New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-07-04
CHAMBERLAIN PAROCHIALLST
FIRST, IMPERLALLST LATER
Evolution of Great English Statesman from Red Republican
to Ally of Conservatives Marked Always by Steady
Conviction and Earnestness of Purpose

Joseph Chamberlain, for many years
the strongest and most influential pub
lie man in the British Empire, and one
Of the greatest constructive and ad-
illustrative statesmen in all British
history, was born in Camberwell. one
OF the great middle class suburbs Of
London, on July 6, 1886. He came of
q good old family OF Wiltshire yeo-
many. which was originally settled in
Shriyenham. For more than a hun
bred years before his birth his an
eestors carried on a large business as
leather merchants and shoe manufact-
urers in Cheapside, London. His father
was Joseph Chamberlain, a member OF
the Cordwainers' Company. and his
mother was a daughter Of Henry Har
ben. a merchant of the City.
The elder Joseph trained his son for
a commercial career. sending him to
the London University College School
and taking him, at the age Of sixteen,
into the office of Nettlefold & Cham
berlain, screw manufacturers, Of Bir-
mingham. firm in which the father
had become partner. In due time the
son was also admitted TO partnership,
and his first undertaking. after reach
ing manhood. was to make fortune in
business. The secrets of his success
NAV be expressed in two words adap
liability and enterprise. He found, for
example, that English made screws
we're practically debarred from the
French market because they were all
made in inch and fractional and null
tiple sizes, while the French wanted
only those made according TO the me-
tric scale. Mr.. Chamberlain promptly
met this want, and soon had almost a
monopoly Of the French market. Again,
wishing TO rid himself of detrimental
competition and 10 lessen the cost Of
production, he purchased and absorbed
into mis- own establishment various
rival factories. His integrity as bus
mess man was never impeached, and
his relations with his employees were
never made the subject Of adverse crit
icism.
Early Political Interests.
After twenty year, nc was able 10
retire with an independent fortune,
honestly made through his own in
dustry and enterprise. This enabled
him 70 devote the remainder Of his life
10 the public service without danger OF
being charged with seeking power for
the sake Of profit. Il is credible that
such was his ambition from the be-
ginning Of his career; for he carly
began 70 take lively interest in pub
lie affairs as an active member Of the
Birmingham and Kdgbaston Debating
Society and, strangely enough, often
spoke against the radical tendencies OF
zone Of the political leaders % the day.
Those youthful Conservative utter
.nces, II may be, were merely his po-
iitieal wild oats. At any rate, as soon
as he began 20 take practical part IN
political affairs there was 10 question
OF his Rsdicalism and Republicanisn.
~ meeting in Birmingham in 1870,
called 20 express sympathy with the
new French Republic, he declared that
republic was bound 20 come in Eng
land and twO years later he attended
an electoral reform conference in Lon
oon as the accredited representative
oi the Birmingham Republican Club.
Municipal Reformer.
/ In me domain Of parochial politics,
ID "hich Mr.. Chamberlain began &C
tiYely % interest himself six years be-
fore his retirement from business. he
addressed himself % the correction Of
evils and abuses with the same earnest.
hess hat he vas then showing in his
private enterprise Birmingham had
i'ng been notorious for It's unsanitary
condition, IT. aquaior and its UnlOyoli-
hfsg II Was one Of The worst gov
ssihed eItes Iu the United Kingdom.
,Nr. Chamberlain prided himself upon
his model factory system. He deter
mined 70 apply the same system 20 mu-
Hieipai adfninistratiOn. He made such
record a. an alderman that in 1913
ne Was elected Mayor Of the city, and
vas tTiee reelected, in order that he
hifnt have fun power 70 complete the
n,,Drk he had 20 wonderfully begun.
His adm iniatration was marked By a
Nnta o. municipal reforms which
mAoe him and Birmingham famous.
ne secured Parliamentary legislation
m@' enabled The city 70 acquire the
neal waterVorks and gssNOrkg and
ihsf management. A. result, The
people paid less for their gas. and the
ga works yielded profit Of $3.50 900 a
year. He algO executed gigantic
,sntfn" for abDlishing The slums, lay.
Hz opt fine streets and public parks,
snd building improved new dwellings
iDf We poOr The librsneg, art 4 J.
llsrits, public bstbs, schOOlhOuges and
We great Midland institute, which
make Birmingham one o. the model
s'Iiss Of the world, are oil due 70 his