Journal Stories From The 2000's

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

At this time when a widespread depression exists in the business world and retrenchments among companies is the order of the day it is pleasant to note that the British Columbia Power and Light Company have been, and are carrying on a policy of expansion running into millions of dollars. These companies have closed shop agreements with Locals 213 and 230, and on Vancouver Island, which is the jurisdiction of Local 230, their headquarters are in Victoria, and their main supply of electricity is generated at Jordan River and is brought to the city over a 65,000-volt transmission line 43 miles in length.

On March 30, 1930, work was started at the Jordan River power house, for the construction of an additional 18,000-horsepower generating unit, which, outside of the regular staff, gave employment to some 150 men, and on November 24 this unit was successfully “put on the line”, and brings up the total amount of current there to 41,750 horsepower. In addition to this, the old Gold stream power house, which was the original source of supply, produces 2,300 horsepower and the Brentwood Steam Plant 5,400 horsepower, making a combined total of 49,450 horsepower.

To take care of the increased load it was found necessary to abandon the old Rock Bay sub station, which had outgrown its usefulness, and a new, modern, up-to-date plant was erected in a suitable location, at an outlay of over $250,000 and is in successful operation. What particularly interested the members of Local 230, was the fact that to meet this expansion, the company built some duplicate high line, and practically rebuilt the overhead construction of the city, and converted the distribution from a three-wire, 2,300-volt Delta, to a four-wire, 4,150-volt Star system. By this conversion the distributing circuits were increased 70 percent capacity. This work was taken in hand in June, 1928, and the last circuit was cut over in July, 1930. A great deal of credit for the high class of the construction and the successful cutover must be given to the two-line foremen, Brothers Tonman and Brown and their gangs of card men who cut ‘er in hot, wet or dry. They are all good linemen, but ----well, I am a lover of truth and I have a sad tale to unfold.

This winter a fine, large, modern bowling alley was built and the craze for bowling tool such a hold of the citizens that the alley is bust all the time. Brothers Tonman, Neville, Quest Mackenzie and Casey formed themselves into a team to compete with teams from other departments of the BC Electric, and I will say this for them, that physically, I never saw a finer bunch of men, and as individual, advance press agents they have no equal. With the exception of Brother Casey they are all well over six feet in height and what Brother Casey lacks in stature he makes up in dignity of deportment and besides has an uncanny skill in the art of bowling which frequently makes him high scorer of the alley. Now the Brothers insisted that I sacrifice some of my valuable time and attend a match and see them play. In a weak moment I consented. Did they live up to their advance notices? I’ll say they did not! It may have been that my presence as an expert critic unnerved them as, outside of Brother Casey, their performance was blood curdling, and they had the unparalleled audacity to jump me for being a hoodoo. Unless their conduct improves I shall resolutely refuse to attend any more matches.

We are sorry to note that Brother Grant I still on the sick list. We all hope to see him back to work again.

I hear my old pal, Brother Jack Cameron, occasionally. As a floater, Jack rivals Mrs. Bruce. Since leaving here he has floated through Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and recently left Bellingham and was back in Seattle when I last heard from him.

Well, if no more letters appear in the Worker it will be because the bowling team has taken me “for a ride”.

Shappy.



	Published in January 1931 - I.B.E.W. Journal L.U. No. 230 Victoria, B.C. Editor: At this time when a widespread depression exists in the business world and retrenchments among companies is the order of the day it is pleasant to note that the British Columbia Power and Light Company have been, and are carrying on a policy of expansion running into millions of dollars. These companies have closed shop agreements with Locals 213 and 230, and on Vancouver Island, which is the jurisdiction of Local 230, their headquarters are in Victoria, and their main supply of electricity is generated at Jordan River and is brought to the city over a 65,000-volt transmission line 43 miles in length. On March 30, 1930, work was started at the Jordan River power house, for the construction of an additional 18,000-horsepower generating unit, which, outside of the regular staff, gave employment to some 150 men, and on November 24 this unit was successfully “put on the line”, and brings up the total amount of current there to 41,750 horsepower. In addition to this, the old Gold stream power house, which was the original source of supply, produces 2,300 horsepower and the Brentwood Steam Plant 5,400 horsepower, making a combined total of 49,450 horsepower. To take care of the increased load it was found necessary to abandon the old Rock Bay sub station, which had outgrown its usefulness, and a new, modern, up-to-date plant was erected in a suitable location, at an outlay of over $250,000 and is in successful operation. What particularly interested the members of Local 230, was the fact that to meet this expansion, the company built some duplicate high line, and practically rebuilt the overhead construction of the city, and converted the distribution from a three-wire, 2,300-volt Delta, to a four-wire, 4,150-volt Star system. By this conversion the distributing circuits were increased 70 percent capacity. This work was taken in hand in June, 1928, and the last circuit was cut over in July, 1930. A great deal of credit for the high class of the construction and the successful cutover must be given to the two-line foremen, Brothers Tonman and Brown and their gangs of card men who cut ‘er in hot, wet or dry. They are all good linemen, but ----well, I am a lover of truth and I have a sad tale to unfold. This winter a fine, large, modern bowling alley was built and the craze for bowling tool such a hold of the citizens that the alley is bust all the time. Brothers Tonman, Neville, Quest Mackenzie and Casey formed themselves into a team to compete with teams from other departments of the BC Electric, and I will say this for them, that physically, I never saw a finer bunch of men, and as individual, advance press agents they have no equal. With the exception of Brother Casey they are all well over six feet in height and what Brother Casey lacks in stature he makes up in dignity of deportment and besides has an uncanny skill in the art of bowling which frequently makes him high scorer of the alley. Now the Brothers insisted that I sacrifice some of my valuable time and attend a match and see them play. In a weak moment I consented. Did they live up to their advance notices? I’ll say they did not! It may have been that my presence as an expert critic unnerved them as, outside of Brother Casey, their performance was blood curdling, and they had the unparalleled audacity to jump me for being a hoodoo. Unless their conduct improves I shall resolutely refuse to attend any more matches. We are sorry to note that Brother Grant I still on the sick list. We all hope to see him back to work again. I hear my old pal, Brother Jack Cameron, occasionally. As a floater, Jack rivals Mrs. Bruce. Since leaving here he has floated through Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and recently left Bellingham and was back in Seattle when I last heard from him. Well, if no more letters appear in the Worker it will be because the bowling team has taken me “for a ride”. Shappy.