Dockers, Seamen

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by the Hing

Qutpost of Inter-
national Column
in Madrid (right)
—While Fascist
artillery and
bombs slowly,
reduce beautiful
Madrid to ruins,
workers in
Barcelona build a
new university
(centre).

Wings such as
those of this new
British bullet-
proof ’plane may
be loosed over
Canada some
day if Interna-
tional Fascisny

is net checked
in Spain

This paper champions the cause
of Unity of all Progressive peo-
pie in the struggle against re-
action.

OR

ERS NEW

Throw the whole weight of the
labor movement in the scales on
the side of the Burns Plant
Strikers!

FULL NO. 108

Published Weekly

VANCOUVER, B.C., FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1937

Single Copies: 5 Cents

<=

VOL. Il. No. @

Custom and
tradition are
upheld by Gov-
ernor-General
Lord Tyrreeds-
muir at open-
ing of Parlia-
ment in Of-
tawa. Custom
of Imperialism
too, in cover-
ing war pre-
parations with
noble words is
being upheld

fovernment in
mew “defense”
estimates.

Burns’ Strike Probe Rumored

Progressives to Fight
Any Ban on Voheaces

May
Be Picketed

"Gnioce peices Affidavits

From Members On
Dismissals

CALGARY Pp LOCKOUT

GALGARY, Alta., Feb. 4— Work
ceased at the Union Packing
House plant here today when 100
employees engaged in a sit-down
strike following dismissal of five
employees, Monday-

Workers’ representatives state
the men were fired for signing a
petition for 2 conciliation board
under the Industrial Disputes Act.

Wo progress has been made in
the application of Local 95 here for
an arbitration board as John Burns,
president of the company, is re-
ported to be sick in bed and could
mot be reached. It is rumored that
the board of directors have in-
timated their willingness to an in-
vestigation, insisting, however, that
the strikebreakers now employed be
taken care of.

Local Burns strikers are stretch-
ing and tightening their picxet lines
around Blackburns’, Grand Union,

(Continued on page 2)
See BURNS

CCF Convention
Is Set For May

According to an announcement
this week, date of the next CCF
provincial convention has been
tentatively set for May 21, 22, 23,
subject to chanze should an early
election be called. Last CCE pro-
vincial convention was held June,
1936. GCF national convention will
be held in Winnipeg next August.

CCF IS ORGANIZING

MASS CAMPAIGN TO

PROTEST KING GOV’T’S DEFENCE PROGRAM

Progressive forces
Canada are being mobilized to fight
the King government’s mooted leg-
islation to prevent Canadians from
enlisting in forces of the Spanish
democratic government and the
$35,000,000 “defence” estimates re-
cently announced in the House.

RCMP officers, investigating en-
listment of volunteers, have indi-
cated their helplessness.
eign Emlistment Act of 1870; re-
vived by the British National goyv-

ernment, provides only for a ban |

on British subjects enlistin= with
a foreign state at war with another
foreign state friendly to Britain.
Since Franco’s “provisional govern-
ment” at Burgos is unrecognized
by Britain the Act actually bans
enlistment with Fascist forces only.
Further, there is legal controversy

throughouts regarding its application to Ganada.

Sunday, Feb. 7, 8 pm,
meeting under auspices
League Against War and
is being held at Moose
Burrard street, to protest the pro-
posed ban. Speakers will include
A. M- Stephen, Dr. Lyle Telford,
Beckie Ewen, G. N. W. Webster,
| J. Cox, ©. Stewart, Maurice Rush,

a mass

of the
Fascism
Temple,

The For- | T. Bradley.

CCF MP's have been instructed
to oppose any legislation to enforce
the ban introduced at Ottawa.

The CCF will also oppose ‘‘de-
fence’ estimates—feared by some
in excess of the $35 millions already
announced—in line with the CCE
national council's decision last weelkx.
In BC, the CCF provincial execu-
tive is organizing a mass anti-arma-
ment campaicn.

Pearson, Rogers Differ In
Statements On Projects

OTTAWA, Feb. 2.—No instruc-
tions have been issued by Dept.
of Labor concerning the men’s
right to organize,’ stated Hon.
Norman Rogers, federal minister
of labor, in reply to a question
by Grant McNeil (CCF, North
Yancouver) regarding recently
evicted forestry workers.

Hon. G 8S. Pearson, BC provincial
minister of labor, and superintend-
ents apparently have been acting
on their own in a project operated
jointly by both federal and pro-
vincial governments, when a num-

(Continued on page 2)

See PROJECTS

Ryerson Addresses CP

Conference In Mexico

MEXICO CITY, Feb. 4.—Address-«¢

ing the sixth annual conference of
the Communist Party of Mexico
here last week was Stanley Ryer-
son, Quebec provincial secretary,
CP of C.

“Tire yourselves,” Ryerson told
the conference, “our party has gone
through a period of illegality. Since
then our party has won recog-
nition as a party of the Canadian
people, and increased its taember-
Ship fourfold since 1931.” j

Ryerson referred te growth of
fascist forces in Quebec and the
attempt to build a united people's
front to gain adyances for the
French-Canadian working claus.

‘We understand that we by our-
selves cannot avert fascism, in
Quebec as in the rest of Canada,
without unity in action of all the
popular and democratic forces,” he
said.

Hernan Laborde, general secre-
tary, stated that the Communist
Party was ready for cooperation
with the CTM (Confederation of
Mexican Workers) and its leader,
Wicente Lombardo Toledano, in a
People’s Front and in building pro-
eressive trade unions. He empha-
sized need for trade unions and the
Communist Party to win leadership
of the peasants, winning them as
allies of the workers.

Rail Strike Only Recourse

2

LABOR WANTS
REVIEWING OF
LIBEL ACTION

Threats of some sinister action
by the Ku Hlux Klan unless Birt
Showler withdray his libel suit
for unstated damages against
Tom McInnes, were disclosed at
the Trades anG Labor Council
Tuesday.

While the letter was received in
Wovemiber it was not made public
until Tuesday on request of Inspec-

tor Darling who holds the original
letter for investigation. A similar
missive was received by George
Mawson, Brotherhood of Carpen-
ters’ international representative,
killed last fall on Granville bridge.

Showder informed delegates his
wife had received threatening tele-
phone calls.

P. R. Bengough, general secre-
tary, Trades Council corroborated
Showler’s report, adding that “*

“no
evidence was submitted to show
that McInnes spoke for the Citi-
zens’ League, and in my opinion
the judge got his, information out-
side the courts, ‘which leayes a
doubt. in my mind if justice can be
gained in the courts.”

Delegates were unanimous in a
decision to ask *+Hon. Ernest La-
pointe to review the matter and
repeal Mr. Justice Manson’s find-
ings giving neither side the de-
cision. All local amions were asxed
to endorse similarcresolutions.

Lock-out ~Supported.

Moral and financial support to

Burns locked-out: employees was

(Continued on page 2)
See LABOR

Unions Turn
Down

Wage Award

Strike Vote to be Taken
Among 117,000 Men,
~ Say Officials

WILL TAKE 3 WEEKS

|

MONTREAL, Que., Heb. 4—Re-
jecting the Conciliation Board’s
wage award Canadian railroad

union officials have ordered strike '
ballots distributed to 117,000 union- |
ized railroad workers.

Majority report of the Concilia-
tion Board recommended a gradual
restoration of the 10 per cent wage
cut, amounting in all to a 3 per cent
restoration by November 1. Prob-
able increased restoration is con-
ditioned on an increase of the earn-
ings of the companies.

The minority report presented by
the men’s representatives asks com-
plete restoration of the 10 per cent
cut by Noyember 1. The union’s
committee flatly refuses to agree to
any formula setting wages accord-
ing to declared profits of the com-
panies.

Repeated demands of the rail-
roaders over a period of years for
restoration of the wage cuts, have
been ignored. The findings of the
Conciliation Board is looked upon
as a repudiation of the men’s de-
mands, leaving the railroaders no
other alternative but to take strike
action.

| STATES STAND
|

CP EXECUTIVE

ON ELECTIONS

BC Locals To
Continue

Strike Here

Overwhelming Vote:
Favors Resuming

Issued for publication this week
was the following statement by the
BC provincial executive, CP of C.

It has been brought to the at-
tention of the BC provincial execu-
tiye of the Communist party that |
certain malicious rumors have been |
spread among the membership of
the CCE and others that the Com. |
munist party is determined to con-
test in the coming= provincial elec- |
tions those seats now held by CGE |
MLA’s,

The provincial executive of the !
CP brands this rumor as false and
without foundation. It has striven in |
every way for many months to
create greater unity between the !
CP and the CCF. The CP has not
yet decided what constituencies it |
will contest in the coming elections.
It has, however, assured the co-
ordinating committee of the CCE
that before any final decision is
made it will frankly and fully dis-
cuss its proposals with it, and do
all in its power to reach an amicable
arrangement on this Question:

Poland ‘Suspends
Many Jewish Groups

PARIS, Feb. 4 — The majority of
Jewish organizations have been un-
der suspension for more than two
weeks, including Jewish League of
World War Veterans, Jewish sport
groups, cultural groups and trade
schools.

Secret police issued the suspen-
sion orders.

Quebec Afraid
Gout Will Try
To Split Unions

MONTREAL, Que. Feb. 4—
Significant here is Premier Du-
plessis’ endeavor to incorporate
trade unions and thus curtail
their effectiveness. First open in-
dication of the government's atti-
tude came from Minister of Labor
William Tremblay, who, at a
meeting at Three Rivers, urged
all workers to join Catholie syndi-
cates. Bishop A. ML. Comitcin
further urged that civil authori-
ties, when negotiating with work-
ers, should do so with legally or-
ganized Catholic unions. Progres-
Sives see behind these statements
an attempt to split the interna-
tional trade union movement.

B.C. Gives $169
To Spain Cause

British Columbia donated $169
through the Spanish Defense com-
mittee, recently reorganized as a
sub-committee of the League
Against War and Fascism to the
Canadian Medical Unit serving with
government forces in Madrid.

Acknowledged this week: L. Veri-
gen, $12.40; Albion CCF club, $2.50;
Maxim Gorki club, $2.40.

Franchise Amendment

Sought By Ald. Wilson

A charter amendment which
would extend the franchise to all
those who pay poll tax and who
qualify under charter provisions
pertaining to tenants, will be
sought by Ald. H. D. Wilson. Notice
of motion to this effect was given
to City Council this week.

New Apbeal
Is Set For
March

Appeals of Harry Molland and
Fred Granze against two-year
sentences imposed on them by Mr.
Justice Manson, for their part in
a demonstration at Hamilton Hall
last fall, will be heard in Vancou-
ver during the first week in March,
when the Court of Appeal sits.

The two unemployed leaders lost
their appeal for a new trial last
week when their counsel, Gordon

Grant, indisposed in Vancouver,
was not notified.
Still at liberty-on original bail

bonds of $2000, Grange and Molland
are campaigning to: win public sup-
port for full freedom.

Vernon Raps
Civic Poll

VERNON, BC) Feb. 4—Dissatis-
faction with recent civic elections
is expressed here by Vernon Un-
employed and Part-Time Workers’
Association which sponsored its
Own candidates.

Officials allege that scrutineers
were not allowed to see ballots and
that protests were ignored. Finan-
cial requirements prevented action
for a recount.

Relief grievances have been met
by Mayor C. W- Prowse with the
flat statement thet no law compels
municipalities to pay relief.

Tim Buck Issues Statement
On Recent Trotskyist Trials

Emenee of People Must

Spanish Widows,
Orphans To Be
Sent To Mexico-

VALENCIA, Spain, Feb. 4.—
Freparations are being made
here to send a number or widows
and orphans of Loyausts inilea on
the lyinarid rront to iviexico, wnere
@ special Industrial ana wericus—
tural centre will be Created x0or
them. nmamon iJNeprin, ivtexiCas
ambassador, statea here: ~xne
Spanish people can be assured o£
support of the Mexican people.
Spain ana Mexico have the sume
problems. resident Cardenas,
like the Mexican workers ana
peasants, has no greater hope
than tor success of the Loyalists?’

Fernie UA Has
500 Members

FERNIB, BC, Feb. 4—Member-
ship of approximately 500 is report-
ed by Fernie and District Unem-
ployed Association in a review of
recent activities to better condi-
tions for unemployed in Fernie dis-
trict. The Association has its own
clubroom, equipped with radio, lib-
rary, aud recreation facilities. It
also operates a shoe repairing de-
partment. The Association was first
organized in 1931.

New Theatre Will
Be Lecture Subject

Series of lectures on the pro-
gressive theatre movement, with
particular reference to Irwin Shaw's
“Bury the Dead,” now in rehearsal
for production by the Progressive
Arts Players of Vancouver, will be
given by Harold Griffin, assistant
editor, BC Workers’ News, during

Be Exposed And
Defeated

TORONTO, QOnt., Feb. 4.—(GS)
—Intimating that a further state-
ment would he issued by the
central committee, GP of C., now
in session here, Tim Buck, general
secretary, this week issued a vig-
orous denunciation of Trotskyists’
activities in Canada.

Essence of his statement is as
follows:

The recent trials of the terrorist
Trotskyist conspirators have re-
vealed to the world that Trotsky-
ism has sunk to the level of ac-
complice and partner of the most
hated enemy of humanity and civil-
ization: Fascism. The trials prove
that the Trotslkyists are plottine to
dall the best leaders of world human-
ity, Joseph Stalin and his Closest
colleagues, and that they have made
bargains with the Fascist-militarist
oppressors of the German and

(Continued on page 2)

‘MAJOR

| Shoremen’s Association,

See TIM BUCK

Work in US
POINTS WON

Until Shines cars agree to hire:
members of the International Long—
the twee

| BE locals, 38-126, Vancouver, and

38-130, Victoria, will continue on-
Strike and picketing of all unfair
ships will proceed.

British Columbia is not included:
in the agreements negotiated in
|San Francisco between shipown—
ers and Mantime Unions followins-
the three-months strike. Neverthe=
less, the maritime unions of the
U.S. Pacific. Coast have intimated
| that they will refuse ships and.

| cargoes from British Columbia. not

| handled by ILA men in these ports,

ILA officials point out that the
BE locals were called out on strike
by the District Office, and thougk
the US ports in the district have
voted overwhelmingly to return te
work, that does not mean the sae-

(Continued on: page 2)
See LONGSHORE .-. <=

Health Act
Impasse
Seen

Future of BC’s Health Insurance
Act was in doubt this week when
the medical profession tured it
down cold, because it fails te pre—
vide for those most in need of it er
to allow adequate remuneration te
doctors.

Dr. G M. Weir, provincial séere-
tary, chief sponsor of the Act, and
Dr. A. Peebles; Health Insurance
committee chairman, haye not yet
made any statements on the Act’s
rejection by the medical profession.

Reasons advanced by medicos
for rejection were: :

That unemployed, their depend
ents, old age and widowed pension—
ers, farm and casual laborers, do-
Mestie servants, and those earning
$10 per week and under, do not
come within scope of the Act.

That the Act provides for hospi-
talization, doctors assert that hos
pitals are at present taxed to capa~
city, and are inadequate under the
scheme.

That remuneration and terms of
Service offered are not acceptable,
Doctors would be paid $4 per year»
per patient, a family paying $1 for
first day visit and $1.50 for first
night call,

That certain diseases are not in~
surable and would not come under
the Act until one year has elapsed.
If an insured worker is out of work
for one month he automatically
loses all rights to medical atten—
tion,

KELOWNA, BC, Feb.
mimeographed progressive mnews-
papers to make its appearance in
the Interior this week was The
Okanagan Weekly, published by
Kelowna Unemployed and Part-
Time Workers’ association.

“The organization decided that
in order to advance it must branch
out, and in order to succeed in its
expansion plans, it had to have 2
local paper. So members -went
right to work and established one,”
the association states.

“& copy of the first page just
run off the press is enclosed. The

the next few weeks.

full paper, which will most likely

Okanagan Weekly Is New
Labor Paper In Interior

4—New« be four pages to start with, goes te:

press on Thursday in order to have
it in the mail Friday for distribu-
tion throughout the O%anagan Val-
ley during the week-end.

“We are making it up with home—
made mimeographs of wood, using
two with a stencil on each so that:
Wwe Can make up two pages at one
time.”

Increase in membership is re=
ported by the association as a re=
sult of its successful attempts to
secure better conditions for uneni—
ployed. Higher relief scales and
clothing and fuel allowances for ald
have been won.

Mass Protest Meeting, Moose Temple, Sunday, Feb. 7

|

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