She Never Was Afraid
The Biography of Annie Buller, by Louise Watson

CHAPTER ONE
Early days in Montreal

Annie was born in Montreal in 1896. Her father was a carpenter. He worked hard -- when work was available —and the family just managed to get by. She had three brothers.

It was not uncommon at that time for children to go to work at the age of 10 or 11 to help sustain the family. No compulsory education laws were in effect in Quebec, and it was sometimes easier for children to find work than for their parents. Indiscriminate employers often found it more profitable to hire children than adults, and pay them less. There were no laws to regulate wages, hours, or the age of the worker.

So Annie was not an exception when at the age of 13 she went to work in a tobacco factory — 12 hours a day, six days a week. It follows, of course, that this limited the possibilities of education. She was not the type to accept such limitations, and accordingly studied each night at home. She had a very keen mind and assimilated information rapidly. This burning of the midnight oil stood her in good stead later on when there were so many things to learn, to understand, and impart to others.

While she was very serious about most things, she was not without humour. It wasn't easy to laugh in those days. Making a living was a serious business. Still, if there was a spark of humour to be found anywhere, Annie would find it. It helped to lighten the load both for herself and her workmates, and certainly they needed it.

She worked at the tobacco factory for two or three years and then found a job as clerk in a Five and Ten Cent store. This was different. Here she had an opportunity to meet people and talk with them. She learned to meet the public with poise and confidence.

By the time the First World War broke out Annie had been working for almost five years. She was now 17, and was an employee of Almy's Department Store. She advanced quickly in this job and later became head buyer for the china and glassware departments. This was a unique position for a woman at that time. In fact she was the first one in Canada to hold such a job, but she had the personality and presentation which gave her entry into even the largest concerns with which her employers did business. Almy's regarded her highly, and had no hesitation in promoting her. The following quotation from a Toronto newspaper reflects the vigour with which she went about her work:

Miss A.S. Buller, china and glass buyer for Almy's Ltd., Montreal, was with the Toronto trade this month — and incidentally, paid a visit to Hespeler. The hustling young lady was much on the hustle and lost no time in getting around to see what could be had for her bang-up departments. She reports a tip-top business and a comfy-looking future. We wish her the best ever.

About then she met up with Becky Buhay and her brother Mike who had recently arrived from England. She and Becky became very good friends. They were of kindred minds, and both became part of the Socialist Youth Movement. They were able to join in discussions on many topics —economics, trade unions, socialism, etc. Annie gained her first insight into what socialism could mean to the working class, and what must be done to achieve it. It was a gigantic task, but somehow she knew she had to be part of it. It was a height to scale.

When the Canadian government began mobilizing troops for participation in the war, the volunteers from Quebec were few. The French Canadian people in particular couldn't see that they had anything to gain from it. To them it was just a wrangle for the acquisition of territory, profits, and political influence on both sides, and was not going to broaden the base of democracy for anybody.

Debates were going on in government about introducing conscription, and this increased the anti-war feeling in Quebec. A real campaign was developed, especially among the working people, and both Annie and Becky were ardent campaigners. Most evenings found them going door to door with a petition for peace and against conscription.

Sir Wilfred Laurier, the then premier, was strongly in favour of Canada's ties with the Empire, even coining the slogan "When Britain is at war, Canada is at war." But while he supported the war from the beginning, nevertheless he was opposed to conscription. This position brought about his defeat in the federal election of 1917, and the Borden government succeeding him brought in conscription.

With the passing of the Bill, tension mounted and the mass movement gained momentum. Now it was distinctly anti-imperialist in character. Demonstrations were taking place all over the province, and street fighting broke out in Quebec City during Easter week of 1918. However, organization had been weak, leadership lacking, and eventually the movement disintegrated, but its mark remained in the minds of Quebec workers.

It was Sunday, one of those warm lazy days of autumn, light breeze stirring the leaves of the oak trees where specks of colour were beginning to appear. It seemed as though nature was taking a rest after the turbulence of summer.

It was a day conducive to sorting out thoughts and ideas. Annie sat near the fountain reading a book. Now and then she put the book down and thought about her life and her work. She had been feeling restless of late. A conviction had been growing in her mind that the work she was doing in her job at. Almy's had very little purpose in relation to the needs of men and women toiling long hours in crowded, ill-ventilated factories for barely enough money to keep body and soul together. Something was radically wrong, she thought, when such conditions could exist alongside luxury and wealth, even though she knew this had been the order of things for a long time. Still, it could be changed, couldn't it?

Subsequently she was to make a decision which would alter the whole course of her life, as well as that of thousands of others.

The Russian Revolution had taken place in the fall of 1917, and the whole world was stunned by it. The working people were joyful and hopeful. That great people across the sea had rid themselves of their oppressors. They would now begin to build a new society where the fruits of their labour would eventually mean plenty for all. Their work would be rewarded with honour and dignity. The impact on Canadian workers was tremendous. New life was infused into the effort to organize a bona fide trade union movement. All sorts of things were happening. One old-timer years later related to the writer how a group of carpenters (of which he was one) was working on building the Toronto Union Station. They hoisted the Red Flag on top of the building as they left work on a Saturday evening. (He didn't say how long it was allowed to remain there.)

Annie and Becky spent many evenings and Sundays studying whatever literature they could get dealing with the Revolution and its effect on the rest of the world. For them the vision of a socialist Canada now became very real. This and the experience gained in the anti-conscription campaign were the spurs which induced Annie to give up her job at Almy's and cast her lot with the growing labour movement. She knew she needed to become more knowledgeable in order to do good work, and decided to enroll in the Rand School of Social Science in New York. This was the turning point in Annie's life.

Becky was saddened by the thought of losing her dear friend, but knew, too, that great things would come of Annie's decision. As a parting gift she gave her a little book of Borzoi Play No. 6 — NJU translated from the Russian of Ossip Dymow. On the flyleaf she wrote the following inscription which speaks eloquently of the bond of love and friendship between these two young women who were both to become tried and true members of Canada's Communist Party.

To Annie:

It seems we can only have fleeting moments of the things, the people whom we love. Now when I have learnt to love you so well and need you so much, you are leaving me. To me it is as if something rich and fine is being taken from me!

Of course you are coming back, yet how lonely and void my life without you will be! I am of the type who cannot make friends easily. I am not easily understood — but you understood! Your friendship came to me at a time when something new and wonderful had come into my life — it was your sympathy and understanding which bound us together. There have been moments of suffering almost unbearable, but your company, your bigness of heart, helped me to tide over those agonizing passages!

It hurts almost physically when I think of your leaving, it is as if I have to begin all over anew in quest of friendship. The wonderful days and nights we spent together — the heart to heart talks, the revealing of inner thoughts and feelings never expressed — those are the things I will never forget. And the gifts you gave me —courage and strength — you made me believe more in myself. I was starving for love and understanding and a little appreciation, and you fed me! I thank you for these gifts you gave me!

I know that you will always succeed in whatever you undertake. You have the will and determination to "do" things. Given the opportunity you will dare and do! You are a real red blooded woman, definite in your purpose, and once convinced, prepared to go the limit to carry your convictions into effect. I am confident you will be of great use to the "Cause" we both love so well.

Good Luck, old pal
Your beloved comrade and friend
Becky Buhay

continued

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