The Washington times., 1908-08-27
Democratic Chairman Con-
ferS With Labor Leader
on Campaign.
QUESTION OF FUNDS
ONE OF THE TOPICS
President of A. F. of L. Says Work
ingmen Will Be Brought Into
S, Fold for Bryan.

Norman Z. Mack. chairman Of the
Democratic national committee, spent
several hours in Washington last night.
most Of the time in conference with
President Samuel Gompers and Secre-
tary Frank Morrison. OF the American
Federation OF Labor.
s II was for the purpose OF meeting
these men and discussing plans for the
delivery of the labor vote to Bryan,
that Mr. Mack made his mysterious
visit 10 Washington. None of the pol
iticians in town knew he was coming
until they read it in the newspapers
nobody seems 10 have thought Of the
fact that Mr.. Gompers was decidedly
the biggest political proposition on the
midsummer map Of this region. II was
all very mysterious and unusual-until
Mr. Mack got TO town and frankly said
he had come 70 meet the federation
Officers.
Such a perfectly frank avowal caused
some sensation. The national chair
man could easily have dropped into
town and had his conference with Nj
Gompers without attracting any at
1ention whatever. had he preferred. But
he didn't prefer, and the inference is
that tha plans for cooperation between
the Democratic committee and the fed
eration officials are now so far per-
fected, and Mr.. GompeTs and his as
sociates are so sure of their support
by their people, that they are willing
10 come into the open and announce
their alliance with the management Of
the Democratic campaign.
Not So Chary Now.
Until this time, Gompers. Morrison,
Mitchell. and others of the federation
leaders have been chary of admitting
that they were squarely in league with
Democracy. They have turned careful
phrases about standing by those who
tndorse our program" and remember
ing our friends when we go 10 the
polls" but they didn't like to say these
phrases were TO be construed as mean
dnr fatty vote for Bryan Everybody
kr ew it.: but the responsible people
wouldn't say it.
Now, however, the whole thing is
brought out into the open Chairman
Mack spent three hours with the labor
leaders. They have a better Organiza-
tion than either Hitchcock or myself
has been able TO make" said Mr.. Mack.
with admiration in his tone. He had
been told by the labor men how many
votes they are able TO reach through
their great series of organizations. AOouE
100000 are counted as members Of the
American Federation; but since this
political propaganda IN the interest OF
labor has been going on, the rOllrOad
and other non -afhliated organizations
have received the appeals and all liter
GCUre sent out by the Federation.
In Touch With Voters.
It is, therefore, counted that the Com
.pers movement is in touch with about
100000 votes. and Mr.. Mack opened his
eyes very wide when he had the whole
system explained to him and learned
what will be done.
There is one aspect of the conference
20 which none OF those taking part
would refer. The Federation has been
making strong appeals 10 It's member
ship for funds 10 carry on the night
It is supposed that, on the showing
made by GOmpers and Morrison last
night the national committee Will uu-
dertake TO assist the labor people with
funds in case they need II. This, how
ever, is uncertain. Indeed, some usual
ly well informed persons strongly sus-
Pect the Federation is getting money
faster. in proportion TO its needs, than
the national committee.
I'VE spent about 5000 on our incur
sion into politics two years ago., said
Mr. Morrison yesterday and stirred
up considerable trouble. We hope, Of
course, to do a great deal more this
hight"
What Mack Says.
Following the conference last night,
M Mack said:
MY purpose in coming here was to
see Mr.. GOmpers and arrange with him
for a perfect cooperation between the
organization under him and the organ
3zation at my disposal The result OF
our talk viii be to throw not only the
labor vote to the Democrats. but 10
carry with it all the prestige of the Ia
Dor organization
NJ. Gompers expressed the same idea
1--WE discussed ways and means Of
bringing the labor vote Of the cOun-
try into the Democratic fold, and that
We will accomplish this. 1 have no
doubt / cannot give figures but feel
sure labor ..tll help their friends and
defeat their enemies.
VIII Take Stump.
Il will 60 on the stump rs often ss
possible ] shall not speak under the
auspices Of any club or political party,
but win speak through labor organiza-
Stons. I shall begin a speechmakiug
campaign on September in Texas.
The slogan of organized labor from
this. time on is: Defeat our enemies
and help our friends and i hope on
,election day to show how labor can
force political parties 10 recognize them
enough TO give them equal rights before
the law. We do not want enemies but
the Republican party wishes 10 make
enemies of US. All We want is a fair
show or a square deal-equal rights be-
fore the law and the privilege of organ
1Ziug. our friends, whether they be Re
publicans or whether they be Demo-
Gratis, Will be protected as far as labor
can do It. There are several Republican
representatives who will get labor's
support because they have been friend
ly 10 labor"
Mack Claims Indiana
time to add one word. Indiana. ne said,
will go Democratic by some 5000 votes
He said also that he likes the looks of
things in Maryland. west Virginia. and
other Eastern States. Mr.. Bryan, he
said. Is coming East 10 speak about the
middle of September, and Will speak
four times in Manhattan.
Mr. Mack left at midnight for New
York.