The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-01-08
By Gunner's Mate.

Limit them to $50 qoords or less.J
By Gunner's Mate.
Buddies of "a:
You're in the army now you're
not behind the ploW-Now, these
WheelbarrowS and shovelS consti-
tute different kind of an army,
but the old spirit of 1917 still pre-
walls among the boys and buddy
is o. k, whether he is in the river
bottoms, on top Of the lveee, behind
the shafts of a wheelbarrow, on the
business end of a shovel or lower
ing away one of those Iand-anchorS
in the shape of a fine pick.
In the course of the days push
ing dirt to the top of the levee, con-
versation never lags, and there has
been many a bloody battle fought
and many a submarine sunk right
cut here on the Warfleigh levee in
the two weeks. Even the marines
are well represented and come in
handy for land water duty. One
leather-neck we have has been
especially proficient in getting
across the river to dry wood with
which to build fire.
What outfit was you with,
Buddy?" ME, aw I was wit de
Rainbow Div. S'matter with you?
Get a shot Of gas? Nav, not much,
but this wheelbarrow gets me in
the legs; I gotto a machine-gun
bullet Well, why don't cha squawk
to the pusher and have him put you
on a shovel? He's swell guy, and
they don't want you guys to overdo
yourself if you're not able. E. E.
You know how it is, if I squeak to
him, he'll think I'm stallin for an
easy job, and got wife and two
kids depending on this job"
The word passes around and soon
few of the buddies get together
and give the foreman a twist about
this poor guy, and he is all set with
an easy job with a shovel.
Hay, 30! wasn't you in the navy?
Sure was, buddy, but never thought
I would end up as coXswain of one
of these end wheelers with the seat
OF the guys pants ahead Of me for
a compass. What was your rate?-
gunner's mate, what was you?
BoatSWain's mate, say" and so an
other conversation cenents a bond
of comradeship as they pass each
other going up and down the steep
runways.
A big Irish lad who has missed
his calling on the police department
makes wise crack-"they say these
things (wheeIbarrows) are what
taught the Irish to walk on their
hind legs. and I would have a foine
beat myself today if that ward
heeler in my ward hadn't been
asleep"
A short Negro with leather coat
with the insignia of some fraternity
family legible on the back, shovel
ing alongside a short Jewish fell
low in army uniform and a pair of
No. II red rubber galoshes-"Sa
boy, didn't you all used to run
joint down on Washington street
close to West street sort of a DON
key joint and home brew. Who
me, well, me brudder had place
down there and I used to woik for
him"
We have bricklayers, plumbers,
plasterers, electricians, steam-ftters
Office workers, statesmen, hod-car-
riers, sheet-metal workers. carpen-
tiers, contractors, auto mechanics.
honky-tonks, bar fiesalI on the
heavy end of a wheelbarrow and
shovel-with never a hard word or
an argument, all trying hard to
get in their hours so they will have
a full pay day and happy to be
working again. regardless Of the
weather.
Their daily philosophy is an in
teresting and gay repartee, along
with a little drama.
By W. A. Benedict Jr.
Regarding your editorial on auto
licenses, maybe Jan. I is the dead
line, but the overbearing, bullying
attitude of the state in ordering ar
rests Immediately for violations isn't
going to help matters. And in view