Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1924-09-26
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
Samuel Gompers Analyses Their Labor
Day Addresses

form and holding out the hope to
Americas wage earners, that the ap-
peal which the Democratic party de-
MED to labor would now be heard and
needed by him if entrusted to the
presidency of the United States.
"These belated declarations, apollo
gies and regulations of party plat
forms are welcomed. They would
have come with better grace and
greater forcefulness had they been
incorporated into party platforms
thus according them the standing of
party principles instead of mere cam
paign speeches. But even as politi-
cal addresses they are worthy of at
tention, because of the interest they
have aroused in labor problems and
especially because of the interest they
present to the people of America and
these grave and important problems.
Are party candidates authorized
and able to commit their respective
political parties to policies and doc
trines which their respective party
conventions declined to accept? Are
party candidates empowered to repu-
diate that which their respective party
conventions declared for? If so, why
party platforms? Where does poll
tical responsibility begin or end?
"Regardless of answer to these
queries recent developments have
clearly demonstrated the present po-
litical situation is distinct gain for
labor. 1t is clearly evident that the
leading candidates of both Republi-
can and Democratic parties have
either come to realize or have been
compelled to take cognizance of the
justice of labor's appeal which the re-
spective political parties thought they
had suppressed. Indeed, labor's ap-
peal for justice today is more potent
than ever before and by reason o
the attempted political oppression and
suppression.
"The wage earners of America
indeed all fair minded people of
America-all men and women who
are not Indifferent to the appeal of
humanity must realize more fully
now than ever that in expressing
preference for the domestic political
pronouncements of Senators La Fol-
lette and Wheeler that the American
Federation of Labor followed the only
course by which it could remain true
to the lofty ideals and humanitarian
professions to which it has been ded-
icated.
partisan political fanaticism may
ascribe to labor motives of an un-
worthy nature. But all not blinded by
partisan political prejudices will
rightly understand labor,'s attitude
and procedure in this political cam
paign and Will judge us accordingly.
I'm urging the wage earners of
America, its friends and sympathiz-
ers and all freedom loving people to
support and vote for La Toilette, the
American Federation of Labor is not
directly or indirectly, openly or COW
ertly supporting or encouraging a
third political party. Labor's appeal
in support of La Toilette is not based
on party organizations of any kind
its appeal is founded on the prompt
ings of the human heart and the de-
sire to cleanse all political parties of
the dollar Vaccinations which have
warped the very fibre upon which
they were originally founded. Lab
or's support of La Toilette is based
on the fact that he has ever been
willing to risk his political standing
by advocating measures to make gov
ernment more responsive to the will
and wishes of the people. 1t was he
who advocated the popular election Of
senators when his party denounced
him for his "radicalism." 1t was
Robert La Toilette who advocated the
Seamen's Act when it was unpopular,
and mistrusted, and hated by all the
so-called conservers of wealth. 1t