South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-09-27
GOMPERS URGES
COX'S ELECTION
IN NOTE TO MEN
Labor Official Declares Re
publican Nominee FavOrs
Going Backwards"

WASHINGTON, Sept. g6.-W rlt-
ing in the current issue of the Amer
lean Federationist under the title
Normally vs.. Progress" Samuel
GOmpers. president of the American
Federation of Labor, says Sen. Hard
ing. the republican presidential can
didate, has summed up his position
as in favor OF going backward 30
while Gov. Cox. the democratic can
didate. has declared for going for
ward"
Mr.. Gompers also SAYS that the
republican national convention in
adopting its platform turned its
back on labor" and declares that
every American worker. every earn
est American citiZen must strive ar
IDENTITY for the defeat Of those who
turned their back upon labor and
upon the people generally"
Define Attitude.
The two leading candidates for
the presidency have defined clearly
their attitude toward the great pub
lie issues of the day, says Mr.
Gompers' article which was made
public Sunday by the labor fedora
ton. In a sentence each has sum-
med up his position.
In effect Sen. Harding saws, let
us return to nOrmalcy.'
Gov. Cox says, I am for pro-
gress.'
sen. Harding does not use the
word normal he speaks of nor
malcy.' The word is obsolete and
so is the condition TO which he
would return.
'Unquestiopably in the mind Of
Sen. Harding a return to normal
Sc
the war-a return 10 something that
is past. 1t is clear then that in
keeping wit hthe spirit Of the repub-
lican platform Sen. Harding's per
sOnal desire is 10 follow a course
that leads backward and If elected
to lead the nation in such a course.
Cox for Progress.
Gov. Cox proclaims a desire to
go forward and q determination 10
lead the nation in a forward course
if he is elected TO the presidency.
Both of these statements are alb
stractions and Of themselves mean
nothing beyond a definition Of the
general trend Of thought Of the can
didates. The important fact is, how
ever, that the platform of parties
upon which these candidates stand
and their own personal philOsphies
/ lead inevitably and naturally up TO
the conclusion found in those two
brief utterances.
The denial of any desire on the
part of the American people 90 go
backward TO anything that is past
has been found in practically every
public expression which the people
have been able to make in recent
months"
Reviews Primary
Mr.. Gompers then reviewed the re-
suits Of the recent primaries i'm a
mum Der of states and continues.
The interest OF the great masses
! Of our people can be best served
/ only by the election Of the candi-
| date whose declarations and whose
record offer the best assurance OF
! intelligence and integrity in the fu-
ture II is vital that there be sue
| cess for the candidate and the plat
/ form which best understands the
needs Of the people and which most
! fully and most honestly pledges
/ their satisfaction.
The republican convention turn
/ ed its back upon labor and in so
I doing turned its back upon all of
I our people except for that small
! minority which hnds its occupation
I in the exploitation Of the masses
! through special opportunities and
/ special privileges
( Every American worker, ev@ry
/ earnest American citizen devote. 20
the cause Of human progress and
with a faith IN the righteousness OF
/ the principles Of freedom. justice
and democracy must strive ardently
\ for the defeat OF those who have
J ICONTINUED o. PAGE THREE