Nogales international., 1944-04-14
lean Ernst Gives Office Worker'S
Slant at Life in Produce Business

along the way. Things are simpler
now since Mr. Urick has cut his
itinerary to Fresno, Los Angeles and
Nogales. Jean likes it better not
travelling so much.
Because of constantly moving
from deal to deal, Jean says the
vegetable business is no good for
woman with family ties since it's
impossible to establish a home. She
is alone and it suits her. Marriage
usually means an end to the career
of the feminine office worker in
perishables unless her husband is
connected with the same office
The subject of travelling brought
up the term vegetable tramp'-a
sore spot with everyone in the busi-
ness. Maybe we are tramps," Jean
said without conviction, I'VE move
about the country a lot. But we're
different from the tramps who carry
bindle on their back. We drive
our own automobiles and stop at
the better hotels"
Jean staunchly defends men in
the produce business against any
slurs which might be cast in their
direction. She wasn't referring to
physical size when she declared, cit
takes a big man to survive in this
business y Jean went on to explain
that more than anything else,
man engaged in perishables must
have integrity. Business is trans
acted swiftly by series of verbal
agreements. There's no place for
petty people without strong sense
of honor and fairness.
Once their word is given, men in
the produce business will move
heaven and earth to fulfill their
obligations. One time, Jean recalls.
car leaders and packers went on
strike in California shipping CEN
ter. Rather than renege on their
contracts, heads of firms and office
workers, together with temporary
laborerS that could be hired, went
ahead and loaded the cars although
it meant terrific financial loss and
an additional mountain of work for
them.
In several respects, people in her
profession are like circus perform
ers. They are clannish because they
have scant opportunity to meet and
associate with other people. Jean
believes this clannishneSs results in
stronger friendships In shipping |
centers which attract a regular |
group of operators, the atmosphere
when they come together for a deal
coming.
Also like circus people, they are
loyal to anyone they know who is
down on their luck When trouble
comes, everyone who can do so lends
a helping hand with no questions
asked.
One of the characteristics about
vegetable people that Jean likes best
is their thoughtfulness and consid
Grafton for the happiness and well
fare of others in their group. If
there's big doings and a girl office
worker doesn't happen to have a
formal date, she isn't left behind to
endure the loneliness of her hotel |
room. AS a matter of course, the
men take her along as a member
of their gang.
Once Jean had to have an opera
ton. She didn't want to burden |
others with her worries, and tcld |
no one about going to the hospital. |
Somehow the word spread through |
the vegetable trade and Jean began |
to receive messages, flowers, phone !
calls and other remembrances from
all over the United States and Can |
ada, many from people she didn't
even know.
There were so many flowers the |
hospital staff had to scatter them
through the wards. One morning
Jean came out Of the haze of semi