The National tribune., 1908-09-24
A SCAREIN WASHINGTON.
Continued from page one.)

second in interest only to the two
Presidential candidates And while
there is talk. apparently of some found
alton, how he cannot carry New York.
he is big and strong figure in the
West Men are saying that if he were
now the Republican nominee for Pres
ident there would be no doubt about
Republicans carrying the West, and
therefore no doubt about the outcome
OF the National campaign. For while
the pro-Roosevelt West was supposed
to accept most readily the Presidents
favorite for the nomins ion, it has
turned out that he (Taft) does not hold
his popularity well in that country. The
Westerners are doubtful about his pro-
gressive views. They fear he is more
kindly disposed to the effete and con-
servative East.
Organized Labor.
The fate of the Presidential cam
paign may rest with the organized la
Dor vote. II is known that the Re-
publican managers now take that view.
One of them, who Is on the inside of
the conduct OF the campaign, has said
SO this week. Were they as certain of
the bDlk of the labor vote this year
which was cast for their candidates in
the three previous Presidential cleo
tons the Republicans would be almost
willing to close their headquarters
They would await Nov. with COM
posure.
All the reports indicate that Presi-
dent GCmpers. of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor, has been working
most effectively. Hope has not been
abandoned, but the Republicans greatly
fear that Bryan will be large benefi-
ciary from the voting strength that Mr.
Gompers and the members of his Ex-
eeutiYe Council can throw to him.
This phase of the campaign has be-
come so serious from the Republican
standpoint that Mr. Taft has personally
assumed charge of it. The men who
are most active in plans to pacify the
labor opposition are reporting directly
to him. and are receiving their direc-
tions as to further operations frem
him. Some of these men are optimistic
as to what ran be done. They have tried
to divide the Executive Council on the
question of Bryan support, and have
worked zealously to win Vice President
John Mitchell. Thus far, they have not
succeeded. They have found Mr.. Com
pers circumventing them at every turn,
and proving that he was quite "a poll
tician in anticipating what his political
opponents would undertake to do.
There is much complaint among in
fiuential Republicans because the trou-
Bile with organized labor was not taken
up earlier and more earnestly. 1.-The
underground work" as it is known in
politics. was neglected. A few indi-
yiduals took it up to degree, largely
on their own responsibility. They
bought advertising space in labor jour-
mails and in convention programs, and
otherwise Modified local labor leaders.
The heading off of Bryan resolutions
in the Typographical Convention at
Boston a few weeks ago was brought
about by an individualistic effort of
that character. Washington official
turned the trick
I'VE ought to have had two or three
labor men of influence in every big city
and town engaged weeks ago." said
the campaign, preaching Taft in sea-
son and out of season. They should
have been supplied with material for
combating the opposition arguments,
and should have been active III putting
this information out where 1t would do
the most good"
A belated effort is now under way to
make up for past deficiencies as to the
labor situation. 1t has not proceeded
sufficiently to warrant any predictions
as to the results The trend OF organ
lied labor is said to be so strong toward
Bryan that the usual Republican vote
of that body of citizens is honeycembed
with defec1onS- In many cities the
Republican managers have found that
street car conductors. policemen and
toilers in like occupations are also
slipping over to the opposition. 81
guess it's Bryan's turn this year." or
something like that, is a sentence often
heard.
All this does not dishearten Mr..
Taft's lieutenants or make them de-
spair of winning the election. But it
is giving them serious concern. They
do not know how sweeping the trend
may be. From now till election day
they will do their utmost to check it,
lest the detection might be enough to
elect Bryan. Several measures have
been proposed as part of the program
to that end. 1t has been proposed to
put some good labor stumpers on Mr..
Gompers's trail, but as far as learned
that has not been determined upon.
Labor papers will be utilized fiberally
thru advertisements, presenting the
nominees labor record in a friendly
way, and in presenting other eonsid-
erations that should appeal to working
men.
New York to the Fore.
New York State will be given special
attention. 1t has an unusually large