Evening star., 1924-10-31
LAFO[LETIE HIT
BY SHIFT OF LABOR
Withdrawal of Endorsement
and Backing of Davis
Creates Sensation.
by n. O. MESSENGER.
STAFF Correspondent Of The Star.

NEW YORK, October 31.-The last
week of the campaign. always re-
! garded as holding potentialities Of
| surprise, has furnished at least one
which is classed as important. The
action yesterday Of the executive council
of the Central Trade and Labor Council
of Greater New York resembling its
Endorsement of Senator La Toilette
last September and indorsing John
w Davis is regarded here as of pos
sessing more than ordinary signifi-
canoe. This body represents nearly
one-ffth of the entire membership
of the American Federation of Labor,
which, through its executive council.
had indorsed La Toilette at the re-
quest of Samuel Gompers.
Now this important element not
, only back tracks on its Endorsement,
but gives the La Toilette candidacy
a side wallop in passing by deciar-
: ing they do not believe La Toilette
can be elected and that vote for
him is a vote for Coolidge. This ac-
tion was taken following similar
course by the Building Trades Coun-
Gil of New York, Long Island and
vicinity.
VIII Capitalize Move.
The development in the political
situation is not to be minimfzed, not
only in New York where it is Of most
importance. but in labor centers in
other States. Here it means the di-
rect transfer of an unknown mum Der
of votes from the discard into which
they were destined to go if cast for
La Toilette to live card. II cast
for Davis. 1t is clear velvet" for
ha Dor NJ "a Con6idafa haC21ISe
the votes will be counted in the
affirmative for him as cast.
1t does not matter so much to the
State ticket as Gov. Smith would
have received these votes anyhow in
all probability, but now he is assured
of them as he is indorsed along with
Davis
OF course, it is not to be assumed
that the entire membership of these
labor bodies are Democrats or amen
able to having their votes directed
by the organization. but it Is fool
ish to contend that the formal in
dorsement of candidates by the or
CARNATIONS is without value. The
influence upon similar organiza tions
in other cities must be taken into
account.
Extent of Move Unknown.
Another important feature of the
situation is the formal admission
upon the part of this section of labor
that 1--WE now realize that Mr.. La Fol-
lette has no chance of being elected
President" will be a serious blow to
the La Toilette candidacy. The poll
ticians say it must inevitably have
the effect of steadying the Demo-
cratic ranks and keeping the voters
from straying off after the radical
will O. the wiSp.
No one here is able to estimate how
many actual votes yesterdays action
will add to the Davis presidential
ticket in New York City, because no
one knows how many Democrats were
going to fall for" the original rec
ommendation of the labor leaders to
support La Toilette.
There were evidences at the time
the recommendation was made that
it would not be unanimously followed,
as various minor leaders announced
that they would not be delivered" in
any such fashion. So the only net
gain to Davis will be the labor vote
which was intent upon going with La
Toilette. But, taken in all it's as
poets, the case is a very gratifying
one to the Democrats and falls like
the shadow of a great rock In
weary land.