maintaining peace. jects in the province. [AN EDITORIAL] awe DAYS from now British Columbians will usher in the year 1939 with all the traditional festivity and rejoicing, so may we extend at this time our sincere wish for a New Year of progress in creating jobs and stimulat- ing recovery, in extending democracy and In expressing the hope for a happier 1939, and making it realizeable, we present a pro- gram of progress for the New Year, a program we believe will be supported by the entire labor and progressive movement anxious to see the promise of 1939 fulfilled. First in importance for British Columbia in 1939, is the inauguration of a jobs and recov- ery program. In this connection, the Advocate urges construction of the Alaska Highway and completion of the BC section of the trans- Canada highways as the biggest recovery pro- only provide but it will ope trial and agri Broad publi in particular ing of a civic improvements, scheme, and also ‘burdened Building of the Alaska~Yukon road will not employment for thousands of jobless, stimulate business in Wancouver and many industries, and greatly broaden the tour- ist trade, in themselves important features, n up vast new areas for indus- cultural development, provide a multitude of opportunities for our people, and lay a basis for a recovery movement that will literally put BC on the map. ¢ works programs initiated by the federal government should also be ex- tended into BC cities and towns. Vancouver should demand a number of projects for the new year, including the build- auditorium, street and bridge a slum ciearance and housing a recreation development on False Creek Flats. Wanecouver and other cities and towns are with debt and social service governments; produce, highway, combines immediate farm program. If 1939 is to be a really happy year, democ- racy must be made to work and peace main- tined. To this end, we urge a strengthening of the fight for national unity in Canada, for costs, a situation which can be eased by a re- funding of interest rates on debts; by a re- vision of the taxation system easing the load on small properties and increasing the tax costs to those corporations able to pay; by assumption of social service costs by the senior by greater taxation of and greater control over BC’s public utility mon- opoly and an improvement in utility services. The Advocate believes a new deal for the farmer is overdue and advances the question of lower freight rates, guaranteed prices for completion of the Hope-Princeton the smashing of the jobber-shipper in the various fields of agriculture and further extension of cooperatives as an and for peace. a definite recovery program along lines laid down by President Roosevelt, so that the na- tion as a whole can embarlk on the task of rehabilitating agriculture and developing in- dustry, providing jobs, assuring recovery, tak- ing its place with other democratic nations for an embargo on war shipments, in a collec- tive security bloc against fascist aggression Finally, as the key question of this program, the Advocate pledges itself again to continue fighting for the building of trade unions, for the organizing of the unorganized, for the cooperation of the trade unions with other prosressive movements. This, then, is our program for 1939. Already it is beginning to take shape in the province and nationally. Given the needed stimulus of a united labor and progressive movement, it can become a reality and lay the basis for a really Happy New Year. BRITISH COLUMBIA’S PROGRESSIVE HOME NE WSPAPER FULL No. 207. VANCOUVER, B.C., FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1938 + Vancouver, Seattle Send Councillors To IW A. Convention Official representation from two city councils is assured when members of the BC Coast District of the International Wood- workers of America meet in convention here on January 3 and A, in the Orange Hall. Mayor Miller has delegated Alderman Halford D- Wilson as Vancouver's official representative, while Hugh DeLacey, pro- sSressive Seattle councillor and member of the Washington Com- monwealth Federation, will represent that city officially. Heading the United States contingent of woodworker dele— gates will be international president Harold J. Pritchett. Other @delegates will attend from Willapa- FORM UKRAINE "FREE CORPS’ By RICHARD HISCH PARIS, Framce.— Thousands of Russian White Guards -from Am- erica are new in Berlin as a part ef the so-called “National Ukrainian Army,’ 30,000 strong, formed by the Wazis for the purpose of advancing fascist expansion aims in the east. Under the special authority of Himmier and Rosenberg, this army is scheduled to play the same role in the Ukraine as the Sudeten Free Corps played in Czechoslovakia, with the nitimate objective of the creation of a “Free Ukraine.’ The plans also fantastically include a march into Georgia and Azerbaid- jan, USSR. The immediate proposals Aare to ereate an “independent” state of Polish and Slovakian Ukraine, for which the Nazis hope to utilize the Grand Duke Viadimir, now in Ber- lin. The Wazis have already launched a kite proposing that Hit ler personally offer the title of *‘Resent of the Ukraine” to Viadi- mir, but according to rumors he has refused acceptance. Thousands of dollars have been spent by the Wazis in their attempts to influence prominent “white” per- sonalities, and more than one notorious general has paid personal Visits to Hiitler at Berchteszaden to hear the proposals from the Puehr— ers own lips. Grays Harbor District Council, Worthern Washington District Council and probably several other district bodies. Guest delezates from the Trades 2nd Labor Council, Department of Labor, Forestry department, Com- pensation Board, church bodies, CCF and Communist Party have been invited. Convention sessions will be bro- ken for a public mass meetins Tuesday evening at Victory Hall. ugh De Lacy and Harold Prit- chett will be the headline speakers. The convention will map a plan whereby the union, forestry depart- ment and the provincial fovern-— ment Can cooperate toward saving the forests from the present waste ful methods of logginge. Reforest- ation of the logged off areas will also be sought as a means of as- sisting employment and providing a source of timber for future pen- erations. A stricter enforcement of the safety regulations will be asked of the Compensation Board to re duce the high death and accident toll in the woods. Fatal accidents have occurred in tke logging camps at the rate of one every week, while compensable acci- dents are usually rated at 50 per cent of the total number of men working. Some 6,000 men were employed this year. Previous conventions have tried to reach a solution to the present blacklist system maintained by Black’s agency, and this question will no doubt be projected onto the floor of the convention again. Dr. Telford Outlines Program During Term Public ownership and operation of all public utilities in the interests of the citizens is a goal which Mayor-elect Telford has set and will strive for during his tenure of office. The CCF leader has promised to give weekly radio discus- sions on Civic problems and will welcome any helpful criticism ef his administration by the public. Aldermen, civic officials and others will be invited to speak on these weekly broadcasts expressing their opinions regarding operation of the city’s administration. These radio talks, the mayor-elect hoped, would commence about the end of January. “Public needs will be tackled in an honest and efficient manner,” the mayor-elect said, “put no at- tempts will be made to introduce any foolhardy or hairbrained any drastic schemes in effecting changes.’’ “Changes will be made but the inculcated public mind must be | with a desire for such changes and when that is accomplished the changes will be easy,” he stated. We had criticized others in of- ficial position for failing to make any attempt at a solution to the problems of the people, he said. The myaor-elect said he fully realized the responsibilities and weight of office which he will soon take over, but by creating an in- terest in civic affairs among the citizens ,be felt that some of the responsibilities would be lessened. Inaugural address of Mayor-elect Telford will be made when he takes office next Wednesday and will contain his plans and hopes for the next two years, he stated. Wreath To Democracy Major Milton Wolff and J. 4. Wideman, retirned cs ee eee veterans of the Lincoln-Washington Battalion in Spain, lay a wreath at the Eternal Light in New York City. Lumberworkers Rap New Nippon Monopoly Sharp protests over the announcement that Japanese com- mercial interests have set up a new importing agency to handle all exports of BC lumber direct to the Far East were voiced this week by members of the International Woodworkers of America. loggers and sawaiill the move a new and danger to their liveli- hood with establishment of the hew organization known as the American Importers’ Association. Capitalized at 52,000,000 yen, the group is directly aided by the Tokio Sovernment and backed by the two Sreat Nipponese monopolies, Mitsui and Mitsubishi, main backers and initiators of Japanese fascism. Fears were expressed by IWA members that the powerful new organization would immediately speed up shipment of raw logs from EC forests to Japan, and Japanese dominated areas. Export of logs to Japan already runs into well over 100,000,000 feet annually, purchased at half the re- Sular price and shipped to Japan for manufacture, it was pointed out. Increased purchasing and shipping efficiency resulting from the new centralized organization will im- mediately see an increase in raw loz shipments. TWA men believed, pointing to the fact that this set-up unemployment in Organized men saw in far-reachins was increasing the industry, particularly in saw- mills, and at the same time was aiding Japanese fascism in its at tack on China- Tmsolence of the move was also scored by lumberworkers and citi- zens alike. After having used such traitors as Welson Spencer to gain timber concessions, the Japanese imperialists were now establishing their own “inner government’ for regulation of trade. The demand for an embargo on such shipments, or as an alternative, a heavy tax on Japamese sales, has already been demanded of the fed- eral government by the Vancouver island 20th Century Young Liberals Council. ALDERMAN ASKS FIVE-DAY WEEK Reduction in the working week for all civic employees as proposed in a motion by Alderman Halford Wilsen to city council Wednesday found no favor with other members of the council who failed to second the measure and the resolution “went by the board.’ An investigation of the costs to the city in a change from the pre- Sent working week to that of a five day week was sought by Ald. Wilson. He explained the reason for his motion was the rising costs of re- lief to the city and the increasing number of recipients. The alderman believed that a shorter working wcex and an ear- lier retirement age would consid- erably aid employment. Hie stated that there was a srow- } ing tendency towards a reduction in working hours which would soon have to be dealt with. Probe Postponed OTTAWA, Ont, Dec. 29—Tabor department officials refused to di-_ vulge the extent of EF. A. MacGre- fers investigation into charges that a fruit combine exists in the Okanagan Valley until the probe has been completed. MacGregor a commissioner ap- pointed under the Combines Inves- tigation Act, spent a month in the valley making some preliminary surveys and has returned here on ' department business. Onus Is Placed On Wim. Green Trades Congress Unity Left With AFL Executive OTTAWA, Ont.—Unity of the Trades and Labor Congress of Canada rests in the hands of the executive council of the American Mederation of Labor, R. J. Tallon, Congress Secretary, intimated here on his return from -Wash- ington, D.C. Mr. Tallon headed - & delegation of three which inter- viewed officials of the AFT, last week. Qnus for the threatened expul- sion of CIO unions from the Con- Sress fold would lie with the AFT, and not the Congress, the Gana- dian labor leader asserted. He Said it was net a matter between the Congress and the Federation but between the Federation and its international affiliates which have lecals in the Dominion. “The AF of L has absolute au- thority over jurisdictional dis- putes between its affiliated unions both in United States and Gan- ada, but it never has had legis-— lative authority over the Trades Congress,’ Tallon stated . Accompanying the Congress se- cretary to Washington were vice- presidents Raoul Trepannier and Perey R. Bengough. They con- ferred with AFI, President Green and a ccmmittee of the Federa- tion’s executive. In concluding his statement, Tallon again made it plain that the Congress has complete au- therity over jlegislative affairs. including local trades councils. “If any expulsion of the CIO is made, direct action must be taken by the ABT. and will not be taken by the Congress,’ he added. Meantime no definite statement has been issued from AFIT head- quarters in Washington regarding the federation’s intentions in Canada. Some observers predict no action will be taken. =" re | = = Cc = Fetitions aimed at a million Signatures in favor of Canada applying an embargo on war materials from this country to Japan are meeting with ready response according to officials of the Embargo Council, whe State they are more than pleased with results thus far. The petitions which were sche- duled to have been placed in all city churches for congregations to sign last Sunday (mas day) have been held over until this Sunday, stated Mrs. James Gray, Embargo Goun- eil president. Due to tthe holiday season, afi- liates of the council have been un- able to contact each other and fain a true report of the petition’s reception generally but it was un- derstood the coneresation of Can- adian Memorial Church had signed the petition, and in one district a number of lists were returned filed with signatures with more ccming in every day, stated Mrs. Gray. All organizations with national affiliations are eirculating the peti- tion to their membership for a thorough canvass, in this manner the million signature campaign is expected to meet with best results. TIMMINS, Ont., Dec .29 — The Trades and Labor Council together with the Friends of China and led by Councillor MeCabe, picketed iKvesges, Metropolitan and Weool- worth stores. Banners Strung over the roadways and floats travelling through town urged Shoppers not to buy goods of fascist manufac- ture here during the past week. Wirkland Lake citizens also turned thumbs down on alj Japan- ese goods, practically all items purchased being carefully examined for their source of origin. Mooney Pledges Fight For CIO-AFL Unity : SAN FRANCISCO, Cal., Dec. 29.—Prison walls at San Quen- tin Prison were less gloomy this week for Thomas Mooney than they have been for the past 22 y ears as the famous labor prisoner made preparations for his return to the outside world on an expected pardon from Governor-elect Olson- Sentence of death in his first frame-up trial as an aftermath of the 1916 Preparedness Day bomb- ing raised such a storm of protest from labor the world over that the sentence was commuted to life imprisonment, but labor and other forces have never relented nor re- laxed their fight for this freedom which culminated in the election of Governor-elect Culbert Olson. Liberal Democrat, who promised Mooney his right to freedom as one of his first acts after taking office. Many of the witnesses who tes- tified against Mooney have re- versed their stand and joined the fight for his release. Hearings of his application for a4 pardon are expected to open some-— time shortly after Olson takes office on January 2 and it is expected the | pardon will be signed almost imme- | just as staunch | hospital and diately. Mooney has steadfastly refused a parole on several occasions, stoutly maintainines he was innocent, being nearly a mile away when the bomb-_ ing occurred. While in prison the famed labor prisoner has not been idle, keeping well abreast of the times and is in his beliefs as When he entered the prison. He has pledged to work for the unity cf CIO-AFL as one of his first steps eon being released. Fie will also attempt to his health which has been Sreatly impaired during his incarceration. Stomach ulcers have sent him to placed him on special regain diets. Billings release from Folsom will be sought by Mooney because he believes if one is innocent then both are.