New-York tribune., 1908-10-12
A. T. OF L. MAN FOR TAFT
LABOR NOT PARTISAN." "
Ticc- President Keefe Says Members
VIII T0te as They Like.

Daniel J. Keefe. sixth vice-president OF the
American Federation of Labor. said in an in
terviev Yesterday that attempt had been
made or would be made to swing the members
of the organization over to the support of the
Democratic national ticket.
..ye insist" he said that the labor move
ment shall remain as free and independent
from political domination it has ever been
in it's history Personally. 1 am going to vote
for William H. Taft. because as Secretary OF
War he did mere to enforce laws in favor OF
organized labor than any of his predecessors
Mr. Keefe who lives in Detroit. is member
of the executive council of the American FEEDER
alton of Labor He said that while the Organi-
zation had felt it to be its duty TO present the
needs of labor to both parties it intended to
leave the question of voting entirely to the
Judgment and conscences of the Individual
members He said he believed the attitude OF
Mr.. Gompers, president OF the organization hau
been misunderstood.
The American Federation of Labor Is not
committed to any political party, nor has any
candidate for President been indorsed by the
executive council" said Mr.. Keefe.
Il am of the belief continued Mr.. keefe
that the general public does not fully under
stand the position of the executive council Of
the American Federation of Labor in the pres
ent campaign. The policy of the labor move
ment is bipartisan. and is as follows:
I'VE desire to refute here the aspersions that nave
b~on cast upon the council and particular
" ono OF its members President GOmpers. that II
Is cur purpose his dictate 20 the working peo-
nIe Of our country how they shall cast their votes
in the coming elections has any one promised
the vote of the working people to any particular
party We have strongly. clearly and emphatically.
as it was duty. presented the situation in which
the working people of the country find themselves,
the demands which labor has made upon both po-
Iitical parties as to necessary action which they
should take the treatment they have receiveS and
have appealed to the Judgment and patriotism OF
the working people and the friends of labor through
out the country since both political parties have
snoken to make their choice as their conscience
may dictate.
The misrepresentation of newspapers ana others
to the contrary Notwithstanding we repeat and in
sist and We have so conducted and propose to so
conduct our course. that the labor movement shall
remain as free and Independent from political dom
ira+lon as IL has ever been in its history.
.o1e of the members of the executive council OF
the American Federation of Labor no doubt will
support and vote for Mr. Bryan. which is their in
diviiual right. 1 shall support and vote for Mr..
Taft who was admitted membership in the In
terpational brotherhood of Steam Shovel and
Dredge Men on account of his strong advocacy Of
the enforcement OF the eight hour law all govern
ueut work coming under the Jurisdiction OF the
War Department: and if the eight hour day did not
become an established fact in connection with
dredge work it the fault of the wor<men and
not the fault of the Secretary Of War"