Page Two May 10, 193 ‘Defence News Corbin Miners The Canadian League through Labor its the arrested Corbin miners. has been endorsed by the workers’ investigating committee sent from Vancouver to Corbin. The village of Corbin is in a state of siege with machine gums, tear gas, and other weapons of modern Warfare in evidence. One hundred and fifty policemen are concentrated ja a village with a total population of 500 men, women and children, and the danger of more arrests is very great. The CL.D.L. urges all organiza- tions to rally to the aid of the ar- rested and besieged miners. Rush all funds to the Canadian Labor De- fense League, Room 28, 163 West Hastings Street, Vancouver. The miners incarcerated in jail depend on workers’ assistance. Membership Drive British Columbia District Canadi- an Labor Defense League is jn re- ceipt of a challenge from the To- ronto District C.L.D-L. to double its membership within six months dat- ing from April 1, 1935. in line with this challenge, the D.E.C. has sent a plan of work to all branches. Through our activity in the past year, the B.C. District has, achieved the honor of being Canada’s banner defense district, but we can expect plenty of oppositior Defense branches has initiated a campaign in defense of Plans are being laid to send the C.L.D.L. attorney, Gordon Grant, to Corbin to defend the thirty-seven accused workers and the defense campaign from the Toronto District who in- tend to capture this title before the Wational Convention in September. The Centre Branch in Vancouver and the Vancouver Heights Branch in Burnaby fiying start and have tripled their S have gotten away to a membership already. Let's hear from other branches. Inter-branch competition Should be initiated in B.C. and the D-E.C. will be pleased to transmit these challenges and print them in the Labor Defender and in the B.C. Workers News. BAIL FINALLY iS ALLOWED VANCOUVER, May 4.—\After two weeks of delay the court has finally consented to allow John Lawson and Richard Rothery at liberty on $1,00C bail each. The C.L.D.L. has con- sistently demanded the release of these two comrades, who were ar- rested following th attack by the police in the WHudson’s Bay store. but although bondsmen were im- mediately forthcoming, the officious clerk at the Supreme Court refused acceptance. Every effort was made to hold these two workers, and they were finally released when two justices of the peace and the bondsmen had sone to Oakalla jail. Like all lackeys of the System, these officials charged a high fee, but this was the only course to follow after they were lodged in Qakalla. Undoubtedly this is a blow aimed at the striking re- lief camp workers. Workers are urged to present reso- lutions demanding dropping of charges against Lawson and Roth- ery. INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL MARKS ~ MAY DAY OF TOILERS IN SOVIETS Red Army, Navy, Airforce and Soviet Werkers Inflexible Defenders of Peace < (By Gable to Associated Labor Press) MOSCOW, May i1—Any enemy who dares attempt to violate the integrity of Soviet territory will be ruthlessly crushed, declared Cle- menti VYoreshiloyv, People’s Commis- sar for the Defence of the U.S.S5.R., in a May Day orders to the Red Army today. in the form of marehing soldiers, rumbling tanks and heavy artillery trucks, and wheeling Red Army airplanes over- head, was demonstrated today in the Red Square. Foreign military offi- cers, their eyes following every de- tail of the display, stood at the salute as the Red standards were carried by. Vorosfiloy’s message in full is as follows: “The peoples of our great country of Socialism meet today in the In- ternational Festival of toilers, May Day, with a heightened feeling of Jove towards their country and with ‘unreserved devotion to our glorious Communist Party. “Tm the towns and villages, the plants and factories, on the col- lective farms and fields, on State farms, in schools, laboratories and institutions, and in creative work, the victories of Socialist industry and Socialist agriculture are pre- pared. Soviet science and technique has been developed. Socialist culture grows and is strengthening. “The U-S-S.R. is the stronghold of the world proletarian revolution. The W.S/S-R. sounds a fighting call for the workers and toilers of all coun- Soviet Power, in for their liberation and for their right to build the same joyful life for themselves as the workers and peas- ants in the Soviet Union are build- ing.” “The cause of Socialism is invin- ‘cible in our country. The power oi our great fatherland is impregnable. The peoples of the Soviet Union, who have built the workers’ and peas- ants’ government, always were, are, and will be, faifhful adherents and inflexible defenders of peace throughout the world. But we know that only our power can- guarantee calmness and the peaceful labor that is flourishing in our country.” “We know that readiness to repulse any enemy will compel many to think twice before they violate the peaceful life of the peoples of the Soviet Union.” only constant ‘We have such power and we are teady. The powerful workers’ and peasants’ Red Army faithfully pro- tects the frontiers of our fatherland. Strong, by its Bolshevik spirit, its special preparedness and excellent technique, the Red Army will ruth- lessly crush any enemy if he dares attempt a move against the inviola- bility of our Soviet land.” The order ends with congratula- tions to the soldiers of the Red Army for their magnificent preparations for the May Day parade, and greets the revolutionary forces of the world proletariat on this day of festival and also congratulates and wel- comes the young Red Army men who today take their oath of loyalty and allezience to the worker's’ and peas- tries, inspiring them in their fight ants’ government. PARADE AND MASS MEETING ON MAY Great Celebration Shows Rising Militancy of Workers TORONTO, May 1 ALP)—Thou- sands of marching workers cele- prated May Day in Toronto today with a monster parade which brought more than 12,000 workers to Queens Park, in the shadow of the Ontario Parliament Buildings where Premier Wepburn plans and schemes new way of slashing relief. At night in Maple Leaf Gardens, an audience of 14,000 was addressed by Tim Buck and by Clarence Hath- away, editor of the “Daily Worker” in New Work City. “phe Working class of 1935 is not | live in. DAY IN TORONTO know that Canada is a land fit to Ti’s waiting for the heroes toto take possession—and we're £0- ing to do it!” Mayor Simpson was roundly con= demned by the speaker. “Every time at the Parkdale Bakery, time ao striker every. a millinery striker got a police club on his head, that was ene lore mark, one more step of fascism. It has truly been said that Social-Democracy paves the way for fascism—and Jimmy Simpson wonderful isa example.’ RADIO The Women’s ANNOUNCEMENT Labor GWeague will broadeast over CK WX on Friday, May 10th, at 8:15, on the program class of 1914,” said working class of 1935 the working Buck. “The for Mother's Day. This broadcast is SHORT JABS i doubt the Kine will not feel too pleased if he hears the whole story of the jubilee celebration. The Maple Ridge School Goard, for in- stance, were so overcome with the august character of this great event, that they decided, in spite of the opposition of a socialist member, that all the children in the schools in their territory Should be given a In a full burst of patriotic fervor and the high degree of magnanimity and generosity common to the picayune, two-for-a-nickel fraternity that fen- erally find their way school- boards through the apathy of the working class, they dealt out flags that cost 55 cents per eross. Wing George should feel proud.’ Their loy- alty to the King-Emperor is also as- sured by the fact that the flags were made in that outpost of our Empire — Japan — and according to some who claim to be authorities, the union jacks were mounted upside down. At the same session they dis- cussed the case of a little girl who had fallen from a stool while clean- ing blackboards in the school and had broken her arm. They were un- able to offer her parents any finan- cial assistance, but extended their condolences. If they could find the money to buy flags even at 55 cents well union jack to commemorate it. onto a gross, they should be made to com- pensate the pupil, who should not have been cleaning blackboards any- way. &- A teacher in one of our Bast End schools insisted en all pupils who went on strike bringing an “excuse” signed by one or both parents of the striker. Maybe he had enough in- telligence to understand the follow- ine note turned in to him in the afternoon by one of the boys: “Sir, My boy was on Strike yesterday and took part in the parade and meeting in Stanley Park vyvesterday with my full Knowledge and encouragement. I am convinced he could learn more there than in your class. If he did not, he must be short on brains to the extent that you could not have done him any good yesterday after- oes poon. Yours, * = a = Still speaking of May Day, the only thing during the whole day that could be labelfed a “failure” was the proposal at the shell to auc- tion off the board carried by some of the Workers’ Ex-Seryicemen’s Leasue. This board was plastered over with medals—the rewards of valor—siven to men. in the parade wwho had fought in the war “to end war’ and “to make Canada a land fit for heroes to live in,” and who are mostly on the breadline today. When the medal-spattered board reached the shell, someone asked, ‘What are we going to do with this?” A suggestion was immediate- ly forthcoming that it should he auctioned. Bidding started at 35 cents and instead of going up it went down, Dutch fashion—two-hits, then 15 cents, then a dime. The auction was called off before it be- came necessary to throw in a dol- lar or two to get somebody to take the lot! He * * + Do you think the “B.C. Workers’ Wews” is worth supporting? Is it filling the bill in making known, in developing and in giving a lead to the struggles of the workers of 1B} 6.4 I believe that all workers who have read our paper will agree that it does fill the bill; that it is a force to be reckoned with now, and can be made a greater force in the future. To ex- tend its influence one thing is neces- sary—finances. In the June drive for the sustaining fund for the “News” I have been challenged by the business manager ‘‘to do my bit” by raising more than he does. Al- though I am getting pretty well worn out, I believe I can yet raise than he does, particularly if of this column are will- Mike Gold has led the Daily Worker in getting “fans” who read his column to boost his stock in the drives for funds. I don’t think T have any fans think this column Ym not stuck on it myself, but the I've heard more the readers ing to help. way in the the maybe you don't is worth reading. and much rest of the paper is O.K. rumors, however, that there are ac- tually workers who read Ol’ Bill and I’m going to ask them to get behind me in this socialist competition with Wizard who pays the the finance money over to the printer. Send do- nations and subs to me at the office. They will be acknowledged in this column, and I will know that it has at least done some good. The work- ers of B.C. need the busy and roll in a goodly stream of ‘News; so get the new cartwheels or anything else in the nature of real money from sponsored by Hastings Bakery. ten-cent pieces up. tions of the chilldren. hee UW, ORK EAR Se io WS WORKER VETS. HOLD OWN SHOW Raised Returned Men’s Grievances Jubilee Day VANCOUVER, B.C. May 6—Ex- Seryicemen numbering a thousand supported by contingents of striking Camp Workers and sympathizers paraded today through downtown, the march circled an area of four- teen blocks, returning to Cambie Street Grounds. Despite the blare of brass bands, the skirl of the bagpipes, and the roll of drunis on the streets border- ing the grounds where city, provin- red-coated police and ithe militia were assembling for the sil- eials, ver jubilee parade to Brockton Point, the workers maintained a high degree of self-discipline by staying at their own meeting. The meeting and parade, while in protest to the Kine’s Jubilee, speak- ers were not amiss in raising their own grievances and those of the Camp Workers, the speakets were from the D.V.A., Army and Navy, Camp Workers, W.E.S.L., $.P.of C. and. a Mrs. Graham, wife of an ex- serviceman, and just recovering from a serious operation, spoke for a short period. Father Birch — And May Day Wants Children Straffed for Support Camp Workers c. VANCOUVER, B.C., May 7.—Two school children, instructed by their parents to stay out of school on May Day, were subjected to the wrath of Father Birch of St. Augus- tine’s School at Seventh and Ar- butus. The priest came to the house in such an arrogant manner that the eirl took fright and hid herself be- hind the door. Seeing the girl's brother, the priest grabbed hold of him by the chest and shook him, at the same time demanding he ployed hookey on May Day! The boy answered that “his father had told him not to go to school on that afternoon.” The priest, disbelieving the boy’s story, wentto enquire from. the boy’s father. Mother Defends Children When the mother of the two children began to intervene, the priest turned on her, and began to upbraid her for defending the ac- The priest “lacked intelli- why told her that she gence.” The mother replied, “I am just beginning to become intelli- gent.” She told the priest “the children did the right thine. I do not want my children raised in or- der to rot in Relief Camps, and now is the time for them to find out all about them.” The children have been taken out of St. Augustine’s school, and as long as Father Birch is the priest of St. Augustine’s Church she will not attend the church again. DIGEST OF LETTERS Poetry still floods the mail box. News crowds out poetry in our lim- ited space. Poems received include tities such as “Down Depression’s Highway,” “A Promise’’—both relat- ing to Premier R. B: Bennett. An- other entitled “Little Yellow Gerry” depicts Mayor MeGeer as a “Czar.” A. letter received from Beulah Mec- Donnell writes of the Women’s Aux- iliary in the Export Loz Workers’ strike. We covered it in the letter from the secretary of that union. from Comrade Bree appreciation for our answer to an article by Dunn. His letter is too long for publication. He We have a letter Lars Kaldestad of Isle Pierre, He expresses is living far from any place where working class literature can be pro- cured. Any worker having any spare could sending them to pamphlets, books do a good turn by His Or papers, him. address is as above. E.L.C. sends us a poem, entitled “4 Plea for the Men of the Relief Camp,” which we are unable to pub- The subject is timely and of paramount lish because of lack of space. importance, but we are crowded for space at present. PICNIC The Maxim Gorki Club is holding a picnic on the North Side of Has- tings Park on Sunday, May 12th, in aid of the Children’s School. Al Their boat wrecked while return- ing from a trip to Port Haney, Mrs. Mizen, a member of the Women’s WOMEN’S COLUMN Conducted by Peggy Harrisor Auxiliary, of the W.E.S-L., with her small son aged 13, and one com- panion were forced to cling to the deck of the partly submerged wreck. The other member of the party is believed to have been drowned in attempting to swim to shore for help. Owing to exposure, the young lad died. Mr. Mizen, who has been ill, is at present on a farm in Alberta. The family are destitute and will need to see them through their trouble. The members of the W.E.S.L. extend their deepest sym- pathy to the bereaved parents and will attempt to have the Poppy or Last Post fund make the funeral ar- rangements. assistance Qut on bail after many delays, Comrade Iawson of the Centre Branch W.E.S.L. is now temporarily a free man. Had he been a crook, bail would have been immediately eranted, but Lawson having taken an active part in the Hudson’s Bay store demonstration makes this a class issue, and only by mass pres- sure from his fellow ex-seryicemen and other workers can we hope to have him freed. The district branches of the W.E. S.L. were well represented on May Day. Burnaby, New Westminster, Mountain View, Renfrew Street and Hastings Bast, backed up by a big turnout of the Centre Branch and sympathizers of the League, made a great showing with their banners and slogans. Centre Branch May Day concert in aid of the Camp Strikers netted $71.00 for the strikers. Vancouver Weterans March In Protest—Jubilee Day, May 6, 1935. One thousand six hundred Ex-ser- vicemen paraded with their slogans, “Acainst War and Fascism,” “For Adequate Relief” and for the “Abo- lition of the Slave Camps.’ Our pro- test was against the spending of money on the Jubilee, while the Camp: Strikers are left to starve and not a single promise made to the Weterans has been kept. It is alleged the authorities were offering ex-servicemen who would parade in uniform TWO dollars. Only those whose jobs depended on jt and the usual hangers-on, along with the Militia took part in the of- ficial parade. We were supported by the Relief Camp Strikers—Jubilee paraders by the Militia. Marching past the GCeno- taph we placed a wreath in memory of our dead. Continuing along Hast- ings Street to Granville and back via Dunsmuir Street to Cambie Grounds, a mass meeting was held to 4,000 supporters. The meeting was officially addressed by members of the W.E.S.L., who sponsored the parade, and unofficially by speakers from the D.V.A. and the Army and Navy. The latters speakers assured the audience that the RANK AND FILE were behind the camp strikers 100 per cent. The following adopted unanimously: “we demand the abolition of the present Relief Camp System and that the strikers be fed and housed until the Commission now inyesti- eating the camps hand down their decision. “We demand that the present De- partment of Pensions and Wational Wealth Relief siven out to pension- ers be made to cover all €x-service- men, whether in receipt of pension or not; and further, that the 1932 scale be brought into effect immedi- ately. “That all veterans now resident jn Canada or elsewhere who gave 16 years or more service be given a special pension not lower than the resolutions were rates now in effect. “That all women on active service during the war to be given the same privileges as men.” Our parade has brought immedi ate results in many joining the League. THE WEEER’S BEST JOKE First Lady-in-waitinse: “What did the Queen say when the Lord Chan- cellor told her that Premier R. B. Bennett was coming to London for the Jubilee celebrations?” Second Lady -in-Waiting: “She didn’t say anything; she just started to hum ‘God Save the King.” NOTICE Ticket No. 144 won the hand-made cushion which was drawn for April 27th at 4265 Main Street. It was for workers are welcoine. j ¢ 23 new members J. CG. Chivers, Press Corr. Women’s Conference Supports Strikers Twenty-four delezates, represent- ing seventy-two women’s organiza- tions, gathered recently at the Hotel Georgia to discuss the relief camp strike. The conference was called by the New Era League, and grew out of the idea of a mass meeting for wom- en, it being felt by the New Era League that a conference would carry more weight than a mass meeting. Mrs. -GCowper of the New Era League was elected chairwoman, and Mrs. Harrison of the Women’s Labor League acted as secretary. Resolution Passed, A resolution brought in by the Relief Committe of the Local Coun- cil of Women, for a works program and immediate relief pending the in- Stitution of works was thoroughly discussed and passed unanimously. ‘Points stressed in the discussion were the need for unity among wom- en on this issue, and the fact thai relief would cost less in town than in camp. Parent-Teachers Endorse Demands. Mrs. Crump, who was a delegate to this conference as well as to the Provincial P.T.A. which was in con- vention at the same time, volun- teered ta put the same resolution be- fore that body, where it was unani- mously endorsed. G. Carr, of the Relief Camp Work- ers Union, spoke on the reasons for the strike, pointing out in answer to a question that the boys had gone back to camp in December on a pro- mise, and were determined not to go back again. Wide Representation. Among the orginzations sented were the Local Council of Women, comprising sixty women’s organizations, the New Era League, the Women’s Labor League, the Ci- repre— Vilian Pensioned Mothers, the Pw-.C. Women’s Section, several church organizations, the Socialist Party, the F.S.U. and others. An action committee of twelve was elected, which sent a delegation to the Mayor the next morning, and will meet to consider further action. WOMEN’S MASS. MEETING A mass meeting of women will be held at Cambie Street Grounds on May 16th at 2 p.m., under the joint auspices of the Women’s Labor League and the City Committee of the P.wWw.c. All women should at- tend and bring samples of your worn out pots, pans, brooms and linen. We are going to demand action. MOTHER’S DAY Thirty-seven women met in the Hotel Georgia on Tuesday afternoon to discuss plans for making Moth- er’'s Day this year a day of support the relief camp strikers. The women enthusiastically endorsed plans for a procession of women to Stanley Park, where arrangements have been made to hold a meeting at the “Shell.” The procession will start at 12 noon from Cambie Street Grounds and along Georgia Street to Stan- ley Park. Tag Day Saturday Tentative plans have also made for a tag day on Saturday, the Jith of May. All women should wateh the press and radio for fur- ther announcements. A part of the Mother's Day plan for been boy to have a bit of home life on Mother’s Day. Every mother who wishes to invite a camp boy to her home on Mother’s Day is asked to phone Trinity 4732, leave her name, address, and the time she will ex- pect the boy to come. Headquarters for the Mother’s Day Committee are at Room 214, Birks Building, where further in- formation can be obtained. WOMEN ON NORTH SHORE the working women will meeting, utilizing this day for Moth- er’s Day. All women or delegates from organizations should be on the = o’clock ferry, and women will meet them on the North Side. The Women’s Labor League will conduct the meeting. NOTICE of The Worker drive was Barron, with the winnings number of 50. The prize was Strachey’s book, “The Menace of Fascism.” When you have read this paper, FIRE ABOARD Left for Sea Regardless out in the galley of the S.S. Prince Rupert on Saturday the 4th inst. The ship was on a cruise up the floor of the galley were burned away : from ordering the ship out on an- 4 is to make it possible for each camp | At North Vancouver on May i7th hold a The winner of the drawing in aid §.5. PR. RUPERT |, of Smoke-filled Cabins VANCOUVER, May 7—WFire broke” coast. The refrigerators and th So badly that the crew were ordered {% to stay away from the ranges, At a late hour last night, May 6, | the crew were still pumping air into 4 the ship to drive out the smoke. This q did not stop the company officials | other cruise with an estimated pas- | senger list of 200 aboard. ai The SS. Prince Ruper is owned “f by the Canadian National Railways, and has not been on her regular run | for some time. a Liberal Assn. Wants . Camps Abolished | VANCOUVER, May 2.—On May ist the Victoria Road Liberal Asso- 4] ciation held their regular meeting “]} and Comrade Matz of the Relief | Camp Workers was presert and was given a hearing prior to the business © meeting. i This comrade gaye a brief talk on — the conditions within the camps and | stressed particularly the ruthless © repression by the forces of the state, © to fetter and crush any attempt of | | the workers to organize and defend their rights and present their griev-— |f ances before public opinion. is five | : 4 4 At the close of the meeting dollars was donated to aid them in” their struggle. A resolution was sent to the governments demanding tt abolition of these camps and a pro eram of work and wages substituted, General dissatisfaction was expressed at the failure of the Liberal leade to create work and wages. It was felt, howeyer, there was little that could be done about it. 3 The main eyent of the evening ‘ arose out of a letter from the Ca-— nadian Labor Defense League reé- ceived at the previous meeting and | if though there was a resolution § d brought in to destroy their letter by j fire, it escaped and landed in the hands of the executive committee for consideration. The decision of the executive svas that seeing that the CL.Di. su ported the defense of the Sovie Gnion the Liberal Party could no support the C.L.D.L. : The recommendation of the ex ecutive was eriticized from the floor” on the basis that the C.L.D.L, de fended the democratic and political rights of the wage slaves of all capitalist countries against its rec- ofnized enemy—the master and his . state, and while the C.L.D.L. de-|) fended the workers’ state where the workers are the owning and ruling” class, in doing so, they defend the: interests of our Class against its common enemy. : This criticism of the findings of the executive was followed by a mao=4 tion to reopen the case on the floor ~ of the meeting, which was lost by: a small majority and so closed the issue for the time being, with thes destruction of the letter, asking for financial and moral support for the G.L:D-L. ee (Signed) Worker. BRIDGE RIVER | (Continued from Page 1) thugs will be sent in as was done in the Corbin and other strikes. Lack Militant Organization The miners of Bridge River have shown their readiness to struggle against the powerful bosses of the I Gold Mines, even without a union. There are enough militant former union miners however to launch the | strike and to carry it through, pro- viding they organize into a strong, | militant union. 4 Colossal Profits at Expense a of Workers { Enormous profits made by the = owners of these mines can be seen” in the monthly reports; Pioneer : earned $240,000 in the month of 3 February this year, and the operat ing expenses were only $59,900-— Bralorne has paid dividends during” the last year of $775,000 to Share- holders. All this enormous wealth has been wrung out of the sweat and blood of the miners. 5 : : - ; E 3 NORTH SHORE ANNOUNCEMENT An appeal is being made to all persons interested in a Congress o@ Work and Wages to meet in the Board of Trade rooms over the Ferry Building, foot of Tonsdale Ave. on Wednesday, May 15, at § pm. The purpose is to inaug-— urate a “Work and’ Wages Move= {hie benefit of the Workers’ Press. pass it on to your friend. ment” on the North Shore. Nien Rap Ahi owtryny ie lars qaphtd pind Seabee oR