New-York tribune., 1922-10-28
Protect
labor's Rights,
Asserts Smith
Tells Dunkirk Audience He
Stands for Square Deal
for Working People as
Well as the Other Side
Hits Republican Outlay
Admits Expenses Necessary
in Campaign, but Warns
Against propaganda"
From a star corres,ond.,.

From star Correspondent.
DuNKIRK, N. Y, Oct. 27-Former
Governor ALFRED E. Smith, speaking
mere tonight before an audience of
anoet l'4O0 persons, made up largely of
lanor men employed In the local plant
OF the American Locomotive Works
oweit upon the labor issue in the cam
palgn, declaring that he stood for a
square deal for the working men md
women of the state, while Governor
MINERS record at Albany showed that
ne nad little or no real consideration
tor the working people.
>, lhe former Governor received an en-
thuslastic reception in what is known
as railroad town." The labor e!e-
ment was apparently strong for the
Democratic nominee. The audience was
sympathetic. Mr.. Smith carried this
city when he first ran for Governor, in
I9iS, defeating Governor Whitman,
and again two years ago in running
against Governor Miller. The Smith
margin two years ago was 300 votes
and only 64 votes in the 1918 election,
put the local leaders predict that he
Will carry the town by 500 to 1000
this year.
Thomas ]. Cummings, formerly Dem
ocratic State Committeeman, presided
at the meeting. Mr.. Smith summed I'D
MS talk to the labor men as follows:
All the issues Of this campaign can
be boiled down into one simple SEN
tence: Bring the government closer to
the 100000 people who make up the
state; adhere to the fundamental Dem
ocratic principle of the rule of the ma
Jorlty; protect the rights of the minor
lty and take only such official action as
will promote the general public well
fare"
In the early part of his speech the
candidate discussed the subject of cam
paign contributions, declaring that it
had been called to his attention in his
travels through the state that the Re-
publican organization was spending
large sums of money for newspaper ad-
vertisements.
Il am sure that the voters of the
state,' said Mr.. Smith, "who study the
records of the candidates will not be
mlsled by the false propaganda resort
ed to by the Republican organization,
which sees defeat staring it in the
ace. Every campaign must of neces-
slty cost some money. The tendency
in American politics for great many
years has been to restrict and SUPER
wise carefully money spent to promote
the candidacy of men for public office.
The theory behind such requirement
is very sound. 1t is intended to give
to the people who vote for the candi-
date knowledge before they cast
their ballots as to just what commit
ments or obligations he NAV have
morally assumed because of huge con-
tributions made to further his can
didacy.
The Democratic platform specifical-
ly promises an amendment to the cor
rupt practices act that will require
such publication. / advocated this in
1919 and 1920, and it was brushed
aside by the Republican majority in
the Senate and Assembly / am unable
to understand how any candidate for
public office can have any objection to
making known to the people ahead of
time and before they express them
selves. just who contributed to ad-
vance his cause"
Taking up the subject of labor, the
former Governor declared that every
progressive move made by the state
IN the interest of labor had always
been stuhbornly fought.
My experience has taught me that
taking this state by and large, includ-
ing in your calculations great armies
OF people who are themselves identi-
fed with labor, the general con-
census OF public opinion is that the
state should, in the exercise of it's
police power for the protection OF the
public health and public welfare, throw
as many safeguards as possible around
the men, women and children who toll.
Organized labor has it's rights. Or
ganized capital has it's rights. Both
should be safely secured by the gov
ernment and the government should
use all it's influence to compose diff
ferences between them that are from
time to time bound to arise. The
solution of the problem presented by
these differences lies in an ability to
bring the parties together.
1T will never be solved by an in-
junction issued against one class that
in it's ultimate effect deprives them
or certain guaranteed constitutional
rights that it ought to be the highest
duty of the government to protect.
asked Governor Miller in the course
OF the campaign to say whether or not
IN his opinion, as matter OF govern
mental policy, the Daugherty injunc-
ton should be sustained. Up to and
including this moment he has made
no reply"
IN declaring his own stand on the
A"ool QueaIioH, tHe lOIHSI 6ofciuVI
said that he stood for the restoration
Of full power to the State Labor De-
partment to administer the labor laws
and the workmen's compensation act,
for an adequate supply of inspectors
to see that factories are kept in
safe and sanitary condition, and that
women are not overworked and that
illegal child labor is effectively pro-
hi5ited. He said that he favored the
of real bureau of
in industry. He declared that
ne should continue, if elected, the fight
for minimum wage for women and
minors employed in industrial estab-
lishments. He said that he would In
sist upon the repeal of "the pernicious
system of direct settlements between
injured workmen and insurance COM
panies."
II favor legislation" said the can
didate, declaring that the labor OF a
human being is not commodity or
article of commerce, and that no in |
junction shall be issued in labor dis
pntes without an opportunity first Of |
establishing the facts." ]