Journal Stories From The 2000's

L.U. No. 230 Victoria, B.C.
Editor:

Do the members of any of our locals who pick up their copy of the Workers, turn a few pages over aimlessly and then throw it aside ever realize the amount of hard work and brains entailed in its preparation?

The careful selection of articles by leading writers of the day on subjects, which, owing to the deep, wide-spread depression existing at the present time, are of vital importance to the workers.

Take “Comment” for instance by our President Broach.

The concise, clear-cut comments made therein are already beginning to take effect, like a sharp axe which cuts away a dense growth of poisonous ivy from some building and lets the bright sunshine illuminate the dark, musty interior and drive out the noxious vapors and there is a notable decrease in the long-winded, dreary discussions which serve no useful purpose, only giving members an excuse for non-attendance at meetings.

When the civic employees of Vancouver, BC, asked the authorities for their promised raise in wages they met with almost the same kind treatment as Oliver Twist when he had the unparalleled audacity to ask for more porridge. This elicited an editorial from that sturdy champion of the people’s rights, the Vancouver Sun, written in that paper’s usual, trenchant style, as follows:

Labor and Hard Times

“Objections are made to the salary increases claimed by civic employees on the ground that during hard times labor must take its bumps the same as businesses are forced to take their bumps.

“No argument could be more false. For it is only during hard times that the labor man can have his innings.

“When times are good, prices go up. Business men and merchants take their extra profits and wallow in the opportunities of a soaring stock market. But the working man has his certain definite salary, and out of that salary must pay the higher prices incidental to prosperity times.

“When hard times come along, prices eventually drop. It is only at this time that the working man can enjoy the same prosperous era that comes to the business man at good times.

“Do Vancouver people begrudge the working man his little innings?

“The prosperity of any individual is only relative. A man is prosperous in proportion to the amount his dollar will buy.

“The working man’s dollar buys more during hard times than it does during good times. On the other hand, the business man has fewer dollars during hard times than he has during good times.

“To deny the civic employees of Vancouver their promised salary increases is to deny them the privilege of enjoying a prosperity that has already been enjoyed by business and commercial Vancouver.”

Shappy.



	Published in April 1931 - I.B.E.W. Journal L.U. No. 230 Victoria, B.C. Editor: Do the members of any of our locals who pick up their copy of the Workers, turn a few pages over aimlessly and then throw it aside ever realize the amount of hard work and brains entailed in its preparation? The careful selection of articles by leading writers of the day on subjects, which, owing to the deep, wide-spread depression existing at the present time, are of vital importance to the workers. Take “Comment” for instance by our President Broach. The concise, clear-cut comments made therein are already beginning to take effect, like a sharp axe which cuts away a dense growth of poisonous ivy from some building and lets the bright sunshine illuminate the dark, musty interior and drive out the noxious vapors and there is a notable decrease in the long-winded, dreary discussions which serve no useful purpose, only giving members an excuse for non-attendance at meetings. When the civic employees of Vancouver, BC, asked the authorities for their promised raise in wages they met with almost the same kind treatment as Oliver Twist when he had the unparalleled audacity to ask for more porridge. This elicited an editorial from that sturdy champion of the people’s rights, the Vancouver Sun, written in that paper’s usual, trenchant style, as follows: Labor and Hard Times “Objections are made to the salary increases claimed by civic employees on the ground that during hard times labor must take its bumps the same as businesses are forced to take their bumps. “No argument could be more false. For it is only during hard times that the labor man can have his innings. “When times are good, prices go up. Business men and merchants take their extra profits and wallow in the opportunities of a soaring stock market. But the working man has his certain definite salary, and out of that salary must pay the higher prices incidental to prosperity times. “When hard times come along, prices eventually drop. It is only at this time that the working man can enjoy the same prosperous era that comes to the business man at good times. “Do Vancouver people begrudge the working man his little innings? “The prosperity of any individual is only relative. A man is prosperous in proportion to the amount his dollar will buy. “The working man’s dollar buys more during hard times than it does during good times. On the other hand, the business man has fewer dollars during hard times than he has during good times. “To deny the civic employees of Vancouver their promised salary increases is to deny them the privilege of enjoying a prosperity that has already been enjoyed by business and commercial Vancouver.” Shappy.