now t) FULL STORY OF C.C.F. CONVENTION ON PAGES 2 and 3 “FOUR OF US” International Brigade Short Story PAGE FOUR The People’s Advocate THE LONDON SCENE PAGE FOUR FULL No. 130 S= Published Weekly VANCOUVER, B.C., FRIDAY, JULY 9, 1937 Single Copies: 5 Cents VOL. III. No. 26 HUNDREDS OF C.N.R. E PLOYEES Restaur 2 Hotel, Cafe’ Both Sign With Union Gity lathe Held Fins For Increased Pay Rates END PIECE WORK Chalking up another im- portant victory, the Hotel Restaurant Employees union this week won recognition from the Georgia hotel man- agement after a week’s strike in which Bartenders’ and Mu- sicians’ unions were also in- volved. The agreement calls for five cents an hour increase for waitresses; 50 cents an hour bonus for each ban- quet over and above the steady Wage of 28 cents an hour; improved working conditions for bus boys, in- cluding a stipulation they will not be required to do any janitor work. At the Trades and Labor Council Tuesday, Biil Stewart, business "agent, thanked Bartenders’ and Vu Sicians’ unions for their aid. Mu- Sicians refused to go through the picket line to perform at a banquet the day the strike was called. Stewart stated that union offici- als made every effort to negotiate with the hotel management before callnig the strike. Paris Cafe Signs Pact An agreement with jocal 28, Hote] and Restaurant Employees union, Was signed this week by the Paris Cafe management after union em- ployees had threatened to picket. The pretext used by the man- agement was that used by Scott’s Cafe that a previous agreement had. been signed with a “Canadian union” organized by a man named Walker. The proprietor of the Paris Cafe. however, changed his mind when faced with strike action. Validity of the “Canadian union” has been challenged by the Trades and Labor council. City Lathers On Sirike All Jathers in the city have been on strike for the past week to en- force a demand for 75 cents an hour and abolition of all piece work. Well attended meetings at O’Brien hall show that men are solidly be- hind the strike. Controlling 60 per cent of the work in Vancouver, it is said, master lather I. A. Davis is the main obstacle to a settlement. So far he has refused to co-operate in trade questions with other employ- ers to whem he sub-lets contracts. Evidence has been submitted by workers to show that Davis is en- deavoring to obtain lathers from eCutside the city. The Lathers Association here has no affiliation here at present al- thcugh locals of the craft at one time belonged to the AF ofl and ACC of L. Withdraws From Federation Withdrawal of the National Har- bor Board from membership in the British Columbia Shipping Feder- ation, which became effective Thurs- day, July i, climaxes a long drawn- out fight of the Vancouver and Dis- trict Waterfront Workers’ Associa- tion to break the Wederation’s strangle hold on the port of Vancou- ver and waterfront employment. What the future policy will be in regard to employment on these docks will not be known until the Ottawa Board has reached a decis- ion. Bethune Here Next Month Noted Canadian Surgeon Te Lecture On Spain Dr. Norman BGethune. Canada’s ace surgeon in the Spanish Repub- lican forces, will be in Vancouver August i, en route to California. He will return to Vancouver August 14 and will give a series of lectures in BC which will be illustrated by his famous sound film depicting his blood transfusion work and ac- tual battle scenes of the Spanish front. “Nickel Mines’ concentrates are now Lord Marley To anti-Fascist and deputy-speaker of the House of Lords, will arrive in Vancouver July 11, in the course of a tour under the auspices of world- wide Jewish organizations. ranged by the B’nai Brith Lodge will be given in his honor on July 11, when he will speak on the prog- ress of his work. ant Workers Win Two Agreements ARE Belgian Premier ~ Roosevelt Greets Paul van Zeeland, prime minister of Belgium, is welcomed by President Roosevelt Series of talks on on his arriyal at the White House for a trade co-operation and world peace. Japanese Buy Mine, Timber - BC Resources Exploited For Japan’s War Machine 8.—British Columbia’s natura] re- sources are to be exploited by Japanese capital to supply the needs of Nippon’s imperialist war machine. VICTORIA, BC, July Announcements: made by Japanese capitalists” this wee the Iron Duke property on Louise island in the Queen Gharlottes, ore? reserves of which are estimated at anything up to 10,000,000 tons, con- stituting one of the richest deposits in the province. The ore is esti- mated to average between 65 and 70 per cent magnetite. Japanese interests have already contracted for three years’ produc- tion of Granby Mining and Smelt- ing company, which recently re- sumed operations at Allenby, and negotiations for purchase of BC proceeding. : A short while ago Japanese in- terests purchased $1,000,000 worth of timber on Vancouver Island and in the Queen Charlottes. BC Mines Pay Big Dividends But Winexc Have To fe On Strike for Higer Wages VICTORIA, BC, July 8.—A total of $124,277,897 has been paid in divi- dends by British Columbia mines in recent years, the annual report of the department of mines here re- veals. Silver-lead-zine mines have most productive in dividends, ac- cording to the report, paying $70,- 861,364, as compared with copper mines $15,797,718 and gold mines been $27,618,815 during the last forty years. In all, $1,479,344,609 has been wrested from the mineral areas of BC since the white man’s advent. Miners who produce this wealth, however, have to go on strike and fight bitterly to gain even a smail share of it. Visit Vancouver Lord Marley, leading JSBritish A dinner and public reception ar- “representatives of powerful k confirmed the purchase of Fishermen On Strike At Namu Strikes Loom In BC Waters On Fish Prices NAMU, BC, July 8. — In what promises to be the beginning of a series of strikes, 150 Namu fisher- men pulled in their tackle this week to demand 8% cents a pound for sockeye. Low prices offered by the canner- ies and the average weight of the Sockeye being less than usual, Caused dissatisfaction and a dele- gation of fishermen to the Provin- cial and Beaver canneries demand— ed the new price. Strike vote is being taken at Rivers Inlet and preparations are being made for a sale of fish by the union to supply food for strikers When needed. “This unrest is traced directly to stubborn refusal of the big canners to negotiate with the fishermen’s joint committee representing 2,000 men,” stated J. Gavin, union or- anizer, Barbers Here Win Increase Working barbers haye won wage increases rangin= form $2 to $6 under the new scale, it was announce- éd at the Trades and Labor council Tuesday. No House Leader For CCF Group Will Not Appoint Leader Till After First Session H. E. WINCH NAMED No house leader for the CGF legislative group of Seven at Victoria will be named until after the first session. This decision was reached at the CCF provincial conven- tion here last week-end only after the matter had been thrice referred to the legis- lative group for recommenda- tion. When the first recommendation of the group was brought in Sun- day evening, that the best interests of the group and of the movement would be served by not designatine a chairman, George Weaver immedi- ately moved coneurrence. Dr, Lyle Telford rose to oppose the recommendation, Stating that he was the only one of the Sroup not in favor of it. He asserted that such an arrangement would lead to difficulties. His views were not shared by HB. E. Winch who declared that Past experience had shown the folly of giving any one individual undue prominesice.. He “yas sup- ported by Dorothy Steeves whose plea for centralization of power in the hands of the executive was in- terrupted by Matthew Glenday’s cry of, “Dini Buck told her that.”’ Finally, upon Chairman Arthur Turner ‘ruline the recommendation out of order, Joe Round moved that the conyention elect the house’ leader. An amendment offered by Trevor Dayis that the matter be re- ferred back to the legislative group Was accepted and carried. H. Winch Named In an electric atmosphere Monday the group brought in its second recommendation naming Harold Winch house leader. The recommendation was quickly moved and seconded. Matthew Glen- day requested that the motion he read again. Secretary Herbert Gar- Stave complied, whereupon Glenday moved non-concurrence. “You ought to know better,’” com- mented Chairman W. W. Lefeaux. The question being called with- out discussion, the reconimenda- tion was carried 75 to 26. Joe Round rose to deplore the fact that there had been no debate and Was reminded by ILefeaux that op- portunity for debate had been given. “I'm going to refuse to re-open the question,” he stated. “Of course, if you want to challenge my rul- ing: . ane Round challenged the ruling Lefeaux was upheld 62 to 41. Immediately Dr. Telford, who had been sitting near the press table, got up and walked out of the hall. Later is became known that a sroup of delesates dissatisfied with the recommendation would attempt to reopen the matter from the floor of the convention and the legislative sroup conferred again to revert to their former recommendation that no house leader be appointed, with the modification that a recommenda- tion would be offered to the 1938 convention after the first session. Glenday and Gargrave, both of whom had preyicusly fought against the recommendation, reversed their Stand and advocated adoption and a motion embodying the group's deci- sion Was finally carried. and DONATION TO PA- The Ladysmith, BC, branch of the Women’s Labor Leasue this week Sent 4 $1 donation to the PA main- tenance fund. : Two Parties May Unite In Spain Enthusiastic Meetings Held In Madrid Over Week:- End To Discuss Possible Merger Of - Socialist, Communist Parties By TED ALLAN MADRID, Spain, J uly 8.—While Loyalist armies intensi- on all fronts, Madrid last week-end was the scene of a series of historic meetings of the Spanish working five of the city’s largest theatres enthusiastic meetings addressed by Communist and Socialist leaders were held, speeches being broadcast all over Spain. i It is caleulated that some 60,000 fied offensives class. Simultaneously in New Premier Sooner At the head of the new cabinet of the French People's Front gov- ernment is Radical-Socialist Ca- mille Chautemps. Position Of Federationist Disappointing Colin Cameron Deplores Tone Of CCF Weekly That the position of The Federa- tionist, official organ of the CCE in British Columbia, is “disappointins”’ was revealed at the CCE proyncial convention Sunday when the report Was presented. A reasoned appeal for Serious cen- Sideration of controversial articles, such as those which had character- ized The Wederationist of recent months was made by Colin Cameron, who thought that opinions of minor- ities should be respected. He referred to recent articles by Ansus MacInnis, which had con- tained cheap jeers and jibes against the Soviet Union. Certainly such at- tacks as these were not calculated to appeal to people who looked to The Federationist for what they had a right to expect—attacks on the real enemies of the people and not on the Soviet Union. Harold Winch declared that the paper wes in “a parlous financial position.” Gargraye endorsed this Statement, ‘but later modified it. In general discussion it was shown that, despite the CCF’s 100,000 sym- pathizers, The Mederationist had less than 6000 circulation. Complained Evelyn Grey: “So many subscribe to the People’s Ad- vocate and not to The Pederation- ist.” Actions of Don Smith, editor, and J. ©. Cloutier, business manager, ndians | as forward to take the bait. use of the services of the tent, and gone sadly on his way. Thus the Indians have won the first round in a strike staged to win them a greater measure of free- dom from the tytannical restrictions posed on them by government agents in this district. The Indians wefe not conquered; they ceded their n North- tween equals. due them under West Territories Win Firs Round Of Strike Against The Gover FORT RESOLUTION, NWT, July 8—The Treaty Tent was pitched the treaty gifts beguilingly placed on display. a five-dcllar bill was ready for all comers —hbut no Indian of the Great Slave Lake district came So, after vainly making REMP, Dr. J. E. Amyot, Indian agent, has packed up his dignity, struck his land to the government on the basis But more and more. the Indians elaim, the government has encroached on them and has been treating them as paupers who must do as they are told. In defense of their liberties the Indians Struck, announcing they would not accept what was the treaty until another representa- were upheld by the convention. ste of a treaty be- tive of the government came to examine into their grievances. Dr. increasingly im- Amyot thought his Prove too much for them. The Indians stood solid and proved otherwise. No charge has been made as yet that the Indians are foreign agitators. “gifts” would | | | nment | | o FIRED Full Crews Needed For Road-Beds Discrimination Charged Over Interior Layoffs —$__ DANGER TO TRAINS Summary dismissal] of hun- dreds of CNR employees, last Wednesday, came as “a bolt from the blue” to shopmen, maintenance men and others; over 150 in British Columbia being: affected by a sweeping decision, made, almost over. took part in these historic meetings , between the Communist and Social- ist parties. Their objective was discussion’ of formin=® one unified Party of the proletariat — meaning the fusion of the two largest work- ing-class parties. Declarations of Sreeted with wild enthusiasm by Workers, peasants and soldiers on leave from the front. Mundo Obrero, Communist Party organ, devoted a leading article to the event which it deseribes as an “act of historic importance’ and adding “if words of the vyarious speakers should not suffice to con- Vinee us of the necessity of unity of the two parties, the enthusiasm of thousands ‘of workers, peasants and soldiers present and the ap- pPlause which was received by the speakers prove the unanimous desire that the union should be affected.” The meetines actually culminated the long campaign for unity. Ma- Speakers were _drid, always the forerunner of the example of umity to the rest of Spain, once again proved itS posi- tion by takine the lead. Phe first speaker, Santiago “Car- rillo, general Secretary of the United Socialist Youth inviting the people to follow the example of the youth, said, ‘In our organization all voted for a unified party. Let us get to work at once to make this a reality,’’ Great Progress to Unity. Luis Girola, representin= the Communist Party in the absence of Jose Diaz due to illness, said the plenum of the central committee of his party had pointed out the great progress achieved toward unity at the front, in the factories and the fields. - “We are working together and fighting together. Joint committees have been formed everywhere,’’ he said. He referred to Alvarez del Wayo's contribution to the progress of unity, praisinge him for statements uring the unification of both parties. The last speaker. Ramon Lam- oneda, secretary of the Socialist Party, said all Socialists desired a unified party. He referred to the meeting of the two Intermationals (the Communist and Socialist and Labor International) saying, “this is the first battle won for unity.”’ Significant were his final remarks to the audience: ‘The Soldiers of Spain could not die in the trenches Singing an Internationale which did not reflect their ideals.” The majority of Madrid papers are giving much space to the meet- ings. All are expressing a view Which will speed the process of uni- fication of both Parties. Kleber Commands Huesca Offensive VALENCIA, Spain, July §.—Ap- pointed to command Republican forces on the Huesca front last week was General Emil Kleber, comman- der of the International Brigade dur- ing the Critical days of the siege of Madrid last fall. Opening of the new Republican offensive on the Huesca front was sigmalized by one of the freatest air battles of the civil war. More than a hundred planes of Republican and Fascists air fleets were in the lican airmen, once again demonstrat- ing their superiority over planes of italian and German manufacture used by the Fascists. Labor Supports Johnson Appeal Vancouver Trades and Labor council Tuesday decided to support the appeal of the Lumber and Saw- mill Workers union against the re- cent court decision imposing a fine on Arne Johnson, union organizer, who insisted upon entering a camp on lawful union business. Council delegates were> told by A; Fordyce that after ‘a long, hard fight” with those responsible for advancing the ideg of substi- night, by the directors. As reported in the Trades and Labor council, Tuesday, by a dele- gate from the Railway Carmen’s Union, 47 shopmen representing: Various crafts were laid otf. rom each section between Prince George and Red Pass on the CNR, a laborer has been laid off, totalling -73 men. Reports received by the PA from Smithers, BG, State that now, more than ever before, is the need for full section crews to repair the road bed which is in a dilapidated con- dition. Complaints from passengers tray- elling on rough-riding trains pe— cause o fthis condition is further evidence for intensive repair work and recent derailments threaten serious accidents, state reports from this district. Ruthlessness in dismissals is shown in the case of 4 Chinese sec- tion hand at New Hazelton, BG, who has worked 18 years for the CNR. Advised, some years ego, by rail- Joe Ting has been a Member of the Maintenance of Way union for 4 Pite seniority, because he is about to qualify for the pension, Officials of the CNR State that the layoffs are necessary because forseen by experts. Agitation for the six-hour day for all employees of Canadian railroads will be intensified in all union locals, it is understood. Work Test Is Hit By Hurry Aldermen Resent Aiti- tude of Pettipiece To Jobless Resentment Was expressed this week by aldermen Sitting on the so- Cial services committee at the se- crecy maintained by Chairman Pp. Pettipiece regarding the new provin- cial proposals for Sivine work to the unemployed and a demand was made that present methods used in dealing With jobless be discontinued. Interviewed by a delegation from the Workers’ Alliance, Pettipiece Stated that he was reasonably sure that the new plan would do away with the work test, whereupon Ald. A. Hurry moved that the work test be immediately done away with, but without success. Alderman Petti- piece voted for its continuance. air, } the Russian planes flown by Repub- | tuting concrete for the granite spe- cified for pier facings on the First Narrows bridge approximately $130,000 would be expended for Sranite work, Consideration of the Proposal that unemployed should be taken off re- lief rolls and employed for a mini- mum of 11 days per month at union rates of pay, was promised by Pet- tipiece, who insisted, however, that he be allowed to work out full de- tails of his plan before any changes were made. A minimum earning of $38 a month is obtainable under this pro- posal. The vote conducted by the Work- €rs’ Alliance as to the desirability of continuing the work test of five days a month for bare relief, resulted in 96 per cent of the unemployed being against the test. Trade unionists showed their dis- sust at the stand taken by Alder- man P. Pettipiece in fo cing men to work for miserable relief allowances, in a debate on this question at Beatty street labor headquarters Jast Tuesday, and although a strong cen- sure proposed by some delesates was voted down, the executive of the Trades and Labor Council was in- Structed by the council to investi- gate the matter. Union Signs Up Richmond Milk Richmond Milk Producers Assoc- has signed an asTement with the Milk Drivers’ Union, Birt Showler, business agent reports. road officials to change his name, _ long time. Local railroaders believe that ~ Ting was laid off with others des- of crop failure on the prairie, - |