' ‘This paper champions the eause of Unity of all Progressive peo- ple in the struggle against re- action. B.C Workers’ NEwsS Throw the whole weight of the labor movement in the scales on the side of the Burns Plant Strikers! FULL NO. 104 Published Weekly VANCOUVER, B.C., FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 1937 a Single Copies: 5 Cents ——— VOL. ITf., No. 52 Urn 3’ Alberta Plant Threaten Strike BATTLESHIPS IS FRANCE'S REPLY TO NAZI THREAT Loyalists Forced Back to Prepared Positions _ By Invaders Concentration of thirty-four French warships in Spanish waters alongside some twenty British war vessels to guarantee neutrality is a move to call Fiitler’s bluff—that of sending to aid more armed Nazi troops Spanish Fascists. Germany and Italy have “ac- cepted” the Anglo-French request for an end to sending armed troops to, Spain, but Germany has reserved the “right’’ to dictate her own neutrality conditions, Meanwhile, 18,000 Nazi troops aided by motorized units stormed Madrid’s defences forcing the loyalists back to new positions prepared for such a2 move. (Ebe following cable has been received from Anna Louise Strong, noted writer, who stopped in Spain en route to the U.S., where she will lecture.) By ANNA LOUISE STRONG VALENCIA, Spain. — (PP) — The German boat Palos, seizure of a part of Whose cargo led to Nazi reprisals which have failed to break down the firm stand of the Span- ish republic, bore large quantities Of war materials, including celluloid already Prepared for heavy artil- lery. The boat also carried several thou- Sand eases of condensed milk, a Spanish go-between without proper papers, and a German crew. After consulting the Spanish foreign of- fice, Basque authorities detained the munitions and the Spaniard who lacked credentials. They re- leased the boat, the German crew and the milk. Resolute Policy Held The courageous stand taken by Pres. Aguirre, Catholic president of the Basque zovernment, and by the Spanish fovernment in the face of subsequent Nazi bullying, is in line With the Geneva speech of Foreign Minister Alvarez del Vayo. He con- tends that the Nazi threat of a gen- eral European conflagration—used to frighten democratic nations—is dJargely bluff. That the Nazis are exploitine the timidity of peace- loving peoples. Del Wayo holds that a resolute bolicy by democratic nations in be- half of the lawful Spanish govern- ment would not encounter any seri- ous response on the part of the Nazis. Epidemics Prevented Menibers of the League of Na- tions sanitary commission wisitine= Spain to inspect sanitam- conditions made 4 preliminary statement after two days’ survey around Walencia €=Pressin= astonishment at the amount of work done by the Span- ish government in relief 10 the civilian population. Gen. Inspector Lasnet. a member of the Paris Academy of Medicine, commented on the good work done in connection with the evacuation of civilians from war-torn Madrid. Dr. Laignet, an authority on epi- demies from the Pasteur Institute, Said enly devoted effort on the part of Spanish health authorities pre- vented an epidemic. Co. Union Is Decision At 4X Bakeries Company Charged With Intimidation In Taking Vote Intimidation of employees and vote-plugrine are seen in the decision of Canadian Bakeries’ employees this week to accept a company union. Vote is given as 36 for, 26 against. At the end of December drivers were called in to a meeting in Sroups of ten, it is claimed, and Bresented with a choice. Under these circumstances it was easy for the management to single out those voting against the company union. Drivers were given a better op- Portunity to register their vote Without fear of reprisals, but here the vote was offset by the inclusion of foremen, janitors and female em-_ ployees. Matter of the company union was brought up at the Trades Council @uesday nisht when Secretary Perey Bengough intimated the situa- tion was under review. Further ac- tion is expected at the next meeting. Canadian Bakeries, better Known as 455 is a subsidiary of the Maple Leaf Milling Company. Homer Mart “A general stoppage of General Motors is underway.” LABOR CONTESTS CIVIC ELECTION IN CUMBERLAND Miners, C.C.F. and Pro- gressives Unite for Representation CUMBERLAND, Jan. 5. — The formation of a Progressive Labor Group to contest the forthcoming aldermanic, school board and parks board seatS in the civic elections is undoubtedly the most prosressive step taken here since the mine workers organized in 1934 to better their living and working conditions. To the local ©CF club should be given the credit of calling to-| gether members from the miners’ local and individual progressives to unite on a Common platform that will call for many needed improve- ments, both on a local and district Scale, that will materially help, not only the householders, but the small business people as well. Provision is also nrade to—insti= tute measures that will help the unemployed, not enly in this city, but throughout whole district. This aspect will be simplified tre- mendously, for their profsram calls for joint action with other munici- palities and towns, plus other pro- SresSive organizations. etc., in any action necessary to fulfil]l these legitimate and rightful demands, if and whén the Provincial Govern- ment is approached to do its part. LENIN MEMORIAL PLANNED HERE Mass Organizations Will Participate in 13th Anniversary Many well xXnown Vancouver artists will be heard at the Em- press Theatre, Thursday, January 21, when the Lenin Memorial com- mittee stages its International Lenin Memorial commemoration, a musical event which is eagerly an- ticipated. Participating in the program will be the orchestras and choirs of several mass organizations, includ- ing the UL.E.T.A.. Maxim Gorki Club, Croatian International AlI- liance, German Workers Club, Swedish-Fnnish Club and the Scandinavian Workers Club. An outstanding feature will be the singing by an international choir of Lenin’s favorite song, “Hymn to a Fallen Comrade.” An address, “Lenin: Work,” will be given by Ewen. Admission, including souvenir program containing songs for mass community singing, another feature, will be fifteen cents. Doors will be open half an hour before commencement of the program at 8 p.m. os His Life’s Tom John L. Lewis tts for continuing to give backbone to the Labor move- ment.” | | | towns,” CAMP WORKERS DEMAND ENTIRE WAGE PAYMENT Green Timbers Gains Some Concessions; Na- naimo Strike Won Sentiment for payment of wages in full is growing rapidly in relief project camps, accord- ing to officials of the Relief Pro- ject Workers Union in Vancou- ver. Grievance committees have been organized in all camps and in a majority of cases have gamed recognition by camp of- ficials. strike action by project workers at Camp 5, near Nanaimo, obtained reinstatement for one man after he had been fired by the foreman for objecting in the cook- house to the quality of applesauce served for breakfast. All workers were called in and a vote revealed that the majorty were in favor of striking. When this decision was conveyed to the foreman he demanded the names of those on strike. This informa- tion was refused. Finally, after the men had marched to the office where their grievances were pre- sented by a committee, the fore- Man agreed to reinstate the dis- missed man. At Green Timbers forestry pro- ject a grievance committee sup- ported by 45 of the 60 workers won demands for better conditions in the camp. Demands regarding wages and administration were re- ferred by Mr. MacKenzie, superin- tendent, to Victoria. Mr. MacKenzie at first refused to recognize the grievance commit- tee on the ground that it was from outside the camp, but he agreed to deal with a committee, members of which would be elected each week. A new committee elected succeeded in obtaining some con- cessions. A resolution was forwarded to Hon. G. S. Pearson demanding full payment of the minimum wage. GENER’L MOTORS STRIKE SPREADS Deadlock Reached When Co. Refuses Recogni- tion to ‘One Union’ Quick DETROIT. Jan. 8. Federal agencies are taking an active hand in seeking negotiations in the strike affecting several General Motors corporation automotive plants. James Ff. Dewey, U.S. department of labor conciliator, arrived in De- troit Wednesday to confer with union and corporation officials ana Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins is Carrying to President Roosevelt reports of labor department field agents. Since the refusal of General Mo- tors to recognize any one union as sole bapgaining agent for employees, the strike has reached a deadlocls, With more employees joining those already on strike. Some 50,000 work- ers are idle. Homer Martin, president, United Automobile Workers of America, de- clares, “‘A general stoppage of Gen- eral Motors is underway.’ The union expects soon to speak in the mame of the corporation’s 211.000 workers. President of General Motors is Al- fred P. Sloan jr., whose salary is listed at $374,505 a year. COTTON WORKERS STRIKE. WELLAND, Ont.—Shutting down the Empire cotton mill at Welland, more than 700 workers on the day and night shifts have struck in sup- port of their demand for a 20 per cent increase. The company had offered only 6 per cent. Church After Fascist Bombing bi £ ——<$<<<<$—_ Many Stores Promise To Ban Firm’s Goods Until Strike Is Settled eens Though Franco and his mercenary Moors try to cloak their evil deeds in the name of religion, fascist aviators actually bombard places of worship in Madrid, as shown by this picture of a ruined church and row of houses, taken after an air raid. More recently, Christians throughout the world were horrified when fascist planes bombed and killed many worshippers on the way to a Christmas Eive mass.. Progressive Civic League Enters Nanaimo Elections << N.Z. Labor Gou’t Has Brought In Many Reforms WELLINGTON, N.Z., Jan. 3.— Since its election in November, 1935, New Zealand’s first Labor gevernment, headed by Australi- - an-born Premier Michael Savage, has passeG a mass of progressive legislation. Acts passed include a measure granting full political rights to civil servants; restora- tion of salary and wage cuts made during depression years; in- creased pensions; provision of a minimum wage for 2gricultural workers; mortgage relief for farmers and home-owners and an act to prevent profiteering, pro- viding penaltes for the selling of goods at a price that exceeds the basic price by an unreasonable amount. O’DUFFY STAINS NAME OF IRELAND DUBLIN, Ireland. —(FP)— Owen O'Duffy, Irish faseist “‘seneral’’ who took a brigade to fight for the rebels in Spain, “staining the name of Ireland in the eyes of the world,” said Frank Ryan; Irish Republican leader, in an interview, O'Duffy is an ex-police chief, noted for his cmielty to republicans In the civil war of 1922-23. His brigade is made up of ex-army of- is ficers, ex-detectives and _ similar persons—not one of them a repub- lican, a trade unionist, or even a member of de Valera’s party, Ryan said. GLASGOW .—Two new ambu- lances and two trucks will accom- pany members of the Scottish Am- bulance Gorps when they returm to Spain after passing the holidays here. Popular Program Has Mandate of 1300 to Oppose Co. Stooges By M. RUSH. NANATMO, Jan. 5.—For the first time in the history of Nanaimio, the united labor forces are contesting the municipal elections on January 14, With a three-plank program, whieh meets the needs of the popu- lation of this coal mining centre} The standard bearers of labor in the elections will be William T. Grieves and Daniel Campbell, who will cam- paign to occupy two of the three aldermanic seats being contested. Through the initiative of the C.C.F, Industrial and Unemployment Conference a Nanaimo Progressive Civic Leasue was formed, which includes, alone with prominent citi- zens, the affiliated organizations of the CCI. Industrial and Unem- ployment Conference, amone which are the C.C.F., Communist Party, Mine Workers’ Union, Women’s Labor League, and the Nanaimo Un- employed Workers’ Association. Or- ganized labor will undoubtedly offer SUff opposition to the usual fine company candidates. Public Qwnership. The first plank in the program, “for public ownership of the licht, heat and power utilities. pending such acquisition, drastic reduction in the rates and charges of the Nanaimo-Dunecan Utilities Company Limited,’” carries the mandate of 1300 Nanaimo citizens, who signed a petition for this demand during a campaign a few months ago. Plank No. 2 calls for the speedy completion of the Nanaimo Pipe Line in order to supply the people with an adequate water supply. This Plank has long been, demanded by Nanaimo. (Continued on page 2) See ‘CIVIC’ C.l.0. Leaders Cited In ‘onor Roll’ NEW YORK—(PP—Leaders of the Committee for ganization and of the maritime federation movement figure in the annual honor roll of The Nation, liberal weekly which cites for hon- orable notice individuals and or- Sanizations which “deserve the ap- plause of their countrymen in a world in which courage is at a premium.” The Steel Workers’ tional Committee; its chairman, Philip Murray; its regional direc- tors, Clinton S. Golden, Yan A. Bitt- ner and William Mitch, ‘“‘and its rank-and-file organizers in the steel are mentioned for their steel organization efforts. Organiza- Chairman John iL. Lewis of the Committee for Industrial Organiza- tion is cited for the second succes- Industrial Or-% | sive year. He is on the 1936 list “for continuing to give strength | ATHencan | the American Labor Party. Pres. Charles P.- | and backbone to the labor movement.” + Howard of the Intl. Typographical | Union and C1.0. secretary is listed ‘for his far-sighted advocacy of the principle of industrial unionism as a means of organizing the un- organized.” “Gutstanding Leaders.” Harry Bridges has a place ‘for his outstanding leadership of Maritime Federation of the Paci- fic, and Joseph Curran for his pio- | meer work as leader of the seamen’s strike in New York in building a maritime federation on the east coast.” : Elinore M. Herrick is mentioned “for her intelligent work as regional director of the New York labor re- the | | the civil war lations board and for her effective management of the John Dos Passos, novelist, is cited for his trilogy, The Big Money, and Art Young, labor cartoonist, for his outstanding work over half a century. Newspapermen on the list include Paul ©. Smith of The San Francisco Chronicle for ar- ticles on the Salinas lettuce strike, Paul W. Ward for reporting of the election campaign, and Jay Allen of The Chicago Tribune, Lawrence Fernsworth of The New York Times and Louis Fischer of The Wation “for courageous, informa- tive and unprejudiced reporting of in Spain.” The list includes several liberal sena- tors, Supreme Court justices and persons making contributions in various fields. also campaign for STRIKE HAS SUPPORT OF LABOR HERE Vancouver Trades and Labor Council at its meeting Tuesday night went solidly behind locked- out workers of the P. Burns packing plant here when a un- animous vote declared the com- pany unfair to organized labor. Following an outline of conditions leading up to the Jock-out and an appeal for support from the delerate of the Packing House and Meateut- ters’ UWnion, delegate representing the Master Butehers reported that his local, at a meeting Monday night, had unanimously de- cided to support Jlocked-out work- ers. Members of the organization, he stated, would not handle any of P. Burns company products until the Strike had been satisfactorily settled. “Perey Bengougch declared himself in favor of notifying the trade union movement across Canada of the council's action. They might also inform the English and Scot- tish co-operative societies which bought large shipments from the P. Burns company. Pigely-Wiggly, he said, had def- initely stated its intention to con- tinue handline the company’s prod- ucts and he thought the trade union movement should be equally definite in showing it wanted no truck with the Pigely-Wigely in face of such a decision. Endorsation Fought Energetic protests came from Delegate Sam Shearer when the guestion of endorsation of H. L. Corey, civic by-election candidate, came up. “My organization has Zlven me no authority to support Corey. or anyone else,” Delegate Shearer Said. “But, as a member of the €.C.F., I intend to support Helena Gutteridge.” He reminded delezates Qi Miss Gutteridge'’s distinguished record of service to the trades union move- ment and of the fact that she *was a past secretary of the council. “The seat bein= contested was won by the C.G.F. and lost only through a technicality,” he de- clared. A motion endorsine= Corey’s nom- ination was declared carried by President Colin Macdonald, where- upon Shearer again jumped to his feet demanding a division. Hbok Yoyo der that the press may record the actual vote and not leave the im- Pression it’s unanimous.” Show of hands revealed the mo- tion carried by a margin of three, 35 to 32 against. Eastern Progress Visiting delesate was AL Jeera ford, Sheet (Metal Workers’ Inter- National Association, who gave a brief resume of union Progress in Easter Canada. He referred to the recent elec- tion in Toronto of Controller Rob- bins, member of the Street Rail- Wwaymen’s Union, and drew attention to the large vote polled by Tim Buek as evidence of rapid progress being made. He mentioned also the splendid Support siven by the Clarion to the labor movement in the Bast. Remarking on the Burns strike, Delegate Crawford said: “I believe we Should do something to help the Master Butchers. Tell your friends, your relatives, your neighbors, and See that none of this company’s products are bought until the worl ers’ demands are met. “If we are going to be misled by cheap products, a few cents differ- ence, then we cannot expect to re- tain our own standards. We mut realize that conditions of labor as a whole depend on condition of the individual.”’ Harry Bridges | ‘c - - - his outstanding leader- ship of the Maritime Federa- tion.” Aorangi Crew Protests Burns Shipment And Order Cancelled C.C.F. AIDS STRIKERS Support for Local 95, Meat Gutters and Packing House Employees’ Union (A.MofL.), locked out Jast week by P. Burns, comes from Hd- monton plant employees, members of an A.C.C.of L. union, who threat— en strike action if the company at- tempts to ship meat to the coast in order to force employees here back to work. Union picketers, forty women, are buoved up with this support and the pledges of many stores which have refused to handle Burns’ products until the dispute is settled. Last week the crew of Aorangi protested to their officers When a consignment of Burns’ meat Supplies was loaded on the ship’s decks. and were successful in. having the consignment refused and a shipment ordered from another backine house. Stores refusing to handle the company’s products are: Wood- wards, Spencer’s, the Hudson’s Bay and about 100 smaller retail stores. Piggly Wigely and Safeway Stores will not discontinue handling unfair meats, and these stores are being picketed. ‘ Union members are doing picket duty at the Burns’ plant, which is practically at a standstill, few scabs including some the R.ALS- having attempted to pass picket lines. : < The lockout was precipitated Tuesday, December 29, when the company fired 25 workers, including the entire union executive, on the pretext of cuttine down employees, although the day before want adg had been inserted in local dailies for tmick drivers. The followings is condensed from a statement cireularized to all C.C_F. clubs in the Greater Wan- couver area by the G.G.F. Indus- trial and Employment Conference, “Dear Comrades,—The above con- ference has pledzed the C.G FE. mem- bership to the support of the Meat Cutters’ and Racking House Work ers’ Union, Local 95 (A.B.cf£L), in the strugsle now in progress at Burns’ packing house in Vancouver. “The strike is caused by the ar- bitrary dismissal of some twenty= five active members of the union, ineludinge the entire union execu= tive, and the refusal of the man- agement to recognize the right of collective bargainine. “You are hereby requested: “() To organize committees for the purpose of interyiewine all local storekeepers usually handline Burns Co. products. To inform them of the necessity for non-patronare of such products pending a satisfactory solution of the Strugsle, and if ne- cessary organize pickets to cover Such stores as persist in such pat ronage of the Burns’ products. “(2) To use all your economic power to the last cent against such products. “(3) To set up a club strike fund, and by special appeals, collections, etc., to help in securing a satisfac- tory settlement of the strike. Al! funds should be forwarded to Miss A. Benz, secretary of the conference, Bethune Asks Doctors Form Medical Unit Noted Canadian Doctop Addresses Appeal to Profession TORONTO.—(F'P).—“In view of the terrible suffering which the Spanish democratic .worxers are undergoing in their heroic fight against the rebel Fascist forces, we doctors cannot stand aside and view the present tragic situation of mil- lions of desperate people without physicians and adequate medical aid.” Thus writes Dr. Norman Bethune, noted Canadian surgeon who is in charge of blood transfusions on the Madrid front, in a letter to all mem- bers of the medical profession. “T am undertaking this work as a doctor and a humanitarian,” Dr. Bethune writes. “To come to the relief of human suffering is the historic and traditional role of the medical profession. Our duty is plain and inescapable. There are at present hospital and ambulance units in Spain from England, Scot- land, France and Scandinavian countries. Canada should be and must be represented. It will be. “May I ask you to join with me in this non-political humanitarian