hn gee eae SOO ER FULL No. 206. . VANCOUVER, B.C., FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1938 eS & EMBARGO Silent Protest Parade Gets Wide Public Approval Under the slogan, “Keep Peace on the Pacific,” a strong movement for an embargo on war shipments to Japan was taking shape in the province this week. : Main centre of the spreading movement is Vancouver. Feat- ured by Wednesday's “silent protest” parade, organized by the Embargo Council and witnessed approvingly by thousands of people, the demand for an embargo was strengthened py openings of a drive for one million names to a to the federal sovernment. Miners Handed Present Mine Company Closes ‘No. 8’ At Cumberland Special to The Advocate CUMBERLAND, BC, Dec. 22.— Shut-down of No. 8 mine here this week with no statement from Canadian Collieries (Dunsmuir) itd. officials for closing the mine and giving no intimation when if will reopen comes as an un- welcome Christmas present to 200 miners thrown cut of work as a result. > HE. Plommer, general manager Gf the company Has stated, under terms of the agreement, he will confer with union offcials on elosing of the mine and other points of the agreement which the men are dissatisfied over because of a local official who is using his own judgment in the matter. Wage cuts of the miners were heavy during the years they were unorganized, but there is a feel- ing now that the recently signed agreement between colliery oaf- ficials and the United Mine Work- ers of America, which can be re- opened on request of either signa- tory, is a definite move toward upward revision of the whoie wage scale. TINCANNERS NOW RELEASED Federal authorities, acting on the request of Attorney-General Gor- don Wismer have released all but two of the 108 men incarcerated early this fall for tincanning on Vancouver streets before relief of- ficials had consented to issue re- lief or open forestry camps. They were immediately rushed through the examinations and sent to Van- couver Island camps. Two men are still held in Oakaila, and according to John Matts, Re- lief Project Workers’ Union secre- tary, authorities have apparently singled these men out as Jeaders of the strike in that institution a few weeks ago. The men had served two months of their terms, some being sen- tenced to four months while others had drawn a six-month stretch. Gordon Wismer on several oc- easions stated there would be no remission of sentence and the men would serve out their full term, but constant demands of labor or- ganizations and other bodies final- ly won out. Aircraft Miechanics’ Charter Installed Charter of the Aeronautical Me—- chanics’ Lodge No. 756, a newcomer in the field of the Vancouver labor Movement, was installed at Labor headguarters by I. A. Sandvigen, business agent of Lodge 79, Seattle. This local has been confined to employees of Boeing Aircraft com- pany, but with completion of the mew aircraft plant at Sea Island, which will employ several hundred, the new union looks forward to an organized industry paying high wages with good working condi- tions. : Sandvigen reviewed conditions in the United States, commenting on the success of the labor movement in the aircraft industry- petition for presentation The petition campaign will get y under way Sunday when congrega- tions of a number of city churches will be given the opportunity during Christmas services to put their mhames on the list, already headed by prominent people. Wednesdays demonstration, against Canadian aid to Japan broke all precedent Headed by prominent people, pickets marched in pairs through main downtown streets wearing siogan sashes and carrying banners and sandwich boards. Observed among the marchers were Grant MacNeil, MP, Mrs. Dorothy Steeves, MLA, Attorney John Stanton, Mrs. Stuart Jamieson of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Mrs. R. ©. Welden and Mrs. James Gray of the WCTU. The elersy-— men’s “division” included Rev. WwW. A. Cameron, Rev. D. W. Scott, Rev. R. J. McIntyre, Rev. Henry Knox, Rey. A. C. Bingham, and Rev. Ger ald B. Switzer. Slogans borne by nearly 300 Paraders who turned out read: “Toys: or Bombs for Chinese Chil- dren?’ “Japan's Victory Means Canada’s Loss,’ “It’s Cricket to Picket.” And of the thousands who watched the marchers, hundreds shouted words of approval and sup- port as they passed. Significantly, all marchers pa- raded past entrances to the Ballan- tyne Pier, where scrap iron is loaded, before returning to assembly points at the Women’s Building and United Church on Dunlevy, where Chinese girls served coffee and sandwiches. Sponsor of the embargo move- ment is the Women’s Christian Tem- perance Union, which two weeks ago assembled some 35 organiza- tions under the banner of the Van- couver Embargo Council. Monday the council met at St. Andrews-Wesley Church, decided on details of Wednesday's parade, laid plans for circulation of the petition. Delegates paid frequent tribute to. the Nanaimo Citizens’* Committee, which was responsible for beginning the boycott and embargo movement. Of the legislators invited to at- tend, J. A. Patton and J. Howard Forrester spoke briefly. Both con- demned Japan, but were doubtful concerning the embargo, expressing the opinion it would constitute an act of war. Japan’s invasion of China and slaughter of civilians was being protested throughout the province from the angle of the boycott also. Pickets of the Canadian League for Peace and Democracy patrolled downtown streets this week carry- ing banners. League officials state their intention to maintain picket lines until Christmas Eve. Other BC centres reported sim- ilar action. Up in Cranbrook the Chinese Salvation League, sup- ported by church and labor ‘groups, staged a parade last Sat- urday during shopping hours. Vernon saw a similar movement (see story on page four) and Langley peace groups, Carrying boycott slogans, marched through the shopping area. Failure of the Vancouver Trades and Labor Council to take immedi- ate action on the embargo, leav- ing any decisiecn to the executive committee for action, was seen as the only weak point. But if the council was slow to act, individual trade unionists were not, numbers of them taking part in Wednesdays demonstration. Observers believe the extent of the embargo movement to date has caused Ottawa officials to pay close attention. ° These Vancouver people joined Wednesday’s “silent protest’ parade. Back row: Mrs. Davidson, Mothers’ Council; Rev. W. A. Central - Presbyterian church. “Im frent- Board member; Mrs. James Gray, WCU, chairman Embargo Council. Cameron, Susan Eane Glarke, Parks Jamieson Scored For Non-Partisan Support council. 452, Local 97 of the Ironworkers’ Tinion and Iocal 2404 of the Piledrivers’ Union. Delegates took the flonr in rapid Succession to condemn Jamieson’s action. W. Stewart, delegate from Local 28, Hotel and Restaurant Workers, held up a copy of the Canadian Labor Herald, organ of the fink Canadian Federation of Labor, pointing to the fact that this paper ‘had endorsed the Non-Partisans. Other delegates pointed to the fact that the council president had stood on the same platform with a number of bitter reactionaries and strikebreaking elements. Discussion was Sidetracked, however, when Delegate W. Offer presented a substitute motion which in effect negated the ori- final censure proposal. Offer’s motion read: “That we recognize the right of any indivi- Christmas season! to readers. ‘delegates, Christmas To all our readers and supporters every- where, greetings and best wishes for the And may we extend our sreetings par- = ticularly to those hundreds of active sup- porters whose work during sustaining fund drives has made continued publication possible, and to those hundreds more who deliver the Advocate faithfully each week A merry Christmas season to you all! Editor and Staff, The Peop Trades Council president E. A. Jamieson’s action in aligning himself during the recent election campaign with anti-labor members of the Non-Partisan Association drew sharp condem- mation from delegates to last Tuesday's regular meeting of Debate on the matter opened on a recommendation from the council executive censuring its president. The executive’s rec- ommendation followed letters of protest forwarded by Local Brotherhood of Carpenters, dual to express his or her own poli- tical opinion providing it does not conflict with this council.” With the issue confused, several including Birt Showler. seized the opportunity to raise the question of CCE and lLabor-Pro- gressive candidates in an attempt to justify the president’s action. After prolonged debate, Jamieson himself took the floor to declare ke had no apologies to make for acting as chairman of the WNon- Partisan rally- “I make no apology for support- ing Mayor Miller,” he said. “He has been a good fellow and has been sympathetic to delegations from this council. “If you endorse the recommen- dation there is only one course open to me, so go ahead and do as you like and A. —&. Jamieson will do as he likes.” Offer’s motion was finally accept ed and approved. Form New Union Of Fishermen £1,000 Join CiO Organization im ’Frisco By GEORGE MILLER SAN FRANCISCO, Cal.{By Mail) — Thirty delegates repre— senting 20,000 Pacific Goast fish- enmen from Alaska to San Pedro _ wrote a new chapter in the his— tory of the fishing industry this week in accepting a CIO charter for a new fishermen’s union to be known as the International Fish- ermen and Allied Workers of America. The new union got off to a Hiying start with 11,000 members formerly organized under the banner of two powerful groups— the United Fishermen’s Wnion of the Pacific and the Alaska Fish— ermen’s Union. Both these or- ganizations had previously voted by referendum for affiliation ta the Cro. : Other unions represented at the convention convened by the Fed- erated Fushermen’s Council are expected to conduct similar refer- éndums and will later join the TFAW A. Final approval on setting up the new international was given Monday after almost a full weel of deliberations, during “which John Brophy, ClO representative, and_ Harry Bridges. addressed delegates. British Columbia fishermen were represented by your corre— spondent, delegated by the Sal mon Purse Seiners’ Union, and Dan Martin, executive member of the Pacific Coast Fishermen’s Union. B.C. delegates were pre- sent, however, in a fraternal cap- acity, since both unions are either amiliated with the Trades and Labor Congress of Canada, such as the SPSU, or have made ap- plication for a Congress charter. While no affiliation of BCG groups under an TFAWA is cen- templated, its establishment will have great effect on furthering organization on the Canadian Side. > In addition to providing BC fishermen with a stimulus and an example, setting up of one solid union on the American side is seen here as providing a better basis for a determined drive to unite “the number of existing unions in BC as well as establish unionism among cannery work- ers. As an instance, one fish reduc-— tion plant delegate here reported wages as beings $150 for monthly employees and 80 cents an hour. Reduction workers in BC work jonger hours for wages as low as $60 a month, some even less. Delegates attended from such organizations as Alaska Pisher- men’s Union, United Fishermn’s Union, Pacific Coast Fishermen’s Union. Eraternal delegates re- presented the Deep Sea Fisher- men’s Union, Copper River, and Prince William Sound Fisher- men’s Union, Salmon Purse Sein- ers’ Union, Reef Netters Division, UFU, Cannery Workers Division, UFU. Nanaimo Truck Drivers Organized NANAIMO, BC, Dec. 22.—Organi- zation of the Nanaimo Truckmen’s Association into the General TPruck- drivers’ Union was affected here last week through cooperation of the United Mine Workers of Am- erica, CLO, with Vancouver officers of the AFT, union. The union will now be known as Local 31, General Truckdrivers’ Union. The recent boycott of scrap iron destined for Japan by the Citizens is responsible to a large desree for the union consciousness now prevailing here and establishment of the new union. Officers appointed by Birt Showl- er, R. Atkinson and R. McCullough of Vancouver to carry on business of the union were Cc W. Dawthin, ehairman, and A. R. ane, secre- tary. This unity and cooperation be- tween CIO and AFT, unions augurs well for unionizing all workers in the city 100 per cent, labor men be- lieve. : = ee Ts ane ee SEES ; PERJURY CHARGE PRESSED Perjury charges against P- B. Jones, Pacific Lime Company’s plant manager at Blubber Bay, and six seabs are being pressed by Attorney John Stanton on behalf of the International Woodworkers of America. The charges arise out of testi- mony given on behalf of Special Constable Andrew Williamson, con- victed Monday of doing grievous bodily harm to Robert Gardiner and Sentenced to six months’ hard iabor by Judge A. M. Harper. The union charges that evidence Siven by Jones and the scabs was to the effect that Gardiner, who re— ceived four broken ribs and other injuries, had returned to the dock after he was arrested and in his flight from the scabs fell on a gang- plank On Monday, however, the evidence was changed to that of seabs dropping boulders on Gard- iner. Williamson testified he and Gard- iner had fallen together on a bed in police barracks when his pris- oner made a break for liberty, and thus sustained injuries. — — But Judge Warper ruled that “Gardiner’s injuries were too severe to be sustained in this manner in passing sentence on the police of- ficer. The union charges that evidence in the Williamson case did not in any way tally with that of the prose— cution in the trials of the pickets, twelve of whom were sentenced to terms totalling 49 months, Pickets “sentenced Monday at conclusion of Assize Court were John Hole, Edward Stewart, six months on counts of rioting and un- lawful assembly. Ronald MacDonald, serving six months for assaulting police officer, wes sentenced to another three months on rioting and unlawful as- sembly counts. Joe Eng, Lim Chung, Roy Aber- crombie and Robert Gardiner were Sentenced to four months on unlaw- ful asembly charges. In addition to conviction and sen- tence of six months, Williamson was discharged from provincial police ranks. NAZIS DESECRATE JEWISH GRAVES NEW WESTMINSTER, BC, Dec. 22.—Local Nazis are believed re- sponsible for damage of four large tombstones and theft of a small one in the new Jewish cemetery (Sehara Tzedeck) on Marine Drive between here and Vancouver, some time early Sunday mornings. Caretaker ©. E. Gress made his reunds of the burial grounds around midnight but did not see any move- ment as he made repeated recon- noiters with his flashlight. “It is quite possible that this is the work of enemies of the Jewish faith,’ stated Cress after discount- ing the theory that drunks may have committed the outrage. Provincial police spent some time on the scene investigating the desecration and concluded that it was “possibly the work of Nazis.” The Jewish community is aroused over the vandalism and some mem_-_ bers of the community state that it was definitely the acts of German , Nazis, since threats have been made of damage to other property by these groups. Local Chinese Support Eighth Army Local Chinese organizations have contributed 20,000 Chinese dollars to the fund initiated by the Chinese Salvation Times of New York to raise 150,000 Ghinese dollars to pro- vide clothing for the 8th Route Army. Two meetings of the Chiness here have endorsed the campaign and plan to make a real one after the New Year among Chinese and white people. edlaeen ig Ot