Page Six B.C WORKERS NEWS Published Weekly by THE PROLETARIAN PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION Room 10, 163 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, B-C. Telephone: Trinity 2019 One Year === 51-80 Halt Year 21-00 Three Months _—____ .50 Single Copy -05 Make All Checks Payable to the B.C. WORKERS’ NEWS Gend All Copy and Manuscript to the Chairman of the Edottorial Board. Send All Monies and Letters Pertaining to Advertising and Circulation to the Business Manager. Vancouver, B.C., Friday, February; 26, 1937 The Case For Unity (Submitted by the Provincial Baecutive, CP of C.) HE lengthy editorial in the February 25 issue ot The Federa- Tienist under the caption of “Unity” is deserving of close study by all ranks and supporters of labor. From the standpoint ef bringing clarity on the burning issue of unity, it is hardly meritorious. In its exposition of Communist policy with recard to the building of the united front against reaction and the fight ainst Trotskyism, it is not altogether consistent with the facts— well known by both CCF and Communist leaders. Several weeks ago representatives of the Proyincial Executive of the CCF and the CP BC met through their joint co-ordination committee. Among other things discussed at that meeting relative to unity in the political field, the question ot Trotskyism was raised. We pointed out that Trotskyist elements had wormed themselves into the CCF organization ; were following their historical role of dis- ruption and disunity therein, and that the CP of C were opening up a sharp campaign against this menace, both within and outside of the CCF. We further made it very clear that the campaicn ainst Trotskyism should in no way be construed as an attack against the CCF. We requested the co-operation of the CCF lead- ership in rooting this poisonous element from the ranks of the CCF. This was tentatively promised on the understanding that we (the communists) produce proot of the Trotskyists’ political atnliation. The Colonial Theatre meeting last Sunday night on the ques- Hon of Trotskyism was part of this campaign. The Federationist wvas sharply eriticized, but not as an orga of the CCF, as the “Unity”? editorial would have us believe. It was criticized be- cause of the undeniable fact that the issue of February 18 was above all a vehicle for Trotskyist propaganda. The article “Co- operative Youth Clubs’ Stands on Youth and War” is a case in point. Aside from the fact that the majority of the CYC never saw this article until it was in print, one has only to read the concluding paragraph to find the “roof” of the Trotskyist con- fusion élothed in a mass of “revolutionary” verbiage. Tn the “Weekly Digest” section of the same issue, we find this Trotskyist filth liberally spread. The “Revolt of Cripps” and the “Trial for Trotsky” need little comment. Both contain cal- Tumny and inuendo against the USSR; both contain Trotskyist slanders against sections of the Communist International; and “Pyial for Trotsky,” quoted from the organ of the British ILP, is only another instance of how close the right wing Social Demo- erats and the Trotskyists comie together in their opposition to the USSR. These are the facts which were brought to the attention of the Colonial Theatre audience. Such propaganda has no place in the columns of a labor paper that prizes its integrity and loyalty to working class principles. The CP BC has no desire or intention to decide, determine, or dictate the policy of The Hederationist. That is the prerogative and responsibility of the leaders of the CCF. And it is precisely this responsibility relative to Trotskyist fulminations that we hope to bring home to our CCF comrades, in order that their good judgment may prevail. Eyery CCF’er or other labor man or woman has a right to agree or disagree with the principles of the united front, without being branded as a Trotskyist or other of the choice epithets the editorial infers is used. It so happens that the CP BC has not and does not intend to brand all its opposition as such. What we have done and will continue to do is to expose and brand the known Trotskyists holding leading positions in the CCF until the CCF sweeps them out. The editorial quotes figures of Communist votes in 1923 to prove that unity with the Gommunists is worthless. Has nothing happened in the life and experiences of the world and in Canada and BC since 1933 # F Unity in past, present or future elections is not a matter of counting noses. And least of all can it be so in the coming elec- tion. The CP BC never suggested that the CCE leadership should abrogate their constitution or the provincial convention mandates to unite with the Communists. We respect and recognize their right to run candidates in all constituences. We also, in spite of the nose counting postulation reserve for ourselves the same right, but rigid adherence to constitutions and “siehts,” sill not solve the present situation facing the people of British Columbia. After all, what are both interested in? Are not both interested in the defeat of reaction in this province? Yet the edi- torial states, “The OCF will be splitting the working class by al- lying itself with the Communist Party.” This reasoning is not new. In 1848 Marx (and our CCF leaders are above all Marxists) in the Communist Manifesto asks: ‘Where is the party in power that has not hurled the branding reproach of Communism at its contending adversaries.” The peo- ple of BC no longer fear the term of Communism as the editorial would have us believe. They have proven this in their support of all those mass struggles in BO that have been led by the Com- munists. We proposed to the CCF that our party svonld contest six or eight constituencies. We further stated, that in those constituen- cies where the slightest degree of unity of the progressive forces could be achieved around a program commensurate with the needs of the people, that we were prepared to withdraw our candidates. We further stated that any constituency where a known Trotskyist runs under a CCF ticket, that we would contest such a seat——not “the eight seats’ as the editorial states, as an exposure of such individuals as counter-revolutionary disruptionists who are the agents of fascism and consequently the enemies of all workins class unity. In conclusion let us say we welcome the assertion that the membership of the COF will be the final arbiters of the question of unity with the communists. We are prepared to abide by their decision in every constituency. We regret that the editorial did not see fit to comment on other existing progressive groups im the province, such as social eredit, social constructives, ete. Tf we are to defeat reaction these bodies, large or small, eannot be ignored, and every effort should be made to bring them within the progressive stream. We welcome the expressed desire in the editorial “to be fair: to the Communist Party. » We assure the CCF that we heartily reciprocate this attitude. How- ever, he whole question of unity is not one of “‘faimmess to the Communist Party,” the lives and welfare of all masses of British Golumbia are involved in this issue. We will continue with greater vigor than ever in this strugele for unity—L.L. Potatoes And Politicians HE need of a workable and beneficial Marketing Act tor B.C. is recognized by all. Such an Act, properly constructed and administered by a democratically elected Producer-Consumer Board, would be a boon to the potato growers and that great section of the people generally desionated as the “consumers.” By such administration of the marketing of B.C. field crops, tens of thou- sands of dollars would be saved to the producers—and consum- ers—that under the present administration of the Act goes into the pockets of brokers, Jeeal sharks and political appointees. Such pilfering of the toil of the producer and the table of the BG WOR BEE ES): NEWS = — Qne section of the group finders on the new automatic telephone excnange in Proletarian District, Moscow. By 1937 the Moscow telephone system will be entirely automatic. regular feature from now on, Editor, BC Workers’ News: Figures are often issued giving the impression that the cost of living has risen about 10 percent in recent years. These figures cover Zeneral commodities but when analysis of the situation as applied to the great numbers of relief re- cipients, and low paid workers is made it is found that the rise in the cost of living for these people approximates 50 percent. Soaring food prices increasingly lowers the purchasing power of the masses till now they are restricted to just a few bare necessities that make a protective and well balanced diet out of the question. As a re- sult, disease conditions through malnutrition are developing on all to personal and public health and welfare. A meeting will be held by Van- couver Unemployed and Part-Time Workers’ Association Monday, March 1, 8 pm, at 1273 Granville St., dealing with the high cost of living and the Provincial Health Act. Bob Lealess and R. N. Towle the white grower woke up will be the speakers and good en- tertainment will be provided. B. MARSH, Publicity Committee. QUITE UNTRUE Editor, BC Workers’ News: Sir,—Mr. Glive Planta has al- leged that there is a conspiracy on the part of the Chinese to de- feat agricultural marketing legis- lation. This statement is quite un- true. The Chinese are not opposed in principle to marketing legisla- tion. They are, however, convinced that as the marketing board is op- eratedsat the present time, the real penefits accrue to the wholesale agency and not to the growers or consumers. Just so soon as mar- keting legislation is validly enacted and operated in such a way to take care of the interests of both farm- ers and consumers, there will be no more loyal supporters than the Chinese farmers of this province. Lowe Chong, Chairman, Chinese Farmers’ Association. AMNESIA IS A POLITICAL DISEASE Editor, BC Workers’ News: Dear Editor,—In reference to a2 statement made by Hon. Norman Rogers, federal minister of labor, to CG. G. MeNeil (CCF, Vancouver must be short, snappy and to the We reserve the right to edit all letters in view of space limitations. sides, constituting a serious menace | OPEN FORUM Letters intended for publication in the Open Forum, which will be a point. Worth), regarding the denial to the single men now employed under the forestry scheme of the right to or- ganize, we wish to illustrate our Side of the matter. 1. That the single unemployed men, found, in the fall of 1936, that through organization alone were they able to attain the very neces- sary livelihood. 2 The admission of the Hon. Worman Rogers, in Vancouver, No- vember 18, 1936, to the effect that the single unemployed men’s or- ganization then in existence was capable of handling the affairs of the single unemployed. Duncan, BC. Project No. 18. ANOTHER OPINION Editor, BC Workers’ News: Dear Sir—To link the salvation of the small producer with a re- newed discussion of suppression of the independent shippers is foolish. There are just as many greedy ikulaks in the FVMPA as in the in- dependent organizations and, there- fore, we, the big majority of the FYMP regard our organization under its present management as our chief oppressor. It may be pointed out that what we want is not the splitting up of the FVMPA but reorganization and the telling of the truth to Mr. Macken and consorts. : V. Vesterback. Aldergrove, BC. NINE OLD MEN Nine old men in a white marble tomb On the will of the people enunciate doom. Wine old men who often divide, Four to dissent, five to decide. Wine old men’ who rise to defend Property rights to the bitter end. Wine old men by logical stages Demolished the Jaw for mipimuni wages. Wine old men whose bygone prattle Condemned the Negro to be a chattel. The nine old men wax eloquent. Qn the holiness of six percent. Nine old men, senile and flighty, But second only to God Almighty. eousumer under the present Marketing issue that will detract the attention of those whose pockets up’: an are being picked. What better th: erowers; to weave against the Oriental “vellow menace’; to Act must have a “eover- mm to begin a chauyinistic tirade dissatisfied with the present Marketing Act; to brand the Orien- tal grower as violators of “yeace, order - Sar) and good government, just because these Oriental growers have the courage to protest against legalized robbery and intimidation 4 it is the Negro that bears wrath: in Nazi Germany it 1s Sdeuldaaa for the poverty of the Protestant, and in BC. is directed: in Ireland it is the Catholic that is blamed it is the Oriental “menace” that is used to pull the wool over the eyes of the white workers and farmers when the latter give yolce enslavement.