Se a | Sa BIGGEST MAY DAY PARADE IN CITY’S HISTORY PLANNED WHY I SUPPORT UNITY By ANEURIN BEVAN PAGE FOUR The Peoples Advocate Formerly B.C. Workers’ News FULL No. 120° Published Weekly VANCOUVER, B.C., FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1937 S> Single Copies: 5 Gents VOL. III., No. 16 FASCISM— CAN IT HAPPEN HERE? 4 PAGE SIX hite Lunch Seeking To Restrain Picketing Injunction and Damages Sought by City Cafeterias Against Hotel & Restaurant Employees Union To Abolish Pickets and Retain Open Shop Labor’s right to picket business establishments declared “unfair” is being challenged in supreme court by White Lunch, Ltd., White Lunch No. 4, Astor Lunch, Ltd., and Acme Dairy, Ltd., who Thursday started action asking an injunction to restrain Hotel & Restaurant Employees union, local 28, from picketing six restau- rants and dairy lunches. W. Stewart, union busines agent, W. Gateman and Helen Hendrick son, dismissed - employee, have been summonsed to appear before the court this (Friday) morning at 10:30. Union Girls : On Picket Line it is stated that the White Lunch intends to make this a test case of labor's recognized right to picket. Action for the injunction follows announcement by union officials that picket lines, at present only at the White Lunch cafeteria, 65 Bast Hastings Street, where last week union employees came out on strike, will be extended to other White Lunch establishments. Girls from nine union city cafes, Empire, Pall Mall, Rex, Good Eats, Melrose, Kings, Palace, Olde Ens- lish Fish and Ghips and Broadway, this week responded to the union’s eall for pickets, put “unfair” streamers over their shoulders and took regular spells on the picket line when off-shift. Bill Stewart, business agent for Hotei and Restaurant Employees union, states, “Cafe help all over town is determined to see this thing through as a part of the in- evitable process of unionization in the industry.” 550nUMWA NanaimoLocal Nanaimo coal miners are organ- ized again, as they were 25 years ago, and many an old-timer must have felt a renewed pride last week to see workers electing their own union officials in a hall packed to the doors; to kKnow that at last miners’ representatives can chal- lenge the dictatorship of Canadian Colleries (Dunsmuir) in the district. After 25 years. Wew confidence in responsible union leadership has galvanized the 550 now organized miners. For months, the entire mining camp has known that the quiet unassuming two or three, were UMWA organiz- ers. Transformation of Cumberland to a union town three years ago led to serious talk of bringing the union to Nanaimo, and company officials worked overtime with in- timidatory hint and method to halt the growing sentiment for organi- zation. Bill Bennett, in his remarkable book, “Builders of British Colum- bia,” tells the story of Nanaimo. He tells, for instance, that “These Island mines were already proved by disinterested investigators to be the most dangerous coal mines in the world. . . - In 1909, 8.08 miners were killed per 1,000 employed in BC, that is to say, one-half of the co2l miners of the province are killed every 56 years. “The men’s gas committee re- ported gas at No. 2 Extension as required by the Mines Regulations Act, and for this they were dis- criminated against by the company. --.- The miners of Cumberland and Extension called an idle day to dis- cuss the matter and were immedi- ately locked-out. This was in Sep- tember 1912. In the ensuing morths the miners were subjected to every kind of indignity and provocation. .. . Scabs were armed and on several occasions attempted to use explosives against the pickets. One of them blew his own arm off, not being quick enough on the “throw.”’ The miners’ wives were insulted in the grossest man- ner by the scabs in the hearing of the police, who refused to take any action. The worst piece of provo- cation took place in Ladysmith on May 1, when the strikers were cele- brating May. Day. The scabs marched up into town, obviously to make trouble that would warrant the calling out of the militia. “The description shows how the miners, when they could get no de- fense from the authorities, defended themselves. Going to the defense of their fellow workers in Extension ‘they were met with a fusilade of gunfire. Fortunately, although one man was hit, no one was killed. The result of this demonstration was that the bullpen (scabs) was burned to the ground, whether by strikers er scabs is not known, and the Scabs took refuge in the mine’.” And now, after 25 years the union is back in Nanaimo again. Canneries Are Exploiting Workers By WM. PURVIS From June to September is the busy season for the canning in- dustry and it is safe to say that the ten thousand workers who follow this line in some 70 factories in British Columbia owned by Ca- madian Canners, Limited, wiil be no exception to the present restless- ness throughout Canada which de- mands more than a bare subsist- ence wage. : Facts and figures on this indus- try, furnished by Vancouver local, Jam, Fruit and Vegetable Workers’ Union, AFofL, will arouse the people of BC to assist these wors- ers when they make their stand, especially in localities where Cannings factories are situated. The union is still small and will require help from many quarters to lead these exploited workers to a better living. Wages set by Minimum Wage Board are 35 cents an hour for men and 27 cents for women. Provision is made in the act for payment to inexperienced girls and boys under 21, of 25 cents per hour. “Eabelied Commedities” Labelled like commodities, “ex- perienced” girls have a white card pinned to their backs; others are labelled by a blue one. More subtle is the method adopt ed by supervisors to determine wages of these girls. One punch in these cards is made for each fin- ished basket or set of cans, and supervisors raise the tempo of work by pointing out those girls with the most holes in their cards, which is also the yardstick for adjudged ex- perience. The speed-up resulting from this is obvious. Behind the shield of “perishable goods” the hours worked per day (Continued on page 2) Simpson Will Lecture Here Lawrence Simpson, American sea- man recently released from a Ger- man concentration camp to which he was sentenced by a Nazi court for anti-Nazi propaganda circulated by him whilst his ship lay in the port of Hamburg, will tell a Van- couver audience of his experiences at Moose hall, Wednesday, May 5, when he speaks under auspices of the Canadian League against War and Fascism here. 5 Simpson, who has completed a lecture tour of the United States, is a vigorous speaker with a graphic style and has spoken to huge audi- ences, many of which took part in the nation-wide campaign to secure his release. He will also speak at Victoria on May 4, and Nanaimo, May 6. Arthur Roe- Attorney-General buck, expelled from the Ontario cabinet because he would not agree with Premier Hepburn’s red-baiting, Jabor-hating policy in the General Motors’ Oshawa Strike. Hepburn is likely to miss him. LENGED British Columbia Men Fighting In Spain Urge Unity Of All Progressives May Day fo — 1 — 9 + 100,000 vans RON, LEAD, ZINC, COBALT, THANGANESE WOLYEOENIN, 3 ABOR’S RIGHT TO PICKET CHAL GRAPHITE, ANTIMONY. COPPER, This map shows graphically the rich mineral -deposits of Spain where today German and Italian treops are slaughtering innocent women and children that Hitler and Mussolini may obtain the raw materials they badly need for their Fascist war ma- chines. Spain is the richest country in the world for pyrites, while in the Almaden area there is the world’s largest quicksilver deposit. BC Volunteers in Spain Send May Day Greetings From British Columbia volunteers in Spain’s famous International Brigade of anti- Fascist fighters the People’s Advocate this week received May Day greetings. “We know our Canadian brothers will cheer us on by fighting Fascism at home and foreing the Cana- dian government by mass pressure to lighten the burden of these heroic workers in Spain struggling for freedom and democracy. Do not be misled by the old idea it can’t happen in democratic Canada, but learn to say with one voice—CCF, Labor, Communist and all honest liberals and progressive people: ‘It shall not happen here!’ ” Expect Strike At McGavin’s Showdown between MceGavin's bakery and local 882, International Union of Operating Engineers, is likely next week, after two months of refusal by bakery management to pay union wages to three steam en- gineers employed at the plant. MeGavin’s, which boasts of being an all-umion shop, is under discus- sion by Trades and Labor Council grievance committee which will re- port at the next council meeting, and full endorsation of the strike vote recently taken by the engi- neers’ union is expected. Union rates of pay for engineers, which most companies agree to, are but slightly higher than minimum wage set by the government, but since new BC regulations which per- ™mit of higher steam pressure, since last December, McGavin's have not paid even the minimum wage. Raise in steam pressure and con- Sequent safety precautions call for fully licensed and experienced en- gineers. According to union officials, McGavin's have violated this ruling in spite of warnings. Signing these greetings are five whose names are familiar to work- ers in this city: Joe Armitage, youth- ful Communist party organizer, R. Kerr, veteran ex-servyiceman and member of the CP provincial execu- tive, Joe Kelly, who took a promi- nent part in the On-to-Ottawa trek, Bruce Ewen,.a son of Tom Ewen, provincial secretary of the Commu- mist party here, and A. B. Tazze- man, prominent in the CCE in Van- ecouver Bast. With nearly 400 Canadians fight- ing with the Lincoln battalion of US anti-Fascists, a special company, the Mackenzie-Papineau, has been formed, honoring all that is best in Canadian democratic tradition. CIO To Organize Communications NEW YORK, April 29-—(UNS)— The launching of a nation-wide drive to organize some 125,000 work- ers in the communications industry, is announced by Mervyn Rathbone, president of the American Radio Telegraphists Association, immedi- ately following notification that his union had been accepted into affili- ation by the Committee for Indus- trial Organization. Brackman-Ker Men Jom ILA NEW WESTMINSTER, BC, April 29._—Successful in their short strike against discrimination three weeks ago, employees of Brackman-Ker Milling company here this week or- ganized into local 388-167 Interna- tional Longshoremen’s Association and presented the company with a demand for union recognition. Organization of this plant has given impetus to workers in other Srain-elevator and cereal plants in the vicinity and in Greater Vancou- ver, where it is estimated that 1500 are employed in the industry. Recent strike, satisfactorily settled in 48 hours, was caused by company action taken to prevent organiza- tion. Three men were fired immediately after 22 employees, with waterfront policy committee present, had de- cided to join the ILA local. Solidarity on the part of the men and wide support from Fraser Wal- ley people who refused to buy Brack- man-Ker products, quickly brought the company to its senses. Victoria Women Tak For Higher VICTORIA, BC, April 29—Tired Struggle to raise their children on allowance, 20 women decided this the platform at election meetings citizens of their plight and win their co-operation in representations to the city council. Wot only is it impossible to obtain sufficient food relief allowances but unem- ployed families are continually forced to search for new homes when landlords, who receive inadequate rental allowances from the city, oust them from di- on present miserable lapidated dwellings. Ageravating these injustices are appropriations of the continual a $3.85 monthly week to obtain to tell Victoria tions. effect. e Platform As Campaign Relief Is Pressed Vigorously by the city for local Jubilee and Coronation celebra- With men, on threat of starvation, working for relief on empty stomachs in order to Satisfy appe- lites of growing children, the resolve of this band of determined women will be put into immediate Ten minutes on every political platform will be at- tempted during the present election campaign; de- Manding more generous relief and increase in rent allowance from $5.50 to $10.00 per month. Present unemployed organization was started by city-wide canvass resulting in an organization 175 strong. Tim Buck Will Be Here Soon To Assist Baker Election Committee Plans to Canvass Every Home And Factory in New Westminster Riding For Support of Realistic Program On the proven theory that good organization wins votes and as an experienced campaigner, Rev. Edwin Baker, Com- munist candidate for New Westminster, is assembling as the initial step to an ageressive campaign what promises to be a smoothly working election machine. Fishing Fleet Is May Day Feature It should be a colorful sight this Saturday when marchers in Vancou- vers May.Day parade, expected to number §,000 or more, mass at the Lumbermen’s Arch at the same time as some 40 gaily decorated boats of the fishing fleet anchor off shore. A unique feature of the parade, this is the first time organized fish- ermen have participated with their boats. With fine weather, there is no doubt that 1937 will see the sreatest May Day celebration in the city’s history, in keeping with world wide demonstrations of working class strength as lahor gives tangible evyi- dence of its determination to hold its hard-won rights and to struggle for rights not yet obtained. Enthusiasti¢ cooperation from many unions and mass organizations in Vancouver and New Westminster has made possible many new feat- ures this year, sSivin= inspiration and impetus to the labor movement in the entire province. At 2 pm, headed by ex-servicemen © who will also marshal the parade, the signal to mareh will be given and Vancouver May Day celebrants -will wend their way, Singing as they £0; past the cenotaph (where a wreath will be laid), to Hastings, west on Hastings to Burrard, south on Burrard’ to Georgia, west on Georgia to Stanley Park-umber- men’s Arch. International touch will be fur- nished by youthful William Zieener, president, youth section, Washing- ton Commonwealth Federation, who will address the rally at Iumber- men’s Arch with other prominent Vancouver and New Westminster (Continued on page 2) Cumberland To Celebrate CUMBERLAND, BG, April 29.— Ambitious preparations for cele- brating May Day here are expected to attract farmers and ‘workers from the whole surrounding coun- tryside. Imposing posters announce 4 huge parade from the city park, a full day of sports for children, base- ball games in the afternoon, foot- ball in the evening. Special feature of the evening’s program will be presentation by the Progresisve Arts Players of Vancouver of ‘Private Hicks,”’ prize-winning one-act play, and the Vancouver ULFTA Fine Arts Club’s colorful musical piece, “Gypsy Nites.” A monster dance will fol- low. Minister of Labor David Croll, also expelled by Hepburn. Ni place is marching with the wort- ers. rather than riding with Gen- eral Motors,” he stated in a re- cent interview. Hepburn will miss him, too. Youthful Campaign Manager R. W. Campbell has the initiative and energy necessary to what is ex-_ pected to be one of the hardest struggles in the coming election. The strong committee he has gathered around him and attention to detail shown in election head- quarters at 45 Sixth Street in the Royal City are evidence of his ability. : Huis immediate task is that of obtaining a small army of volun- teer workers for his well-mapped campaign. There have been many offers of assistance already, but not enough to suit Campaign Man- ager Campbell, who plans a distrib- uting centre where canvassers and others’ can eat and, where neces- Sary, sleep. Canvassing of homes to discuss the Communist election program, to show what Baker can and will accomplish for the people, if elect- ed, requires the services of many tireless enthusiastic supporters. Question of funds already con- fronts the committee. The legend of “Moscow gold” having no foun- dation in fact, and Baker himself being only a struggling farmer on his Bradner ranch facing the prob- lems that daily confront the aver- age farmer, he must lool to New Westminster for assistance. And because money is scarce among workers and farmers, Baker calls for financial support from outside his constituency. The Communist party in Vancou- ver responded enthusiasticaliy last week at a membership meeting when $100 was raised. Communists on the job have pledged one day’s pay a week to help send a Communist member to Victoria. They realize that they can then rely on Baker to champion their struggle for a better living. They know he will fight for preser- vation of existing workers’ and farmers’ rights and press for rights yet to be won. Rev. Baker ana his campaign committee have election plans that will necessitate large expenditures. They realize that the GP possesses allies and influence far beyond its actual numbers and in the final analysis the success of these plans depends to a tremendous extent on non-party support. The advent of Tim Buck into the campaign has raised enthusiasm to a high pitch. Buck's consider- able influence as a trusted leader of the working class will be fully extended in this campaign, the ob- ject of which is the reaching of every voter in the constituency per- sonally, by letter or by pamphlet. Anti-Fascist Meet Planned The anti-F'ascist movement in British Columbia will be well repre- sented at the third Northwest Con- gress against War and Pascism in Seattle, May 29-30. Members of the League Against War and Fascism and other organizations here will at- tend, expressing common cause against international Pascism with Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. The League against War and Fas- cism here hopes to send a large delegation to minimum expense and an invitation to those who wish to attend the congress is extended by A. M. Stephen, well-known provin- cial president. Headquarters for registration is 615 West Hastings street. Court Fines Burns Scabs Three strikebreakers, Ford, Camp- bell and Young, found guilty of damage and assault to a Burns Striker, were fined in Judge Mathe- Son’s court, Wednesday. Ford was fined $10 and the others $5, with a total of $13.50 damages against them. Accused were stated to have fol- lowed a striker to his home and to have waylaid him. Dave Bryce, Burns striker, charged with doing srievyous bodily harm, was remanded for an indefi- nite period to allow complainant to appear. Accused is being defended by Ga- nadian Labor Defense League. i: i a nieces Pat iz rf i +