The Washington times., 1904-01-17

He then returned to his home IN OIL City,
going to work for the w, N. Y. & p.
r. r.
Mr.. O'ConnelI was connected with the
Knights of Labor for a number Of years
and attended several general assemblies
Of that organization. He succeeded in
bringing about an organization Of ma
chinists in Lodge lib, at on City, Pa.
and represented this lodge at the Pitts
burg convention in 1891. at which con-
vention he was elected the first member
on the general executive board. At the
Chicago convention he was reelected.
and at the Indianapolis session IN 1893
was elected grand master machiuist,
which position he has held Up 20 the
present time
In 1895, at the New York convention
Of the American Federation of Labor
he was elected third vice president OF
that organization. which position he has
held since that time.
Mr.. O'ConneH was selected one OF the
fraternal delegates to represent the A
F. of L. at the British Trades Congress.
held in Plymouth, England, In which
position he reflected honor and credit
upon the American labor movement BE
was presented with a silver smoking set
by the British Trades Congress as a to-
ken Of the high esteem in which he was
held
Not only is Mr.. O'ConneI possessed OF
rare executive ability. but he is widely
and favorably known as a platform
speaker. and the many demands made
upon him in this direction say much for
his popularity.
Conservative, Yet Positive.
MY idea as to labor uniors and their
conduct" said Mr.. O'CcnneIl. when
views. SIS that they should be con-
servative. yet positive, in action. I be-
Iieve that employers have rights that
should be respected. believe we should
be slow in sanctioning strikes, going 10
the extreme in trying arbitration and
conciliatory methods of proc >1ure: but
when these are exhausted aud we are
in the right. 1 believe in fighting to the
bitter end
George Preston, secretary-treasurer Of
the International Association OF Ma
chinists. was born in a small town in
Lincolnshire. England in 1861 After at
tending school for a few years he took
TO the sea and spent three years as a
sailor. Returning from a long cruise.
he became a landsman once more and
located in the midlands. near the city
of Nottingham.
Mr.. Preston entered a machine shop
and served his apprenticeship as ma
chinist. II was in Nottingham that he
first became interested in all matters
appertaining TO labor. becoming an ar
dent trade unionist as soon as his years
entitled him to membership.
lie was a member OF the committee
Of citizens which was instrumental in Sc
curing the nomination OF John Burns
as the labor candidate for parliament
for the western district of Nottingham
in 1855.
IN April. 1856. Mr.. Preston decided TO
seek his fortune in the New World. He
took passage for the United States. and
in due time arrived in Detroit Mich.
in which city he located. At that time
the organization OF the Knights OF La
Dor was in the height of its activityl
and influence. and he quickly Identified
himself with that movement. joiHin3
the Peter Cooper Assembly. No T5.
Machinists and Biacksmiths. with which
body he was connected until its dis
bandment.
In 1880 he joined the Detroit Lodge.
No. s.. of the /. A. of NJ. and served
in various capacities until he was
chosen delegate TO the Cincinnati con-
vention in 1885 AT this convention ne
was elected grand secretary-treasurer
and has been reelected al each sue
ceeding convention. Mr. Preston. by his
diligence and perseverance. has sue
ceeded in becoming an expert in the
field Of action which he now occupies,
and has been highly cOmplimented by
every auditing committee and profess
sional accountant that has examined
81 g L.
election until now.