New-York tribune., 1908-07-20
C.F.U. MEN ON GOMPERS.
RESENT BRYAN PLEDGE.
Delegates Say That He Can't Sscing
Labor Vote.

That the unions in the American Federation OF
Labor do not want to commit themselves TO the
Endorsement Of the Democratic party and Of Bryan
merely because Gompers has pledged his support
to the Democratic party made apparent yes
terday at the meeting OF the Central Federated
Union. when Delegate Foley, OF the Riggers Pro-
tective Union. declared he had got into trouble
with his organisation because he was accused OF
making q speech at last weeks meeting OF the
Central Federated Union. declaring for Bryan and
the Democratic party. He had discovered he saio
that the charge that hs had made this speech
had arisen from gossip but found 1t hard to con-
vince his union that It was only gossip.
It WAS severely reprimanded" he said. lat the
last meeting OF my union. though assured the
members that I had made no such speech MY
union is not political body, and won't stand TOT
being committed to Bryan any ono else want
to have letter sent to my union stating that
made any such speech"
1t was found on looking up the minutes that
Foley had not made the speech attributed to him.
and the secretary was instructed to write to his
union to that effect
1t was evident from talks with the delegates
after the meeting that the dissatisfaction
with the action Of Gompers in pledging his support
TO the Democratic party has not diminished. Ihey
look his action ofiicial pledge that the
unions in favor OF Bryan and his platform.
Victor Buhr. delegate of the International brothef-
hood of Painters. said:
THE Gompers Endorsement is an absolute farce
It will In no way affect the labor vote. do not
believe it possible for the labor movement to be
peddled from one political party over to another
The idea is absurd The Democratic party OF to-
day is no different from the Democratic party OF
1896, and at that time Gompers was against the
Democratic party
Henry Kleinman secretary Of the Hotel and Res
taurant Employees International Alliance. said that
Taft his candidate.
Il believe" he said. that Taft is the only can
didate who If elected would restore industrial con-
ditions throughout to what they were before the
business depression began. l Will try to get votes
for him to the best Of my humble ability. Gompers
had right to pledge support to Bryan. He went
to the Democratic party and gave 1t his indorse-
ment because he believed he was turned down by
the Republicans their national convention. He
cannot speak for the unions"
Il think It's a ID wrong for Gompers to pledge
support TO the Democratic party" said Bernard
Korn. delegate Of the Walters Union. He has
pledged the support of the unions to lost cause
I am sure that Bryan will be defeated; so what
would be the Of the unions voting for the Dem
ocratic party, even II their members were all Dem
ocrats"
Albert Abrahams. of the Pressmen's Union, said:
Il think it poor leadership on the part OF MI
Gompers indorse Bryan and the party for which
Mr.. Bryan stands. The Gompers idea differs very
much from that Of labor leaders in other countries
The leaders In other countries have real indie
pendent labor parties, through which more has
been accomplished than by the Endorsement OF any
Of the capitalistic parties
Bernard Fried delegate OF the United Delegations
of Cloakmakers. said:
no one gave Gompers the right to pledge the
labor vote to Bryan. He went little too far, and
he certainly had instructions from the rank and
file of the American Federation Of Labor to give
any pledge Of the kind. don't believe any OF the
unions were in favor of giving instructions to
Gompers to boost Bryan.
Delegate James Wallace, OF the Municipal Street
PAYERS Association. said:
THE Gompers Endorsement will not, In my be-
lief affect the labor vote in any way Labor In
voting will be guided by its own Judgment