The Marietta journal and courier., 1918-07-12
The Man of the Hour, and Why

William j. Harris was born in Ce'
dartown, Polk county, Georgia, Feb
ruary g. 1868. 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 Whee-
Ter, daughter of Gen. Joseph Wheeler,
the distinguished Southern cavalry
leader. Mr.. Harris has three brothers
now serving in the United States
Army, Gen. P. c. Harris, Maj. Seals
Harris and Capt. Hunter Harris. Many
young men have been beneficiaries
of Mr. Harris aid in obtaining an edu-
cation to equip them for Iife's work.
Political Service.
AS Chairman of the Polk 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.. Harris be-
gan, in early life, to look after the
interests in Washington of Georgians
from every section
In 1912 Mr. Harris managed Presi
dent Wilson's first campaign in Geor
gia; was elected chairman Of the
State Democratic Executive Commit
tee, and played prominent part in roll
ing up the largest majority Georgia
ever gave a candidate for President.
Legislative Service.
MIR. Harris represented the 38th dis
trict in the state senate in 1911-12, and
there worked and voted for every
measure that would help the farmers
and benefit the taxpayers Of the state.
Some OF these include:
% Mr. Harris introduced and aid
ed in the passage of the bill abolish
ing the unlimited fees of oil inspec-
tors, and fixing their maximum salary
at 500 per month. This law has
saved the state thousands of dollars.
In 1917 alone, it saved the state net,
$182,588.
(2) Mr.. Harris introduced and pass
ed the bill requiring lobbyists to reg
lister, 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 Chat
tanooga, policy since adopted by the
Lease Commission"
"a Personally, Mr.. Harris has al
ways been a consistent prohibitionist,
and has always. supported all measures
looking to freeing the state from the
liquor traffic.
National Service.
AS director of the United States Cen
sus, to which he was appointed by
President Wilson, officials today say
that Mr. Harris was the most efficient
director since the bureau was estab-
lished. The chief criticism against
his administration, made by Judge
Hughes, Republican nominee for Presi-
dent, was that he appointed so many
Georgia Democrats to positions in the
department.
President Wilson appointed Mr.. Har-
ris acting secretary of commerce, in
the absence of Secretary Redfield, and
cordially approved his services and eff
ficiency as a temporary member OF the
, cabinet.
Under Republican rule the Wall
street gamblers were permitted to keep
down the price of cotton by including
in the census estimate the number of
bales of linters cotton. Mr.. Harris had
the linters estimate separated from
the regular cotton reports, which re-
duced the estimates and tended to
raise the price of cotton. During Re
publican rule, it was freely charged