| Se TOP—J. P. Saisberg, Ontario jJabor leader. Toronte, this weelk elected him alderman for Ward 5, returned popular Stewart Smith, Jeading Communist (bottom) in Ward 6. Tim Buck lost by only 254 votes for beard of control. in Hamilton, QOnt., Sam Lay- rence, CCE, former MLA, head- ed the civic poll. the House Western Canada’s The Peoples Advocate | Leading Progressive Newspaper NEXT WEEK 6 Special Annual Review Edition FULL No. 152. SS Published Weekly VANCOUVER, B.C., FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1937 Single Copies: 5 Cents VOL. IIT. No. 48e e *% TRADE UNIONS FIGHT COMPULS ARBITRATION CLAUSE IN LABOR = Of Min | | OES representing labor and big business in the proy- ince, together with countless run- ners, are making the corridors of the House hum in the last fey days ef the session. The odds are that Pattullo will have to postpone dis- tribution of fattened pay cheques for a few days, because the CCF eroup, supported by Tom Uphill, are raising spirited objections to Pat- tullo’s plams of closure this week. Harold Winch and Colin Comeron have a division of work between them to introduce the following amendments to Bill 94, Industrial Disputes Act: To strike out clause which would force unions to submit list of mem- bership to zovernment. An amendment to the definition of “dispute” to substitute the words, “a body of employees acting in com- bination” for the present words “‘ma- jority of employees.” Amendment to prevent act from impeding or interfering in any way with the right to strike previous to calling for appointment of concilia- tion commissioner, nor after four- teen days after the date fixed for taking the vote. An additional clause which would define and provide for “all union agreements” (that is closed shops); mo provision for which is included in present act. Amendment to include “agricul- tural workers” in definition of ‘“em- ployee.” An amendment to change defini- | tion of “employer” so that it will include those employing less than ten employees. An amendment which will give accredited representatives of work- ers’ unions the right to contact men oer women at any mill, camp, shop or ship, at times when they are not working. Compulsory arbitration will also receive strong opposition from CCH and possibly several other progres— Sive members. Attempts will be made to weaken these clauses by deletion amendments, so that arbi- tration will be maintained, but the right to strike not interfered with. Election Results ALDERMEN (Four elected for two-year term) BL. Gorey (NP), elected....- 12,501 Ald. T. WH. Kirk (NP), re-elected ......-...-.----+-- 12,167 Ald. Helena R. Gutteridge sa Sa sous 11,613 (CGE), re-elected 6 BH. J. DeGraves (NP), elected. .10,736 Ald. R. P. Pettipiece (NP)... .10,689 Ald. Alfred Hurry (CCE) .. - -10,408 Wak Offer (CCH). -.-..--=- 7,940 Mrs. Edward Mahon ......-.- 6,308 mH. F. Robinson (CCF) ....... 6,223 INST GL Goebel nas soos So Sea pee flee Ss5j sono 5eSSsaSS ts i. D. Taylor . aoe SCSC0L TRUSTEES (Four elected for two-year term) dames Blackwood (NP), re-elected F. J. Dawson (NP), elected. . .17,945 Ada Crump (NP), re-elected. .17,908 3. A. Gampbell (NP), elected. .15,558 M. M. Osterhout (CCH) ....... 14,982 PARK COMMISSIONERS (Three elected for two-year term) W. G. Swan CNP), elected ....17,289 FR. Howe Holland (NP), Te-elGCted (oo 6 we 17,166 Susie LL. Clark (CCE), elected 12,620 A. E. Jukes (NP) James Corkill (CCF) 11,335 Legislation. Evasion of a genuine trade union bill by the government and the danger of compulsory arbitration was the most im- portant business under discussion last Tuesday at the Trades and Labor Council meeting. That delegates were fully aware of the dangers to organized labor was evident by the de- termination to oppose any reactionary legislation which would limit the freedom of the trade unions expressed in all speeches. The executive was instructed to organize a mass protest meeting immediately, before any bill was enacted. “Locks as though the labor meyvement which asked for bread as it were, has been handed a brick, according to hewspaper reports,” was the opening remark in a speech made by Secretary Bengough. Showing that the trades council executive had not let any grass grow under its feet, Bengough outlined the immense amount of work done to organize all pressure possible for en- actment of the Trades Congress bill in the House. : Beside personal visits to Victoria made by executive mem- bers, every member of the legislature was mailed a letter stat- ing clearly the desires of labor on trade union legislation. “Under consideration,” was all that could be obtained from Pattulleo, Bengough declared, although a promise had been made that union officials would get a copy of any proposed bill before it was introduced, he said. Position On CCF Bill Bengough explained his position to the CCF bill by stating that in his opinion it woulda be disastrous to swap horses at this stage. He said also that he firmly believed that more success could be obtained with the bill introduced as a gov- ernment measure. Reading from an article written by Sir ‘Walter Citrine in the Industrial News which stated that British unions are not incorporated and there is no compulsory arbitration in that country, Bengough refuted recent slanders made against the trade unions in Britain by local newspapers. “Tt did not expect compulsory arbitration from a Liberal government,’ Bengough remarked, Correspondence from Hon. G. S. Pearson was read to the council, several delegates declaring that it seemed obvious he was in favor of compulsory arbitration. In one letter Pearson could not see anything wrong with the BC Industrial Association complained of by Bengough. (Gontinued on page 5) See LABOR. BC Nickel Before House Cameron, Guthrie Oppose Findings Of Committee VICTORIA, BC, Dec. 9.—With Colin Cameron and Sam Guthrie, CCF MILA’s, strongly opposing the findings, the House was informed by its mining committee Wednesday that “Colonel Victor Spencer and associates in the BC Nickel company have acted both honorably and generously through- out all that company’s operations.” A warning had previously been given by Colonel Victor Spencer and syndicate, controllers of BC Wickel mine, near Hope, to the mining committee of the legisla- ture, that support by that body of the recent accusations made by Dr. Lyle Telford against the syn- dicate, would mean closing down of the mine. The warning was given the com- mittee after a sworn statement by Spencer that never had minority shareholders been offered a fairer deal than he and his syndicate were proposing for the reorganiza- tion of BC Nickel. Dr. Telford declared he had said the BC Nickel deal “bears watching.” Farris insisted Tel- ford had suggested a swindle and invited him to withdraw his statements. Telford refusing, saying, “I haven't started yetl” Spencer told of conversations with representatives of the Krupp interests of Germany, to prove that every effort was made to find 4 market for the ore, but technical difficulties made sales impossible. Quizzed Dr. Telford, “You made a mistake in investigating in this mine?” Replied Spencer, little enthusiastic. who puts $215,000 in a prospect let alone a poor man like me, is crazy. We are trying to develop an industry and willing to put up our money.” ‘We were a Any rich man | Appeal Is Dismissed Judge Upholds Court’s Decision In McDonald Charity Soliciting Test Case. Dismissal of the appeal of Hx Serviceman McDonald in County Court last Tuesday, by Judge A. M. Harper, upheld Vancouver's bylaw requiring persons soliciting for charity to take out a city license. Judge Harper said facts were not disputed, that it was agreed MeDonald of the ExServicemen's League was one of 45 members in financial distress sent out with a petition to solicit, and that its purpose was a laudable one. Rap Padlock Law Protests against the Quebec pad- lock law haye been sent to Pre- mier Duplessis by Vancouver and New Westminster Trades and Labor Council, the Canadian Wa- tional Railway System Employees’ Federation and Tocal 58, Railway Carmen of America. Protest Forces Postponement Trades Council Brands Proposed Act Reactionary “Labor Movement Asks For Bread, Is Handed Brick Instead,’ Comments Percy Bengough At Vancouver Trades, Labor Council Nees ing; Raps False Press Reports On British Here are some of the children at Begbie School described by Wm. Purvis, PA staff writer, in the story below. Boycott On Burns To Stand ‘Labor Refuses Suggestion For Temporary Lift » Organized labor cracked down heavily again on Burns products last Tuesday at Trades and Labor Council, after a request had been made by some parties that the ban be lifted temporarily to allow sales of two carloads of buffalo meat, recently brought to Vancouver from Wainwright Park, Alberta. The council is as adamant on the boyeott of Burns products as is the company toward its former employees, stated one delegate. Through the efforts of Local 95, Meateutters, some of the big de- partment stores have taken down Signs with Burns name on them, reported Delegate Douglas. An- other delegate declared that Ster- ling Meat Mariet, reputedly a sub- Sidiary of Burns, was in the lead of a recent effort to popularize the name of Burns to an unsympa- thetic public, but sales are still in a bad way, forcing the company to lay off more men. Solidarity with loclked-out Burns employees decided a Musicians’ Union orchestra to pack up instru- ments and leave the Peter Pan Cafe, Granville Street, when it was discovered that the celebration there was put on by present non- union employees of Burns com- pany. This was reported by a dele. gate who was one of the musicians involved. He also stated that an orchestra was supplied immediate- ly by the Canadian Federation of Labor at a lower fee than the union rate. Local 95 official opined that Burns might as well give up the idea of any Seattle trade this Christmas. The teamsters there refuse to haul Burns products and meateutters in the chain stores de- clare they will refuse to cut any Burns meat. Firefighters To Get Explanation Delegates to Vancouver Trades and Labor Council last Tuesday in- structed their executive to answer a communication from city fire- fighters which requested a fuller explanation of charges made against the firefighters’ delegates at the recent Victoria trade union convention, by the president and vice-president of the trades coun- ceil. The letter stated that until an explanation was given it would be impossible to discuss unity further. Stay Deportation SEATTLE, Wash., Dec. Sure from a well organiz paign led by trade wnions in | eral states has further stayed de portation of Harold Pritcheti, president International Woodw ers of America, until December : local immigration authorities hay- ing receiy yvord to this effect from Weshington, DG, this week IWA officia doubling efforts to win the right for Pritchett to remain in the United States. 9.—Pres- at of ; On the west bank of Wild Horse are calling for a re-| Malnutrition Fought PTA Provides Hot Meals For Begbie School Children A daily bowl of hot soup to help down cold lunches enabled gbie public school to fight off sickness and maintain an excellent record of attendance when children attending Matthew Be many other school classrooms last spring’s epidemic. Uphill Asks Mine Probe Pearson To Investigate Wild Horse Creek Charge Made By Labor Member In House. © VICTORIA, BC, Dec. 9—Cham- pion of a group of prospectors on Wild Horse Creek who are at the merey of arbitrary decisions made by the Gold Commissioner in that area, Tom Uphill, labor member from Fernie, charged the “govern- ment or its agents with negligence or discrimination” this week in the Efouse. Uphill stated-that gold was found Creek last December and a group of prospectors filed some 15 claims with the Gold Commissioner. Later, the men discovered that their claims had been staked in 1935, but the Commissioner stated that this previ- ous lease had been refused by him. Around 200 feet of tunnel, a num- ber of open euts and 40 feet of shaft Was work accomplished by this group, which also installed ex- pensive equipment. The storekeeper at Steele gave credit to the extent of hundreds of dollars. This work was done in the winter until April. April 10, 19387, a notice from the Gold Commissioner to this Sroup of prospectors informed them that the claims were cancelled on March 15, 1937, nearly a month after the money was accepted by the commis- sioner, but not returned. “The fact that a lease can be granted, refused and re-granted some two years later, shows neg- ligence or discrimination on the part of the government or its agents,”’ Uphill charged. Quoting section i, article 27. Placer Mining Act, which reads, ‘No free miner shall suffer for act of commissioner, or omission. or delaw on the part of any government of- ficial, if such can be proven,” Up- hill contended government responsi- bility in this case, on the basis of affigavits made by the men, and that this group should be remuner- ated and proper investigation made. Uphill warned that he ‘would bring the matter before two minings ventions he is scheduled to at— 1d and advertise the facts, “if nself ry the hi but promised to investigate matter fully. Children Hungry ANBROOK, BG, Dee: 9——=Ad- ing the Rotary Club here, Paulson, government sociaj welfare nurse, said there were over 50 children in a local school suf- fering from the effects of malnu- trition, declared that these semi- starved children should be given | milk and cocoa during recess. were forced to cicse down in This proud assertion was made to me by Norman Taylor, enthus. lastic executive member of Begbie Parent-Teachers’ Association, spon- sors of the hot lunch idea, when I arrived there last weelxk with a photographer to catch the kiddies with spoons in action. it was certainly a sight to see some 140 children file past the serving table balancing their soup, then sit together munching and chattering; and on that wet day We agreed that the soup seemed a dire necessity to the majority of the tots. Parents Unemployed. That a large percentage of the children eating in the basement of Beghie school belong to unem- ployed parents, is borne out both by a casual observation of the plainest of fare eaten by many and the personal Knowledge obtained by P-TA members regarding the children. Responsibility of providing this addition to the daily lunch entails no little work. Only those devoted to children’s welfare are prepared to undertake the task of taking turn about for at least two hours a day to prepare, serve the soup and clean up afterwards. Interest is now community-wide, with regular donations of cereals and vegetables from small busi- nessmen and others to ease the burden carried mainly by the PTA branch. Meaty bones for the soup are purchased at 1 cent per Ib. Those parents who can afford it pay 2 cents per day for their children, but such is the poverty of many, only around 50 per cent can pay this small sum regularly, one assistant informed me. Seeking the opinions of the PTA membership as to this method of assisting children, I was told most parent teachers take the position that the city should make budget appropriations for the provision of hot lunches in the schools, that a checkup on reports turned in by district school nurses would show a long view financial saying for the city in the prevention of mal- nutrition and sickness. Beneficial Results. Said one volunteer helper: “Compare the attendance record of Begbie school with others dur- ing the epidemic last Spring, and the beneficial results from many angles will be seen.’ Principal S. Smith stated to me, “The arrangement is working yery Satisfactorily.” fe and his staff assist the PTA in every way, Nor- man Taylor said, and the co-opera- tion of the school board to the extent of free gas for cooling, pro- vision of a gas range and the use of the school basement, has been secured. Executive members of this pro- eressive, enterprising PTA branch are as follows: Mr. F. Kellan, pres- | ident; WN. ‘Taylor, vice-president; | Mrs. A, Menchin, secretary; Mrs. Floc urer; A, LaSalle, Peterson, secretar Mr, A. Dic ORY BILL ~ ing Act Pattullo Bows To Pressure Prospectors Charge Amendments Favor Big Syndicates At Stormy Meet. ———— YEAR’S HOIST Announcement that the government will postpone for a year any revision of BG mining laws, was made in the House Thursday, December 9; as a result of province-wide protests from prospectors and Liberal members from mining areas, Charging that a group of . financiers is trying to railroad through an amendment to the BC Mines Act in the last days of the session, a stormy meet= ing of prospectors last Satur- day demanded of Dr. J. EF. Walker, deputy minister of mines, that his department take Action to prevent cramming of legislation which would benefit syndicates and brokers at the expense of prospectors. News that amendments to the Act had passed second reading caused a telegram of protest to be sent to Hon. G S. Pearson, min- ister of mines, who sent his deputy minister to attend a hurriedly- called meeting at Victory Hall, Homer street. Holding up a sneaf of protest telegrams which were sent to Pearson from all parts of the province, H. Woodside, manager, BC Chamber of Mines, electea chairman of the meeting, had difi- culty restraining open hostility of the prospectors when it became apparent that Dr. Walker was in favor of the proposed amendments. Dr. Walker was taken aback when 80 of the 140 who attended the meeting rose at his demand for a showing of practical pros- pectors who had recently been in the hills. He had a strenuous time defending his department while he Sidestepped tne demand of the meeting that an exposure be made of the group now lobbying for the proposed amendments. Syndicates Gain Defending the Act as it now stands as being the best in Gan- : ada, man after man attacked the amendments, claiming powerful syndicates were the only ones te gain, that prospectors would be reduced to the status of day laborers or forced on relief. One able speaker told of the abuses which would follow pro- posed changes which permitted stakes on claims that showed no Sigm of mineral, Dr. Walker being told bluntly that this gave an open- ing for mining syndicates toa “blanket” the country, including timber lands. “You never went into the hills with a slab of bacon and a sack of flour,” reported one prospector when Dr. Walker stated he knew something of mining, having been in the hills 10 years ago. Strong objection was taken te Walker's proposal that while a prospector would be allowed to Stake 3 claims under the amend- ment, he would be limited to act as agent for only 2 other pros- peciors and 9 claims, in a given district. The entire meeting was opposed to this on the grounds that the average claim was 2 gamble and it would be a tremen- dous hardship for a prospector to be forced to leave a district to look for new claims under proposed new rulings. With Dr. Walker was W. Asser- time (Lib, Atlin), who, without be- ing accused, Geciared to the meet ing that he was not working for any vested mining interests. He invited Atlin prospectors to meet him next day. Arbitrary powers invested in BC geld commissioners were at- tacked by the meeting. Accusa- that these officials tipped £ friends at the expense of ospectors, were mict lamely by. the deputy minister, who said “the law holds a man innocent unit] proved suilty.” ons ti of pz 4 f ree an