Chapter 14 - Dilemma

“Thanks for your letter which came as negotiations were underway for an exchange of this property for a property in Calgary, the title of which will go to Mrs. Pomeroy as coverage for her investment here. The Calgary place is rented an I am hoping that it will stay rented so that Mrs. Pomeroy can in a measure be repaid for the trouble and expense that here partnership here has incurred. In the meantime, since Mrs. Pomeroy’s return from California, we have been busily engaged with the disposal and packing of household goods and effects, and at the time of writing, we are all ready to move out.

My movements from the date hereof are very uncertain, chiefly because of the complication presented by the necessity having Joan to look after, and secondly because of the fact that, after settling obligations, little or nothing will be left to move on with. If alone I would probably try to get into one of the government relief camps in another Province until I had gathered my wits sufficiently to make some definite move, although such a step might not be so simple on account of my poor physical condition.”

I was surprised to read this, as it always seemed to me that Dad hated the concept of the relief camps, seeing them not only as a source of almost slave labour but also as a strategy to disenfranchise men by having them away from their home electoral ridings and unable to cast their votes. One of the actions he talked about taking part in was organizing truck convoys to go out to the relief camps in order to bring men back to their ridings at election time.

“Your letter was kind and encouraging, and I can readily see that with Joan’s happiness in mind and welfare at stake, the most practical move would be homeward, but there still remains a reluctance to accept defeat – even at the hands of my twin foes, and there still lingers the idea that, given the opportunity of re-entering the States, I might be able to struggle along. This letter is chiefly to thank you, and notify you that my address is no longer Hatzig. For the time being General Delivery, Vancouver will get me, and unless I make a sudden desperate dive over the line, I will keep you posted as to my movements.”

Added note: Once again, I would like to thank local BC historian and writer Daphne Sleigh for forwarding this article from the Fraser Valley Record dated Thursday, March 29, 1934: