Two Wars and a Depression

World War I:

Potlatch was eight years old when the United States entered the war. By Christmas 1917 forty Potlatchers were involved. The Potlatch Lumber Company lost many laborers as men left town to join the service and women were first introduced as employees. The war required sacrifices, but it was an economic boon to the company.

Patriotism at Potlatch and elsewhere solidified the nation behind the war effort, but it also unleashed a hysteria that compromised the civil rights of many. In Potlatch, it was evidenced by a fear that socialists, in the guise of the Industrial Workers of the World (Wobblies) might sabotage the war effort. Strongly anti-union, Allison Laird especially abhorred the Wobblies.

The Wobblies were successful in instigating strike actions at Potlatch and throughout the northwest, but their victories were short-lived. With the United States actively involved in World War I, local, state, and federal officials moved quickly to break the union. Early in the spring of 1917 the governor called in federal troops to frighten lumber workers away from the IWW, and he unleashed a vengeful law enforcement crackdown. As a result of these measures the IWW never gained a foothold in Potlatch. Within a few weeks, the strike was broken.

The war era had another impact on the community. The influenza epidemic swept through the nation during the war's final months. With military men moving about the country in the fall of 1918, the flu bug traveled from place to place. Quick action by Potlatch officials limited its impact. They closed the school, theater, and gym, and quarantined families who contracted the disease. The town had dozens of flu cases, but because of the company's ability to enforce preventive measures, survived the epidemic better than most communities.

After Armistice Day the lumber company and its town gradually returned to normal, and the mill moved back to a peacetime operation.

The Great Depression:

The fate of the town hinged upon the progress of the company, and the depression years were bleak times for lumbermen. During this time timber companies chronically overproduced, but few people could afford to construct houses or buildings, which reduced lumber's demand. By mid-1930 it was apparent that remedial steps were required if Potlatch was to survive. On January 1, 1931, Potlatch instituted a pay cut. This failed to bring recovery, so Potlatch merged northern Idaho's Weyerhaeuser operations into one larger organization. Then they permanently closed the Elk River mill, and temporarily shut down the Potlatch and Coeur d'Alene plants. Only the Lewiston facility remained open. Despite Potlatch's assurances, things did not quickly improve for either the town or the company. The mill remained closed from October 1931 until April 1934 and ran only sporadically from then to the end of the decade.

The corporation did attempt to soften the blow of the Depression. Laird disliked lowering wages. Consequently, when he made the first pay cut in 1931 he coupled it with a reduction in house rent. Potlatch Forests followed this policy when other wage reductions proved necessary. As another concession company officials tried to keep a few men working throughout the Depression. During those times when the mill did operate, they attempted to distribute work evenly among families, giving preference to married men and town residents. The company also relaxed its cash payment policy at the Merc and extended credit during the Depression.

The Depression hit Potlatch hard, but the community was not as devastated as some small towns. They did not prosper, but as a community, they weathered the Depression better than most.

World War II:

During World War II, People in own contributed in various ways. School students collected scrap, using the money earned to buy bonds. They held school dances with admission being the purchase of a savings stamp. Volunteers collected scrap iron, aluminum, or rubber. They shipped Christmas boxes each year and gave parties to every enlistee leaving town. They planted victory gardens, and the townswomen took renewed interest in canning and preserving food. And they contributed money. They gave money to the Salvation Army, the United Service Organization, and the Red Cross, to European relief efforts, the March of Dimes and the Infantile Paralysis Fund. Mostly, though, they bought war bonds; Potlatchers bought bonds almost feverishly until the war's closing months.

Throughout the period the plant ran at or near peak production. Wood was essential for the war effort. But the company faced constant labor shortages. By August 1942 it became apparent that the only way to meet production goals was to reintroduce women to the mill. While women were paid the same as men, they were asked to sign waivers that their jobs would be good only for the war's duration.

When treaties in Europe and Asia were signed they were properly signaled with community church services, a parade, and soundings of the plant whistle. Potlatchers were ready for a return to normalcy.