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THURSDAY, NOV. lst, 1945 PAGE FIVE THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO The Canadian Army Snowmobile, -Long-Secret Military Vehicle In action, the Snowmobile carrnes two Canadian Amny personnel safely and quickly over a deep snowdrift. The Canadian Army Snowmo- bile, a unique tank-like vehicle capable of crossing deep snow drifts or soggy marshland with equal ease, owes its versatility, Sin very large degree, to the spe- U*cially designed rubber and steel Ftracks built by Goodyear in Bow- manville. Early in~ 1942 the British Min- istry of Supply, in search of a military machine that could op- erate in heavy snow, placed the problem before Canada's Depart- ment of Munitions and Supply at Ottawa. Up to this time only a few light snowmobiles had been built in Canada-primarily for use by doctors and postal employees in the rural districts of Quebec and Ontario. These plywood "haîf- track" machines, steered with skis, were not suitable for use by.the armed forces. Snow Tracks Members of the Canadian Army Engineering Branch of the De-i partment of Munitions and Sup- ply were asked to develop an armoured machine that would fulfili the army's requirements.j Traction was the main problem, and Goodyear engineers were called in to help design tracks that would "float" the heavy ve- hicle over deep wintem snows. Working with the National Re- search Council and the Army En- gineering Design Branch, Good- year scientists under E. S. Var- coe, head of the Bowmanville No story of the 35th Anniver- sary of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Limited, in Bowmnanville, can be quite com- plete without a picture of the town itself. Many who, at dis- tant points, may read this special edition of The Statesman will ask, "What is the town like? Why did Goodyear corne to Bowman- % ville?" Accompanying stories tell why Goodyear chose this location and of the changes that have taken place in the economnic setup. But the pictorial view, with a bit of history, may be of some interest. Briefly it can be said in al truth, "Bowmanville is a beauti- ful town." Forty miles east of Toronto, on highway No. 2, on a rise of land between two spark- ling streams, nestled amidst a profusion of great trees, maple, beech, chestnut, evergreens, is the kind of town that inspires so many visitors to exclaim: "What a lovely place to live!"I Along the main street, among the homes neatly bordered with lawns, hedges, flowers, the motif is red brick. Southward, a verdant val- ley opens for a view of Lake On- tario. Goodyear Plant Across from the hiliside of the High School, on a level space of many acres, spreads the great >plant of the Goodyear Company. It stands apart yet is 50 great a part of the fortunes of the com- munity as other stories tell. But the general aspect of the town at large is one of peaceful, comfort- able homes, fine churches and schools and well dressed people in comfortabie prosperity who for 40 years have resolutely kept Bowmanville a "dry" town. Even the several other industries, the Bowmanville Foundry Co.,' the Whiz Co., the Pepsi-Cola plant, plant's Technical Development department, evolved the belting portion of the endless track which is built up of steel cross links or "grousers" bolted to a series of rubber belts. Inside these endless tracks- there are two to a vehicle, each 35 inches wide-the machine's wheels roll on sixteen "run-flat" Goodyear tires built in the New Toronto factory. Even when shot full of holes by enemy gunf ire, these tires can carry a snow- mobile at fair speed for many miles. Sweep Through Mud T h e first snowmnobile pilot model was tested in the Gatineau Valley in the sprîng of 1943. It easily crossed fields covered with four feet of slushy snow, mounted a 43 degree incline to slash its way th r o ugh second-growth brush and four-inch trees. In mud and swampland the machine performed equally well. Bogs chosen for the test were impassable to men, horses, or any other vehicle. The machine moved *steadily forward through three feet of mud that completely submerged the bogies and front- sprocket drive. Although the snowmobile was finally perfected too late to be of use as a military machine in World War Il, its development has given Canada a riew means of access to unexplored northern territories. do not intrude in the general view. Bowmanville has nat the appearance of a factory town. The town itself is bordered and backed with a great reach of rich farmlands, with maple-bordered roads, spreading orchards, from whence descendants of pioneers corne to Bowmanville to pass comfortable, declining ye a rs. Such is the sketch, ail too brief, of a town, a country, a people s0 many of whose youth over the years have gone fromn High School to office and factory of the, Goodyear Company in mu- tual, profitable association. Some Early History A brief view of history. In 1792 Governor Simcoe chartered these U n i t e d Counties. Darlington Ceritre, now Bowmanville, erect- ed its first few village buildings. Incorporated as a village, 1853, a town in 1858, its earîy industries were a brewery, flour milis, Haines Carrnage Co., Upper Can- ada Furniture Co., Dominion Piano and Organ Co. Only the flour milîs remain. 0f three con- temporary newspapers, only The Canadian Statesman survives. One of our principal exports was "braîns", for men and women of this district by the score have gone out to achieve high success in many chosen endeavors. In early days of village indus- tries, the Masseys made farm im- plements just five miles east; the beginning of the Massey-Harris Co. Seven miles north the Me- Laughiins were making buggies, cutters; the start of the present General Motors of Oshawa. There is no space to expand ail this romance of town and community. Just the glimpse of a place on the globe where we were born, from which neither fame nom fortune can entice us-Bowmanville, Dur- ham County. Industrial Relations 01 Goodyear Conmpany From Early Days When. Frank Seiberling found- ed the Goodyear Company in 1898 he had no money of his own. He pledged his personal credit, sink or swim, and gathered about him a small staff of workmen to whom he guaranteed work and wages. He pledged to pay them every Saturday. That was the beginning of what is now called "Industrial Relations," the work- ing together of the man who took the risks with those who came to depend on his genius for contin- ued employment and revenues to maintain their homes and famil- les. This responsibility was al- ways foremost in Seiberling's mi. It was a simple thing in the beginning to keep in touch, personally, with the men. His victories were felt as per- sonal victories among his work- men associates. He knew them alI, called them by their- flrst names. Any grievances were lIandled personally. Families needing assistance put their cases directly to him. But as the plant expanded and more were hired and his time was more and more taken with problems of manage- ment, it became impossible for him to keep in touch with the in- dividual. By 1910 there were 2,500 on the American Goodyear payroll, more coming in almost daily. Foremen of departments came to assume the contacts he formerly enjoyed. A "system" of industrial relations had to be devised. So a labor department was set up designed to take care of the human element in the rapid ex- pansion. The thing became a sort of science. The many problems coming up led to a succession of devices and innovations to pro- mote harmony, health, safety and general goodwill. The idea has been expanded and continues even today and will continue as long as industry expands, no matter what the type or form. With ail this came and grew the industrial unions with similar objectives, safety and security for workmen. Disagreements arose, of course but in ironing out mu- tuai problems, western industry came to enjoy the greatest bene- fits ever achieved across the globe. As an instance of Goodyear in- itiative in employee relations, the following chronology may be cit- ed; In 1909 came the employees' relief association. In 1910 the labor department. In 1912 the Wingfoot Clan, the employees' newspaper, which continues to- day; the Seiberling athletic field; the factory restaurant. In 1913, the flying squadron and Boy Scouts movement, the factory hospital. In 1914, vacations for workmen and the 8-hour day. In 1915, employees insurance, fac- tory school, service pin plan. In 1916 the pension plan, classes in American history and Citizen- ship. In 1919 thé~ industrial as- sembly. In 1920, Goodyear Hall, a cultural departure. In 1927 the hospital association, etc. It will be seen fromn the above that the basic idea was health, recreation, safety, security, edu- cation and inspiration, indeed very many of the various factors that are involved in çreating better citizenship. For cîtizenship is in- volved in aIl the above. These things give some idea of what is meant by "Industrial Relations." And throughout it all went the rewards for thbse who grasped their opportunities. The humblest workman with brains, initiative and industry could rise to the top. And they did. E. J. Thomas, pre- sident of Goodyear, started as an office boy. Heads of depart- ments, fotemen, managers came up the hard way. Workmen who showed individual initiative were promoted, sent abroad on produc- tion and sales, came home to flîl the shoes of those who passed on. Such is modemn industry where opportunity neyer goes on strike. And all this is what Frank Seib- erling started on a shoestring. To- day Goodyear stands at the top of the field in its particular sphere. Today, after having thrown its weight completely in- to the war effort, it swings back into peacetme production without the loss of a day. And indeed with increased expansion of plant and increasing employment. The process is shown at Bowmanville, with not a let-up in the 24-hour factory schedu]e. Seldom have industrial relations shown more harmony than at the local plant. The entire community shares in the prosperity that has corne about through harmonious indus- trial relations. In 1941, Canadian Goodyear Employees subscribed $100,000 in Victory Bonds, gave up their an- nual picnic to buy a $2,000 mobile kitchen for air raid sufferers in England. Goodyear Company-Union Agreement Signed (Left to right) sitting-N. Alli- son, C. Cattran, O. J. Presson; (left to right) standing)-M. Prout, F. Hooper, B. Woodward, H. Mitchell and I. Hobbs. The above picture was taken on the occasion of the signing of the Company -Union agreement on Sept. 14. Charles Cattran, Super- intendent and O. J. Presson, Per- sonnel Manager signed on behaîf 'of the company while N. Allison, M. Prout, F. Hooper, B. Wood- ward, 1. Hobhs and H. Mitchell signed as representatives of Local 189 U.R.W.A. The signing brings to a suc- cessful conclusion several months of round table conferences in which many problems were solv- ed. The agreement wili remain in force and effect from Nov. 1, 1945, until Nov. 1, 1946.-Fromn October Wingloot Clan. The Snowmobile-on its 16 Goodyear 'irun-flat" tires--is rolled on to Bowmanville-built steel and rubber tracks ýat Montreal. Goodyear Employees Enjoy Facilities Recreation Club Almost 600 of Goodyear-Bow- manville's 700 employees now be- long to the plant's Recreation Club, it was announced today by 0. J. Presson, Personnel Manager of the company. Established in 1929, the club now functions under the direction of J. J. Chilcott, who was recently appointed to the position of man- ager of the Recreation Club-and editor of the "Wingfoot Clan," the factory newspaper. Rua by Employees Like Goodyear Recreation Clubs in plants aIl over the world, the Bowmanville club is run by and for the employees, and is not subsidized by the coin- pany management in any way. Employees who wish to join and share in the benefits of member- ship may do s0 by authorizing a pay deduction of 25c each month to help cover costs of operating the association. Activities of the club are not conflned to social get-togethers. Under its sponsorship, employees each year enjoy a picnic in the spring or summer, and a "Christ- mas Tree Party" in December. The picnic features competi- tive sports of ail kinds, with prizes for the winners, and pro- vides an opportunity for em- ployees to become better acquain- ted with each other and with company management. Last July the picnic was held at Cobourg. Employees boarded the boat at Oshawa, and cruised to and from the picnic grounds. In previous years the outing has been held at Port Dalhousie, Osh- awa Park, and Hanlan's Point, Toronto. Christmas and Presents At the annual Christmas Party, club members' children who are under 12 years of age are given presents and are entertained around a large, well-decorated tree. This party is usually held on the Saturday afternoon and evening immediately before Christmas. Other activities of the club in- clude dances, euchres, smokers, parties, bowling, softball, and rifle shooting. The company Re- creation Hall, on the second floor of the main building, is the scene of a large number of these func- tions. The Recreation Club committee is elected by members and meets once a month to plan activities. Present executive members are as follows: Misses C. Martyn, R. Bate, E. Shackleton; Messrs. N. Allison, E. Clarke, G. Clarke, T. Wright, G. Dilling, E. Henning, A. Kil- patrick, M. Prout. Goodyear Employees Local 189, Officiai Rubber Workers Union In November, 1940, Goodyear factory workers organized Local Union 189, United Rubber Work- ers of America, affiliated with the Canadian Congress of Labor. Since then it has been the officiai bargaining agency with company officiaIs. Sitting together there have been agreements from time to time that have resulted in mu- tuai benefits throughout the plant. The present membership of 525 paid members represents 99 per cent of tYe working employees. 0f the man1y soldiers who lef t on active service, upwards of 50 have returned to resume jobs guaranteed by the Company and to become union members. Outside activities of the union have included active participa- tion in patriotie drives and con- tribution of funds to many worthy causes. The union backed the new Memorial Park 100 percent, contributed free labor and donat- ed $500 to the cause. The Park chairman, Norman Ailison, is also a member of the Town Council. ber of the Town Council. Outside Present officers of Local 189 social activities of the Union are are: President, Norman Allison; held in their hall on Division Vice-President, Ivan Hobbs; Sec- Street, which with the civic duties retary, Harold Henning; Treasur- undertaken, form an important er, E. J. Gibbs, who is also a mem- contribution to the community. Congratulations We join with pride, the people of Bownanville i extending Best Wishes to Goodyear Tire and Rub- ber (Co. on the completion of 35 years of successful operation. Stuart R. 1James Insurance and Real Istate Successor To J. Phone 681 3. Mason & Son Kig st. Bownianvife - w - CONGRATULATIONS The people of Bowmanville can well be proud of the advance- ment of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. i the past 35 years. The contribution of this great company to Bowmanville 's prosper- ity is of real importance and we are ail justly grateful. Bowmanville "Me £luanheiu1 ~nrnwehuvi~e" uvmw'wm~am~~ WV wmmAR Buit By Bowmanville For Army Snowrnobile Dowmanville a Deautiful Town Joins ini Goodyear Celebration F. F. MORRIS Co. Funeral Directors and Furniture Orono 1 'N - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - m qvio