Employees Honor Octogenarian Lumberman, 1943

Blind River Holds Big Birthday Party For J. J. McFadden

North Shore Industrialist Is Highly Praised For Co-operative Loyalty Achieved in All Operations

"If every Canadian industrialist would strive for, co-operation with his employees as does our guest of honor here tonight, give the leadership and inspire the loyalty and unity in his plant as he does, there would be no widening breach between capital and labor today in the Dominion."

It was in these inspiring words that tribute was paid Thursday night at Blind River to J. J. McFadden, president of the J. J. McFadden Lumber Company, on the occasion of his 80th. birthday celebration.

Resounding Cheers

And as this ringing praise was given to the "Grand Old Man" of the North Shore lumber industry at the Masonic Hall last night by W.M. Miller M.P.P. for Algoma, 350 employees of the McFadden firm cheered their "Boss'- to the echo, sincere seconders of the sentiments expressed by Mr. Miller, indicating enthusiastically that the birthday dinner tendered in his honor was no mere token expression of loyalty, co-operation and unity.

Surrounded by men of all walks of life, many of whom have been in his employ for over 30 years, Mr. McFadden was last night the centre of a happy birthday party and literally appeared to fill the role of what he termed it himself "father of a big happy family."

With the eightieth milestone reached, Mr. McFadden thanked the many friends for their kindly felicitations and gave a brief summary of the business principles which have made it possible for him to carry such a heavy burden, even in his advanced years. His recipe or ten commandments for the successful conduct of a business to the stage where the president could earn such spontaneous expressions of loyalty is briefly:

1: Put young men in places of responsibility and give them full authority to show what they can do.

2: Convince employees of your sincere goodwill toward them.

3: Be- co-operative.

4: Keep the bosses' doors always open to employees.

5: Never let race, religion, or politics cut any ice.

6: Eliminate petty jealousies.

7: Always believe your employees are the best in the world and they will believe you are the best boss in the world.

8: Stay young in mind and spirit.

9: Never believe that any one man makes an organization go. It takes many working together in unity, harmony and co-operation.

10: Be of Christian spirit toward all in act and deed.

This enunciated creed summarized Mr. McFadden's choicely selected words of appreciation to his "friends and associates," as he called them, not employees, for the gracious gesture made last night in celebrating his 80th birthday.

Hundreds Gather

It was a banner evening for everyone in Blind River as hundreds gathered to add personal well wishes to "The Boss" as he has been known for almost for years alone the North Shore. In higher spirits and better health than when a similar birthday party was given five years ago, Mr. McFadden predicted that he would be on hand to celebrate his 100th anniversary.

In paying his tribute to Mr. McFadden as a living example of what can be achieved in happy employer-employee relations. Mr. Miller emphasized that Mr. McFadden was living an ideal.

"Even the gamble of assuming the responsibilities of attempting to rehabilitate such a town as Blind River and Its lumber industry was too much for the majority of Canadian lumbermen.' said Mr. Miller.

"Seven years ago the plant was on the auction block-without takers." the provincial member revealed. "Yet Mr. McFadden, despite his advanced years, felt a sense of duty to the residents of this community. He took on that gamble and has changed the entire picture of this community. In doing that he continued policies enunciated by him years before and as a result has achieved what few have today, a happy, peaceful industry where labor relations are on the highest plane. His creed should be an example to industry and labor as a whole across Canada. Conditions such as exist at Blind River are ones which have been striven for by governments for years. If his recipe could be adopted in more centres, we would be a long step forward toward victory.

"I do not hesitate to call Mr. McFadden Algoma's greatest benefactor." emphasized Mr. Miller. "He has learned to know that he has the loyal friendships and associations of his men behind him. This is the great worry of industry today. But If each would strive as Mr. McFadden has done to give loyalty, unity, and co-operation there would be ' little left "for governments to do in the way of labor legislation."

In replying to these remarks, and others made during the evening, Mr. McFadden emphasized that he felt he was among friends.

"I can not take the credit for this fine organization," he declared. Many of these have been with me for 30 years or more. It is to them, and the younger men of the organization that the credit should go.

"No one man can make a business a success. He must strive for the goodwill, co-operation and loyalty of his associates or, as some call them employees. That has been the keystone of our success. I am glad of the sentiments of Hon. Norman Hipel, minister of lands and forests, who said here recently that the provincial government was striving to assist the lumber industry to carry on in perpetuity. Those are statesmanlike words, and I can assure you all that we, as members of the company, will do everything in our power to see that this company is continued on those lines for the benefit of those in this town." | Speaking first in French and then in English. Jack J. Fitzgerald, vice-president of the company, and son-in-law of it's founder, thanked all present on behalf of the McFadden family for the many fine expressions for "The Boss."

"Mr. McFadden is an example for older men to follow," he declared.

"Despite his advancing years, he never tackled such a big job as that undertaken in the rehabilitation of the Blind River plant. Few men would have attempted it at his age. Fewer even would have succeeded in making it go. But it is the spirit of the place, "the McFadden spirit as it is known to hundreds of employees. We all have it, and that is what has made the job a success. We all feel at home here and I believe it is because of Mr. McFadden's understanding that men are not machines but human beings, that their spiritual welfare is of more concern than material gain. If this 'spirit of McFadden' was exemplified in more concerns today there would be closer unity and harmony in Canadian industry."

General manager or Use lumber firm, E. C. "Ted" Smith, one of the younger men praised by Mr. McFadden for carrying on in responsible positions, brought birthday greetings from himself as general manager and all supervisors and foremen.

The great spirit of the employees as expressed here tonight at this dinner and during the years by their continued fine effort, means more to 'The Boss' than any statistics of profit or loss that might be compiled in an imposing array," he declared.

Carl T. Kaufmann. plant superintendent, and councilor in Blind River, acted as chairman for the evening. In his Introductory remarks he emphasized that Mr. McFadden's return to Blind River in 1936 had caused smiles to grow again where few had been for years.

"Tonight's expression of tribute is heartfelt. It comes from the heart of every one of us and Is no mere token expression of affection." he declared.

The assembled gathering broke into vociferous applause and joined in singing "Hail, hail, the gang's all here."

The toast to the King was proposed by Dave Ritchie, chief engineer while the blessing was pronounced by Rev. Father J. A. Benoit.

Mayor J. C. Couture brought official birthday greetings from the Blind River council, recalling incidents from his first meeting with Mr. McFadden.

Scores of telegrams, birthday messages and letters from friends near and far were read by Carl Shortreed, logging accountant. Paddy Bolger retired bush superintendent, and the oldest man in the employ of the company, praised Mr. McFadden for his untiring energy and his ability to make his actions belie his years.

Archie Ramsay, head millwright, brought greetings from the sawmill employees; Phillip Quesnel, of the shipping department, from planing mill employes, and Frank Jansen from the lumber pilers.

A Kindly Boss

The kindly understanding of "The Boss" was attested to by John O'Grady, who brought messages from the office staff. "Doc" Madigan spoke for the barn staff.

John Smith, logging superintendent paid tribute to Mr. McFadden's long association with the bush end of the business and his unfailing ability to select the choicest horses in any logging camp in Canada.

As old, or older than Mr McFadden, Paul Boyer full-blooded Indian and long knows as the 'Sage of the Mississauga brought a well-worded birthday greeting from all residents of the forest preserve.

A special word of remembrance to the old-timers who have passed on was given in honor of deceased staff employees. This was done by Maurice St.. Eloi, office manager, as all stood in a minute of silence in honor of their memory. Tom Sloan spoke glowingly of the number of men who had gone from the employ of the McFadden Lumber Company into the armed services.

"And may they all soon be back with us." he concluded.

Presented With Flowers

A presentation of roses was made to Mr. McFadden on behalf of the employees by little Miss Carol Ann Dunn and Miss Mary Ellen Decota. John Poucette, superintendent of the dry kilns, brought the final greeting, on behalf of his department, and united the assembly in singing God Save

he King.

The dinner was provided by the wives of the employes, under the general convenership of Mrs. Menieur. Her chief assistants were Mrs. George Beville, Mrs. M. St. Eloi, Mrs. A. Miron. Mrs. J. O'Grady. Mrs. V. Scanlon. Mrs. P. Bolger. Mrs. J. Poucette. Mrs. Ramsay, Mrs. J. Smith. Mrs. T. Sloan. Mrs. Larouche and Mrs. LeClair. Mrs. Carl KaufTmann provided the piano accompaniment.

Among those attending as special guests were Frank Aldrich, of the R.T. Jones Lumber Company, North Tonawanda, N.Y.; George Adams, Chicago sales representative for the McFadden company; Alex MacDougall, district engineer with the Ontario Department of Highways; Dave Smith, chief forester of Sauit Ste. Marie: George J. McArthur, of Sault Ste. Marie, company solicitor, and Jim Hamilton, company auditor, of Toronto.