The Detroit times., 1911-05-22
RAPPAPoRT's STATEMENT.

John j.. Mcnamara is the second
eldest OF family of nine. He was
| born in Cincinnati, Ohio, December
23, 1870, of poor but respected par
entage.
Owing to the size of the family
his schooling was curtailed when he
was still In his teens" He was fore
ed to become a breadwinner In his
early years he followed various oc-
cupations as laborer, and finally
about 1898 was employed In the build
ing of a new bridge near Cincinnati.
He had been attracted to this class
of work for some time and when the
opportunity to enter upon steel con-
ktruction work presented itself to
him, he found his calling.
He was quickly recognized as a
competent bridge builder, and hence
forth had no trouble In obtaining
work In this line. He was actively
employed in the building of some of
the largest bridges and viaducts in
this country.
He Immediately became a member
of the International Association Of
Bridge and Structural Iron Workers
and has retained his membership
ever since. He was at all times ac-
tive in the councils of this organiza-
ton and held most of the Offices in
the gift Of this Organization, except
ing salaried positions.
In 1902, he was elected q delegate
to the Milwaukee Convention, and
since that time has been delegate
to all conventions. At the 1908 con-
vention at Kansas City, he was elect
ed second vice-president Of the Inter
national Association and became a
member of the executive board, while
still actively working at his trade.
The convention at Toronto, Can.
, I'm 1904. elected him secretary-treas
urer, and he has since been re-elect
ed with little or no Opposition. Fsg
i While Mcnamara himself has beer
deprived OF the opportunities OF {
school education he soon realized
that education was the greatcst fac
tor of success. Even while t0tftng a
bridge builder he set about acquir
ing an education which he had fail
ed to receive in his childhood, and
ultimately became student OF indus
trial and economic questions.
He soon came TO the conclusion
that the future OF the toilers Of the
world lay In the requirement of edu.
cation, and in his capacity as editor
of the Bridegmens Magazine, he
has constantly urged this principle
Furthermore, he has shown his will
ingness to put this principle into prac.
tice by making himself the support OF
his brothers and sisters and thus en-
abling them to attend school.
The great industrial strifes OF the
last decade resulting in litigation OF
the greatest importance to organized
labor, turned his mind In the direction
OF law. He became student at the
indianapolis College Of Law, during
his incumbency of the Office OF sec.
retary-treasurer Of the international
Association of Bridge and Structural
Iron Workers, and was graduated
from this institution In 1909, with
the degree of bachelor Of laws.
During his course of study it was
not uncommon for him to rise at In
the morning and work until mid
night.
To the people who have become ac-
quainted with him since his election
to the office OF secretary-treasurer
of his organization, he Is known as
a quiet, unassuming and Industrious
man, of temperate habits. He has
been esteemed fair and just In his
treatment OF persons and subjects
with which he came in contact. in
his individual as well as his official
capacity.
Mcnamara has never been identi-
fed with any political party, believ-
ing rather In independence OF
thought, and he has at all times been
an advocate Of progressive political
and economic movements, regardless
OF party politics. He has been
thorough student OF modern political
subjects and has been close OBJ
server OF current events.
Mcnamara is unmarried and has
been the sole support of his mother
for many years. The home which
she occupies al Cincinnati, O., was
largely earned by him. the last OF
the mortgage debt on the same hav-
ing been paid only a few weeks ago.
In his present trouble his thoughts
refer principally to his family. He
appears Indifferent as to his own mis-
fortune, but seems greatly worried
about the effect II may have upon his
mother He says that he Is willing
to face his accusers at any time and
feels confident Of ultimate acquittal,
not only at the hands OF the trial
court, but In the judgment OF the peo-