The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-07
MEN OF THE MACDONALD z
 TYPE ARE ALL TOO RARE


 led from this realm of activity when deaths icy hand stilled the pulse that gave vibration to the mentality of the late Thomas Hood Macdonald. His, was a mind enriched by tall ents which were augmented by in- dustry. Tn the very highest sense of the term he was a worker. The unexpected collapse of physique that would have commanded atten- tion in any assemblaee of his fellows. brings home to us with striking force, the significance of the, old adage, that there is no tomorrow for any one. Less than one year ago MT. Macdonald presented all of the physl. cal and mental aspects of one who had long lease of life before him, |Of superb physicalS proportions na- ture seemed to have done herself proud in this particular bit of work manship for she had provided the splendid frame with an intellect suit able to the toll which she. had a right to exact from one So exception ally equipped in bodily vigor. But disease,-from whence it sprung those most skilled in the witchery of their uaIling knew not-began it's roarch- march that was destined to go on its all devouring way until. at last, dissolution came as a blessing.
 MT. Macdonald knew for some time that the end was inevitable and that the best he could hope for was but short respite. With that strength of purpose which characterized him in the days of his best health, he set about, to 'tput his house in or der" What lay beyond held no ter TOTS since he was consoled with the knowledge, that he had made the best use of his talents while here. Big of body and of brain, he was also big of heart. Much of the per lection which the talking machine has attained it owes to his inventive mind and in that world-the inven- tors world filled as it is with its heartaches, it's woes and bitter disap- pointments, his achievements. if not his fame, will endure.
 It was given to him to know the commonality of mankind and to un- derstand the species. Because of this he lived to see finely trained and disciplined force of mechanics and artisans moving with the precis- ion of a phalanx under his command. He knew the, worth of a toiler and the number his station the more con siderate, seemingly, he was of him. At the great plant of the American Graphophone Co.,, where he spent aI- most a quarter of century of his worth while life, he was known and loved by the men under him. This is particularly true of the poor feI- low working for the minimum of wage, with no one to plead his cause.
 The lowliest employe in the shop knew that MT. Macdonald was his friend MT. Macdonald took a keen interest in the welfare of the shop hand. It was his influence that brought about the nine hour work day at the factory which he man aged back in 1903. The kind of a man Tom Macdonald was, is best shown in the light of that remarkable concession, obtained by him, through the eloquence and sincerity. of his pleading before the directory of his concern. The skilled mechanics in the employ of the plant had, peti- toned for the shorter workday with out reduction in pay. MT. ,Macdon- aid told them he would take the mat tetr up with the directors. It was known then, that for some time pre- vious MT. Macdonald and others in the directory believed, in the shorter workday. In the negotiations which followed he secured more than any of the petitioners anticipated. Not only did he obtain reduced hours of labor for the men who were earn ETTEDTT DAv