“is being destroyed—democracy must, and will live in Greece, as THE B.C. LUMBER WORKER RKER Published Every Second Monday by INTERNATIONAL WOODWORKERS OF AMERICA (CIO) DISTRICT COUNCIL NO, 1 Editor: BERT MELSNESS (on leave, Canadian Army) Managing Bditor: JACK GREENALL Room 504 Holden Building—Phone PAcific 4151—Vancouver, B.C. @ The deadline for stories for the coming issue is 4 p.m., Thursday, December 28 Democracy Will Win DEMOCRATIC people the world over have been profoundly shocked by news of the recent developments in Belgium and Greece. Angry protests have been sweeping Britain, as it became apparent, encouragement was being given to “Old Guard” Greek and Belgian regimes by British tories, and that they were being kept in power by British bayonets. How could it be otherwise when it is obvious that British tanks, planes and troops are being used to impose upon these nations an unpopular government, and worse still to prevent the forming of a government more representative of the democratic, pro-United Nations sections of their populations. A general strike has engulfed Greece with the demand that a democratically-elected and responsible government replace the present regime of Premier Papandreou which was never elected. The popular fury against the bloodbath he ordered was so great .Papandreou wanted to resign. He was persuaded to remain in office not by the Greek people, but by British Ambassador Rex Leeper and General Scobie, who promised British armed forces in lieu of popu- lar support, Such action is directly contrary to the spirt and the letter of the Atlantic Charter, the Four Freedoms and all the solemn |’ promises made to the peoples of Nazi-held Europe during the past four years. It is truly deplorable! The Teheran agreement held out the promise to all peoples that they will be able to choose gov- ernments in accordance with their own desires, It is a promise that must be fulfilled. It is a promise that will be fulflled. British troops are bringing liberation to many people. British bayonets are being used in many just and noble causes—but Papan- drou is not one of them, Germans in Madrid are reported in the press to be joyous about the prospects of a rift between the “Big Three” as a result of developments in Greece They exult too soon. They exult in vain. There must not be, there will not be any let-up until Nazism is completely crushed and they and their Quisling aides brought to jujstice. ‘The people of Britain, the U.S. and the Soviet Union and the other United Nations will see to that, Fascism all over the world. The Greek people must be allowed to determine, without outside interference, the form of government they desire. The statement in support of this position from U.S. Secretary of State Stettinius is one of the bright spots of this unfortunate crisis. The Canadian people would welcome, and should demand a similar declaration from our Canadian Government. : a = a Union Hiring By DON BARBOUR, Hiring Hall Manager Tas being the last issue of our paper for 1944, it might be in order to briefly review the work of the Union Hiring Hall over the last nine month period in order to gain a perspective for our work in 1945. Any prestige that our Union Hiring Hall has acquired since its inception is due solely to those 500 men and women who have assumed and carried out their responsibilities as Union men and women that goes with Union Hiring. Cooperation is not a one-way street and I can assure you that the Hiring Hall office has letters on file from several companies, where there has been cooperation in every sense that the word implies, proving beyond doubt that the overwhelming majority of Union men accept and work under the added responsibility that organization brings. Now if more of our members will seek their employment through the IWA Hiring Hall and conduct themselves after arriving at the point of production in the same way as the great majority who have already hired out from 206 Holden Bldg., then Brothers, you can be quite certain that Union Hiring will be a clause in the Union Agreements which must be a perspective of our Union in 1945, along with many other items that lumberworkers must strive for. One does not need to go back very far in the history of Union- ism of B.C. Lumber to realize that tremendous gains have been made for the well-being of lumberworkers. Gains that never could have been realized had not the workers first adopted certain basic principles to organize around and then put those principles into everyday life by struggling towards that aim. In bargaining with the operators our officers, and they are quite adept at it, bargain on the basis of the strength of our union while the oper- ators bargain not only on their united strength, but the wealmess of our organization is also considered. Our main consideration should -be to avoid getting ourselves in the position of the dog in Aesop’s fable where he saw his shadow in the water while holding a bone in his mouth. Fearing the shadow was another dog trying to rob him of his bone he tried to grab the shadow, resulting in loss of his bone. 3 re There has been quite a slackening off of hiring since the ‘first of the month, but many camps are running right through the seasonal holidays. However, to those who intend to stay in town until the beginning of the year don’t forget the loggers ball on December 29 that promises to be bigger, better, and drier than ever, before, liquor rations being what they are this year. I also am looking forward to renewing old acquaintances in the Union Hiring Hall at 206 Holden Bldg., as they come to town, where there is on display some very excellerit wood carvings by Brother O. Hill- atl now I do want to take this opportunity to offer my best By NIGEL MORGAN From Washington, D.C. comes the report that “the impact of CIO-PAC in the United States Election campaign is being seen everywhere.” And so it should for PAC was one of the most im- portant factors in the re-election of President Roosevelt, and in getting a “win-the-war, win-the-peace” congress. The report con- tinues: “In the halls of Congress there is a new interest and friend- liness for CIO representatives. There is an air of gratitude in the halls of government agencies for the work done by PAC. Your doctor, your dentist and your storekeeper in Washington tell you what a great job CIO did. And evan Eugene Meyers, whose news- paper backed Dewey, came to the convention to tell the delegates: “You may not fully realize the importance and power you have de- veloped in the political arena.” When the convention adopted the resolution renewing the CIO- PAG, Phil Murray said: “: . . Our decision means that we are prepared to associate ourselves with all other high thinking and progressive citizens throughout the country in the onward march for the development of a better country here and a better world. . 2” In the coming months people in all walks of life, in every sec- tion of the country, will feel this change in the American scene. In his great speech to the convention U.S. Vice-President Henry Wallace gave the CIO both a warning and a slogan. The warning was that’ we have won only a “bridgehead to the future.” The slogan he gave, pointing up the ploblem of winning 60 million jobs and getting 60 million votes in ’46 and ’48, was: “A job for every voter and a voter for every job.” That goal of sixty million jobs after the war is much more than a fine-sounding slogan. CIO regards this goal as not only practical and possible, but also as,a basic necessity if we are to avoid the horrors of postwar depression and mass misery; more than that CIO in its recent convention outlined a program for attaining that goal How effective that same program can be in Canada, was ably demonstrated in the Port Alberni Civic Elections last week, where the entire “Union-Endorsed” slate was swept into office. An ex- cellent example of good work. But labor political action is not just an election year proposition as CIO so correctly pointed out, It is a year in and year out, year-round job, Our democracy works in such a way that, while elections determine governments, pressure de- termines policy. The abolition of slavery, and child labor, the achievement of penal reform, workmen’s compensation, old age pensions, unemploy- ment insurancej/better labor laws and the recent collective bargain- ing legislation were brought about through democratically organ- ized pressure on government. It is the duty of PAC to see that organized labor in co-operation with other far-sighted and pro- gressive-minded sections of the community is continuously exerting its full weight for progressive democratic legislation. Next week the B.C, Federation of Labor, representing all CCL unions in the Province is meeting the Provincial Cabinet to present labor's views and requests in the field of legislation. Following the meeting every local union and more than that, every union member, must be mobilized to support that important program of legislation needs. It must be carried into life. RA NcHo- peaWLB. "CANADA RD DON'T GIVE THEM ANY SLACK- i fe Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year a on ae readers, members of the IWA and friends. WE HAVEN'T LANDED THEM ALL YET/ trying to get Barbour to fee fee bine list off me and send ~ me out to some camp. My appeal fell on deaf ears as he claimed I) wwas too old, had been drinking, was such a mean cantankerous critter, that I ,would probably contaminate all these youngsters in camp by insisting they join the IWA if sent out to my rogu- lar profession, bull cooking. The diatribe delivered by your Hiring Well boys I was in the Hiring Hall manager was reminiscent of other hiring halls of Vancouver I have been in, in the now dear dead past. However, Brother Barbour either ran out of words or relent- ed and said I could sit in one of — the chairs as he did not feel like kicking me out in the fog and cold, that although I might have been a good,man once he was doubtful if I was now, or ever had been. Well, sitting there in that chair out of the cold and fog (I admit the boys had been putting a few beers my way) I soon fell asleep and it seemed, as if I had just closed my eyes when I heard the Editor yell, “you blankety blank old coot, where the hell is your column this week, don’t you know we can’t get the Lumber Worker out until your column is in the paper and the paper don’t amount to a hill of beans without what the bullcook says.” Well, Brothers, I went into my office to write my column but the lid kept wobbling around so that I had to hunt another office with a more solid lid and finish up this column as best I could. Well boys during the few min- utes I was asleep in that chair in the Hiring Hall I dreamt I had departed from this world and in this new place of abode I had ar- rived at, I saw many people at work putting back trees in place of those that had been previ- ously cut, game and fish were abundant because of the refores- tation. Everyone was pleased with the work they were doing and seemed to be thinking deep- ly of those who would came after to live in this fair land. My only regret is the Editor woke me up and made me face realities. Real life to me, as writer of this column, is like the kid work- ing on the farm and the stranger asked, “how much do you get for working here on this farm.” kid replied, “I get nothing if I do but I get hell if I don’t.” The I just heard via the grape vine that Barbour has promised the District Officers to ship me to the best camp in B.C. after the New Year. Well, so long boys, for 1944, and may this Yuletide season be the best you have ever had. When in Vancouver, for your health's sake, go to the. . + HASTINGS STEAM BATHS HLgh. 0240, 764 E. Hastings Vancouver, B.C. Always Open Expert Masseurs in Attendance After 11 p.m. - - - - 60c, 75 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., 30, 40c, 50¢ =