Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-10-31

posed to Samuel GOmperS IN his eILOrtS
to deliver the labor vote to Bryan, and
there is every indication that Taft will
get the votes of most laboring men. at
least three of the most influential vice
presidents of the American Federation
of Labor evidently disagree with Com
pers.
One of the men who called on Presi-
dent Roosevelt recently gave assurance
that John Mitchell is not for Bryan, as
intimated in a telegram alleged to be
from him published in the last two
days. He declared on authority, said
10 be that of Mr.. Mitchell himself, that
the noted labor leader did not write
any telegram putting himself in the
Bryan column. The telegram is said
to be a fabrication.
James Duncan, first vice-president of
the American Federation of Labor, next
in authority to Gompers and man OF
great influence in the organization, has
written a letter to Willis Moore, chief
of the weather bureau, pointedly an
tagonizing the attitude of Mr.. Gompers
and asserting that each individual
should be allowed to vote without pres
sure from any one
Daniel Keefe, sixth vice-president of
the federation and president of the
Longshoremen's union, is out for Taft
and working hard for him. Keefe adj
vises labor people to vote for Taft. Thus
three of the six vice-presidents under
Mr.. Gompers are either supporting
Taft or are opposing any plan that Will
place the organization as a body against
the Republican nominee. Mr.. Keefe
said recently:
Bryan has not been Endorsed for
president by the executive council of
the American Federation of Labor.
Neither has any one the right to cr1tl-
else, a union man for voting for any
other candidate for president. In fact
will vote for Taft"
Taft's True Attitude Understood.
The Labor World of PittSburg says:
Every day it is becoming more and
more apparent that the more the labor
record of Judge Taft is discussed the
more does the fact shine forth that he
is a real friend of labor. The truth
has always been recognized by the in
telligent and fair-minded trade union
leaders and officials, many of whom
have the courage to stand boldly out
and declare themselves to this effect
despite the fact that undue pressure is
being exercised to subdue such declara-
ton"
The United Mine Workers of Amer
lea the strongest organization numer-
ically in the country, will not be bound
by the political program Of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor, to support
BRYAN and the Democratic platform.
In an official circular issued by L. j..
Lewis, international president of the
union, to the 100000 members, he says
the membership has intelligence enough
to know how to vote without any adj
vice from him and he will do nothing
to influence their political preferences
in any way.
"PubIiC Beggar'' story Confirmed.
A campaign sensation was sprung at
Wheeling, West Virginia, at Repub-
lican rally when Honorable M. NJ. Gar
land of Pittsburg, former president of
the Amalgamated Association, declared
he was present when William Jennings
Bryan stigmatized union labor leaders
|, as "beggars'' and labor unions as "nuis-
ances'' in 1893, when the Ways and
Means Committee of the National
House of Representatives was consid-
ering the original Wilson tariff bill.
William r. Farley, of Alabama, for
the last ten years member of the ex-
} ecutive board Of the United Mine Work
ers, has come out with the statement
, that it was the duty of laboring men
: to vote for Taft and Sherman. His
stand is a practical reputation Of the
leadership of Samuel Gompers, and adj
ditional evidence that the attempt of
; Gompers to "deliver" the labor vote to
} Bryan is a dismal failure.
: Among the well-known trade union
lists Of Pennsylvania is George w.
) Boyd of the Structural Ironworkers'
Union. He is fearless in the declara
ton of his opinion and is always guild
ed by what he absolutely believes to be
the truth. He is believer in w. III.
Taft as a friend Of labor.
Prominent Chicagcan Defies GOmpePs
In the Piano, Organ and Musical In
| strument Workers Official Journal
. Charles Dold, the editor, who was for
merly president of the Chicago Fedora
. ton of Labor, bitterly assails Samuel
Gompers for his effort to deliver the
union labor vote in this campaign. He
criticizes in particular circular issued
by the executive council Of the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor, asking the
wage-earners to contribute to the Dem
ccratic campaign fund. Two quotations