The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1922-09-02

Leadership is being developed and
now it is generally conceded that
should labor secure a majority or
the seats in parliame 1t Arthur Hen
derson will be the logical man for
prime minister. He is leader Of the
Labor party and played the chief
part in bringing about settlement
Of the engineering lockout dispute.
He enjoys the confidence and respect
of most British people.
Mr.. Henderson. shares with the
majority of his colleagues in the
.-ational councils of the movement
the distinction Of having risen to
eminence in public life by unceas-
ing effort and by indomitable strug-
gle against adverse circumstances.
Native talent, in conjunction with
the qualities of courage, devotion to
duty, and persistent application to
each successive task, have prevailed
against a lack of academic education
and narrowing conditions OF early
life. To appreciate the romance OF
such a career, one must Visualize
it's beginning. Mr.. Henderson was
born in Glasgow. There he attended
the board school until he was IL.
His parents then removed to New
castle, where he at once was ap-
precticed in an iron foundry. In
these compromising circumstances did
the future cabinet minister and or
ganizer Of a great political party
=; with few
acquired advantages save ability to
read and write.
Religious Training Evident.
AS to family life, he was brought
under religious influences and was
trained in the solid British virtues
of sobriety, hard work, and self-help.
TO these early influences may be
traced a certain Puritan spirit, modi-
fled to some extent by thoroughly
modern outlook, which is reflected
in Mr.. Hendcrson's political faith.
From early manhood until he en-
tered parliament at 40, Mr.. Hender-
son studied ,aboriousl:.. in the school
of local government and trade union
activity. His capacity for mediation
and organization s'Cn was d1scoV-
cred and he was chosevfto represent
his fellow-workers in negotiations
with employers. Jealous service for
the Ironfounders society led to his
appointment later as secretary of
the District Cancellation Poard for
the industry. At 80, he wars a men,
Der of the Newcastle City council,
striving to better the conditions OF
municipal employees and organizing
periodical hospital collections in the
workshops.
His next 10 years were full OF
activity. He was mayor Of Darling
ton and a member of he Durham
County council. He left the foundry
to act as distributing agent for a
workers newspaper, but threw up
the post as :. protest against the as
ISOLATION of the paper with betting
Later, he was engaged as Liberal
election agent in the Barnard Castle
division. He resigned this post to
become Labor candi. tie and men,
Der for the division in 1903.
Then Insignificant Body.
The Labor party then was a small
and insignificant body, but his cleo
ton to it meant for Mr.. Henderson
that his provincial bonds were bro.
ken and that the opportunity an6
adventure of national political life
were open to him. Years Of hard work
followed. He was elected chairman
Of the party in succession to Mr.
Kerr Hardie in 1905. so quickly were
his qualities as leader recognized
In due time. he was appointed tt
his present position as secretary Of
the party.