Alexander James McPhail (December 23, 1883 – October 21, 1931) was a Scottish-Canadian[1] agricultural reformer, and the first elected president of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. The Canadian government designated him a Person of National Historic Significance in 1971.[2]
Alexander James McPhail | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | December 23, 1883 |
| Died | October 21, 1931 (aged 47) |
Early life
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University of Saskatchewan, University Archives & Special Collections, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool fonds, Series 10, Box 148
Alexander McPhail was born in Paisley, Ontario, the eldest of eight[3] or nine[4] siblings. In 1902, when he was nineteen, his parents died. He eventually took his homestead West, settling in Bankend, Saskatchewan in 1906.[3]
In 1913, McPhail joined the Saskatchewan Department of Agriculture. There he promoted various political and economic changes for prairie farmers.[2] After the dismissal of P.F. Brendt, because of his German nationality as of tension caused by the Great War, McPhail resigned his position in 1918.[5] Concurrently, he had been enlisted in the military as a member of the domestic militia.[1]
He then became a livestock drover in Elfros, Saskatchewan.[5] During this period he became involved with the Progressive Party of Canada and was a member of the "Ginger Group".[6]
University of Saskatchewan, University Archives & Special Collections, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool fonds, Series 10, Box 147
In 1922, he became the Secretary of the Saskatchewan Grain Growers Association, replacing J.B. Musselman. McPhail held this position until his resignation in 1924.[6]
In 1924, McPhail became the first elected president of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, with George Robertson of Wynyard as secretary, after canvassers promoted pooling wheat acquired up more than 50 percent of the acreage in the province.[7] His administration was involved with the purchase of the elevator system owned by the Saskatchewan Co-operative Elevator Co.[5] He would be president until his death in 1931.[6]
He was also instrumental in forming the Central Sales Agency to handle the crops of the three prairie provinces.[2] The Agency, by August 1931, fell into debt, requiring all three provincial pools it balance the dues.[4]
On October 21, 1931, at the age of 47, McPhail died after an operation[4] at the Regina General Hospital.[8]
Political views
editMcPhail was a firm believer in voluntary marketing, going so far as to campaign against compulsory marketing.[5]
He was in opposition against high salaries for top managers at the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, stating: "Seven thousand a year should be enough for any man if his heart is in the work". He, himself, only had a salary of $4,000 a year, comparable to what he could have earned farming.[4]
Legacy
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University of Saskatchewan, University Archives & Special Collections, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool fonds, Series 10, Box 142
There is a plaque dedicated to McPhail on the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool Building at 2625 Victoria Avenue in Regina, Saskatchewan.[2]
Harold Innis identified himself with McPhail's character. In compiling McPhail's diary, he describes McPhail as having "a strong sense of humour … as well as a hard agnostic bent of mind which resisted emotionalism and made imposition difficult.... He disliked publicity... He read widely, and particularly biography..."[1] In the same work, Innis quotes an uncited source's description of McPhail, who "loathed cynicism, smartness, and pomposity in equal degrees. He admired brains and respected honesty.… It was difficult for him to unbend physically or mentally … no use for cards in any form, or any time-wasting pastimes except conversation".
References
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University of Saskatchewan, University Archives & Special Collections, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool fonds, Series 10, Box 141
- ^ a b c Heyer, Paul (2004). "History from the Inside: Prolegomenon to the "Memoir of Harold Adams Innis Covering the Years 1894-1922"" (PDF). Canadian Journal of Communication. 29 (2): 159–170. doi:10.22230/cjc.2004v29n2a1433. ISSN 1499-6642.
- ^ a b c d "McPhail, Alexander James National Historic Person". Directory of Federal Heritage Designations. Parks Canada. 15 March 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
- ^ a b Massie, Merle (2006). "McPhail, Alexander James (1883– 1931)". The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. Canadian Plains Research Center, University of Regina. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
- ^ a b c d Winters, Daniel (27 December 2007). "A. J. McPhail – President of wheat producers co-op sought protection for farmers". Western Producer. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
- ^ a b c d MacPherson, Ian (4 June 2008). "Alexander James McPhail". The Canadian Encyclopedia (online ed.). Historica Canada. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
- ^ a b c "Leaders — A.J. McPhail". Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. University of Saskatchewan Archives. 2003. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
- ^ "Saskatchewan Agriculture". Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 4 May 2007. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
- ^ "Gallery - Telegram". Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. University of Saskatchewan Archives. 2003. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
Further reading
edit- Innis, Harold A. (1940). The Diary of Alexander James McPhail. Toronto, Ontario: University of Toronto Press.
External links
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