Page Two THE PEOPLE’S AD VOCATE August 18, 1939 Surre Council Council Supports Miners Backs Demand For Secret Balict In CMS Trail Plant Wancouver trades and labor council at its meeting Tuesday night lent support to an appeal of John McPeake, International ~ Union of Mine, Mill and Smel- ter Workers Trail organizer that the BC labor department send a commissioner into the Consolidated Mining & Smelt- ing company’s ‘‘Tadanac-War- field plant at Trail to supervise a secret ballot to determine whether the workmen’s cooperative commit- tee, a company-controllied setup, or the international union shall be the eollective bargaining agency of smeltermen. MecPeake’s letter to Bengough stated a move to this end would be undertaken on Tuesday this week. As a result of a broken strike in 1917 for the 8hour day the GMS had been able to saddie em- ployees with the company commit _tee, which according to S. G Blay- jock, former manager and now president, was “to help run the plant safely and efficiently.” Until July 26 this year the com- mittee had mo constitution and had no signed agreement defining it as the sole collective bargaining agency. It had never met with other CGMS employees to prepare or ratify plans and until advent of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, Blaylock claimed and received membership privi- leses and even now appeared be fore new members instructing them how to act, McPeake’s let- ter pointed out A survey of the committee's acti- vities over the past few years showed fhat it had filed with CMS officials or practically dropped all matters vital to welfare of em- ployees, McPeake charged. JOHN STANTON Barrister, Solicitor, Notary 503 Holden Building ié E. Hastings St. Trin. 4464 180 West Hastings St. PHONE = - SEymour 0241 445 GORE AVE. Call it Home! net ogee = ae SEymour 0308 Hotel East | At Ceepeecee + SPECIAL! WHILE YOU WAIT Men’s Half Soles and Rubber Heels Ladies’ Half Soles - 66 Ea On George Drayton * EZ ALN) es - 6¢ eas Empire Shoe Repairs st Hastings || Girl Asks Surrey Council For Job On Works Gangs CLOVERDALE, B CC. — Question of providing work for unemployed girls in rural areas was brought sharply to the attention of Surrey councillors at a recent coun- cil meeting when a teen-age girl confronted them with her application for a job with work gangs engaged on municipal projects. “There must be some- thing I can do,” she told councillors. Somewhat taken aback by the request, Reeve Hunter commented that this was a new angle, assured the girl that her application would be given full consideration. i ers appointed by the provincial increasingly difficult position.” homeowner. 1. Education: Inauguration Would Halt Dredging Suspension until after the fish- ing season ends dredging opera- tions on the Fraser River, to which is attributed the loss of fisher- men’s nets, was demanded of the federal government in a resolution endorsed by the Pacific Coast Fish- ermen’s Union Sunday at union headquarters. Fishermen claim that dredging operations have stirred up mud and slime which clings to nets and sinks them. Several have suffer- ed losses of nets, while about half of the 400 fishermen on the Fraser have tied up rather than risk los- ing their costly nets. While some silt is attributed partly to melting of glaciers through the recent hot spell, the greater damage is laid to cGredg- ing operations. Federal department of fisheries has also been requested to take samples and determine sources of the material fouling fishermen’s nets. Go-operation of Salmon Canners Operating Committee is assured the PCFU in haying dredging suspend- ed, particularly on the North Arm of the Fraser until the end of the fishing season, according to Gc. Cogswell, OQ. Martin and G. Bok- ma, who interviewed Secretary. Payson of the Salmon Canners. Closing of Rivers and Smith In- jets to all gear of less than 644-inch was asked of the department of fisheries. It was disclosed that many fisher- men will be forced to apply for relief during winter months owing t oa poor fishing season. Endorsation of any and all meth- ods which will bring into effect a system of health insurance in BC was voted on by the PCFU local, and other jocal unions will be asked to take similar steps. Block Shipment CEEPEECEE, BC.— Piles of scrap iron on the wharf guarded by three ‘soldiers’ handling what appeared to be sinister-looking machine guns, greeted the eyes of astonished citi- zens here recently. But investigation revealed that the ‘soldiers’ were only scarecrows and the ‘guns’ pieces of iron pipe. Chinese workers had refused to load scrap iron onto scoOws for ship- ment and the company had man- aged to obtain help elsewhere. Workers at a local cannery hit upon 2a novel way of illustrating what scrap iron would be used for and rigged up the tableau as a les- son to enterprising junk dealers. Scows, loaded with the scrap iron, are still tied in the harbor as Citi- zens refuse to allow its removal till they are sure it is for a peace- ful purpose. be eet university free. Wo elected school board to be. abolished. School boards already abolished to be reorganized and re- stored immediately. Two percent money to be made available for erection and comple tion of all school buildings and grounds. 2. Farm Credit: indefinite exten- sion to be given to the Farm Cred- jitors’ Arrangement Act. 8. Health and Unemployment In- surance: Dominion and provincial governments to inaugurate imme- diately and put into action a health plan whereby all citizens irrespec- tively shall have free access to all medical, dental and optical services with free hospitalization and san- itarium treatment. Dominion and’ provincial govern- ments to inaugurate an adequate unemployment.insurance plan. 4. Old Age Pensions: Age of elig- ibility for old-aze pensions to be reduced to 60 years. 5. Producer-Consumer OCo-opera- tives: In order to combat the hold of monopolies over beth producers and consumers, immediate govern- ment assistance to be given promo tion of consumers’ co-operatives, with government grants for organ- ization and extension of producers’ co-operatives. Binnie stated in introducing the program. cipalities, and Surrey is no exception, find themselves in an Binnie said that municipalities were being called upon to meet obligations far beyond their limited means, with the re- sult that the burden was thrown on the struggling farmer or Program adopted was as under: enable all students with a 75 percent efficiency rating to con- tinue their education up to and including matriculation and Government grants for education to public and high schools to be increased to 100 percent of the entire cost of schooling. Endorses 8-Point Program. Introduced By Binnie CLOVERDALE, BC.—Introduced by Councillor Thomas Binnie, an 8-point program demand- ing a new deal for British Columbia’s hard-pressed municipalities received endorsation of Sur- rey municipal council at its meeting Monday. “There is no need for me to elaborate on the plight of the municipalities in this province,” “Some of them have been forced by the weight of the burdens imposed upon them to relinquish rights of self-government and accept commission- government. Nearly all muni-3 > of a system of scholarships to 6. Rebates: Extension of present rebates on gasoline and powder to include seed grains, fertilizer and sprays for insect and pest control. 7. Tolls and Freight Rates: im- mediate abolition of all road and bridge tolls. Immediate material reduction of railway freight rates on seed, fer- tilizers and feed grain. Immediate reduction of railroad tariffs on all refrigeration and chilled storage. 8. Works Program: Inauguration of a comprehensive works program aiming at rehabilitation of the un- employed and raising of the na- tional purchasing power of the peo- ple. Such a program could cover draining, dyking, irrigation, parks, bridges, reforestation and water systems. A section of the program dealing with marketing legislation was re- ferred to next Mondays meeting of the council to enable councillors to give it further study. Councillor Binnie, sponsor of the ‘program, was re-elected last De- cember as an Independent Labor candidate with united support of ell progressive organizations in Surrey. Since first elected he has been responsible for introduction of many constructive proposals. THROUGHOUT THE PROVINCE cities and municipalities on both Mayor C. B. Scanlon of Kamloops and Ald. J. H. Horn of Kelowna. Interior organizations cite as ad- vantages of the eastern BC route low altitude throughout, with al- ternative routes for use in emer gency already constructed, low precipitation record, light snowfall and absence of fog, better protec- tion and easier maintenance from a military viewpoint. Urge Hospital Facilities MISSION, BC—Need for hospital facilities at Harrison Lake was stressed this week by 2 coroner's jury here inquiring” into the death of Alfred Lindestram, 33-year-old Matsgui logger. Lindestram, an employee of H & R Logging company, died in Mis- sion Memorial hospital last Satur- day night following a three-hour journey by trail, speedboat and ambulance after his lez’ had been erushed between two logs. Returning a verdict of accidental death and commending M. Clark, first aid attendant, for his efforts to save Lindestram’s life, the coro- ner’s jury stated: “We feel that the injured man should have received more serious sttention at Harrison Hot Springs. We feel that there should be some authority that could arrange faci- lities there for the care of injured Street the Air... LABOR NEWS Sponsored by the People’s Advocate with Dr. R. L. Douglas in cooperation HIG Hear GEORGE DRAYTON every TUESDAY and FRIDAY AT 5:45 P.M. ever persons through the shock period.” HLIGHTS Interior To Campaign For Highway Route KELOWNA, BC.—Representatives of more than a score of dary, from Spokane to Kamloops, will meet at Okanogan, Wash., next Thursday, August 24, to prepare their campaign to have the interior route selected for the projected Alaska highway. Prominent in the campaign are? sides of the international boun- Report Water Contaminated NANAIMO, BC Report that Wanaimo’s drinking water is con- taminated was made by Dr. F. W-.- Drysdale, Nanaimo medical health officer, this week. Dr. Drysdale stated that he had found coli germs in water samples examined. Wanaimo city council is now building a $200,000 pipeline from the dam 13 miles southwest of the city. Construction of the pipeline, through a loan obtained under the Municipal Improvements Assist- ance Act, follewed a campaign conducted by progressive organiza- tions in the city. CCF Nominates VICTORIA, BC.—Kenneth Mc- Allister, director of Cooperative Consumers’ Society here, has been nominated as CGE candidate for Victoria. Nominee Resigns CUMBERLAND, BC.— Resigna- tion of Mrs. Annie Gatz, CCF nom- inee in Comox-Alberni, for reasons @f health, was announced here this week. ands New Deal For Municipalities Indians Refuse To Give Way Hold Firm In Claim For Damages From Kamloops Council EKAMTI-OOPS, BC—Indians here, supported by the department of Indian affairs, are standing firm in their refusal to permit city mosquito control crews to oil the slough on the Indian reservation unless the city first pays their claim of $183 for damage caused to hay when the slough was oiled last year, and "guarantees pay- ment for any damage caused to erops this year. After two months’ negotiations the dispute remains deadlocked as a result of the city council’s refusal to accept responsibility for damage claims. In June, Ald. Charles Spencer, reactionary chairman of the civic health committee, not only re- jected Kamloops Indians’ claims for damages, but proposed a resolution, subsequently passed by city council, petitioning the federal government to remove Indian reservations from the vi- cinity of municipalities where they become “a nuisance and 4 detriment to the municipality.” Asserting that Kamloops reser- vation was in this category, Ald. Spencer declared that Indians were “a detriment to their own health and that of citizens. The Indians, he charged, spread dis- ease through their contact with transients and others. Indians, replying to the city’s refusal to accept responsibility for damage caused to their hay crops, have pointed out that the city has oiled the slough annual- ly for the past ten years without compensating; Indians for their 16sses. Seldom has the Indians’ case been more clearly put than by Amy Leonard, widowed Indian woman, whose hayfield is among those affected. In a letter to the press she states: ‘“Tast fall we got no hay what- soever—no gsrowth—and in con- sequence faced a very hard and hungry winter. In desperation, last August, we brought our con- dition forcibly to the attention of the chief and council and In- dian Agent Ferguson. _*All the justice we got was Ald. Spencer For practically a year he kept us in “talk,’ hoping no doubt to talk us out of our claim for damages. “We are only asking $3 an acre on the advice of our Indian ag- ent—a mere fleabite of what we are entitled to. Ald. Spencer tried to force the issue at tta- wa ,through the federal member, Mr. O'Neill, stating the Indians refused to allow their meadows to be oiled. “Ottawa replied to the coun- cil by telegram from the Indian department, recognizing the iIn- dian claim and giving permis- sion to oil on the condition of payment of $183. Now the fire- works started. “The city council immediate— ly tried to stampede us by clam- oring for removal of all reserva-— tions from municipalities. “We feel sure that most of the people of Kamloops wish to see justice done and realize that our claim is just and therefore reas- onable and will not be carried away by the misrepresentations ef Ald. Spencr~’ Urge Unions To Picket Vessels Showler introduces Anti-Semitic Note Into Discussion Attempts of Birt Showler to blame Jewish concerns for ail scrap iron shipments leaving Vancouver for Japan by de- manding to know “if it is true that Jewish firms are collecting most of the scrap iron,” fired back on him as Delegate Shearer stated there Jewish capitalists as well as Gentile capitalists engaged in the business. This note of anti-Semitism was introduced during hearing of a re port from Vancouver Trades and Labor Council’s boycott committee Tuesday night Shearer asked that some action be taken in support of Victoria picketers by staging a demonstra- tion of pickets at every Japanese ship leaving port. This proposal was not adopted because the coun— cil now has an injunction against it restraining officers from picketing. A Shearer stated that the two rai Way companies were responsible for most of the scrap iron now being collected and shipped to Japan. Delegate Driscoll reported that large stocks of scrap iron were lying on national harbors board property waiting for ships. Mem- bers of Imland Boatmen’s Union patrolling the waterfront daily have tried to find out its destination, he said, but this information could not be obtained. Jewish Conegeress, held recently in Winnipeg, had extended its boycott to include Japanese and Italian as well as German goods and were tak- ing steps to check scrap iron ship- ments by Jewish firms, Shearer in- formed delegates. Greater use ef the boycott weapon was counterposed by Presi- dent Jamieson and Secretary Ben- gough against any move which would involve the council in picket ing of Japanese vessels. “T can’t see why we should take the responsibility on ourselves here to stop this material when it is cok lected from all over Canada,” stated Bengough. “it falls en the long- shoremen who load the vessel, the Inland Boatmen’s Union whose members sail the ships. And this does not excuse union truck drivers who haul it” Most vital metal used for Wwar- fare was nickel, contended SBen- see why the embargo question should be left on the doorstep of Vancouver trade unions. While stating he was not opposed to an embargo, he felt that the question should be decided by Trades and Labor Congress. Ask Gov’t Assume Education Costs PORT ALBERNI, B.C—Propos- ed by Ald. A. Piant, a resolution urging the provincial government “to abandon grants to municipali- ties and to assume the entire bur den of educational costs, thereby offering permanent relief and def- initely solving the problems of mu- micipal finance,” has been adopted by city council here. Seay . COMMUNIST PARTY BROADCAST Every Friday CKMO .. 9:45 P.M. — This Week — MALCOLM BRUCE “PLOTTING ANOTHER MUNICH” were © gough, but stoppage should be undertaken by the federal govern- ment. : President Jamieson eould not This advertisement is no 6 t published ~ Government of British Columbia: