Part 55

=Farrow, Robinson Russell=, Assistant Commissioner of Customs, was born at Bluevale, Huron County, Ontario, March 7, 1864, and was educated at the public schools in Huron. He is the son of Thomas Farrow, (who came to Canada from England in 1849, and for years was Superintendent of Schools for Wawanosh, Morris and Turnberry, and who, establishing himself in business, made progress and prospered as the country advanced in population, industry and wealth), and Mary Macdonald, of London, Ontario. His father also became popular in the County of Huron, and at the general election in 1872 was chosen to represent North Huron in the House of Commons. He was re-elected at the general election in 1876, and again at the general election in 1882 was the successful candidate for East Huron. June 1, 1881, Mr. Farrow first entered the Civil Service of Canada in the Customs Department, and May 8, 1907, was appointed Assistant Commissioner. In lawn bowling and curling, Mr. Farrow holds a prominent station for competency, and is ever sought when championship contests are listed. He usually carries his team to victory. He is honorary President of the Ontario Lawn Bowling Association; member of the Executive of the Dominion Lawn Bowling Association; Past President of the Ottawa Lawn Bowling Club; and a member of the Finance Committee of the Ottawa Curling Club. In his official capacity as Assistant Commissioner, he is one of the busiest men in the Civil Service, and one of the most competent, coupled with which there is an ever evident promptness in action and courtesy in manner. January 5, 1887, Mr. Farrow married Miss R. J. Bradley, daughter of Samuel T. Bradley, a mill owner, and Margaret Alexander, of Huntley, Ontario. Mr. Farrow has one daughter—Ethel, B.A. (now Mrs. C. H. Bland), whose son, Corpl. C. H. Bland, B.A., served during the world war in the 20th Battery, Overseas Forces, and was with the army of occupation in Germany; and Bombdr. Russell Farrow, who, with the 20th Battery, C.E.S., served in France, Belgium, and with the army of occupation in Germany. Mr. Farrow belongs to the Laurentian Club, and is a member of the following societies: Scottish Rite Masons; A.F. & A.M.; Oddfellows; A.O.U.W.; Canadian Order of Foresters; Sons of England. He resides at 7 McLeod Street, Ottawa, Ont., and he attends the Methodist Church.

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=Veale, Philip Henry=, Assessment Commissioner for the City of Ottawa, was appointed to that position February 5, 1917. He is well known among Canadian municipal officials and civic legislators as a reliable authority on assessments, both as to the application of the Ontario Assessment and Local Improvement Acts, and as to land values, of which he has been a close student. Prior to his appointment as Assessment Commissioner, there were, besides the Commissioner, an Assistant Commissioner; and when Mr. Veale was appointed the latter position was abolished, the civic government considering that in the new appointment they had secured a man who was competent to perform the duties alone, although the responsibilities and duties of the office had increased considerably, and were daily increasing. That they were not mistaken is amply proved by the fact that the affairs of the Assessment Commissioner’s office were never working in such regular clock-like form as they are to-day. When Mr. Veale first became an employee in the Assessment Commissioner’s Office in 1892, the taxable assessment of the city of Ottawa was but $18,236,160, and the population only 43,942. In 1919—twenty-seven years later—the taxable assessment had increased to $114,392,261, and the population to 104,007; and, strange to say, of all the aldermen who were in the city council at that time, but one man, Alderman (now Controller) Napoleon Champagne, is still in civic life, and most of the others have crossed the line and joined the great majority. Mr. Veale has contributed largely to newspapers and magazines on assessment and other like important subjects, and few, if any, are better able to handle such subjects in newspaper discussion than he. It was in the re-organization of the civic assessment department in 1892 that Mr. Veale was appointed to a clerkship. It was not long before he was appointed chief clerk, and then Assistant Commissioner; and when Mr. William Stewart retired in 1917, Mr. Veale was called upon to assume the duties and responsibilities of both offices. Besides being an authority on real estate values, Mr. Veale is well known in Eastern Ontario as a breeder of White Wyandotte chickens, as a consistent exhibitor and prize-winner. At his summer home. River Park, every year he raises hundreds of thoroughbred fowl. Mr. Veale is the son of Philip Veale, who for many years was manager of the Dominion Fisheries at Ottawa, and Jane (Smith) Veale. He was born at Merrickville, Ontario, January 7, 1865, and was educated in the public school, New Edinburgh, now a portion of Ottawa. On April 27, 1887, Mr. Veale married Emma M. Payne, daughter of Abraham Payne, civil servant, Ottawa, resulting in a fine family of nine children—seven girls and two boys—Ethel Alberta, Mabel Mildred, Kathleen Gwendeline, Philip McDougal, Beatrice Jean, Albert Newell, Annie Edna, Lois Evelene, Constance Winifred. Mr. Veale is a member of the following clubs and societies: St. George’s, Sons of England, Knight of the Maccabees, and St. Matthew’s Church Men’s. In religion he is an Anglican, in politics a Conservative, and his recreations are fishing, and amateur gardening. His residence is at Woodroffe, Ont.

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=Finlayson, George Daniel, B.A., A.I.A.=, is the son of Edward Finlayson, a farmer who was born at Merigomish, N.S., and Catherine (Smith) Finlayson, and a brother of Professor J. N. Finlayson of Dalhousie University, Halifax. Mr. Finlayson was born in Merigomish, Pictou County, Nova Scotia, December 31, 1882, and received his education in the country school, Merigomish, Pictou Academy, and Dalhousie University, graduating in 1907 with B.A. and great distinction. On May 6, 1907, Mr. Finlayson entered upon his duties in connection with the Dominion Insurance Department, and at once became a valuable acquisition to the staff of that branch of the Civil Service. It was not long before his great ability as an authority on, and his general knowledge of, all phases of insurance brought him prominently to the notice of the Ottawa authorities and the heads of insurance companies throughout Canada, and his promotion, as a consequence, was rapid. Seven years later, from the time he entered the service on September 1, 1914, and at the early age of 32 years, he was appointed to the highest position in the Insurance Department, viz., that of Superintendent, which position he holds to-day. In the execution of his duties, he is noted for his courtesy to all who seek information from him. In 1914, Mr. Finlayson married Isabel M. Grant, daughter of A. M. Grant, of Moncton, New Brunswick, and has one daughter, Catherine Smith Finlayson, and one son. Mr. Finlayson is a member of the Canadian, University, and Riverside Golf clubs. For recreation he indulges in tennis, golf and walking. He is a Presbyterian in religion, and his residence is 200 Carling Avenue, Ottawa.

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=McLean, Angus Alexander, LL.B., K.C., Ex-M.P.=, Controller of the Royal North-West Mounted Police, since 1917, was born December 17, 1854, at Belfast, Prince Edward Island, and received his education at the Prince of Wales College, Charlottetown, P.E.I., and Harvard Law School. He is the son of William and Flora McLean, both of Prince Edward Island. Having read law in the office of the late Chief Justice, Hon. Sir William Sullivan, Mr. McLean was called to the bar in 1876, and became a partner in the law firm of Sullivan, McLean & Morsen. Afterwards he was senior member of McLean & McKinnon, barristers and solicitors, Victoria Row, Charlottetown, P.E.I. In June, 1894, he was appointed Q.C., and revising officer for East Queen’s, and was elected President of the P.E.I. Law Society. For eight years, Mr. McLean was law clerk for the P.E.I. Legislature, and was Official Assignee under the old Dominion Insolvent Act for five years. During 1888, 1889 and 1900, Mr. McLean represented the constituency of Belfast in the P.E.I. Legislature. He was a candidate at the by-elections of 1902 and 1904 for the House of Commons, and was elected at the General Election of 1904. In the General Election of 1908 he was defeated, but in 1911 was elected by a large majority. October 15, 1917, he was appointed controller of the Royal North-West Mounted Police. In June 14, 1882, Mr. McLean married Leah Yeo, daughter of the late John Yeo, of Charlottetown. She died in 1897. In 1898, he married Frances H. Longworth, daughter of the late Henry Longworth, of Charlottetown. He has two sons, both of whom served with distinction in the Overseas forces during the great world war. In religion Mr. McLean is a Presbyterian, in politics a Liberal-Conservative, and he is a member of the A.F. & A.M.; the I.O.O.F.; and the S.O.S. Societies. He resides at 312 Cooper Street, Ottawa, Ontario.

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=Robertson, Hon. Gideon Decker, P.C.=, Federal Minister of Labor, was the first actual representative of organized labor to be called to either the Dominion Cabinet or the Senate of Canada, He was born at Welland, Ont., on August 26, 1874, the son of Gavin E. Robertson and Laretto Goring, both native Canadians. His paternal grandfather was a native of Scotland, who became a member of the bar and later went to Jamaica, where he took an active part in the agitation for the abolition of slavery, which became a fully accomplished fact in 1838. In this movement Robertson was in correspondence with Clarkson, Macaulay (father of Lord Macaulay), Wilberforce and others active in freeing the British Empire from this reproach. Later, he came to Canada, where Gavin Robertson, father of the subject of this sketch, was born, and where he became a farmer and school teacher on the Niagara peninsula. Gideon Decker Robertson was educated at the public and high schools of Welland and as a youth took up telegraphy in connection with railroad work. A strong believer in trades unionism, he soon became active in the Order of Railroad Telegraphers, an international body, of which he was some years ago elected Vice-President, an office he still holds. His duties brought him in contact with the chiefs of organized labor on this continent, and he won a high reputation for clear thinking and executive ability. In 1917, when Sir Robert Borden decided to abolish party lines and form a Union Government, he offered Mr. Robertson a position in the Senate and a seat in his Cabinet. The offer was accepted, and in the autumn of that year he was sworn in as a member of the Privy Council and a Minister without Portfolio. In May, 1918, he was appointed Chairman of the sub-Committee of the Council on Labor Problems, and also Chairman of the National Registration Board in connection with the war. On November 7, 1918, he was sworn in as Minister of Labor in succession to Hon. T. W. Crothers, who had announced his intention of retiring some months previously. The appointment was made just at the psychological moment, for the armistice, which had been signed just one week previously, created a host of labor problems more serious than Canada had ever previously been called upon to face; and only a statesman enjoying practical knowledge and the confidence of organized labor could have dealt with the situation. In the spring and summer of 1919 he was called upon to combat a conspiracy affecting all Canada to introduce a modified form of Russian Bolshevism, fathered by the Industrial Workers of the World, known as the “One Big Union.” The aim was to unite all existing labor organizations in one body, and by sympathetic strikes and a policy of terrorism destroy capitalism, and reduce all other classes to subjection. This movement came to a head with a general strike called in Winnipeg early in May, on the pretext of a dispute between the metal workers and their employers. Winnipeg was chosen as a strategic point, because of its peculiar geographical position as the chief divisional point of three transcontinental railways. The aim was to cut Canada in two in the matter of communications, and then by broadening the strike Eastward and Westward secure complete control of Canadian transportation and industry, after which the movement was to be carried into every section of the United States. Senator Robertson himself went to the scene of operations, and by his fearless, though moderate handling of the situation, and his influence with the saner labor elements, rendered the conspiracy abortive so far as the rest of Canada was concerned, and fruitless in Winnipeg. He thus secured a triumph for legitimate trade unionism, of which he is the chief sponsor in Canada. He is a Freemason, a Presbyterian, and in politics a member of the Independent Labor Party. On June 10, 1896, he married Mary Berry Hay, daughter of Alexander Hay, Watford, Ont., and has six children—Edwin J., John McElroy, Gain Elliot, Alexander Lorne, Mabel Letitia, and Alma Lauretta. He formerly resided at Welland but his home is now at Ottawa.

=Hutchison, Col. William= (Ottawa, Ont.), the subject of this sketch, was born in New Edinburgh in 1843, a suburb of the city of Ottawa. He was educated in the Public and Grammar Schools. When about seventeen years of age Col. Hutchison commenced to learn the Milling business with his uncle, the late Thos. McKay, who was then owner of the McKay Mills at the Chaudiere and also a partner in the New Edinburgh Mills. At the age of twenty Col. Hutchison left for the United States where he followed the milling business for several years. On his return he took charge of his uncle’s business and shortly afterwards was made a partner. In 1885 he was elected to City Council, and served for seven years. It was during Col. Hutchison’s service in the City Council that the question of the proper drainage of the city attained its greatest importance, and it is owing to his keen foresight and wise counsel and persistence that Ottawa to-day has the excellent drainage system of which it now boasts, and that is but one of the many happenings for the benefit, progress and beautification of Ottawa that were brought into existence through his instrumentality during his term of office in the City’s Civic affairs. From 1888 to, and including the year 1905, a period of eighteen years, Col. Hutchison was a member of the Board of Directors of the Central Canada Exhibition Association, and from 1895 to 1905, 10 years, he was President. On retiring in 1906 he was elected Honorary President of the Association and has been re-elected to that position every year since. Col. Hutchison, with the assistance of Messrs. Ahearn and Topper, was instrumental in converting the old horse car line to electric, giving Ottawa one of the best street car services on the continent. He ran for the Dominion House in 1896, with the result that both he and his French colleague, Napoleon A. Belcourt, were elected by a sweeping majority. At the time the Conservatives felt that they had a serious grievance, but ere long the good-hearted, good-natured and genial new Member became the friend and companion of both Liberals and Conservatives in the House of Commons. In 1901, when Sir Wilfrid Laurier needed a competent man to travel to all parts of the world to exhibit Canada’s mineral, cereal and industrial resources, Col. Hutchison was asked to accept the position of Canadian Exhibition Commissioner. He accepted and since his appointment he has had charge of Canada’s exhibits at the following times and places:—1901, Buffalo, U.S.A.; 1902, Osaka, Japan; 1903-04 St. Louis, U.S.A.; 1905, Liege, Belgium; 1906, Milan, Italy; 1907, Dublin, Ireland; 1908, Shepherds Bush, London, England; 1909, Seattle, U.S.A.; 1910, Brussels, Belgium; 1911-12, Crystal Palace, London, England; 1913, Ghent, Belgium; 1914-15, San Francisco, U.S.A.; 1916-17, San Diego, U.S.A. The great world war has caused a cessation of the valuable exhibits, but the whole display is located in commodious quarters on Wellington St. in Ottawa, under Col. Hutchison’s special care, waiting and ready to be shipped at a moment’s notice. In 1902 Col. Hutchison was decorated by the Emperor of Japan with the Order of the Rising Sun (with rank of Colonel in the Army). In 1905 he was decorated by the late King Leopold II. of Belgium, with the Order of Leopold, and in 1906 by the King of Italy with the Order of the Crown of Italy, in 1910 he was made Commander of the Order of the Crown of Belgium by King Albert I. Col. William Hutchison is the son of the late Robert Hutchison of Ayrshire, Scotland, who came to Canada in 1830 and in New Edinburgh married Mary McKay, niece of the late Hon. Thos. McKay, who was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. In September, 1874, he married Electa Blanche, daughter of S. T. Willett of Chambly, Quebec. Two sons have blessed the union. In religion he is a Presbyterian, and in politics a high tariff Liberal. He is also a member of the Rideau Club, Ottawa, and his residence is 443 Albert St., Ottawa.

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