job 1th ol (at i filam acd Union democracy real issue, Stevens reminds Bengough Objections raised by Trades and Labor Congress president Percy R. Bengough to sections of an editorial denouncing union raiding in the May 12 issue of The Fisherman were answered this week by a United Fisherman and Allied Workers Union executive statement. “Raiding is a contemptible, vulture-like occupation which’ must be unequivocally condemned as the activity of persons without trade union principles,” said the original editorial. It cited among others, the case of the Vancouver Civic Employees Union, Outside Workers. This aroused Bengough’s ire. In an angry letter he sought to justify TLC raiding tactics unsuccessfully employed again the civic workers, and reminded UFAWU., leaders that “the constitution of the Trades and Labor Congress of Canada contains, among other provisions, that no organization officered or |: controlled by Communists or mem- bers of the Labor-Progressive par- ty or any person espousing com- munism or advocating the violent overthrow of our institutions shall be allowed representation or re- cognition in this Congress or any organization chartered to ag Bengough’ then ‘claimed that “the officers of Vancouver Civic Employees No. 28, with the sup- port of a majority of the member- ship, refused to be governed by this constitutional requirement and openly defied the elected of- | ficers of the Congress. . . . Such being the position, the Joes out of step with the army have to accept the responsibility for the split or splits that may arise.” The Fisherman editorial, Ben- gough asserted, “is aiding and abetting defiance of the constitu- tion of the Trades and Labor Con- gress of Canada and vilifying loyal members of our movement who have come out in opposition to the present leadership of the Vancou- ver Civic Employees.” In the UFAWU reply, endorsed. by the union’s’ executive board, secretary Homer Stevens outlined the union’s position at length. He said, in part: “As far as this organization is concerned, we have no informa- tion as to the political affiliations or lack of them of any individual member nor have we the right under our constitution to question or discriminate against any mem- ber because of race, religion or political opinion: . . . In this our constitution is in harmony with the Universal Declaration of Hu- man Rights adopted by the Gen- eral Assembly of the United Na- tions. ... “As you are aware, such changes as have been made in recent years in the UFAWU con- stitution at our annual conven- tion have been directed towards extending democracy whilst changes made in the Trades and Labor Congress constitution have, on the contrary, sought to restrict the right of local unions * to elect delegates and officers of their own choosing. This union is on record as being opposed to the constitution changes made at the Montreal convention of the TLC in 1950..... - United Labor PICNIC: SUNDAY, AUGUST 9 CONFEDERATION PARK 4600 EAST HASTINGS NORTH BURNABY HOMER STEVENS PERCY BENGOUGH s “Our union is also on record at the 1951 Halifax convention of the TLC as being opposed to the sus- pension of Vancouver Civic Work- ers Local No. 28 from the Con- gress. When vice-president Carl Berg was in Vancouver, represen- tatives of our union who inter- viewed him, couselled against the action taken later by him. ‘In our opinion, the good name and repu- tation of the Trades and Labor Congress have not been enhanced by this affair. The fact that the majority of civic workers in ‘Van- couver, asiyou yourself admit, con- tinue to support the Civic Work- ers. after a series of costly and futile attempts to raid its jurisdic- tion, confirms our opinion. “We continue to believe that discrimination on political grounds has no rightful place in the trade union movement and is harmful to its progress and effectiveness. We see no reason why*the consti- tution. of the Trades and Labor Congress should bear a Taft-Hart- ley label. “We advocate the restoration and extension of democratic pro- cedures and practices in the con- stitution of the TLC and do not consider that such advocacy is ‘aiding and abetting defiance of the constitution of the TLC.’ “As for vilification, we neither indulge in nor approve of such practice by others. We believe that open debate, with fair oppor- tunity for the expression of dif- ferent viewpoints, is the best means for arriving at-wise poli- cies and for correcting unwise ones.” : -public hall meetings, Half million copies of platform distributed LPP election workers step up campaigning in final 10 days In constituencies from Cape Breton to Vancouver Island, Labor- Progressive candidates are knock- ing on doors putting the LPP Put Canada First platform into’ the hands of more than half a million Canadians. By radio, street meet- ings, house gatherings and large thousands more are listening to the Labor- Progressive proposals for -ending the U.S. domination of Canada and building a country that is “truly great in a world at peace” — as Tim Buck, LPP national leader, puts it. How the LPP plans to use the remaining few days of the cam- paign in the five Vancouver. and 12 other constituencies in B.C. be- ing contested by its candidates is, told here. — “There are only 10 days until election day—what are the main election tasks between now and | August 10?”'a Pacific Tribune re- porter asked Alf Dewhurst, Labor- Progressive party provincial elec- tion manager, this week. ‘Moor-to-door canvassing and distribution to get our LPP pro- gram into the af hands of the people,” said Dewhurst. “Which of these jobs, can- vassing or dis- tribution, is the most import- ant?” . “Both are im- portant — but we have found that a method termed ‘Quick Canvassing’ pro- duces® maximum results,” replied Dewhurst. “By ‘Quick Canvass- ing’ we mean a system where our volunteers knock on ever door, introduce themselves as represen- tatives of the LPP, and put our program directly into the voters’ hands. Meeting face to face in this way, our canvassers establish a direct personal contact with elec- tors.” “Who takes part in these can- vasses?” the PT reporter asked. “TPP members and supporters, and our candidates themselves. We have placed great emphasis in.this federal election on our candidates participating .in door-to-door can- -vassing—and sometimes this thas suprised people. $ * “Let me illustrate this with a story. One night last week Maur- ice Rush, LPP candidate for Van- couver East, was canvassing one side of a street while a co-worker was covering the opposite side. Discussing Rush’s candidacy with one householder, the LPP can- vasser pointed to Rush knocking on a door across the street and said, ‘There’s our candidate over there.’ The voter was astounded. ‘Do you mean to ‘say your candi- dates help give out their own ma- terial?’ he asked. ‘Certainly,’ said the election worker. The voter was quite impressed. It’s the first time I’ve seen a candidate doing that,’ he said.” * * ge! ‘Does distribution take second place to canvassing?” Dewhurst was asked. : “That all depends,” he replied. “In areas where every poll can be covered by means of the ‘Quick Canvass’ it should. be the only method used. But we don’t want any of our programs lying around election offices after August 10, so in cases where canvassing has not succeeded in getting out the bulk of the programs, we are urg- ing an immediate emphasis on dis- tribution.” “Can the two methods be com- bined?” ; “Yes, of course. Some key polls could be reserved for can- vassing while distribution took place in other polls. This week- end we are asking election work- * ers in out-of-town ridings to make a special effort to do some canvassing.” “What has been the response to this type of canvassing?” ° “It’s been very good,” said Dew- hurst. “There have been very few instances of hostility; most people are polite and the great majority have been ‘friendly. Some have asked canvassers to call again and discuss points in the LPP pro- gram. . “Our Put Canada First slogan obviously has a wide appeal and there’s no doubt about popular resistance to Yankee ‘domination. Some workers tell our canvassers stories about Kitimat and the oil pipeline and other jobs they have worked on, showing how the U.S. is dominating our industrial ex- pansion program in B.C. For ex- ample, Americans are hired as technical experts and strawbosses while Canadians fill the role of laborers on these projects.” Door-to-door canvassing has “giv- en heart” to both canvassers and the progressive people who have The best way to introduce the Labor-Progressive party. been visited, Dewhurst stresse “Many of these citizens are ™ ing LPP members for the | ngs time, and they have many ©. iy they want to discuss,” he said. am sure that closer acquaintat, with these people will rest Br, new readers for the Pacific fot une as well as new members the LPP. “There are just a few days PY in this campaign, They a4 cisive days. We must com distribution of our a ae oo all our election posters UP)“ ryis much canvassing as possible: not means a job for everyone out only LPP members, but 2 supporters. + “1 would appeal to Pacific ee bune readers and other prod), sives to volunteer their serie They can get in touch with Hi of these campaign headdv 4. by phone: Vancouver East i, 8340; Vancouver Centrer oA, 8883; Vancouver Burrard, FA 5453; Vaitcouver KingsW4Y! i19, 5446; and Coast Capilan® 3380. _ “The extent of our final ve election advertising depends ive the amount of money We 2° ost from our supporters 10 the ce tio week. ' I urge that all dom ice - ety - be sent in to the Labor-Proe, a 503 party, Federal Election tre Ford Building, 103 Hastin8s Vancouver 4, B.C.” Playing ‘second fiddle’ costs Canada $7 billio® | “Playing ‘second fiddle’ in the U.S. war band has cost more than seven billion dollars in seven years,” charged Gordon Labor-Progressive party condidate in Vancouver South round-table discussion which was Wednesday this week. Other panel members were the candidates from three other politi- cal parties seeking the seat held by Art Laing until he resigned to become provincial leader of the Liberal party. They were Elmore Philpott, Liberal; Lorraine John- | ston, Progressive Conservative; and Cliff Greer, CCF. Elder, a young New Westmin- ster woodworker and active IWA member has taken part in four radio panels, appeared as guest speaker at the Lions club, had a guest column in the Vancouver Sun and spoken at many meetings. “JT stand for Canadian control of our natural resources, the de- velopment of Canadian processing plants, for restoration of our tradi- tional Commonwealth markets and for trade and peaceful relations with all countries,” Elder emphas- ized in his radio talks. PACIFIC TRIBUNE — JULY 31, 1953 — ie oxw ® | broadcast over station | GORDON ELDER