The Washington herald., 1908-07-25
John u. Brinkman's Address
Before District Club.
STRONG DEFENSE FOR LABOR
Says He Appeals to Those who
Have Suffered at Hands of Federal
Judiciary, of Which Mr.. Taft, He
Asserts, Is the Chief Exponent-Ex-
poses Trick OF C. o. p. Labor Plank.

I t-le DlStElct Bryan CiUb at the Raleigh
Hotel Thursday night, by John N. Brink
man. secretary and treasurer OF the Car
riage and Wagon Workers International
Union
Many prominent Washingtonians have
requested The Washington Herald to print
the speech. which it does in part. as fol-
lows:
= appreciate the fact that I am ad-
dressing a meeting OF Democrats. with
few labor men OF representatives present.
and what I have 20 say would possibly
not appeal to you as it would to those
who. in company with myself. have suf-
fered so much al the hands Of the Fed
eral judiciary. OF which Mr.. TAFT is chief
( exponent
Without Fear or Favor.
This assembIage Is made up OF business
4 and professional men. who possibly. at
I one time or another. have felt the pinch
I OF organized labor. when the organized
Z workers were endeavOring. without fear
/ or favor. 10 put in operation the common
/ principle which in the last analysis.
touches every man alike. be he the rep
resentative Of a corporation OF an in
dividual business man.
Labor ca0nct stand for the open shop.
{ the usurpation OF the power Of Federal
judges IN issuing injunctions IN labor
causes. OF the attempt on the part Of the
Federal judiciary 20 place them in the
same category with trusts operating in
restraint OF trade The frst would ab-
solutely destroy discipline. the second
would rob them OF the right OF trial bv
jury when charged with violation Of law.
while the third would subject them 10
suits at law. taking from the treasures
OF the various organizations the money
intended for the alienation OF distress IN
times OF idleaess and sickness. and prop
er burial IN case Of death.
We deny that there is any such
thing az property right in a human
soul II We have been guilty OF q viola
ton Of the statutes. we affirm there Is
redress at common law II was with a
view OF securing remedial legislation at
the hands ot the Federal CONGRESS that
We appealed 20 the Republican Congress
tine and time again. almost on bended
knee. and Notwithstanding the fact that
the President OF the United States with
al his power and popularity. was unable
70 move the legislative branch Of our
government. dominated by one Cannon.
. OF Illinois, owned. as believe. heart and
soul. BY the money power Of the republic.
70 permit one bill 20 emerge from q com
mittee room 10 be voted upon by the
representatives OF the American people.
we appealed 70 their masters. the repre-
sentatives Of the Republican party. as
senbled II Chicago. 10 place In their plat
form. z returned 10 power a promise
that they would pass the legislation so
much desired by the great mass Of the
working people OF our country. but with
out avail
we requested Of them an anfi-i1-
Junction plank; they gave Us a PROM
Junction plank We appealed 10 them
through our representatives for considera-
ton for the great masses OF our .people.
they gave Us no consideration. but flip
PANTY Informed Us We should appeal AZ
Denver We did go 10 Denver. with the
same sUPPications and requests. and
what We desired was incorporated IN the /
platform, and the Democratic party
pledged 70 give Us relief through Iegis- /
lation in event Of their success at the
polls in November.
stumped for Bryan.
In 1885 I s-umped FIVE states for VIII
IAN J Bryan for The Presidency. and
supported him as best 7 could for the
same Office IN 1900 I supported him. not I
because he was Democrat. for he could (
have exacted OF ne any service Of which /
was capable OF rendering running upon I
any other ticket. but I supported him as I
a true and ideal American. putting the Z
man above the dollar and honesty above I
political intrigue, standing for all the /
people no matter what might be their
condition or position in life.
IN the last Presidential campaign I 1
refused 10 support the Democratic nomi- (
nee for the highest Office in the gift OF /
the American people. because I knew
perfectly well he was foisted upon the
Democratic party BY the moneyed in
teTests OF New York. who are neither
loyal 20 party nor to men. when they be
heve their interests are in jeopardy In
that campaign I supported Theodore
Roosevelt. because I had faith in his
honesty and integrity. and Lave no
apologies 70 make either 10 you or to my
fellow-workeTs throughout the country.
The labor organizations did not desire
Mr- Taft's nomination BY any political
party. and did everything in their power
70 persuade the Republican party that
II would make a mistake If even II per
mitted President Roosevelt 10 dictate his
You have observed in the public prints
recently statements alleged to have been
made by labor leaders in effect that Mr
Gompers was exceeding his authority in
dlF4S4Llg lfle ITale EniOnlstS OF TIE COul- Z
try TO support Mr. Bryan IN the coming
contest II you VIII investigate these
you wifi ascertain that those
for them are holding political
positions under the Federal government.
while many Of the members Of their
unions are similarly situated.
Mr. GOmPers' Authority.
Mr. Gonpers has not exceeded his
Mr. Gompers is not leading
labor into politics. but labor is leading
the conservative. the brave. and far
sighted president Of the American Fed
GRAFTON Of Labor into politics for the pur-
pose Of securing redress for the wrongs
that have been inflicted
7 believe I am competent Of Kauging I,
the feeling extant in the American labor
and without apology can state Il
that in my humble Judgment the advice 4
0f this man. whose integrity cannot be 4
lssailed through whose leadership the \
American Federation Of Labor has grown I
from puny organization to one of the II
greatest movements Of working people I
The world has ever seen. will send the II
Republican party down to ignominy and n
defeat and place the Peerless Bryan in
The White House on March next
I must admit I cannot figure how it
Is possible for Mr. Taft the Injunction
Judge. to secure a victory at the polls in
the coming election As the representative II
Of predatory wealth. backed by the syn
5icates and trusts Of the country. who II
have accumulated millions at the ex-