Page Four THE PEOPLES ADVOCATE Wheat Growers Win Partial Victory On Minimum Price Mass Pressure Forces Gov't To Boost Prices To /O-Cent Guarantee (Special to the Advocate) OTTAWA, Ont.—Pressure from almost every farm, labor and political organization in the western wheat belt won a partial concession in the demand for 80-cent wheat this week as the government announced its intention to raise the guaranteed price from 60 to 70 cents a bushel. As predicted in informed parliamentary circles, resentment against the proposed 60-cent guarantee finally broke out among Liberal party back-benchers, representing prairie ridings, who have reportedly been staging a2 mass revolt in recent Liberal cau- cuses. Hirst to break out of the party traces was Dr. Harry Fleming, Liberal member for Humboldt, Saskatchewan, who directed a slashing attack on the wheat pol- jey of the government. Declaring that the welfare of the entire na- tion as well as of the prairie prov- inces depended on an 8Q-cent mini- mum fuarantee, Dr. Fleming stated the West was not prepared te accept less and announced his intention of supporting the CCE want of confidence amendment to the budget. Wext to bolt party ranks was Barry Leader of Portage, who urged the 80-cent price and de manded a reduction in prices of farm machinery. One other Lib- eral member, J. A. MacMillan cf Mackenzie, while apparently afraid to step outside altogether, did deciare for the 80-cent mini- mum. These facts, added to the recent trip made by” “Premier Bracken of Manitoba, who headed a strong delegation from western provinces demanding 80Q-cent wheat at Fort William, brought pressure on the government to a head and un- doubtedly influenced the hasty de- cision to boost the price 10 cents in an attempt to sidetrack the srowipng anti-Liberal feeling flood- ing the wheat country. The general opinion of observers here, however, is that the western farmer will not be satisfied with the sop and will continue to fight, and it is believed, win, the 80-cent minimum guarantee. NEW WESTMINSTER — Relief recipients will not be obhged to dig graves as part of their relief work, the City Council decided re— eently after hearing F. T. Neilsen of the Workers’ Alliance. |"BIGGEST MAY DAY IN YEARS’ CUMBERLAND, BC “The best yet” was the expression heard in this live mining town during and following the great May Day demonstration, Monday. Stores and mines were closed down tight for the day. The pro- vineial government would not con- sent to the closing of the schools, but the kids attended to that. Only a handful of pupils went to class- rooms, so the teachers shut up “shop” for the day. Promptly at 10 am., the parade began, hundreds of children in the lead. Floats bearing serious, satir- ical and humorous slogans, most ef which were directed against reaction, fascism, and aggression. First prize, $25.00 for working class organization fioat, went to the Miners’ Union. Second prize was won by the Communist Party, while the CCE received a special prize, as did the Rod and Gun Club. Other prize winners in the parade were: Current Events, Bert Davis; Best Comic, Mrs. Jas. Rob- ertson; Character representation, @ group of Chinese girls; Ladies’ Auxiliary (U.M.W.A.) received a special prize. Ghildren’s sports during the af- ternoon and a football game be- ginning at 4 pm. drew a large crowd. In the evening there was a mass meeting in the Oddfellow’s Hall, which was addressed by Harrison Brown, Colin Cameron, MLA, and Malcolm Bruce, with the veteran miners’ union president, Dick Coe, in the chair. A monster dance in Recreation Hail wound up the greatest May Day celebration and demonstra- tion in the history of Yancouver Tsland, l AUSTRALIA WORKS TO PREVENT DROUGHT _ || CNR Break Compensation Board Rule On Track Work gang of track layers working be- tween here and Basque was made this week by members of the crew. Clause eight of the act demands that all employers having 100 or more men in their employ at a place more than five miles from a hospital shall provide satisfac- tory means of transportation to nearest place where medical at- tention and hospital accommoda- tion is available. In addition to this an emer- gency first aid room is to be pro- vided and not used for any other purpose. This room should be kept sanitary at all times and be in charge of a competent first aid man whose certificate is satisfac- tory to the board. These conditions demanded by the Workmen’s Compensation Board do not exist on the extra gang, the men claim. The first aid man is engaged at other work (Special to the Advocate) ASHCROFT, BC, May 4.—Flagrant violation of the Work- men’s Compensation Act by the Canadian National Railways in not providing the necessary first aid emergency room or transportation facilities m case of serious injury among an extra @and would not be ready immedi- ately to render first aid. The only conveyance for injured men are hand cars or a speeder, which are not considered by the men as satisfactory means of transportation. Besides paying the compensa- tion levy the men are led to believe that they are obliged to pay $1.50 per month medical fee. Meals are charged to each man at the rate of 75 cents per day, which they claim are of poor quality. VICTORIA, May 4—Hon. W. D. Herridge, former Canadian envoy to Washington and sponsor of the New Democracy movement, will address a public meeting in the Empire Theater on Hriday. The Democratic Book Club is sponsor- ing his appearance here. Gaining Knowledge From Sun Eclipses By J. B. S. HALDANE N WEDNESDAY, April 19, the sun was eclipsed. in Lon- don, the eclipse began at 6:30 pm (summer time) and about a third of the sun was covered at 7:15. As the sun was low in the sky it Was quite safe to look at it with- out darkened glasses. A little more of the sun was hidden from Scotland than from England, but nowhere in Britain was half the sun’s disk dark. In many cases when the sun is eclipsed we read of expeditions going to some remote island or desert to observe it. But this time there were no such expedi- tions, because the eclipse was no- where total. ) WN ECLIPSE of the sun occurs, ef course, when the new moon comes exactly between the sun and the earth. Sometimes the eclipse is total in some parts of the earth, that is to say the moon hides the whole of the sun. But on April 19 observers in Alaska and perhaps the crews of a few ships in the Arctic Ocean saw an annular eclipse. That is to say the moon did not cover the whole sun, but where the eclipse is deepest a ring of sun was visible round the moon. It is a rather remarkable coin- cidence that the sun and moon have almost exactly the same ap- parent size, though the moon usually covers a little more of the sky. if the sun and moon were always at the same dis- @ 2 line through the centres of the sun and moon reached the earth somewhere. But actually the earth moves round the sun, and the moon round the earth, in orbits which are not quite circular, nor indeed quite elliptical. When the sun is as far away as possible and the moon as near as possible, a total eclipse may last as long as seven minutes. When the sun is near and the moon is far, as last week, the eclipse is annular. Ss OWHERE else in the solar system does this happen. The moons of the planet Mars are too small ever to hide the sun. Some of those which go round Jupiter always cause total eclipses on that planet, for their shadows can be seen crossing its face, as an actronomer on Venus could see the shadow on the earth caused by a total eclipse. Still odder is the fact that there was a first annular eclipse of the sun. The average distance of the moon from the earth is gra- dually increasing, and when it was nearer it could always hide the sun completely. In the same way there will be a last total eclipse. But the first annular eclipse happened a long time before there were any men to see it, And the last total eclipse wiil be many million years hence, when our descendants will pro- tances from the earth, then all eclipses would be total provided bably be very unlike ourselves, something of which only histori- cal specialists even learn. The date can be roughly cal- culated, but the calculation would take me several hours, and I am busy in connection with A.R.P. Se T TS lucky that man evolved be- fore the last total eclipse, for total eclipses have helped knowl- edge and assisted progress. They were very alarming events, so men tried to deal with them in various ways, such as beating gongs to scare the dra- gon which was trying to eat the sun. And when it was possible to predict them this meant a great imerease in human self confidence. We are still, mostly in the fong-beating stage as. regards politics and economics. It is not generally thought that history is a science and prediction possible. On the contrary, Marxists who try to do so are treated much as people were treated a few thou- sand years ago who said that the black cirele creeping over the sun was not a dragon or a devil, but only the moon. e@ HWE success of the scientific method of predicting eclipses was a great step forward. As soon as the theory was so accu- rate that an expedition could be sent to a spot where a total eclipse was due, a lot more infor- mation became available. and capitalism will be a tradition When the sun’s disk was cov- © of the very remote past, perhaps © ered, solar prominences, that is to say luminous clouds a long way above the edge of the sun, were seen, and also the corona, a glow stretching out still fur- ther. More recently Minstein predict- ed that the light from stars pass- ing close to the sun would be bent out of its path by gravita- tion. The idea was not new, in- deed the French revolutionary leader Marat had thought, on quite insufficient evidence, that light was deflected by gravita- tion. However, Ejinstein’s prediction was accurate not merely as to the bending of the light, but as to its magnitude. But the observations are not yet accurate enough to make it certain that Einstein was quite right. (a) URTHER work may show that his theory will have to be slightly modified. Other re- cent developments include pho- tography of the corona from high-flying airoplanes, which en- able details to be seen which are invisible from the earth’s surface, and observations on the effect of eclipses on radio transmission. In fact there is so much to be learned from total eclipses that we may be glad that annular eclipses are rather uncommon. But at least we can predict them. So no fruitless expeditions will be sent to Alaska, whereas we eannot yet predict the weather except for a few days ahead. SEMI-DISPLAY CLASSIFIED BARRISTER GARFIELD A. KING BARRISTER, ETC. 553 Granville Street SEymour 1324Vancouver, B.C. DENTISTS - W. J. Curry DENTIST 608 BIRES BLDG. Phone: SEymour 3001 BILLIARDS MT. PLEASANT BILLIARD HALL and BARBER SHOP Everything in Smokers’ Supplies Cigars — Cigarettes — Pipes Lighters — Ete. 2341 MAIN STREET DENTIST | LLEWELLYN. OUGLA 5577 D?R-D @ SEY- PUBLICATIONS. A aS eS SS ee 4 ’ SWEDISH PEOPLE in British ! ¢ Columbia should read and sup- A port their own newspaper . .- Nya Svenska Pressen Wow Oniy $1.00 per Year gece: 144 West Hastings Street BABDAAABE ABAManasa gm 6 \) ( é r p p # p 6 i) § ¢ ) 6 6 4 () § t) 6 f ¢ Millworkers — Shingleweavers— Loggers ... Tune in — Green Gold Program, CJOR, every Tuesday, 7:45 p-m. “The B.C. Lumber Worker” Organ of the I.W.A. —-n. RICHARDS & HASTINGS. STEAM BATHS Looking down on the Warra- gamba Dam, a subsidiary to the main water conservatories in New South Wales. Construction work has been speeded on this project as the country prepared to face unseasonable cold weather fol- lowing the hottest summer on record, which brought with it drought and devastating forest fires. Canada’s wheat belt couid stand to see construction of similar pro- jects as a means of rehabilitating drought-stricken farm lands. PORT ALBERNI, BC, May 4— After weeks of planning in num- erous committee meetings Ald. J. M. Grossland, chairman of the fin- ance committee, brought in the 1929 budget which keeps the tax rate on land down to 55 mills— the same as last year—which was first and largest May Day pa rade in the history of the Oka — OK VALLEY HAS SUCCESSFUL MAY DAY MEET © Vernon Labor Holds Big Parade; Kelown; Mayor Participates By FIFI TORNBLAD VERNON, BC, May 4.— "Th “7 pba ssi nt snwaiel Sialic vita nagan Valley was held here las © Sunday. More than 300 peopl — carrying colorful banners an | placards paraded through th | main shopping district to Poi son Park. People from one end of the val. ley to the other entered the parad ; with their cars! bearing banners oj’ i the organizations they represent — ed, while floats were entered hy / the unemployed, Communist Part: of Canada, the Chinese Aid fo | War Relief and an individual + group. Ae At Polson Park Mayor O. L {| Jones of Kelowna, Mr. Prior | principal of Oliver High School T. Anderson for the unemployed S. Freeman for the Chinese Aid 7 and F. A. Qxenford of the Com bunist Party addressed the gath- 1 s z ‘ering of 1200. Softball games and running races for the children wound up — the day’s celebrations. Free candy © was distributed to all children | Free coffee and tea was supplied ~ for the basket picnic held shortly | after. 4 Friends of the Mackenzie-Pap- ineau Battalion benefitted from a4 raffle which realized $25. VICTORIA, May 4—May Day. was celebrated here with a large meeting in the Chamber of Com- merece building which was addressed — by William Gateman of Hotel ang” Restaurant Employees Union Local 28, Fred Fox of the Com- munist Party and Sam Guthrie CCF, MLA. News of Mrs. Laura Jamieson’s election in Vancouver Genter was enthusiastically ‘wel- 5 taal A RR ei TTT oreites adopted by the City Council. comed. Zz CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING aN t 4 ADVERTISING RATES Classifiea, 3 lines 35c. Weekly contract rates on application. BICYCLES AND REPATRS BICYCLES, NEW AND USED — Baby Garriages, Sulkies, Doll Gar- riages, Joycycles. Repairing of all kinds. Saws filed, keys cut, etc. W. M. Ritchie, 1569 Commercial Drive. Highland 4123. CAFES THE ONLY FISH — ALL KINDS of Fresh Sea Food. Union House. 20 Bast Hastings St. REX GAFFE JUICY STEAKS, Oysters, Ghops, etc. One friend tells another. 6 East Hastings St. DR. H. CGC. ANDERSON—ALL NAT ural methods of treatment, suct as diet, massaze manipulJati 75, osteopathy and electrotherapy. Free consultation and examina tion. 768 Granville St, SE y. 5336. PERSONAL DENTAL PLATES REPATRED, $5 and up. Rebuilt $1 and up. New Method Dental Lab., 163 W, Hastings St. SEymour 6612. IoU A DATE! MAKE IT 9 PM at the Hastings Auditorium, May Day. BIRTH CONTROL BUREAU GE B.C., Dept. PA, 441 Seymour Street, Vancouver, B-C. Informsa- tion FREE. Write for Literature. Sea e ne ace ae bn siulcia-souiyemnpudveniin CHIMNEY SWEEPING $1.50 CLEANS MATIN FLUE Pipes, Furnace, Stove. Licensed. EHRaser 1370. CHIROPRACTORS WM. BRAIDWOOD, D.C., NERVE Specialist. 510 West Hastings St. POGLROOMS THE PLACE TO MEET YOUR friends — Europe Poolrcom, 265 ) i } East Hastings St. FOR RENT—HALLS 2 FOR RENT — For socials, parties; ~ SEymour 2677. Evenings, High- meetings, upper floor Orange land 2240. Hall, 341 Gore Ave., Sey. 6537. DANCES ROOMS FOR RENT EMBASSY BALLROOM, DAVIE at Burrard. Old Time Dancing Tues., Thurs., and Sat.. Ambassa- dors Orch. Whist. $25.00 cash prizes. Admission to dance and whist, 25c. DENTISTS DR. A. J. SIPES, DENTIST Plate Specialist. Lowest Prices. 680 Robson St. TRinity 5716. FOR SALE USED GARS — LATE MODELS— Priced around $150. Easy terms. White Spot Service Station, 8091 Granville St, phone DLAngara 0683. Res., LAngara 0365-M. FUEL ALBERTA ROOMS — Housekeep- | ing, sleeping; every convenience, Reasonable rates. 655 Robson St, cor. Granville. SEymour 0461. A Haga, Prop. RICE BLOCK, 800 Bast Hastings HI gh. 0029. Furnished Suites and Rooms. Moderate rates. SAWDUST BURNERS GENULNE “LEADER” BURNERS, 323 Alexander St, at Rays. TRinity 0390. : DO YOU KNOW—YOU CAN BUF ~ a sawdust burner with enamelled = nis Sheet Metal Works, 952 Com- mercial Drive. HONEST VALUE FUELS—FATR. 0469. Hdgings No. 1, $3.25 per cord. Slabs, Heavy Fir, $3.75 per cord. FUNERAL DIRECTORS SHOE REPAIRS JOHNSON’S SHOE REPAIRS — All work guaranteed. Reasonable ~ prices. 105644 W. Pender Street | | hopper for $9.00. Lakes and Nin- | | | ARMSTRONG & CO., FUNERAL Directors. 304 Dunilevy. High. 9141. GARDENS GERANIUMS FOR SALE, wholesale prices. J. K Ferraby, 728 E. 7th Ave. FAir. 1631 Y¥. STATIONERY ; Ir YOU NEED STATIONERY for school, home or office usé, get it at the New Age Bookshop. Anything in the line of stationery at moderate prices. Call at 506 | East Hastings Street. 3 Always Open Expert Masseurs in Attendance Hi ghiand 0240 764 BE. Wastings . —_ STUDIOS Phome SEY. 1763 -R WAND STUDIO We Photograph Anything, 2 Anytime No.8 E. HASTINGS VANCOUVER, B.C. Anywhere 16 E. Hastings St., Vancouver instruments, accordions, concer— tinas. Bows repaired. W. Nez dropa, High. 3657, 543 E. Hast ings St. ACCORDIONS MADE TO ORDER and general repairs. Vancouver Accordion Shop. J. Bordignon, 347 Hast Hastings. SEy. 1854. MONUMENTAL : MAIN MONUMENT S— SAVE money here. Estimates for ceme- tery lettering. 1920 Main Street. == = MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS TYPEWRITERS AND SUPPLIES | Hastings Steam Baths | | Rmparm strRinc, BRASS, REED |GEO. DONOVAN — Typewriters, Adding Machines, Cash Registers. || SEymour 9393, 508 W. Pender St. TATLORS j M. DONG, TATLORS, formerly; Horseshoe Tailors now at'8 West Cordova St. TRinity 6024 i UNLEORMS OVERALLS, UNIFORMS — ALL kinds, made to measure. Patterns: a designed. Yukon Uniform Co.,. i Fast Pender St NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN SEm DR. DOWNIE FOR RHEV- matism, Sciatica, Lumbage. Room 7 — 163 West Hastings St. Mention the People’s Advocate!