Page Siz THE ADVOGOCATE October 20, 1939 Cumberland Leads $4000 Press Drive Continued Soviet NEW YORK, NY—The vir- ulent press campaign against the Soviet Union was badly punctured in the reply which President Roosevelt disclosed he had received from Presi- dent Kalinin of the Soviet Union in answer to his message of the previous week. Im a polite but pointed letter Kalinin informed President Roose— velt that the Soviet negotiations with Finland are designed solely to consolidate and strengthen friendly relations between their two countries, can in nO way be interpreted as a threat to Finnish independence and are being con- Gucted in conformity with prin- ciples which recognized the State independence of Finland. President Kalinin criticized mis- chievous and distorted versions of the Soviet-Finniish negotiations which “are being disseminated by circles not interested in Puropean peace,” and stated he considered it appropriate to remind the US pres- ident the “state independence of the Finnish Republic was recos- nized by the free will of the Soviet government in 1917, and that the Sovereignty of Finland was guar- anteed to it by the Peace Treaty of October 14, 1920, between the Russian Socialist Pederated So- Viet Republic and Finiand.” The New York Times correspon- dent in Mescow, G. E. R. Gedye, in a despatch last week had to con- fess that in interpreting new Bal- tic treaties the reactionary press Was going “rather too far.” Brom official Baitic circles, Ged- ye learmed that “none of these states has been in any way threat ened by the Soviet Union in the course of Moscow negotiations.” In fact, “these states were among the first to recognize the Soviet Union in 1820 and to conclude peace with it. When they did soa, the outside world thought they were adopting a suicidal course, just as it is widely considered that they are doing so now. ...”’ Be continued that “expressions ef satisfaction over the (recent) treaties as recorded in the Baltic press, have been generally genu- ine and realistic.” Im addition, Gedye said that “the departure of the Germans is in no way regretted in the Baltic states.” Qn the other hand, citizens of the Soviet Union are welcomed as friends. S All Report rapidly being overtaken by the Fraser Valley committee at Haney which, in a sudden burst of speed, sent in $27.51 to bring it up to 935 percent, third highest in the prov- ince. All Olkanagan committees have now got into stride. Vernon turned out to be the surprise of the week in this district. A mod- est little note accompanied by $22.58 brought this committee up from the bottom of the list with 2 percent to 46 percent, just a few points behind Salmon Arm, which holds second place in the Okana- gan with 49 percent. Looks as though ‘there’s going to be some keen competition between these two. Kelowna, determined not to be cutshone by other committees, writes in: “Please find enclosed the sum of $4.20 for five subs to the Ad- vocate. Qur quota is $30 and 20 subs. Don’t let anyone think that Enderby or any other com- mittee or booster is going to show Helowna up during this drive. We admit they had a good start, but nevertheless when we get through with our dance and social on October 20, they will think differently.” TRAIL TAKES OVER. Up in the Cariboo, Quesnel has been deposed from its former lead- ing position by the Kootenay smel- ¢termen of Trail, who have been sending along contributions so steadily all week that they now have reached the 40 percent mark. That's the way to show ’em, smel- termen. Rossland noses out Ques- nel still at 26 percent with its 29 percent. What are you going to do about it, Quesnel? Real news this week is our first eontribution from Northern BC. Grassy Plains pledges $15 and accompanies it with money for subscriptions. Our friends in the pulp and paper town of Powell River also took us by surprise this > SPECIAL! 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It boasts: “Tf we don’t double our quota, Enderby, still at 100 per cent, ISS, well eat our shirts.” week by sending in $9" as their first instalment on the drive. Thank you, Grassy Plains and Powell River. Leading all Fraser Valley com- mittees is Haney with 95 percent of its quota already in. Good work, Haney. Close on its heels come Langley which boosted it- self to 44 percent this week. New Westminster is right behind with 42 percent, followed by Surrey with 25 percent. DINERS DONATE. Over on the Island, Nanaimo, al- though getting off to a slow start, sent in another $9 to bring it up to if percent. Victoria came right back, too, with a contribu- tion of $8.80 to send it up to 13 percent. We are aiso pleased tc acknowledge receipt of $4.50 from locked-out hardrock miners of Zeballos who write: “Although we are unable to set a stipulated sum or throw a challenge at present as we are very busy trying to have our dis- pute settled with the company, we will do the best we can.” Pledging to fulfil its quota by next Wednesday, South Burnaby with 43 percent easily holds the lead over Worth Vancouver, 26 per- cent, and North Burnaby, 18 pez cent. You'll have to hustle if you want to keep up with the South Burnaby crew. Hastings East under the ener getic leadership of its woman man- ager has again beaten its West End opponents with the ° close score of 43 percent to 40 percent. Better luck next week, West End. Meanwhile South Vancouver has managed to break its tie with HKit- Silano and to forge ahead into third place for city honors with 28 percent, while Mount Pleasant and Industrial Committees are very close, both with 27 percent. Kijitsilano, 25 percent, has no dif- ficulty holding its ground with East End, 12 percent, and Grand- view, 11 percent. Continued War Ai I hope this situation will con- tinue, stated Percy Bengough, council secretary, in contribut- ing to the congress reperts. Dealing mainly with expulsion ef CIO unions, Bengough deciared the action was not taken at the be- hest of the AFI. executive, but was done in compliance with the de- sires of affiliated unions compris- ing the majority of the member- ship. The veteran unonist ‘regretted that the action had to be taken and it was his unfortunate task in supporting the move because he had a lot of friends in the CIO, particularly in the United Mine Workers, but under the same con- ditions and circumstances, he said, he would do it again. Using the words of one congress delegate, Bengough said “let us keep our wounds as clean as pos- sible and give them a Chance to heal.’ We held hopes that at some fu- ture date unity of the CIO and AFI, unions would be effected and appealed for continued eooperation in order not to widen the breach and make that unity impossible. J. HW Copping, International Woodworkers delegate, sought a ruling on the status of €1O affili- ates in the council, but his query went by the board as 010 action was talken. meee eee esse ESESEBeeseee=es== = 5 ‘ , Novice Boxing 4 4 Every Tuesday Night at g 4 Orange Hall, Gore & HMastnigs ¢ Rimgside, 25c Gen. Adm., 10c, Y 8:30 p.m. s 6 s : = International Sports Club ee ‘PRO-REC” Head Office, LET’S KEEP FIT ..-ina Neighborhood Recreation Centre FREE Conditioning Activities for Templeton Junior High School, Vancouver Sports Club, Pro-Rec Hall, and St. Paul's Church Hail. For full : 604 HALL BLDG., | conitiniied Pioneer There is no question that it repre- sets the majority of the total em- ployees. On Sept. 27 the men’s committee requested recognition and a union dues check-off by the office and upon receiving a flat refusal from the company voted by secret ballot ta strike 125 to 17. The union applied for a govern- ment conciliator to help settle the dispute. The minister of labor failed to appoint a conciliation commission but sent up an ‘investi- gator.’ Meanwhile, the men’s union committee interviewed Dr. James and asked whether he would ac- cord them recognition and grant a union dues check-off if his em- ployees requested it in a secret ballot vote. Dr. James refused under any circumstances 2 check-— off and would give no assurance that he would recognize the men’s committee even though such was requested by a secret ballot vote of his employees and accepted by the government. A strike was the sast thing the union was looking for; it was tzken only as a last resort to se- cure their rights as Canadian citi- zens and guaranteed by law. Tf Mr. Pearson’s interpretation of the Act is upheld all labor or ganizations formed since Dec. 7, 1938, will be outlawed as far as bargaining rights are concerned, even if they represent 95 percent of the employees affected. This is no idle statement; it is a direct admission of an official of the de- partment of labor. In fighting this vicious interpre- tation? the Pioneer men are stand- inf solidly on their rights as guar anteed under the Act and are cru- sading for the rights and civil lib- erties of every worker in British Columbia, We intend to make this an issue in BC and appeal for the broadest public support. Indications to date are that or- ganized labor and progressive po- litical opinion will not be slow to respond, Council Holds Strike Legal Pioneer Miners’ union is free to strike as it sees fit, since the I- dustrial Conciliation and Arbitra- tion Act leaves that opening when the minister of labor will not ap- point an arbitrator within the time specified in the Act, Secretary Perey Bengough, speaking on be- half of the executive, told dele-— gates to Vancouver Trades and Tabor council Tuesday. Delegates coneurred in his report. “We don’t think that adverse publicity given in the daily papers on the illegality of the strike is in the best interests of organized labor,” declared Bengough, “and since the act does leave that open- ing, then it must leave the union free to strike as they see fit.” This was the answer to an appeal for support of the strike at Pioneer mines sent to the trades council by Vancouver District Miners’ union on bebalf of the local now on strike. The letter pointed out that elause 3 of the Act stipulates that ¢he minister of labor shall appoint an arbitrator within three days after receipt of the application, but to date no one had been nominated to arbitrate the dispute. Bakery and Confectionery Work- ers’ union in a letter to the trades council also complained of the Act and wanted to know what the council was going to do about it when the legislature opened. J. A. Humphreys, union business agent, declared he had been writing let- ters to the government for a whole year without receiving satisfactory answer. “J can’t see for the life of me why an organization which has gone through arbitration should have to go through it all over again,” stated Humphreys. At this juneture Don Maxwell, business agent of the Retail Clerks union, who has experienced con- siderable trouble in negotiating for a@ union agreement covering one de- partment in Woodwards, asked that this question also be taken up when the council’s legislative committee eonsiders amendments to the Act. President EB. A. Jamieson stated the BC executive of the Trades and Labor Congress would consider these questions along with other matters when it meets the provin- cial cabinet shortly. Everyone Over 16 Wears. Danish Lutheran Church Hall, Athletic Club, Rosary Cathedral particulars: TRinity 3467 7 EEE () <> 0) SS 0) GSE () <> () GS () SED O SS (CS : = f quality ! ~“_ [ ~~ ( ~~ f oO f vc” — e _ ( -_ f vans f oo ' _ : MEN .. - - - DRESS UP THIS FALL INA REGENT Suit or Overcoat @ BETTER STYLES @ BETTER TAILORING @ BETTER MATERIALS $21.50 .. A Word to the Wise... PRICES ARE GOING UP — ORDER- Our low rental location enables us te sell for less and give greater values ... Buy from the old established firm known for REGENT TAILORS 324 West Hastings St. e NOW! SEy. 5614 -~ i -_™ ( V_ ] -~ ( a ( oO [ “~ ( ~~ i o-~ ( _~ f cm) bl => CO SES CO <> O) C) SSE 0 GED 0 GeO CONTINUED FROM PAGE THREE British Communists Urge Peace Parley LONDON, Eng.—— (Passed by British Censor) . —An urgent demand for an immediate peace con- ference has been issued by the central committee of the British Communist party. “The continuance of the war is not in the interests of the people of Britain, France or Germany,” says the statement. “End the war before it has brought death and destruction toe millions of people, before the flower of our youth is slaughtered.” “This is not a war for democracy against fascism. This is not a war for the liberties of small nations. It is not a war for the defense of peace against aggression. “The British and French ruling class are seeking to use the anti-fascist sentiments of the people for their imperialist aims. By their deeds they have shown that they do not stand for de- mocracy in Spain and Czechoslovakia. The British railing class would have granted the Indian demand for democracy. This war is a fight of imper- ialist powers over profits and eolonies, for world domination. It will bring only suffering and misery to millions of working- class homes. “Chamberlain and the SBritisn reactionaries helped to create Hit- ler fascism. They hoped Hitler’s ageression would be directed against the Soviet Union. T hey helped, financed and armed Hitler. They helped to strangle small na- tions. € = “There is nothing the SBritish ruling class fears more than the defeat of reaction in Germany. They fear the triumph of the Ger- man people.” The statement adds that the rul- ing class seeks to set up a new Te actionary government in Germany, as its servant to carry out its anti- Soviet aims. The struggle of the British people against Chamber- lain and Churchill is the best way to help the struggle of the Ger- mans against Hitler, it declares. Chamberlain’s talk of the re- storation of Poland, continues the statement, means the re-establish- ment of the semi-fascist regime of Beck, Sikorski, the landlords and militarists to oppress the Polish people and the national minorities. The British and French workers refuse to help carry out this aim. Only the Soviet Union has tak- en action on behalf of the peoples, on behalf of peace, and is now exerting influence to pro- mote peace in Western Europe. The conclusion of peace in these eonditions is in the interest of the peoples of Europe. The Sov- iet Union is leading the world in the fight for peace. ‘Tet a peace conference of all powers be called immediately,” the statement ends, “The people must take a hand. The immediate is- sue is the cessation of hostilities and the calling of a peace confer- ence.” ‘Democratic ‘Mask Torn From French Capital’ —PRAVDA MOSCOW, USSR—.ICN)—The persecution and arrests of Communists in France has torn the mask of democracy from the agents of French capital, says Pravda, Communist party or- gan, in a recent leading editorial. *Unrestrained terror against Communists is declared in the country of boasted bourgeois democracy—in France,” writes the newspaper, continuing: “The ruling circles of France call themselves the government =f French democracy. They are even attempting to convince the French people that the war against Ger- Imany has also been undertaken in the name of the defense of demo- cracy. “The banning of the Commun- ist party, the persecutions and ar- rests of Communists and their sympathizers, tear the mask from these out-and-out defenders and agents of French capital. Their vows and declarations regarding: their attachment and devotion to democratic ideals are hypocrisy and lies. Asserting that banning of the Gommunist party constitutes ‘the victory of the most reactionary elements of French imperialism,” Pravda declares it to be “the be ginning of a new offensive on the working class.” Tt points out: “The Belgian paper, Voix du Peuple, has published materials: showing the extraordinary wors- ening of conditions of the French working people in connection with the war and the intensification of reaction. This paper quotes facets regarding the conditions of the workers of the industrial district Jeumont GNord Department). The 40-hour-week which the French working people won some time ago has been replaced by 2 60-hour-week. Only 40 hours are paid for, while 60 hours per week are actually worked. In addition, there are mumerous deductions, in- cluding a 15 percent deduction for war needs. The newspaper points out that capitalists are receiving enormous profits and that all the burdens of the war are placed on the backs of the working people.” In conclusion, Pravda refers to suppression of the Russian Bol- sheviks by the Tsarist government in the last war, declare: E “Such a party as the French Bolsheviks may be disbanded, thousands of French workers, sol- diers ,intellectuals may be arrest- ed and condemned for agitation against the imperialist war, but it is impossible to put a stop to the indefatigable struggle for the French Gommunist party for the happiness: of the French people. “This struggle will continue. And there is no doubt that it will be crowned with success, for the cause of Communists is the cause of the French people. : segs ee RA ee armen ai inh i .. sretehates NO paar