Evening journal., 1907-09-21
LOVES THE CITY,
ISSORRY TO LEAVE
John M. DOrney Talks Of His
Happy Relations With
Local People
TO BE LABOR ORGANIZER

The appointment of John NJ. Dorney
to be a national organizer for the
Brotherhood Of Painters, Decorators
and Paper Hangers of America, re-
moves from the city one Of its best
known characters.
John NJ. Dorney was born in Wey-
mouth, Mass, in 1861. just as the ma
ton was plunged into four years Of
civil war. His early years were spent
in Weymouth, Quincy Mass, and
Philadelphia. When in his 9th year
mis- parents moved to. MnYiue, N. r..
and after short time at school in his
new home he. went to work IN the glass
works there. Before he was 10 years
of ago he went to work IN cotton
mill. and worked from 6 a. m to $50
p. M, with but thirty minutes for
lunch. He never entered a school after
his 10th year, except night schools ana
"the school OF experience" That
school, as Mr.. Dorney says. 'is the best
of schools il we win only profit by it,.
He left the Jersey cotton mill at Is
years Of age and Travelled extensively
in the West India Islands, Central
America and Western Mexico.
In his 18th year he settled in Sacra-
mento. California, and finally entered
the shops of the Central Pacific rail-
road, or as it was termed, the cover
land" route. the creation of the un-
scrupulous "Crocker Stanford Hunt
lingdon- Hopkins" combine. He learned
the trade of locomotive and railway
coach painting; finished in his goth
year.
Il was always a radical" said Mr..
lDorney to-day, and then, with a laugh,
continued: Perhaps it is because 1
was born in 81. You know those were
scrappy days"
Mr.. Dorney finished his trade, and
after tackling the Stanford -Crocker-
Huntingdon Hopkins" ring, and was
forced to leave California, he worked
his way eastward TO Wyoming, Ne
braska and Illinois. In Pullman, H., he
: had trouble with the Pullman Com
pany, and leaving Illinois he worked in
various railroad shops in the South.
He had a warm interview upon one oc-
casion with the S. +. & w. railroad in
Savannah, Ga. a part Of the plant
system" Later he came North and
worked in various railroad, street car
and carriage shops in the States Of
New York, New Jersey and Pennsyl-
vania.
He Joined the Knights Of Labor, was
appointed organizer by T. V. Powderly
then grand master workman OF the
Knights. Mr.. Dorney organized the
men in all the ferry systems on the
Delaware river. whereby the pilots, en-
gineers, firemen. deck hands etc. re-
ceived the benefits they enjoy to this
DAY. He fought the compulsory feature
Of the Pennsylvania Railroad Relief
and the company was forced to with
draw the compulsory" feature. H'
fought and helped to defeat United
States Senator Sewel, Of New Jersey
: and was presented with handsome
gold badge by the ferrymen Of the
Delaware river.
Things becoming warm for Mr.. Dor
ney in Camden, he came TO Whining
ton, and has since worked in all the
car shops here.
He was one of the eight men who
organized the Henry George Labor
Club, was for several years treasurer
OF the Wilmington Single Tax Society
Secretary Of the Single Tax state COM
mittee in 1896, and has been secretary
of Labor Union No. 562, Brotherhood
of Painters, and delegate to the Cen
tral Labor Union. He has always taker
an active part in all forward move
menta
At the banquet rendered Ambassador
II. G. Knowles by organized labor, IN
June. Mr. Dorney delivered the address
OF welcome, and also delivered an ad-
dress on "The American Republic"
Organizes Reform League
At the request of number Of pro-
gressive citizens Mr.. Dorney begar
preliminary work for the formation OF
The Delaware Tax Reform and Eco.
nomic League. He drew up and sem
out a letter to fifty men in Whining
ton and New Castle, and in conse'
quence the league was formed on tn'
evening Of June Sd, in Shields Library
Hall. It's purpose was as declared II
the letters of invitation. "to arous'
public interest in the vital questions Of
the Initiative and Referendum. Th'
municipal control OF public utilities
the abolition Of the tariff and reform
in taxation"
some years ago Mr.. Dorney begaI
In the Sunday star of this city a series
Of articles known as 1.-The Trolle.
\ Rider" They were published anony
d mously, and created some discussion
The Trolley Rider is now being pub
lished nationally in various labo
magazines.
q Mr. Dorney is a regular contribute
: to fiction. poetry and economies In
!. number of national labor magazines
s practically, the magazines Of the Paint
= ers, the Carpenters and the Structura
= Iron and Steel Workers. Mr.. Dorne,
= has two large volumes in course o
= preparation, and hopes TO have then
published next year.
Unions Back of Appointment
!. Since last winter Mr.. Dorney has no
been in the best Of health, and in con
|. sequence was forced to resign hi
y Offices in the labor union and Centra
body. being unable to attend. Durinl
his absence the request for his appoint
ment as national organizer Of tn
brotherhood Of Painters, Decorators
! and Paper Hangers Of America wa
= forwarded to the general officers. TIL
I request was signed by all the organi
: zations OF painters I'm Delaware, com
posed of Local Union 6s4. House Paint
ers; Local Union 449, Car and Shi
: Painters; Local Union 971, Pape
\ Hangers; Local Union 562, Carriag
= and Railway Equipment Painters; an