Puddler Jim

James John Davis (Oct. 27, 1873-Nov. 22, 1947) is born in Wales and immigrates to Pennsylvania eight years later. He takes up work as an apprentice in a steel mill and earns the nickname "Puddler Jim,' which follows him throughout his life. He is one of only three Cabinet members in history to hold the same post under three consecutive presidents. As secretary of labor, Davis supports changing immigration quotas, establishes the U.S. Border Patrol and lobbies steel mills to abandon the 12-hour workday. He resigns as secretary of labor to serve as a U.S. senator representing Pennsylvania. It is in the Senate that he co-sponsors the Davis-Bacon Act, which requires that workers be paid fair wages on public works projects.