Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1920-09-27
Compers Fayors
Abnormal Times
Aged Labor Leader Evidently
Does Not Believe in Order
ly Progress.

Washington, Sept 26.-(By The A. P.J
Writing in the current issue of the
American Federationist snder the title
Normalcy VS.. Progress Samuel Com
pers, president of the American Fedora
ton of Labor, says Senator Harding the
republican presidential candidate has
summed up his position as in favor of
going backward while Governor Cox,
the democratic candidate, has declared for
going forward
Mr.. Gompers also says that the repub-
lican national convention. in adopting its
platform, turned its back on labor,
and declares that every American work
er, every earnest American citizen must
strive ardently for the defeat of those
who turned their back upon labor and
upon the neople generally"
THE two leading candidates for the
presidency have defined clearly their at
titude toward the great public issues OF
the day" says Mr.. Gompers' article,
which was made public today by the la
Dor federation. In a sentence, each has
summed up his position.
In effect Senator Harding says, Let u
return to normally
Governor Cox says, I am for pro-
! gress'"
Senator Harding does not use the
word normal he speaks of 'norrnalcy
l
| ton to which he would return.
| "unquestionably in the mind of Senator
Harding return to normal means a re
| turn to the conditions that existed befor,
| tn. war-a return to something thai
is rast. 1t is clear then that IN keeping
W IN the spirit of . the repu5 lean plat
form Senator Harding's personal desir
| il to fo low a course that leads backwsri
and if elected to lead the nation in sucl
| course.
Governor Cox proclains 3 desire to g
forward and a determination TO lead III
ration in a forward course If lie ig slec,
Ell to the presidence.
Both of these statements ara sh
stractions and of themselves mean nothin
Pbeyond a definition of ,he genera. tren
of thought of the candidates. The in
pcrtant fact is, however, that the plar
terms of the parties upon which ines
cand dates stand and mir ow2 perso'i'
Tll:i .scphies lead in n.yi.ably and liatu all
W to the conclusions found in those tw
bsef utterances.
,, fTht denial Of any desire on lie ral
of tic American speor >. TO go bsckwaI
to Anything that IS plst has been fo1n
| il +, actcally every public expraSsic
; which the people have been able. to NAL
in recent months"
Mr. Gompers then reviews the resul
. . of recent primaries in a number of stat
: and continues:
1.-The interest of the great masses
: our people can be best served only by Il
election of the candidate whose .declar
2 tions and whose record offer. the best a
: surance Of intelligence and integrity
Z the futures It is. vital that there be su
!. cess for candfdate and the platfor
: which best understands the needs of t
: people and which most fully and me
: honestly pledges their satisfaction.
The republican convention turned
back upo nlabor' and in so doing turn
: its back upon all Of our people exec
for that small minority which finds
: exploitation of the masses through 81
n cial opportunities and special privilege:
T Every American American work
II earnest, American citizen devoted to I
: cause of human progress, and with
i faith in the righteousness of the prin
= piles and freedom, justice, and democra
d must strive ardently for the defeat
y those who have turned their backs up
n labor and upon the people generally a
is | for the success OF those who have
/ tempted to meet with understanding a
i in a spirit of constructive progress |
n problems of the needs of the work.
/ people and Of the great masses of all {
re- people"