galeulated Petition Association is being added to daily as women members and support- ers continue their canvassing of shopping districts and suburban areas, “Most of the women find that they they can collect 400 to 500 signatures in two or three hours. People even line up to sign the forms,” Mrs. Parkin told the Pa- cific Tribune this week. : The same enthusiasm is reported from all parts of the country, with the big industrial unions, munici- pal councils and other influential bodies recording their support ee the petition campaign. This week, Mrs. wives’ Consumer Association, made public a letter endorsing the cam- paign she received from M. J. Coldwell, CCF national leader. “I am glad to know that your a “ secure a million names off to a good start,” Coldwell wrote. “It is only through the efforts of consumer §roups and parliameriary repre- sentatives that influence may be brought to bear on the government in this matter.” Premier T. C. Douglas of Sas- katchewan has also. voiced his Support of the campaign, announ- d Rae Lucock, president of the Toronto House- cing that he intends to introduce a@ resolution on prices in the legis- lature. , The petition will be presented to the federal government early in April coincident with the holding of a national convention of the Housewives’ Consumer Association. Vote of voting day. When the vclis closed left-wing canvas- ers were still turning up plenty of unionists and other CCF supporters who had not voied, but almost every Coaiitionist had cast a ballot. The power of the machine proved decisive. It affords labor a vivid example of the amount of pre-election or- ganization, the high degree of progressive unity in ac- tion, required to oust a gov- .€rnment that is no longer supported by a majority of the people but continues to win elections, VLC raps bosses’ plans for big ‘labor reserve’ Pledging their continued support of the ITU Fis at _ the Vancouver Daily Provin delegates at this week’s meetin i g unanimous that Southam scab-produced paper on the “ list. The council also voted full support to the B.C. coal miners in — “no contract, no coal” strug- _ Marion Parkin, secretary of the Housewives’ Consumer Association, addressed the VLC on the progress of the “roll back prices” cam- _.paign, and the widespread sup- _ port being given the petition. The council endorsed the prices drive and urged full support for the 200,000-signature petition from B.C. _ George Mitchell, VLC vice-presi- dent, reported to council delegates that shingle mill operators are - building up huge stocks of No. 2-3 shingles, keeping them off the mar- ket to force up prices, and at the same time utilizing the existence of these big stock piles to force _ down wages by. layoffs and closing - down of mills. One mill employing: 250 workers has closed down, while others are preparing for a ce, Vancouver Labor Council ly decided to keep we don’t patronize” shutdown, with the “firing all reopening. _ With new IW4 wage contracts coming up soon the move of the Shingle mill operators is obvious —to create a condition favorable to wage-cuts and lowered stand- ards of employment. Harvey Murphy, regional direct- or of the IUMMS, reported that he “has documented proof” that quo- intention of old employees” after ected for industry in Canada have neither the training nor the phy- sical capacity required for work in the mines. Murphy declared that while the IUMMS was not opposed to a proper immigration scheme, it was opposed to a situation where }government policy is directed mainly at creating a big reserve of cheap labor and consequent unem- ployment. O’Brien acquittal seen as BCFL vi Quashing last week of the conviction of Daniel O’Brien, | president of the B.C. Federation of Labor and former CCL 2 regional director, by Judge C. welcome news to organized labor. Sentenced last summer to three months. imprisonment by Magis- trate Mackenzie Matheson on a _ “morals” charge, the case had all _ the earmarks of a crude frameup. The B.C. Federation of Labor was engaged in a province-wide cam- paign against the anti-labor clauses of Bill 39. O’Brien, togeth- er with other leaders of the BCFL, were outspoken in their condem- nation of the bill. The Pacific Tribune drew atten- tion to the fact that at the time of O’Brien’s arrest, certain peope whe were keenly interested in _ promotion of Bill 39 were highly satisfied at the turn events had taken. They hoped that the par- ticular brand of “morals” charge pl against O’Brien would _ evipple the prestige and influence of the BCFL. It is noteworthy that the first _ thmg O’Brien did when the charges were preferred against - him was to forward his resigna- tion to the BCFL and to the Can- adian Congress executive—not as a gesture of guilt, but as an action ee to silence those who seize upon every opportunity to smear the labor movement. Acceptance of O’Brien’s resig- mation by the BCFL was deferred _ WRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1948 ndication J. Lennox in County Court is AM TUTTE OMA tas of European DP’s being sel- {= pending final outcome of his case. As an official of the BCFL tersely put it, “The BCFL does not = believe in burying a man until he = is dead,” or in other words, pre- |= ferred to have their final decision rest on the outcome of the court trial. No so with President Mosher and Secretary Pat Conroy of the CCL, however. While the CCL ‘ex- ecutive never formally accepted O’Brien’s resignation, and while it |= kept him on the CCL payroll until December, 1947, it is alleged that on the advice of Vice-President Alex McAuslane, they set about burying O’Brien politically, by ap-|= pointing Mahoney and Radford to |= take over his duties; a fact which, considered in the light of the re- cent court decision quashing O'’Brien’s conviction, is something less than decent. Conroy’s public statements on the new appoint-|= ‘ments while O’Brien’s case was before the courts were in them- selves tantamount to asking for O’Brien’s conviction. The court decision renders Dan- iel O’Brien fully qualified to re- sume his former duties as a CCL trade union organizer. ¥ . Extension from accepting their “We need the Pacific Tribune-- --we ll get the dough” 4 When we announced our $15,000 objective this was the answer we received already backed up in many cases by donations First $50 was donated by Harry Seland of Victory Square Press Committee, who already is a fully fledged Press Builder. With a quota set at $800, Victory Square Press Manager Don Barbour an- ‘nounced that his group intends to raise ‘$1000 worth of truth. “Because Victory Square club has snough members, friends and sup- rorters who want the true facts © pertaining to national and inter- jational events—an_ impossibility without the Pacific Tribune in British Columbia.” DON BARBOUR Victory Square ‘PT’ booster When you talk with your fellow workers, tell them about the Pacific Tribune. Tell them how our paper fights for them, how it can help win better pay and better conditions for B.C. workers, and how it can fight inflation and profiteering. DO YOUR PART in the $15,000 Campaign GET A DONATION — NOW TTT Around the Province AOA LTT TT by Fel Ashton The challenge to raise $13,- 000 for the Pacific Tribune is being met with a spirit that en- sures success. Difficulties are being swept away by a rising tide of enthusiasm as the open- ing of the drive approaches. Successful press conferences have been held in many areds. South Fraser, secure a majority of Press Builders. Everyone is determin- ed to wear one of those super blue and silver lapel buttons that will be awarded to all who raise $25.00 or over personally. Enthusiasm ran high with pledges and challenges tumbling out so fast they could hardly be recorded. “Loser pay all” is the slogan heard in the Albernis these days and already antici- minster and pation of a free social evening Powell River js developing. districts are A newly organized socialist Steet” (REO youth group in Port Alberni set fine example for all by volun- i rown 2 P all by aoe = teering to raise $25.00 for the Upper Van- Pacific Tribune. Highlighting the Vancouver, North Vancouver and Burnaby Joint Press Conference was Victory Square. With the lar- gest quota, they pledged an ad- ditional $200 and backed it up with $50 on the line. Reports from all areas were ‘given with plenty of zip. All quotas were accepted with the exception of West End who re- ported that $500 was all they could do. The delegates felt held four sep- arate press conferences, all very well attende d. affairs . prevented Fel Ashton Other local full quota but Nanaimo, Lady- smith and Parksville have as- sumed the difference thus keep-' ing the district quota the same. The Albernis are all out to sure they would make the full amount but wanted to play safe. Returning the Pacific Tribune plaque reluctantly, Grandview issued a warning and challenge to all that they are determined to again place it on the wall where it has been for three con- secutive years. For their out- standing work they were pres- ented with a silver cup as a token of appreciation from the Pacific Tribune. The East End area threw down the gauntlet and challeng- ed the Industrial groups to a “loser pay all’ party. If the response that came to that challenge is any indication, it will certainly be worth watch- ing. e So many challenges have been thrown out it is impossible to mention them all, but the at- tack by big business will be met as larger quotas, despite recognized difficulties, are being accepted from all districts. The working people know the value of truth and will fight to main- tain their voice, the Pacific Tri- bune, May Day!— ATTN PACIFIC TRIBUNE—PAGE PALANAN AA TN A LAS — T ny rR