Amerikai Magyar hirlap = American Magyar journal. [volume] (Youngstown, Ohio) 1911-1942, 1921-08-18
By N. CROSSHANDLER.

!
The United States is fortunate in having,
as the head of its Department OF Labor,
man of the fine human qualities pos
sessed by the Hon. James John Davis
Because he was born of humble parentage
and knows from experience the trials and
troubles which fall to the lot of the average
workingman and his family, Secretary
Davis can approach the problems OF his
office with broad sympathy and under
standing.
! In meeting the Secretary of Labor, one
is most deeply impressed by his outstand-
ing democratic characteristics. There is
nothing superficial about him. He is a
plain American in every sense of the word
and is as easy to approach as the most
humble man in Youngstown. He lends
equal attention to the pleas of the poor
circumstances. 1t might be said that he
, has high regard for the average Amer
| lean" and regards himself as one of them
1 His handshake is sincere, his eyes reveal
winning disposition. And the volume of
work which he can transact in day would
prove insurmountable to many men. Few
people have any conception of the num-
Der and kind of problems which are
brought to the Department of Labor for
solution. Hundreds of kilograms pour in.
There are many kilograms and letters
from foreign families desiring admission
to this country. Secretary Davis handles
them all efficiently and promptly, but
above all in a personal, humane way, as
if, in a measure, his own wellbeing were
involved Government business in his de.
partment loses much of its formality and
its red tape.
Not in many years has Secretary of
Labor been confronted with the problems
of administration which faced Mr. Davis
when he assumed office 1t will be re-
called that there was much speculation
as to the choice for this important post
because of the delicate and important
nature of the work AND there may have
been in some quarters disappointment
when Mr.. Davis was named, and whisper
ings that he would not measure up to the
responsibilities involved.
But Mr.. Davis promises to become one
of the most important figures in Presiden
Harding's cabinet before his term shal
have expired, and consequently one of the
leaders in public life at Washington. He
enjoys the confidence of both labor ant
capital to a marked degree. Though he
was formerly actively identified with the
Amalgamated Association of Iron, Stee
i& Tin Workers, and is still member ir
good standing, it is certain that Mr. Davi.
will not become catspaw of selfish labor
union leaders. 1t is certain that he will
devote himself assiduously to helping thu
great numbers OF unorganized workmen il
this country. At the same time, none car
say that he has been unfair in any wa,
TO organized labor. He has proved happ,
medium, and in his appointment, Presi
dent Harding secured man who ha
earned the confidence of all classes, a
perhaps few others in SO conspicuous al
|office, have done.
Secretary Of Labor Davis was born il
Tredcgsr, Wales, October q, 1873; hi
father, mother and their six childrel
|emiSrssed to Afaefica in 1881; at the ag
of II he began working and learned hi
Itrsds as a puddler in the iron and stee
! works at Shsfon, Pa. ! in 1892 ne wen
!. Ito work IN ne 9irsn werkss at sPiftsburg
in 1893 worked in the steel and tinplat
tmills at Elwood, Ind. He joined the Anna
Egamated Association and was subsequent
elected TO various offices. In 1898,
was elected city clerk Of Elwood, Ind
land in 1902 was elected recorder Of Mae
& l. v.~1