McLaughlin Glass Company, Los Angeles, CA

LOS ANGELES, CALIF.

By J. M. Price

Some of the members informed me that they missed my letter in the October and November Flint. There was nothing cheerful to write so I thought I would wait and I might have better news. At this writing it is somewhat brighter but nothing to get excited about. Of course we have some members out here who have all the luck. If they are working one place and there is a shutdown, they walk right into another factory and get work and never seem to be out of work. Others just don't seem to be able to locate these jobs. Darn if I can understand it.

As for helping or assisting another brother, say like giving him a turn once in a while, it just isn't done. No doubt you read about the explosion here. It was a miracle that no one was killed. As it took place in a building where there had been some labor trouble, we all expected the old way cry of "the unions are to blame." But doggone if I noticed one news item that read that way. Can it be that here in the great southwest organized labor is being recognized as something that is good for the human race? Well, let us hope so and maybe the time will come when the lion and the lamb will lie down together and not be afraid to close both eyes.

The writer took a trip around the circuit recently, so here is the news: The Mission Glass Company at Burbank closed last December and there are no prospects of starting. Glendale Glass Tile Company at Glendale, I understand, is in the hands of a receiver. The Crystalite at Glendale has only one shop working full time. Fred Glassen is manager and blowing. The only Joe Bloomgreen, blocking, Paul Anderson making balls. Bert Anderson of Dunkirk fame, presses a few turns now and then. At the Southern Glass Works, a machine bottle factory, all mould makers are working full time. The Technical Glass Company has not been doing so good since August but at this writing things look better as they have all their old men back at work. William Parsons is the new man in the mould shop. The McLaughlin factory has picked up and our members working there are doing better. G. Cornell, F. Cornell and Carlson are on the paste mould shop, Scott Littleton and his son George are on the press shop. The other three shops are G. B. B. A. men. In the mould shop Harry Meyers, foreman and Rex Aldridge look after that end. I cannot tell much about the Forger plant as I am not very welcome there although I did meet Brother Harry Weeks there one day when I had to call. Maybe you members back in Bellaire would like to hear how he is. Well, he is working pretty good so he told me. That just goes to show how lucky some members are. Brother Weeks drops in here and gets a job right away while I could name quite a few who have been out of work for months and don't seem to have a bit of luck. Must be the climate. All the mould makers at Latchford's are working steady. The same goes for Long Beach, too.

By the way, we were glad to see the members from Long Beach at the meeting. Come often and bring the whole gang. Over at Santa Ana, Calif., the Brock Company has been working part time with two shops. I understand they have bought another small plant over there and are going to make five gallons and cylinders so that is all of them.

At our meeting in September the following officers were elected: J. M. Price, president; Charles Wilson, vice president; C. F. Daley, financial secretary; Bert Anderson, corresponding secretary; inspector, the right Honorable Daniel Rock; guard, C. Carlson.

J. C. McKelvey, better known as Mack, has quit raising rabbits and gone in the chicken business. Mack says ha only works day turn so he thinks he should do real well raising chickens. Well, here's hoping we find that corner which they say prosperity is hanging around. If we look long enough, we may see it yet. It is never so bad but what it could be worse. I guess we got lots to be thankful for, rich man getting richer and more worries, poor man getting poorer and his worries. Take your choice.

I cannot recall who wrote this poem, "The Man Worth While."

It's easy enough to be pleasant

When life flows by like a song,

But the man worth while

Is the man who can smile

When everything goes dead wrong.

For the test of the heart is trouble

And it always comes with years,

But the smile that is worth the praises of earth

Is the smile that shines through tears.

Read this brothers, and let nature take her course and may your conscience be your guide. Beware of the yes man.