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Big Book Study - Post #36

Good Mornin' all!

Chapter 10 - To Employers begins on page 136. This chapter was
written by Hank Parkhurst. Hank was one of the early New York
members and a business partner of Bill's - they were in the business
of forming a service station buying cooperative and selling auto
parts through the Honest Dealers Association. Hank was also an
officer in "Works Publishing," the entity formed to publish the Big
Book. In April of 1940 Hank got drunk which was to be a source of
great difficulty since he controlled a significant amount of stock
in Works Publishing.

The reading from pages 136 to 140 centers on the loss of capable
employees. The point is also made that it can be difficult to make
employers understand the nature of the malady. Page 138 at the end
of paragraph 2: "The only answer I could make was that if the man
followed the usual pattern, he would go on a bigger bust than ever.
I felt this was inevitable and wondered if the bank was doing the
man an injustice. Why not bring him into contact with some of our
alcoholic crowd? He might have a chance. I pointed out that I had
had nothing to drink whatever for three years, and this in the face
of difficulties that would have made nine out of ten men drink their
heads off. Why not at least afford him an opportunity to hear my
story? 'Oh no,' said my friend, 'this chap is either through with
liquor, or he is minus a job. If he has your willpower and guts, he
will make the grade'." At the top of page 139 that individual got
drunk again.

At the end of page 139 the employers are instructed to look within
their own organizations and to try to identify those employees who
are alcoholic. The point is made that there are many talented and
worthwhile employees who can be helped and can return to usefulness
if they are given a chance to recover. A generalized approach with
an employee is discussed through page 145.

We'll return to this chapter with our next post, and begin at the
last paragraph on page 145.

Jim