Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-09
MAY NAMEE.E. CLARK
Cedar Rapids Man May Soon be
Appointed Labor Commissioners.
WILL DOUBTLESS SUCCEED WRIGHT
Stated That Wright is Not a Union
Man. Present Commissioner Has
Been in Office for Twenty Years
Chinese Taking to Bicycles.

Washington, d. c., April 9.-There
are occasional rumors that Edward E.
Clark of Cedar Rapids, president of
the order of railway conductors, who
has been suggested as suitable man
to name for the position of commits
sioner of labor, may soon be appoint
ed to that place.
1t was expected that Mr.. Clark would
be appointed to some position before
the President started on his journey,
but no action was taken. OF course
the President may decide to fill some
of the vacancies that now exist or po-
sions that are likely soon to become
vacant at any time during the trip.
He is in constant communication with
the white house, and official business
may be transacted just as easily and
eXpeditiously from the Yellowstone or
the Pacific coast as though the Presi-
dent were in his office.
1t is understood that Mr.. Clark
would be quite well satisfied with such
position as that of commissioner of
labor, which Office Colonel Wright will
relinquish within a few months, posi-
bly, before September 1. Mr.. Wright Is
to accept position as lecturer in
Clark college, a work that is much
more to his liking. Col. Wright has
filled this delicate position for nearly
score of years. He was appointed
by President Arthur and continued in
the Office by Presidents Cleveland,
Harrison. Mckinley and Roosevelt.
1t is a. fact perhaps not generally
known that Mr.. Wright is not union
1oho Tho
of commissioner of labor does not
stand for organized labor nor morgan
lied labor On the contrary, the bu-
reau of labor is neutral in this respect.
the commissioners duties being to
collect and disseminate data and other
information of interest to labor and
capital In this responsible position
Mr.. Wright has proven most valuable
official, having during the twenty
years of Office collected an enormous
amount of information. reduced this
to concrete figures, made comparative
statements and brought the bureau up
to very high standard.
Following the defeat of President
Harrison and the return of Mr.. Cleve-
land to power, there was fierce strug-
gle among the democrats to secure the
position held by Mr.. Wright Presi-
dent Cleveland bluntly informed all ap-
plicants that if their time was of any
value to them they would save money
by leaving Washington on the first
train. that Mr.. Wright would not be
disturbed AS a matter of fact Mr..
Wright has stood very close to all the
presidents under whose administra-
ton he has served, and has enjoyed
their fullest confidence, without refer
ence to political environment. This
fact alone speaks volumes for the tact
and good Judgment of Carroll Wright.
In view of the fact that Mr. Clark
is a pronounced labor man the ques.
ton is being raised as to just how he
would handle the office in case of APP
pointment. There are those who take
the ground that the head OF the bureau
of labor should be neither union or
non-union man, but rather man
whose talents, training and other quail
fcations fit him particularly to fill the
office. Others take just the opposite
view, holding that a representative,
conservative union man, should be at
the head of the bureau. The opinion
prevails generally, even in the minds
of the first named class, that Mr. Clark
would be an admirable man for the po-
sition.
-