BACK IN THE DAYS OF MY YOUTH
Back in the days of my youth, the Great Depression was the main topic of the times. Unemployment and industrial shut down was over 30%. Money was slow and inventories were high. Product and produce was in the marketplace, but most could not afford these luxuries. Only the necessities consumed the incomes of the day. Gradually a state of prosperity came upon our society.
With the beginning of the Second World War employment rapidly increased. Young people found employment in the military and in war production industries. The government increased money supply which began the rapid inflationary increase of the economy as well as the national debt. Inventories dropped, prices rose, and employment opportunities flourished for us all.
Dropping out of school in grade nine, there was no difficulty in finding a high paying job constructing army truck boxes. The conditions for employment was such that the job had to be full time. No further opportunity for additional schooling existed. I as many others, were suddenly rich beyond our wildest dreams. I reasoned that education was no longer necessary, prosperity had arrived.
Employment opportunities were every where. I later moved into a factory position in the electro-plating industry. Cadmium, nickel, and chrome plating was in high demand in the many new factories that were opening up.
With Just days before turning eighteen, the European War ended. War with Japan had maintained economic prosperity.
Wartime destruction of Europe was rebuilt with the Marshal Plan and prosperity and full employment continued. Both personal and national debt climbed. So did the cost of living that introduced inflation into the economy. Since wages also rose with inflation, prosperity was maintained.
At the age of twentyone, I applied for and was accepted as a machinist apprentice with the Canadian Pacific Railway. Entrance required a minimum of tenth grade was no obstacle because of a shortage of applications. Employment opportunities were everywhere.
After completion of the required five-year apprenticeship, followed by seven years as a machinist, I decided that it was time to move on.
At the age of twentytwo, I decided to return to school. High school evening program required a ninth grade entrance that I lacked. But as a senior student, I was allowed entrance.
Four years of night school, along with working an eight hour day, as an apprentice was highly rewarding. Another year of full time with Teachers’ college, rewarded me in becoming a schoolteacher teaching Industrial Arts, full time.
University education followed and through summer school programs while teaching Industrial Arts. I eventually graduated with a Master Degree in Education, teaching mathematics and physics until retirement.
This digression is for the purpose of suggesting to the reader that I have reason to expect a reasonable level of credibility for the following story.