The labor world., 1921-03-12
WILLIAM B. WILSON.

The propaganda that is being used
against the appointment of William B.
Wilson,, former secretary of labor, as
member of the American section Of
the International Boundary commission
to succeed Obediah Gardner of Maine,
Lakes st. Lawrence waterway project.
Mr.. Wilson s home is in Pennsyl-
valia. but he is not Pennsylvania
politician, as we have come to know
that species of American statesmen.
He is not q business man or a pro-
fessional man. He came up from
coal mine and he never did anything
else but mine coal until he became an
official Of the United Mine Workers.
union. He afterwards went to congress
and then was appointed member Of
President Wilson s cabinet to organ.
ize the ra~ department. Of labor eight
years ago.
Mr.. Wilson S life work has not been
limited to the confines Of any state or
section. His interest in every project
and movement with which he has ever
been identified was nation wide in thei:
scope. Having devoted his life to the
welfare of the people and the nation,
he can be depended upon to remain
true to the ideals that have character
- 4,,1
There will be no time Whitfield away
10 the advantage of the railroads with
fBilly' Wilson on the boundary COM
mission. He will be no false friend of
the people, secretly serving any special
interest. If the deep waterways pro-
ject proves practical, and if it will do
for this or any section Of the country
but small portion Of the things its
advocates claim for it, Mr. Wilson will
be found just where we would want
him to be-
All other considerations being equal
MIR. Wilson s interest in the labor .qnes-
tion alone would prompt him to supper:
any worthy proposition that offers such
opportunities Of employment for labor
all the way from the st. Lawrence river
to Duluth and Superior, in not only
building the locks, but in dredging
harbors and improving their facilities.
His presence on the boundary COM
mission will bring to the support Of the
deep waterways project the American
labor movement with its millions CT
members. The workers of Massachu-
setts and of New York will repudiate
the selfish program of the business
interests of those states. Should that
not count for something in favor Of
Mr.. Wilson IS appointment
1t is said that former Senator Gard
,lcr has thoroughly familiarized himself
: with the waterways project and this
is no time to make change. He is an
old man and may pass away at any
time. Then, what might happen? The
records are there and Mr.. Wilson is
square and true. We predict that the
day Will come when the civic organiza-
t1ons III Duluth which have been influ-
enced to pass resolutions against his
appointment will be ashamed of their
action. Gentlemen, beware Of the rail-
roads! They work in "mysterious
ways their plotting to perform.''
The delay in making Duluth an ocean
port will not be caused by any member
of the International Boundary commits
sion, so much as it may be by depart
ments of the government closer to the
White House. Massachusetts, is against
the deep. waterways project. The Bos-
ton Chamber Of Commerce has declared
against it. John w. Weeks of Massa-
chusetts is secretary of war. The war
department will have charge of the
building Of locks and the deepening oe
channels. Its engineers will make all
THE surveys in advance. How soon will
they begin after congress shall have
authorized the improvements When
John W. Weeks of Massachusetts d.
1ects, and not one day sooner9 The
people of Duluth will find it to their
advantage to tie up to w. B. Wilson
and to keep sharp watch on John W.
Weeks Of Massachusetts, secretary of