Show DEFENDER OF LABOR Cona congressman ressman belknap of chica go lass bu won labors bors esteem congressman hugh R belknap whose speech on the phillips labor bill stirred the members of the house and I 1 made a distinct hit with the gallery is one of the self made men of chicago hla his educational advantages were somo gomo what limited but his effort on the labor bill was rhetorical forceful and at time passionately eloquent mr belknap Is a fine impromptu speaker two years ago he attended the annual meeting of the army of the tennessee at council bluffs iowa mr john M thurston of omaha was to have addressed the meeting but duld could C not be present mr belknap was called upon without warning to take mr thurstons Thur Thurs tons place and his pathetic and fiery ora tion on that occasion won for him the warmest plaudits pl audits mr belknap Is only 86 26 years old he Is a native of keokuk la ia and in the public schools ol of that city he was given his preparatory education he afterward spent t a short congressman BELKNAP time at an academy in massachusetts ats but he was una unable ble to finish his education as was his desire in a college he left the academy to enter the of the baltimore and ohio railroad in a humble capacity in 12 years he had become trainmaster and was later made chief clerk to the general manager he left his position to become superintendent of Chi cagos first elevated railroad and relinquished that place to engage in the finance cipan hand jing ang of railroads for wn no bt |