During Commander Johnson's (1930)year the Post had not realized that the depress
Men who had held positions with companies for ten years and longer began to look anxious. Those that had joined the ranks of the unemployed had been men of a few years service. Now those in the Post who regarded themselves as secure in their jobs were beginning to look anxious and at every meeting there would be another one or two who had either dropped out or who looked despondent about the future. No matter what kind of a person it is, when one is out on the streets without a job it cannot help but color his outlook on life. His judgement is biased and he cannot make the same decisions he did when his future was secure. Furthermore he cannot take an interest in activities like those of the Post when he does not know if there will be food enough in the house for his family.

Each meeting brought up new questions to aid the men in securing employment. And at the same time the effective working membership diminished. Every man was anxious about his own job while those without jobs were getting more and more despondent. It speaks well of the level-headedness of the Post that there was a new committee chairman to appoint. At almost every meeting of the executive committee there was a vacancy to be filled as some man who had held an office resigned.

There was some criticism about those who resigned. Events have shown that the men who resigned when they no longer felt secure in their means of livelihood were doing the right thing. They realized that their outlook on things had changed. They resigned their positions and in most cases kept up their attendance at meetings but assumed the role of on-lookers. Then came the news that the commander had lost his place. At the next meeting his resignation was read. That was the first time a commander had resigned. There was some consternation and some criticism. the rank and file did not understand the unwritten rule among the men who had been dropped by their companies. We now see that in every case dismissal from ones job was followed by resignation from office. As our friends the English say " It is the thing to do."

The system inaugurated by Past Commander Swift (1924) years before worked well. The executive committee functioned and a board of directors was appointed to carry on until a new commander took office. Five Past commanders, Hooper(1926), Stevenson(1925), Clark(1927), Witt(1929) and Johnson(1930) were appointed and the Memorial Day services and plans for the Fourth of July were made by them.

Shortly after this at a regular meeting a commander was elected. The same five members were selected and the Post advised to choose one of them to finish the year. As Witt was the only unmarried man in the group and he would have the most time to devote to the Post. The advice was taken and when the votes were counted, Dr. Witt had received all but three votes.

The Post income during the remainder of the year was small. Foolish appropriations were almost nil. Practically every cent was devoted to service work. The active membership was also smaller. However the remainder of the year passed smoothly and with much done for unfortunate members.

One of the most difficult tasks confronting the Post this year was to secure a candidate for commander. While the crisis was not as acute as it had been in Norman Anderson's administration it was more serious in some respects. Hardly a man was sure of his job and worries at home and at work were upper most in the mind of every man. Each man approached had in mind the fact that if he took on the job he would want to carry it thru the year but if he lost his job he would not be able to continue. Finally after much work on the part of the nominating committee and careful consideration of the available men, A.J. Walter was prevailed upon to accept the nomination and was elected. When things are running smoothly a man can always be found. The future of the Post looked secure but the individual security of the members was not so hopeful.

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