Leading Progressive +The People’s Advocate Western Canada’s Newspaper iL No. 173. > © Published Weekly VANCOUVER, B.C., FRIDAY, MAY 6, 1938 Single Copies: 5 Cents VOL. IV. No. 17 en) S A 4 ae | ein jrades Council } Delegates Ask , For Campaign : eirovernment Warned To Look Elsewhere “Jor Support If Unions Are Ignored oy fr = iSumbles of a coming clash between organized labor and the incial government were heard this week from Vancouver es and Labor Council and the department of labor in ria. t the meeting of the trades council Tuesday there was in- at demand for calling of mass meetings, agitation over the , and for other steps to be taken against Hon. G. S. Pearson’s pretation of vital clauses of the Conciliation and Arbitra- =e Act. 1, Victoria, Labor Minister Pearson, author of the disputed declared belligerently that he imtended to fight for re- on of his interpretation and was prepared to go before the ~= ature on the question. Pearson stated the day after the “2s council meeting that the provincial government would | pat in face of the council’s demands. =~ espite the fact that he won his point to postpone agitation @ the provincial executive of the trades council had inter- @ed Premier T. D. Pattullo on the Act's interpretation, Secre- Perey Bengough, sensing the angry mood of delegates, ed the government that it would have to look elsewhere for ort in the next elections if present labor policies were = nued. : : >| t is perfectly obvious that the majority of the people voted £@-al in the last provincial elections and that a great many ‘ese votes came from organized labor,” Bengough stated, we cannot be expected to vote for a government which is Psonistic to us. am Shearer reminded the council of advice he gave months ‘hat a series of radio broadcasts on the Act should be pre- i by the trades council executive to give the public a clearer rstanding of the new labor legislation. A little action now will give the cabinet something to : about,” Shearer exclaimed. “Mass pressure is the weapon se on these politicians.” irt Showler urged immediate action in view of the fact that sal union agreements were endangered by a contemptuous ide adopted by some employers who were banking on son’s interpretation—to ignore the union. He later agreed, ile He : & (Continued on page 5) thers’ Council Help bless Will Parade Again On Sunday obless single men will parade on Sunday, May 8, from ell street grounds to Stanley Park to demonstrate for a Hie works program. On arrival at Lumbermen’s Arch they be guests of the Mothers’ Council at a picnic. © marchers will carry slogans? ig forth their demands—a Morehensive work and wages cam to rehabilitate young mea are. willing to work. Wage yhers. issued from deferred ints due to the men for for- * project work . done last fer will have run out by the ‘of next week, and the men face destitution. a press statement Mrs. M. president of Vancouver aers'’ Council, pointed out this < the desperate plight of these y= men. Strong representations - been made to Victoria on the ition by a recent conference aded by 17 women’s groups. rs. Lusk also appealed for as- mce from Vancouver mothers contribute toward the picnic, re- sting that as many as possible nd and bring baskets. Others eannot be at Lumbermen’s Hh are asked to leave baskets junches at the Council's head- rters at O’Brien Hall. ytal Passes $2000 Mark thn Forges To Front In Press Drive Contest } VICTORIA, BC, May 5—The only thing left for the men to do as the government has no money to do anything.” This was the answer of Hon. G. S. Pearson this week to a dele- gation from the Relief Project Workers’ Union which interviewed him on the plight of thousands in the province, and on the fact that jail sentences were being given young destitute men in Victoria for vagrancy. The delegation, which was elect- ed at a conference on unemploy- ment held in Victoria this week, warned Pearson of the seriousness of the situation, placing responsi- bility on the provincial govern- ment. The local branch of the unem- ployed has been promised co- operation from the Trades and Labor Council, the CCF and sev- eral religions groups. ac, By WM. RAVENOR Atlin, that small mining community situated among the d-bearing hills south of the Yukon boundary, thrice winner the Advocate-Clarion press drive banner, once more has shed to the forefront with the big donation of $103.45, and of 5, $90 was an official contribution from the miners’ union, the Sest union donation in the present drive. ,0cal 28, Hotel and Restaurant. rkers donated $16.13 to the press ve committee, the proceeds of a icert arranged by the social com- -tee of the union. 4 Greater Vancouver the main ‘prise in the friendly war of the se committees is the changed 1ation in which Oscar Salonen’s rriors dropped a $79 bomb which arly; blasted HI. Asson’s brigade m front line position, there be- ; the small margin left of $8.75. neeuver Centre, despite the loss its commander, pressed forward to within $1.25 of second position. Salonen is preparing to lay the big barrage with the receipts from the big May 24 dance to be held at the Town Hall. The joint committee which has turned in an interim report to the central press drive committee, has demonstrated ‘business efficiency, every nickel being accounted for in the books. (continued on page 6) See DERIVE OR DEMANDS SHOWDOWN ON PEARSON Ogier Preteceille, Spanish trade union leader, and Mrs. Helen Mathieson, are seen at left, placing 2 wreath on the Cenotaph in memory of Canadians fallen in Spain. shown 4 section of the May Day parade assembled at Cambie street grounds. Railwaymen Oppose Amalgamation 12,000 March | te At right is Shorter Week ls Sought Brotherhood Railway Carmen Meet This Week Before Joint Convention. | REPRESENT 30,000 No further consolidation of Canada’s railroads was the unanimous demand of the Brotherhood of Railway Car- men, representing 30,000 CNR and CPR employees, in conven- tion at the Hotel Vancouver this week. Warning that it was wrong to suppose the federal government it Branches Housewives Launch Membership Drive Formation and rapid growth of the Greater WVancouyer House- wives’ League has been partially responsible for lowering the price of butter in the last few weeks. This was the firm conviction of delegates attending the second conference of the league held in Moose Temple, Monday. President Mrs. E. M. Winters stated that the drive for member- ship had only just begun and that the conference would give great im- petus to the growth of what might well be a magnificent movement based on the struggle to lower the high cost of living. Reiteration of the stand taken by the league regarding the pas- teurization of milk was ordered to be sent to the city council, to the effect that the democratic right to buy raw or pasteurized milk be upheld. is to scatter as quickly as they can | Setting up of branches of the League throughout Greater Van- couver was urged by several dele- gates, as well as increased pres- sure on city authorities to make the distribution of milk a public utility. Tories Hit Road Plan H. Anscombe Opposed To Alaska Highway VICTORIA, BC, May 5.—British Columbia Tories this week opened their attack on the Alaska-Yukon highway, indicating they are de- termined to block a project which, in addition to other benefits it will bring to the province, will go far toward providing work for thou- sands of unemployed citizens and aid in lifting the country as a whole from the slough of the recession. In a lengthy press interview here Herbert Anscombe, MLA, leading contender for the Conservative party leadership, advanced no log- ical argument why the road should not be built. He based his opposition to the road on the ground that “if the road is used for military purposes— as, for example, in defending Alas- ka from invasion—and we allow it to be so used, then we become em- broiled as a nation in that war.” He was forced to admit, however, that “I am not saying we could or should remain neutral in such a war.,”’ Anscombe declared he was op- posed to the BC government spend- ing any money on the highway, “although if the United States wants to supply money for the road, I am not opposed.” The Victoria Colonist, Conserva- tive organ, advances editorially the unique suggestion that if the Unit- ed States built the road it would be a “violation of the sanctity of in- ternational law.” Will Form |City Stages Largest Parade [In Dominion Twenty Thousand People Participate In Stirring Rally At Stanley Park “One of the most impressive May Day celebrations ever held 7 in Vancouver. This sums up the opinion of the participants. In the opinion of Senor Preteceille, honored guest from Re- publican Spain for the occasion, it was a glorious celebration, the largest and most inspiring open-air meeting he had addressed since leaving New York. Everything lent itself’ The weather was perfect, the streets were black with interested spectators, and the committee’s plans were carried out precisely. With approximately 12,000 work- ers swinging through the sun- bathed streets of Vancouver to the music of three bands and the rousing strains of “O Canada,” “Hold the Fort,” “Solidarity For Ever” and “The Internationale,” the scene was one of animation and discipline. The simple cermony at the ceno- taph where wreaths were laid in commemoration of the heroism of those Canadian fighters who died that democracy might live, was Made the more poignant by the fact that it was white-haired Mrs. Helen Mathieson, who herself has a son fighting in the ranks of the Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion, who laid the wreath. Marching on with banners that pledged aid to China, demanded that Spain be granted the right to buy arms, hailed the Soviet Union, the land of living Socialism, which reminded all of the boycott of Japa- nese goods, the parade took 45 min- utes to pass a given spot. The home slogans which con- demnned the padlock law, which demanded a works program and slum clearance gave food for thought to the thousands of watch- ers on the sidelines. The hundreds of single unemployed young men who marched behind a colorful float which graphically told of their protest and demands was a mag- net for all eyes, and an honor roll told of 14 members who had died fighting fascism in Spain. Chinese Get Ovation Youngest to wave the red tag with its slogan of “Unite for De- mocracy” was the three-weeks-old baby of Mr. and Mrs. Dove—the oldest a Chinese marcher who padded along with his countrymen to receive the biggest ovation from the friendly crowd. While the rearguard, now com- posed of the hundreds who watched the parade pass and then fell in behind it, was still on Hastings street, the vanguard was entering Stanley Park, giving the people’s front salute to Preteceille and Jack Ihawson, the latter the first BC volunteer to return from Spain. First came the singing children, followed by ex-service men who kept step smartly to the band. “Greetings to the Chinese and Spanish children” read the banners earried by youngsters from Winder- mere, and others identifying them- selves with Jubilee Children’s camp. Then came the unions; Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners with a pipe band, the In- land Boatmen’s union, BC District Coast Council of International Woodworkers of America with a (Continued on page 6) See MAY DAY Ta Youth Plan Peace Rally Morris, Griffin, Rush Will Speak on Sunday An open-air peace rally will be staged at Powell street grounds next Sunday, May 8, 2 pm, under auspices of the Young Communist League. Leslie Morris, central committee member of the Communist party, will speak on: “Ottawa Must Speaix For Peace’; and Harold Griffin, editor of the People’s Advocate, on: “Chamberlain’s Policy Leads To War.’ “Canada’s Youth Wants Peace” will be the slogan on which Maurice Rush, provincial secretary of the Young Communist League, will speak. The rally is a feature of the campaign being conducted by the YCL to raise funds to send Rush as its delegate to the third Canadian Youth Congress, which will open in Toronto, May 24. CCF Opens Campaign Battery Of MLA’s Speak At Mission MISSION, BC, May 5. — Seven hundred people crowded into the Legion Hall here Tuesday night and gave an enthusiastic welcome to CCE Candidate Mildred Oster- hout in the Dewdney byelection. Supporting speakers were Dr. Lyle Telford, MILA, Sam Guthrie, MLA, Len Shepherd, MUA, Mrs. DG. Steeves, MLA, and Arnold Web- ster. The high cost of living and ex- horbitant prices for feed were at- tacked by Dr. Telford, who caused merriment when describing the state of the milk industry by say- ing, ‘The cow is the only contented one in the milk business.” “Time for a change,’ was the Slogan of Miss Osterhout, who made reference to the catchiness of the gas station advertisement, de- claring it most appropriate for BC politics. Sam Guthrie, MILA dealt with the need for greater safety measures in BC woods and mines, and spoke of the difficulty of getting a hearing from the gov- ernment in such matters. A collection of $75 was realized. would never countenance railroad amalgamation, union leaders urged that labor conduct counter propa- ganda against that of the powerful interests striving for unification. The resolution will be submitted to the division meeting next week. The convention placed itself strongly on record for changes in the pensions scheme, lowering the age from 65 to 60 and making pen- sions payable within thirty days of retirement Under existing condi- tions pensions payments are com- menced sometimes months after retirement after innumerable de- lays. Shipment Planned Friends Ask June Shipment to Spain TORONTO, Ont., May 5-—The national committee of the Friends of the Mackenzie-Papineau Batta- lion, in response to the situation reported by the orsanization’s rep- resentative in WBarceiona, Spain, plans to send a shipment of emer- gency foods and comforts on June id in keeping with the magnificent struggle maintained by the Peo- ple’s Army and the International Brigade. For this shipment a special ap- peal is made by the committee to all friends and groups to concen- trate on raising funds. While par- eels to individual Canadians in Spain are welcome, the major part of the shipment will be sent in bulk. A large sum is thereby saved on freight. Jack Chivers, provincial organ- izer for the Friends in BC, an- nounced this week that his com- mittee would immediately launch a campaign locally for this ship- ment. He requested the closest co- operation of all groups in view of Gondemning fascism, delegates voiced unanimous approval of a resolution asking repeal of the Québee padlock law. The convention also approved resolutions urging that fifty per cent of rolling stock be built in CNR shops and reducing the ratio of apprentices to mechanics em- ployed from 1 in 10 to i in 20. Important among the many other decisions made was that for a re- duction in the work week from 44 to 40 hours without any reduc- tion in pay. Convention sessions this week were those held by the various railroad shop trades. The entire Division 4 will not convene until next Monday, May 9. Woods’ Toll 20 VICTORIA, BC, May 5.—Deatl toll of the woods was raised to 20 killed since January 1 by the death at Port McNeil of Hans Dahl, 23, the short time available. Link Between Democracies Alaska Highway Would Provide Work, Wages By MALCOLM BRUCE : The prospect of a road being built through British Columbia from the international boundary to Alaska has aroused keen interest throughout the province, and already private interests are busy scheming to gain advantage to themselves without regard to the needs of BC as a whole. ° Mining interests will try to make the road, if built, detour to their properties and areas in order to make the building of feeder roads by them unnecessary. Other interests, animated by greed, will do likewise. Thus already there is looming up a “battle of routes.” Fireside and cracker-barrel statesmen are conjuring Up all kinds of “international” problems as to Canada’s neutrality in the event of the US being engaged in war and making use of the road, for it can be admitted at the outset that the US, quite justifiably alarmed at the expansionist dreams, plans and actions of aggressive imperialist Japan, needs a road to Alaska which would no doubt be the first landing place for Japan in an attack. It is not likely that the US would embark on a war of ag- pression in Asia; but it is within the realm of possibility that the US might have to defend itself against attack on the Pacific. Pacifists, who believe that no war is a just war, will no doubt say that rather than engage in a defensive war, the US should give up Alaska to Japan if the latter should occupy it. But where would Canada, to say nothing of the US, be with Japan having such a foothold in North America as Alaska would provide? Insofar as Canada is concerned, there would be no danger in the road. If the US desired to conquer and annex Canada it could do it without a road to Alaska, and if Japan moved on Alaska the road could quickly be rendered impassable to the Japanese even by Canada itself. Defence of Canada’s Pacific Coast against attack by a major power would be futile without assistance from the US. Thus, from every point of view, Canada is a natural ally of the US; and its foreign policy should be in line with that of President Roosevelt rather than with that of Chamberlain which leads, unless checked, to war. of Vancouver, this week. (Contiued on page 5)