The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1912-04-08
Presidents Bureau Claims Dele
cations From Seven Great
States of Union
Former Head of Bookbinders
Says Chief Executive Will
Be Reelected
By IRA E. BENNETT
Especial Dispatch to The Call

NJ n
persistently refused to make
any claims in regard to the pri-
maries in Illinois. because of un-
Willingness to make predictions that
are not certain to be fulfilled. today
made the definite claim that the con-
ventfons and primaries to be held this
week in Vermont. Kentucky, Michigan.
Maine. Missouri, Nebraska and Penn
sylvania all would send to the Chicago
convention delegations for President
Taft.
The failure of organized labor. the
country over, to rally to the Roosevelt
standard. has been a sore disappoint-
ment TO the colonel and his managers.
They counted upon, at least. dividing
the labor support. but the wage
earners are standing solidly back of
Taft
The famous open shop" order of
President Roosevelt in 1903. in con-
nectiOn with the operation of the gov
eminent printing ofice. seems to have
alfenated the working men from Roose-
welt
The open shop" case follows:
An emples,e of the government print
ing Office was arraigned by his union
and after fair and Impartial trial wass
dismissed by the union. The union,
men in the Office. for reasons known.
only to themselves, objected to work
ing with this man. There was a great
deal of dissension and General Palmen
then public printer. dismissed the man
because his continued presence led to
disorganization of the force, thus i'm
pairing its efficiency.
Roosevelt Interferes
The civil service commission coop
Grated with General Palmer and ham
died the case to the apparent satisfac-
tion of organized workmen.
The interference of President Roose-
velt came without any consultation
with the civil service commission or
General Palmer.
Roosevelt held that a man did not
have to possess union card to work
for the government, even if he worked
where the employees all were union
man. and he forthwith reinstated the
man who had been discharged.
Workers Rally for Taft
Another reason for opposition to
Roosevelt on the part of workingmen
is the alleged financing of his campaign
by George w. Perkins. Frank A Nun
sey and others equally obnoxious to
them because of their alleged intimate
relations with the steel corporation.
A letter written to friend by
James I. Feeny, who was president of
the Rookbinders' union when Roose-
welt issued his open shop" order in
1903, and who still is active in the
cause of labor. is illuminating. 1t says
in part:
Il have just returned from New
York. where I have been for several
days. While there I sounded many
workingmen as to their choice for the
republican presidential nomination.
attended a large meeting at the Labor
temple and discussed the question with
prominent members of several trades.
I found all of them hostile to Roose-
Welt. 1 am one of the countless friends
of President Taft. and not only want
to see him nominated, but also elected
by an increased majority.
Taft and Clark Favorites
The two names mentioned and IA
vored by those with whom / talked at
Labor temple were President Taft for
the republicans and Clark for the DEM
ocrats.
IN 1908 President Taft received a
very large labor vote. The republican
party lost that vote in 1910, and In or
der to Win IN 1912 we must win 1t back.
Il always have claimed that If the
democratic workingmen employed in
protective Industries were educated to
the fact that a vote for the democratic
ticket was vote against their family
and their craft. we would get their
support. without doubt. and the back
ing of that great army of men. or the
better part Of it, is sufficient for US to
win in every election.
president Taft stands high with the
laboring men, and his great speech at
Cooper Union in 1903 went afgreat way
toward his election: l feel that he
viii be renominated and reelected, and
1t would be well to inform the few DEL
egates in the convention who favor
Roosevelt's nomination that he can not
hope 70 gain the support Of the work
ingmen.s