vet INTERPRETATIONS OF RESOLUTION CLC political action will be what rank and file make it By WILLIAM KASHTAN Canadian Labor Congress’ second convention, held in Winnipeg last week, adjourned without concluding all the business before it and referred a host of important resolutions to the incoming executive council. From this point of view one might say that this was an unfinished convention. Perhaps the most interest- ing feature of the convention was the debate on political action. Various interpretations have been given the resolu- tion adopted by the conven- tion. The Winnipeg press for ex- ample, saw in the resolution support for the formation: of a Labor party. A number of delegates who spoke on the subject made point of the fact that this was what the resolution implied and wel- comed it. One delegate saw in the resolution the development of a people’s movement embrac- ing the trade unions, CCF, LPP and Social Credit. The radio that night drew the con- clusion that what was being proposed was a coalition em- bracing the trade unions, CCF and LPP. Other speakers thought that what was being proposed was a Farmer-Labor party. And when reporters went around asking trade union leaders re- siding in Winnipeg what name to give the “new party,” names advanced ranged from a United Labor party to a .. Farmer-Labor party and a ’ Progressive Labor party. The point I am making here is that the delegates and presss saw in the resolution what they wanted to see, not necessarily what was there be- cause the resolution does not eall for a Labor or Farmer- Labor party but for a politi- cal realignment and develop- ment of a people’s movement. The fact is that the resolu- tion marked the process of re-evaluation going on in la- bor’s ranks for some time with respect to united labor political action. What gave it impetus was the results of the federal elections of June 10 and March 31. This re-evalu- - ation also affected CCF ranks and compelled them to recon- sider whether their concept of being labor’s “political arm” is still valid. There is no doubt that some end perhaps a_ substantial number still feel that and may continue the fight for it. On the other hand, the adop- tion of this resolution would indicate an acceptance by the majority of the need to strike a different course, without spelling out what that course should be. Although the resolution was adopted almost unanimously, this should not lead one to conclude that opposition to independent labor political action has come to an end in- side the trade union move- ment. Those who oppose such ac- tion developed the fight under cover of a criticism of Stanley Knowles and the _ proposal that he, become one of the ex- ecutive vice-presidents. They continued that fight in the election of officers and may continue their opposition fol- lowing the convention under different -banners. The fact that they did not come out openly in opposition may be due to two reasons: fear of the consequences of the election of the Diefen- baker government with its overwhelming majority and the need to warn the govern- ment that if it does not come through with its promises the labor movement will move into political action; and the hope that over the next two years they can kill the resolu- tion in one form or another. Be this as it may, the adop- tion of the resolution marks a significant step forward and creates new possibilities for advancing united labor politi- eal action and farmer-labor Ges Installations FURNACES — STOVES WATER HEATERS Harry C. Weinstein GAS CONTRACTOR 692 East Hastings MUtual 3-5044 Res.: AL. 2991-L FREE ESTIMATES PATRONIZE CEDAR FUEL & TRANSFER Phone: 566-R-3 Cedar, B.C. Tt i ee 2 Castle Jewelers Watchmaker and Jewelers Special Dis- gs as count to all® Tribune Read- j ers. Bring this ad with you. 152 Granville Street OE Be th to CHT SOT TT OO Eo one SQM RUGS UBS RRS R BiB AeE unity on a scale never before achieved. It is well to note in this connection that this resolution excludes the red-baiting sec- tion which was a; characteris- tic feature of the one adopted at the founding convention and therefore holds the prom- ise of developing in a direc- tion which could unite all sections of the labor and farm movement. However, this resolution, like many of the other. posi- tive resolutions adopted by the convention, will only have meaning if it is given flesh and blood by the rank and file at the local level. To leave it to the top leadership might well result in something en- tirely different to what the delegates and the workers ex- pect, Over the next two years therefore there is need for the widest kind of discussion on form and content of such a people’s movement and po- litical realignment out of which can be forged the kind of political instrument that can begin to advance labor’s political aims and interests. But alongside that and as part of it some immediate measures flowing from the convention ought to be given the closest attention. First is the continuing fight for full employment and for defense of the interests of the unemployed as well as the development: of coordina- tion at all levels of the trade union movement. Second is the need for labor to speak out in defense of peace, for an end to the tests and for a summit meeting. Third is the need; for achiev- ing all-in trade union unity on a basis that respects the rights of the unions involved. The convention showed that rather than retreat, the work- ers are prepared to defend and advance their living standards and the fight for jobs. The convention showed, too, that rather than retreat before a Tory majority gov- ernment, the workers are pre- pared to swing into political action. From this point of view, despite many weaknesses and shortcomings, the general dir- ection of the convention was forward. It is now for the rank and file to see it moves that way. > The Soviet Union aims to enter the international cit racing field in the biggest possible way next ve : compete in top European and U.S. events. Photo shows a Pris: cay flipping over at the Florida International Grand The driver was killed. Bert Whyte's SPORTLIGHT EONID AFANASIEV, presi- dent of the automobile sec- tion of the USSR Auto Club, visited London last week to look over the car racing meet at Silverston, and threw re- porters into a tizzy by casu- ally announcing that next year Soviet speedsters plan- ned to compete in some of the bigger international car and motorcycle events. The square - shouldered, bronzed Soviet sportsman also said he hoped British motorcyclists would take part in the fourth international cross-country event sponsored by his club near Tiflis in the Caucasus this aumumn. Motor racing in the Soviet Union dates back to 1932, said Afanasiev. But it was just four years ago that a club was set up to represent Soviet auto organizations abroad. xt bos xt Champions always seem to have a certain extra some- thing — you can call it class for want of a better word, but it’s more than that, for top competitors display class, too. It’s a combination of class and confidence. Juhani Karinen of Finland, the world’s champion ski jumper, showed that extra something at Empire Stadium last week as he easily cap- tured the Centennial Ski Jumping Tournament. I caught the how Saturday night, when Karinen had 4 commanding lead and played it on the safe side. Even so, his three jumps were models of style and grace and after the ‘competition endet 4p made a Standing jump ® all feet in a side show ine war” with colorful Charland of Three Quebec. Charland reaped VA feet but fell. ot: tla 0 Tim Tam was expect pit win the Kentucky Derby of what happened to that oo from-behind Irishman, Sullivan? al (George Jessel, by the © ist insists that Silky is 9 a poster. “I know him be says Jessel. “His ne co Silky Solomon and he et from Philadelphia.”) Silky sulked. in the P pig ® "y He made a feeble ne ay 1 head of the stretch, * fused to extend himse™ . qv Silky suffers from ie ness (he often sounds ‘ old-style locomotive down the stretch) cod ® experts say the easter? © ate doesn’t agree wi In California he can pay like a champ, but oa altitudes he’s just a P be Well, we'll give the > 58 a borse another chanc® entered in the presi a again Tim Tam will i favorite. Will it be 4 “sit of the Derby, or will explode in the sine at live up to his coast t* — tion? : pet! In the Santa Anita | (8 on March 1%, on a si os track, Silky stayed 2 }? a yw ty the pace than eae , af the last quarter 1 wit seconds, A repeat of ¢ formance would PY Preakness in his pockeb a! May 9, 1958 — PACIFIC TRIBUNE?”