haloes: iy ne L: Ababa api ni fees ce Seeing LETTERS FROM SPAIN PAGE SIX he People’s Advocate B.C. UNIONS ARE GOING PLACES By Harold Griffin e PAGE FOUR FULL No. 128 Published Weekly: = : VANCOUVER, B.C., FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1937 Single Copies: 5 Cents —= VOL. III. No. 24 SS PAPINEAU BATTALION KILL _ Peter Johnson, Stephen Dasovic, Vancouver Men, Slain On Jarama Front Twelve Canadians Have Been Killed In Action On Central Madrid Front Since Formation of Battalion This Spring; Many Men Undergo- ing Intensive Military Training at Albacete Headquarters In the few terse words of a telegram from Beatrice Colle, ‘secretary, Friends of the Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion, the news reached Vancouver this week that Peter J ohnson and Stephen Dasovic, Vancouver volunteer the Jarama front south of Madrid. To the growing list of those who have fallen in Spain fighting for an ideal that meant more than life itself to them must be added these two names to become an imperishable memory in the hearts of British Columbia people. Peter Johnson, 28, was a prom-©& inent member of the ISU, while Stephen Dasovic, 36, was a leading figure in the Croatian organization here. Twelve Canadians have given their lives in the heroic Struggsle of the Spanish people against international Fascism, while many more have been wounded. Letters received from members of the Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion indicate that the battalion is upholding Canada’s finest tradi- tions for gallantry and that it is rapidly becoming one of the crack fightine forces in the International Brigade, Previous to the formation of the Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion Gana- dians fought with the British and American battalions, acquittine themselves with honor in the tre- mendous struggle around Madrid this sprine when General Franco exerted every effort to isclate the capital by cutting the vital Madrid- Walencia highway and was hurled back time and time again by the defenders. Wow the yarious batta- lions of the Imternational Brigade are preparing to take the offensive. Train at Albacete. At headquarters of the Mackenzie- Papineau Battalion at Albacete Canadian yolunteers are undergoing an intensive period of training be- fore leavine for the central front. Wames of Canadians who have died for democracy in Spain follow: Joe Campbell, 41, Montreal; Michael Russell, 27, Montreal; Arthur Morris, 30. SBilairmore, Alta.; A. WVander- brugge, 33, St. Catharines, Ont.; Elias Aviezer, 38, Montreal; G. Las- kowsky, 38, Toronto; A. W. Garcia, 37, Montreal; Fred Tackey, 33, Toronto; Stephen Dasovic, 36, Van- €ouver; Peter Johnson, 28, Vancou- yer; issic Kupehik, 28, Montreal; Wick Marinofif, Joe Campbell, a native son of Mon- treal, waS a member of the Daily Clarion Montreal bureau, while Arthur Morris was secretary of the miners’ union at Biairmore up to 1935. This week it was reported that Bdward Yardas, for four years editor of Borba, Csnadian Croatian news- paper, and now an officer in the Canadian battalion, has been wound- ed while on active service on the Jarama front, Nazis Menace Czechoslovaks Rumors Insistent That Fascist Putsch Planned BERLIN, Germany, June 24.—The Wazi press today carried open threats against Czechoslovakia as the result of an incident allezed to have occurred in Prague, where a German citizen was said to have been roughly treated by police. The Lokal Anzeiser declared that the Reich might haye to prepare “grave measures’ as an example for the understanding of Czecho- Slovak authorities, “who do not comprehend the most elementary laws of civilization.” The official German agency said: settled “Such infamies cannot be by simple diplomatic excuses, and Germany cannot tranquilly accept these baseful brutalities. PARIS, France, June 24.—Pub- lished by I’ Humanite recently was S in the Canadian battalion, had been killed on They Died For Democracy Two Volunteers Killed Were Strong Union By WM. Fellow Croations in Wancouver who knew him well say that Stephen Dasoviec would be content to lie un- der the blood-drenched sod rather than die in an endeavor to satisfy insatiable mine owners in Canada, where for 12 years his modest dreams and efforts have been fras- trated; but the observant listener could sense their pride that a com- patriot and neighbor was in the first contingent of Camnadian-Croats to strike a blow for freedom over there. The Jarama sector of the Madrid front where Dasovic, who fought only three days before he was killed, in the description of the American writer Hemingway, was the scene of many saneuinary } which Franco’s mercenaries invari- ably came the losers. Spain’s foreign minister, Del Vayo, confronted with heroism on all sides, felt impelled to especially men- tion the achievements at Jarama of the Dimitroff battalion of the Inter- national Brigade with which the Croatians marched and fought. Detailed to patrol duty, the “death patrol’ which must hold an exposed the followings: “From confidential and sources we learn that a number of nmoen-commissioned officers of the talian army have been sent to serve in the German army and in territory adjoining Poland and Czechoslo- Vvalia. “Tn Italian Fascist centres insistently whispered that a Pascist putseh, backed by Fascist inter- vention, is being prepared against reliable it is Gzechosloyalia.” position until relieved, Dasoviec in the prime of life, target for the Fascist bullet, could have told a brave story, typical in many respects of foreign-born workers in Canada. Hated Fascism Bidding farewell to his bride, who earried his yet unborn son, with the vow to make a home for them in the freer more prosperous Canada, whieh beckoned with colorful prom- ising posters, the young peasant battles out of Men PURVIS E Papineau Battalion was only 28 when he died facing a ruthless en- emy on the Jarama front. Some of his relatives and friends in this city, where he was raised, cannot yet understand why he went to Spain to fight for its democracy, the victory or defeat of which will affect tremendously the destiny of Canada and the world. Shipmates of young Johnson around the union halls however knew that nothine on earth could keep him away from Spain. To sea- men who have seen Fascism in ac- tion in various parts of the world and who knew the calibre of the vouns AB, it was no surprise to Know that Johnson had slipped away with one of the first contin- sents of Canadian anti-Wascists to aid in the defense of Madrid. “He and I were shipmates on his first ship 11 years ago,” said a vet- €ran union man who had followed closely the lad’s career since he graduated from North Vancouver high school and whose only. regret Was that he could not be at his side at Jarama on the Madrid front. Ardent Union Worker. Peter Johnson was fired by the magnificent unions of American sea- men as he worked aboard ship alone the coast, and when in port, in Van- couver, he strove to build the Cana- dian Association of Seamen, about the only organization going ahead at that time; and when misleader- ship and trickery developed in this | Peter Johnson of the Mackenzie- body, he fought tooth and nail for (Continued On page 2) Mrs. Ewen To Make Tour Of [sland Soon Two Ambulances Are Being Sent To Canadians One of British Columbia’s best women speakers, Mrs. Beckie Ewen, will begin a three weeks’ tour of Vancouver Island =) under auspices of S!the Ambulance committee, €P of GC, next Wednes- day, June 30, at Victoria, it is an- nounced. Generous pub- lic support,in all parts of the do- minion has made possible purchase of one ambu- lance now near- Mrs. ing completion, Beclie Ewen for the Macken- zie-Fapineau Battalion, and $600 has been deposited for a second. The two ambulances when com- pleted will be shipped te Le Havre, France, proceeding under their own power through France to Valencia. From Valencia they will be taken ta the battalion’s headquarters at Albacete. Two orderlies, two nurses and a doctor from Canada will accom- pany the ambulances. : Mrs. Ewen will speak in the prin- cipal towns on the Island and will appeal for funds for the Ambulance committee. Following is her itinerary: Vic- toria, June 30-July 3; Nanaimo, June 4-5; South Wellington, July 6; Ladysmith, July 7; Duncan, July 8; Cowichan Lake, July 9; Nanaimo, July 14; Cumberland, July 15 16, 17; Courtenay, July 18; Port Al- berni, July 19, 20; Nanaimo, July 21. Valley Urges Gov't Action Seeks Appropriation To Deal With Flood Menace LANGLEY, BC, June 24.—Heavy damage to crops caused by this month’s copious rainfall has aroused farming committees to protest gBOv- ernment inefficiency in coping with the situation of widespread flooded areas. Re-conditionine of pumping sys- tems and strengthening of dykes must be undertaken immediately to Save many farmers from ruin, is an insistent demand. At Fry’s Corner, 550 acres of oats, garden and fodder crops are flooded; West Langley, 330 acres, oats, gar- den, hay and fodder crops; South Westminster, 50 acres small crops. In Surrey and Langley. 25 to 30 per eent Joss on 300 acres of straw- berries. Demand for a conference of rep- resentatives of those municipalities menaced with floods has arisen and Was Stressed before the meeting of the dyking commissioners this week. Aggressive farmers are raising a demand that an appropriation of $250,000 be made by the provincial government to dea] adequately with the menace of floods. Longshoremen Get Ban Lifted Protests by the Vancouver and District Waterfront Workers’ Asso- ciation to the Commissioner of Cus- toms, Ottawa, against the ban placed on the ISH bulletin, a seamen’s pub- lication, succeeded in raisine the barrier to admit this publ tion into Canada without interference. J. S. Woodsworth, MP, assisted the Van- couver organization in its protest. TWO B.C. MEMBERS OF MACK ENZIE IN SPAIN Lumber Barons Open Attack Pettipiece For Forced City Labor CCF Alderman Declares Part-Time Workers ‘Chisellers’ JOBLESS TO MEET CCH Ald. P. Pettipiece lined up this week in the Civic finance com- mittee, with reactionary Alderman Bennett to maintain the much-pro- tested work test for relief recipients 4s against the stand of Aldermen Helena Gutteridse and A. Hurry Who would do away with forced labor for the relief allowance. Pettipiece described 160 men who could not go through the “work test” because they Jobs, although on the relief rolls, as ~chisellers."" despite evidence laid before the city council which ex- plained their case. Recent stand of Pettipiece has aroused wide resentment among the had part-time |; Barcelona After Bombing Raid unemploved, states a member of a delegation which appealed for help before the social services commit- tee of which Pettipiece is ehairman. A mass meetine has been called by the Workers’ Alliance, an or- Sanization of unemployed and part- time workers, for Saturday, June 26, 2:30 pm, at the Orange Hall, Gore and Hastings, to air Opinions of those liable for ‘test work’ and take a vote on the question. Alderman. Pettiniece has been re- quested to attend this meeting and explain his position and that of the S0Cial services committee. “The whole business is a eryinge injustice,”’ Stated W. Crawford, Workers’ Alliance official, who lea a delegation to the city hall this week, “The men and their families are live on starvation rations. They have no suitable clothes for work which entails slopping around ‘in mud and water,” he declared. “Pettipiece has forgotten how the unemployed literally fought one an- other to get the reasonable wages offered by the BC Blectric for shov- elling snow, last Christmas,” he added. Wells Miners Defeat Split; Hold Ranks Two Renegades Open Company Union Offices WELLS, BC, June 24.—Latest ef- fort of mine operators is to open up a swell office in Wells, Sivinge notice that miners Willing to sign up for the Cariboo Gold Quartz “company should apply therein. Two employees have been won over by the company ta occupy this office and to solicit Signatures, where they can, among the strikers. Suggestion put forward by the Vancouver press that the ranks of the men are split is without founda- tion; the latest strike bulletin from Wells stating as follows: “In a union meeting held June 14, the membership showed them- selves stronger that at the begin- ning of the strike, when they passed with a large majority a motion to Stand firm. Labor’s Need Is Legislation —Colin Cameron. MLA -Elect Addresses Island Lumber Workers COURTENAY, BC, July 24——Colin Cameron, WiLA-elect, was the main speaker at a crowded meetine here, called by the Lumber and Sawmill Workers Union, Iocal 2797, to urse the passing of progressive legisla- tion as an aid to the Fanizational campaign now being conducted in the district by the union. Supportine eakers were IT Brad- ley, L&SW union, and S. Robertson of Cumberland local, TAWA, who dealt with questions of organization and unity. completely run-down after trying to fF seven tri-motored rebel planes attack on non-combatants. A working-class district of Spain’s great industrial City after urloosed a futile and ghastly r Workers are seen searching among the debris of shattered dwellings for killed and injured. ‘Advocate’ Charges Supported regarding the mine tragedy Chief Mines Inspector O’Brien admitted at the inquest that some mine passages were discovered to be close to water “at one time” and that he found some places widened beyond the §-foot limit to as much as 35 or 40 feet. “At his instigation,’ O’Brien stated, “John Unsworth, former tire boss at the mine had ben replaced by a more experiencéd man.” Wels Shepherd, one of the drowned miners lived three hours after a torrent of water flood the Bevan mine, it was revealed. Mentioning his four littfe children Shepherd told the others, “I have to get out of this place,”’ but faint with exhaustion, let go of the overhead timbers to which he was elingine. Trade Unions To Aid Spain Drive NEW YORK, June 24.—{F'P)—The Trade Union Relief for Spain here has launched a drive to raise $250,- 000 for loyalist Spain, A special ap- Peal will be made to trade unions. Funds will be used to build and equip hospitals in Spain and to es- tablish camps for Spanish refugee children in France, Belgium and Switzerland. Jury Finds Negligence In Nanaimo Mine Disaster NANAIMO, BG, June 24.—Charges made last week in the Advocate which accused the provincial government of neglect at Hixtension where three men were drowned recently, have been substantiated by the find_| ings of the jury at the inquest held last Monday. George? Killed in Spain Peter Johnson, British Colum- bia member of the Mackenzie Papineau battalion whose death from wounds received on the Jarama front is reported by the Eriends of the Mackenzie-Papi- neau Battalion, Toronto, this week. flow Many Next Week? LREADY, a week before official commencement of our drive for 2,000 additiona] subscriptions, over and above since our first announcement subscribers, close on 100 new renewals, have been received last week. At this rate, if all our readers and supporters rally behind us we shall have little difficulty in realizing and surpassing Our objective in the two months’ Sept. 1. drive from June 30 to As we pointed out last week, we are doing our level best to make the People’s catering to all progressive only what is going on, Advocate a real readers who want to know not but what is happening behind the popular newspaper scenes. This ready response to our appeal] for extension of the People’s Advocate’s influence is encouraging. But new features, up-to-the-minute money. bill. Therefore we must have our progress, and this circulat pic A bigger and better paper means a bigger printer’s tures, original drawings, cost additional revenue to continue ion drive is one very effective Way of meeting increased costs. Last week we advanced the slogan of “A new Vell, when you’ve finished with for every present reader.” this copy, why not pass it on to somebody subseriber else—and then sell him a subscription? And don’t forget to let us know your Opinion of the paper. were always looking for ways better and brightcs-. We don’t pretend to be infallible, and and means to make the paper Lumbermen Seeking To Bar Union Invoke Criminal Code Against Union Organizer BILL 62 NEEDED A further attempt to ham- per trade union organizational work, foreshadowing a@ vicious onslaught on the Lumber and Sawmill Workers’ union was - made Jast Monday, when Magistrate Filmore, Setting a precedent, invoked a section of the criminal code by find ing Organizer Arne Johnson Suilty of assault when he was. engaged in union activities, and imposed a $5 fine. : Notice of appeal was served by Garfield King, representing the umlon, who stated would be paid under protest. Summonseq by. complainants. Rounds & Burcheite Loggins Com- Pany, Ramsay Arm, BC, who were represented by corporation lawyer Senator J. w. deB. Farris, KG, John. Son pleaded not Suilty to the charze lodged by. B. P -Burchette, Superin- tendent of the lozeine- camp, that Johnson had resisted Burehette’s at- tempts to keep him off company property. : “Resisting” in this case was con- Strued into “assault,” when Johnson admitted walking around the pre- Sane Superintendent to the camp punkhouses, where 4 i i Sea Se union meetine Admits Business Legal. Burchette Maintained jn the wit- ness stand that his reason for order ing Johnson off the property Was to protect his employees from “coer cion’”’; that the union organizers were there to force the crew, num- berins 130; to join the union azainst their will and better Judgement. Questioned by Garfield King, Burchette admitted the union or §anizers wer, Zi in ee € engaged in Jezal Senator Farris, after declaring to the rights of private property must be upheld, Unless they are, Serious Violence and bloodshed will] result,* then discloseq the real reason for the prosecution of the union. Readine aloud from editorials in the BC Lumber Worker, official or $9n of the union, this lawyer, repre- sentative of bic business, sought te: Prove that money and organizers: from the Committee for Industriag Organization were to be brougheé: into the Province. i In reply, Johnson stated that ke’ was not aware of any money or er-- Sanizers and pointed out that the: acceptance of the CIO Was entirely up to the membership of the union. Union Will Wight. j Later, Johnson made a state- ment to the Advocate pointine out the far-reaching effects if his con- viction maintained, and that any unscrupulous employer could use this precedent to defeat the aims of lesitimate trades unionism. “The Lumber and Sawmill Work ers’ Union intends to fight this yic- ious, hoss-inspirea verdict all the Way,’ said Johnson. “It js up te organized labor to give us full back ing, otherwise it will] be their turr next,” he added. Producing 4 copy of the proposed “Bill 62,7" which will suarantee Workers the right to Organize with adequate protection, and Stating that the time was ripe for a Wide cam-+ paign for its enactment in the lesis-- lature, Johnson enlarged on its: clauses. Below are excerpts from Clause 6, which is regarded as the most important in the bill: “Any employer or corporation whieh shall seelk by intimidation, threat or loss of position, or threat of any pecuniary penalty with ths object of preventing an employes from belonsine to a trade union, shall be liable in the case of an in- dividual employer to a fine of $106 or 30 days imprisonment, and in the case of a corporation, $1000 fine” Dompously magistrate, COAL MINERS STRIKE STELLARTON, NS. — (FP) rik teen hundred coal miners continus on strike for higher -wages. Ths walkout, which bezan 30, was Ca by the employees of ths A dia Coal company for a Vec-a- day increase, that the fine “The -