Sep Page Four THE PEOPLES ADVOCATE May = Practice And Theory in Science The famous British scientist tells why scien- tists change their minds and why it’s better that they do. By PROE. J. B. S. HALDANE NE of the commonest criticisms with which we scientists have to put up with is that we change our theories so quickly they must obviously be worthless. At one time atoms were said to be indivisible, today they are split in scores of laboratories. Electricity was first thought to be a fluid, then to consist of particles, and now the oar Helas turn out to behave like waves. Tuberculosis was once Said to be hereditary, now it is supposed to be caused by a germ. And so on. Of course, this is partly due to the fact that science is very badly taught. A scientific theory may be nothing but the truth, but it is never the whole truth. Genin said that the properties ef an electron, the smallest known particle, were inexhaus- tible, that is to say, there would always be something more to find out about it. So no Leninist should have been surprised when it was found to have previously unexpected properties. @ UT this is mot ali. Scientific theories are always guides te practice, or at least to predic- tion. Chemical theory tells you how to prepare a metal or a arugs. Astronomical theory tells you when and where to look for an eclipse. The ola theories were certainly wrons. it was supposed that the sun went round the earth, and that when you heated iron ore with charcoal a stuff called pho- giston came out of the charcoal and united with the ore to make iron. Wow we say that the earth goes round the sun, and that oxy- gen leaves the iron ore to com- bine with the charcoal (or now- adays coke). eS UT the old theories were partly right They were right in saying that the sun was further away than the moon and that the amount of charcoal needed was proportional to the amount of iron to be made. Wo doubt our present theories will have to be altered. But they are truer because they are near er to practice. One can be sure that one’s theory is incomplete and partly wrong, and at the same time be sure that it is near enough to the truth to enable one to do a particular job. For example, I have eaten about two-thirds of the quantity of ammonium chloride which would kill me. I made some cal- culations beforehand which were based on the theory that all atoms of chlorine—and similarly for nitrogen and hydrogen—were alike. This is false. Some hydrogen atoms are twice as heavy as others. But it was true enough in this connection for me to stake my life on it. tc) i THE same way I don’t believe in the absolute truth of Marxism in the way that some people believe in religious doz- mas. I only believe that it is near enough to the truth to make it worth while betting my life on it aS against any rival theor- ies. Some discarded theories were substantially true when they were first put forward, and ceased to be true later. im the nineteenth century chemists said that atoms could not be split. They tried with all the means at their disposal, such as heat, electric currents, strong acids and alkalies. Those units which resisted their efforts were called atoms. Then Rutherford and his pupils developed much more powerful methods, such as pro- tons (nuclei of hydrogen atoms) =—moving in a million volt field, and split a number of atoms. The old theory ceased to be true be- eause of these changes in tech- nique. Se UST the same happens with po- J litical theories. At the end of ¢he nineteenth century most Marxists thought that socialism © could not be achieved in one country alone. They were pro- bably quite right at that time. Then Lenine pointed out that “Uneven economic and political development is an absolute law of capitalism. Hence the vic- tory of socialism is possible first in several or even one capital- ist country, taken singly.” But this only became true when cap- italism had developed to the im- perialistic stage. Ss OMETIMES two or three ap- parently contradictory theor- ies are both true. Tuberculosis is due to infection. It is also due to heredity, and to bad surround- ings: The hereditary element is shown by the fact that, given in- fection, several members of the same family (‘and particularly so-colled identical twins) will get the disease in the same place, say the base of the left lung or the glands of the neck. We cannot yet control heredity Save in a few cases. But we eould see that our children got milk as free from tuberculosis as those of the United States. or that they got the fresh air, sun- shine, and diet which enable people to fight the infection. even if they have some heredi- tary tendency to it- We are quite right to empha- size the environment factors in tuberculosis just because we can control them: We say that 2 house caught fire because some ene threw down a cigarette end, and not because there as 21 per cent of oxygen in the air. But it is perfectiy true wood will not burn in air taining only 15 per cent. Wo event has only one cause. But a refusal to think or act un- til you know all the causes is not science but pedantry. And a re- fusal to recognize a new cause when we can control it or even predict its changes is a sign of adherence to obsolete dogmas. e OQ don’t worry that con- if- we scientists change our theories. It is 4 healthy sign. ‘“Erankiy admitting a mis- take,” said Lenin, “ascertaining the reasons for it, analyzing the conditions which led to it, and thoroughly discussing the means of correcting it—that is the ear- mark of a serious party.” Tt is also the earmark of a seri- eus scientist. ‘Elastic’ Boumdaries Shown On New Riaps ly modern is the word for a huge mural map of Europe now on dis- play in the Estonian Village at the Golden Gate International Exposi- tion. The 25-foot map is like others except that certain of its boun- daries are constructed of elastic. Says Manager Endel Kallas: ‘We've made the entire eastern boundary of Germany out of rub- ber stripping. It males it a simple matter to keep it up to date.” Kallas solemnly disclaimed any attempt at humor. He said he had already been forced to revise the map twice during the construction, and that the rubber boundaries were an “economy move.” Kallas also announced his inten- tion of installing a powerful short wave radio set in his office so that the map can be kept up to the minute for any hour of the day. Lumber Company Fined $25 PORT ALBERNI, BC, May 11— Sproat Lake Sawmills Company were fined $25 in police court here by Magistrate Bothroyd for non- compliance with forestry regula- tions governing fire-fighting equip- ment at logging camps. SAN FRANCISCO, Cal.—Strict- MORE WESTERN MP'S IN FIGHT AGAINST GOV'T Gardiner May Yet Have To Yield To 80-Cent Demand OTTAWA, Ont. — Pressure on the federal government for a boost in the guaranteed price of wheat to 80 cents per bushel became greater this week as a fourth Liberal member, this time Hon. W. R. Motherwell, former minister of agriculture, indicated he would vote against the government’s Wheat Board policy. Already forced to increase the basic price from 60 to 70 cents as a result of wide opposition from the wheat belt, the fovernment now faces a growing revolt among Western Liberal members with the possibility that all prairie MP’s may finally declare against Min- ister of Agriculture Gardiner’s pol- icy. Motherwell’s decision to bolt party ranks was accompanied by a2 proposal that the guaranteed price be set only after August i, to be determined by the recommenda- tions of producers as well as the cabinet, Three other Liberals, Dr. Flem- ing (Humboidt), Harry Leader (Portage la Prairie), and W. J- Ward (Dauphin) had previously announced their intentions of vot- ing with CCE and Social Credit members in opposition to the mea- sure. Earlier n the week’s debate T. Cc. Douglas, CCF member for Wey- burn, declared the government had raised the price from 60 to 70 cents ‘under pressure, by reason of the fact that thousands of people in Western Canada made it known that to retain the price at 60 cents as originally proposed would be political suicide.” J. S. Woodsworth, CCF leader, declared that the price of 70 cents “condemned western farmers to 2 life of poverty.” Liberals In Revolt On Wh eat Pri |School By-Law In Surrey May Be Submitted Again vote in its favor. (Special te the Advocate) CLOVERDALE, BC, May 11.—Resignations of the five-man board of Surrey School has been held over until May 15 when sufficient agitation for a re-submission of the school by-law will enable the Surrey Council to decide that the taxpayers wish to have provided for three new junior- senior high schools was defeated April 15 when it failed to receive the necessary two-thirds majority and as a result the school board decided to resign at the end of the month, A ratepayers meeting held here on April 25 passed a resolution fay- oring the re-submission of the by- law, and with this understanding the trustees decided to withhold their resignations until the council made a decision. This meeting indicated that the by-law would pass easily since it was in this district where the larg- est opposition was registered in the vote of April 15. Clayton Parent-Teachers Associ- ation has joined with other rate- payer organizations in favoring the re-submission of the by-law. United Merchants Beat BC Telephone DOLLARTON, BC, May 11-—_De- mands for payment of outside toll charges by storekeepers who have paystations on their premises were waived by the BG Telephone Com- pany this week, thus ending a deadlock. The merchants were adamant in their refusal to pay the company claims for outside tolls. Percy Cummins, postmaster and store- keeper of Dollarton, was charged $2.95 for outside calls although his station had yielded the company $8. Cummins acted on the agree ment with the company which called for a minimum of $440 per month and refused to pay. He was soon joined by other merchants in Deep Cove and Dollarton and their united stand forced the company to back down and allow the $4.40 rate to stand for Vancouver calls. Prevent Relief Port Alberni Jobless Reduction PORT ALBERNI, BC, May There was considerable sion on the matter when it was pre- sented to the City Council by a dele- gation of four, aldermen admitting they had intended to pare down re- lief costs as requested by the pro- vincial relief administration. Some aldermen claimed there are many unemployed persons receiv- ing relief that are not in need of it. The delegation asked for an inves- of the unemployed here forestalled a petition was circulated among relief workers and signed 100 percent for no reduction in working time. discus-.tigator to review the whole set-up, 11.—Prompt action on the part a relief cut this week when fand pointed out that the city cor- poration was “on relief’ as all civic work is done by relief labor. As a result of quick action by the unemployed the same rates of re- lief and working time will prevail. Meantime the unemployed are press- ing for an increase as the rates paid are below those allowed by the pro- vincial government. Kelowna-Penticton by volunteer labor and funds. road like many others throughout the province has been the political football of every politician that sought office, yet it has remained for the residents to embark on the work while the provincial govern- ment and others cheer them on but render no service in its construc- tion. When the present minister of public works, Hon. F. M. Mac- Pherson, came into office he an- nounced a scheme of road con- struction designed to extend over a number of years. His idea, which as yet remains an idea, was to provide hard surfaced roads East and West and North and South throughtuot the province. However, as time went on it be- For over 20 years this piece of @came apparent that Highway Work Resumes Special to The Advocate KELOWNA, BC, May 11.—Crews are again working on the Naramata road to provide this fruit center with an outlet to the south connecting Penticton—a project that was started in 1936 if communi-— ties were to have roads they would have to be very patient and wait for many years. This the residents of Kelowna refused to do and so in the fall of 1936 jnaugurated a voluntary road building scheme which has been taken up by other districts. There is a span of 14 miles neces- sary to blaze through in order to eonnect the government road at Okanagan Mission with the gov- ernment road at Paradise Ranch, and by fall yolunteer crews are expected to come within their ob- jective. Government engineers have esti- mated the cost of construction of the road from $350,000 to $5,000,- 000, SEMI-DISPLAY CLASSIFIED BARRISTER GARFIELD A. KING BARRISTER, ETC. * 553 Granville Street SEyniour 1324Vancouver, B.C. BILLIARDS ILI EAL IDOI LE MT. PLEASANT BILLIARD HALL and BARGER SHOP Everything in Smokers’ Supplies Cigars — Cigarettes — Pipes Lighters — Ete. 2341 MAIN STREET Se DENTISTS Dr. W. J. Curry DENTIST 608 BIRKS BLDG. { Phone: SEymour 3001 PUBLICATIONS. Ee ee Eee ee ¢ SWEDISH PEOPLE in British j ¢ Columbia should read and sup-s % port their own newspaper .. s *Nya Svenska Pressen ; Wow Only $1.00 per Year ¢ Office: 144 West Hastings Street é eaVeTeExusneBUeEVVVesTEsBVeseoesveBvses=s ABARAT Willworkers — Shingleweavers— Loggers ... Tune in — Green Gold Program, CJOR, every Tuesday, 7:45 p-m. “The B.C. Lumber Worker” Crgan of the IF.W.A. 16 E. Hastings St., Yancouver The $178,000 by-law which would © CARIBOO PLANS (BC FACES BIG CELEBRATION QUESNEL, BC, May 11—A tywo- day celebration involving the towns of Barkerville, Wells, Wil- liams Lake and Quesnel will -be held here June 30-July 1 marking the eightieth anniversary of the discovery of gold at the mouth of the Quesnel River. Parades, Indian racing, horse racing, foot racing, rock drilling and a stampede will feature the two-day celebration while dances to both old time and modern music will keep the revellers in Say mood on both nights. Attending the Cariboo celebra- tions will be Hon. W. J. Asselstine; Minister of Mines, Hon. K. C. Mac- Donald, Minister of Agriculture, and 40 members of the Vancouver Junior Board of Trade. Grandview Unemployed Want More Clothes Grandview Unemployed Associa- tion plans a survey of clothing re- quirements of relief recipients in the east end of the city on Monday, May 15, 941 Commercial Drive. the facts gained through the regis- between 7 and 8 pm at The association proposes to use tration as an argument for in- creased clothing allowances when a delegation from the organization interviews the clothing committee of the civic social service commiut— tee: point where the city takes it ov FOREST FIRE MENACE For Firefighters From Jobless’ Rank -With forest fires four A | greater than in the same pj | jod last year observers hr i gle unemployed men to ec tinue the cutting of fire tra |p and the clearing of dead sn: and clashings as proposed by Relief Project Workers’ Union ~~ Employment of these men a) the continuance of the Proj jj scher | | 1h at the same time give the = much needed work. Bighty fires broke out during ‘week ending May 6 brough total for the year to 138. four times more than in the saz | period last year which ‘record q 46. ea Welson is the worst area, repo ing 51 fires while the Kamioo and Wancouver districts repor ~ 41 and 40 fires respectively. Ind Prince George are there were § = 4 Extension of the Lougheed Hig | way was refused by Hon F |] | MacPherson, Minister of Pub Works, in a letter to the cif. board of works committee | week. The minister pointed out @ the funds would not allow exte- sion of the highway to the cem = y =) ¥e: ¥ tery in Burnaby and gave no | 4 timation when the project wat y be started. ie The city has $12,000 in reser } for surfacing Underhill road fre § the cemetery but Ald. H. L. Gan” asserts the provincial sovernme § must complete the road up tat contract rates on application. BICYCLES AND REPAIRS BICYCLES, NEW AND USED— Baby Garriages, Sulkies, Doll Car- riages, Joycycles. Repairing of all kinds. Saws filed, keys cut, etc. W. M. Ritchie, 1569 Commercial Drive. .Highland 4123. BOATS ROWBOATS OF ALL KINDS, 330 and up. National Boat Works, 110 Dunlevy Ave., Vancouver. CAFES THE ONLY FISH — ALL KINDS of Fresh Sea Food. Union House. 20 Bast Hastings St. REX CARE — JUICY STEAKS, Oysters, Chops, ete. One friend tells another. 6 East Hastings St. CHIMNEY SWEEPING $150 CLEANS MAIN FLUE Pipes, Furnace, Stove. Licensed. FRaser 1370. CHIROPRACTORS = CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING » + t => ADVERTISING RATES MONUMENTAL : Glassifiea, 3 limes 35c. Weekly| MAIN MONUMENTS—SAl E: money here. Estimates for cen tery lettering. 1920 Main Stre NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAD, SEE DR. DOWNIE FOR RHE matism, Sciatica, Lumbago. Ro 7 — 163 West Hastings St. “ DR. oH. Cc. ANDERSON—ALL NA as diet, massage manipulati? osteopathy and electrothera; Free consultation and exami tion. 768 Granville St, SEy. 3 | PERSONAL DENTAL PLATES REPAIRE $5 and up. Rebuilt $1 and t Hastings St. SEymour 6612. BIRTH CONTROL BUREAU ¢ B.C, Dept. PA, Street, Vancouver, B.C. POOLEROOMS East Hastings St Wi. BRAIDWOOD, D.c., NERVE Specialist. 510 West Hastings St. SEymour 2677. Evenings, High=- land 2240. DANCES EMBASSY BALTROOM, DAVIE at Burrard. Old Time Dancing Tues., Thurs., and Sat. Ambassa- dors Orch. W hist. $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 CARS — LATE MODELS— Priced around $150. Easy terms. White Spot Service Station, 8091 Granville St., phone LAngara 0683. Res., LAngara 0365-M. FUEL HONEST VALUE FPUERLS—_FATR. 0469. Edgings No. 1, $3-25 per cord. Slabs, Heavy Fir, $3.75 per cord. FUNERAL DIRECTORS ARMSTRONG & CO, FUNERAL ——— floor QO meetings, upper Hall, 341 Gore Ave., Sey. 6537 ROOMS FOR RENT RICE BLOCK, 800 East Hastinj Hi gh. 0029. Furnished Suites @ Rooms. Moderate rates. SAWDUST BURNERS f 323 Alexander St. at Hay! TRinity 0390. ! DO YOU KNOW—ZOU CAN Bi a sawdust burner with enamel © hopper for $9.00. Lakes and N™ nis Sheet Metal Works, 952 Ce | mercial Drive. : SHOE REPATRS JOHNSON’S SHOE REPAIRS — All work guaranteed. Reasonal” prices. 105674 W. Pender Stre | STATIONERY Ir YOU NEED STATIONE! for school, home or office U’ get it at the New Age Booksh = Anything in the line of stationt “WAND STUDIO We Photograph Anything” =. No.8 E. HASTINGS VANCOUVER, B.C. + Directors. 304 Dunlevy. High. at moderate prices. Call at 5g STEAM BATHS 9144. East Hastings Street. 7 Hasti St Bath caxpess TYPEWRITERS AND SUPPLE astings Steam Baths|||GmERANIUMS FOR _SALE.| GEO. DONOVAN — Typewrite Always Open whole Bes Adding Machines, Cash Registe / Expert Masseurs in Attendance #28 (tn Ave ere SEymour 9393, 508 W. Pender= TAWNMOWER HI ghland 0240 764 E. Hastings SAMOMBEES : TAILORS LAWN MOWERS. GROUND AND M. DONG TAILORS, forme: —— repaired. IL. Gallazin, 804 Rich- Forseshoe Tailors now at So" ards St, SBy. 4088. Cordova St. TRinity 6024. © STUDIOS MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS UNIFORMS ! Pome REPAIR STRING, BRASS, REED /6 = SEY.1763 -R instruments, accordions, concer- eae OR Oe ae : tinas. Bows repaired. W. Nez Sal ce = dropa, High. 3657, 543 E. Hast- ings St. ACCORDIONS MADE TO ORDER and general repairs. Vancouver ural methods of treatment, = / New Method Dental Lab., 168° | tion FREE. Write for Literat © THE PLACE TO MEET YOl = friends — Europe Poolroom, + — FOR RENT_HALIS FOR RENT — For socials, parti § GENUINE “LEADER” BURNEE § designed. Yukon Unifornt © 1 Mast Pender St : Mention the Accordion Shop. J. Bordignon, 347 Mast Hastings. SHy. 1854 People’s Advocat :