Harry W. Fraser

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Harry W. Fraser
Born(1884-06-07)7 June 1884
Topeka, Kansas, United States
Died13 May 1950(1950-05-13) (aged 65)
Chicago, United States
NationalityAmerican
OccupationLabor leader
Known forPresident of the Order of Railway Conductors

Harry W. Fraser (7 June 1884 – 13 May 1950) was an American labor leader who was president of the Order of Railway Conductors (ORC) from 1941 to 1950.

Early years[edit]

Harry W. Fraser was born on 7 June 1884 at Topeka, Kansas. In 1900 he began work as a railway clerk, and later he became a brakeman and a conductor. In 1929 he was appointed secretary to the president of the Order of Railway Conductors, a railway labor union. He moved on to become chief clerk, deputy president, vice president and finally president of the union.[1]

Union leader[edit]

Harry W. Fraser was president of the Order of Railway Conductors of America from 1941 to 1950.[2] During World War II ORC membership increased from 33,000 in 1939 to 37,800 by 1945.[3] Fraser encouraged the Order of Sleeping Car Conductors (OSCC) to join the Order of Railway Conductors during the war.[2] The OSCC amalgamated (merged) with the ORC in 1942.[4] During World War II Fraser was a representative of labor interests on the government's Management-Labor Policy Committee.[2] He served on this committee from 1943 to 1945. He was a member of the national council of Boy Scouts in 1943.[1] Fraser was twice president of the Railway Labor Executives' Association.[5]

Harry W. Fraser suffered a series of heart attacks at the union convention in Chicago.[6] He died at the Illinois Central Hospital on 13 May 1950, aged 65.[5] Roy O. Hughes of Milwaukee was elected his successor.[6]

References[edit]

Citations

  1. ^ a b Denslow 2004, p. 266.
  2. ^ a b c Gerard 2007, p. 315.
  3. ^ Ohly 1999, p. 134.
  4. ^ ORC&B reigned for a century: UTU.
  5. ^ a b H.W. Fraser Dies: NY Times 1950.
  6. ^ a b Union Chief Dies: 1950.

Sources

  • Denslow, William R. (2004-09-01). "Harry W. Fraser (1884–1950)". 10,000 Famous Freemasons From A To J Part One. Kessinger Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4179-7578-5. Retrieved 2013-08-07.
  • Gerard, Gene C. (2007). "Fraser, Harry W.". Home Front Heroes: A Biographical Dictionary of Americans During Wartime, Volume 1. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-313-33421-4. Retrieved 2013-08-07.
  • "H.W. Fraser Dies; Headed Rail Union; Leader of Conductors Order Since 1941 Also Chairman of Labor Executives Group". The New York Times. 14 May 1950. Retrieved 2013-08-08.
  • Ohly, John Hallowell (April 1999). Industrialists in Olive Drab: The Emergency Operation of Private Industries During World War II. Government Printing Office. ISBN 978-0-16-067763-2. Retrieved 2013-08-08.
  • "ORC&B reigned for a century". UTU. Archived from the original on 2013-06-17. Retrieved 2013-08-07.
  • "Union Chief Dies". Coshocton Tribune: 1. 14 May 1950. Retrieved 2013-08-07.
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