Dave Beck, a powerful labor union leader, was the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters from 1952 to 1957. Beck, who worked his way to union leadership, produced impressive results for his membership, making the Teamsters the best paid union workers of their day. However, Beck's presidency was cut short. He invoked the Fifth Amendment's privilege against self-incrimination when he testified before a congressional committee investigation of union corruption. He was later convicted of federal and state charges and sent to prison for two and half years, a scenario that was repeated by his successor, James Hoffa.

Beck was born on June 16, 1894, in Stockton, California, but his family soon moved to Seattle, Washington. He dropped out of school when he was 16 to support his family by driving a laundry truck. He served in the Navy during World War I and after his discharge became involved in the Teamsters union...