if | | - span | A Page 5 Donate | from A Dollar History to the =o Drive! FOR PEACE, PROGRESS AND DEMOCRACY FULL No. 249 VANVOUVER, B.C., FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1939 =<» 5 Cents GOV'T HREATE os > STRIKERS Labor Asks Gov’t To State War Aims Endorses Congress Report Given By Organization Head Demand that ‘‘pressure be brought to bear on the Canadian and British governments to state their war aims’’ was voiced by Organization Chair- man C. Mi. Stewart at Tuesday’s meeting of Van-: couver Trades and Labor council when he gave his report on the recent Trades and Labor Congress convention. Delegates, by endorsation of the re- port, gave approval te the demand. One of three delesates from the council, Stewart told dele- gates that while the resolution pledging labor’s support to the Canadian government had passed with a large majority it did not state the real aspirations of the trade union movement be— eause it failed to make any mention of maintaining civil rights won in the past half century. “We don’t want to commit the<¢ youth of this country to a blood- hath which may be worst than the elfor last war,’ he deciared. “We don’t E @ Shows W ay want to commit them to a conflict which in the opinion of many of us is an-rimperialist war.’ Cries of Mayor Scoffs At Distortions Of Soviet Policy “Hear, hear,” greeted his state— ment, although there were some dissenting yeices.~ Conviction that the Soviet Union would lead the way to construction of an ideal so- Reporting on the congress deci- sion expelling ©iO unions, Stewart cial order was expressed by Mayor J. Lyle Telford, Said there was a great deal of in- timidation of delegates by inter- speaking at a meeting in Maple Hall Sunday. national officials. Some were call- ed togteher and bluntly toid to sup- port the expulsion move or their “I’m satisfied that Russia is going to show us the way,” the mayor declared to an unicn cards would be forfeit. This, he said, would have meant depriv- audience of more than 300 people. “Russia is going up. In ing these delegates of their liveli- hocd. Rather than declare themselves in a roll call vote against their own conviction, more than i100 del- egates stayed away, Stewart said. “T don’t see eye-to-eye with Del- egate Stewart, but it is a free country and every delegate is en- titled to his own opinions, and 22 years sisce the revolution she has accomplished marvels.” Dealing briefly with the war Situation, Telford said he did not think the war would last very long. If it did, he opined, Germany, Britain and France would “all be wrecked.” “Then Russia will say, ‘We Might as well £0 and tow that (Gontinued on Page 6) See WAH AIMS wreck home.” That’s why I don’t think it’ll last very long,” he re- Meet Wins Support Keen interest shown by various organizations in the conference to discuss ways and means to curb food profiteering is expressed by registration already of many dele gates, Mrs. D. Hartley, acting sec- retary for the Housewives’ League 6f British Columbia, announced of the war might be Commun- ism in Germany, the mayor de clared. “That would be tragedy to those who financed Hitler to be a buffer state between France and Russia!” Stating he did not think Fin- land, Norway, or Sweden would this week. Mayor J. Lyle Telford has ac- fight Russia, he laughingly re- ferred to press reports: “Oh yes, cepted an invitation to open the conference formally in the Wom- en’s Building, Oct. 30. the press says so, but then that goes in one ear and out the other these days!” The provincial government will be represented by Robert O’Meara, department of trade and industry, ~ and two representatives from the Retail Merchants’ Association will attend. Dr. Gordon M. Shrum, director of UBC Extension department, has Mayor Telford deciared there Signified his willingmess to take would be “no peace while this part in the discussion. aan system lasts.” Mrs. F. J. Rolston, presiden e 2 = the Women’s Canadian Club, and ate oe wee bees Bee Miss Edith J. Stevens, secretary Fo Said: HGseat Bon GE 2 of the provincial Council of Women, = aan ALE eas ae a are amons those already registered. P = sreadieche eae 3 ee Organizations wishing to be rep— SERS ee ee ee ae resented are urged to apply as soon Sees ae ee eae E = eas ee eee eae ee increased oa “of : a Re eer 2 ee 2 2 living caused by speculation and profiteering was proven by fig- ures. Telford showed that the wholesale food price index for September 16, 1939 was 71.7, while for September 30, 1938, it was 55.6. Yet the farm products index, indicating prices received BAyview 7965-R. Laud Olson For by farmers, for September 415, 1939 was 649 compared to 63.7 Freeing Billings for September 30, 1938; thus, Goneratulations for His action in freeing Warren EK. Billings, vic- while the wholesalers’ price in- dex had risen 17.9 in the year, tim of the 1916 Preparedness Day bombing frame-up, were sent to Galifornia’s Governor Culbert LE. Olson by Vancouver Trades and Gabor council this week. ‘sirable to maintain contact also in the future for the joint dis- Received by Billings at the time he gained his freedom Thursday was a telegram from his fellow Victim, Tom Mooney, which read: “Weartiest congratulations upon your advent to freedom after 23 years of monstrously unjust and cruel imprisonment.”’ farmers received only 11. Urging the people to work together for the common good and not fight each other, Tel- ford told them te remember “the responsibility lies within yourselves to Change these things.” PROSECUTE THE MINING PROFITEERS --NOT THE MINERS HOSE who believed this was to be a different kind of a war, a war in which democratic principles and not profits were to be the guiding factor, have been given more than sufficient cause to wonder during past weeks. Recent developments in British Columbia are bringing the truth home to them. Soaring food prices are already imposing a heavy burden on thousands of British Columbians, who are expected docilely to accept prevailins low wages and meager relief allowances— it they can get relief—while profiteers reap a rich harvest from their hardships. Wot long ago Attorney-General Gordon Wismer pledged sterm action against profiteers. Yet, now that the test has come, the government sides with the profiteers, with the mining mag- nates who hope to make unparalleled profits from this war. A salient demand made by the striking Pioneer miners is that asking a modest wage increase of one dollar as just com- pensation for soaring prices. The provincial government, far from recognizing the justice of this demand, is planning to pro- secute, not the mining magnates, to whom the war has brought expectation of new fortunes, but the miners, to whom the war has brought only new hardships. “Equality of sacrifice” in these circumstances becomes only a catchword to bemuse the uneasy, an empty slogan to rally the unwary. The government seeks the cooperation of labor in its war efforts, yet, even while uttering fine words, it leaves the impression that labor’s cooperation will be used against it to drain it of its strength. Premier Pattullo made a statement this week. It ignored the worsening economic conditions of the majority of working people. It contained not even a formal condemnation of pro- fiteering. It merely exhorted “citizens to make every effort to keep the wheels of industry in motion.” (Continued on Page 4) See Bulgaria Won For Soviet Peace Policies SOFIA, Bulgaria.—A move away from Nazi influence towards closer cooperation of Bulgaria im the peace policies of the Soviet Union was seen Thursday in the resignation of the pro-Nazi Kios- seivanoff cabinet. It was reported im some quarters that Stefan Milakoff, proponent of closer cooperation with the USSR, might be asked to form a new cabinet. LONDON, Eng.—Announcement that a 15-year mutual as- sistance pact has been signed between Britain, France and Turkey was made to parliament Thursday by Prime Minister Chamberlain. The prime minister told the House of Commons that both in Moscow and Ankara statements had been issued that “Turkey's relations with the Soviet government continue, as in the past, to rest on a foundation of friendship.” Earlier, Tass agency commented on Turko-Soviet talks: “This exchange of views, which took place in a cordial at- mosphere, again confirmed the invariable friendly relations be- tween the Soviet Union and Turkey and the common striving of both governments to maintain peace. “Both governments reached the conclusion that it is de- cussion of questions of interest to the Soviet Union and Turkey.” (Continued on Page 6) See SGVIET Drive Passes $1000 Mark By PEGGY FORKIN Advocate Drive Manager Thursday was a red letter day for us in more ways than one. We had the feeling a worker has after winning a hard-fought battle against an unfair employer, a feeling that springs from the knowledge that eventual victory is sure for progress and democracy. Working and progressive people, marching together with firm step and clear vision are a sure bet to win in the battle against poverty, insecurity and war. Why the feeling? Because last week the working people of BC boosted our press drive past the $1,000 mark, the first milepost in our march to reach a $4,000 sustaining find. It may seem but a small victory but there’s a wealth of drama in every dollar of the thousand we have received, a wealth of courage and privation, of sacrifice. Thank you, workers of British Columbia! Let’s step out, drive boosters! There’s five weeks to go and. the objective lies straight ahead! Let’s get that $4,000! Pioneer Miners Claim Strike Legal; Get Labor Support PIONEER, BC.—Despite threats of prosecu- tion made by Premier T. D. Pattullo against Presi- dent W. J. Patterson, Vice-President C. A. Had- drell and Secretary W. A. Paterson of Pioneer Miners’ union for calling a strike at Pioneer Gold Mines here Oct. S, miners are determined to carry on until their demands are granted, confident that they are within their rights. Hinging their case on clause 3 of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, miners place the full blame for stoppage of work on Dr. Howard T. James, mine manager, for refusing to bargain collectively with the union, which represents the ma- jority of miners, and on Hon. G. 5. Pearson, minister of labor, for his failure to appoint a conciliator within the specified three days after receipt of an application. ~ > Blankets have been removed from ‘Uni on’ I S Por See eee ‘ee cea ee Denounced By Jobless ants, and heat was shut off and fhen turned on again in an effort to force the miners bacle to work, New Organization Said Designed To Split Ranks Strikers have also been refused eredit at the company store. Relief Project Workers’ union, in a statement to the Claims made by Dr. James that food prices have been peszed Advocate this week, branded the newly organized Ca- ,as an excuse for not Stantinge 2 raise were refuted by an invoice for fish bought at 17 cents 2 pound and resold at 35 cents a madian Single Unemployed Men’s Association as a dual organization designed to dis- credit the RPWU and alien- pound. Comparing prices at the company store, a miners wife ate public support of single jobless men. saved $14 on a $30 order to a de~ partment store after paying all The statement declared that the rump organization had its origin freight charges. Sympathy of Ploneer residents is decidedly jin support of miners in their demand for $i a day wage imerease, recognition of men’s com- mittee and a union dues check-off. Won-union men who were of fered police protection if they would return to work rejected the company’s offer. Bralorne mainers, who are de- Manding $1.50 a day inerease, are taking up a collection of one day's pay each period, twice a Month, as long as the strike lasts. Many have in a Cultus Lake project camp where a strike aimed at a general walkout in all camps to smash the RPWil proved abortive. Declaring that the organization has support of Citizens’ Recrea- tional Centres, whose endeavor is to establish soup kitchens, the Statement links the names of Fred Tyler and Steve WBrodie, leader of post office sitdown strike, as parties to that plan. The new unemployed organiza- tion is given use of a hall rented by the Canadian Federation of donated half their pay check. Labor, a dubious organization, whose role is establishing so- called unions in opposition to bona fide trade unions. Bert Flatt, RPWU secretary, won support of delegates to Van- couver Trades and Labor council Tuesday night when they con- eurred in his requests to condemn the dual organization and support the RPWU demand for work or relief for hundreds of single destitute men. Action was left in the hands of Secretary P. R. Ben- Forkin States Miners’ Case A statement on the strike is- sued this week by Tom Forkin, international organizer for Mine, Mall and Smelter Work ers union, declares: Hirst and foremost, the strike at Pioneer is not illegal. The In- dustrial Conciliation and Arbitra-— tion Act provides that in case of an industrial dispute on of the par- ties concerned may apply to the minister of labor for 3 conciliation commissioner to negotiate a settle ment if possible. Tt Provides de—- finitely that if the minister fails to dispatch a commissioner with- in three days after the application Is received, then the men con- cerned may go on sirike. In the case of Pioneer the work— ers waited well over a week after the application for a conciliator Eefore taking strike action. None had been appointed at that time gough, : : and none has been appointed even A survey is being conducted in yet. Mr. McGeough was sent up cooperation with Vancouver by Minister of Labor Pearson to Youth Council to prove to Eov— ernment officials the need for coping with growing unemploy-— ment. “investigate,” never at any time during his stay at Pioneer was he Siven the authority to act as 4 conciliator, nor was anyone else. Before and since the present Pioneer dispute Dr. Howard T&T London Paper James, Managing director of the company, has shown no willing mess or inclination to discuss wages or working cohditions with a committee elected by his orzgan-— ized employees. His attitude Has been that of an industrial auto- crat; in fact, it was this attitude which forced the men to turn to the protection of an international union in the first place. The union in Pioneer has 150 members out of a total camp staff Scores Attack LONDON, Eng. — (Passed by British Censor) — In 4 recent edi- torial the London News-Chronicle, commenting on the Daladier gov- ernment’s attack on the French Communist Party, states: “One of the main objectives of this War is to defend democracy against totalitarian oppression. There can be no justification for OF 233: Brosecuting the freely elected rep- resentatives of the people simply - because they held an unpopular view.” The editorial comments on the lack of any proof of subversive ctivities by the French Commun- ists. The union bargaining com- miittee was elected unanimously by the union membership and besides that enjoys the confidence and support of many non-union men. (Continued on Page 6) See PIONEER