F B.C. LUMBER WORKER November 16, 1950 a“ _ The Editor: I read with a great deal of in- “Green Gold” broad- terest “<{nflation Unwelcome Guest in Worker's Home.” One ee I am sure is wrong, “It now costs twice as much to build a house as before the war”. From actual experience I contend it costs three times as much to build a house. T happened to go into the mat- ter of building a house before the war, and eventually had to have a house built in 1948, and allow- ing for the difference in the price of the lots, practically the same house in every respect cost three times as much. To say that the shortage of housing is a national scandal is a very mild way of putting it. I should say it has become a na- tional emergency, because of the destruction of family life caused by it. The facts of the situation are, there is two distinct principles which are at opposites in our so- called democratic society. One is the democratic idea fail- | b No. 2 From. TONY GARGRAVE The Editor: I feel certain that other members of the IWA will agree with me that the syndicated articles recently appearing in the Vancouver News - Herald should be condemned as vicious and unfair to trade unions. I bring to your attention my letter to The News-Herald ex- pressing my sentiments. Tony Gargrave. The Editor, Vancouver News-Herald. The News-Herald has done an injustice to the Trade Union Movement by publishing the series of articles by Clayton Kirkpatrick (sponsored by the New York Times and Chicago Tribune) on the control of United States Labor Unions. The series of articles is a deli- erate attempt to bias public ing in practice of the greatest | opinion against Labor Unions in good to the greatest number, and the avoidance of any opportunity for dictators, The other is the capitalistic idea, that what is provided is entirely a matter for the capital- ist to decide, and what he pro- vides depends entirely on obtain- ing a financial result satisfactory to the capitalist, and may have no relation whatsoever to what is needed for the greatest good of the greatest number. Capital, apart from any method by which-it may be accumulated, is directed in its activities by very few people in comparison with the population, and while there are distinct phases of op- eration, the objectives are the same—the quickest method that will provide a return of capital spent plus interest or profit. o Tt must be evident to the most unbiased observer, that the pur- chase price of any article con- us & ne Di general. There are many abuses in Labor Unions as unionists well now, but to lump them together in a series of articles and present them without comment, as repre- sentative of a great movement is a shocking example of poor journalism. The accusation, by Kirkpat- rick, in his seventh article of eneral racial discrimination in Labor Unions was the last straw. The News-Herald itself carried a iews item the following day re- orting the formation of a Van- couver Labor Joint Committee to Combat Racial This Committee is composed of both AF of L and CIO Unions plus scores of other national and Locak Unions. discrimination program of the CIO has received recognition all Discrimination, The anti-racial ver North America. Regarding the right of Union Members to a fair trial, I quote the Constitution of my own Inter- tains a payment for the use of | national Union: the manufacturing processes by which it was made, or a capital charge, and in time the buyers of any article manufactured will have bought the manufacturing plant or plants, but do not own them. Incidentally, there are in- terest charges included, This valuation of plant has in- creased greatly in comparison with wages, and hence increased prices. The pojnt to be labored, is the capital costs plus interest charges in prices, for wages as a cost are dropping rapidly in comparison with capital costs. Tt is amusing to note, that the mass of the people buy the manu- facturing plants, but never come to own them. Yours truly, ‘Wm. S. White, Giscombe, B.C. $100 BONUS FOR MINERS United Mineworkers Union (CCL) and Dominion Steel and P to procedure of trial by jury, and nobody can set aside any of these of ticed by Bertie McCormick's Chieago Tribune, “The Democratic principles of Industrial Unionism to which this Union subscribes requires that every member — shall be entitled to be notified in writing of the charges preferred against him, an oppor- tunity to be heard in his defense, and ‘a fair trial. Only after such procedure has been followed can the penalty of suspension ‘or expulsion from the Union—be imposed” The Constitution then goes on lay out a scrupulously fair rovisions. The Constitution has this to say about racial discrimination: "No worker otherwise eligible to membership in this Union, shall be discriminated against or denied membership by reason of race, color or religion? Your readers will not approve the type of journalism prac- Yours truly, “Tony Gargrave”, Recording Secretary, “= Your Space Boys! No action has been taken yet along these lines. Why?, Why doesn’t the District put out a directive or a request that the Locals set up Political Action Committees? The reason might be, as certain individuals put it, that “the mem- bership is not ready for it.” Then I would ask—when will the mem- bership be ready? I feel that if they are not ready for it now they never will be. Some people might claim (to sidetrack a major issue) that they had enough political action shoved down their throats by Pritchett and his cohorts. But it should be made very clear to the membership that this Politi- cal Action is to better the union, not for the benefit of certain opportunists. Incentive I feel that with all the rotten anti-labor laws, the Unemploy- ment Insurance Act, B.C. Hospi- tal Insurance, the Labor Relations Board, etc., right down the line, we have enough ammunition to stimulate sufficient interest in the political field. We should at least make an effort. Our unjon has been told, and will be told again, that it will only get what it is strong enough to take. That, brothers, is true; and also applies in the political field as far as labor is concerned. Bulldozer The IWA in B.C. is looked on by all other trade unions as the bulldozer. It paves the way, it sets the pattern. Why then, I wonder, are we sitting back and disregarding our responsibility to the rest of labor in this prov- ince? It’s a big job, but it must be done. Let’s not hesitate any longer if we want labor’s vote to have that paralyzing effect on the forecs that continue to exploit jabor. z Labor for years has fought for happiness, security and freedom —but all’in vain. Today, as in the past, the privileged few are still in control. In its “Declaration of Positive Economic Philosophy” the CCL asked all other democratic in- stitutions to join with us to make this a nation and a world of hap- piness, security and freedom. Well, as an affiliate to that body, and having accepted this philosophy, we've got a job to do. So let’s do it, instead of just giv- ing out with lip service. Ray Pigeau, Local 1-357, IWA. INCENTIVE “Workers haven’t got incentive any more because unions guaran- tee them a job,” said Col. H. G. Morrow, M.C., purchasing and material manager for the McKin- non Industries Ltd., St. Cather- ines, Ont. Col. Morrow, who was the former commanding officer of the Lincoln and Welland regi- ment told his listeners, “I train my assistants so that I don’t have to do any work.” — (Hamilton Spectator). Readers Teall No. 4 From AL : BUSCH The Editor: The cheapest form of positive insurance you can get is mem- bership in a trade union. The returns you receive in money and improved working conditions ex- ceed by far the premium you pay each year. Maintaining and improving these conditions requires that your union be kept in a sound financial position in order to do the best possible job for the mem- bership. This is especially true of your District Council, a body whose duty it is, among other things, to co-ordinate the work of the Local Unions and assist them wherever and whenever necessary. While the continually rising cost of living has forced us to demand and receive, in most cases, an annual wage increase, what is being done to cope with these same rising costs, as they affect the functions of our union? What steps are necessary for us to take in this direction? In my opinion the honest answer to this question would affect the solution to many of our problems. Al Busch, Chief Shop Steward, MacMillan Industries Ltd. (Plywood) Wife to husband about to hang a picture: “You'll find the hammer in the drawer, nails in the cupboard, and the bandages in the medicine |, cabinet.” COLLEGE DAYS ONLY FOR FEW OTTAWA, November (CPA)— Out of every 100 Canadian _chil- dren who enter Grade 1, only 67 complete their public school course, only 21 ever complete Grade 12, and only 13 complete matriculation. Of that 18, only four ever go to university. These figures were given x@® cently by Dr. G. E. Hall, presi-' dent of the University of West- ern Ontario, speaking in London Ont. Dr. Hall stated that the greatest problem facing educa- tion in Canada is the salvaging of the large number of boys and girls who fail to complete their education. The picture given by Dr. Hall was much the same for the high schools and vocational schools. Of 100 who enter high school only seven would complete grade 13; only six would complete Grade 13 of vocational school out of 100 who enter at Grade 9. The university president said he did not feel that economic fac- tors were the only reason for this failure to complete education. He felt that a high percentage of, drop-outs was accounted for by’ lack of interest in the curriculum and other factors relative to the school system. He did not, how- ever, discount the economic fac- tor. COLOR FILMS ON HAWAII Colour films for 16 mm. pro- jectors on Hawaii are now available without charge through the courtesy of Cana- dian Pacific Airlines, Camps which can obtain 16 mm. pro- jectors should apply to: Gerry Brennan, Loggers Employment Service, 24 East Hastings St., Vancouver, B.C., who will make the necessary arrangements. This advertisement is not published or displayed by the Liquor Control Board or by the Government of British Columbia. WOODWARD'S: Hand-Made LOGGING BOOTS © No. 1 Chrome Leather Uppers © Highest Grade Leather Soles © Non-Rust Eyelets Coal Corporation recently an- nounced that 10,000 miners in Nova Scotia would get a bonus at Christmas of $100. The joint statement said that bonus was being paid because costs had risen s] ly, and thal an effort should meee Local 1-217, TWA. SAN FRANCISCO — TAILORS — LOAN MONEY ON Suits, Overcoats, etc. Loggers’ Boots, Sleeping Bags, Suitcases, Radios, Watches and Rings. No. 3 From RAY PIGEAU The Editor: 8-inch Tops. | Price Delivered _ $21.95 Caulking —... $1.00 Extra awenrty) Expert Watch Repairing UNREDEEMED Suits and Caulk Boots For Sale. MAIL ORDER _ 52 West Hastings Street _ VANCOUVER, B,C. | COL has Zor some time now re- up ACTIVE affiliated unions to set POLITICAL COM- Why hasn’t this been MAIL ORDER DEPARTMENT