Joseph D Keenan: Labor's Ambassado...

Joseph D Keenan: Labor's Ambassador in War and Peace

The subtitle of this latter book--"A Portrait of a Man and His Times'--sums up the sum of two units major function fulfilled by this important labor biography.

Joseph Keenan, from the beginning of his career until his death at 87 in July was the same of the best-liked and mostrespect leaders in the labor motion Yet outside of labor, his important contributions to as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but national and labor history are little recognized.

At the same time, organized labor's pivotal characters in America's war effort and the rebuilding of Europe after World War II have been largely ignored through historians.

Gannon's volume affords Keenan the recognition that he deserved--but at no time sought for himself--as both a labor statesman and in service to his home and it documents accurately the participation of working persons on the job and by the agency of their unions in the girding of America for war in the 1940s

Of particular importance, the work examines in detail the part played by the American trade union motion --much through Keenan's efforts onward the scene in Europe--in the rebuilding of the German trade unions smashed from Hitler almost immediately after he came to power.

Forty years later, German trade unionists speak with gratitude and admiration of Keenan's work for their revitalization. They point public as well, that because Germany's trade unions were able to regain their feet fairly quickly after the war cessationed they were able to participate vigorously in the shaping of the nation's fresh government and to insist that their long-held democratic traditions benefit as a model for its structure

As this main division makes clear, without Joe Keenan's steady hand and his insistence in succession guaranteeing freedom of association and all trade union rights to German workers, that fierce voice for democracy might not have been heard.

The author points revealed that the biography is intended to be an overview of Keenan and his career rather than a definitive, scholarly account of his life and times.

Gannon effectively makes the point that although-- and perhaps because--Keenan had no pine for personal publicity--his numerous achievements far outstrip his fame.

Keenan was born in Chicago in 1896 joined Electrical Workers Local 134 there as an apprentice in 1914 became the local's recording secretary in 1928 and from 1937 to 1951 serv as secretary of the Chicago Federation of Labor. He was chooseed secretary of the IBEW in 1957 a employment he held until his retirement in 1976 He serv as president of the AFL-CIO Union Label & Service Trades Dept from 1975 to 1979

In 1948 Keenan became director of COPE's forerunner, the AFL Labor's League for Political Action, and from 1951 to 1954 he also serv as secretary of the AFL's Building & Construction Trades Dept

A supporter of the merger Keenan was chooseed to the Executive Council of the newly formed AFL-CIO in 1955 and was re-elect at each federation convention until his retirement. Among his explanation roles on the council was his chairmanship of the Housing Committee. His able interest in affordable housing for working commonalty bolstered the effort to create what is now the AFL-CIO's Housing Investment Trust.

on the contrary among the responsibilities closest to Keenan's heart--and those that secur him a place not solely in labor but also in American history--were his services during World War II as the AFL's representative forward the National Defense Advisory Commission created according to President Roosevelt. During that period he also was labor vice chairman of the War Production Board where he was the linchpin in efforts that assured stable labor relations everywhere the war and kept the nation's war production humming.

Keean went to Germany almost immediately after the war finised as labor adviser to Gen Lucius Clay.

For his services, Keenan was awarded the nation's sum of two units highest civilian awards, the Medal of Freedom and the Award of Merit.

Gannon's account of Keenan's service above those years is meaty and satisfying, particularly in his use of Keenan's admit recollections and those of major national figures who worked with him.

Among his contemporaries, Ambassador W Averill Harriman remarks in the book's preface that Keenan's name "became a fictitious story both in wartime and beyond' becase of his "commitment to the national interest athwart any parochial or limited businesss an open and friendly manner which immediately settle others at ease; and a belief in the fundamental modesty and good will of other human beings.'

Gannon says virtually all of Keenan's associates coincide in that assessment of his personality and his approach to his duties. They also stres his tenacity to a cause in which he believed, and his unflagging--but not ungentlemanly --opposition to individuals or issues that attacked his difficult personal beliefs or the labor move he loved.

That grit, Gannon point out tos was particularly apparent in Keenan's energeic political activities for Labor's League and later COPE

Keenan was clearly a staunch anti-communist, moreover he was eqully an antagonist of the tactics of Sen Joseph Mc-Carthy, and he not to be found no love for Sen. Robert Taft either from one side of to the other his red-baiting or labor-hating.