LLLL Magazine Cover
Introduction
Once the Army took over the production of spruce wood for airplane manufacture, it was clear that the labor situation in the Pacific Northwest was in chaos. In particular the IWW (wobblies) were disrupting the production of spruce, which was already at a critical level.
As part of the formation of the Army Spruce Squadrons, the Army created a quasi-labor union (LLLL), which would provide an alternative to the confrontational wildcat union activities, and convince the logging workers to cooperate with the government’s plan of operation.
The Army worked hard to recruit the loggers into the LLLL, with the understanding that the Army would oversee improved wages and working conditions. In particular, the workers who joined, agreed to not strike or disrupt operations. They were provided with a great deal of patriotic motivation and information. They even had their own magazine.
[Civilian loggers who tried to disrupt operations were located and removed from the Spruce areas. Some were jailed for illegal union activities.]
Illustrations
Here are some collateral items related to the LLLL. A number of items like this can often be seen for sale on eBay.
Loyal Legion of Loggers and Lumbermen (LLLL) Membership Card --- This membership card was issued to a civilian logger or lumbermill worker in the Pacific Northwest, during the First World War. These membership cards are not particularly common.
Loyal Legion of Loggers and Lumbermen (LLLL) Monthly Magazine --- This is the image of a magazine cover for the monthly publication of the Loyal Legion of Loggers and Lumbermen.
The magazine contained patriotic articles and stories about the working situation for civilian loggers and logging operations. Over time, as the magazine content matured, there were jokes, camp stories, obituaries, and other more homey content.
Some digital copies of these magazines are available on Google Books. (search for ’loyal legion of loggers’).
Loyal Legion of Loggers and Lumbermen (LLLL) Company Scrip --- This coin appears to be ‘camp money’ or ‘company scrip’ that would be used at a logging camp or lumbermill in the Pacific Northwest, during the First World War.
Logging camps and mills often created their own ‘money’ to force employees to use the ‘company store’ for their (often overpriced) goods. Since many camps were far from towns, the company store might be the only supplier of individual needs.
It is unclear whether this money was intended for only civilian use, or for use by the Army men working with the loggers and mill workers.
Loyal Legion of Loggers and Lumbermen (LLLL) Lapel Pin --- This lapel pin would have been purchased by a civilian logger or lumbermill worker in the Pacific Northwest, during the First World War. These pins have been seen in various forms, from simple bronze (as this example) to Cloisonne with different color schemes.
Loyal Legion of Loggers and Lumbermen (LLLL) Lapel Pin (Log Design) --- This lapel pin would have been purchased by a civilian logger or lumbermill worker in the Pacific Northwest, during the First World War. These pins have been seen in various forms. This particular item has a simple ‘4L’ lettering on the cross-section of a log. Other pins have been seen in such designs as Cloisonne with different color schemes.
Loyal Legion of Loggers and Lumbermen (LLLL) Lapel Pin (Cloisonne) ---
Cloisonne
This lapel pin would have been purchased by a civilian logger or lumbermill worker in the Pacific Northwest, during the First World War. These pins have been seen in various forms, with this nicely colored cloisonne being more upscale than the typical bronze items I’ve seen.
Loyal Legion of Loggers and Lumbermen (LLLL) Lapel Pin (Pin-Back Button) --- This lapel pin would have been purchased by a civilian logger or lumbermill worker in the Pacific Northwest, during the First World War. These pins have been seen in various forms, with this one being more like a political pinback button, than the more typical bronze items I’ve seen.
More Links
General Spruce Squadron Information
WWI Information (including Bob’s WW I Books)
Technical Information
Uses PaperMod theme of Hugo (see footer of this page)
Updated: Thu Mar 27 02:03:08 PM CDT 2025