When the New Brunswick Federation of Labour was organized in September 1913, the delegates chose James L. Sugrue as their president. He was only 30 years old, but Sugrue was already known as a good speaker with a reputation for responsibility and effectiveness in advancing the cause of labour. Although union history in Saint John went back many years, Sugrue belonged to a group of new leaders who were determined to improve the influence of workers in New Brunswick by strengthening the bonds of solidarity at the provincial level