Llais Llafur

MASTERS' CLOTHING First in 1867 Foremost To=day MASTERS & Co. (CLOTHIERS), Ltd., 18 & 19 Castle Street 282 Oxford Street Swansea 3 Green Street, Neath 17 Stepney Street, Llanelly, etc. '?3'C?? ?  'v?.??e?..  <§Ht>0b ¡8bte ¡a.leIf orab tot < e.rf of 3aottt." 12OU must caCf otf 1Je Otbe 'CJAWine f?oppe o. 10 grocmisea 110 :prove it South Wales Transport Co., Ltd. Motor Coach Service BETWEEN Ynysforgan, Clydach, Ptntardawe, Ynysmudw, Godre'rgraig, and Ystalyfera. == < ALL CONNECT AT YNYSFORGAN WITH THE BLBCTRIC CARS FROM AND TO SWANSEA TIME TABLE—22nd JUNE, 1914, UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. MONDAY TO SATURDAY. Leave YNISFORGAN 8.30; 8.45; 9.15; 10.0; 10.50; 11.35 a.m. 12,20; 12.56; 1.30; 2.5; 2.40; 3.15; 3.50; 4.25.; 5.0; 5.35; &.M; $.45; 7.20; 7.6B; 8.4t: 9.15; 10.0; 10.40 p.m. Arrive YSTALYFBRA (Coliseum) 9.35; 10.20; 11.55 11.54 &rm; 12.40; 1.25; 2.0; 2.35; 3.10; 5.45; 4.20; 4.55; 5.30; 6.5; 6.49; 7.15; 7.50; 8.25; 9.0; 9.45; 10.35; 11.5 p.m. Leave YSTALYFERA (Coliseum): 9.40; 10.36; 11.10 anL; 12.&; 12.60; 1.30-; Hj 2.40; 3.15; 3-50; 4.25,; 5.0; 5.35; 6.10; 6.48; 7.287 7.56; 8.30; 9.5; 9.55; 10.35; 11.10 p.m. Arrire YNISFORGAN 10.45; 9.60; 11.30 anL; 12.1S: 1.10; 1.5S; 2.36; 3.10; 3.45; 4.20; 4.55; 5.30; 6.5; 6.40; 7.15; 7.50; 8.26; 9.0; 9.3S; 10.10; 11.0; 11.40; 12.15; 11.45. BUNDA Y. Leave YNISFORGAN i 12.15; 1.0; 1.50; 2.35; 3.20; 4.10; 4.55; 5.40; i.30; 7.15; 8.15; 9.0; 9.45 p.m. Arrive YSTALYFERA (Ooiiseum) 1.20; 2.5; 2.55; 3.40; 4.26; 5.15 j 6.0; 6.46; 7.35; 8.20; 9.gQj 10.5; 10.50 p.m. Leave YSTALYFERA (Coliseum) 1.25; 2.10; 3.0; 3.45; 4.30; 5.20; 6.5; 6.50; 7.40; i.25; 9.25; 10.10; 10.54 p.m. Arrive TNISFORGAN 2.30 3.15; 4.5; 4.S0; 5.35; 6.21; 7.10; 7.55; 8.46; 9.30; I&W; 11-15; 12.0 p.m. In or#er to fix finw at iatcrmaeLkte Halting ,loo8e MW 88 IMUM" In op?rto &x timw at u.<<MTna<t ? Hatin°g pta?oM, a? M ietlow? :— Ymaf?? ? ay?.h Squ&r. ? M -?itae Cky4,tch SqwaM to CMaa SO POOtaxiawO Cw«* to Y .iaWw Arm. 10 Ymh»«*w Arm* tm G*Ideu lAm ? .? is  Go den Lim to Gslweun V j§ JABES. "T? T? ?? F? E ?   i U U h j j !!e Y"FÐ .litt Md 9d'8d :7M:M :4M 3w j M Clydaeh S?BMo OM 7M < Oid aM.: M Nd! M U ClydMh CM??) M? 7ld* ?:5? Sd M IM øba.nM Cross Ad 5M 4wil ai(a U I" -j l Paatartie.w. Cmes 64 4d J 24: HM.: n j Yaymmdw (Lfmb) 3 £ d 2id lid Id: L i Ynysmudw ArMB 3Ii 2d Id t: LJ Tarion; Terrece 2M lid: 1 ?: Pantter; r-icheois lid I: i: Godre'Mjwig, Smitk's Arms I. d l: 1: Ystalyfera Cctiemun ot 1: DAVID JAMES, General Marnier RUWAV-D STRBHT, SWANSEA. J '¡ BEALTI AND STIENGTH j jj go together. Strength is impossible without health. Everyone does net ■ < require great physical strength, but a strong vitality, steady nerves and B i mental energy-these every man and woman needs. The powers of mind B and body are largely dependent upon the maintenance of a satisfactory B K state of the digestive organs. When those are out of order, food does not B I properly nourish, and the whole system suffers. Depression of spirits 9 is usually the result of sluggish liver. Neadaehes and tired feelings are H among the many ill-effects of constipation. The remedy for all such B irregularities is Beecham's Pills, which expel impurities, gently stimulate B the liver, regulate the bowels, restore appetite and impart a healthy tone. B j To be well and keep well,-to feel fresh and "fit"—at your best, in fact, you B < should take an occasional dose, of that reliable remedy i a Beechaa's Pills. Sold everywhere la hexes, price .Ifl",6 pm.) < 219 (I€8 pitlM). I 1.

WESTERN MINERS' AFFAIRS The monthly meeting meeting of the delegates of the Western District of Miners was held at Siddall Buildings, Swansea, on Aug. 1st, Mr Caradoc j Jones, presiding over 18 delegates, re- presenting nearly 6,500 members. The doorkeeper was Mr Elias illiams. Tellers, Messrs. Wm. Williams, Clyne and Ivor Morgan, No. 3 Garncoch. CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS. I The Chairman appealed for brevity on the part of the delegates as it would be convenient to finish the meeting I earlier than usual, but at the same I time they wished to do what work they I did thoroughly. "THE DOGS OF WAR LET LOOSE." I "We know that there is in the at- mosphere a tendency which can have no good," he said. "I was at a funeral last Thursday when one of our work- men was being buried at Clydaeh. and whilst in the cemetery I noticed this inscription on a tombstone:— *:Don't weep for me that dieth For the struggling roll l is free And the world from which it flieth Is full of misery?' "That appeared to me to be a very pessimistic view of life. I take it that this has not been pre-ordained when there exists the possibility of altering thiirgs—a possibility of bring- ing about the brotherhood of man of bringing about a heaven on earth. At the present time events prove to iis that the powers of darkness are strong in our midst. The dogs of war are being let lowse. We are in hell, sa it were. War is hell! The situation be- hoves the workers of every country to be on the alert, and to do their utmost to prevent war for their own sake-(hea.r I hear). The workers will not benefit from any other war, excerpt the war against poverty-O I take it that the workers are strong against war, and I should like the Western District of Miners to-day to pass a re- solution calling upon the Prime Minis- ter and the Governmeut,-inarmuch as he has admitted that this country has no direct financial interest in the war. If that is so we call upon him not to have anything to do with the country at all, and not to allow England to be drawn into it simply because other muntrioo are interested in it. I am glad to see that the workers of Ger- many are pressing this point home as are the workers of Russia, Austria and Servia. Wherever you get a strong organized working class they are intelligent enough to see that war serves no good purpose to the country to which they belong. Our object H; to better the conditions we live under in order to enable future genera, ions to live more full and more healthy lines than we do, and I am optimistic enough to believe that we shall re- move the evils of the industrial, economic and political conditions which exist to-day. That is the kev- note of the Socialist faith, which I have held for many- years, and it is that faith which is possessed by every Socialist in every land--pplause).: Socialists everywere are voicing their claims that war shall be prevented, and when the workers take the reins of Government into their on hands Hie hvpocrites and parasites, who are fomenting this evil feelmg in the world will be superseded by men who have brains and intelligence enough to know that war serves no good pur- pose-(applausc). THE TOLL OF THE MINE. I We have lost two of our comrades during the past month. One from the Simlet Colliery, Wm. Jones, and Jos. Bevan, of Cefngoleu. It is a great pity that we lose our comrades so cheaply. I am glad to fintt that, ac- cording to the agenda of the Trade Union Congress to be held at Ports- mouth, that the Labour Movement in- tends altering the present state of things which permits of so much loss of life, and will call upon the Govern- ment to initiate certain reforms which will lessen accidents in mines. Mr P. D. Rees in moving a resolu- tion of condolence with the relatives and friends of the deceased said it was very |&orrowful that they had this very rorrowful tl,, aft.?- F,a(?iit ,.y il) 114C?, .,rT)i i roTi',Ii aft-i- the dependents of those killed in the mines had to fight so hard for the little compensation they were entitled to. He believed that, so long as Society was constituted as it was there would be nothing but fighting. Mr W. H. Davies, in seconding, said to pass a resolution of condolence was but a very small thing. He suggested that in all cases a letter should be forwarded to the bereaved relatives in- forming them that that representative meeting did sympathise with them in their infliction. THE ASSASSINATION OF M. JEAN JAURES. The Chairman referred to the as- sassination of M. Jaures in France and said that a great apostle of peace tad been removed. M. Jaures was one of the greatest intellecta in France. He had been removed when he was most needed, but although one leader had been removed a dozen more [would come up into his place. The fact that this illustrious comrade had been shot down would be an incentive to others. Mr W. H. Davies said lie believed it was the greatest tribute possible to the Socialist movement that Jaures j had been shot. He was a stop-block to the Jingoes of France. He had been shot by a student, and when we thought of the history of the Uni- versities of this country they could well think that this student was a Jingo if nothing else. He believed that every University in Great, Britain was represented in the House of Commons by a Conservative, but it was pleasing to know that there was a strong Socialist movement growing urp in those Universities. He moved a vote of condolence with the'ir French comrades. Mr Grenfell, in seconding, said as Socialists they, a bhorred the deed by which a man who had done so much good for hia country, and no harm had been shot. They despised thie method of the friends of war when used ) against the friends of peace. The delegates stood in silence. REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATE-I MENT. TI)a report and financial statement 1 for the previous month were stlopted. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE'S I REPORT. the Chairman read the report of the Executive Committee which met on July 31st, when there were present Messrs. Caradog Jones, W. H. Davies, D. Rhva Grenfell, W. 1. Morgan, Ed. H. Thomas, W. E. Morgan, and W. J. Jones, as follows: YNYSARWED DISPUTE. A report was given on the unsatis- factory position of things. at this col- liery. And in the face of the work- men of the Upper and Lower Levels I and their attitude towards the recom- mendations of the Central Executive it was reported that letters had b?en sent to the workmen now employed there by T. Richards, M.P., dismissing the two collieries from the Federation altogether. And that no transfers will be taken from this lodge in future. I NANTHIR AND THE WESTERN DISTRICT. It was reported that an understand- ing between the Nanthir Lodge and the District had been arrived at. The liabilities of the Nanthir Lodge to the Western are £ 31 4s. Od., and the lia- bilities of the Garw District are L6 3s. 8d. The total being £ 37 7s. 8d. CWM VALE APPLICATION FOR 11' SUPPORT. I It was decided to recommend them the usual grant of £ 5. And that we call the notice of the lodges to the bold fight these men show without financial support from Central or Dis- trict, and urging on all. lodges who can to financially support them. Also that we write the Central Executive asking them for some financial support from the Is. levy called. BILL OF COSTS IN THE CASE OF I E. WILLIAMS v P. D. REES. A It was decided that in face or all j precedents, that the oommittee oou1d not s? their way clear to recommend the payment (? the ?!I of c(}sh ó:2 I: MORLAIS, BRYNLLIW AND GROVESEND APPEAL. It was decided that we adhere to the resolution of the last District Meet- ing, and that we authorise our officials to sign any appeal the workmen wish to send out JB5 to supplement their strike pay, and that we ask the lodges to respond to their appeal. SHOW CARDS. It was decided to get show cards throughout all the collieries in the Western District simultaneously on the second week in Sptember. INSURANCE TO CHECKWEIGHERS AND OTHERS. It was decided that the attention of the lodges should be called to the seriousness of insurance. And the Executive recommend that where there is no checkweigher, and the number employed is less than a 100, the In- surance deposit should be 10s. ANNUAL TRADE UNION CONGRESS. It was decided that Executive re- commend the appointment of the chairman, Mr Caradog Jones as a delegate from the Western District to the Congress. APPEAL FOR SUPPORT TO ONE WHO COULD NOT GET COMPEN- SATION. It was decided to grant T. Jones, of Mountain Colliery the sum of 92, being the sum left of the District levy called about a year ago to relieve similar cases. The report was adopted. BRYNLLIW, GROVESEND .AND, MORLAIS TROUBLE. j Mr P. D. Rees thanked the members of the various lodges for the manner in which they had done to their duty in having sent money on to the Joint Committee of the Brynlliw, Grovesend and Morlais Collieries. He wished to impress upon the delegates the fact that these men were fighting an ex- j ceptional battle against an exception- al employer, and against something which had not happened in any other colliery. Those employed at collieries obtaied their house coal at a reason- able price to-day, but if this fight were 1 lost, it was likely that they would not get it at such prices in the future. Messrs. Thos. Williams and Sons had '& larger area of unworked ooal than three other collieries, and the price at which they wanted men to cut coal was 20 per cent. less than was being paid elsewhere in the District. They had been on strike for six weeks, but he had not seen a line in the Press— except "Llais Llafur" —relating to the trouble. The case was so serious that it deserved every publicity. The men at Llangennech could not get work elsewhere, and if they did get work one day they were stopped the next day. It was a scandalous shame the manner in which men were being boycotted by other employers. < The thing should be shown up in the Press, so that much black tyranny ahould not be allowed to go forward, and every possible protest should be j made against it. The case of the men was so clear that they were prepared to allow it to go to arbitration or they were) willing to put it in the hands of any impartial man or in the hands of the coalowners! He believed the case should be put upon the agenda of the next Executive Committee and bring the matter to the attention of the Joint Board. It ought to be thoroughly thrashed out. The men were willing to send a. deputation to the Board. Mr Evan Williams had challenged the Executive in Cardiff and had told Mr Phillip Owen that there was no backbone in the Execu- tive. It was for the Executive to show that they had backbone as over 700 men were affected by the cfis- pute. The thanked the Executive of the District for allowing the officials of the District to sign the manifesto they intended to issue and he asked that the meeting should grant tlieii-i C5. It was the intention of the Joint Com- mittee to send out appeals all over the country. The Morlais Lodge delegate said that they had hoped the Executive would have granted permission for a levy to be called throughout the Dis- trict, but they accepted what had been done and thanked the Executive for their assistance. It was a strange thing that nothing had appeared in the local papers concerning the dis- pute, and the only newspaper that had dealt with it so far as he knew was "Llais Llafur." The Executive had told them to sit tight, but what man with a family could sit tight on 10s. per week ? lie had thought that the Executive would have made a move to bring the men and the coalowners together, but they had done nothing. If it were a question of a financial fight the men would lose, as they could not possibly pit their stomachs against the money of the employers. He thanked the workmen of the various collieries for what ttieyi had done in I spite of the fact that the situation at I the collieries was by no means bright. He did not think the Cardiff Executive had done their duty. The Chairman said he did nob like to hear the Central Executive at- tacked unless they were at fault, but if they were at fault they deserved to be attacked. He hoped the men would ) succeed in their appeal, and he would do all he could to assist them. Ho hoped the delegates would put the case ) before the men as also that of the Cwm Vale men who did not receive a j single penny from the Central. All they had had was ?5 from the Dis- trict. They were also appealing to the I District, and lie was glad that the men at one oolliery were levying them- selves Is. per week per man. The men were as strong to-day as ever, and they had been out for a consider- able time. They, were bent on obtain- ing what they wanted. The meeting granted P,5 to the Joint Committee, the vote being unanimous. AUDITORS' REPORT. Messrs W. H. Davies, Rerthlwvd, and W .Thomas, Tirdonkin, gave their report as auditors for the six months ending 30th. ^•ir U;e tL:<• v gave would be included in the annual report which would be circulated amongst the lodges. The total receipts for the six month was k2,545 Is. 8d. and the expenditure £2,237 10s. ld. leaving a balance in hand of JE308 2s. 6jd. There were outstanding accounts of £ 492, but the Avon Valley District owed the Western District £ 180; the Nanthir lodge, JE31 4s. Od., and the Garw Valley District, £6 3s. 8d, so that the position of the District was satisfactory, as it was solvent. Taking everything into consideration he was of the opinion that the District had done very well, and he believed that, if anything unusual happened during the next six months the colling of one or two 6d. levies should enable the auditors at the end of the year to re- port that they were in a still more satisfactory position with a substan- tial balance in the bank. He believed great credit was due to the lodge secre- taries, and the committees for the work they, had done. During the six months the lodges had paid B108 6s. 5 £ d. in political levies, and when they remembered that everv member had a perfect right to refuse to pay the levy unless he desired to pay it, that was most satisfactory. jE69 6s. Od. had been paid to the District levy, that could be improved upon, and the attention of members should be drawn to it. He strongly urged that all lodges should insure their checkweighers, committees and examiners, which could be done for an annual payment of 15s. and where there was no checkweigher they could insure their officials for 10s. The books and everything in connec- tion with the financial transactions of the District were very ably, and cap- ably kept. He suggested that when secretaries sent in the amounts due to the District they should state exactly what the amount represented, so that the money could be allocated to the funds for which it had been paid. A delegate suggested that the Dis- trict should employ one solicitor to do their work instead of so many. He thought it would be cheaper. The Chairman stated that if the Die.. trict engaged a solicitor to do all their work they would have to pay him a retaining fee in addition to which they would have to pay for his services at the ordinary rate. He believed, under the circumstances, it would be better that the present system should con- tinue. Mr W. H. Davies said it was a ques- tion which would have to be thorough- ly discussed and investigated in all its aspwte by the District meeting. If a case were sent on to the Central Executive, and they decided to fighs it they submitted the oase to a firm of solicitors, and the Western District had to pay the bills. Whilst one set of solicitors were capable of dealing with industrial cases, and others, Mr John Jenkins, for instance was more qualified to deal with County Court and Compensation cases. The Chairman observed that owing to the new regulations, lodge secre- taries should keep their books in de- tail in order that the District could render accurate returns to the Regis- trar. The report was adopted, and the auditors thanked for their services. In reply Mr W. H. Davies said his term of office aa auditor had now ex- pired. He had done the work to the .best of his ability, and had certainly satisfied himself that the accounts had been properlv kept. The average membership of District for the last seven months was 6,439. He did not think that the District need be am- bitious to extend their boundaries, but rather to increase the efficiency of the machinery thev had at their dis- posal. Considering the amount of work in connection with the Compen- sation Act, the Minimum Wage Act, and the geographical position of the district, it was wide enough, and he thought they mio-ht give up the idea of increasing their territory. j NOTICES OF MOTION. ¡ The resolution from Lodge 29—That j we place on the agenda of the next annual Conference, "That Rule 31 be amended so that Districts may have I the option of appointing a public auditor," was defeated by a large majority, only three voting in favour. The resolution from Lodge 21-That we place on the Agenda of the next annual conference, "That Rule 31 be amended so that the appointment of Auditors be on the same principle as appointment of a member of the Executive Committee or Chairman" was carried with only one dissentient. I MR. W. E. MORGAN'S HEALTH. VOTE OF SYMPATHY Mr W. H. Davies said tliev 011,51it to a vol;if r.v?n:v v, iti: .H f I 'p it Ia n i ae'ss. The Chairman said that although Mr Morgan was confied to bed he was directing the work of the District in such a manner as to keep everything in first class order. He was doing a tremendous amount of writing, and the previous day when the Executive met he gave them all the information they required. He (the Chairman) thought that Mr Morgan had written more during the time the Executive held their meeting in the office than he could have done in two days. He, Mr Morgan, was keeping in touch with everything by means of the telephone. The manner in which he doing the work showed that he was heart and soul in the work otherwise he could not possibly carry out the work, as he was doing. They had arranged that Mr John Wi'lianis' services were at the disposal of Mr Morgan during the time he was confined to the house, but they sincerely hoped that Mr Mor- gan would soon be fully restored to good health—(applause). The vote of sympathy was unanimous- ly carried. ANOTHER COMPENSATION CASE AN ORDER FOR AMPUTATION, FROM AN INSURANCE 00. Mr John Williams, M.P., said he had handed a. letter by one of the members of the District which he had received from the General, Accident, Fire and Life Insurance Corporation Ltd., which read as follows: "Dear Sir.—We have to give you notice that we shall now require to reduce your compensation. There is no doubt from our medical evidence that your are capable of fulfilling cer- tain duties. Apart from this you have been advised, we understand, by your medical officer, and by your own doc- tor, to have your hand amputated, and we understand it is an account of useletssnessi of your hand that you have not taken up any work. As the condition of it is not likely to improve you are only prolonging your in- capacity, not to have the hand removed .The reduction will come into effeqfc this week." Mr Williams said he had never be- fore seen a letter of that kind. b was the last straw which would br.1- the camel's back. The man who had received the letter came to him tliat, morning and had told him that the Company had suspended his compenda- tion five weeks ago. After what he had done in Parliament that week i. connection with the firm he thought it his duty to go to their office and tell ttoem some more home truths— (applause). He had gone to the office that morifimg and after a hour and a half had succeeded in settling one case —the ease of Wm. Davies. After that he had asked why this man's compensation had been suspend- ed, and Mr Foulkes had told him 4frlr Williams) that t he reason was that the man had still left in him some capacity for work. He could not say how much, but had said that it would be increased if the man had part of his arm taken off. "You can fancy my feelings in a case of this kind," oontinued Mr Wil- liams, "I told him I would not discuss the matter with him, and that I had discussed the case of Davies enough, but that I w.uld pursue another course. I am intent upon pursuing that course. The Home Secretary is not aware of all the hard eases that have occurred in and about Gorseinon. After the lengthy deliberation I suc- ceeded in getting compensation for this man, and I told Mr Eoulkes that I would take time to consider the matter, and I would send a definite reply to the statement he made this morning within a month from to-day. I am bent upon getting a Government enquiry into these cases. We have now a long list of sufferers. Workmen formerly employed at collieries, some partially disabled, some totally dis- abled, and they are not in receipt of a single penny compensation. Some of the men were formerly employed at the Elba Colliery, and some at the Mountain Colliery. It is very, very sad" indeed. People come to mj¡' house and they cry. A person came the other day. He had not received a single penny compensation for months and months. What can we do other than take steps in the direction I have taken ? I have acted upon the sug- gestions thrown out by Mr Davies at the last meeting. I wrote to Mr Lind- say respecting the appointment of a compensation committee. That com- mittee is to be appointed very shortly. The Home Secretary lias replied that an enquiry of a general character is \to be made, and that Gorseinon can ?. grouped in the course of that en- quiry. I am going to give the Home Secretary full particulars, and then he can for h;m?e,f to ,1,:1.: course shall be ad'-p-'ed. last month Mr Jones and Mr Morgan have tried to get a meeting of the employers, and we have failed. I have prepared a case, and Mr Jenkins (solicitor) had prepared a case, and I think if we oould get the employers to see the eact state of things they would he utterly ashamed of them- selves. A vote of thanks to Mr Williams was cordially passed, and the delegates stated how greatly they appreciated the service he was rendering. The Chairman: I think we should call upon the medical men of Swansea not to sell themselves body and soul to the Insurance Companies. They put t'.xni.t'lvcA on a par with the prostitutes of the street. They sell themselves body and soul for filthy lucre and in a manner detrimental to the working classes simply because the Insurance Companies ask them to do so. I think h. is a curse. They are doing it to-day. It was pointed' out I]¡- Mr John Jenkins( solicitor), at the I last meeting, and by Mr John Wil- liams, M.P. We should ask them to do what is right. If men are malinger- ing we expect the truth, and we will abide by their decision. We have glaring instances where you find medical men selling themselves to In- surance Companies to-day. The resolution was carried without a dissent Lent.