This membership card was issued to a civilian logger or lumbermill worker in the Pacific Northwest, during the First World War. The Loyal Legion of Loggers and Lumbermen was a quasi-union formed to keep down labor unrest in this part of the United States, as the Army took over the handling of spruce lumber for airplane manufacture. This resource was so critical to wartime needs, that Army men were brought in to work in the forests and mills, alongside the civilians. The LLLL was formed to give the civilians a chance to be patriotic, prevent labor unrest, including sabotage, and to prevent strikes during the War period.
These membership cards are not particularly common. From time to time, they are seen for sale on eBay.
To see more LLLL items, try:
Pinback Button LLLL Pin
Cloisonne LLLL Pin
Log-Design LLLL Pin
Typical Bronze LLLL Pin
Probable Logging Camp Scrip with LLLL Logo
LLLL Magazine Cover
For more information on the Spruce operations of the World War, see: Bob Swanson's webpage on the Spruce Soldiers of the First World War, as well as Rod Crossley's excellent book Soldiers in the Woods.
Copyright © 2015 Robert Swanson
Based on Code by Louis Lazaris. See article and original inspiration.