iiaeing Te NUTT TIN TLE OPTS Hnock! Knock! “Who's there?” “Trots: “Trotsky who?” “Yes, Trotsky along and ask Hearst if that cheque is ready yet.” he Peoples Advocate Formerly B.C. Workers News FULL No. 117 Published Weekly: VANCOUVER, B.C., FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 1937 eS Single Copies: 5 Cents VOL. III. No. 13 General France and the News-Herald are abandoning siege of Madrid, after nearly taking the city several times. Man Dies In Project Camp Near Sooke-- ~Gov’t Policy Rapped Malcolm Bruce, provincial chair- man, Communist party (top), and Yom Ewen, provincial secretary (below), who will speak at the Colonial theatre, Sunday, on party policies. War Survey Of Industry ESQUIMALT, BC, April §—From the ordinance office at Sisnal Hill here (Military District 11) notice has gone out to owners, managers, of ail BC industrial plants that a survey of all plants in Canada is to be made by the Department of Wational Defense. An accompanying questionnaire requests complete information on capacity of plants and machines. Most significant is the question: “What machines might be used almost immediately for the manu- facture of shells, fuses, etc.?” Purpose of survey is to ascertain } potential capacity of plants “in the Case of a national emergency.” Contrary to the “socialism or nothing” theorists, these speakers eontend that progressive people in BC must face stark questions of to- outstanding among which is issue of unity at the polls in day, the June. Perspectives of a Farmer-Labor party and the Communist argu- ment of its possibilities and method of achievement, will be dealt with fully. Questions from misconstrued and published statements will be aired at this meeting. Differences of tween Conservative parties, where do the fit inte the BC picture, Social Credit, what is meant by unity candidates, and many other prob- lems will be answered. \ Cloakmakers consequence be- and Liberal Gonnellites Installation of charter in Local 276, International Ladies’ Garment Workers, by Secretary Bengough, Vancouver Trades and Labor coun- ceil, at headquarters last Wednes- day, set up another milestone for organized labor. A short campaign in the ladies’ garment industry here, assisted by Sam Herbst, TuGW organizer from Winnipeg, resulted in a 100 per cent signing up at this meeting. P. Bengough complimented the cloakmakers and expressed his per- sonal satisfaction at progress made in the needles trades. Union officials voiced their desire to have Organizer Herbst return in midsummer to assist in negotiating collective agreements for the _ fall season. Cloakmakers will work for the elimination of sweat-shop conditions here. NEW YORK.— (FP) — Rockwell Kent, noted American artist, has contributed his $600 Edwin Palmer | Memorial prize from the National Academy of Design to the Spanish | Defence Fund. Many Poultry Farmers In Fraser Valley Face Ruin High Prices Of Feed, Low Returns, Cause WHSTMINSTER, Be April §—Many poultry farmers in the Eraser Valley are facing ruin as a result of present high feed prices and the low price of eggs. While the price of feed is now higher than in 1929 and of inferior erade, eges are returning only an average of 17 cents a dozen to pro- ducers. At this price it is impos- sible to cover even cost of feed. In addition to this, poultrymen face the problem of raising new Stock on costly feed which cannot be expected to bring a return for Some time. Some large poultry farmers have been obliged to cut their flocks in half. NEW Seeks Job, is Told To Obtain Divorce SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, April 8. —{(FP)—Her husband jobless and unable to support her, a former school teacher who applied for a POsition was advised by a Board of Hiducation employee to get a di- Vorce. A San Erancisco ruling pro- wides that no married women be added to the teaching staff. Move is being made to change the ruling. Communist Party Will Give Election Viewpoint Malcolm Bruce. Tom Ewen, Edwin Baker to Speak On Party’s Relation to Current Problems, at Colonial Theatre, Sunday Communist Party convention decisions will be explained in detail, Sunday, April 11, 8 p.m., at the Colonial Theatre, when Maleolm Bruce, party chairman; Tom Ewen, secretary, and Edwin Baker, who recently joined the party, the platform and point out the 028) ahead in British Columbia. will take Get Charter Fascist Leader Sent For Trial PARIS, France, April 38. Last year Premier Leon Blum, under pressure, dissolved the Croix de Feu. French Fascist organization, following FEascist- provoked disorders. In place of the Croix de Feu, the Social par- ty came into being. This week a French court found the Social party to be the erstwhile Croix de Feu under a different name, committed Col. Francois de la Rocque and other Secial party leaders for trial. = Fernie Coal Strike Looms FERNIB, BC, April 8s&.—Coal strike loomed here this week as Negotiations between the Crows Nest Pass Coal company and em- ployees, with recognition of the United Mine Workers of America the main issue, broke down. Following breakdown of negotia- tions notice was served on the com- pany that unless recognition of em- ployees’ UMWA affiliations was Siven by Tuesday, April 13, miners at Michel and Coal Creek will strike. Workers Win Royal City Strike NEW WESMINSTER, BEC, April 8—Risht to choose their union and reinstatement for three dismissed employees were de- mands won in a 36-hour strike of Brackman-Ker Milling company’s employees here Tuesday. Strike followed firing of three men after a meeting af company employees at which it was decided to apply for an ILA charter. Pres- ent at this meeting were repre- sentatives of the waterfront policy committee. Failing in its demand that the three dismissed men should return to work before negotiating, the com- “pany conteded the risht to -oreanize, particularly when salesmen reported Sales at a standstill. Possibility of organizing hundreds of warehousemen, weighers, cereal workers, under IA charters is opened up by the victory. Miners Win Pay Increase NEW YORK, April 8§—(FP)— United Mine Workers of America has won another contract and with it a wage increase of $85,000,000 for 800,000 Appalachian soft coal miners in @ight states. The agreement covers a 2-year period and was Signed after six weeks of negotia- tions and a 1-day work “stoppage.”’ For the first time it establishes the principle of time-and-a-half for overtime. Another vyictory scored by the UMWA. and set into the agreement Was establishment of a joint com- mission of miners and operators to make a study of problems arising from mechanization of bituminous coal production, including problem of displacement of employees. Contract continues the 5-day, 35- hour week, establishes basic pay rates of $6 a day for the north and $5.60 for the south, an increase of 50 cents a day over terms of the old contract and the highest scale ever received by soft coal miners. Many Groups Back Jobless NEW WESTMINSTER, BC, April 8.—Backed by trade unions and community groups, the Work- ers’ Protective Association has pre- sented a resolution to the city coun- cil here requesting additional work to raise earmings 40 per cent. The council placed the resolution in the hands of relief finanee committee for report to the next council meet- ing. Organizations supporting the un- employed were: Street Railwaymen, Lumber and Sawmill Workers, Brotherhood of Railway Employees, Amalgamated Guilding Workers Meat Cutters, Waterfront Workers, Central Army and Navy Veterans, PTA, FOR, CCE Industrial Confer- ence. Considerable impetus to wunem- ployed organization in New West- minster has been given by this sup- port. STUDENTS BACK ROOSEVELT NEW YORK.—(FP)—A nation- wide student rally, occurring simul- taneously in 150 colleges at noon April 13, will support the presi- dent’s move to enlarge the Supreme Court to “lift the judicial blockade on human rights,’ the American Student Union announces. Complain Sick Men Are Sent To Camp Stricken Man, Brown, Was Middle-Aged Here brigade leaders of the famous Inter—- national Gol— umn which this week led further victor- ies over the Fascists are Seen planning strategy im Madrid head- quarters. Rep- resentatives of many coun- tries, they lead the flower of the world’s anti - Fascist forces, Ex-Soldier DOCTORS UNDER FIRE SOOKE, BC, April 8.—Several hours after being taken violently ill in Project Gamp 104 here, a middle-aged ex-seryiceman named Brown, died in hospital at Vic- toria Monday. Suday night, Brown collapsed in the camp and was given first aid to which he failed to respond. The nearest telephone is five miles from camp and an ambulance Was obtained from Victoria, a dis- tanee of 30 miles over rough roads. Consequently, it was several hours before Brown was admitted to hos- pital. Camp inmates place no blame on Camp 104 officials who did every- thing in their power for the stricken man. Bittemess is ex- pressed, however in a letter to the People’s Adyoeate which states that “very sick men are being shipped to.this camp,” and, ‘‘re- sponsibility for this rests on relief officials and doctors at Hamilton hall, Vancouver. Insufficient Attention “Medical officers in Vancouver are not giving the attention neces- sary to those ordered to camp by Telief officials—in keeping with their profession’ = The letter continues: “It is like an old men’s infirmary. A case of trench mouth is here, a very contagious disease, which, we understand, the hospital in Victoria refused to treat. There is here also @ man suffering badly from asthma.” Brown's mother, Mrs. Horne, lives in Scotland. Relief Strike At Pr. Rupert PRINCE RUPERT, BG, April 8. —Demanding a fifty per cent in- erease in clothing allowances with immediate issue of clothing and re- instatement of a foreman dismissed some weekS ago, married and an On Sunday Concerts Here Will Be Pia Discrimination Shown by City Council In Granting Permits to Workers’ and Cultural Organizations “The Communist party is deter- mined not to allow recent actions of the city council in refusing workers” organizations permission to hold Sunday evehing concerts in City theatres to so unchallenged,”’ Mrs. Becky Ewen, the party’s edu- Cational director, told an Advocate been refused permits.’ Mrs. Ewen expressed the opinion that no sincere church-goer ob- jected to music and educational lectures on Sundays. “Its regrettable that Alderman Pettipiece agreed with this reac- tionary ban, but it can be reversed reporter Thursday. by united action of progressive “Rank discrimination is shown | forces here,’’ she said. when, in the same session, a permit Capt. J. G. Dayidson, CLDIL pro- is Sliven to one organization and vinelial secretary, informed the Peo- withheld to another,” Mrs. Ewen | ple’s Advocate that a protest cam- added. “The Project Workers’| Paign has been started, urged all union, Russian club, YCL and a organizations to write to the mayor Communist party branch have all! and eity council. PTA Convention In City Urges Socialized Welfare 2 Many Donate To Spanish Defence Following donations to the Canadian medical unit with ¢gov- Extension of School Age To 18 Years Asked ernment forces m Spain were Opinions expressed by delesates received this week at Spanish to the three-day convention of the Defense Fund headquarters, 615 Parent-Teachers' Federation here West Hastings street: this week indicate strong desire to S. Gurdial, Port Alberni, $4: Batre ees A OE ehildren, S. J. Nicholls, $1: WLU, Si; Mrs. 2 a ODBLERS for adolescent youth, and to maintain a democra- Ronayne, $1; N. Coley (ULETA), $5; John Knowles, White Rock, $7; WLLL, Kelowna, $4; Winder- tie status in and matters administrative. educationa? mere Ratepayers, $4.25; John _From Washington P-TA conyen- MacDonald, SI: W. Williams, tion Mrs. G. Parker brought greet- $1.50; William Tymkiw, Pioneer ings, relating how they had intro- Mine, $32.25: Sointula Women’s duced hot lunches for children in Sewing Circle, $10; A. Lewis, $9; || ™2ny Schools, public playgrounds, beter pay for teachers. Mrs. Parker Websters Corners, $1.35. z pointed out that local welfare was Single men on relief here are re- maining firm in their strike. Supporting the strike are many organizations, the CCI, Women’s Labor league, trade unions and un- employed organizations. Strikers have decided to adopt Premier Pattullo’s own advice given in his recent speech here, that one could never gain anything: without fightine for it. After unsuccessfully interviewing the premier, wunem- ployed feel that only by a fight can concessions be wrune from the sovernment. COLUMBUS, O— (FP)— With- out a dissenting vote, Ohio house committee on labor has approved a bill outlawing company unions, guaranteeing right of collective bargaining. Vernon Mayor bound up with the maintenance of world peace and friendship. Director Tan Wisenhart of Provincial department of and Recreational on the need for the Physical Education, spoke recreational centres, Refuses Hearing VERNON, BC, April 8—At the “If we disapprove of present-day last meeting of the council here} YOUth.” he said, “then we must Mayor Prowse refused to hear a a an outlet in a constructive : yay. join d 2a Ero Tnem- “our joint delegation from the UWnem We do not need a MHitler or Workers’ and Vernon CCF elub. ployed and Part-Time sociation as- | Mussolini for the army of youth al- ready interested in physical culture. _ So long as I am mavor of this] We need instructors and facilities city,’’ Mayor Prowse is quoted as to enlarge the army,” he continued saying, “no representation from or Resolutions called for extension for the Vernon Unemployed associa- | of free school age to 18 years tion will be heard.” stanting of health units to. com. Mayor Prowse asked Sustaining | Munities when requested, establish- of his ruling that the CCP repre- | ment of a socialised welfare coor- sentation be declared out of order. dinating committee, reduction | in Protest meeting will be called. price of school books. eee Stewart Endorse People’s Advocate I seldom have time, in these® Strenuous days, to become enthusi- astic about new publications of any kind whatsoever, but I am certainly forced to make an exception of the People’s Advyo- cate. IT am enthu- Silastic about it for a cogent rea-| son. There is a ery. ing need for ag newspaper in Bri-: ish Columbia that is free and fearless in its Support of a cor- net =Workinga MM. STEPHEN elass policy. There is an urgent and present need, too, for a paper that will champion the cause of unity at a time when so many disruptive forees are at work to sabotage every attempt to weld together the progressive forces in our political and economic life. The People’s Advocate haye a splendid future, for it will appeal to all who are fighting for peace and democracy and it is these forces that are bound to win in the coming struggle against reac- should tion. This new people’s journal can Pion” is to the trade unionists in the Sive the lead in clarifying the im- East. portant issues we are facing today. = x It can point the way to the forma- When Len Crawford, Interna tion of a true People’s Front here onal organizer and throughout Canada. for the Sheet Incidentally, I like the general = Pea ‘Workers’ Style and format of your paper cee Yasived the and trust it will meet with the ee opU af = = success and appreciation it de- z ers ate ELON: See council he gave special credit to = the clarion’? for On the first of April the Joint the assistance it Drive for the People’s Advocate aye in helping and Clarion Weekly began, the ob- to organize the jective beinz to raise in BC $2,800 f unorganized, and and double the ectreculation of these he said that or- papers. 4 sanized labor in I think every reader of the BC the Hast looks up- Workers’ News felt a glow of pride C. STEWART on the Clarion as when he realized that his paper had their paper. been published successfully for over In this drive we cannot separate two years, and that it is coming | the Clarion from the People’s Ad- out now as a six-page paper, with | vocate. a new name that brings to Cana- Every trade unionist should rally dian workers all the finest tradi- | pehind the People’s Advocate so tions of those stalwarts who fought that in the coming struggles which for the freedom of the Canadian | are already on the horizon, the people a hundred years ago. trade unions can be sure of a str ong Trade unionists in British Co- | champion which will help us to or- Tumbia should strive to make the | Sanize to secure for ourselves and “People’s Advocate” to the workers | families a livelihood which the in the West what the “Daily Clar- | vast wealth of Canada entitles us to. Were Fired © For Union | Activity Strikers laid siege to committes room No. 1 in the city hall, Tues— day, after marching through the rain, more than 100 strong, to give the lie to Plant Manager William— son who testified before Judge Mc— Intosh in the Burns strike probe Monday that majority of strikers were “ready for the old men’s home.’’ Cross-examination by strikers” counsel, W. W. Lefeaux, forced ad- mission from Company Superin= tendent Erickson that nine of the nineteen men dismissed were fired for union activity, that he received monthly reports from floor foremem. of union activities within the plant. Strikers’ counsel scored when Williamson denied having said he would “bust the union’ or that em- ployvees were old men and the judge reminded him sharply that evidence of these statements was overwhelming, : Possibility that. ~ the might bring a “restraint charge was seen when a man who Was in business 19 years ago testi- fied in support of alleged collusion between the union and small butch- ers. Public hostility to refusal of Burns to grant right of collective bargaining and reinstatement is mounting, and Burns’ sales have dropped to 15 per cent of normal: Strikebreakers within the plant have received company notificatics they may be dismissed at any time; according to union officials. PAP Scores In New Play -com pan ¥ of trade’’ Most powerful New Theatre play to be produced here since CGlifford Odets’ “Waiting for lTLefty’ last year, the Progressive Arts Players’ presentation of “Bury the Dead’’ at the Little theatre last week-end, met with enthusiastic response. Remarked by daily press critics Was the Sincerity of the acting. “The players lived their parts, as in “Waitng for Lefty,” said one critic. Remarked too, the excellent Staging and lightine effects. Outstanding in the cast were Bill Turner as Private Schelling, Muriel Hepburn in the dynamic role of Martha Webster, Ethel Smith who Save perhaps, the most finished performance, and Malcolm Finiay- Son as Bevins. Directors were Harry Louis and Katherine Esler who, as newcomers to the theatre, are to be congratu- jJated on a creditable production. Plans to present “Bury the Dead” at the Empress theatre within the next two weeks are now under consideration and announcement Will be made Jater. BC Settlers CAMP LISTER, BC, April Orders to vacate their farms within 60 days have been received by 28 farmers and settlers here because of failure to meet payments to the Land Settlement board. Alternative is payment of 10 per cent cash on an application to purchase or lease property. Protests forwarded to Wictoria and the Land Settlement boare against the injustice of proposed evictions point out that many farm- ers haye invested all their sayings iu the properties, haye cleared and sown new acreage, erected barns. Low prices obtained for produce have materially added to settlers” inability to meet payments. Settlers are demanding that, if evictions are carried out, they be transported to other homes. S— Face Eviction Se eee PR ee OT Oe