Thom's Irish Who's Who/Field, William

FIELD, William, b. Blackrock, Dublin. Educ.: Harcourt St. School; Catholic University. Pioneer and President, Irish Cattle Traders', Stock-Owners', Dublin Victuallers', National Federation Town Tenants' Associations. Was member of Lord Mayor Tallon's Relief Fund; went on inspection tour, Local Temperance Reading Room; All Ireland Financial Reform League, Co. Dublin; General Agriculture Councils. Now member Blackrock U.D.C. President, Literary and Debating Society; Chairman, Technical Institute Committee, Veterinary College; Scientific Warble-fly: Port and Docks Board, where he proposed re-establishing ship-building and repairing now operating on the Liffey; Member, Chamber of Commerce and Mercantile Association, Dublin; Municipal Association; Director, Hibernian Fire and General Insurance Co., and Meat Trades Journal (previously on "Irish Daily Independent," "Irish Industrial Journal," and "Wicklow Star" Boards). Worked with original Irish Industrial League; spoke and read papers at many centres. Is now on Dublin Industrial Development, Vacant Land Cultivation Committees. Hon. Secretary, Dunleary Line Fishermen's Society. Was member of Land and Labour League Amnesty Associations; Land League; United Irish League. Formerly President South Dublin National Registration Association; nominated for Constituency at Rotunda Convention, Parnell Chairman retired in favour of Sir Thos. Esmonde, Bart. Was elected for St. Patrick's, July. 1892, as Independent Parnellite Labour Candidate, supporting Irish games and language; had attended Trades Council lectures, May Day Celebrations, and cooperated in the reorganisation of their hall. He always supported the G.A.A., having been Hon. Treasurer of Co. Dublin branch and President of Feach MacHugh Club, Blackrock, where he helped starting first Gaelic League outside Dublin, also suggesting utilising the League to popularise sale of Irish products and manufacture. Represented St. Patrick's Division for 27 years without a contest until Sinn Fein succeeded. Ever since the Chief's death has been President of Parnell Commemoration Committee, and been present at annual visit to the grave in Glasnevin. In 1899 he published letter urging National Council to agitate re Overtaxation, Land Purchase, Housing Workers, Railway, Canal Nationalisation, Allotments, Town Tenants, Forestry, Arterial Drainage, Bog and Waste Reclamation; Encouragement of Manufactures, Fisheries, Marbles, Minerals, Coal, Water Power, National University, Poor Law Reform. Brought these subjects under notice in Parliament; his questions there to Premier Gladstone resulted in appointment of Recp. Committee, on which he served. This led up to the establishment of Department of Agriculture, Technical Education, and Veterinary College. Assisted by the I.C.T.S.D.A., he had two departmental Committees chosen to enquire into and report upon the humane transit of Live Stock by land and sea, which improved conditions in 1915. With the active co-operation of the I.C.T.S.D.A., leading citizens and other kindred associations, he presided over an influential Committee that successfully revived the Fat-stock, Grain, Roots and Dairy Show at the R.D.S., Ballsbridge premises. In the House, assisted passing Town Tenants (Ireland) Bill. Defeated attempt of private syndicate to control electric lighting in Dublin; successfully opposed transfer of Stanley Cattle-market Liverpool to Bootle; was one of the strenuous promoters in starting House of Commons Commercial Committee; as a member of Executive represented it at Hungarian International Congress, Buda Pesth, 1896; likewise went as a delegate to International Congress of Rome, 1917. Served with Select Committee on Transport and Irish Sub-Committee on Ports and Canals of Ireland, reported Nov., 1918. Pubns.: Poor Law Reform; Land Lessons; Irish Parliaments; Home Rule Governments in Ireland; Irish Railways compared with State-owned and managed lines; Real Railway Reform: Railway Monopoly; Trade and Transit Travel Together; Three Booklets on Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction, and Veterinary College for Ireland; Treasury Tactics; Seditious Ireland and Imperial Expenditure; Town Tenants Texts Finance; Star Pamphlets (2); Gambling in Futures and Options; Humane Housing and Homely Allotments; Land and Beet Sugar Cultivation; Dublin Port Historical Sketch; Leaflets, Dublin Electric Lighting; Opposition to Finance Bill. Two plays: Charley go it; Puzzled Playwright.