New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-21
CALLS COP. BEST
FRIEND OF LABOR
Representative Cooper
Cites Vote on Child
Workers Bill.
CHINESE EXCLUSION
ACT ALSO QUOTED
Chairman Wilcox Denies
That California Progress
sives Are Hostile.

The claim Of the Wilson Admins
tration that it is the only true friend
Of labor was assaled in letter re-
ceived Yesterday by Chairman William
R. Wilcox of the Republican Nation
al Committee from Representative
John G. Cooper, Republican, of Ohio,
once locomotive fireman and engi-
neer and at present member OF the
brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
Mr.. Cooper particularly protests
against the claim of the Democrats
for credit for the child labor law, and
by citing the facts on the record
shows that most of the present lesis-
lation helpful to labor was passed or
supported by Republicans.
81 am one of the members of the
committee on labor of the House." ne
writes in regard to the child labor
bill. every Republican member voted
to report the bill fayorably for pass
AGE. Can the Democrats who are mem
hers Of the committee say the SANE
No. On the contrary, three of them
signed a minority report opposing the
measure. But for the action OF inc
Republicans, the bill could not have
been reported out of committee"
Only One Republican No.
ONLY one Republican voted against
the bill on final passage, MI cooper
savs while forty-fve Democrats OPP
noood il. and he goes on to ask why,
;f the Democrats are so interested
/ in protecting children, they 90 no.
ross a law prohibiting importation OF
cbild.made products. Every Democrat
voted against Republican amendment
% the revenue measure TO prohibit
such importations, ne says
Again. as showing Democratic anti
labor tendencies, ne cites the fact tnat
sixty-seven Democrats voted for the
Rorland ride- 20 the legislative, ex-
ecutiye and judicial appropriation bill
which would have increased the daily
working hours OF government employees
ord reduced their salaries 10 per
cent. ... .ho
Democratic party is proclaimlng that
II ;s the champion of the laborlng
neople." Representative Cooper says
"but thew cannot fool the working
man voter, who knows their record and
will not be misled by few so-called
labor leaders who are trying TO hold
nositions given them by the Admins
tration. If the Democratic party IS
the friend of labor, why does 1t not
pass the immigration bill, advocated
by every labor union in the United
| States"
Many Labor Laws.
Pointing to the Republicans record OF
labor legislation, he cites the fact that
they passed the eight-hour law for
government mechanics and laborers,
and that under them also this law was
| amended to include all employees of
contractors on government work. The
Republican party passed the alien con-
! tract labor law, he points out; the
I convict labor law, the Chinese exclu-
I sion act, which protected labor all
over the country; the safety appliance
law. which forced the railroads to use
automatic couplers and power brakes,
and another requiring that locomo-
tives be equipped with self-dumping
ash pans; likewise the sixteen-hour
law and the "phossy jaw law, all OF
which protect the lives and health of
workmen, as we'll as the provision for
steel mail cars to protect the lives OF
mail clerks.
81 maintain that the Republican
party has always stood for the pro-
lection Of American workingmen from
cheap foreign labor competition
through q protective tariff" he says,
in conclusion, land am confident the
great mass of workingmen appreciate
this and will stand by the party in
the coming election"
Progressives in Line.
Chairman Wilcox has received in
formation from California denying
Democratic claims that the Progress
sives there are not supporting Hughes
The names of leading Progressives
throughout the state appear on the
reception committees, and assurances
have been received from leaders in all
elements in local fights that nothing
will take place to embarrass the ma
tional situation. Hughes is over
whelmed with requests for more stops
and speeches.
In Reno, which the Hughes train
reaches Wednesday morning, there will
be a Western barbecue. Those who
are under the impression that Gov
ernor Hughes is not having a perfect
ly successful tour are badly mista-
KEN" Mr. Wilcox said.
Ralph D. Cole. director of the Re-
publican speakers bureau, has re-
turned from Maine, where he opened
the campaign. He was enthusiastic
over Republican prospects there.