ACCLAIMED BY CRITICS ~ Robeson returns to concert stage FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1958 fe dor Us tiny PEACE, JOB ISSUES LPP will contest 20 federal seats TORONTO — Plans for 4 country-wide election cam- paign for jobs, peace and security were completed by the LPP national committee at its meeting here last week- end. The LPP expects to field some 20 candidates in the forthcoming federal _ election to put forward its own “unique, progressive policy” at the same time as it cam- paigns for a working agree- ment between the labor and farm movements, the CCF and itself which would make possible the election of a sub- stantial group of progressive candidates and block return of either a majority Conserva- tive or Liberal government. LPP candidates already nominated include: Camille Dionne (Montreal- Hochelaga), Frank Brenton (St. Lawrence - St, George), Tim Buck (Toronto - Trinity), Sam Walsh (Toronto - Spa- dina) Nelson Clarke (Tor- onto-Parkdale), Tom McEwen (Vancouver South), Maurice Rush (Vancouver Centre), Charles Stewart (New West- minster). In a keynote speech to the LPP national committee singl- ing out peace and the develop- ing economic crisis as the ma- jor issues, Leslie Morris said: “Faced with a difficult eco- nomic situation and with its master — monopoly capital, anxious to have a ‘firm’ ad- ministration to deal with the class struggle of the workers _ and farmers, the Tories want to gain seats to be able to dominate the House of Com- mons and to get tough with the people. “Concessions have been made to public opinion by the gov- ernment since June, particu- larly with regard to govern- ment intervention via grants and public works, to try to take the edge off mass unem- ployment. But they will not continue on this path if a Tory majority is obtained. ... “On the key issues of the day, the people’s needs and a firm policy of peaceful co- existence, the Tories and Lib- erals are alike as two peas... “The CCF group of 25 MPs in the House has not been an effective opposition nor did it expose the Tory-Liberal set-up, the demagogy and the hoaxing, nor did it go out among the labor and farm movement, stirring up public interest and calling on labor and farmers to unite and make their voices and influ- ence felt on the govern- ment. °. “While some _ statements were made by M. J. Cold- well on summit talks, it must be said that the CCF right wing leaders led by Coldwell and Lewis have made _ no break with their support of NATO — and that under the guise of stressing ‘economic aid to under-developed coun- tries’ via NATO, they main- tain their anti-Soviet, anti- peaceful coexistence posi- On. “Our party has to ask: How can the LPP work! so that the two burning issues of peace and developing eco- nomic crisis break into the election in the most clear-cut effective way?” “First by running our own LPP candidates .. .” “Second, we advance our united front policy. The LPP national executive has sent out the proposal for a “working agreement” between the trade unions, farm groups, CCF and curselves ... It is a recogni- tion of the actual state of labor unity at the moment.” The LPP national commit- tee accepted the resignations of Edna Ryerson and Joseph Gershman from its executive, electing Bruce Magnuson and Morris Cohen to fill the vacancies. OAKLAND — Paul Ro return to the concert stage. The great Negro artist was the municipally-owned Oakland cisco Bay area. The audience warmed to what Thomas Albright of the San Francisco Chronicle call- ed “the greatest natural basso voice of the present genera- tion” and “one of its: most magnetic stage presences.” “Robeson held a full house spellbound and radiated a mir- aculous something that actu- ally brings tears to the eyes,” . Albright wrote. Something of the emotional impact conveyed by Robeson’s voice, and spirit was also reg- istered by Edward R. Frisbie of the San Francisco Examiner. Frisbie referred in passing to Robeson’s “controversial” politics. Arthur Bloomfield of the San Francisco Call-Bulle- tin observed that “there* was no politicking” at the concert and later added: “Taking a section out of the vocale finale of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony was a rather strange thing to do on what was, after all, a song recital, but that section contains a very noble idea to which Robeson is very devoted, to wit: “All Men Are Brothers.’ ” That theme of human broth- erhood was alluded to by Robe- son in a few ad lib remarks about the common musical strains in folk music, whether it be African, Chinese, Indian, Scottish or Jewish. The theme was all the more apt because the concert was sponsored by representative. Negro citizens, many ministers among them, in observance of Negro History Week. The repertoire was largely the same that Robeson has been performing for more than six years in Negro churches and meeting halls throughout the U.S. ignored by the offic- ial music critics. It was a triumphant return for a magnificent artist. But it left a nagging question: Who is the poorer for his hav- ing been barred from the con- cert halls of the U.S., and his being prevented from going abroad to perform before the millions who wish to hear and see him in all lands? beson celebrated Negro History Week here with a trium NNa58-195 U CIVIC EMPLOYEES ° UNION- OUTSIDE & WORKERS UNITY - BROTHERHOOD % This is the special Centen- - nial union button issued by Vancouver Civic Employees Union (Outside Workers). The union has been widely com- mended for its initiative by leaders in many fields. (See story on page 2). Continued from page 1 acclaimed by an inter-racial audience of 2,000 ¢ Auditorium Theatre, and by the music critics of the phast fille | a Fret | Continued BUCK Grastic change in trade oy cies is driven home fact that for a million the dians and their familie — crisis is already hereé- {0 “The LPP has a progtan meet this crisis’ he emp sized. It includes the Ke ment of new overseas mat 3 the carrying through © f great program to dee cheap power to encouras® manufacture of Canadia? afl lok dev is ne the spending of more m d on people’s welfare inst for a gigantic arms PY? LABOR of Work Act to provide for a reduction from a 44-hour to a 40-hour week. @® Measures to prevent workers from holding two jobs. @ Increased provincial aid LocBC} municipalities to assist them In expanding needed public works projects. S Maintenance of provin- cial sovernment institutions and welfare services. Reporting a good reception from Opposition MLAs and a number of government back- benchers, the delegation went back for a second two-hour session with the Labor Com- mittee: on Tuesday. At the same time the union confer- ence instructed its executive to to ask for a meeting with the cabinet, voting to ask the del- egation to press the cabinet for a definite public works program and to take a position on the question of trade. It also forwarded a request to the Canadian Labor Con- gress to set aside one day at its convention in April to ,dis- cuss the unemployment prob- lem, urging all local unions to LOBBY — establish “unemployment e mittees” to help their ™ aq bers and press for actiO™ = representations on ment deficit financing an@ effects of automation and, ‘2 less the government 1°” prompt action on unempl0o! ment, the possibility is be} discussed of an even bié mass lobby descending 0? ae’ capital to reinforce labor’s mands. F Aftermath of this week lobby were the decisions ee by Vancouver Labor Count!” @ To authorize its pre dent and secretary to head j committee which will coordi ate the activities of local cd employment committees of 4 filiated unions. ; ®° To call a meeting of rep resentatives of all unions consider an approach to up employment locally. i @ To call an unempl0? ment rally at Exhibition om dens on March 14 to he# spokesmen of various polit cal parties. ec February 21, 1958 — PACIFIC TRIBUNE—PAGE”