The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-30
BIG RAILROAD VOTE
EXPECTED FOR G. O.P.
Former Brotherhood Official
Upsets Claims Made by
Democratic Leaders.

Special Despotch TO THE NEW YonK HEsiarD
-CHicAGo, Oct 2s.-Wiliiam G. Edens
q member OF the Brotherhood OF Rail
road Trainmen for many years and
former national Official, now vice-presl-
dent OF the Central Trust Company OF
Illinois, and manager of the campaign
OF Representative William b. Mckinley
for United States Senator. who is In
close touch with the national situation
as affecting the vote OF railroad work
ers. In an interview says:
I'm considering Democratic claims e
the railroad brotherhood vote 1t must
first be admitted that no man or group
OF men controls railroad votes Any
Democratic leanings of a large number
OF railroad brotherhood men could be
traced to acts of William G.. McAdoo
when the latter was Director OF Rail
roads. He built UP personal follow
ing through his acts. but II was not O
Democratic party following.
TN the SIN Francisco national con-
vention of the Democratic party Mr.
McAdoo was eliminated. The party
nominated Mr.. Cox. who in no wise had
been associated with Mr. McAdoo in CIV
ing to railroad workers any Of the ben
efits they had obtained. With the cast
ing aside of Mr.. McAdoo as the party
leader the railroad vote was thrown
into the discard. Owing nothing to the
Democratic party MS whole, or &c
those who had assumed power, the rail-
road workers were again free to follow
their natural bent.
I'm obtaining the viewpoint OF the
railroad brotherhood men many thou
sands OF them have been interviewed
70 To- fo%a - hA
timent appears to be about as follows
THE railroad brotherhood men are
figuring as to the future. They know
from experience that their prosperity Is
built upon the general prosperity Of al
business. They know that a high stand
ard OF wages and OF living has beer
built up in this country as result OF
the war They know that present
methods OF taxation are oppressive &c
business as we'll as 10 individuals. They
see a great inflow of foreign made goods
into this country, which would greatly
injure American business unless a pro-
tective tariff Is inaugurated They have
seen Democratic waste and inefficiency
s,ipersede economy and good manage
ment seon II intimately in the handling
OF the railroads during the war period
They appreciate that the railroads have
TO get back on a sound financial basis
that they must grow with the demands
of the country, and that only under the
most favorable conditions can this be
possible IL at the same time the rights
OF workers are to be protected. They
have looked into the situation they may
expect II Democratic party rule should
prevail and can see nothing that would
induce them to remain longer away from
their natural political affiliations.
THE railroad brotherhood vote in this
country is estimated at close to 1000. 900
In addition there must be considered al
least 100000 other members of rail-
road mems families and acquaintance
who would be influenced by conditions
affecting them. II will not be surprising
10 see so per cent. of this vote back in
the Republican column at Tuesdays cleo
ton. That is the opinion of railroad men
who are fully conversant with the situa-
ton"