THOUSAND AT VANCOUVER MEET . Troops Pour Into Maginot Line > away dier’s Into the famous Maginot line, from the Belgian toe the Swiss frontier, France this week poured her troops, seen here marching through a fron- tier town. Only a few hundred yards awaiting the word te unleash their terror over Europe. = Millions of Frenchmen, behind the people’s frent, demon- strated agamst Prime Minister Dala- Czechoslovakia, caused the French government to against Nazi invasion of the central European democracy. were WHitler’s Nazi legions, rallying complicity in the betrayal of stiffen its stand THE PEOPLE’S ADVOCATE VANCOUVER, B.C., FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1938 Support For Labor Unity Overwhelming Stewart Says Congress Decision Vindication Of Unity Policy In Operation The recent decision of the 4th Trades and Labor Con- sress of Canada “to continue its sfferts to maintain harmony within the international trade imion movement in Canada” Was, in the opinion of Charles Stewart, executive member of Vancouver Trades and Labor Coun- sil, a vindication of two years of his policy in operation. Stewart, who returned last week- snd from the Wiagara Falls con- vention, said that despite desire of 2 Small minority for expulsion of SIO unions, the overwhelming sentiment of delegates was for re-— ceention of the unity policy which gad been proven correct. “At least 90 percent of the dele zates to the Congress favored inity,” Stewart told the Advocate this week, “and the resolution it- self passed without dissent. Stewart pointed out that the unity policy had brought 40,000 workers into the international (rade unions in 1936-37 and, despite a deepening depression, another 30,000 workers had been brought mto the Congress in 1937-38. “Certainly,” Stewart commented, ‘any attempt by right wing ele- ments to throw out CrO unions now will be against the democratic jecisions of delegates to the high- est trade union authority in the Dominion. “J fully believe that both AFL and CTO unions in BC will be able to work in harmony, as in the past two years, towards fulfilment 9 the most urgent task of the trade union movement in this province organization of the unor— ranized. “With organzzed labor in BC facing the tremendous issues in- volved in the strike of union men at Blubber Bay the question of maintaining unity im the trade union movement here is of vital importance,’ he stated. Trade unionists now had the task of putting the many splendid resolutions adopted at the Con- sress into action in their union locals, Stewart said. Questioned as te what decision the Congress had reached on poli- tical action, he said that the for- mer policy of encouraging local unions and trades councils to fomn labor representation committees had been reiterated. This policy, it had been pointed out by delegates, had borne fruit in Regina, Saskatoon, Toronto and Oshawa where organized labor's nominees had been elected. Temperance Union Protests Arrests A letter from the Women’s Chris- tian Temperance Union, protest- ing “arrest of unemployed young men, forced to solicit help from the Citizens on the streets in order to buy meals,” while the city operated an illegal lottery by the sale of exhibition tickets, was read at the eity council Monday. Ald. Ht. i.. Corey, moving that the letter be received and filed, urged that the Temperance Union be informed that “agriculturel exhi- bitions are exempt from certain re- sulations, enabling them to oper- ate lotteries,” Trades Council, Ratepayers Rap Manager Plan Aldermen were unanimous in their approval of the two briefs presented to the special meetings of the civic finance committee Tuesday by Alex Fordyce, vice-president of Vancouver Trades and Labor Council, and Dr. A. F. Barton, president, Federated Ratepayers, opposing the city manager plan. Particularly pleased was Ald. John Bennett, who declared: “It only bears out what I told you weeks ago. if we heard from the Trades and Labor Council, the Federated Ratepayers, and the Board of Trade, responsible re- presentatives of the people, we would find them definitely opposed to such a plan.” Declaring his indignation at press reports that Captain Con- way, sponsor of the city-manager plan, claimed he had not been Biven a fair hearing at the first Ineeting with the finance commit- tee, Ald. John Bennett remarked, “J fail to see how fairer we eould have been than to give them a whole evening. We enquired if they had any more speakers, and stuck around here until aiter il o'clock to hear them, and then they declare they given a proper hearing. “Tm astonished that some of our leading newspapers should have been so ill-informed—or perhaps it was done with malice aforethought —as to allow such statements to appear in their columns,” he con- cluded angrily. LABOR Hits PLAN The brief presented by Alex For- dyce, and heartily endorsed by the trades and labor council executive, stated that the trades council “‘waill fight such a dictatorship with all its might, because it is undemo- eratic and un-British.” “The propagandists for a city as high as in Vancouver. Nor do they tell us what that city receives in revenue from gasoline tax, in- heritance tax, cigarette and sales taxes as well as other sources of revenue which VYancouver does not receive.” Dr. Barton, in presenting his brief, reiterated Statements he made to the Advocate last week that banks and department stores had apparently agreed to put up the necessary cash to keep a city manager and association going for the first three years, and that Cap- tain Conway would do the collect- ing and borrowing. “This statement has been de- nied,” Barton deciared, “as I knew it would be.’’ ‘MURRIN MOOTED haven't been) manager in Vancouver,” it con- tinued, “do not tell the citizens : that assessments in Cincinnati (held as an example for the city manager plan) are more than twice “Captain Conway hinted to me that the Council-Manager Associa- tion ‘could borrow George Mur rin, president, BC Electric, for first three years,” Barton added, “so I know they have no one else de- finitely in mind.” Aldermen asked that copies of both briefs begiven to the city clerk for distribution to the staff and complimented both representa- tives on the excellence of their re- ports. Asked if he thought election time was too soon for plebiscite on the city manager plan, Dr. Bar- ton replied that there would not be sufficient time even then to edu- eate the people as to “what they would be voting for, and whether they want what they are voting for” Very few questions were askea of the speakers, aldermen appar- ently concurring in the points set out in the briefs. Parliament Session Demanded Stand Of British Unions Cheered At Trades Congress —W. STEWART Describing the recent Trades and Labor Congress conven- tion at Niagara as “a wonderful experience,” William Stewart, secretary of Local 28, Hotel and Restaurant Employees Union and delegate from Vancouver Trades and Labor Council to the convention, told the Advocate this week of the enthusiasm dis- played by delegates. A resolution, demanding that Prime Minister Mackenzie King conyene parliament immediately to decide Ganada’s foreign policy passed without a dissenting vote, Stewart said. The resolution urged eollective action against fascist ag- gression and demanded that no more concessions to fascist states be made. Delegates who had been opposed to the 1914-1918 war declared them-— selves ready to stand by any Z0v— ernment to stop fascist aggression and fight for democracy, Stewart remarked-_ The Congress government to on shipment of war all aggressor nations, in particular, Germany, urged the King place an embargo materials to mentioning Italy and Japan and to release arms and supplies immediately to the Span- ish government. Support of the Spanish government's struggle against fascist aggression was pledged. Referring to the speech made by Ebby Edwards, British Trades Congress delegate, in which he stated that the British Trade Union congress had gone on record as supporting any government with the policy of “no further conces- sions to Hitler and support for Czechoslovakia,” declaring that any split in the trade union move— ment now would only be playing into Witler’s hand, Stewart said the delegates ‘nearly tore the roof oft cheering and applauding wildly. Ask Gov't To Remove Embargo City Audience Sends Resolution To King After Hearing Spain Delegate ‘Unanimously endorsed by 1600 people, a resolution urg- ing the federal government to lift its embargo on shipments of arms and munitions to Loyalist Spain was forwarded to Prime Minister Mackenzie King after Manuel Azearate, son of the Span- ish ambassador to Britain, had told an Empress Theatre audience here last Thursday that “there would be a quick finish to the figni— ing if the Spanish government could obtain arms.’ Azearate spoke in Vancouver during the course of his Worth American tour to rally public» sup- port for the food ship which is scheduled to leave New York for a Spanish government port this weekend with a cargo of food and medfeal supplies contributed by supporters in Canada and the United States. Accompanying him was Miss Constance Kyle, director of homes for children in Spain: The entire audience rose in the elenched fist salute of the people’s front when Ted Gunrud, returned BC veteran of the Spanish war, coneluded his brief address. Miss Kyle stated that there were one and a half million children in loyalist territory and the task of feeding these children was tre- mendous. “The Spanish people are wonder-— ful about their kiddies,’’ she said. “They tighten their belts in order that the youngsters can have more nourishing food.’ A. M. Stephen presided at the meeting, which was held under joint auspices of the Canadian League for Peace and Democracy, the Friends of the Mackenzie- Papineau Battalion and the Youth Committee to aid Spanish Orphans. The sum of $204 above expenses was raised, divided equally among the funds for the food ship, Span- ish orphans and rehabilitation of volunteers invalided home from Spain. Other Donations Acknowledged Other donations received recently by the Canadian League for Peace and Democracy for the Spanish fund are: United Mine Workers’ Union, Cumberland, $25; M. Malm, 67 cents; K. Nelson, $1.55; A. F. Steven, $1; Miss ice, 50 cents; A. T. Peacey, $2; Mr. Pickle, $1; Mrs. Stehelin, $2.37; Croatian Education- al Group, $1. Moot Royal City Consumer Group NEW WESTMINSTER, BC, Sept. 29—Following a recent meet- ing of New Westminster women on the question of high living costs, child welfare and pure food- stuffs, another feeling has been arranged, to be held on Wednes- day, October 5, 2:30 p.m. in the BC FHlectric auditorium here. Tocal women will address the meeting and itis proposed to set up some form of consumer organisa-— tion to combat the high cost of a Demand Calling Of Parliament Rally Urges Strong Stand For Democracy preservation of democracy. A second resolution was cabled to Tord Cecil, presiding at the Bri- tish Commonwealth Peace Con- fress in session at Glasgow, Scot- land, urging the congress to ibring pressure on the national govern- ment for aid to Czechoslovakia. “The so-called democratic powers are avoiding a problematical war today and thereby weakening their position for the greater and more terrible war they are making pos- sible for tomorrow,’ declared Sam Shearer, president of the Railway Carmen’s Union. Fully five thousand Vancouver citizens gathered on Powell street grounds Sunday afternoon at a rally held under auspices of the Canadian League for Peace and Democracy voiced unani- mous approval of a resolution demanding that Prime Minister Mackenzie King convene parliament immediately. The resolution, presented by A. F. Black, provincial vice- president of the league, declared that parliament must decide Canada’s position in the international crisis and demanded that the Dominion government break with the pro-fascist policies of the British national government and take a firm stand for the A. DM. Ste- phen, provin- cial president of the League for Peace and Democra-— ey, denoun- ced Chamber-— lain and the British ‘Inner Cabinet’ as prepared to sell out demo— where in order to preserve their own po- A. M. Stephen sition. ‘Appeasement’ Policy Proven False “Can we say that Chamberlain and the Cliveden set honestly represent the majority of the Bri- tish people?” hedemanded. “we cannot. Nor can Prime Minister Mackenzie King claim to repre- sent the majority of the Cana- dian people in following such a policy fraught with terrible men- ace to peace and democracy any- where.” The British national govern- Mment’s so-called policy of appease— ment, Fergus McKean, provincial secretary of the Communist party, said, was in reality one of calcu- lated aid to the fascist states. “Has Japan been satisfied with what the British policy of ‘ap- peasement’ enabled her to grasp in Manchuria?’’ he asked. “The fruits of that policy are evident in the invasion of China today. Has Italy been content with her ruthless con- quest of Ethiopia, a conquest which was also enabled by the Bri- tish policy of ‘appeasement?’ Two years of devastating war in Spain through italian invasion show that she has not. Did Nazi Germany’s ambitions end with the absorption of Austria, enabled by the com- plicity of the British national gov— ernment? The threatened invasion of Czechoslovakia are proof that they did not. - _“And,” McKean demanded in” conclusion, “is there any ground for believing that Hitler will be content if he obtains control of the Sudeten areas? Already his press is demanding the total ex-— tinction of Czechoslovakia and boasting that invasion of Ru- mania will be his next move. “Collective action of the power- ful democracies, ineludin<= the great Socialist democracy, Soviet Russia, can amd must end fascist aggression. We must see that our own government gives a lead to the British Empire by taking a firm stand for peace and for demo- cracy.”" Czechoslovakia, Spain Crises Linked The war in Spain and the threat ened Wazi invasion of Czechoslova- iia were inseparable, Ted Gunrud; returned BC volunteer in the Mac- ikenbie-Papineau Battalion, told the thousands packed around the speakers stand. Both were moves in the fascist drive to isolate the great republic of France and to weaken both Britain and France. The two fascist states of Germany and ftaly sought domination of Europe as a necessary step to fas- eist world domination in which no democracy would be secure. Cheers greet-— ed Charles Stew- art, executive member of Van- eouver Trades and Labor Couneil, recent- ly returned from the Trades and Labor Con- gress of Can- ada, when he outlined organ- ized labonr’s stand against fascist ageres- Cc. M. Stewart sion. “Not only is fascist aggression in Europe threatening world peace,” Stewart declared, “but fascist activities and anti-labor legislation in some Canadian provinces, and in Quebec parti- cularly, area threat to our own internal peace and democracy. Just aS we are voicing our united protest against dismemberment of Czechoslevakia, so must we unite against subversive fascist activities in our own country.” The rally ended on an inspiring mote as Maurice Rush, after a brief speech, led in singing ‘‘Solid- arity For Ever.” Youngs Communists Stage Demonstration Six members of the Young Com- Mmaunist League demonstrated in the downtown area on Tuesday afternoon, carrying banners read- ing “Parliament must be called at once,’ “Youth demands hands off @zechoslovakia” and “No conces- sions to fascism.” After parading for more than an hour they were stopped by police, who claimed they were causing an obstruction and seized their ban- ners. Vi MeCrea, provincial president of the YCL, protested this action, pointing out that theatres were readily granted permission for any kind of a publicity stunt, but citi- zens were prevented from exercis-— ing their rights of free assembly. ‘Parasites On Society’ Ickes Raps Red-Baiters As Menace To Progress “The drawing of this odorous red herring across the trail is en- couraged by those who, having fastened themselves as parasites upon our social and economic sys- tem, have grown obese from the have been themselves. “To the red hunter every man or woman who would bring about improvements in our economic system so that it could no longer permitted to gorge living. J be said that 60 percent of the citi- special privileges upon which they | PUT-IN-BAY, Ohio, Sept. 29.—Red hunters who yell ‘‘Com- munist” at anyone trying to improve the living standards of the mass of the people, were lashed by the bitter tongue of US Secre- tary of the Interior Harold Ickes, in a speech delivered here. zens of America are living at or below the margin of a decent ex— istemce is a red or a communist who is dangerous to the welfare of America. “The fact is that the man who jis most dangerous to our institu- Ee is the man who would de- prive any citizen of those civil rights which are guaranteed to him by the constitution or who would deny those economic rights with- out which civil rights themselves are a hollow mockery.”’