Amador ledger., 1908-10-30
TAFT A FRIEND
OF LABOpIN6 MAN.


ment shall remain as free and inde-
pendent from political domination as
it has ever been in its history"
That sentence is the keynote to a
statement made by Daniel j. Keefe,
of Detroit, Mich, president of the
international Longshoremen Marine
and Transport Workers Association
and sixth vice president of the
American Federation of Labor. Mr.
Keefe, who Is member of the execu-
tive council of the a. T.. of L., says
IN his statement that the federation
has aimed to remain non -partizan,
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 in
answer to a query from the editor of
the Buffalo Republic, MI Keefe says
"l 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.
"l am of the belief that the general
public does not fully understand the
position of the executive council of
the American Federation of Labor in
the present. campaign. The policy of
the labor movement is non partisan
and is as follows:
"We desire to refute here the asper-
sions that have been cast upon the
executive council and particularly
one of it's members, President Com
pers, that it is our purpose, or his,
to dictate to the working people of
our country how they shall cast then
votes in the coming elections, nor
has any one promised the vote of the
working people to any particular
party. We have strongly, clearly and
emphatically, as it was our duty,
presented the situation in which the
working people of the country find
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 parties have spoken,
to make their choice as their con
science may dictate.
1.-The misrepresentation of news
papers and others to the contrary not
withstanding, we repeat and insist,
and we have so conducted and pro-
pose to so conduct our course, that
the labor movement shall remain as
free and independent from political
domination as it has ever been in
| its history.
"rhe foregoing does not commit
the American Federation of Labor to
any political party, and Is non
partizan, which permits union men
to vote for whom they may please for
president and other offices, without
fear of criticism. All of which
heartily endorse.
''Some of the mem mbers of the ex-
ecutive council of the American
ederation Of Labor no doubt will
| support and vote for Mr. Bryan,
which is their individual right. |
shall support and vote for Mr. Taft,
who was admitted to mem bership in
the international brotherhood of
Steam Shovel and DIedge 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 depart
ment; and if the eight hour day did
not become an established fact in
connection with dredge work, it was
the fault Of the workmen, and not
/ the fault of the secretary of war.
81 might add further that Mr. Taft,
as secretary of war, has done more to
enforce laws in favor of organized
laEoI than all his predecessors. "
A GOOD REASON.
Jackson People Can Tell You WhV