The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-02-03

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and true love of the father, and the
effort to do both a mother and faith
created bond of affection among
them that is seldom witnessed in a
family of boys.
One of the brothers gave his
life to his country in the war with
Spain, and another was a victim OF
that industrial life of confinement
where large concern in it's desire to
save money required it's employees to
labor in dark and damp basement.
When William had finished his ap-
premiership he joined the plumbers
union and was admitted into full fel-
lowship as journeyman plumber.
This was how he became affiliated
with the labor movement, although
some years previously he had been
secretary of a plumbers helpers un-
! ion, and earlier still he was president
of newsboys' union.
Could Not Help Being Labor Ad-
vocate.
If he had chosen some other vo-
cation than thaN of manual labor
the chances are that William would
! have been labor advocate, for his
sympathies we're always with the man
who works. He was not long in the
journeyman plumbers union when
his fellows recognized his ability and
he was rapidly promoted from one Of
fee to another, going into the Trades
Assembly as delegate and soon
elected it's secretary, then it's pres1-
dent, and finally promoted to sec
retary-treasurer of the Minnesota
State Federation of Labor. the larg-
est organization in the state, which
office he has held continuously for
ten years.
Later he purchased the Labor
World and gave up the plumbing
business. 1t is indeed fortunate fe7
union labor and the business III
| terests Of The city that such a iran
as Mr. McEwen is In a position OF
responsibility in the local labor
movement. He is regarded by all
who know him personally to be a
man of sound judgment, ever anxious
tious when considering industrial
problems in this city.
Stands Well With Business Interests.
Through his advice and efforts
many troublesome strikes have been
averted, much money mas been saved
to the business interests of the city,
and the worlingmen have received
concessions and advances without the
painful necessity of interrupting an
industry by long drawn strike.
Conservative as he is always consid-
cred It can not be said that he has
ever been untrue to his fellows in The
labor movement. His condemnation
of a union when pursuing an un-
warranted course has often been as
severe as his opposition to the arrO-
CANT, arbitrary and unfair employer.
1t is such traits as this in Mr.. Nc
Even that has made him particular
ly strong as a prominent man in the
labor movement with all classes of
people. ,-'E
Secret of His Strength.
AS public official, those who have
watched his course, say, that his
strength lies in the fact that he Sc
cures things for workingmen in the
council without prating his hobbies
on the labor question. He recognizes
that as public servant he has the
whole people to serve, and that he
has done things is conceded by all
fair men.
In the labor movement he has been
| INSPIRED with certain we'll defined prin-
clples OF government, and his position
IN the council has always been cou-
s1stent with his position in the labor
movement. He believes that the time
Tor exploiting the people by granting
valuable franchises for no consider
alton are past He stands as an nm
compromising advocate of municipal
ownership of such public utilities as
can be acquired from time to time
without plunging the people into bur-
Position on Public Ownership.
densome obligations.
He IS pledged to work for the re-
moval OF every obstacle which pre-
| vents the people from exercising their
will on any question He wants
home rule in its entirety for a city
government. The restrictions placed
| upon the city by the Legislature has
! in a measure tied it's hands. and has
frequently prevented it from securing
concessions from private corporations
doing business under franchises from
a city that would be Of great benefit
to the people, and which would
greatly reduce the burden of tax
alton.
Fer instance. the restrictions as
to tonded Indebtedness has been q
serit us handicap to the progress of
the city. Had we the right to issue
bends for the purpose of buildi;1g
electric lighting plan ts, street railway
systems or telephone lines we wou'd
be in a position to dictate terms to
private corporations that would net
the people large sums OF money an
nually. This would come in the form
of reduced rates and incomes into the
city treasury. This is Mr.. McEWen'l