John Stein (1895-1970)

47 YEARS IN OIL INDUSTRY

Mr John Stein Retires

After nearly half a century spent in the shale oil industry, Mr John Stein, General Mining Manager with Scottish Oils, Ltd., has retired. Mr Stein, a native of Addiewell, started his career in 1910 as an apprentice mine surveyor with the Young's Paraffin Light and Mineral Oil Coy. In 1915 he gained his Surveyor's Certificate and was given a temporary appointment as Mine Surveyor of Young's Mines in the Western District, an appointment which was made a permanent one in 1915.

Shortly after the amalgamation of the oil companies in 1922. Mr Stein was appointed Assistant to Mr Wm. Caldwell who was, at that time, was Mining Agent for the Western District Mines of the newly formed Scottish Oils. Ltd. He continued to act under Mr Caldwell and in 1930, when the late Mr J. B. Sreddon was appointed to replace Mr Caldwell (who had been promoted to the office of General Mining Manager) Mr Stein acted as assistant agent until Mr Sneddon's retiral in 1937, when he was promoted Agent. After 17 years as Agent, located at Westwood, Mr Stein was transferred to Middleton Hall as General Mining Manager in May, 1954.

Before a large attendance of his colleagues on the Scottish Oils Managerial and clerical staff in the Middleton Hall Sports Pavilion on Friday afternoon of last week, Mr Stein was presented with a bureau as a token of esteem and appreciation from his colleagues. Mr John M. Caldwell, Managing Director of Scottish Oils, Ltd.. presided, and in handing over the gift said:—First. I want to extend to you all a very warm welcome to what is always a memorable occasion. There comes a time, sooner or later, in a man's life, when he decides to quit the field of his industrial or professional life, no matter how interesting and absorbing the diversification of that life may have been. It may be he considers he has had a good innings, or maybe he thinks the strength of the team will be renewed by his giving way to younger men.

To-day we meet to honour Mr Stein on his retirement from active business life after a period of 47 years' continuous service devoted to the carrying out of the many and varied duties and tasks that have fallen to him in the development and management side of the Scottish Shale Oil Industry. And in his case, I am bound to say he has played a good innings and he leaves the field with a record behind him of which he can be justifiably proud.

After giving a resume of Mr Stein's connection with the industry Mr Caldwell said that he (Mr Stein) had a good knowledge of the value of human relations, apart from his own personal ones and as a manager he enjoyed the complete confidence of all who worked for and with him. Safety in the mines was always his chief concern and, knowing what should be done in this respect, he had at all times the drive and wisdom to see that it was done. Mr Stein, the speaker said, had an abiding interest in the welfare of the employees, both at work and in their homes, and at all times the workers and their womenfolk could, with confidence, approach him. Mr and Mrs Stein must take with them many happy memories of their long association with the people in the district, just as the people would have pleasant memories of both of them.

Thanking Mr Stein for his long and faithful service to the Company, Mr Caldwell said he was sure there were many of his colleagues who would like to express their personal thanks for the many acts of kindness they had received over the years. "As a token of esteem", Mr Caldwell said. "I have pleasure in presenting to you this bureau. and with it goes the very best wishes to you and Mrs Stein."

Mr Stein's Thanks

Accepting the gift, Mr Stein said that It was with a twinge of regret that he found himself saying farewell to them and to Scottish Oils, and all it had meant to him over the years. His greatest regret, however, was that he was leaving the industry at a time when it was fighting for its very existance, but he hoped the old industry would survive this crisis, as it had survived many other. He would like it made clear that the crisis in the industry had no bearing whatever on his retiring, and he was not, as on one occasion he had been told, "deserting the sinking ship." He had great pleasure in accepting this gift and he appreciated the kind words which had accompanied it, but he thought they had "gilded the lily" a bit, a remark which drew a chorus of dissent from his hearers. He was, he said, indebted to Mr Crichton and Mr Caldwell, and to the present manager for much forbearance shown and assistance given during his career, and to these gentlemen he returned his grateful thanks. Mr Stein paid a warm tribute to the men who had worked under him, saying that he felt proud to have been connected with the shale miners, describing them as fine a body of men as one could find anywhere.

Mr Stein concluded by thanking all officials and employees for their kindness and co-operation during his connection with the industry. Tributes were also paid to Mr Stein by Dr. G. H. Smith, General Manager. Mr R. Y. Gilchrist, Secy., Scottish Oils, Ltd.. Dr. Peutherer, General Manager, Grangemouth Refinery; Mr J. Paterson. Commercial Manager, Scottish Oils; Mr K Keddie, who succeeds Mr Stein as General Mine Manager, and Mr G. McLennan, Middleton Hall. Later, the company was entertained to tea in the Middleton Hall staff canteen.

West Lothian Courier - 5th July 1957