Morgan County democrat. (Versailles, Mo.) 1900-1906, 1905-05-05
EUGENE E. sCHMITZ TELLS HOW
HE BECAME A GREAT C1TY's
CHIEF EXECUTIVE.
Fairness as Employer-Fought Co.
rupt Political "Bosses"-Urges
Labor and Capital to Re-
spect Each Other.
BY Eugene E. schmits.
mayor OF San Francisco.)

For some years l had been a studt NJ
OF music. and because Of my love for the
livelihood to be gained from a profes-
sional practice, | gave assiduous atten-
ton to the art and its exercise. At first
I accepted subordinate positions in lead
ing orchestras, and filled in my spare
moments teaching others the princi-
pies of my chosen art, and In widen
ing the circle of my own knowledge oil
the thoughts and deeds OF other men in
other lines of life. While essentially
a student, | yet had time and desire for
activities on the more practical side OF
life. | branched out a little in CONNER
cial and industrial enterprises.
Seeks Fortune in Alaska.
In 1895 | was fortunate enough to be
selected as musical director and leader
of an orchestra in one of our leading
theaters, which position | held until the
year 1899, when, in a spirit of progress,
and perhaps of ambition, ! went to
Alaska in charge Of a commercial ven
ture, meeting with some success. soon
abandoned this field. however, which
otherwise might have altered the en-
tire current Of my career, and, return
ing to the city Of my birth, resumed the
position OF leader of the Columbia thea
ter orchestra, glad to be again with my
wife and children, and satisfied to leave
the allurcments of wealth and fortune
in the far north,
Acquires Interest in Factory.
Experience had shown me that mu-
steal training had not untitled me for
practical business. In addition to my
musical duties | took hold Of a ma
chine shop and engine factory, and, hav-
ing acquired a considerable pccunlary
interest in it, devoted much of my time
during the day to its development. The
Musicians Protective union, Of San
Francisco, is a powerful organization OF
intelligent men, embracing the leading
members of the craft In San Francisco.
For lG years | had been a member OF
this society, for some years It's secrc-
tary, and at this time was It's president.
A strike occurred among the machin-
lists and iron workers of San Francisco,
who demanded nine-hour day without
reduction OF the pay which they had been
receiving for ten hours work. The de-
mands were refused by nearly all the
employers.
Agrees to Mems Terms.
Having looked into the matter care
fully, | decided that the mems requests
were reasonable, and that as good re-
suits could be obtained from the nine
hour as from the ten-hOur day. The
shop with which | was Identified, there
fore, at once granted the terms of the
Machinists' union, ant without II ces-
sation we continued our work. The
wholesale dealers in iron and other hard
ware declined to sell us goods, because
we declined to combine on this point
with the other factories and fOundries.
This indirectly contributed largely to
my subsequent election as mayor, and
to the opening Of a different avenue Of
life endeayor. ! believe ! have never
before stated the exact circumstances
which led to this important change n
my career, and as its relation disciOscs
what | consider the most "momen.ous
decision" of my existence, It Is undOubt-
eddy worth the rccOunting briefly.
Asked to Join "Anti-B Boss" Board.
For many years | had been intimately
acquainted with al attorney at law
who enjoyed a large and exclusive prac-
tice, and also took interest in politics.
He was my personal friend and attor,
ney, and was also the attorney for tho
Musicians union and for the machine
shop in which | was interested. He
was also attorney for the Alaska enter.
prise to which | have made reference
These relations brought me into fire.
qunnt contact with him. Early in thu
year 1901 this gentleman had established
an organization to fight the bosses of thu
republican party in San Francisco, ant
was aiming to comprise In It's directorate
representatives of every important Gle
ment of the population. The though
struck him that | would make an excel
lent representative Of organized labor or
the board Of directors, and he asked m,
20 serve and to assist In dethroning thu
corrupt combination Of bosses that wa
holding San Francisco at its mercy.
Decides to Enter Politics.
had never taken more than an or
binary citizens part In politics. and wa
averse to entering the political swim
even as a director Of tho organization re
ferred TO, but after some thought ant
discussion decided to join In the move
ment for better political conditions. an
allowed myself to be made one Of tn,
directors of the Republican Primar,
League OF San Francisco. This, / be