr.. Johnson has admit
ted Wall street connections, but none
with whom he would care to mix po-
litically.
Current gossip has narrowed the
contest to Campau of Michigan and
Lamb of Indiana Neither has ex-
pressed himself as desiring the posi-
tion, but neither has denied ambition
in that direction. Mr.. Bryan does not
desire to name the chairman himself
but the absence of initiative on the
part of his supporters possibly will
compel him in the end to name the
No
mired by Mr.. Bryan than Ollie James
of Kentucky. yet Mr.. James in all
probability will not be named as chair
man of the committee.