(Right) Prepar- ing Westminster Abbey for the coronation. CCE National Ghair- man J. S. Woods- worth, MP, has protested at Ot- tawa proposed expenditure of $197,000 to send a contingent to Lendon for the ceremonies. “Ca- mada should send workers instead of soldiers,” he declared. Prime Minister Hing didn’t like that remark. Committee to Defy Act By Purchasing Potatoes MANY ORGANIZATIONS ON CONFERENCE TO FIGHT AGAINST PRESENT HIGH LIVING COSTS Seventeen members of an action committee elected Sunday by the High Cost of Living conference will arrange for purchase and sale of a carload of potatoes at a pop- ular price in defiance of Marketing Acts. This was but one of many de- cisions made by the conference called at Orange Hall under aus- pices of the CCF Industrial .and Employment conference to protest rising living costs. Gther resolutions: Condemned present marketing boards and proposed lobbying of legislative members to provide for democratic election of all marketine boards. Demanded setting up of a Royal Commission to investigate manipulation of food prices. Proposed a people’s enquiry from which recommendations for remedial action regarding living costs would be presented to the provincial government. Suggested that statistics on wares and profits of dealers, can- ning combines, ete., be obtained. Demanded. increased relief al- lowances. Protested high rents. 76 Organizations Present were 76 delegates, repre- senting 56 organizations, including CCF clubs, CPofC. trade unions, | organi- | women’s groups, yeterans’ zations, agricultural, consumers’, youth organizations, Project work- ers. Workers’ ‘alliance, unemployed and language groups. Set up as a permanent body was the action committee, with R. N. Towle, Progressive CCE club, as chairman. The committee was in- structed to contact the Washing- ton Commonwealth federation. Guest speakers were Dr. Mc- Dermott, chairman, Health league; Mrs. Stuart Jamieson, Burnaby Juvenile court judge; Becky Ewen, SP of CG; A. M. Stephen, chairman, CCF radio committee; Dr. Lyle Telford, CCE president. Roger Bray, chairman, CCF In- dustrial and Employment confer- ence, presided. SU Delegate To Be Elected of 33 women’s organ- izations will meet today (Friday) to determine by ballot who shall represent the women of BC on the Canadian delegation to make a six weeks’ tour of Soviet Russia in May. Nominated by the women’s con- ference last week were: Mrs. F. M. Brown, CLDL; Miss Muriel Hep- burn, Progressive Arts Players: Mrs... E. Kerr, CCF; Mrs. Matheson, Canadian Leasue Against War and Wascism; Mrs. T. Bradley, ladies’ auxiliary, Union 171, B of CJ of A; Mrs. M. Lusk, Vancouver Mothers’ Gouncil. In the past endorsations of been received. Delegates are reminded to attend the election conference Priday, 8 Delesates Week hundreds of candidates have p.m., in the Women’s Buildine, Thurlow street. Information can be obtained at Room 216, 319 West Pender street. SPANISH POUM LEADERS HELD MADRID, Spain, Feb. 18.—Ob- secured by reports of major en- gagements, but nevertheless of supreme importance in the pre- servation of a united front against Fascism, are the arrests here of leading members of the Trotsky- ist POQUM (Workers’ party of Marxist unity) on charges of trea- son by the People’s Front govern- ment. The POUM’S radio siation and newspaper has also been seized. A special people’s political court will be set up to try the prisoners. At first included in the people's front, its troops fighting with gov- ernment forces, the POUM was re- moved from political office for dis— ruptive activities. Later POUM military units deserted under fire or left Strategic positions occupied by them undefended. The arrests fol- lowed indications that POUM lead- ers had sabotaged defence of the vital Madrid-Valencia road in face of a heavy Fascist offensive. Communists To Nominate Candidates In BC Elections B.C KERS NEW FULL NO. 110. Published Weekly VANCOUVER, B.C., FRIDAY, FEB. 19, 1937 Single Copies: 5 Cents VOL. Ill. NO. 6 BC Ports Covered In Seattle Pacts 2 Companies| Sign Agreements Inland Boatmen’s Union Demands Union Dockers VESSELS TIED UP First agreements between coastal shipowners and maritime unions, covering BC ports, were executed in Seatile early this week when the Grainer SS com- pany and the Butler Towing company, local operators engaged in coastal trade, signed contracts With Inland Boatmen's Union, and International Longsbore- men’s association. Agreement gives full recogni- tion to both unions. Negotiations with other com- panies are proceeding. Meanwhile, coastal companies which have not reached agree- ments are holding their ships out of service. This was the condition under which the Northolme was eleared in Seattle this week. Statement appearing in the daily press that the Northolme was Cleared following fZoOvernment in- teryention is emphatically denied by union officials. They assert that after picketing of the vessel in Seattle, representatives of BC un- ions were called to Seattle to ne- gotiate release of the vessel. During these negotiations it was agreed that “owners and the ship- ping interests of BC mutually agree ts start negotiations on the ques- tion of hiring union crews and un- ion longshoremen, and that no ships will be sent south until an agreement is reached or useone tions broken off.” Gommiittee of the posed of Vancouver ILA, com- Local Secre- (Continued on page 3) See LONGSHOREMEN Bruce, Ewen, Will Expose Trotskyists Speaking at a mass meeting in the Colonial theatre, Sunday next, Feb. 21, 8 pm, to expose pro-Kascist tactics of trotsky- ists, will be Malcolm Bruce, edi- tor, BC Workers’ News, Tom Ewen, F. A. McKean, chairman. Wnder the floodlight of publicity will be ‘Lrotskyist tactics, not only in the USSR, but in Canada. Burns’ Strike Probe Ordered Picket Lines Stren gt hened Hichlight in the Burns lockout this week was appointment of _dgudge J. GC. McIntosh, Victoria, by the provincial department of _labor, to conduct a public enquiry into the strike. This move, while probably unwel- eome to the P. Burns company which does not wish publicity given to. its actions, follows repeated re- quests for official investigation. W. W. Lefeaux, local barrister, is being retained to prepare the un- ion’s brief and may act for em- ployees. The probe will be con- ducted in Vancouver towards the latter part of next week. Good Results. in an effort to offset union pick- ets, the store was plastered with placards announcing that the Trades council was not backing the strixe, while his own pickets marched outside with Union Jacks. Canadian Legion officials protest- ed such flagrant use of the British | flag for strikebreaking activities. Worth Vancouver and West Van- couver pickets have been so effec- tive there that other stores are literally doing all the trade. In Vancouver stores not handling Burns products haye increased business on an average of $100 per day. A West End Action committee to assist Burns strikers was formed last Sunday at Stanley Park CCE club by representatives of the CCF, GCP, Scandinavian Workers, Ex- Servyicemen’s League and SUPA and will meet again Sunday at 2 pm at 1343 Robson street. Ellis Hromberg, Scandinavian Workers, was elected chairman. PICKET LINE HONEYMOON FOR CITY PAIR Romantic touch to an unroman- tic economic struggle was the mar- riage last weel of Betty Hunter, pretty Crescent Cafe waitress, to Theodore Hov:. Few would choose the picket line to spend a honeymoon, but that is where a BG Workers’ porter found the couple an hour or two after their marriage. “Why not?” asked Betty. ‘Af- ter all, marriage has an economic basis, and we're fighting for higher wages.” Waitresses at the cafe returned to work Monday after picketing the Crescent Cafe for five days, their demands for higher wages met by an agreement giving table girls $12 a week, counter girls $14. SUPA members assisted striking waitresses and brought in W. Stew- art, Hotel and Restaurant Em- ployees’ Union agent, who raised the issue of union wages. Smith To Edit 2 2. “Federationist” Titular changes affecting the editorial staff of The Wederationist, official CCI weekly organ in BC, are announced by Herbert Gar- grave, provincial secretary and member of The IWederationist con- trolline committee. Don Smith, pro- Vineial publicity Chairman, will be editor, Barry Mather, associate edi- tor. Duties will remain the same, Smith being responsible for policy, Mather for news and makeup. Pre- viously Mather was editor of the paper, weeks ago of Smith as co-editor. Wews re- e Police Eject Seven from Project — Diserimination against workers in government-operated forestry projects by foremen and local sup- | erintendents continues. Last week at Errington forestry project near Wanaimo, seven men were ordered reason | out of camp without any being given. Provincial police arrived to carry out the eviction when the men re- mained at the insistence of other | workers: Sixteen others left after | the men were evicted, and are car- | rying on a campaign for reinstate- ment, abolition of rotation system, no hold-back on wages, and no dis- crimination. At union headquarters it was learned that a three-day confer- ence has been planned in Vancou- ver for Feb. 27, 28 and March 1 to determine future policy of the Re- lief Project Workers’ Union with regard to blacklist and other points. Volunteer Ban To Be Protested Ottawa’s proposed ban on Ca- nadian volunteers to Spain will be protested at a meeting in HP Hall, North Vancouver, Sunday, Bebruary 21, 8 pm. A. M. Stephen, well-known poet until the appoitment 2 few ! and author, Dorothy Steeves, MLA, and Tom Bradley, trade unionist, are billed te speak. Trades Council Demands Reactionary Opponents Are Scored By Bengough Taken to task by Secretary P. R. Bengougrh at Tuesday's Trades couneil meeting for their obstruc- tionist tactics were opponents of British Columbia's Health Insur ance Act, “Do you think it likely that these organizations are fighting the Act for the benefit of the workers?” he demanded, citing the Shipping Federation, 8C Loggers’ associa- Canadian Manufacturers’ as- Sociation, board of trade, Merchants exchange, insurance companies and the medieal profession as principal opponents of the measure. tion, “No,”’ chorused delegates. Birt Showler, Bakery Salesmen’s secretary, who moved that council reiterate its former stand and re- quest the government to put the Act into effect, opened debate by stating. “If organized labor took the same stand as doctors and em- ployers the zovernment would soon call out the militia.” Not What Asked : “The Act is not what we asked (Gontinued on page 2) See HEALTH ACT United. Front Opens Drive In Britain MANCHESTER, England, Feb. 18. —A crowd estimated at 10,000 turned @ut in this city to hear Sir Stafford Cripps, MP, Socialist League, James Maxton; MP, Independent Labor party, and Harry Pollitt, Conimunist Party, at the officinl launching of the newly-formed [ritish united front. Evidence of the which workers are greeting: into the political arena of a militant force was the $1.500 lected. Byvidence, too, that the three fanizations at present composing the front do not despair of eventual- with entry new col- enthusiasm or- ly drawing in the official Wahor party was given in Cripps’ speech: “It ever the Labor party is to be- come more than a tolerated reform- ist Party within A capitalist democ- racy, We must concentrate within it every available element of work- ing-class political power,’ he de- clared. Meanwhile, the Socialist Lea ague has been expelled from the official Laor party, although the expulsion applies only to the organization as a whole and not to individual mem- bers, Sir Stafford Cripps is the only Parliamentary representative of the Leaeue, which has some 3,000 mem- pers Indians Facing Acute Plight OTTAWA, Ont., Feb. 18.—Every Indian in Canada will be on relief Within the next five years unless measures are ta*xen to ensure their livelihoods, Hon. T. A. Grerar, in charge of Indian affairs, has told the House. Economic basis of the Indian is being destroyed, he stated, and ex- tinetion of fur-bearing animals is driving the Indians to starvation or reliance on government relief. Last year direct relief for In- dians cost the government $775,000 Or nearly $7 per person. Indian population of Canada is increasing by 1200 to 1500 annu- ally, despite inroads of white men’s diseases. Last week in the city an Indian delegation from the lLytton-Lil- looet district of BC reported many Interior bands on verge of starva- tion. Aided by various progressive organizations, they succeeded in obtaining relief. Vancouver Moth- ers’ Council is preparing a brief demanding of Ottawa equality of relief scales and freeing of Indian schools from religious domination. LABOR ATDS SPAIN Reported at the Trades Council meeting Tuesday was a donation ef $5 to aid Spanish democracy from local $4. Meat Cutters and Packing House Employees. General Miaja unified com- mand. He is commanding the of Madrid’s new southern front, while General Sebastian Pozzas commands the northern Madrid sector. mforcing oj Health Act hepedices Me Medical Aid To Market Level’’ —Tom Ewen Here are a few opimions on the Health Msurance Act as given to The BG Workers’ News by men pronunent in the labor movement: Perey R. Bengough, general sec- retary, Trades and Labor Council, repeated remarks made at Council meeting adding: “The point over which employers and medical men battle is covering of dependents. Money offered doctors for }10-a- Week workers is more than they ve ever received from this group.” 1Sirt Showler, pusiness agent, Milk Drivers and Dairy Employees: “Tt is the finest thing that could possibly happen for the working man and his family. It removes the dread of calling in a doctor, which at present is not done when one of the family is sick, until it is too late.” Doctor Telford, CCF provincial president and chairman of a Health Insurance committee appointed by the BC Medica] Association in 1924: “Tt doesn’t provide for farmers and indigents, it leaves unprotected (Gontinued on page 2) See DELETIONS 'CCF Rejects Plea For Unity CP Will Continue to Ask Agreement With CCF Here REALISTIC PROGRAM Communist candidates will be nominated in Vancover East, Vancouver Centre, New West- minster, Victoria, Alberni-Na- naimo, Comox, Dewdney and Cariboo ridings in the next pro- vincial elections, it is announced by EF. A. McKean, CP of G pro- vincial organizer. “Proposals made to the CGE to- day for unity have been rejected,” McKean told a reporter Thursday. “The CCF executive has informed us of its resolution ‘reserving the right to run candidates in all con- stituencies’.”’” “Despite this rebuff we shall con— tinue to wor for unity to prevent a reactionary victory at the polls,” MckKean added. “Our policy,’’ he explained, “is te exert every effort to effect a basis for unity around a realistic program. based on immediate needs of the people. Communist candidates where this is achieved will be with- drawn.” McKean stated that the CGE had been informed that Trotskyists nominated on a GCF ticket would. be opposed by a Communist eandi- date in every case. Cumberland Will Not Strike But To Press For Higher Wage CUMBERLAND, BC, Feb. 18.— Biiners here will not take strike action to enforce their demands for wage increases. They will, however, explore every other means of securing an upward re- vision in wage scales. This decision was reached at a mass meeting called by the Cum- berland local, UMWA Sunday, when the policy laid down by the recent Calgary wage scale conven- tion of District 18, UM WA, was en- dorsed. High cost of living without cor- responding wage increases led to the union’s request to the company last week for restoration of the wage cut of 61 cents a day imposed in 1926. Loca] business men are en- dorsing the request. Pointed out at the Calgary con- vention was the fact that much re- mained to be done to strengthen the UMWA in District 18. Several field are still unorganized, while in organized fields agreements ex- pire at different periods. Decision was made to work for simultaneous expiry of all con- tracts. In some locals present agreements do not expire until March 1938. Therefore, all other locals, with agreements or negoti- ating new agreements, will en- deavor to arrange for expiry of agreements in 1938. Need for honoring agreements was stressed at the convention. Meanwhile, an intensive organi- zational drive will be carried on to enable the industry to move for- ward as a whole by 1938. Magica.) OCEAN FALLS WORKERS ARE DISSATISFIED OCEAN FALLS, BC, Feb. 18.— Dissatisfied with working conditions in this Pacific Mills company-con- trolled town, empleyees are en- deavoring to secure redress of their grievances—so far with littl suc- cess, Sunday some 200 of the 1000 ém- ployees in the mills held a meetine in the plant with Manager Drum, but obtained scant satisfaction af- ter presentine their grievances. Complained of is the fact that men are paid straight time for overtime, Sundays and holidays; asked is time and a half for all Overtime. Also complained of is the company’s custom, accordine to re- ports, of putting 2 man injured in operations at the plant back to Work at the end of three days to avoid reporting the accident to the compensation board. In this way low rates are: maintained. Sunday, Feb. 21, paper-makers are meeting to discuss means of securing their demands. Nanaimo Will Hold Tag Day For Spain NANAIMO, BC, Feb. 18.—On mo- tion of Aldermen J. G. Hindmarsh and P. R. Inkster, city council here has granted the CCF Industrial and Employment conference a tag day (Saturday, Pebruary 20) for nadian Medical Unit—now the Span- ish-Canadian Blood Transfusion stitute—with democratic government forces in Spain. the Ca- In- (CCF Proposes Anti-War Week — in SREOSIUOR: to the $35,000,000 estimate for ‘national defence,” proposed by the Liberal govern- ment, the CGE national council has set March 8 to 13 as anti-war weex. During that period public meet- | ings will be held from coast to coast protesting the huge arms budget. Clubs have been instructed to ; send protest letters to members | of parliament, seeking support for: | conseription of nickel. industry; | conscription, at outbreak of war, of industrial plants capable of pro- ducing war materials; lesislation making it a eriminal offence to profit from manufacture, sale or transportation of war materials. 4X Employees Are Unionized Employees of Canadian Bakeries Ltd. 4X, who were intimidated into joining a company union a few weeks ago, joined the AH ofl. em bloc last Friday: Birt Showler, Bakery Salesmen’s secretary, assisted by P. R. Ben- gough, Trades Council secretary, were successful in securing union agreement. Four of the largest bakeries in the city are now union houses. Other smaller shops are expected to be organized ‘within a short time. BCER U CANADA BANS "FRISCO PAPER Perhaps it’s because of its mili- tant policy in the recently-won maritime strike. We don't know and the customs officials won't tell us, sO your guess is as good as ours. But this week we received a polite intimation that the Western Worker, western organ of the CP of the USA, published in San Fran- cisco, has been added to the grow- ing list of publications banned by the King government since taking office in 1935. During his election campaign Prime Minister W. li. Mackenzie King stated on many occasions that dictatorships would not be toler- ated in Canada, yet the list of pub- lications banned by his administra- tion is much longer now than it was during his predecessor's entire tenure of office. nion to Take Vote Canada, US Have Given $250,000 To Spain Cause VALENCIA, Spain, Feb. 18. — Canadian and American workers have donated $250,000 to aid Loy- alists in their fight against Fran- co’s Fascist rebels, officials of the democratic People’s Front government have announced here. Foreign contributions to date total $4,143,400. Soviet Rus- Sia heads. the list with $1,656,000, followed by Sweden, $960,000, France, $736,000; Great Britain, $343,000; Belgium, $80,500; Nor- Way, $69,000; Australia, $53,900. Despite prohibitions, German workers have collected $68,000 clandestinely in factories and workshops, while Italian workers have given $13,800, an ambulance, ambulance plane and food sup- plies. Several Norwegian food cargoes were seized by Fascists and are not listed. Carmen Will Decide Pact Balloting by referendum on the acceptance or rejection of the tentative agreement between the BCER and Division 101 Street Railwaymen’s Union will take place Wednesday, February 23. This decision was reached by street carmen at morning and eve- ning meetings Wednesday. The tentative agreement calls for one weer’s holiday with pay for employees with up to two years’ standing, and ten days for three years or more. It also gives New Westminster bus drivers the same Wage scale as street car conduc~ tors, 69c per hour. As bus lines are put into opera- tion on the city lines, street car- men now employed will have seni- ority as bus drivers, the agreement provides.