The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-10-17

Keefe Denies Any Attempt
Has Been Made to Swing
Labor Vote for Bryan.


I'VE insist that the labor move
naent shalt remain as free ana indie
pendent from politicaI domination as
It has ever been IN It's htstory''
That sentence Is the keynote OF a
statement made. By Daniel =. Keefe
of Detroit Mich, president of the In
ternational LongshoEemen. Marine
Transport Workers, Association and
sixth vice president of the American
Federation OF Labor. Mr.. Keefe.
who IS a member OF the executive
council OF the American Federation
OF Labor says In his statement that
the federation has aimed to remain
non-partisan. but at the same time
has felt it a duty to present to both
parties the needs OF labor.
In his statement. which he made
of tho Bunalo Republic, Mr.. Keefe
says:
IT desire TO say that the American
Federation of Labor is not committed
to any political party, nor has any
candidate for president been endorsed
by the executive council.
''I am OF the belief that the gem
eral public does not fully understand
the position of the executive council
In this campaign. The policy of the
labor movement is non-partisan and
Is as follows:
I'VE desire to refute here the as
pensions that have been cast upno
the executive council and particular
ly one of its members. President
Gompers. that it is our purpose, or
his. to dictate to the working people
OF our country how they shall
cast their votes in the coming cleo
lions, nor has any one promised the
vote ofthe working people to any
particular party. We have strongly,
clearly and emphatically, as 1t was
our duty presented the situation in
which the working people of
the country md themselves. the
demands which labor has made upon
both political parties as to necessary
action; which they should take. the!
treatment they have received. and
have appealed to the Judgment and
patriotism of the working people
and the friends of labor throughout
the country. since both political par
ties have spoken, to make their choice
as their conscience may dictate.
1.-THE misrepresentation of news
papers and others to the contrary
Notwithstanding, we repeat and in
sist and we have so conducted and
propose to coiduct our course, that
the labor movement shall remain asI
free and Independent from political
domination as 1t has ever been in its
history.
"The foregoing does not commit
the American Federation of Labor to
any political, party. and is non-partI-
zan, which permits union men to
vote for whom they may please for
President and other offices. without
fear of criticism. All of which I
heartily endorse.
Some of the members of the exec
utive council OF the American FEEDER
alton of Labor no doubt will support
and vote for Mr.. Bryan. which is
their Individual right. Il shall sup
port and vote for Mr.. Taft, who was
admitted to membership in the
Brotherhood of Steam Shovel and
Dredge Men on account OF his strong
advocacy of the enforcement of the
Eight Hour Law on all Government
work coming under the jurisdiction
of the War Department: and If the
Eight Hour Day did not become an
established fact in connection with
the dredge work, it was the fault of
the workmen, and not the fault of
the Secretary of War.
"I might add further that Mr.. Taft
as Secretary of War. has done more
to enforce laws in favor of organized |
labor than all his predecessors.