The Iron Puddler | Page 3

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THE IRON PUDDLER
MY LIFE IN THE ROLLING MILLS AND WHAT CAME OF IT
by JAMES J. DAVIS

Introduction by JOSEPH G. CANNON
The man whose life story is here presented between book covers is at
the time of writing only forty-eight years old. When I met him many
years ago he was a young man full of enthusiasm. I remember saying to
him then, "With your enthusiasm and the sparkle which you have in
your eyes I am sure you will make good."
Why should so young a man, one so recently elevated to official
prominence, write his memoirs? That question will occur to those who
do not know Jim Davis. His elevation to a Cabinet post marks not the
beginning of his career, but rather is the curtain-rise on the second act
of one of those dramatic lives with which America has so often
astounded the world. Bruised and bleeding in a southern, peon camp,
where he and other hungry men had been trapped by a brutal slave
driver, he drank the bitter cup of unrequited toil. And from this utter
depth, in less than thirty years, he rose to the office of secretary of labor.
There is drama enough for one life if his career should end to-day. And
while this man fought his way upward, he carried others with him,

founding by his efforts and their cooperation, the great school called
Mooseheart. More than a thousand students of both sexes, ranging from
one to eighteen years, are there receiving their preparation for life. The
system of education observed there is probably the best ever devised to
meet the needs of all humanity.
The brain of James J. Davis fathered this educational system. It is his
contribution to the world, and the world has accepted it. The good it
promised is already being realized, its fruits are being gathered. Its
blessings are falling on a thousand young Americans, and its influence
like a widening ripple is extending farther every day. It promises to
reach and benefit every child in America. And to hasten the growth of
this new education, James J. Davis has here written the complete story.
I have known Mr. Davis many years and am one of the thousands who
believe in him and have helped further his work.
The author of this autobiography is indeed a remarkable man. He is
sometimes called the Napoleon of Fraternity. Love of his fellows is his
ruling passion. He can call more than ten thousand men by their first
names. His father taught him this motto: "No man is greater than his
friends. All the good that comes into your life will come from your
friends. If you lose your friends your enemies will destroy you." Davis
has stood by his friends. As a labor leader and a fraternal organizer, he
has proved his ability. Thousands think he is unequaled as an orator,
thinker and entertainer. His zeal is all for humanity and he knows man's
needs. He has dedicated his life to the cause of better education for the
workers of this land. His cause deserves a hearing.
J G Cannon WASHINGTON, D. C., JUNE, 1922.

PREFACE
"Where were you previous to the eighth and immediately subsequent
thereto?" asked the city attorney.
The prisoner looked sheepish and made no answer. A box car had been
robbed on the eighth and this man had been arrested in the freight yards.
He claimed to be a steel worker and had shown the judge his calloused
hands. He had answered several questions about his trade, his age and
where he was when the policeman arrested him. But when they asked
him what he had been doing previous to and immediately subsequent
thereto, he hung his head as if at a loss for an alibi.

I was city clerk at the time and had been a steel worker. I knew why the
man refused to answer.