James J. Storrow
Encyclopedia
James Jackson Storrow II (1864–1926) was a Boston
-area investment banker instrumental in forming General Motors
and its third president (for just two months, 1910–11). He was a business partner of Henry Lee Higginson
, founder of the Boston Symphony Orchestra
. He served on the Boston City Council
, 1915-1918.
In 1901 , he began the campaign to dam the Charles River
and create the Charles River Basin
, and to preserve and improve the riverbanks as a public park. The dam was approved by the legislature in 1903, and completed in 1910 . The basin also eliminated tidal harbor pollution and the basin's low-tide odors. Storrow Drive
, a highway that now runs along the river, is named for him, despite his never having advocated such a highway and his wife's vocal opposition to it.
In 1919, Boston faced a possible strike by its police officers who were seeking the right to form a union under a charter from the American Federation of Labor
. With police Commissioner Edwin U. Curtis
at odds with the rank and file police, Boston Mayor Andrew J. Peters
appointed Storrow to chair an ad hoc Citizen's Committee to review the matter. Storrow's group recommended that the police be allowed to form their own union but that it should be independent and not affiliated with any other organization like the AFL. Commissioner Curtis rejected the recommendation and Boston experienced a dramatic police strike
.
He was the second national president of the Boy Scouts of America from 1925 until his death in 1926. He posthumously received the fifth Silver Buffalo Award
presented in 1926.
His wife, Helen Osborne Storrow
, was a prominent international Girl Scout leader.
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
-area investment banker instrumental in forming General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
and its third president (for just two months, 1910–11). He was a business partner of Henry Lee Higginson
Henry Lee Higginson
Henry Lee Higginson was a noted American businessman and philanthropist. He is best known as the founder of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.-Family and Early Life:...
, founder of the Boston Symphony Orchestra
Boston Symphony Orchestra
The Boston Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra based in Boston, Massachusetts. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1881, the BSO plays most of its concerts at Boston's Symphony Hall and in the summer performs at the Tanglewood Music Center...
. He served on the Boston City Council
Boston City Council
The Boston City Council is the legislative branch of government for the city of Boston. It is made up of 13 members: 9 district representatives and 4 at-large members. Councilors are elected to two-year terms and there is no limit on the number of terms an individual can serve...
, 1915-1918.
In 1901 , he began the campaign to dam the Charles River
Charles River
The Charles River is an long river that flows in an overall northeasterly direction in eastern Massachusetts, USA. From its source in Hopkinton, the river travels through 22 cities and towns until reaching the Atlantic Ocean at Boston...
and create the Charles River Basin
Charles River Reservation
The Charles River Reservation is a -long Massachusetts state park located along the banks of the Charles River in Boston, Cambridge, Watertown, and Newton. The park is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation . The portion of the Reservation between the Charles River Dam and the...
, and to preserve and improve the riverbanks as a public park. The dam was approved by the legislature in 1903, and completed in 1910 . The basin also eliminated tidal harbor pollution and the basin's low-tide odors. Storrow Drive
Storrow Drive
Storrow Drive is a major cross town expressway in Boston, Massachusetts, running south and west from Leverett Circle along the Charles River. It is a parkway—it is restricted to cars; trucks and buses are not permitted on it...
, a highway that now runs along the river, is named for him, despite his never having advocated such a highway and his wife's vocal opposition to it.
In 1919, Boston faced a possible strike by its police officers who were seeking the right to form a union under a charter from the American Federation of Labor
American Federation of Labor
The American Federation of Labor was one of the first federations of labor unions in the United States. It was founded in 1886 by an alliance of craft unions disaffected from the Knights of Labor, a national labor association. Samuel Gompers was elected president of the Federation at its...
. With police Commissioner Edwin U. Curtis
Edwin Upton Curtis
Edwin Upton Curtis was an American attorney and politician from Massachusetts who served as the 34th Mayor of Boston in 1895...
at odds with the rank and file police, Boston Mayor Andrew J. Peters
Andrew James Peters
Andrew James Peters was an American politician. He was born on April 3, 1872 in Jamaica Plain, a section of Boston. His family had been in Massachusetts since the first Andrew Peters arrived there in 1657. Peters attended Harvard University and Harvard Law School. He served two terms in the...
appointed Storrow to chair an ad hoc Citizen's Committee to review the matter. Storrow's group recommended that the police be allowed to form their own union but that it should be independent and not affiliated with any other organization like the AFL. Commissioner Curtis rejected the recommendation and Boston experienced a dramatic police strike
Boston Police Strike
In the Boston Police Strike, the Boston police rank and file went out on strike on September 9, 1919 in order to achieve recognition for their trade union and improvements in wages and working conditions...
.
He was the second national president of the Boy Scouts of America from 1925 until his death in 1926. He posthumously received the fifth Silver Buffalo Award
Silver Buffalo Award
The Silver Buffalo Award is the national-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. It is presented for noteworthy and extraordinary service to youth on a national basis, either as part of, or independent of the Scouting program...
presented in 1926.
His wife, Helen Osborne Storrow
Helen Storrow
Helen Osborne Storrow was a prominent American philanthropist, early Girl Scout leader, and chair of the World Committee of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts for eight years...
, was a prominent international Girl Scout leader.