PENTICTON

them as cat’s paws to cover their

own crimes. Idleness may lead them
into crimes of their own volition
without a realization of the serious-
ness of their acts.

At this stage a considerate em-
ployer can strike an embryo criminal
off the police roll and make a happy
contented citizen by making a trip
through his plant to see if he has
some easily performed but essential
job, requiring no skill or initiative;
one of those dead-end jobs that a
man with ambition steers clear of
but which somebody has to do.

That is what happened in George’s
case. The job was a swamper’s job
in a plant where a considerable
amount of litter is created as the
men worked. Securing the job was
a red letter day in George’s life for
despite their mental deficiencies, his
type has an unusual capacity for en-
joyment and appreciation.

Pay day posed a problem. He
could neither sign his cheque or
count money. A considerate pay-
master solved this problem. He was
generous enough to make arrange-
ments with the bank for a sample
form of signature to be accepted.

George took his cheque home and
laboriously copied it.

There could have been a simpler
way of doing it but this was part of
the general trend of friendliness to-
wards George by the whole staff.
The idea was to eliminate from his
mind anything that made him feel
different.

Next step was to teach him to
count money. His pay as he cashed
his cheque at the office was given to
him in bills of the same denomin-
ation every week. He learned to
recognize them. Incidentally, al-
though George is a middle-aged man,
—although because of the childish-
ness of his type it is sometimes hard
to bear this in mind at all times—
George’s pay goes straight to his
mother. Handing over his pay is the
happiest moment of the week for
him.

TWENTIETH EDITION

pial

HOTEL INCOLA

Overlooking the Lake

His simple tasks at the plant are
duties to him of great importance.
His thinking is right. They are im-
portant. The fact that anybody
could do them does not detract from
the necessity of their being done.

Generally speaking he is well
treated by the whole staff. Men,
generally regarded as of the ‘‘hard-
boiled type,’’ go out of their way to
be friendly with him. His response
to friendship is quick and sincere.
A snub or a fancied snub is a minor
tragedy to him. Fortunately the
snubs are rare. There are. only one
or two in the manufacturing plant
who in a callous, self-centred way
object to what they term ‘a half-
wit’’ on the job. Fortunately, they
have been over-ruled.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

George's life, as he leads it now,
instead of being stalked by tragedy
and misery because of his mental
defects is a normal happy life. His
home life is of the best. There is
nothing at home or in his working
days to make him feel he is “‘the
odd man out’’ and unwanted.

There is no likelihood of him
being a trouble to the police or the
dupe of crooks. He is a happy, use-
ful, productive citizen.

Commendation is due to all wha
have had a part in establishing him
on this plane.

It is an outstanding example of
what can be done when considera-
tion for the mentally handicapped is
given consideration in equal meas-
ure to that given to the physically
handicapped.

Dadson's Dan Compann.

INCORPORATED 2"° MAY 1670.

When YOU shop at THE BAY you'll find that—
COURTEOUS SERVICE, assists you in finding

QUALITY MERCHANDISE, that is happily

BUDGET CONSCIOUS, for your saving.

CRO

Hudsons Ban Company.

INCORPORATED 87° MAY 1670.

VERNON — KAMLOOPS — PENTICTON

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Page Sixty-three