The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1919-04-26

S-T-r #<p w AOcpNhiliS 0lUCItSbS vi IIl6
sout and OF my own state in partic-
] ular
81 + bis first election in 1908, Mr..
Aus hI been reelected in 1910,
/ 1914 191Ai%$pd 1916. He was unop-
! pose for the nomination for re-elec-
tlon b 1914 and 1916, but he was de-
/ featfd by J. Will Taylor in his can
didaty for return to congress in the
election of November 1918.
Id has stood squarely upon his rec
ord congress, and has declared him
self Jan advocate of the interests of
the people of his district. He was a
member of several congressional com
mitgf es, including the public buildings
NcoI pittee, one of the most important
Hi position ON this committee enab-
\ led him to render a good service to-
his home district by insisting upon
4 the specification of East Tennessee
ma pie for use in many public build
ing erected by the government. He
alsd secured appropriations for such
Sbuil lings at Morristown, Jellico and
n MAJ Eville, these being the only feder-
n al Buildings in the district outside of
4 Kni kvilIe. He has at all times been
\ an arnest advocate of appropriations
4 for iriver Improvements in this dis
tricI, and urged such in congress both
aby lis vote and by speeches.
d F, Z was prominent in the affairs of
1.-THE Republican party nationally, serv-
d ingtas chairman of the finance COM
y mittee of the republican COMPRESSION
Ia Committee
N ~ Friend of Laboring Man.
n Mr.. Aastin has at all times been the
Y friend of \the laboring man and has
Hbeen considerable Of others, particular
a w in misfortunes. AT the time of
q the Fraterville coal mine disasted at
q BricevilIe in 1902, he was one of the
a first to engage in the movement to
A raise funds for widows and orphans
NJ of miners killed in the explosion. lie
z organized a committee to undertake
u the work of collecting and disbursing
4 funds, and acted as the secretary OF
4 the fund until it's distribution was
i completed. This is one of his known
i charities. None but himself and those
& directly concerned will ever know OF
many private charities he carried
q on. He was generous to fault, and
"a he never violated friendship or a
n confidence.
Il In addition to his achievements in
( politics, Mr.. Austin was also law
yer and business man of ability. lie
was one of the organizers of the
Y Knoxville power company, which &C
s uuired property rights in Blount
n county, for the site Of a mammoth
4 water power development. This was
n promoted aggressively by Mr.. Austin
and associates, with the ultimate re-
suit that it was sold to interests that
brought about the establishment of the
present mammoth plant of the ALUMNI
I mum Company of America at Mary
I vile. The purpose of this company, IN
] locating here, was to avail itself OF
I this water power, and its gigantic
dam and power plant has been built.
4 Bringing this big industry to this sec
\ tion alone is an achievement that
means much for the industrial future
4 Of this city and section, and to Mr..
4 Austin's untiring efforts in promoting
& the power enterprise is largely due
Scredit for the success.
In social and religious life Mr.. Aus
tin was conspicuous. He was always
welcomed in any company, being an
entertaining conversationalist and a
cultured gentleman, and a gifted
speaker. He was a member of the
Cumberland club in Knoxville lodge
AB. P. o. Elks and also of the Junior
! Order of United American Mechanics.
His church utilization was with the
Second Presbyterian church, in the
affairs of which he always took an ac-
tive and devout interest. He believed
in everything for which the church
stands, and his life was exemplary
as Christian gentleman.
AS is known, Mr.. Austin is sur
vived by devoted family. His below,
ed wife, formerly Miss Margaret Nor,
rison, has been an inspiring helpmatel
in all his life battles. He leaves one
daughter, Miss Jane Austin, and oneI
son, Commander Charles M. Austin,
who has won distinction as an officer|
in the United Stats navy.
In the death of Mr. Austin, Knox.
vile has lost an estimable citizen who
reflected honor upon it and the dis
trict and state. Public life is deprived
of the influence and work of man
who was faithful to every trust and:
who was the personal friend of every.
member of the house of representa-
tives. His friends have lost friend
whose friendship was worth while and
was steadfast and loyal. His devoted
wife, daughter and son will have the
fragrant memories of well spent,
life; devotion to every wish and in
terest they expressed, and the lofty,
esteem in which he was held by every
one who knew him as he really was.
To give up such man as RichardS
Wilson Austin is an irreparable mis-
fortune to any family, community,