Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-10-09
both PARTIES
SEEK SUPPORT
FROM UNIONS
Smith Given Backing
Of New York Fed
Grafton; Leaders to
Work for Hoover
BY JAMES l.. WILLIAMS
Associated Press Staff Writer

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9.-QP-As
the presidential campaign ap-
proaches its decisive stage, political
managers are concentrating on spe-
cial groups Of voters in their efforts
to turn the flow Of these important
ballots towards their national ticket.
One of the most important Of
these groups is that of organized la
Dor. Such great national organiza-
tons as the American Federation Of
Labor and the railroad brotherhoods
have adopted a neutral attitude,
leaving their membership TO decide
between Herbert Hoover and Alfred
Z. Smith. But, these organizations
frankly say that they are laying the
records of the candidates before
their membership 50 that they may
vote intelligently. insofar as their
ballots may affect labor.
New York Labor For Smith
A few individual unions have en-
dorsed the democratic presidential
candidate, while several outstanding
leaders in the labor movement. such
as John l.. Lewis, president Of the
United Mine Workers Of America.
and W. n. Doak, vice president Of
the Brotherhood of Railroad train
men, are actively at work for the
republican candidate. State bodies
which have endorsed Governor
Smith include the New York Fedora
tion of Labor, which acted after Will
liam Green, president Of the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor. had. with
out committing himself, said some
Lid AL..-- akn-k NkA AnwnAnHnNa-
nominees labor record.
Prior TO that time, however, Green
had been one Of those in the ma
tional federation's executive council
who opposed the endorsement Of any
mans caniSS cy by that body. The
council declined TO take any side aft
er a two days discussion. during
which Daniel J. Tobin, president Of
the international Brotherhood OF
Transfers, was credited with leading
a fight for Smith.
Both Seek Support
Four years ago the national fed
Grafton departed from its traditional
non-partisan attitude by endorsing
the independent candidacy of the
late Senator Robert NJ. LaFollette Of
Wisconsin, who received a substan-
tidl pOpuldr NOkc IN many iaDOr cen
ters. This year, however, so far as
official word from the union head
quarters 60. the majority Of union
men must act on their own judg-
meRt. helped, of course by informal
advice from headquarters as TO the
attitude Of candidates towards things
closest to their hearts.
Both candidates, as we'll as their
managers and well-wishers, have
been laying their plans to influence
the great body Of organized workers
in the country towards their cause.
Mr.. Hoover made labor the topic of
one of the few set speeche- Of his
campaign, speaking at Ne, ark, IN
the center of the vast industrial dis
trict of New Jersev. He also has
emphasized his belief that the re-
publican protective tariff system is
essential for the protection of the
American working mar and the hap
piness Of his family. Governor Smith
and his campaign managers have
been just a. solicitous Of the well
fare of the worker and the demo-
cratic candidate has been pointed to
as one whose official record as gov
ernor of New York has shown that
he has the interest of labor at heart.