The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-07-31
LABOR LEADERS IN
DETROIT DECLARE
FOR BRYAN
DENVER PLATFORM MEETS
THEIR IDEAS TO A at" AND FOR
NAL ENDORSEMENT BY LOCAL
FEDERATION IS PROBABLE.

That contest is impending In the
Detroit Federation OF Labor over the
matter OF taking stand In regard TO
the anti-injunction planks In the ma.
tional political platforms seems GER
tain. Evidence would tend to show
that an Endorsement OF the Denver
platform on which Bryan Is running
Is likely to be carried In big meet
ing.
Sentiment is turning toward In
dorsement OF this policy as showing
the disposition to recognize the rights
OF workingmen. At the same time
| there Is opposition from two large ele-
ments In the Federation. Many Re-
publicans do not feel like breaking
away from party lines. The Social
lists favor the anti-injunction Issue as
framed In Denver, out feel that an In
dorsement OF Bryan and the Denver
platform would cut down the Socialist
party vote.
The Denver platform has won sup
porters even among the men who have
leaned toward the Republican party
In national and local AFFAIRS hereto
fore. One OF these Is President Chas.
Gelhaar.
Il think that the Denver platform
Is the stronger declaration on that
ISSUE" says Gelhaar The matter Of
injunctions is one In which the labor
ing men are vitality interested, and
the Denver platform cannot but ap-
peal very strongly to them"
Il like the Denver platform the
better" declares Alpheus A. Poole, OF
the engineers. II shall have more
than that to say later when the time
comes"
Il have generally voted for Repub-
lican candidates for president" said
A. L. Odds, OF the Carpenters, but
this year l shall vote for Bryan just
as l did for Roosevelt four years ago.
Roosevelt took the Bryan policies and
Bryan is the man to continue them"
John ]. Scannell. Of the Boot and
Shoe Workers, 10 indignant at the
methods used In an attempt TO dis
credit Samuel Gompers. president OF
the American Federation Of Labor.
who helped frame and now indorses
the Denver anti-intunction plank.
Il do not relish the attacks on Pres
ident Gompers' policy made by ex-
trade union labor leaders, who are
now enjoying appointive plums given
by the Republican administration" he
says.
Other opinions expressed by prom
inent men in the labor movement are
these:
John Hancock. Horseshoers: "rhe
only salvation OF the trade unions IL
to stand absolutely solid behind Com
pers and vote for their own issues
which he was able TO embody In tho
Denver platform"
Alfred j. Exton. secretary Detroit
Federation: The so-called Gompers
policy is really that of the rank and
file, and he simply carried out the In
structions Of the executive committee
and members Of the American Fedora
ton Of Labor"
G. w. Dickson, Printers and ex-presi-
dent OF the Federation: This is really
the beginning OF gigantic working
mems movement similar to that N
England. The Denver platform car
ries the issues and requests Of the
workingmen."
F. ]. Gregory, Typographical. who
was formerly active In political mat
tiers in San Francisco: 1T Is only logi-
cal to support the Denver platform. II
Bryan is elected and does not carry
out the declarations of that platform,
the impetus has still been given for
an Independent labor movement. IL
he is elected. however. the heavy labor
vote that will be necessary to that end.
will have such an influence az to per-
suade even hostile congress to ac-
cede to the demands of the people"