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Page Two

B.C. WORKERS’ NEWS

July 24, 1936

Okanagan Cannerymen
Need Live Organization

KELOWNA, B.C.—tLast Thursday, ¢ tomatoes were sold for ten cents per

July 16th, the Industrial Relations
Board sat in Kelowna, with the to-
mato growers in the afternoon, and
the cannery workers after supper.
The afternoon session proved that
the conditions of the tomato grow-
ers were very bad. It appears that
all they get for their tomatoes is
$14.00 per ton. They are fighting for
another $1.00 per ton. There seems
to be some talk of a subsidy by the
government of $1.00 per ton, which
the Commission stated could not be
done because other departments
would be after the subsidy too. The
farmers stated that they had not
asked for any subsidy. The Com-
mission also proposed to cut the
cannery workers so as to be able to
hand over the $1.00 per ton at the
expense of the cannery workers to
the tomato growers. But the farm-
ers did not want that, saying that
the cannery workers were not get-
ting any too much as it is.

As we see it, the whole trouble
lies in the fact that the tomato and
vegetable growers are not organized
in an organization of their own, but
rely on the structure higher up to
do something for them — which
many of them now realize will never
happen. If they were organized on
the right lines they could soon bet-
ter their own conditions by knowing
just what to do, and doing that in
unison. As it is, the smooth of-
ficials can too easily fool many of
them and thereby causing confusion
and leading them deeper into
misery. In business there is no sen-
fiment, every one for himself and
the devil take the hindmost. The
aim should be, the tomato and vege-
table growers for themselves
through an organization of their
own for self-defence, in co-operation
with the cannery workers.

™he canneries claim that they are
not making enough profits now, but
when the farmers were paid $20
per ton and wages were better, the

CORRECTION

In order to avoid misunderstand -
ing we wish to correct the initials
contained in Brother Eywen’s articie
on the A.C.C. of L. in last week's
issue of the “B.C. Workers’ News.”

In the third paragraph of the
second column the initials—(C.B.
R..) in parenthesis is given. in.
spite of the fact that the full name
—“Ganadian Association of MRail-
way Employees” precedes the
initials, they should read (C.A.R.E.).
It might be taken that we meznt
¢he Canadian Brotherhood of Rail-
way Employees, which is not so, and
we desire this to be understood.

DR. H. C. ANDERSON

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tin. The tins sell for the same price
today, although in place of $20.00
the ton selis for $14, and labor is
cheaper.

To the cannery workers the board
said that they did not favor a wage
reduction if some arrangements
could be made with the canneries so
as to give the growers more for their
tomatoes. They also stated that it
was difficult for the canneries to
operate except on the ten-hour day
basis as the canneries could not pay
overtime.

The workers were all in favor of
continuing the eight-hour day. The
Board favored that the minimum
be reduced from the 27 cents per
hour as at present to 25 cents per
hour for workers over twenty-one,
and 20 cents for those under twenty-
one. But the bone of contention
seemed to be pay by piece-work
based on speed, which actually had
the workers fooled.

They agreed that if one can make
30 cents or more per hour by piece-
work, he should not worry about
the ones who were not so speedy,
and therefore earning less. Any-
how, the workers favored the old
rates. Someone stated that in some
of the three canneries here the
straw-bosses would go along and
press down the tomatoes in their
pials so that it would take more to
fill them.

As it is, the bosses can do any-
thing they like with the workers,
because they are not organized into
a union of their own. An attempt is
being made to organize the cannery
workers here. Those of our readers
who hear the call, are urged to re-
spond by joining a union of their
own. Defend your right to live; you
have nothing to lose but your
misery!

OPPONENTS OF
UNITY DEFEATED

(Gontinued from page 1)

follows, not a single anti-unity can-
didate being elected: Alderman C.
Fines of Regina, Mrs. lL. Lucas,
Clarence Storw M.L.A., Rev. Alder-
man Sam B. East, H. Phelps, Mrs.
W. Larson, T. Johnson, J. Macauley
M.L.A., J. Staude, Mrs. J. Pope,
Jack King, ex-Alderman Peter Mik-
kelson, W. Broughton, Alderman J.
Toothill, H. J. Benson, J. Fencher,
HB. Lewis, and Jacob Benson.

Three other members are to be
named by the provincial convention
of the Cooperative Commonwealth
Youth Movement, youth section of
the C.C.F., which opens tomorrow.

Steps were taken off the floor by
representatives of the two C.CF.
papers in the province, the Advo-
cate of Regina and the New Era of
Weyburn, the latter being the organ
of the Rev. T. GC. Douglas, M-P., to
amalgamate the two. The plant of
the New Era will be moved to Re-
gina.

Delegates to the National Con-
vention from Saskatchewan were
instructed by the convention to
earry the same line of unity into
the National Convention at To-
ronto.

_ Reactionary Threats

J. S. Woodsworth, M.P., declared
during his speech that it.“may be
necessary” for the national execu-
tive to take action against Saskat-
echewan, similar to the action taken
in regard to May Day in Toronto
by the Ontario Provincial Council.

There local leaders of the €.C.F.
were expelled together with a num-
ber of clubs, including the powerful
East York Workers’ Association of
1400 members, for taking part of-
ficially in May Day with Commu-
nists. Several years ago the Na-
tional Council, also headed by leader
Woodsworth, dissolved the whole
Ontario organization in order to
oust left wing leaders.

Hard on the heels of the unity de-
cisions, delegates departed to their
constituencies pledged to organize
farmers for drought relief in the
dried out sections. Hmergency con-
ferences have already been planned.

Progressive Platform.

The new provincial platform as
adopted by the party calls for “‘se-
curity for farmers and urban dwell-
ers in their homes,’’ for socialized
health services, drastic reduction
in debts, useful public works at
trade union rates of wages, ade-
quate relief on the standards ar-
rived at by the Dominion Bureau
of Statisties, special provision for
youth, equal educational opportun-
ity for all, increased social services,
united action with others to bring
about the nationalization and con-
trol of currency and credit, active
support of a growers’ marketing
board, work for the maintenance of
international peace and retention
and extension of the democratic
rights of the people, removal by 2
C.C.F. government of any legisla-
tion infringing upon the rights of

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WRITERS, AGENTS,
LEARN FROM THIS!

A news item reached us from
Kelowna this week which was
very acceptable. A request accom-
panying the item read, “Send us 50
copies of the issue containing the
enclosed story.” ,

This should serve as an ex-
ample to all correspondents and
agents to work in closer co-opera-
tion. The result would be: We
would get the news, agents would
increase their sales and we would
be well on the way to enlarging
our paper as part of the struggle
for a unified labor movement.

PEARSON BACKS
BOSS CANNERS

It was reported in last week’s is-
sue of the B.C. Workers’ News that
3200 fishermen and cannery worlc-
ers were on strike for pay increases.
Since then a lot of information has
come to hand disclosing the nefari-
ous efforts of the Provincial Police
to break the strike. Notices were
posted up at Wadhams Cannery and
other places saying: “If any fisher-
meén wish to go fishing they will be
eiyen police protection.”” These
notices were signed by Provincial
police constables.
Scabs are Armed

At Alert Gay the Indians were
the first to break, but this was be-
cause they were supplied wilh
booze by the companies. But at
Rivers Inlet and Smiths Inlet not
one Indian broke ranks. All scabs
at Rivers were “white’’ men, white
outside but yellow inside.

Thursday, July 16, ten scabs went
fishing to Rivers Inlet with police
protection. The pickets cornered
one seab who replied with four
Shots. The police rushed over, but
in spite of them the scabs finally
hauled in their nets.

At Rivers, Smiths and Namu the
eanners met the negotiating com-
mittee of the strikers but refused
to go above the price of forty cents.
Thy pulled their usual line of
threatening to close down, thus try-
ing to put the whole blame of the
strike on fo the fishermen.
Protection for Scabs

Before the last provincial election
people of Nanaimo were often heard
to say that Mr. Pearson would make
a good minister of Labor—he was
such a “fine man.’ For all evi-
dence to the contrary he may be a
kind father and a loving husband
and possess all the other virtues
of a “model citizen,’ but there is
one thing sure, he’s a very “fine’’
man for the employers when it
comes to industrial disputes. He is
reported in the press as saying that
the strikers have refused his offer
of arbitration and that therefor
he must take the necessary steps to
see that “those willing to fish,” ie.,
seabs, get adequate protection. This
is gross misrepresentation. The
strikers did not refuses arbitration,
in fact they were willing to enter
negotiations for arbitration immedi-
ately, but they refused to wait for
the arbitration board meetings,
which would take place after the
fishing season was over.

Strikers Will Hold Solid

This shows that the strike com-
mittee was not to be caught
napping by Pearson’s scheme to
break the strike. Pearson’s plan
was plainly to prolong the negotia-
tions until, with present prices pre-
vailing, the strike would collapse
until next season.

All signs point to the fact that
the majority of the strikers will
stay out even if it means until the
end of the season. If the cannery
operators are sincere in their claims
of wanting to end the strike they
can do so by imemdiately accepting
the strikers’ offer to open negotia-
tions with them.

“You say you drink beer in sum-
mer to keep you cool and drink
beer in winter to keep you warm.
It seems to me that remark shows
inconsistency.”

“Oh, no! It shows what a good

Peace Program Committee
Plans Intensive Campaign
In Support Of Geneva Meet

Prof. Soward Chosen ae
Representative to
Geneva

At the second meeting of the Van-
couver Peace Programme Commiuit-
tee on Tuesday evening held in the
G.W.G.A. Clubrooms, Mrs. Edward
Mahon presided, Dr. Sedgewick,
general chairman, being unable to
remain for the entire meeting.

The original plan of a public
meeting for August 2nd was al-
tered, choosing the date of August
9th instead. This change was con-
sidered necessary owing to the fact
that a Drumhead Parade of all vet-
erans will be held under auspices
of Warrior's Day Committee.

Radio Station Cooperating

It is hoped that the Peace Pro-
gramme will be presented in Stan-
ley Park on August 9th. In case of
inclement weather the gathering
will probably be in First Baptist
Ghureh. An interesting programme
is being prepared which will in-j
elude music and addresses by out-
standing speakers.

Mrs. Planta, convener of radio
programmes, gave an excellent re-
port on her work. All six radio sta-
tions are cooperating with the Com-
mittee, and will present speakers
over the various broadcasts every
day for several weeks. More than
fifty well-known speakers will be
heard on these broadcasts.

Prof. Soward Chosen

One main purpose of the Peace
Programme is to send a representa-
tive from Vancouver to the great
World Peace Congress at Geneva
Sept. 3 to 6. The delegate selected
by the Committee is Prof. J.
Soward. —

The Congress at Geneva is a gath-
ering of people from all over the
world under the chairmanship of
Viscount Cecil. The Congress

FORCED LAUGHTER
FOR NAZI SPORTS

BERLIN, July 18 (ALP) — In
order to prepare them for the or-
deal of the Olympics, Berlin’s work-
ing population today began a “week
of laughter” at the suggestion
of the Labor Front.

“The coming eight days will be
days of jollity and cheerfulness,”’
said the announcement. “Prior to
the strain of the Olympic weeks,
Berliners should take stock of them-
selves, then with merry hearts and
friendly expression of their faces
receive their Olympic guests. None
should miss the chance.”

There was no immediate reaction
except on the faces of the visitors
who read the proclamation.

CHINESE PEASANTS
FIGHT CONSCRIPTION

NANTUNG, Ghina.—Chiang Kai-
shek’s plans for conscription of
men for his army met defeat in
WNantung, Kiangsu Province, due to
prompt action on the part of the
peasants of this district. Chiang
hoped to kill two birds with one
stone by means of a “Strong Men
Inspection: to conseript more sol-
diers and laborers, and to ferret out
revolutionary peasants.

For the past week there have
been riots in all of the villages in
this district between peasants and
the authorities. They were success-
ful in cancelling the inspection and
in gaining possession of the list of
names and the mutual guarantee
bonds.

Two peasants were killed and a
number of others arrested during
the struggle. Large numbers of
troops have been sent to the district
to suppress the movement.

all-round drink beer is.”

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Britain Drives

Veterans, Once Stung,
Hesitate; Youth Will
Not Enlist

LONDON, July 22.—Great Britain
is rushing its war preparations at
a furious pace. In addition to the
manufacture of forty million gas
masks for the civilian population,
they are now turning out gas masks
for baby buggies.

Britain expects great attacks from
the air, judging by the steps being
taen. Several territorial units of in-
fantry have been converted into
anti-aircraft batteries. Great diffi-
culty is being experienced in bring-
ing the regular forces up to strength
as two-thirds of the recruits exam-
ined have to be rejected on the
erounds of physical unfitness. The
saying of Lloyd George's so much
quoted in the last war: “You can’t
make an A-1 army out of a C-3 pop-
ulation,” is confirmed today. The
profit-mad British capitalists starve
their workers in peace, and then get
excited when they find that they are
unfit to fight for them when war
threatens! @

The Fight Against Bolshevism

So great is the shortage of fit
men that old war veterans between
the ages of 45 and 60 are being en-
rolled for defence purposes. Great
difficulty is being encountered in
getting the old veterans to respond;
they are wanting to know against
whom and for what purpose they
are being asked to fight.

Many youths in Britain refuse to
enlist even though they are living
a half-staryed existence on the mis-
erable dole allowance.

In the House of Commons a num-

War At Feverish Speed

Toward

ber of the Labor M.P.’s are conduct-
ing a great fight against the pro-
fascist Baldwin, demanding that he
state his position on European af-
fairs clearly and without any more
evasive humbug. They also demand
that the National Government re-
sign and call another election.

FASCISTS PLUNGE
SPAIN INTO WAR

no merey to fascist elements. Im

avows four objestives, viz:

high—
(Continued from Page 1) “Phis,” he remarked, “is darned
: ; good rye.”
Agricultural workers and peas-| fe tossed it off, then wriggled his
ants have been instructed to show head,

1. Restoration of the sanctity
of Treaty obligations.

2. Reduction and limitation of
armaments by international agree—
ment, and the suppression of
profit from the manufacture of
arms.

3. Strengthening of the League
of Nations for the prevention and
stopping of war by the more ef-
fective organization of Collective
Security and Mutual Assistance.

4. Establishment within the
framework of the League of Na-
tions of effective machinery for
the remedying by peaceful means
of international conditions that
might lead to war.

The Peace Programme Committee
meets each Tuesday evening at 8
p.m. at the ¥-W.C.A. Interested or-
ganizations are invited to send rep-
resentatives. Mr. G. E. Winter, 602
West Hastings street, is treasurer,
and will receive any communica-
tions or contributions at his ad-
dress.

Below is a list of organizations
comprising the Vancouver Peace
Programme Committee:

League of Nations Society, Wom-
en’s International League for Peace
and Freedom, Woeal Council of
Women, Canadian League Against
War and Fascism, Ministerial Asso-
ciation, Baptist Women’s Mission-
ary Society, Registered Nurses’ AS-
sociation, Mackenzie Parent-Teach-
ers Association, Y.M.G.A., Y.W-C.A.,
Canadian Daughters, Women’s New
Era League, St. Johns United
Church, Prov. Council, C.C-F., Com-
munist Party of Canada, Women’s
Canadian Club, 1.0.D.E., Vancouver
Federation P.T.A., University Wom-
en's Glub, Toc H, Vancouver School
Board, Jubilee Committee Women's
Benevolent Assoc., District King’s
Daughters, Anglican Young Peo-
ple’s Assn., and the Women's Labor
League.

LEWIS ANSWERS
STEEL OVERLORDS

(Continued from page 1)

G.1.©. leader declared: “This is an
issue between an industry clearly
organized on its management side
and the 500,000 men upon whose
toil the whole structure depends.
The question is whether these men
shall have freedom of organization
for the purpose of protecting their
interest in this colossal economic
organism.”

scribed as “pious pretexts for dehy-
ing the steel workers the right of
organization.”
«Their constitution and by-laws
are drawn by lawyers for the com-
pany,” he said. “Wo changes can
be made without the company ap-
proval. The officials are selected
under company supervision. No
method of independent wage nego-
tiation is provided. No wage con-
tracts have in fact been made be-
tween the companies and their
employees under_the company union
plan.”

Profits and Wages
Contrasting steel profits and
wages, Lewis declared that “‘al-
though the industry has produced
thousands of millionaires and hun-
dreds of multi-millionaires among
bankers, promoters, so-called finan-
ciers and steel executives, it has
never throughout the past 35 years
paid a bare subsistence wage, not
to mention a living wage, to the
great mass of its workers.”

In contrast to hourly earnings of
65.6 cents in the steel industry in
March, 1936, bituminous coal min-
ing, in the same month, was pay-
ing 79.3 cents; anthracite mining,
83.2 cents; petroleum producing,
7.5 eents; and building construc-
tion, 79.8 cents, he said.

In regard to the earnings of its
unskilled workers, the steel in-
dustry, with hourly earnings of 47.9
cents, ranks no higher than 14th,
Lewis added, and, in the matter
of weekly earnings, with $16.77 oc-
eupies 20th place out of a list of 21
major industries. A comparison of
actual and real weekly wages 1923-
1936, he said, shows that the steel
industry ranks last both as to actual
money wages and real wages.

C.L.O. Purpose

The 12 unions of the CLO. are
throwing all their resources behind
the organizing campaign, according
to Lewis, “toe bring to the steel
workers economic and political
freedom,” and “to protect the mem-
pers of our own organizations.”

BOTTLED IN B.C.
The old man halted with glass on

The company unions Lewis de- |.

By REDFIELD

The Ruling Clawss

bor.’

I allus thought it were, ‘Lynch thy neighbor’.”

“Holy smoke, Luke! It says here, ‘Love thy neigh-

OPEN FORUM

An open information meeting will
be held at Unity Hall, 49 Wifth
Avenue, Sunday, July 26th at § p.m.
EF. A. MeKean will lecture on “The
Weed for the Communist Party,”
with a period for questions and dis-
cussion. Musical selections. Auspices
Mount Pleasant section, Communist
Party.

Patronize Our Advertisers!

THE NUMBER OF THIS ISSUE IS

If the number on your Address Label is below it,
then your subscription has expired. Renew it now!

Alderman EL. D. McDonald will
speak at South Hill GCF. open
forum, 47th Avenue and Fraser), on
Sunday, July 26th at 8 pm. His
subject will be, “Evictions.”

‘Your husband has a clever-
looking head. I suppose he knows:
everything.”’

“Sh-h-h! He doesn’t even sus-
pect anything.”

80.

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LOGGERS CS)

And dropped to the barroom

Catalonia Province the loyalists

have seized and imprisoned two
rebel generals, and the government
forces everywhere seem to be slowly
but surly gaining the upper hand.

Barcelona is reported to have
been Zaptured by the rebels, onl;
to be ecapiured by the loyalists.
The f
to evacuate San Sebastien,
their strongholds.

From tialy is reported the
turn to that country of
subjecs were sent out
eountry
very much

one of

25
woo
as though they were in
to organize the revolt. :
Britain, United States

sent warships to Spanish ports. In
Morocco, where the revolt

fascist positions in the coast towns.

A decisive
Madrid is imminent, with the loyal-
ists having mobilized {27 airplanes
for its defense.

ist rebels have been forced |

re-
Italian
of the
by the loyalists. This looks

Spain for the purpose of assisting

and Italy
all have interests in Spain and have

first
broke out loyalist warships shelled

battle for control of

floor—quite dead.

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Grand District Picnic

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Sunday, July 26th. . . starting at 10 a.m. —
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Where Old-timers Meet — and Strangers Feel at Home
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Carrall at Cordova Street

Phone, Sey. 236

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