Page 4 — April 28, 1945

P.A.

PEOPLE’S VOICE FOR PROGRESS

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Published every Saturday by The People Publishing Com-
pany, Reom 104, Shelly Building, 119 West Pender Street,
Vancouver, British Columbia and printed at East End
Printers, 2303 Fast Hastings Street, Vancouver, British
Columbia. Subscription Rates- One year $2, six months $1.

Editor

: Associate Editor
¢. A. SAUNDERS

MYER SHARZER

San Francisco

AN Francisco holds the attention of the entire world today;
for in the War Memorial Opera House and the committee
rooms of the Veterans’ Building the shape of the future is

being moulded.

To the delegates assembled on this historic occasion de-
volves the responsibility of approving a charter which will
conform with the new world relations emerging from the war
and, in accordance with these, provide a world security or-
ganization.

The task has been greatly facilitated and rendered less com-

plicated by the basic agreement already reached among the
leading nations. From the Moscow Conference of foreign
ministers in October, 1943, to the Crimean Conference of
February, 1945, the Big Three were able to concert their mili-
tary action and evolve joint policies at a level which made pos-
sible this San Francisco Conference.

Without cooperation of the three major powers all else
would have been impossible: with the achievement. of that
cooperation it became possible to prepare the peace even as
victory is being won. It is this tremendous fact that gives

assurance of success at San Francisco and promises that the

achievement there will be of a durable quality. The perspec-
tive of peace for generations, raised at Teheran, is now brought
closer to realization.

This is the atmosphere in which’ this meeting takes place,
an atmosphere in which all men of goodwill are anxious ‘and
striving to overcome difficulties and differences.

In these circumstances it is a crime against the peoples of
the world on the part of those newspapers, which, in a search
for sensation, or-in a spirit of deliberate disruption, distort,
emphasize and invent, stories calculated to inject an atmos-
phere of suspicion and distrust.

_ Such editorials as that appearing in the Vancouver Sun of
April 24, fall directly into that category. It plays up to the
limit the controversial Polish question, replete with innuendo
and invention. What justification, other than a vindictive
desire to generate suspicion and hate toward the Soviet Union,
could there be in the following insinuation, “‘Or is it possible
indeed, that the early knowledge of Stalin’s intention to break
away on the Polish question contributed to the death of the
President~’

Could anything be more coldly calculated to destroy
everything that President Roosevelt lived and worked for.
It is of such writings as this Earl Browder was thinkine when
he pointed out, ‘‘most inappropriate, however, has been the
conduct of most American newspapers in creating an atmos-
phere for the opening of the conference, that is filled with
clouds of suspicion and recriminations, against our main al-
lies, Britain and the Soviet Union. There are no valid grounds
for this damaging atmosphere. It is harmful to American
interests and prestige. It gives our country an appearance of
irresponsibility that is not warranted by the facts, for the
American people are overwhelmingly supporting the Dumbar-
ton Oaks plan and have faith in our Allies.”

In contrast Canadians will welcome the statement of
Mackenzie King, ‘‘What we want-is to get results and get
this world organization our attitude should be one of
helpful understanding.” Along these lines Canada will make
her contribution to world peace and ‘progress.

oe

[ae Shipyard General Workers’ Federation re-
cognizing its responsibility to its member-
ship in the coming federal elections has laid plans
to ensure the fullest participation of its mem-
bership in the campaign.
Calling together the PAG’s
of the affiliated locals, con-
Crete steps were taken to
bring home the vital impor-
tance of the coming contest.
Through publicity and the
organized work of shop stew-
ards every endeavor will be
made to get out the vote.
This is a good lead to or-
ganized labor in this dis-
trict, for without doubt, the
form of the next parliament
will decide the fate of the
trade union movement of Ca_
nada for years to come. First
every trade unionist should
make sure he is on the voters list. Secondly every
trade unionist should be thoroughly acquainted
with the issues at stake.

It is not sufficient to study the election plat-
forms of the parties in the field. The old line
parties have been contesting elections for 4 long:
time. Their platforms are designed to catch votes
and win elections. That is why we find planks
mh the program of the Progressive Conservative

'. Party which on the surface are acceptable to

labor. The issues in the present campaign go
much deeper than election platforms, the camou-
flage vote catching phraseology which promises
everything—from soup to nuts—to the prospec-
tive voter. The issues in the present campaign

We regret to announce that owing to
the fact that the Ontario Provincial elec-
tien date coincides so closely with the date
of the Federal] elections, John Weir, editor
ef the Canadian Tribune, will be unable
to make the trip to San Francisco to cover
the World Security Conference. However
we will be able to give our readers adequate
coverage with direct reports from Labor
News Services on the scene.

in Passing By C. A. Saunders

[ee Town Planning Commission and the Giti--

zens’ Committee of Wancouver have approved
plans for building the city’s Civic center on the
site now occupied by Central School. Now plans
must be approved by the mayor and aldermen,
then the city can go ahead on the job of making
the center a reality. 2 :

It was almost a year ago
that the city council gave
town planner Harland Bar-
tholomew of St. Louis the
green light on his task of
revamping our town plan.
Bartholomew put several of
his experts on the job, and
the results are eratifyine.
The new civic center, with
its theatre, art gallery, mu-
seum, skating and eurling:
rinks, art and vocational
schools, playgrounds, parks,
government buildings . and
auditorium will be some-
thing Vancouverites can view with great pride.
The Town Planning Commission will receive the
Support of organized labor in carrying out the

project.
The site chosen for the center is also com-
mendable. Other proposed sites had the dis-

advantage of being too far “removed from the
workineclass districts. The Central School site,
extending south from Victory Square, is close
to the main retail district and all transit lines.
To serve the community properly, it is essential
that a civic center he easily accessible to all
the people of the city. In this respect the site
chosen by the Town Planners is unusually fine.

And now, let’s look into the future a bit.
Tet’s suppose the civic center has been built.
The’ proper officials haye made the proper
speeches, the doors have been officially opened.
What will we do now? Will we walk warily
around our new possession speaking in whis-
pers? Will we keep it only to show off to visit-
ers? Or will we make it an important part of
our own lives, making good use of its excellent
facilities ? :

First, I think, we should make certain that
labor representatives are given seats on the Town
Planning Commission, because, after all, even

1

have a well defined dividing line and al]
and candidates fall to one or the other
that line. a

For or against the future coopera:
the world’s three greatest and decisive ;
the USA—the USSR—and Great Britain
sure the pos ibility of a Gomity of nations
which the peaceful economic and indush
velopment of the world can proceed tow;
elimination of poverty. ’ :

This basic question, upon which the
of every nation rests, the peaceful cosy
ard cooperation of the now thoroughly
lished and irremovable Socialist Soviet Un.
the Capitalist Democracies—the USA and

‘Britain, is the touchstone.
= According to their attitude toway,
question, candidates and parties’ fall jp
category of those’ supporting and those
to the interests and aspirations of organi
bor. 1

~&

HE PAG@’s have a terrific task and re

bility during the next six weels. Ore
labor must be clarified on the issues ini
The tremendous importance of the San Py:
Conference must be brought home to ever:
vidual. It must be clearly pointed out th
carrying, through of these decisions will
prime responsibility and task of the next ¢
ment of Canada. It must be pointed out +
ensure the carrying through of policies %¢
certain that Canada’s future is firmly ba:
the new perspective, Labor must have VC:
the next parliament.
: All illusions must be dispelled. Ficure:
the Gallup polls should be made available
trade unionists. From this and other ey
it will become clear that no party will con
a sufficient majority to form a stable 2
ment in the immediate post-war years.

The CCF have absolutely no chance 6
ning such a majority. If Labor is to have 4
in the governing of the country-in fhe De
years it must pursue its own independent
to elect candidates pledged to ‘co-operate
all other progressive forces, and forestall eB
ition of reaction. 4

The start made by the Shipyard Work
goed. This election is so vital that the oy
endeavour must be made to see that the y
got out and that the issues are made clear
is the task and responsibility of the PAG’s
coming weeks.

By Cynthia Carter

the. best-intentioned business and protes’
men cannot speak for the entire comm
Then, when our representatives are ther
should be prepared to offer concrete sugee
for utilizing the center through our union 3
clubs. ;

What can the center offer our children?
are a few suggestions—not mine, but thi —
mothers with whom I’ve discussed the idea
children’s playground should be modern, —
equipped, with trained supervisors. Chil
art and craft classes should be conducted i
eSchool and gallery, and children’s Story -
should be held at the library. A young
pantomine or theater group could be orga
any plenty of young people’s activities £5
be” planned for the new auditorium, rink:
theater. :

The theater, other people have sugg
could be used to help develop a truly Gan
culture, presenting plays and pageants Wi |
by Canadiahs about Ganada. A lecture §
open to the. public, could be arranged. =

A young woman sheet metal worker I ;

to would like to see the auditorium thrown
to the public for a series of “town forum”
grams in which people from all walks of
could exchange ideas. A unionist from Bot
thought it would be a good idea to have wi |
educational movie programs provided frei
charge in the civic theater. He would prefei ;
type of movies produced by our National
Board and movies imported from other coun
to give us a clearer understanding of our nl
bors.
At a time when the Civic center exists |
on p2per, such suggestions may seem prema’
I don’t think they are. “A well thought out”
gram of activity, like blueprints for the b
ings, must be prepared well in advance.
Town-Planninge Commission and city council
O.K. plans for the project, but once the co:
Stenes are laid and Mr. Bartholomew's bi
young men go back to St. Louis, the city c¢é
will be our “baby.” And like an expectant m0
we should do a little studying up in adve:
so that when the new arrival is really —
well be able to help it grow into somethin:
which we can be very proud. :

Pe