Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-07-26
The Man of the Hour, and Why

William J Harris was born In &C.
dG1tOwn, Polk county. Georgia, Feb
ruary 3. 1865. He was educated in
the common schools OF Polk county
and the University Of Georgia, teach
ing school during the summer to pro-
vide means for his college training.
In 1895, he married Miss Julia
Wheeler, daughter of General Joseph
Wheeler, the distinguished Southern
cavalry leader. Mr.. Harris has three
brothers now serving in the United
States army. Gen. p. c. Harris. Major
Seals Harris and Captain Hunter
Harris. Many young men have been
benefciaries of Mr.. Harris aid in OBJ
tanning an education to equip them
for life's work.
Political Service
AS chairman OF the Folk county
Democratic Executive committee, he
succeeded in establishing the white
primary" in 1892.
AS private secretary to Senator A.
s. Clay, and under the training OF
this distinguished Georgian. Mr. Har-
ris began. in cary life, to look after
the interests in Washington Of Geor-
gians from every section.
In 1912 Mr. Harris managed Presi-
dent Wilson's frat campaign in Geor-
gia; was elected chairman of the
State Democratic Executive Commit
tee. and played prominent part in
rolling up the largest majority Geor-
gia ever gave candidate for presi-
dent.
Legislative Service
Mr.. Harris represented the Thirty
eighth district n the state senate in
1911-12, and there worked and voted
Cor every measure that would help
the farmers and benefit the taxpay-
ers of the state. Some of these in
clude:
(1) Mr.. Harris introduced ana aid
Ell in the passage of the bill abolish
ing the unlimited fees of Gil inspec-
tors, and fixing their maximum sal
AIRY at 800 per month. This law
has saved the state th-Csands of dol
lars. In 1917 alone, il saved the
state net, s1S2,5Ss.
GU Mr.. Harris introduced and
passed the bill requiring lobbyists to
register, thereby eliminating the
grating, professional lobbyist, and
protecting legislation.
GO Mr.. Harris advocated the sepa-
rate leasing of the W. & A. railroad
from the other state property in
Chattanooga, policy since adopted by
the Lease Com mission"
90 Personally. Mr.. Harris has al
ways been 4 consistent prohibitionist,
and has always supported all meas
ures looking to freeing the state from
the liquor traffic.
National Service
AS director OF the United States
Census, to which he was appointed
by President Wilson, officials today
say that Mr.. Harris was the most eff
1cient director since the bureau was
established. The chief criticism
against his administration, made by
Judge Hughes. Republican nominee
for president. was that he appointed
so many Georgia Democrats 60 posi-
lions I'm the department.
President Wilson appointed Mr..
Harris acting SECRETARY of commerce,
in the absence OF Secretary RedfeId
and cordially approved his services
and efficiency as a temporary mem
Der OF the cabinet
Under Republican rule the Wall
street gamblers were permitted 10
keep down the price OF cotton by IN
Guiding in the census estimate the
number OF bales OF linters cotton. Mr..
Harris had the linters estimate sepa-
rated from the regular cotton re
ports. which reduced the estimates
and tended TO raise the price OF cot
ton During Republican rule, it was
freely charged that there were
leaks" In cotton estimates OF the
census bureau Not once since the