The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-31
Labor Leader Resents Vicious Attacks Upon His PoIiti-
 cal Opinions
WILL NOT DELIVER VOTE ID ANY PARTY
oompers Says He Does Not Expect the Labor World To Accept Ills ConcIu- sons In Toto, But Stands
 By Ills Utteranees.

1 Washington, July 30.-(Special.) .)--Samuel Gompers, president of the American Fed eration of Labor, is hot around the collar I today on account of the vicious attacks that have been made upon him because of his editorial published lately in the Federationist. in which he advised labor ing men not to support Judge Taft, for the reason that he is not friend of the working man. In spite of these attacks. Gompers is receiving hundreds of letters from leading union men all over the country in which his course Is approved. He felt called upon today to issue a very lively statement, which will give his foes still another opportunity to say harsh things of him
 Statement of Gompers. "The report that l have ever said that l would, or would not, deliver the labor vote to any political party Is an infamous lie,' said Samuel Gompers today Or ganized labor is not only honest, but in- telligent enough to choose the party for its support which will best represent it's interests.
 Tt Is possible that by lies and mis-
 
 labor may injure me personally. and even be successful in accomplishing my re- moval as president of the American Fed eration of Labor said Mr. Gompers. but they win never change my course in battling for the principles for which | stand
 Tt is not question of politics with me. I have no politics or, if I have. they are the politics of the people. T fully expected when I took the stand which I have" said Mir. Gompers, that some would disagree with me. I don't expect the labor world to accept my conclusions in every instance. I ex- pected to be criticised, too, in some quar- ters but l did not think that the crIti- cism would be so unjust as to be con temptible. I stand for the right of indi5 vidual opinion.
 Secret Trust.
 'T regard my position as president of the American Federation of Labor as the most exalted and honorable in this world to which l could ever wish to aspire It is sacred trust with which my fellows have honored me because of my convic- tions, and the principles which I advo- cate. They may take that honor away from me if they like, and I will bow to their will; but it will not prevent me from fighting for the cause which is my life's work just as I have in the past. and as l propose to do in the future
 'I want no political office or honor. l have nothing for sale and don't pro pose to begin at this late day by sell ing my honor.
 My editorial in the American Feder- ationist plainly and forcefully sets forth my position. He who runs may read and understand. Those who have taken issue with the position therein set forth. not. understand me, with tho position l am alleged to have assumed are political renegades and discredited outcasts of labor do not mean that those who differ with my opinion are such but those who have denounced me and claim that I have not set forth the facts as they are"
 Frank H. Hitchcock republican ma tional chairman, when asked a to the truth of the report that a personal campaign was to be waged against MT Gompers. replied
 Nothing of the kind has been ar- ranged"
 Fight In Ohio.
 
 Republican politicians from Ohio now in Washington admit in their private conversation that the situation in that state Is so alarming for their party that the managers will have to do their ut- most this year to prevent Bryan from capturing the Buckeye Kingdom" Never before at the beginning of a con- test has it been necessary, they say, for the republican national committee to pay much, if any, attention to Ohio. Certainly 1t was not necessary when a native Buckeye was the republican can ddate for the presidency This state of affairs Is due in a measure to the nasty fight the administration forces are making to eliminate Senator Fora ker. Democrats report that they are more than hopeful of carrying Ohio. They expect to defeat the republican out there. A special from a staff cor respondent of the Washington Star. now in Indiana also tells of the great troubles which are besetting the repub- licans in Hoosierdom. the liquor ques- tion threatens to cause the defeat of a