New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-23
WILCOX EXPECTS
VOTE OF LABOR
Gompers Can't Drive the
Workers to Wilson, Re-
publican Chairman Says

Samuel Gompers's appeal 20 organ
;,od labor IN the interest of President
wilson's candidacy failed TO arouse
anything further than mild show OF
interest on the part Of Hughes man
ayers Yesterday. Chairman William X.
Wilcox Of the Republican National
Committee smiled and announced that
he had seen previous efforts to de
liver" the labor vote. but that the labor
vote was still to be delivered.
81 can recall when Mr.. Gompers tried
TO deliver the labor vote in the inter
ests Of Bryan and his complete fall
ure," said Mr.. Wilcox. "The fact is,
the laboring man ordinarily thinks out
his political problems for himself and
the man who attempts TO deliver him
always fails.
"The latest attempt to turn organized
labor into votes for the President be-
cause Of some bargain already made
and carried out will make no difference
in the result of the present campaign"
do you refer to the eight-hour Law? ~
was asked.
Adamson Bill the Bargain
II know TO eight-hour law" respond
ed the Republican national chairman.
81 know OF the Adsmson law, a measure
intended 70 give an increase in salary
70 limited number Of railroad men.
That is the bargain | refer to-"
That the Adamson bill is as great a
puzzle 70 The railroad men themselves
rs 10 outsiders who have made a study
of the measure is indicated By a cir
cular letter sent out by Warren s.
stone, grand chief engineer Of the
Brotherhood Of Locomotive Engineers,
GATED October 10
1--WE are receiving a number Of let
ters requesting definite information
regarding the application Of the Adam
son eight-hour law" says the circular,
but we are not in a position TO give
any definite information on this sIb-
ject. because we do not know yet just
what the law means. We are, how
ever. from time 10 time furnishing
the general chsirmen with such infor-
nation as is obtainable in the maser."
II is a singular coincidence that the
uay this letter was sent out Mr.. Hughes
asked several questions az to It's work
.ngs in a speech at Newark. y. j. He
concluded by saying that even the men
who were expecting 10 benefit By u
were at loss to explain how il would
work out In view of the development
Of the bill as p legislative puzzle, even
Democratic leaders are wondering how
valuable it may be to them as cam
paign issue.
Labor Plans Campaign
Gompers's action was Endorsed with
out reservation last night by James P
Holland. president Of the New York
State Federation of Labor. Holland de-
Clared that the issuing of the letter by
Ccmpers and James O'Conneil and
Frank Morrison, vice-president and
treasurer of the national organization,
who also signed IL, was not decided
upon until after they had consulted
with heads of the various state labor
organizations and learned that union
labor approved the plan.
Sending out that letter was one OF
the greatest things Samuel Gompers
ever did" said Holland. There wasn't
any doubt before that the bulk of the
labor vote would go for Mr.. Wilson. but
Mr. Gompers's plea should give the
President the vote Of evci laborna
man in the country. J expect 10 see "a
Ter cent Of the labor vote In New York
State cast for President Wilson. ! eX'
pect to cast my vote for him, although
| have never before been a Democrat.
Meetings in State Arranged
Holland was advised by telegraph
from Washington late Saturday night
that the letter had been released fol-
publication yesterday morning. and h'
Immediately began making arrange
ments 20 hold the meetings urged by
Gompers. After dispatching kilograms
20 labor leaders in every city OF The
state urging them 10 call meetings "a
once Holland left his home, at Sea
side. Long Island, last night and came
to New York
After consulting with local labor
leaders this morning he will 20 e
Buffalo. where he has arranged 10 ad
dress q meeting of laboring men to
night in the interests Of President Viii
sons candidacy. During the week Hol
land will speak at meetings in Dunkirk
Niagara Falls, Rochester, Oneida ant
other cities.
at is not alone for the eight-houl
law that the State Federation and tn,
national organization have indorset
President Wilson," said Holland las
night, "but for the many other goot
measures which he has signed as well
Personally, ! think more Of the chile