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The United Worker
March 1949 Page 2
Prices Here and Elsewhere
Locals 312 and 360 have a joint committee which compares prices of goods
sold in Ocean Falls and elsewhere. The switch over to self serve was
suppose to lower prices considerably. Here are a few comparisons:
Ocean
Falls Downtown
Sausages .59 .49
T-bone steak .82 .69
Sirloin steak .80 .69
Pork chops .65 .58
Raspb. Jam (4 lbs) .99 .59
Orange Marmalade .69 .59
Tomatoes (1 can) .27 .20
Jelly powder (one) .10 .25 (4)
Toilet tissue (one) .12 .27 (4)
If we are not mistaken, the President of PML assured us a short while
ago that upon completion of the self-service system, prices would be
very close to those prevailing downtown. The above comparison is not in
accordance with the President's assurances.
March 1949 Page 4
Community Centre
Our Labor-Management Committee representatives report on a recent
meeting where PML officials state emphatically the Ocean Falls will NOT
get the proposed "Community Centre" this year.
Stunned by the recent juvenile delinquency and the possibility of
adverse publicity arising out of the Court case it brought forth, the
Company is making a mild effort to cover up and meet an issue we have so
long been faced with.
Here is the picture to date in regards to a program of keeping our youth
occupied and off the streets of our town. In the west end of our local
area, formerly known as "Jap Town" we have remaining a section of
dilapidated Japanese and Chinese bunkhouses, their age unknown to us.
The old Mess Hall, commonly known as one "Bunkhouse G" is going to be
turned to the honorable coverage of boxing, wrestling and weightlifting.
The company will remove from it any materials they may so feel will be
of use in other buildings, then the ROVER SCOUTS are reported to be
removing partitions, and finally the hall will be laid bare for the
OFAAA to transform into a gymnasium.
Next in line for the so-called "Start" on our Community Centre, the
local bowling alleys will be returned to the basement of the Old Theatre
from whence thy came. The theatre floor will be leveled off and this
will suffice for basketball and badminton. Apparently the existing dance
Hall will remain as is. THAT, it is said, will be all at present as far
as our great need is concerned.
Mr. P. Frattinger who is reportedly leaving Ocean Falls shortly, states
that he believes parents are to blame for juvenile delinquency. This may
be true in a few instances but we must remember that there are may types
of delinquency other than those we have just had brought to our
attention.
Ocean Falls is in dire need of complete and adequate construction around
its swimming pool of an ice surface in winter for skating, hockey and
curling; floor sectioned in summer for roller rink, ring hockey and the
manifold sports often blanked by our weather. A gymnasium of merit and
ALL the sidelines it entails. Open 24 hours a day supervised and
operated NOT on a profit basis.
Page 5
Ocean Falls Emergency Fund
In 1918 the Ocean Falls community had just been through a hectic time of
construction during a war period and had suffered from the ‘flu
epidemic. Numerous calls were being made on the pockets of those who
were then present, to assist persons, who, from no fault of their own
were in need of ready cash. The spirit of cooperation was there but as
most persons were struggling to make a stake it was a hardship to give,
but harder still to refuse. Very few did refuse. A few persons,
including the Paymaster Mr. W. Graham got together and formulated a
policy starting the "Emergency Fund". This fund was built up by
donations, drives, dances etc., and involved a lot of work by the
committee. During 1919, $668.00 was raised.
The investigating committee was composed of the Departmental heads and
straight grants were made without request for refunds.
This method of handling the fund went on until 1925 when the fund was
depleted and the committee thought some other method of getting funds
should be used. To the credit of quite a few persons, to whom funds had
been granted, the persons receiving them refunded the amount for use of
other emergency cases.
Sometime in the fall of 1925, a public meeting was called and a motion
to reorganize was move and accepted. At this meeting resolutions were
made: "That the residents of Ocean Falls employed by Pacific Mills
Limited should contribute 10 cents per month, deducted from payroll, at
the option of the individual" and "That a Committee be formed of elected
representation for each department, hospital and clergy along with a
President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, elected at an annual
public meeting" representatives of each Union was later added, "That the
loans be made from the funds whenever possible in place of grants, such
loans to be made without interest charges". Pacific Mills Limited
executive agreed to handle the funds through their office accounting
department, and allow Committee Meetings to be held on company time.
During the depression of 1933-34, Pacific Mills made a donation of
$50.00 per month as the income from the 10 cents per month was
inadequate to handle the number of cases that required help. When the
income exceeded the call for loans the donation from the company was
dropped by mutual agreement. With employment being steadier fewer calls
for loans had been received and the funds in reserve at the end of 1946
were $8500.00, $7,000.00 of this amount had been invested in Victory
Bonds.
The Committee then considered it advisable to incorporate under the
"Societies Act of BC" and steps were taken to get a charter. In 1947 the
Emergency Fund was reorganized as "The Ocean Falls Emergency Benevolent
Society" dated April 3rd, 1947.
At the end of 1948 the available funds were $8014.45 with loans in
process of collections $1270.56.
The writer being one of the few who started the Emergency Fund in 1918
and took an active part in obtaining funds to 1925 considers that the
scheme has been a distinct asset to the community.
Over 350 persons or families have been assisted in emergencies which
have occurred in their lives since 1919. ----------- G.S. Barry,
President.
March 1949 Page 10
Stork Club
Born during February
Girl - Mr. & Mrs. A. Leepart
Girl - Mr. & Mrs. Cyril Hodson
Boy - Mr. & Mrs. Evans (South Bentick Arm)
Girl - Mr. & Mrs. Quon Wong
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