New-York tribune., 1908-12-13
Remarkable Rise of Daniel
J. keefe---His Long Fight
for the Men Who
Labor.
By Z. 81. Wakefield

Daniel J. keefe had no anteroom in connection
with Office in Detroit, where might sit and
twill his thumbs and make faces at an obdurate
Office boy who served as q buffer Il you called
him on the telephone TO make an appointment
YOU were likely hear him instruct his secretary.
a woman. who answered the call 10 tell you that
he vas very busy: that YOU must call later. But
II you went 10 his Office and walked in. Mr.. keefe
would drop his papers and nod his stenographer
to her corner. When the interview reached its
psychological ending, Mr.. Keefe would say, Well"
and you reached for your hat
Nj Keefe was long a lumber shower. He has
dealt with lumber showers who do not send IN
cards announcing a call His methods have been
adapted TO handling lumber showers and dock
laborers generally. and he has mannertsIns which
are not altogether adapted handling more au-
gust and nationally important personages than the
Iongshoremen with whom he has spent the most
Of his life.
Keefe was invited 20 Washington for q confer
ence with the President some time ago Nj. Roose-
veIt wanted to know Nr- Keefe's views on certain
matters pertaining 70 the labor situation The
President opened the interview Uy asking for in
formation. Keefe began and the President eager
10 express his views, interrupted.
Now. just wait Let me talk When nave
finished my story I viii listen you" said keefe-
The President made him Commissioner General
OF immigration the other day
Daniel J. Keefe born at South Chicago IN
Septenber. 1870. When he vas four years old his
rarents moved 10 Chicago When he was eight
,.ars old he went 10 work in a shIngIe mill at
& * 2 week From the shingle mill he drifted Is
the piers and there became a lumber handler The
lumber handlers were tough lot keefe was
1ougb-not as others were. but tough. His
Ir,rcxles we're hard and his palms horny. His
chest was thick his shoulders we're broad and his
,,,,-7,o.a was unbending. To Dick Powers for n
-.,-e or wears at the head Of the Seamen's Union,
Lyaefa attributes the organization of the Lumber
7-,loaders' Association but many have II that
L-sefa Was the real power The organization was
43ac+a5 in 1871. IN 18S2 Keete became It's presi-
st F4s became president of the general organ
80, now known as the International Longshore-
--,sr Marine and Transport Workers Associatioh
a, Tooa sn6 though out CT the presidency for two
- ,,,st long enough lend the spice Of an
.azorfsra TO his career-he has held the executive
-. ~ ,be union since that time
A year and half ago he was appointed by FreS'-
5sn+ Roosevelt a member OF the lnoustrlA4 FeaCe
C-o,,Y,issfon 10 20 TO Washington TO discuss ways
- -. ,or greater industrial and commercial
.I,c,ty y,,h Seth Low, Archbishop Ireland. sam
81 c.or,-srs and others. But there was time
uyhen ba talked industrial peace WITH haid-Isleo
.-,ntas,s Industrial peace is his ideaI-tHe Ihlhs
Co. which he has Iabored. In those days on the
CHICAGO docks he loved Industrial peace 60 wen
tia. he was willing to nght for IL he IousH' A-u
thought his way 10 victory. -
II hann.ned however that his diplomacy came
into service before he had much OCCASION - 1S
his Drawn Before perfecttng his luIloef sh0E
orEsnazsssoa he wanted 20 douole-eAnch INC 80 -
ter % orss setas 70 tho euployerA 1hs stAp 80
1saxhaas sw@aHoas<xa o. razIz zssazAA sSs 70 t1''- 80