Journal Stories From The 2000's

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

Power companies all along the Pacific slope, both in the United States and Canada, are facing a serious shortage in water owing to the unlooked for, and for this time of the year, unprecedented dry spell.

In Vancouver City, B.C. the British Columbia Light and Power Company have found it necessary to withdraw a number of street cars from the different lines, and have requested mill operators, and other large users, to economize to the utmost extent in their use of the current. The operation of their auxiliary steam plant up to date has cost them $350,000. Among other steps to help, the city has cut out 50 per cent of the street, cluster lights. Though not as severe as on the mainland, the situation on Vancouver Island is causing much uneasiness.

South of the line the hydro crisis is so alarming that on November 30, at a joint conference between the cities of Tacoma and Seattle, it was decided to appoint a “Power Dictator” on December 2, to direct the use of power generated by the Puget Sound Light and Power Co. for the two cities, and in addition, the use of the naval aero plane carrier Lexington, capable of developing 200,000 h.p., was asked of President Hoover by Senators Dill and Jones and Representative Johnson, all of the state of Washington. The President was told that there was not enough water to generate the power needed, and that unless relief could be provided, the situation would shortly become very acute.

The weather forecast for the month of December is not very encouraging, and though one does not like to pose as an alarmist, yet the sinister thought arises, what, if owing to changing conditions on the Pacific slope, this water famine should become more or less permanent. No doubt power magnates are considering this possibility. May Jupiter Pluvius soon turn on the water taps.

The hunting season is on now, and each week end sees numerous cars headed city wards, carrying fine specimens of the deer with which this Island abounds. Several of the linemen are mighty “Nimrods”, and secure their share of the game. Brother Quest brought in two last Sunday. Some of the others are not so successful but they all have alibis.

One Brother is reported to have hunted all one day without success and in desperation he took a shot at a big, baldheaded eagle which was sailing around over head; he missed it; the kick of the gun knocked him back in some bushes where he lit on two rabbits so hard that he killed them both and came home with them singing, “the end of a perfect day.”

Brother “Shorty” Haines tells a hunting story of the early days in eastern Canada when muzzle loaders were still in use.

He said, “There was a feller went out a huntin’ moose in the back woods. He picked a good spot alongside a run way and then started to load his gun. He poured five fingers of black powder down into her out of the old cow horn, and then as was the custom, rammed down the paper wadding until the ramrod bounced clear out of the barrel, but when he reached for his buckshot pouch he found he had forgotten it. Just then he spotted a big Bull Moose trottin’ down the run way towards him. In desperation he reached into his coat pocket for the only thing he could think of and pulled out a handful of cherry pits. He rammed them down on top of the powder, put a cap on the nipple and then as moose trotted by, he pulled the trigger and let ‘er flicker, but the old boy never paid any attention but just kept going.” Next year the same feller was in the same place, and by heck!” said Shorty, “the same moose come trottin’ by.” “How in blazes,” said an incautious listener scornfully, “could he tell it was the same one?” “Why yu durned ijit!” shouted Shorty. “He know’d it was the same one cos’ it had cherry trees growing out all over its side!” Brother Sid Neville says, there’s too much, old-time stuff in our letters.

What he wants to know is something about the future. Well in that case, Sidney, I would advise you to consult one of the reliable lady fortune tellers. She would gently clasp your hand, and as she gazed into your soulful blue eyes, would probably say, “Young man! I see a great danger hovering over you! Beware of a bow-legged, grey haired, old badger, who is going to side-swipe you so hard that if he lands your future will be naught, but an aching void!”

At Local 230’s last regular meeting in the year 1929, held on December 17, the final balloting for the officers for the New Year took place and resulted as follows:

President Brother Emery; vice president, Brother Neville; recording secretary, Brother Shapland; financial secretary and business agent, Brother Reid; treasurer Brother I.F Smith; foreman Brother Semple; first inspector, Brother Martin; second inspector, Brother Haines; long term trustee, Brother Harkness; press secretary, Brother Shapland.

Local 239 owes a debt of thanks to the retiring members, especially President Lenmax, for their faithful services.

A feeling of gloom affected the whole meeting when we learned through the columns of “Labor,” of the untimely and tragic death of our beloved International President, the late Brother Noonan. It was moved and seconded that our secretary send a letter of condolence to the International Office and the Charter be draped for 30 days.

Until we read the synopsis of his life, few of us were aware of the strenuous conditions he had overcome, in the days when labor was just beginning to awaken t the necessity of organization, and of how the knowledge and deep understanding of labor’s needs then gained, coupled with his acknowledged tact and diplomacy, were responsible for his rise to such high positions as President of the IBEW in 1919, a Vice President of the AF of L in 1924, and to other high offices at home and abroad, all won by the sheer force of his brilliant intellect and high principles, and the proud position which the IBEW holds today among the leading labor organizations of the North American continent, is largely due to his wise leadership. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his wife and family in their hour of trial.

The International Executive Council made a wise selection for president. Brother HH Broach is well qualified to wear the mantle of our late president with dignity and honor. His abilities and character are too well known to need recounting here.

Among other resolutions passed in the meeting was one instructing our business agent, Brother Reid, to investigate and relieve any cases of want or distress among our members.

Brother Haines, of the sick committee, reports Brother McKee, who is laid up with a lame knee, will not be able to return to work for some time. Tough luck, Brother McKee, especially at this time of the year, but all the boys are hoping to see you back soon.

Brother Robert Baxter, who is having such a long, hard fight to regain his health, has left the Jubilee Hospital here and gone to the Tranquille Sanatorium, at Kamloops, BC where the higher altitude and dryer climate may benefit him.

The recent, heavy rainfall has relieved the anxiety over the power situation on Vancouver Island but it will take a lot more rain to bring things back to normal on the mainland.

Shappy.



	Published in January 1930 - I.B.E.W. Journal L.U. No. 230 Victoria, B.C. Editor: Power companies all along the Pacific slope, both in the United States and Canada, are facing a serious shortage in water owing to the unlooked for, and for this time of the year, unprecedented dry spell. In Vancouver City, B.C. the British Columbia Light and Power Company have found it necessary to withdraw a number of street cars from the different lines, and have requested mill operators, and other large users, to economize to the utmost extent in their use of the current. The operation of their auxiliary steam plant up to date has cost them $350,000. Among other steps to help, the city has cut out 50 per cent of the street, cluster lights. Though not as severe as on the mainland, the situation on Vancouver Island is causing much uneasiness. South of the line the hydro crisis is so alarming that on November 30, at a joint conference between the cities of Tacoma and Seattle, it was decided to appoint a “Power Dictator” on December 2, to direct the use of power generated by the Puget Sound Light and Power Co. for the two cities, and in addition, the use of the naval aero plane carrier Lexington, capable of developing 200,000 h.p., was asked of President Hoover by Senators Dill and Jones and Representative Johnson, all of the state of Washington. The President was told that there was not enough water to generate the power needed, and that unless relief could be provided, the situation would shortly become very acute. The weather forecast for the month of December is not very encouraging, and though one does not like to pose as an alarmist, yet the sinister thought arises, what, if owing to changing conditions on the Pacific slope, this water famine should become more or less permanent. No doubt power magnates are considering this possibility. May Jupiter Pluvius soon turn on the water taps. The hunting season is on now, and each week end sees numerous cars headed city wards, carrying fine specimens of the deer with which this Island abounds. Several of the linemen are mighty “Nimrods”, and secure their share of the game. Brother Quest brought in two last Sunday. Some of the others are not so successful but they all have alibis. One Brother is reported to have hunted all one day without success and in desperation he took a shot at a big, baldheaded eagle which was sailing around over head; he missed it; the kick of the gun knocked him back in some bushes where he lit on two rabbits so hard that he killed them both and came home with them singing, “the end of a perfect day.” Brother “Shorty” Haines tells a hunting story of the early days in eastern Canada when muzzle loaders were still in use. He said, “There was a feller went out a huntin’ moose in the back woods. He picked a good spot alongside a run way and then started to load his gun. He poured five fingers of black powder down into her out of the old cow horn, and then as was the custom, rammed down the paper wadding until the ramrod bounced clear out of the barrel, but when he reached for his buckshot pouch he found he had forgotten it. Just then he spotted a big Bull Moose trottin’ down the run way towards him. In desperation he reached into his coat pocket for the only thing he could think of and pulled out a handful of cherry pits. He rammed them down on top of the powder, put a cap on the nipple and then as moose trotted by, he pulled the trigger and let ‘er flicker, but the old boy never paid any attention but just kept going.” Next year the same feller was in the same place, and by heck!” said Shorty, “the same moose come trottin’ by.” “How in blazes,” said an incautious listener scornfully, “could he tell it was the same one?” “Why yu durned ijit!” shouted Shorty. “He know’d it was the same one cos’ it had cherry trees growing out all over its side!” Brother Sid Neville says, there’s too much, old-time stuff in our letters. What he wants to know is something about the future. Well in that case, Sidney, I would advise you to consult one of the reliable lady fortune tellers. She would gently clasp your hand, and as she gazed into your soulful blue eyes, would probably say, “Young man! I see a great danger hovering over you! Beware of a bow-legged, grey haired, old badger, who is going to side-swipe you so hard that if he lands your future will be naught, but an aching void!” At Local 230’s last regular meeting in the year 1929, held on December 17, the final balloting for the officers for the New Year took place and resulted as follows: President Brother Emery; vice president, Brother Neville; recording secretary, Brother Shapland; financial secretary and business agent, Brother Reid; treasurer Brother I.F Smith; foreman Brother Semple; first inspector, Brother Martin; second inspector, Brother Haines; long term trustee, Brother Harkness; press secretary, Brother Shapland. Local 239 owes a debt of thanks to the retiring members, especially President Lenmax, for their faithful services. A feeling of gloom affected the whole meeting when we learned through the columns of “Labor,” of the untimely and tragic death of our beloved International President, the late Brother Noonan. It was moved and seconded that our secretary send a letter of condolence to the International Office and the Charter be draped for 30 days. Until we read the synopsis of his life, few of us were aware of the strenuous conditions he had overcome, in the days when labor was just beginning to awaken t the necessity of organization, and of how the knowledge and deep understanding of labor’s needs then gained, coupled with his acknowledged tact and diplomacy, were responsible for his rise to such high positions as President of the IBEW in 1919, a Vice President of the AF of L in 1924, and to other high offices at home and abroad, all won by the sheer force of his brilliant intellect and high principles, and the proud position which the IBEW holds today among the leading labor organizations of the North American continent, is largely due to his wise leadership. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his wife and family in their hour of trial. The International Executive Council made a wise selection for president. Brother HH Broach is well qualified to wear the mantle of our late president with dignity and honor. His abilities and character are too well known to need recounting here. Among other resolutions passed in the meeting was one instructing our business agent, Brother Reid, to investigate and relieve any cases of want or distress among our members. Brother Haines, of the sick committee, reports Brother McKee, who is laid up with a lame knee, will not be able to return to work for some time. Tough luck, Brother McKee, especially at this time of the year, but all the boys are hoping to see you back soon. Brother Robert Baxter, who is having such a long, hard fight to regain his health, has left the Jubilee Hospital here and gone to the Tranquille Sanatorium, at Kamloops, BC where the higher altitude and dryer climate may benefit him. The recent, heavy rainfall has relieved the anxiety over the power situation on Vancouver Island but it will take a lot more rain to bring things back to normal on the mainland. Shappy.