The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-03-27
Yin Davis, Puddler
At Birmingham Mill,
Nolu a Cabinet Officer
Nv CHARLES Ii. MANDY

BY CHARLES
History bears witness. even in our time
and generation, to the many men who,
despite handicaps and seemingly impos-
sible obstacles, have risen to the high
est pinnacle Of fame and fortune. few
such men have been creatures of fortu-
nate circumstance, some have had promi-
hence thrust upon them, but in the ma
jority of instances the rise to fame and
fortune aforesaid has been due almost
entirely to the perseverance, energy and
mental capacity of the man that reached
the top.
1t was long, long way from the back
woods or Kentucky to the White House,
yet our martyred President made the
journey practically unaided; it seemed
impossible that a poor, uneducated emil
by sheer grit and ability become the
editor and owner of one of the greatest
newspapers. in the world, yet Joseph
Pulitzer accomplished that feat. The
rise from poverty and obscurity of An
drew Carnegie to a place and position
as the greatest industrial magnate the
world has ever known, is a matter within
the ken of every school boy and girl
There are so many, instances of this
character that the list could be carried
on ad libitum.
To bring the matter nearer home, it II
also long way from the puddle mil
department Of the old Birmingham roll
ing mill, with its heat and CRIME ant
the arduous work, to a place in the cabl
net of the President of the greatest ma
ton on earth. Yet that is what James
]. Davis has accomplished, for Jim
Davis, as he was known to his forme
workmates in the Birmingham rollini
mill, is today Secretary of Labor II
President Harding's cabinet.
COMES TO BIRMINGHAM
| Some IS years ago there came to Biz
mingham young man seeking employ
| ment; a young man of Welsh descent
| who gave his name as Jim Davis, IL
iron worker by trade. He secured EN-
ployment in the Birmingham rolling mill
i which at that time was an Independent
company formed with local capital ): w
Caldwell was president. William ware
| vice president, anu Tie ldl6 Els LIZ ID ANsS-
paymaster Jim worked in what Wa
known as the old puddle department and
according to those who toiled and Ia
bored with him, he made good from IN
start, not only as a skilled workman, pu
as a man who stood for the hlshes
ideals in every walk of life. A total 40
stainer. he retained the friendship OF nj
fellow workman, and total aostainer
a rolling mill at that time was as rar
as white crow. He was always toleran
and liberal in his views as to the rish'
of others.
lin Davis worked in the Birmingham
rolling mill only about eight months, bu
he is we'll remembered by many OF Tn
"old-timers'' still living here, anon
whom are Jimmy Lyneugh, Fred Nespi
John Harringt ton, Charles Glover Ioinlll
wheeler, w. b, Harris, Ruffner Wa.e
Henry Bales and Dave Williams; y
: writer is indebted to Dave Wllliams ~
much of the data for this article Ihei
are doubtless many others lNihs ne'
who remember Jim Davis as worker
the mills. ,
During his sojourn here he boarded
a worker at the old Haley House at "
corner of First avenue and ELEVEN
street. The house is. still standing. D'
lis in a very dilapdated condition: Ap sp
six wears ago Mr.. Davis paid his flr
visit to Birmingham since ne ielt III 10.
with Dave Williams he paid Visit
tbe site of the old mill, or "stampir
ground. as he expressed it. He W.
amazed at the. changes that had tak $
Mace. for scarcely a vestige OF the o
mill remained, but N passing by ne re
ognized his old boarding mouse a.
smoke of the many pleasant acqualn
,nces and memories it recalled
BORN IN WALES
James j. Davis was born In tIraaeso
South wales, and came to this countl
when mere boy. He worked at sever
of the mills in Pennsylvania alio -
diana before coming south. few yea
after leaving Birmingham he moved
Eiwood. Ind. where he became a S,er
in politics and was elected county eieI
a position he held for several years.
Later moved to Pittsburg, where ne MAJ
his home.
During this time he became active