By 1933 the Newfoundland government was broke again. In December it voted to hand the Dominion of Newfoundland over to Britain. Democracy was ended until the country's finances improved and the budget was balanced.

In February, 1934, a six-member commission was appointed to run the country. Three members were Newfoundlanders. Three were from Britain. The Commission of Government promised to help the hungry and sick people of Newfoundland. Even the government's own reports said the dole rations were not enough to keep people from starving. The Commission raised the dole rates slightly. Orange juice and cod liver oil programs were set up for children. But that was it. Conditions were not really improved. In fact, it had become harder to get the dole. Public welfare still did not include rent or clothing. The Commission of Government did not offer people enough work to help them get the cash they needed for those necessities. Instead, the government tried to bring in a workfare program. Able- bodied men had to work to get their dole rations of beans, molasses, brown flour and coal. Men found themselves shoveling snow for food in front of stores and factories. Sometimes they worked in front of stores where they used to have jobs.

By August the poor people of St. John's were becoming frightened. How could they get through another winter on the dole? It was in this time of hunger and anger that the Unemployed Committee of 1934 and 1935 arose. The unemployed people of St. John's chose a young hot-head with a gift for public speaking to lead them.

Pierce Power was a Southside Road boy. He was the second oldest of nine children. He had had some schooling at Holy Cross on Patrick Street. Pierce became aware of his talent for public speaking early. He took part in the school debating club. His father, Patrick Power, worked as a marine fireman. As a young man Pierce did too. When he could get the work he fed coal into the furnaces of steamships.

1934 he had just come back from Canada. The young man had worked for a while on road crews in British Columbia. The police said Power was sent back to Newfoundland for joining in some labour disputes. Power said he had only demanded the dole when he became unemployed. "[I was] only demanding a right to live," he said.⁷

All the Power boys had hot tempers. They took things very seriously. They didn't like to be pushed around. Most of them did like to drink and so did Pierce. But this did not take away from his appeal among the unemployed men and women of St. John's. Power was intelligent and charismatic.⁸ "He was broad shouldered and well-built-a ruggedly handsome man."⁹ He had a sharp wit. The 24-year-old laborer was unemployed. He was one of them.