i era SP aN wlan aE Loyalist _ Strength Growing | Heralded Fascist Of- fensive On Loyalist *Positions Fails To § Materialize. DELAY ATTACK By JULIAN CASTRO Federated Press BARCELONA, Spain, Dec. 22. — (By wireless to FP).— Repeated reports of an immin- ent Fascist offensive, some- times made to0 seem so immin- 7 ent that Loyalist lines are 4| pictured as “collapsing,” have, one after the other, been shown up as false. : What is the fascists’ reason for delay? Postponement of the at- p tack, proclaimed from the house- tops for six weeks and more, can hardly enhance Franco’s prestige "abroad where talk of a great mass |oifensive has been incessant. Nor )can it raise morale behind fascist lines. The answer to the delay seems to ) be this: Despite the transfer of men ;end materials from the northern front, despite the arrival of 30,600 ) more Italian legionnaires during the “) past three months, the fascists are “inot as strong as they expected to )tind themselves or as they led the » world to believe. Get us examine the forces at their ) disposal. They have about 106,000 (Italians, 20,000 Germans, 10,000 ' Portugese and other nationalities Fand 30,000 Moors. These ate their shock troops, numbering 160,000. There is not one Spaniard among them. Franco’s troops consist of civil guards, falangists, requetes and 4 ii drafts of working-class and peas- jant recruits. The last-named group jhas no heart for the fascist cause, "and, accordingly, is decidedly in- ferior as a fighting element. Loyalist Army Superior Wow let us take a brief glance at the republican army. In July, 1937, ') President Azana stated that it num- ‘bered 500,000 soldiers. Since then "thousands of men have joined its ranks. It is now superior in num- bers to the fascist army, even in- _ cluding their 160,000 foreigners. The Sia Soli as “Sh » ditficult point for the loyalists is ) 42rms and equipment. The fascists ) have consistently received airplanes, )\tanks, armored cars, artillery and > 2mmunition in huge quantities from |) sermany and Italy. The Spanish government, on the — Sther hand, was barred by the so- J cailed non-intervention agreement from buying materials needed for ) self-defense. But loyalist war ma- )terial factories haye been organized on a large scale, especially in Cata- jonia- Although arms and equip- ment are not yet available at the level of the fascist supply, sround is being gained. If organization of Bovernment war industries con- tinues at the present rate, the fas- ® cists will in time have little or no advantage. Loyalist morale is superior to that ;of their adversaries. Despite fascist ‘preparations for a great attack, dozens of Spanish fascist soldiers pdesert each week to government (iimes. The main centres of present ‘activity are the Madrid front and the front extendine from Teruel to “Sabinadigo. Boycott Japanese Goods. Canadian Boys Are Defending Democracy In Spain Western Canada’s Ieading Progressive Newspaper VANCOUVER, B.C., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1937 IARITY ISI : a FIRE King Raps Decision Of Court Dismissal Of McDonald Appeal Affects Every Charity Organization In City “FOOL BYLAW”’ a “There will be no Christmas Santa Claus funds, no Kiwanis funds for under-privileged children. No one dare pass the hat even for a needy family. Even patriotic objectives will be barred, believe it or not. Not a single philanthropic en- terprise may be launched without a $50 license being taken out for every individual “engaged” in the drive. Now that the situation has been fully explained perhaps the eity council will amend the fool bylaw.” This is what Garfield A. King, prominent city barrister, had to say this week in reference to up- holding by Judge A. M. Harper of a police court conviction imposing a fine on John McDonald, ex- serviceman, “for soliciting for charity without having procured a license.” King defended the case on behalf of the appeal committee. Producing a copy of Judge Har- per’s findings in the appeal, King recounted the salient points: The facts in the case were not in dispute, 45 members of the Ex- Seryicemen’s League were needy, there was no racketeering shown, the three-year-old city bylaw had been broken, proceedings were taken solely against the person ac- tually soliciting. Commenting further, King said: “The decision is important be- eause Sf its application to the general charity situation in Van- eouver. If the law, which this de- cision declares, is to be applied equally to all organizations and in- dividuals engaged in soliciting — and it is the duty of the police to enforce the law—the first imme- diate and startling result will be to compel all the thousands of per- sons engaged in this activity in connection with the Vancouver Welfare Association and many others, to take out the requisite license of $50 for every person ‘engaged directly or indirectly’ in the objective. “TJ estimate that at least 3000 persons are ‘engaged’ in one form or another each year in this way. That will mean $150,000 a year to the city’s revenue. In three years it will more than pay for the $400,000 just voted for schools. it is well to notice that the has the power to sue for this money as for debt due to the city. ‘Jet us say there is a strike sit- uation. Workers are on strike. Funds are low. They appeal to the public—a charitable purpose. “The bylaw, as everybody knows, Was aimed at ‘charity-racketeer- ing,’ but its effect, if it is to be enforced, will be equally to freeze the very fountain and springs of charity at their source.” Over 100 From B.C. . . . The Flower of Canadian Youth BGB KERR of Ex-Service Men’s League, Vancou- ver, and political com- missar of the Mack-Pap Battalion, sends Season’s Greetings to the people of British Columbia on behalf of the B.C. boys fighting for Democracy in Spain. Member Friends of the Miackenzic-Papineau Battalion 43 - 615 West Hastings Street - - Vancouver — EE TRINITY 4955 Christmas Shipment for] Mackenzie- Papineau Battalion Here is: a small part of the $15,000 Christmas shipment sent by the Canadian people to the Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion in Spain through the FMPSB. People in all parts of BC contributed handsomely to the campaign. Fourth from left in the centre group is Mrs. Beckie Ewen, formerly FIMPB secretary here. CCF Forced Fuel Action — Colin Cameron Comox MLA States Gow’t Did Not Plan To Bring Down Bill Cn McDonald ‘Probe NANAIMO, BC, Dec: 22.—De- Seribing the final days of the re- cent session in the legislature as “a welter of bills on the assembly like a snowstorm,” Golin Cameron, MLA (CCE, Comox), reviewing the business of the House at a meet- ing in Eagles Hall here Sunday, declared that all the CGE mem- bers could do was to picl out the most important bills and concen- trate on them. He referred to the report of Ghiet Forester C. HE. Manning at the be- ginning of the session, who warn- ed that the present stand of Doug- jas fir would end in fifteen years, that of an estimated stand of 16,500,000,000 feet, 1,500,000,000 feet was cut last year. “You see where we will land at that rate,” he said. ‘And what do we propose to do.” Cameron quoted Manning as say- ing that the three chief reasons for the situation were: Present logging methods; lack of control by the de- partment of crown granted lands; no proper means of slash disposal. The CCF member stated that he Suggested to the House they fire Manning and save the cost of his Salary if not prepared to carry out his recommendations. Charging that the withholding of necessary funds to carry out some excellent suggestions was ‘the last stand of the logging interests,” Cameron maintained it was the CCF which offset the big lobby of logging interests which were out to defeat Manning’s recommenda- tions. Special praise for Harold Winch, MLA (Vancouver East), was given by Cameron, who stated that this young member had thoroughly di- gested the McDonald report in one week, to carry on a vigorous attack on present practices in the fuel industry. “The CCE succeeded in having the board of control changed to three men, instead of one as was originally planned. The force of the measure would depend on its administration.” Cameron claimed that the gov- ernment had no intention of intro- ducing any bill in connection with the McDonald report in that ses- sion, but that the ©CE had forced its hand. NEW YORK.—(FP)—More than 2,200 families in New York own and operate their own co-operative apartments. Boycott Japanese Goods. Rockwell Kent Declares: ‘All Democratic Rights Wiped Out In Brazil’ NEW YORK, Dec. 22.—(FP).—‘“Every vestige of demo- cratic rights has been wiped out in Brazil,” Rockwell Kent, noted artist, declared in a press interview on his return from a trip to Brazil with President Jerome Davis of the American Federation of Teachers. The two men made the trip under the auspices of the Joint Committee for the Defence of the Brazilian People and the National Committee for the Defence of Political Pris- oners. Kent painted a gloomy picture of conditions in Brazil today where fascism has an open door as a result of Getulio Vargas’ coup which set up a dictatorship. Although he had been given assurances from Os- waldo Aranha. Brazilian ambas- sador to the US, that he would have complete freedom of movement and the privilege of interviewing po- litical prisoners such as Luis Carlos Prestes, both he and Professor Davis were searched to the skin and Kent was taken to the police Station and questioned in the pres- ence of 40 detectives. “INo one is permitted to say any- thing against the fascist powers. The Vargas government is violently pro-F'ranco. And not a word of eriticism is permitted against Japan though the majority of the Brazilian people are on the side of the Chinese against the Japanese aggressors,” Kent reported. Kent told about the strict censor- ship on all newspaper stories going out from Brazil, about the censor- ship of mail inside the country, and the suppression of all opposition political parties. Neither Kent nor Davis was allowed to see political prisoners. Cal. Labor Will Back Democrats SAN FRANCISCO, Cal., Dec. 22. —(FP).—Division of labor between the AFI, and the CIO “must not Cause division of labor's. political strength,” State Senator Culbert Ol- son declared as the first convention of California Non-Partisan League went into session here. Olson, a liberal who is promin- ently mentioned as Democratic can- didate for governor in 1938, de seribed the convention as “an his- toric event of consequence” and as “the lJong-felt necessary miobiliza- tion of labor forces for political ac- tion.” Delegates attended from 140 CIO locals and 127 AFI. locals, as well as from railrcad brotherhoods and 23 from the Workers Alliance. It was decided not to attempt formation of a new party at this time but to stick by the Democrats “2s long as they are the people's party.” Votes will be directed to- wards candidates of any party who Show at least a 60 per cent labor record. Bancinge It’s a Datel January 28th... People’s Advocate ANNUAL BALL The Hastings Auditorium With Vancouver's Outstanding LEN CHANBERLAEN and his Orchestra 9 till 1 828 East Hastings Novelties Refreshments Dance Band TICKETS - 50 CENTS Pete Lazaroff he —a—iihs Hi—o— 1 it | i) A pair of artificial legs will be the Christmas present this year for Pete Lazaroff, in town this week from Quesnel. It’s a painful process propelling oneself along on a cushion with the aid of home-made ‘‘feet”’ gripped by the hands, but Pete knew he was welcome in the of- fices of the PA and greeted the staff with a ready smile and an iron grip. Through the efforts of Dr. R. G. Baker, Quesnel physician, who has brought the case of Lazaroff be- fore the BC government ,the pro- vineial welfare department fur- nished travelling expenses to Van- couver and return and he is now waiting to be fitted. “Tll have to learn to walk for the second time in my life,” Pete remarked drily. There is a strong bond of friend- ship between this crippled man and Dr. Baker who has done so ™much for him. “That man has never turned down a patient for the sake of a fee. Everybody in Quesnel is his friend,” declared Lazaroff enthusi- astically. A reader and supporter of the PA, Pete believes that Socialism is the way out for Canada and he has sound ideas on methods of attain- ing unity of the people to this end. But for circumstances, he would now be in the land of Social- ism, he declared ruefully. He was born in Russia and came to the United States in 1907, returned to his natiye country but left again for Canada in 1913. At- tempting to go back in 1919 he was asked to join Canadian inter- vention forces then going to Si- beria but refused. LONDON. — (F'P).— There were 1,499,203 repistered unemployed in England November 15, 1937. This Was increase of 108,954 in a month. PIII Standards In ] higher grades. Thus bread increases xn SSSSSsSsssssssssssssess SSS SSSSSSesfG SDP A AAAS % We Wish Our Many Patrons and Friends % : A Merry Christmas and $ a Happy New Year Soviet Climb Latest Figures Reflect Growing Prosperity; Big Expenditures On Health, Education. By ANNA LOUISE STRONG Federated Press MOSCOW, USSR, Dec. 22.— (By wireless to HP).—A steadily rising standard of living In the Soviet Union is shown in recent articles in the Soviet press published during and since the 20th anniversary cele- brations of the Russian revolution. It is difficult to compare wages in rubles since the value of the ruble has varied greatly in the past decade. Hence a clearer picture is obtained by studying the actual amounts of food and clothing pro- duced. Wot only is this year’s record grain harvest over 115,000,000 tons as compared with 70,000,000 tons in 1932, lowest harvest in recent years, but along with it goes a rapid in- erease in all branches of farming and industry. During the past three years, cattle has increased 42 per cent and hogs 76 per cent. The per capita consumption of all food products shows a striking in- erease, especially marked in the 28 per cent, but rye bread actually decreases, while wheat bread is more than doubled. Milk, meat and ege consumption has almost doubled —and butter almost tripled. Sau- Sages and similar products have more than tripled from 1932 to 1936. Spain Booklet Has Wide Sale Preparations for the February shipment of comforts to Ganadians in Spain are already under way at 615 West Hastings street, district office of the Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion, according to J. CG. Chiv- ers, organizer. The five-cent booklet, ‘Hello, Canada,” compiled from letters and diaries of some of the volunteers, has sold so well, Chivers states, that a new consignment has been ordered. ~ Donations this week: Bradner, $5; Mrs. E. S., Kelowna, $5; Grassy Plains, $2; Grandview CP, $1.55; “Inland Boatmen’s Union, in mem- ory of Brothers Johnson and Wolfe, $5; Project 5, tobacco and $2.85; G. B., Bralorne, $5; A. Staub group, $1; Fort Fraser, $4; weekly subscriber, $2; Mrs. S., $2; Cumber- land, $11.50; E., West Vancouver, Partial Victory Gained Public Works Plan Practical Means Of Employing Jobless Ex-=Servicemen. CASE PRESSED By FRED TYLER Some plain speaking during this period of enthusiasm among ex-servicemen who are pinning hopes on the federal government wili show that (rom meagre repor.s obtain- able it 1s not so easy to arrive at such optimistic conclusions that full national care will be taken of needy veterans when the federal House meets in January. Examination of the record of the Veterans’ Assistance Commission, Ottawa, appointed in 1936 with an appropriation of $500,000, to tour Canada and investigate fully the whole problem will show this. At the time of publication of its in- terim report of this year, $100,0G0 had been spent in expenses. Parliament before rising re-voted the balance, $400,000, for use of the commission with its honorable committees, and, in addition, $250,- 000 for probational training plans. Therefore $750,000 has to be ac- counted for by the commission. The majority recommendation of the commission, care of non- pensioned unemployed, was reject- ed by the federal government. This recommendation called for a supplementary grant to this classi- fication of ex-servicemen, of $5 a month extra for single and $10 for married men, Figures compiled by Huntley M. Sinclair, secretary, Veterans’ Assisi- ance Commission, indicated that this grant would require $1,023,- 138.24 per year. The government ignored this, proceeded to continue with plans made before the com- mission was appointed, spent $750,- 000 in vain attempts to rehabilitate the veterans. as a background, final recommen- dations of the commission now in the hands of Minister of Pensions Powers, can be studied clearly. Partial Victory. That the rejection of the major- ity report of the commission last spring was, to say the least, ill- conceived is shown by the fact that only twenty-one ex-servicemen have been placed with employers in the Vancouver area under the probational plans. With fifteen local committees in the Dominion, at this rate it will cost Ganada $793 to place each veteran with an employer if the full sum appro- priated is spent. in Vancouver 102 of these men were found full-time employment, 172 part-time, 1000 casual work, out of a total of 7000, by the local hon- orary committee. It will take $24.40 to find each veteran a job if the other $500,000 is spent to per- mit local committees and Rattry’s investigation committee to carry out their work. These estimates are giving the administration the edge, and when it is seen that, of the 1354 men put to work in Van- couver, more than 1000 were but casually employed, in many cases further exposed. The commission recommended a federal scale of $18.0 for single, $30 for married veterans; that a conference be held between federal and Imperial governments to deal with Imperial ex-servicemen in Canada, this latter showing that no provisions were previously made for this category; and dropping of the age limit—a meaningless ges- ture. it is with a certain confidence that veterans wait for parliament’s re-opening. It has been proven that, short of public works, re employment works are impractic- able. But a partial victory in the Jong struggle for federal recogni- tion is in sight, mainly due to the number of progressive veterans in $1; Project 5, 280 packages tobacco. Hit Dismissal POWELL RIVER, BC, Dec. 22. —Resolution protesting discrimina- tion against forestry workers at Englishmen’s River, near WNa- naimo, where men were recently discharged for complaining against the quality of food issued, was sent to Hon. G. S. Pearson, min- ister of labor, by project workers at Camp 10 here at a union meet- ing this week. Boycott Japanese Goods. ‘ "69 New Age Piease note our New Address: 28 EAST HASTINGS ST. NE PPY PISA GOSS Vancouver, B.C. USSSSSSSESSSESSSSSSSSSSSSSS Bookshop : TRINITY 5753 oS the ranks of all ex-servicemen’s organizations. Seamen Vote For CIO Affiliation NEW YORK, Dec. 22.—(F'P).— The National Maritime Union, or- ganization of 51,000 unlicensed sea- men on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and on the Great Lakes, will affili- ate with the Committee for Indus- trial Organization. The action was voted in a referendum of seamen who left the AFT, International Seamen’s Union last May. The vote for affiliation was 19,072 to 1,084. WDifficulty in reaching membership scattered in every port on the three coasts and enroliment of 15,000 new members after ballots were sent out account for the dif- ference between the number voting and the present membership. Curran announced that prepara- tions for formation of a National Maritime Federation are under way and that a convention in San Fran- cisco on January 17 “the frame- work for a federation will be set up.” 6 SSSSSSSSsSsS SSSSSSSSSKX Boycott Japanese Goods. With these figures - ene day per month, the fallacy is: