The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1913-07-24
LABOR IN CABINET
William B. Wilson Head of the
New Department.
CAREER AS A TRADE UNl0NIST
Began as Boy ToiIer In the Mines.
Driven From the Coal Fields Because
of His Activity In Organizing Unions.
Good Record In Congress.

The appointment of William Bauchop
Wilson as secretary of labor has excit-
ed keen public interest in the man as
well as in the government department
which has just come into being. What
sort of man is he. what has he done,
and what will he be likely to do? These
questions are heard on every side.
Secretary Wilson has been long iden-
tilted with the organized labor move
ment in this country. His friends say
that his career from the time when
he was a poverty stricken lad In the
Pennsylvania coal fields to his eleva-
ton to cabinet portfolio has been
characterized by three dominant traits
-earnestness. perseverance and integ-
rity. Now that he has become ma
tional figure the incidents of his life
are set forth in this narrative.
Mr.. Wilson was born in Scotland In
1862 When he came To this country
at the age OF nine he was an unschool-
ed miners boy. who went down with
his invalid father into the mines ev-
into the cars 80 that the little family
could earn enough money 10 exist.
While engaged in this work he receiy-
ed what education he could pick up In
a somewhat heller SHELTER way.
The boy also studied ut night,
| though after the arduous days work
| the evenings study was not usually
| long. Before he was fourteen he or
ganized debating society and took an
active part in the affairs of the people
among whom he lived.
He formed the idea that it was nee
essary for some one to help the min
ers to improve their condition. a de
| sire to help his fellow men thus be
came one of the keynotes of his life.
In 1882 Wilson had to give up work
in the coal fields. The operators for
babe his employment because he had
| formed a miners union. They regard
ed him as a menace TO their interests.
| His union was the OutgrOwth OF the
| little debating society he had formed.
When the United Mine Workers of
America became an organization In
1890 it was partly due TO Wilson's ne
| gotiations that the union was formed.
AS a member Of the national executive
board Of the old miners union he
knew so much about the affairs OF the
workmen that 1t was decided to adopt
his plan.
Some of the difficulties that he had
to endure in his efforts to organize the
union tested his courage as well as his
resourcefulness. Not only were the
coal companies against him, but many
of the men were hostile. His life was
constantly in danger. At times he
would go down into the mines in dis
guise and plead with the men at their
work.
1t was in the great strike of 1891
that Wilson's loyalty was sorely tried
He had gone to West Virginia to or
ganize the bituminous miners Of that
state. The operators had him arrested
on the charge Of contempt and ther
released him. thinking that he would
leave the district. Instead he begar
to work more assiduously than ever
He was again arrested. The opera
tors tried to keep him in Jail unit
after the strike was over. but he was
released under heavy bail. He helC
the miners together. A plan-so the
story goes-was devised whereby h'
would be kidnapped. but one of thu
men selected for the deed went Il
Wilson, warned him Of the plot ant
thwarted the attempt.
Wilson was president of District No
in 1899 when violent disturbance
in the soft coal fields of Pennsylvania
took place. The men were desperate
and on the point of abandoning tn
strike when they were without fund
and were informed that Wilson hat
sold them out. At meeting OF tn
miners some one called for Wilson
and then 1t was that voices shoute'
that he dare not come.
The little gathering was probably tn
turning point in the life of the miners
union in Pennsylvania. Just as the.
were about to form plan Of capitulat
ing to the operators Wilson's sturd
form was seen pushing through tn
edge Of the crowd. He hurried int
the midst of the miners and told ther
that he had been to Clearfield to rails
funds for them to renew the struggle
The battle was renewed, and the unto
won.
The next year Wilson was electe
secretary-treasurer of the United Min
Workers of America. In the six year
that he held the Office 100000 wa
handled by him and accounted for. 81
was not under bond.
Mr.. Wilson was elected as Demo
crat In the Fifteenth Pennsylvania di:
trict, which has always been ovel
whelmingly Republican, to the Sixtietl
Sixty first and Sixty-second congresses
but was defeated last fall for re-ele'
ton by Edgar r. Kiess. Republican
He has been for many years the rigf
hand man Of the American Federatio
of Labor, has been In the confdenc
of its officers and leaders and has lool
ed after their interests in congress
He was an adviser of John Mitche
during the height of his leadership.
a.ioiur, "a Have Bio Strike.