The dictatorship of the prole- tariat is the domination of the proletariat over the bourgeoisie. : - —Lenin. _C. Workers News To carry the struggle against slave camps into trade unions is to strengthen trade union unity. VOL. I Published Weekly VANCOUVER, B.C., FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1935 Single Copies: 5 Cents eS No. 17 Labor Commission Back From Corbin Probe Attack on Workingmen, Women and Children Was Brutal and Wholly Unprovoked 2 The united front Labor Investi- gation Commission, composed of rep- resentatives of trades unions, the C.C.F. and Communist Party, which investigated the police attack upon the miners of Corbin on April i7th have retuned to Vancouver after makine a thorough investigation into the occurrences of that date. While the delegation will not make an official report for a few days, individual members have de- clared that the attack on the min- ers, their wives and children was wholly unprovoked and most brutal. Sadism in Pictures. That the attack was deliberately planned and executed is shown by the fact that the police prepared to take pictures of their handiwork. The Commission fortunate enough to see three of these pic- tures. QOne shows the police lined up in formation before the attack, and the miners with their families farther down the road. Another shows the caterpillar ; tractor ad- yancing toward the miners just be- fore it ran over women and men. A third shows the police and the Strikers in a mixup, and a miner Prone on the ground with a proyin- cial thug beating him up with a club. was Police Hid Their Clubs Wone of the pictures show the miners with clubs, stones or weapons ofany kind until they were forced to defend the lives of themselves, their Wives and children, when they picked up whatever was available It was learned that in order to make the attack more effective by getting closer to the workers, the police, under instructions of In- spector MacDonald, concealed two- foot ciubs under their tunics until within clubbing distance, when they drew them and began their sadist work. at the order of MacDonald. Sadist MacDonald Roars Inspector MacDonald made efforts to intimidate members of the Com- mission before the investigation be- gan. One of the Commission, a miner from Cumberiand, Sam Ene- lish, Was summoned from his place of temporary residence by two police- men, who told him that he had to come before the Inspector who tried to browbeat him. The woman-beat- er told him that he had heard that he was coming and accused him of coming for the purpose of “‘agitat- ing”? the miners. MacDonald has much to cover up, more than he can do even with the assistance of Attorney - General MOUNTIES USED AGAINST STRIKING FARM WORKERS LETHBRIDGE, Alberta, May 1 (ALP) — Mounted police haye been rushed to the Iron Springs district where sugar beet workers are on strike and where a monster demon- stration against low wages and con- tract rates is scheduled to take place this afternoon. The beet workers are demanding $22.00 an acre. Tomorrow the sugar beet farmers, who themselves are hard pressed by the banks, are to meet and decide what action to take. They offer a contract rate of $17.00 an acre, and have delivered an ultimatum to the strikers that, unless they sign a contract at this rate by Saturday, they will be evicted from the farmer- owned houses in which they live. What Price Scabs? PORTLAND, Mey 7.—H. G. Petro, admitting he worked as a strike- breaker during last summer’s coast waterrfont strike, today filed suit for $30,000 damages from his water- front employees, who, he said, failed to furnish him permanent employ- ment as promised. A number of similar suist have been filed by others who worked TWO LOGGING CAMPS VOTE GEN. STRIKE Smith and Osbere Log- ging camp at Rock Bay voted 97 per cent to strike in support of the Relief Camp Workers. Carson’s Camp on Minstrel Island voted unanimously to strike in support of the camp boys. A referendum is be- ing taken in other logging camps. This is in sharp contrast te the stand taken by the leaders of the Trades and Labor Council of Van- eouver (A.F.of L.). All locals of the Fisher- men’s and Cannery Work- ers’ Industrial Union are voting on the question of striking in Support of the Relief Camp Workers. Sloan. The report of the Labor Commission will do much to clear up the matter of responsibility. Findings of Committee of Investiga- tion at Corbin is as follows: “After hearing evidence submitted to delegation from all sources, we are of the opinion that had the De- partments of Labor, Federal and Provincial, made serious efforts to mediate the strike situation in Cor- bin as the spring advances, the dis- astrous affair of April 17th, might not have occurred, and further, We are of the opinion, that the introduction of 2 largely augmented police force at this time was not a concilatory measure, and was en- tirely unnecessary; and further, With reference to the charge of police brutality of date April 7th. 1935, the delegation is of the opinion. on the evidence submitted, that such charges have been definitely proved and estabished; Wee further are of the opinion that measures used by Inspector MacDon- ald on April 17th to disperse the crowd were such as to cause grieyv- ous injury to women, and led to re- Jatiatory action by strikers resulting in a riot. We also condemn the entry of pol- ice into houses of peaceful citizens without a warrant, as was done in Corbin on April 17th and days fol- lowing.”’ FISH CAFE STRIKE WON Camp Workers Picket Restaurant For Food VASNCOUVER, May 4. “The Only” oyster and fish cafe adjoin- ing the City Hall on Hastings Street was the scene of a short strike con- ducted under the leadership of the Food Workers Industrial Union, six regular employees and one part-time worker were affected when the strike was called yesterday at 3 p-m. This was the climax to a back Wage question amounting to ap- proximately $800 extending over a period of one year. One cook and a waited were discharged for pres- sing for back wages, thus giving an immediate reason for the strike. Reinstatement Demanded. Demands of the employees were as follows: 1—8-hour day be established. 2—That the two discharged em- ployees be reinstated at their former or 48-hour week positions. 3—That no one be discriminated against for their union activity. These were agreed to by the owner. Pickets were then with- drawn, allowing the cafe to be opened at 11 am. today. Camp workers furnished pickets for the strike. The question of the back wages has been left to the discretion of the employees to allow a definite time for settlement. If no satisfactory arrangements can be reached, strike action will again be taken. HORRIFIED AT WORKERS’ SIGN ‘Replace Jubilee Message With Proletarian Call Enez—A banner broke LONDON, out suddenly across the street as the King and Queen passed Ludgate Cireus enroute to St. Paul’s Cathe- dral today, and horrified Jubilee spectators looked up to find staring them in the face the words: ‘““Work- ers of All Lands, Unite!” The banner to have read: “Tone May They Reign.” During the night the Communist Slogan had been substituted. The re- yerse side read: “The Glorious Reign —Unemployment, Hunger and Wear.” was Are the the Order of the Day MICHEL, B.C., May 7.—The B.C. provineial police have extended their terror beyond Corbin and have been raiding miners’ homes in this terrorizing families workings elass mining camp, and confiscating: literature. Warrants under Section 98 are being used to legalize the raids. Pro- vincial deportations from B.C. to Alberta are taking place, Stokoluk, secretary of the Mine Workers’ Union of Canada, being one of the deportees. “ Attacks Upon Union Although tirere is no strike here, or any disturbance of any kind, the provincial police have invaded the town. The home of Phillip Muscil, secretary of the Canadian Labor De- fense League, was raided and his literature seized. Last Saturday the home of Sam Weaver, secretary of the local Min- ers’ Union, was raided and all his books seized, including a bundle of “Workers.”’ Directed by Sloan. On May ist a Workers’ Inyvestiga- tion Committee, which came from Portland as an organization and shipping and during the strike. Defendants named were the waterfront employers of twenty steamship, steyedoringe concerns. Raids and Deportationsy POLICE TERROR EXTENDS IN CORBIN MINE AREA LOGGERS SUPPORT CAMP BOYS The total amount collect- ed in ‘the logging camps by the Lumber Workers’ In- dustrial Union up to May ist for the striking relief camp workers is $1,117.57. This includes the amount collected by the Women’s Auxiliary of the Union at Cowichan Lake and also the Women’s Auxiliary at Van-. couver. Vancouver and Cumberland, were on their way from Blairmore to Corbin, accompanied by Harvey Murphy, Union organizer, and Tom Uphill, Labor M.A. They were stopped at the B.C.-Alberta frontier by the police. Questioned by Stevenson, one of the delegation, as to his authority for stopping them in their travels, the provincial policeman in charge said he was acting under the auth- ority of Attorney-General Sloan. Judgements Reserved Judement has been reserved in the trials of the Corbin miners who were arrested and framed following the brutal attack of the police on women and children some weeks ago. The lawyer for the de- fence told Magistrate Phillips that he expects no fair trial. men, DEMAND RAISE Scale Inadequate To Buy Clothing PRINCE GEORGE, B.C., May 2.— At &@ mass meeting held in the Workers Protective Association Hall on Wednesday night at 8 o'clock a Strike vote Was taken against the sovernment’s policy of forcing the Single men to work off their relief at the meagre allowance of $12.60 for city, and $10.60 for district re- lief recipients. Owing to the bare existence meted out in the past the single men are in no fit conditions to go to work, also their clothing is totally inade- quate. The married men drawing proyin- relief through the city have been working the relief off at the rate of 50c per hour, and now they are to work for the government at the rate of 40¢ per hour, this con- stituting a wage reduction of 20 per eent. Therefore the following de- mands were formulated: i.—50c per hour and 64 hours per month. (Single men’s demands). 2.—100 per cent increase on all re- lief. (Tarried men’s demands). The following demands apply to married and single: 1.—To be worked off at the rate of six hours per day. 2.—Al]l relief to be brought under the Compensation Act. 3.—All relief to be paid in cash. 4.—A percentage of this to be ad- vaneed to enable the relief worker to purchase the required clothing, at any store he chooses. cial Bridge River Miners Demand Dollar A D Bridge River Miners On Strike IRELIEF WORKERS trike: ay Increase; More Than Thousand Affected Big Profits At Flin Flon Nearly Double of 1933 At Expense Of Workers WINNIPEG, April 29—The an- nual report of the Hudson Bay Min- ing and Smelter Company, published here today, shows that the owners of this mammoth war industry have, in the world-wide preparation for war, been able to double this year their profits as compared with 1933. This was achieved dispite a stoppage of one month during the strike of the miners at their plant at Flin lon which provincial, federal and municipal state forces united smash. Increased Profits—Reduced Costs Profits for this year aggregate $1,549,611.85 as compared with $780,- 524.18 in 1938, a gain of $769,087. Operating costs dropped from $3,- 051,302 in 1933 to $2,179,090, with practically the same number of tons milled, and in connection with this, Manager R. HB. Phelan in making the report has to say that the com- pany union, “Employees Welfare Board,” had worked out as a yvalu- able asset to the company. to July ist, inclusive. well over the top. querading as “labor” papers, movement is bringing results. day. next issue. or woman. ing the campaign. Our Paper Launches The June Campaign The “B.C. Workers’ News” is making preparation for the launching of a drive for increased circulation and a sustain- ing fund. The Drive will begin on June 1st and will last until July ist will be proclaimed Workers News Day. On that day the Drive will end with picnics, con: certs, dances, etc., for the raising of funds to put the Drive There is little need here to emphasize the value of the “News” to the struggles of the workers on the West Coast. The “News” not only counteracts such boss class sheets mas- as the “Statesman” and the despicable “Labor Truth,” but it also gives a militant and correct lead to the struggles of the workers. The support and lead given by the “News” in the present strike of the Relief Camp workers is well known. Its cam- paign for the building of the united working class front of labor political parties and for unity of the entire trade union Greater struggles lie in front. and the B.C. Workers’ News must be kept going and growing as the fighting organ of the workers. OBJECTIV E—Five thousand circulation weekly. One thou- sand dollars sustaining fund. Six-page paper by election TIME OF CAMPAIGN—From June Ist to July Ist inclusive. July ist to be known as “B.C. Workers News Day.” Picnics and affairs to be held all over the province for the benefit of the News on that day. QUOTAS—On the basis of the present circulation every part of B.C., quotas are being worked out by the circulation Management for your approval and will be printed in our PRIZES—First Prize is a $60.00 tailor-made suit for man Second Prize is a $10.00 pair of men’s or women’s shoes. Third Prize is a $5.00 hat for man or woman. The above prizes will be drawn for at the picnic to be held in Vancouver July ist. One suitable prize to be decided upon will be awarded to the ORGANIZATION making the best showing dur- ONE WEEKLY PRIZE valued at $2.00 will be awarded to the individual securing the highest value in subs or donations each week during the campaign. A WEEKLY SCORE BOARD will be printed in the B.C. Workers News each week during the Drive. DIMITROV SENDS HIS GREETINGS (By Cable to Associated Labor Press) MOSCOW, May i.—George Dimi- troy, heroic anti-fascist fighter and eentral figure in the Nazi Reichstag sent fraternal greetings to the of the world who are fighting valiantly this May Day against Fascism and Im- perialist war, ta the victims of Fas- fire trial, has his workers cist terror who are lying in dun- geons and to all those, to whatever party they belong, who are striv- ing for the united front. ! } °CALL ISSUED IN SUPPORT OF CAMP The Women’s Labor League of Vancouver is calling a conference to take place at the Lumber Workers’ hall, 130 Friday, West Hastings Street, May 17, on in support of the workers’ children’s summer camp. All workers’ organizations are urged to send delegats to this con- which has for its the welfare of the undernourished ference purpose working class children of the City. . HOUSE-TO-HOUSE STRIKE VOTE ON CAMPS, FRIDAY VANCOUVER, May 9.— Relief camp strikers are taking a straw vote Friday on the abolition of the Slave Camps and for the granting of relief to the strikers by the city. A house-to-house canvass will be made with ballots in the residential sections of the city. There will also be 80 polling booths placed in prominent down-town locations. One hundred and fifty thousand ballots have been prepared and the yote will be taken by the strikers themselves. POLICE TERROR IN FLIN FLON Anti-Communist League Threatens Violence to Militants WINNIPEG, April 30.— Acting upon. the advice given them recently by Ralph Webb, fascist ex-mayor of Winnipes, and current provincial or- ganizer of the Conservative Party, to dispense with legal procedure and use force and violence in dealing With Communists and labor organ- izers, the vigilante committee, and the Anti-Communist League of Flin FPlon, Manitoba, have commenced the sending of letters threatening death to Flin Flon workers active during the strike of last June if they do not leave the town immediately. Death Threat. Qne such letter, written in Ukrai- nian, translated reads: “You move away as quickly as possible from this town while you are alive. Don’t think that we are writing you jokes. Get out! There is not much time left for you to live here. Get out while you are not crippled and still alive. We do not want Communists or Bolsheviks.” Pattullo Strike-Breaking Govt. Rushes to Help Bosses VANCOUVER, B.C., May 8.—Six gold mines are closed down in the Bridge River area and well over 2 thousand miners are on strike. The Strike started at Pioneer Mine, where preparations were made by the min- ers to take strike action two weeks ago. The strike spread rapidly to Bralorne, Wayside, Congress and Bradian. It is expected that the miners in B.R.X. and Pilot Mines will strike in a day or so, Demand Wage Increase and Better Working and Living Conditions The strike is for increased wages of one dollar a day and better work- ing conditions. The workers also de- mand better livine~ conditions ‘and reduction in the amounts deducted from wages for various kinds of supposed welfare schemes, ete. Only one mine, Minto, refused to strike, and they agreed to return to. work after the company had agreed to give an increase in wages of 50 cents per day. Wretched Conditions The present wages are reported to be as low as $3.00 per day for top men and underground workers as low as $4.00 a day. Out of this there are many different deduc- tions which brings the wages down to little better than relief scale wages. Qn top of this the workers are speeded up to an unbearable ex- tent. Workers are maimed and killed daily. Government Intervenes to Break Strike The Liberal Pattullo Government is already playing its usual role of strike-breaking in the form of medi- ation. A report in the press states, “Adam fBell, deputy minister of labor, is on his way to Bridge River at the request of the men to offer his services.” This is a fabrica- tion, and Adam Bell is on his way at the request of the rich capitalists break the strike if possible through his deception of the masses, aS was tried in the Loggers’ strike, and in the Cumberland Strike Tf he fails in this, then the Provincial to (Continued on Page 2) SASH AND DOOR WORKERS ENDORSE CAMP BOYS’ STRIKE Sigurdson’s Mill to Have One-Hour Strike On May Ist a meeting was held of the workers at the Nicolai Sash and Door Pactory on False Creek. Sixty workers attended the meeting, which took place outside the plant during the noon hour. Two Camp Strisers and organizers of the Lumber Workers’ Industrial Union ad- dressed the meeting. The Camp Strikers outlined the need of enlist- ing support in the strugele for work at Trade Union rates of pay and for the abolition of the militarized slave camps. The L.W.1.U. the vital organizer necessity spoke of of building a strong organization in the sash and door industry in order to combat the low wages and intolerable conditions now prevailing in the shops. A resolution endorsing the de- mands of the Relief Camp Strikers was put to the meeting and was unanimously endorsed. ; Union Factory Another meeting was held at Sig- uardson’s Sash and Door Factory on May 7th during the noon hour. The meeting was held by organizers of Workers’ Industrial Union and eyery worker in the plant attended the meeting, 48 in all. A camp striker spoke for 15 minutes on the Camp Strike, and was well re- the Lumber ceived by the Siguardson workers. A motion was made by the work ers and unanimously endorsed to leave the strike question in the hands of their shop cmmittee. The majrity of the workers in this shop are organized in the Lumber Workers’ Industrial Union, and have already decided to strike for one hour in support of the Camp Strik- erS and have donated one hour’s pay, aS well as a collection of $5.55 to show their solidarity with the camp boys in their struggle for worl at Trade Union wages in place of the abominable militarized slave camp System. CAMP BOYS SEND CABLE TO KING The following cablegram was sent to His Majesty the King, by the Action Committee for the boys, last Saturday: His Majesty King George V Buckingham Palace London England Your twenty-fifth Jubilee finds two thousand Canadian relief camp workers sentenced to starvation at Vancouver British Columbia by. Canadian Premier Bennett. Sug- gest you instruct Premier Bennett furnish immediate relief. camp Action Committee for Relief Camp Strilxers.