Journal Stories From The 2000's

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

The Vancouver Daily Sun, a paper whose broad, clear-cut views on labor questions have won for it a very large circulation, especially among the laboring class, has this to say in an article written by one of their staff – R.D. Bouchette.

He says in part regarding the “Buy now slogan”, which has been advanced among other schemes to help end the present depression:

“We are urged to ‘Buy now’. All over Canada and the United States the popular press has been exhorting us to take our spare dollars out of chancery and to put them to work. Internationally circulated magazines have been printing little ‘Buy now’ slogans throughout their pages.

“I have no complaint against the movement, even though its chief beneficiaries are the big advertisers, who probably inspired the big idea in the first place.

“But I would suggest that the simplest means of persuading the consumer to ‘Buy now’ is to give him money with which to do the buying.

“He can hardly be blamed for hoarding a portion of his earnings when he is confronted with the possibility of either losing his job or working for reduced pay.

“If capital is prepared to make sacrifices to restore public confidence, capital can quickly end this depression. We are told that a decline in buying power is the main trouble. Why not then increase wages generally? The desire to spend will do the rest.”

Mr. Boulette goes on to say:

“In theory, of course this suggestion is impracticable. Any economist could show you that it is-to use the timeworn expression-fundamentally unsound.

“This is because we have been taught to believe as a cardinal truth, that capital must not be hampered. If you examine this shibboleth without prejudice I think you will conclude that it is another way of saying that the consumer must hold the bag.

“Another obvious reason against such a proposal is that we are prone to divorce the personal element from economics. We say that capital must not suffer because we consider capital as an idea. We overlook the fact that capital’s constituents are a number of individuals who have acquired a lot of money. In other words, we forget that although it would work hardships upon a business to increase wages when it was already losing money, it would be no hardship at all upon the individual or group who controlled that business. Good times have enabled these men to build up a reserve of wealth.”

Since my last letter the line gang’s bowling team has gone from bad to worse so I have made up my mind to step in and take control of their training. I have already wired Major Hoople to come and act as assistant trainer. In future the team must abstain from all spirituous liquor and cut out smoking either their own or other people’s tobacco. I propose a strict diet of dried apples and beans with one bucket of water a day allowed to each one. Further they must each retire to a padded cell promptly a 9 o’clock each night except when bowling. I have no doubt that if my orders are implicitly obeyed that the team will be the outstanding feature at the next Olympic Games.

Shappy.



	Published in February 1931 - I.B.E.W. Journal L.U. No. 230 Victoria, B.C. Editor: The Vancouver Daily Sun, a paper whose broad, clear-cut views on labor questions have won for it a very large circulation, especially among the laboring class, has this to say in an article written by one of their staff – R.D. Bouchette. He says in part regarding the “Buy now slogan”, which has been advanced among other schemes to help end the present depression: “We are urged to ‘Buy now’. All over Canada and the United States the popular press has been exhorting us to take our spare dollars out of chancery and to put them to work. Internationally circulated magazines have been printing little ‘Buy now’ slogans throughout their pages. “I have no complaint against the movement, even though its chief beneficiaries are the big advertisers, who probably inspired the big idea in the first place. “But I would suggest that the simplest means of persuading the consumer to ‘Buy now’ is to give him money with which to do the buying. “He can hardly be blamed for hoarding a portion of his earnings when he is confronted with the possibility of either losing his job or working for reduced pay. “If capital is prepared to make sacrifices to restore public confidence, capital can quickly end this depression. We are told that a decline in buying power is the main trouble. Why not then increase wages generally? The desire to spend will do the rest.” Mr. Boulette goes on to say: “In theory, of course this suggestion is impracticable. Any economist could show you that it is-to use the timeworn expression-fundamentally unsound. “This is because we have been taught to believe as a cardinal truth, that capital must not be hampered. If you examine this shibboleth without prejudice I think you will conclude that it is another way of saying that the consumer must hold the bag. “Another obvious reason against such a proposal is that we are prone to divorce the personal element from economics. We say that capital must not suffer because we consider capital as an idea. We overlook the fact that capital’s constituents are a number of individuals who have acquired a lot of money. In other words, we forget that although it would work hardships upon a business to increase wages when it was already losing money, it would be no hardship at all upon the individual or group who controlled that business. Good times have enabled these men to build up a reserve of wealth.” Since my last letter the line gang’s bowling team has gone from bad to worse so I have made up my mind to step in and take control of their training. I have already wired Major Hoople to come and act as assistant trainer. In future the team must abstain from all spirituous liquor and cut out smoking either their own or other people’s tobacco. I propose a strict diet of dried apples and beans with one bucket of water a day allowed to each one. Further they must each retire to a padded cell promptly a 9 o’clock each night except when bowling. I have no doubt that if my orders are implicitly obeyed that the team will be the outstanding feature at the next Olympic Games. Shappy.