Page Two B: G. WORKERS NEWS February 1, 1985 SOCIALISTS AN D COMMUNISTS HOLD SUCCESSFUL MEET _ IN VAN Resolution Sent to R. B. Bennett Demanding Vote for Relief Camp Workers Speakers from the Communist Warty, the Socialist Party, the Young Socialist League and the Young Communist League, the Relief Camp Wrorkers’ Union, and the Labor De- fense League spoke from the same platform last Sunday night in the Colonial Theatre in Vancouver to packed house on the question of the disfranchisement of the relief camp workers and others by the Bennett government. It was a real united front effort, and will no doubt be the initiation of a wide unity move to brine workers and farmers of all shades of political opinion together to struggle against the offensive of the capitalists headed by R. B. Ben- nett upon the toiling population. The Communist Party and the 5o- ejalist Party call upon all their re- spective branches throughout the provinee to take up this question and unite in a wide campaign for the repeal of the amendment to the Dominion Wranchise Act. E. E. Winch, M.l.A., spoke for the S-P.of ©, and Geo. Drayton for the C-P.of ©. with Sam Shearer in the chair. The following resolution was unani- mously adopted and ordered sent to Premier R. B. Bennett, and a copy to Angus McInnis, MP, asking him to raise this question on the floor of the House: Resolution on Disenfranchisement of Relief Camp Workers and Poor People Who Have Been Disqual- Hied as Blectors in the Federal Elections. WHEREAS, Forty thousand relief camp workers in Canada, as well as thousands of other workers, have Ween disqualified as electors in the ecoming Iederal Blection, through samendments to the Dominion Fran- -chise Act, assented to on the 3rd of July, 1934, as pursuant in Part 1, Section 4. This section reads: DISQUALIFICATIONS OF ELEC. TORS— CQ “Eyery person who is an in- mate of an institution which is maintained by Government or Municipality for the housing and maintenance of the poor.” This is further interpreted in a previous clause which reads, Rule 3, Section 3: “In this rule the expres- Sion ‘Unemployment Relief Camp’ gieans any camp, place, building or premise in Canada, other then a pri- vate dwelling house, maintained wholly or in part at the expense of any Government ior Municipality, for the relief of unemployed persons, at which the homeless or unem- ployed are lodged or fed.” WHEREAS, These thousands of workers thus disqualified from tal- ing part in the election are of vot- ing age, and just as qualified to ex- ercise their franchise (for which their forefathers fought) as those people —who haye several residences in Can- ada, and who have exploited the workers whom they now want to deny the right to vote; and WHEREAS, We working people of British Columbia consider this legis- Jation as part of the steps towards Fascism which is being prepared by the Conservative Government under the leadership of Premier R. B. Ben- nett; therefore, BE IT RESOLVED, That. this mass meeting held in Colonial The- atre, Vancouver, B. C., on the 27th day of January, 1935, hereby vigor- ously protest against this outrageous legislation and, further, we demand that this amendment to the Act as mentioned above be repealed at the present sitting of the House at Ot- tawa, and all workers, regardless of residence or regardless of whether they be unemployed and receiving fSovernment relief be allowed to vote in the coming Federal Election, and that their names be collected so that they can be enrolled on the voters’ list. We further call upon all workers in organizations to endorse this resolution as proposed by the United Committee representing the Socialisi Party of Canada (B. ©. section) and the Communist Party of Canada (B. CGC. section) and unite with us io tbuilé mass unity of workers “farmers in Canada that will com- pel the sovernment at Ottawa repeal this vicious legislation and five the wyote*to all poor people Without discrimination. (Signed) A. M. STEPHEN, CHAIRMAN S. SHEARER. Vancouver B.C., Jan. 27th, 19385. a any and to f COUVER FARRIS Slanders U.S.S.R. _J. WF. deB. Farris, prominent law- ver of B. C. and corporation lawyer for the B. @. Blectric Co., recently made a slashing attack on the Soviet linien in a speech at the Hotel Van- couver to the Goard of Trade. This man was formerly attorney-general in the “Monest’’ John Oliver Gov- ernment. He is now the mouthpiece of Gie Gusiness and, therefore, is chosen to do the dirty work, by virtue of his adaptability as an ex- pert lawyer, for making what looks black seem white. BEyeryone knows that a lawyer will neyer rise to be successful until he can get a guilty man off and declared innocent. If he can turn lies into truth, and vice versa, he will not only be successtul, but he will become an attorney- general, or maybe a judge. Lawyers parasites thrive on’ such corruption and falsity. The three honest workers who visited the So- viet Union have thrown the lie back and such it to a meeting of workers. the Soviet Union. that Farris, attempt to his. * crimination. low was sent to him: J. W. deG. Warris, K.C., Vancouver, B.C. prove Sir: Regarding the address, annual on Friday, Jan. iSth, we state that many Soviet Union. inaccurate, to Vancouver. Wre, therefore, gates of the three Unions in B. C,, debate this isSue publicly, zens can judge who truth about Russia-. being delivered to the press. (Signed) M. MacKINNON P. C. MUNRO T. RUSSELL Delegates. Dated at Vancouver, B.C, 28th day of January, 1935. SIX DIE OF STARVATION (Continued from Page 1) F.S.U. CHALLENGE Agent of B.C. Capitalists at Parris and challenged him to say The ruling class in its fear and trepida- fion, stand aghast at the progress of There is no doubt though bombastic as Bennett when lecturing to his own class, will not face the workers and slanderous The letter printed be- “What About Russia?”, you delivered at the banquet of the Vancouver Board of Lrade, at Hotel Vancouver wish to of the statements you then made are totally at vari- anece with our observations and ex- periences of our recent tour of the Your speech is not only flagrantly but is also a contradic- tion in its statements of addresses we have delivered since our return as the elected dele- largest Trade challenge you to so that the tens of thousands of B. €. citi- is telling: the A copy of this communication is Yours for the truth about Russia. The Wancouver Trade Union this in this soup kitchen. LONG LUNG. 71 years. Chan Yet Sing, 78 years. Chan Ghow, 71 years. Wong Sing, Longe Kin, 73 years. Ghow Bew, $2 years. Tee You Lip, 72 years. Louis Gim Sing, 80 years (650 years in Canada). 72 years. Lee Kong, 78 years. Lee Wing, 72 years Lee You, 72 years Seto Chee, 73 years. Mah Sing, 78 years. Seto So, 74 years Ne Kow, 73 years. Lum Quon, 70 years. Seto Jou, 67 years. Pong On, 70 years. Fung Hone Mun, 62 years. Chan Chew, 70 years. Sim Chong Ming, 51 years. Yong Wo, 65 years. Yip Woi Lin, 65 years. Chan Chong, 71 years. Wong Yee Chee, 64 years. Way Sing, 67 years. ~ Mah Wing Sun, 70 years. 2 Gow Foie, 62 years. ar Lee Hine, 72 years. = We Jun, 66 yéars. ‘ Ne Sa Jonge, 66 yéars. Pons Hoi, 71 years < ‘ 4p + , yeacs: ye 135 Died of Staryvaiion. “= th ince 1981 in 4 JOHN DONOVAN Typewriters and Adding Machines Supplies and Service Wew and Used Machines from $10.00 up — See US First — 432 WY. Pender St. Sey. 282 Zation is affiliated been inmates of this and other ris sion. soup kKitcitens wito have liter 154 ally Starved to death. The Chinese | Protective: Association is | a Mass Campaign amone the Chinese | workers to tise: : compel to grant direct v yernment orzani- to the Provincial compelled to Starve on the rations conductine | 4 | Workers’ Council and is participat- ing in the strugeie for Unemplor- ment Insurance for all workers in Canada regardless of color or Da- tionality. Hundreds of Chinese work- ers will be on Cambie Street grounds alone with their white brothers on Monday, Feb. 4th. A Chinese speaker will tell of the terrible suffering of the Chinese and of the deaths that have taken place through starvation rations in this abominable soup kitchen. Every set into the struggle to protect the lives of our Chinese comrades. The Fovernment directly responsible for the death of these There are white workers and their wives practi- workers worker Should is men: and families too, who are the same position as these The government save their lives unless they eally in Chinese workers. not have to through the mass acton of the working The following letter has been sent to the provincial and to the Mayor of Waneouver by the Chinese Workers’ Association. ber of a working-class organization will class. fovernment Protective Every mem- should organization to en- dorse it and send it alongs, demanding that the government place the Chi- nese workers on the same relief basis as the rest of the workers. Take it up at the next meeting of your or- get his ganization. TO THE PRIME MUNISTER, BRITISH COLUMBIA TO MAYOR G. G. McGEER, K.-C., M.L.A., CITY HALL, VANCOUVER Sirs,—We the undersigned wish to direct the ‘attention of your respec- governments to the inhuman and menacing conditions that exist the Chinese people in VWan- who are subject to the de- plorable conditions existing in the soup kitchens operated by the Board of Oriental Missions under the aus- pices of the Anglican Church. The soup kitchen furnishes to the unemployed Chinese workers only two meagre meals a day, which do not cost more than three cents a meal, while the Board of Oriental Missions receives from the Govern- ment eight cents a meal., i.e. sixteen cents each man per day for food al- lowance. In addition the Chinese un- employed have not received an issue of clothing since January, 1934. We the undersigned Chinese resi- dents of the City of Vancouver there- protest emphatically against these conditions that are a menaec to the lives and health of our people and demand that the following con- ditions be established immediately: That the soup-kitchen at 143 East Pender street be closed and that di- rect relicf be given to the Chinese unemployed through the relief sys- tem at present in practice in Van- couver, the amount of relief to be the same for Chinese as other employed workers. That an immediate issue of suit- able winter clothing be provided. That free and adequate medical, dental, optical and surgical treat- ment, also hospitalization, be pro- vided to all those unable to pay for same. tive among couver, fore un- Candidates Increase Votes In Fraser Valley Communist COQUITLAM, B. GC, Jan. 30—In the Municipal Blections held here re- cently, the Communist candidate, C. Webster, gained an inerease of over 60 votes since the bye-election last July to fill the councillorship that Was made vacant by the death of Comrade Tom Douglas. T. B. Allard, the worker candi- date who headed the polls, pledged his support to the minimum program of demands put forward by the Communist Blection Committee. This distinct forward step, tainly and cer- should be folloewd up with stronger organization of the work- is a ers in the surrounding countryside. WORCORR. SURREY, B. C., Jan. 30.—Despite the weather it conditions which made almost impossible to hold any mass meetings, the Communist can- didate, Comrade Cromier, although polled a good yote (69) and reached second place for coun- cillor. Considering this is the first a Communist has run municipality, the Comuiittee not elected, time in this Communist BHlec- tion well satisfied that the workers and poor farmers are beginning wards the are to- of are now being to move rapidly revolutionary way out the crisis, and steps taken to consolidate this vote into organizational gains. WORCORR. NOTICE The C.0.DL. list of speakers names. send the is preparing a Byery organiza- of 1 is asked to names belongi their = and the orlean— ubject with which This list t versed. “derhash about the ‘‘reforms’’ he would put into operation, Woods- worth, the leader of the €C.C.F., pledged his support. Bengough of the Trades and Labor Council of Wancouver, has broadcast several radio talks in support of contribu- tory unemployment insurance. The big shots im the A.FLof L. were CP.R. EXTRA MEN GYPPED OF PAY Company Utilizes Storm to Beat Wages Down th of January I was told there th of Jenuary I was told there was work on the G FP. R. clearing Slides at cents per hour, this rate starting from time of leaving Van- 24 24 25 ecouver for 24 hours per day, which syould work out at a fair wage with etc., taken off, although you might be ealled on any time during meals, that 24 hours whenever necessary. I got the job with a gang of 40 mien, most every one of whom fis- ured on this wage. We left Van- eouver p.m. on Jan. 24th, trayelled-+hree hours to Hammond, herded like cattle in two boxcars with bare boards to sleep on. We had to supply our own blankets, and there was 16 men to a Car. We had supper, which was cold, breakfast the same, and were sent out to work in the rain, most of us tithout raileoats and up to our knees in mud. After 31% hours’ work we eame back for dinner and 1 overheard the timekeeper explain to a man that we were paid for working only except for the coming up in the €Ears. for the first 8-hour day $2.00, with cents travel time added, with a discount of 26 cents per meal, which on the basis of 78 cents for meals left $1.22 per day clear, after working at Such miser- able work, with night work on much longer shifts. When we discovered this, 17 of us walked out and were told to walk home. Now we understand why re- lief strike further east for the minimum wage. Slides came dawn 300 yards from us, taking away the rails, and we hiked -about seven miles, then got two trucks to Vancouver. We were soaked through and, as we could figure, we have 75 cents to $1 for 3 and hours only, three hours This meant 75 camp workers are on as far anywhere from our pains. FED UP. BENNETT’S FAKE INSURANCE (Continued from Page 1) Will not make contributions or be entitled to benefits. The excepted employments clude agriculture, fishing, lumbering, banking and financial business, government police, and armed forces, agents and casual workers. Railway employees come under the ance scheme, but sailors and fliers do not. 6. Money will be paid out of funds contributed equally by the workers and employer with government add- ings one-fifth to the total of the other two. y 7. A man worker 21 or ever will contribute 25 cents a week, his em- ployer 25 cents and the government 10 cents. 8. Woman workers 21 will contri- bute 21 cents, employer 21 cents and the government 8.4 cents. 9. Workers under 21 will contri- bute as follows: in- teaching, employees, army insur- 18 to 20 years— Men, 18 cents; women 15 cents. 17 years—Bovs, 11 cents; girls, 9 cents. 16 years—Boys, 7 cents; girls, 6 cents. The employers and the govern- ment will make the same propor- tional contributions as in the case of adults. Admidistration Costs. The Dominion Treasury will pay all the costs of administration. After making 40 weekly contributions the worker is entitled to unemployment benefits if he or she becomes unem- ployed. It will therefore be 40 w after the bill becomes law before any benérits can be paid. The benefit nine days after the worker begins becomes unemployed and will be at the following rates. Daily Weekly Rate Rate Men (21 yrs. and over) $1.06 $6.00 Men: (18-20 yrs.) ....- -70 4.20 TSONS? (lal Se © een Ad 2.70 BovVs: (6 (VvLs)s secs 5 -30 1.8 Women (21 and over). -85 5.10 Women (18-20 yrs)... .60 3.60 Gams (ie vrs) eee es oD 210 Girnls (6) yrs)) 2. = - <25 1.50 pCR Wasa esha oy nas 45 2-70 @hild “cee ee eee wee LD 90 Reformist Leaders Support Gennett Scheme. When BGennett broadcast his bal- formerly opposed to any Kind of un- employment insurance. ‘i them P& mimeosraphed and} available to e, Very organization. Send the Fae aaa _ addresses of speakers to Tom Nelson 4, toom 28, 163 Hast- ings American Federation of Labor, wrote an C¢ditorial in the “A FoflL. Weekly News Service,” which “Tabor Abhors Unem- ployment Insurance.” A rank and file movement start- ed by Carpenters’ Local 2717 of New York City which, by means of un- employment insurance commiuttees in each Local, grew into a2 movement that registered 800 A F.of lL. locals eentral bodies, endorsed a workers’ unemployment insurance bill whose principles are the same as the Workers’ Bill, which will be presented to the Bennett government on Feb. 18th. This militant rank and file move- ment caused the leadership to take another stand. On July 22nd, 1932. William Green, was directed by the Executive Council of that ization to formulate a compulsory unemployment insurance plan. The Jast convention of the A.F.of L., which closed @ctober 13th, 1934, were still ‘“‘‘studyins.”” One draft replaces another and continues. The only draft that is a real genuine unem- of the read, and organ- ployment insurance plan for the workers is the Communist Party draft, which was endorsed by five international unions at their con- ventions, The leaders of the A.I.of L. still continue to fight against fSenuine insurance and at their last conven- tion approved the so-called Wasgner- Lewis Bill, which cannot satisfy the workers. All over Ganada meetings, demon- strations and resolutions endorsing the Workers’ Bill, the only genuine form of unemployment insurance, will take place on Web. 18th. Have your organization endorse it, and send it te Bennett. Support the meetings in your Trade Union local and in your neighborhood. Support the demonstrations demanding Non- Contributory Unemployment Insur- ance on Heb. 18th. Defeat the effort of Bennett, the multi-millionaire and “iron heel” Premier, to split the unity of the working: with his fake and unscrupulous promises. Defeat the united front of the Wroodsworths, Bengoughs, and the capitalist class, with the mighty united front of the workers for gen- unemployment insurance by resolutions and demonstrations on Feb. 16th. All out Feb. 4th in support of the Workers’ Bill on Full and Free Un- employment Insurance, and make this mass gathering a forerunner of class uine the wide mass demonstrations throughout Canada, which willbe held Feb. 18th, when the Workers’ Delegation meets Bennett at Ottawa, KIDDIES CORNER Harold Whynn Branch Young Pioneers: Editor the B.C. Workers’ News. Dear Comrade: The Harold Whynn Pioneers send sreetings to your paper. We are very pleased to see you have re- served a corner for our news. We have not had a full attendance at our meetings lately due to the wet, cola weather. We are putting on a membership drive, and a comrade is donating a prize for the one who gets the most members. IT am sorry to report that one of our members is in the hospital. She is improving, however, and we hope to have her back with us soon. Comradely yours, A Young Pioneer. When you have read this paper, pass it on to your friend. If you don’t subscribe to this paper, send in a sub now. Socialists & Communists UNITED FRONT MEETING at Orange Hall Sunday, Feb. 3rd at 8 p.m. Support the fight for votes for disenfranchised work- ers. Good Speakers WOMEN’S | COLUMN Conducted by Pegsy Harrison Back to the Dark Ages “There’s an old Spinning Wheel in he Parlor’’—so goes the song. The Poel Gounoich wVomeneene sone sportsmen. The athletes from the to make this romantic balderhash Ue by far excelled, by capp-'| into a reality, and take us back to| © nearly all the sports events 7# handily. At the rally our comrade jj the home production and push wus back into the Dark Ages. They are receiving the assistance of the prin- cipal of the Richard McBride School. What we women want is not the spinning wheel, but blankets, sheets, and towels, etc. We don’t need to have spinning wheels in in the kitchens either to get these. There are plenty in the stores, and if there isn’t, then, there are plenty of idle factories to make them. If the women would organize and demand them we could get them. below the circular letter sent out by the principal of the school to show the women the foolishness of this scheme. It might be alright as a hobby, -but for actual needs of the unemployed it is useless. It is only devised to take the attention of the women away from struggle. Women should send in their protests to the and to the Local Couneil of Women, and demand that they t-ke up the question of immediate lilowances for clothing and staples n top of the groceries relief. MOTHER OF TWO. pillow cases the parlors or easily We are printing principal Richard McBride School. 20 Parents and Others Interested: Last winter quite a number of use- ul articles of clothing were made by he mothers of families in this dis- rict, whose reserves had almost, if Canadian Delegation To)! Paris, Prance. tries were sportsmen from the Soviet Union jf representing the Supreme Council of Physical Culture of the U.S.S.R. in— vited our Canadian delegation to 1% send from Canada not more than 40> sportsmen to yisit the US.S-R.- the early summer of 1935. Association, our district of British | Columbia in turn was given the task of sending three delegates. two from either independent of other © mass sports organizations. By going to the U.S.S.R: and finding out just! how far the Soviet Union has pro- moted and developed the sports and cuiture activities within their vast! domain will be of tremendous po- | litical significance. of your co-operation in the carrying | out of this enterprise. ; Culture will pay the expenses of all ff RED SPORTS | At this meet 19 coun represented by 5,00 ob: enc in sasha Soi fealbehiadalon Following up this invitation and. best One of | ‘.G ih Im order to carry © ine of the necessary finances. As progressive people we feel assured The Soviet Council of Physical delepates during their stay in the Jand of Socialism. ; For further information please) write or call, Uno Soderholm, 210) Empire Building, Seymour and Hast— ines streets, Vancouver, B.C. — +: 1 ot entirely, disappeared. This win- er it is proposed to extend the scope f the work if a large enough number eel interested. By making use of the carder and spinning wheel, and thereby working raw wool into yarn, the quantity of yool made available would be vastly nereased, and: the quality sreatly uperior to that otherwise obtainable. n corresponding degree the amount f warm clothing for those who need t would likewise be