2 B.C. LUMBER WORKER 66 oo. ME mad, Good” HAPPY QUARTET of youngsters at the IWA picnic, who didn’t hesitate to make known their delight ‘ over picnic arrangements when they met the cameraman. IMPRESSIONS OF — THE BIG PICNIC By PEEPING TOM It seemed as though I was “window-peeping”, when I spent a sunny July Saturday afternoon with the members of Local 1-217, IWA, and their families as they romped and frolicked on their annual picnic. I was peeping into the very heart of the Union, and learning what made it “tick”. ‘Ye seen thé members of this Local Union on the picket line. I’ve seen them battling in labor meetings and demonstrations for their rights. I’ve seen them sweating on the job. But on this Saturday, they were quite different individuals. They were proud, kind, and in- dulgent parents of a husky, healthy, and fun-loving brood, and they “shone” as good family men. The Union’s Strength - The happy wholesome family life (and social life) which I glimpsed at the Union’s picnic, is one of the main sources of the fighting spirit of the membership. They find in the Union, their best means to safeguard the wel- fare of their homes and their children, and prize it accordingly, Also they appeared to want their families to appreciate the Union likewise, “and they succeeded. When I hear the representa- tives of management cursing all trade unionists as being the low- est form of animal life on the globe, I wish they could get to know the kindly, generous men and women I saw at the picnic, ‘WHO ME? Yes, YOU can make big money in your spare time. Agent handling low-priced, high quality, Swiss-made watches in your camp, mill or area. Competition no problem. Watches guaranteed. Shock-proofed & water- proofed to loggers’ and mill workers’ needs. Smart late designs — sell on showing. No investment necessary. Protected and exclusive areas for first person mailing coupon. MAIL COUPON TODAY! Tangens Dept. W7, _ 1002 W, Pender, Vancouver 1, B,C. Please send me your free price list showing me how I can earn up to $100 Per Week in my spare time with your attractive, dependable watches. Be an_ exclusives who found a rare appreciation and delight in the laughter of little children. “Salt of the Earth” Such people are the “salt of the earth”, for those who love to bring sunshine into the lives of our little ones, are those who give a real savor to life, Their outlook and contribution to life rise far superior to the mean, petty, grasping ways of those who give the almighty dollar first place in all their plans. When I rambled behind the scenes, I discovered that it takes real effort to stage a picnic for a Local Union with 6000 mem- bers. This is especially true, when you realize that there have been no thoughts of race suicide among the lumber workers, and the calculations regarding accom- modation must be mainly those of multiplication. Complex Plans A large committee had been striving for months, I discovered, to organize the countless details involved, such as those of pro- gram, refreshments, prizes, sports events’ officials, transportation, parking, P.A. system, amuse- ments, ground patrols, lost chil- dren’s department, ete., etc. I found a lot of “Joes” work- ing all the way through the pic- nic at hard labor, just as strenu- ous as any they ever find at the plant, Try it-sometime, if you think that it isn’t hard work— unloading and hooking up the amusement rides machinery, haul- ing and handling the mountain of supplies required for the feed- ing of the crowd, handling the youngsters races, so as to keep pace with their eager activity— yes — and even dishing out ice cream can bring out the blisters, when it goes on endlessly. No one grumbled, everyone was doing it with a-grin. They all left amply rewarded when they saw the happy smiles on the dirty faces of youngsters, smeared up with candy, ice cream and what- not. But, brother, believe me, they had to work “to keep the show on the road”. Brighter Homes It's one thing to measure the worth of a Union by its skill in winning better wages and work- ing conditions. It’s quite ariother matter, to measure its worth in terms of better and happier fam- ily living and brighter homes. My peeping at the IWA picnic left with me an indelible impres- sion that a Local Union is un- defeatable when it is made up of members who not only prize wholesome family life, but who also see that its preservation de- pends on their collective effort through the Union. The home may be the centre, but it cannot be the circumfer- ence of a man’s loyalties. The worker who truly cherishes the good of his family, will under- stand, and act on the understand- ing, that the welfare of his fam- ily can be ensured only as the welfare of the workers’ commun- ity is protected dnd advanced, in an organized way. I peeped and saw Local 1-217, IWA, at its very best, a brother- hood dedicated to the happiness and well-being: of our homes, and enjoying the experience. IRA BECKER & SON Vancouver Island Distributors LE. L. POWER CHAIN SAWS PARTS yk Nanaimo Phone 1515 SERVICE Campbell River Phone 94H_ FINICKY BILL RIDES AGAIN: A One Act Comedy 5 By MOLLY HOGAN Characters: Camp Superintendent “Finicky” BIll; Newspaper ‘eporter; Chol an. Scene: Gumshoe Inlet. Reporter is interviewing the Super- intendent for a newspaper story. REPORTER—“First, tell me how you got the nickname of “Finicky” will you, Mr——. FINICKY (interrupting) — “Don’t call me Mister, my name is ‘Finicky’.” REPORTER (flustered)—“Sorry, Mr, uh—er—ah ‘Finicky’.” FINICKY—“All right, all right, get on with the interview; this is a logging camp, not a !—?296!! rest home!” REPORTER—“How is it that you can get logs cheaper than any other camp?” FINICKY—“Well, son, it’s this way. ‘My first motto is to keep cookhouse costs down. I do this by keeping the cookhouse erew shorthanded. Then we save in two ways, less wages and the cook hasn’t got time to be dreaming up fancy meals. I only allow each'man to have three sandwiches, also.” REPORTER—This looks like a pretty old camp. Could we have a look at the bunkhouses? We would like to have something with a human interest point, you know—sleeping accommodations, washroom facilities, etc.” FINICKY—“Sure thing. That’s another secret of my success. The men have been trying to force me to clean the camp up, but there is no sense wasting money on this camp. After all, we'll be finished logging here in another 37 years. Besides loggers are the only ones who live here. REPORTER—“I understand that this was a Union camp. Why does the Union let you get away with these things? Don’t they object?” FINICKY—‘Well, here’s the answer to that one. I operate with three crews—one coming, one going, and one on the job. It’s almost impossible for the Union to keep a committee. However, when they do come to sée me, I follow a special plan of diversion. I always put the committee on the defensive. I curse and swear, rant and rave, pull my hair—that’s how I got bald—throw my hat on the floor, plead poverty, and generally do everything but talk about what the Union wants to talk about. If they do finally pin me down, I’ll promise to look into their grievances. The only catch here is that I promptly forget about such promises.” (Sundry smiles and chuckles from the push.) Enter Chokerman with a sandwich in, his hand. CHOKERMAN—“Look at this sandwich, the meat in it is green.” FINI CE ee what in the good @Ib ?%!! color did you want— ue?” Exit Chokerman muttering to himself. REPORTER—“Could I say that your success comes from logging the loggers instead of logging the logs?” FINICKY (uncontrolled laughter)—“That’s rich, my boy.” Scene closes with many groans and moans in the background com- ing from a supporting cast of loggers, ANY RESEMBLANCE TO ANY PERSONS OR PLACES LIVING OR DEAD IS PURELY CO-INCIDENTAL. NEY BUSINESS GUID “ESQUIRE” MEN’S WEAR (Graham Mowatt) Complete Stock of Work and Dress Clothing “THE STORE WITH THE POPULAR BRANDS” 4 BRITISH COLUMBIA HANEY DUNCAN BUSINESS GUIDE J, LINDSAY LOUTET (C. Bradshaw & Co.) 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