Rooting around some 1931 town papers lately (Penetanguishene), I came upon a series of letters regarding "Relief Work Program" that I thought you all might find of interest. 1931 - the country was still feeling the effects of The Depression and times were extremely tough for many. The file contains many letters to the town officials begging for assistance with tax payments, finding work, etc. Unemployment (Relief) was far different than we know it today. The Relief Program in town put men to work sanding roads and sidewalks, keeping the local rink clear, etc. One Relief program surprised me - and it may surprise you as well. Did you know that portions of The Trans-Canada Highway were cleared and created by teams of young men as part of the relief programs? A series of letters from several men (some of these men were only 17 - 18 years old) from the camps set up in the northern regions - Sundridge and the Magnetawan area are two that are mentioned. The men were ill equipped for the jobs - several letters are requests for "rubber boots with leather tops, 18" high", or a set of warm britches, size 38; warm socks etc. It sounds like some camps had a "van" that toured the work camps selling this gear, but some, like the Lennox #4 camp in Sundridge did not; and the men were forced to remain in camp, not making any money, until warm clothing could be sent. Municipalities apparently had a quota of men to send; for instance Penetanguishene had a quota of 15 men for the "draft of unemployed being sent to work on the Trans-Canada Highway". The men were given medical examinations and transportation. The single men were supposed to be over 19 years of age, but I know for sure that at least one of them was a mere 17 years old. Though the call went out for only 15 men, the town also submitted a list of men from 12 surrounding municipalities who wished to be noted as being available. This list contained 57 names. Times must have been so difficult; it's hard for us to imagine how bad it was. The communities listed were Wyevale, Wyebridge, Waverly, Midland RR 2, Penetanguishene RR2, Lefaives, Perkinsfield, Elmvale RR3, Lafontaine, Hillsdale, Penetanguishene P.O. and Midland P.O. Anyway - the next time I drive Hwy 400 N/69 N or Hwy 11 towards North Bay, I will think of these men and their hard work. Since 1931 wasn't that long ago, I don't think I should list the mens names here - but I thought you'd enjoy hearing of the circumstances. Think of these hard working young men as we're sitting in our nice warm homes tonight; with warm boots & breeches, should we choose to go out of doors. Deborah Crawford

I would think these were similar to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps in the US. In that case, the quote of 15 was a cap. Two of my uncles were lucky enough to be enrolled in the CCC. The little they earned went home, where is made a great deal of difference. > Date: Sun, 19 Dec 2010 19:23:25 -0500 > From: deborahc8@gmail.com > To: can-ont-simcoe@rootsweb.com > Subject: [CAN-ONT-SIMCOE] Relief work c 1931 Penetanguishene area > > Rooting around some 1931 town papers lately (Penetanguishene), I came upon a > series of letters regarding "Relief Work Program" that I thought you all > might find of interest. 1931 - the country was still feeling the effects of > The Depression and times were extremely tough for many. The file contains > many letters to the town officials begging for assistance with tax payments, > finding work, etc. Unemployment (Relief) was far different than we know it > today. The Relief Program in town put men to work sanding roads and > sidewalks, keeping the local rink clear, etc. One Relief program surprised > me - and it may surprise you as well. Did you know that portions of The > Trans-Canada Highway were cleared and created by teams of young men as part > of the relief programs? A series of letters from several men (some of these > men were only 17 - 18 years old) from the camps set up in the northern > regions - Sundridge and the Magnetawan area are two that are mentioned. The > men were ill equipped for the jobs - several letters are requests for > "rubber boots with leather tops, 18" high", or a set of warm britches, size > 38; warm socks etc. It sounds like some camps had a "van" that toured the > work camps selling this gear, but some, like the Lennox #4 camp in Sundridge > did not; and the men were forced to remain in camp, not making any money, > until warm clothing could be sent. > > Municipalities apparently had a quota of men to send; for instance > Penetanguishene had a quota of 15 men for the "draft of unemployed being > sent to work on the Trans-Canada Highway". The men were given medical > examinations and transportation. The single men were supposed to be over 19 > years of age, but I know for sure that at least one of them was a mere 17 > years old. Though the call went out for only 15 men, the town also > submitted a list of men from 12 surrounding municipalities who wished to be > noted as being available. This list contained 57 names. Times must have > been so difficult; it's hard for us to imagine how bad it was. The > communities listed were Wyevale, Wyebridge, Waverly, Midland RR 2, > Penetanguishene RR2, Lefaives, Perkinsfield, Elmvale RR3, Lafontaine, > Hillsdale, Penetanguishene P.O. and Midland P.O. > > Anyway - the next time I drive Hwy 400 N/69 N or Hwy 11 towards North Bay, I > will think of these men and their hard work. > > Since 1931 wasn't that long ago, I don't think I should list the mens names > here - but I thought you'd enjoy hearing of the circumstances. > > Think of these hard working young men as we're sitting in our nice warm > homes tonight; with warm boots & breeches, should we choose to go out of > doors. > > Deborah Crawford > ***************** > Ten People All Genealogists Should Follow On Twitter: http://tr.im/hBAy > > Simcoe Co. GenWeb at http://www.waynecook.com/simcoe.shtml > > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to CAN-ONT-SIMCOE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message