The log cabin Democrat., 1916-02-01

characteristic is concerned, but there are times when the fires break loose and expend their flames on the head of the offender. It is said that ore or two such things have happened in the career of Joseph F. Davies. There are good many men in public life and in business life who are likely to become offenders against the proper ties of government and business, and on such as these the Celtic temper sometimes breaks
 There IS one thing that is certain, Joseph F.. Davies loves his home state, and he has an abiding affection for his educational alma mater. He attended the public schools of Watertown. Wis, graduated from the high school in 1894 with class of which he was the valediCtorian, He at once entered the University of Wisconsin and was chosen president of the freshman class. On graduation he was both class day and commencement orator. While he was attending the university he was made athletic instructor. He was one of the winning team in the Illinois-WiscOnsin intercollegiate de- hate. He graduated in law in 1901. and in the year following he was made temporary chairman of the Democrat ic state convention.
 At the beginning of his administra- tion President Wilson gave MT Davies an opportunity to accept or decline two high offices of government, the assistant secretaryship of war and the governor generalship of the Phil ippines Both of these offices the Wis consin man declined. Later, however, he accepted the position of commis- siOner of corporations, a place which his record in the law made him seem peculiarly fit.
 Into the campaign of 1912 in behalf of Woodrow Wilson MT. Davies en- tered as a battling figure. He was as prominent in the Wilson movement in the middle West and the West as was the Princeton man, William H. McCombS, in the East MT. Davies was a Wilson follower prior to the nomination of the present president at Baltimore. At the convention he joined forces with Mir. McCombs in the struggle which finally was successful in securing the presidents nomination. During the election campaign MT. Davies directed the Democratic forces in virtually all the western and mid de western states.
 Here is Mir. Davies definition of the government body over which he pre- sides as chairman:
 We might put it this way" he said The trade commission is the traffic police force to see that the rules of the road on what we may term the industrial highways of the nation are maintained. It is to com pei the big touring car, in the use of those highways, not to disregard the rights of the little one, but to accord it it's due share of the road"
 Washington men have characterized this as rather striking characteriza tion of the functions of the trade com mission. Of course the big touring car is big business" and the small touring car is little business"
 The government ever since men began to think progressively, has been trying to get fair trade condi- tions. Joseph E. Davies of Wisconsin today is at the head of the commits sion which has this work in large part in hand. He has not been long in the present office. The future is ahead of him and it is up to him to make as good in his new office as the records good in other walks of life.