The Alaska daily empire., 1923-05-29
JOSEPH FOLK PASSES AWAY
 IN N. '. CITY
Former Governor of Missouri and Leading Democrat,
 Is Dead in East.
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nessec, October 2S, 1869 His pre- liminary education was obtained in the public schools of his birthplace, following which he was sent to Van- derbilt University to study law. He was graduated with the degree of LL.B. in 1890, and secured admission to the bar within a few months. His first shingle was hung out in Browns vile.
 Looking for larger fields, four years later, he moved to St. Louis, where his ability and forceful en. ergy soon brought his name prom inently before the people and was rewarded by his election to the cir Ieuit attorneyship of St Louis.I It was while serving in that position that his road to the executive office was paved. His popularity grew to such proportion that when he was nominated for Governor by the Demo crats he swept the state by a plurali. ty of 30000, despite the fact the Theodore Roosevelt's leadership gain. ed for his ticket a plurality of some 25 ,000.
 Reform Legislation
 Among the reform statutes spon sored and carried by Governor Folk were included the Missouri law regu- lating child labor and providing for compulsory education; and anti-lobby legislation; anti-ralce track laws, and the statutes which make possible the removal of derelict state officials who fail to enforce the laws. He also found time to introduce and do much for the idea of public utility com. missions as a part of city govern mcnt.
 While Governor of Missouri he was made a delegate-at-larg to the Demo cratic national convention of 1908, in which William Jennings Bryan. was a conspicuous figure. Bryan and Folk became fast friends, and at the suggestion of the former the Cover nor took to the lecture platform upon his retirement from state politics and his return to private practice. OdHQiudtC foT TTCei0CfIt In 1912 he announced his candi dacy for President on the Democratic ticket and opened campaign head. quarters in Joplin. Mo His platform included equal rights, eradication of all tariff except for revenue, preser- vation of state rights. and the cleo tion of senators by direct vote His lfollowing was large. and for time he threatened to disrupt the state half of which was backing the late Champ Clark for the nomination. Mir. Bryan suggested that the Missouri delegation split the vote, but while the proposition was being considered, Mir Folk decided to withdraw from the running and throw his strength to Clark
 With the incoming Democratic ad ministration, Folk was appointed soli- citor of the State Department by President Wilson. Later he was made first chief counsel for the Interstate Commerce Commission, a position he held more than four years, although he still maintained connection with the State Department as counsel.
 In ThaW Case
 Tn the latter capacity he attracted considerable attention by taking a hand in the famous Harry Thaw case, when Thaw was deportcd from Can ada fin 1913. The defendant claimed violation of his rights as a citizen and appealed to the Department of State to make representations to the British government. Folk, however, squefchcd the action by deciding Thaw's rights had not been violated.
 Folks connection with the inter- state Commerce Commission carried him through many stormy cases, in. the prosecution of which he duplicat- ed the successes and popularity of his home career He pushed investi- gation of a number of railroads. the foremost of which was a probe into the activities. of the New York, NedT. Haven & Hartford. and the combina- tfOns of thg Ix0qlisyi3le. a11d Nashville