New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-16
Secretary Wilson Tells of His Novel
BacM-to-tf1e-S0i Plan to Benefit Many

m, more. experience with the ups and down, a,
tho laboring man than any one else he could h.v.
chosen. Thirteen years isn't very long in pan.
ing. but in this brief period the Secretary q,
Labor rose from miner in the coal field, A.
Pennsylvania 10 become a member OF the Cabin,
with three terms in Congress in between WIZ,
Mr. Wilson became Secretary OF Labor he h.A
hut one object in view. and that 70 help N.
laboring man. He himself had begun work in N.
coal mines Of Pennsylvania when only nine y.,r
old as an assistant 20 his father, who was also .
r,ine, At the age OF eleven no became A men.
bor NJ the Mine Workers Union, and he had bare
10 turned eighteen when he was placed on IA.
blacklist by the mine owners. II was At this star.
Of Mr. Wilson's life that his career began 10 20.
interesting lie began TO travel. IN fact, he had
TO- because the blacklist was a remarkably good
weapon to keep him from getting any further en-.
ployment in that region.
TO A MINE OWNER ONE EXCUSE rs As GOOD
AS ANOTHER.
Occasionally he would get work In iron mine,
or other mines where he not known One.
found out, however, he was soon fred. Occasion.
ally mine owner, recognizing Mr.. Wilson, would
keep him employed until some dispute arose with
the workmen, and almost Immediately the now
Secretary of Labor was informed that he could
work at that particular mine no longer.
Throughout his travels Mr.. Wilson tried to
keep at work in the mines, but this he found
20 be impossible, with the result that he had
10 take up other occupations Sometimes he
would work in q sawmill, at other times he would
work as railroader, and a. still others he
would help cut down trees IN the forsst Hs
also worked In . country newspaper Office, where
he set type, and, In fact there are few oceups.
lions that did not take up at lsss. a part Of bis
time when he travelled throughout the country
endeavoring to earn enough to keep Q large
family supplied with It's daily bread In 1900 Mr.
Wilson was elected secretary treasurer Of the
Mine Workers Union and served during the pres.
idency Of John Mitchell. Mr.. Wilson served a,
a member Of the 6Oth, 6lst and SD Congress-
II one happens to be in the neighborhood o.
Arnot, Toga County, Penn, on Juns IL
next he will see great big gathering Of miners
celebrating Wilson day. He will find ou. that
the celebration is not in honor OF the President
whose name also happens 70 be Wilson, but ths,
II Is the day each year on which the miners
from the bitumnous region, OF Northern Penn
sylvania gather together TO pay tribute to Billy
Wilson, who almost from the day In 1870 that he
and his parents came there from Scotland has
been one Of the stsnchest fighters for the cause
Of the miners. Secretary Wilson has . farm q.
Bossburg, Penn, is married and has nine chill
dren. He has one hobby which sometimes gets
him into trouble with the presiding officer c. his
home, and that is his fondness for dogs. Dogs
seem to know that Wilson is fond Of them, 50
that 1t is not unusual thing for 4 stray dog
to greet him the street like a long lost owner.
Mr.. Wilson turns the dogs away in most
cases he couldn't If he wanted TO, with the result
that there several dogs in the Wilson house,
hold.