Pioneer

CORRESPONDENCE. I DWAl. WILLIAMS APOLOGISES. (To the Editor of the I Dear Sir,—I am requested to offer an apol- ogy and an explanation on behalf of Idwal Wil- liams re Alfes Agnes Hughes' correction of his letter to the PIOHKER of April 29. He wishes to state that he was misinformed by his soldier informant; also that he has first-hand informa- tion now—being in the same predicament as the Abercynon comrades. He states that if all was as good as the food supplied him, he would fare very wetI indeed. And in spite of the adverse circumstances lie is In the best of spirits.—Yours sincerely, T. J. WILLIAMS. THE RAILWAY CLERKS' ASSOCIATION. (lk4 the. Editor of the PIONEER .) Dear Sir.— "Trade Unionist," in his Notes in the PIONEER of the 6th instant, deals with the report of the above Union, and wishes it suc- cess. He omits, however, to st.ate. that it is formed upon a Craft basis, and stands in sim- ilar relation to the National Union of Railway- men as the Enginemen and Stokers and Crafts- men's Union stands to the S.W .M.F. The very title of the Union makes it clear that it is exclusively concerned with the railway industry, and some of the R.C.A. members are convinced that the most effective way of meet- ing the concentration of capital referred to by Trade Unonist". is by amalgamation with the Union that caters for the railway industry — that is. the N.U.R. Railway dorks are used tohreak the backs of strikes. The man who uses the pen in the of- fice has something in common with the man thaøt uses the shunting pole outside. They both serve the same industry and sell their labour power to the same employer; therefore, they should be organised together. Their demands would receive more attention and increasing power would result from their united action with their fellow-employees, and that huge total of English Trade UnionE;whicli is well over a thousand in number --would J)Q decreased by one. The position of the clerk in the colliery office is similar to the position of the railway clerk, and when the former has lost his snob- bishness and recognises that. brain work and hand work are but tapo kinds of the same thing he. too, will join the Union of Ms in- du-strv.—Y ours, etc.. u MARK STARR.

Theatre Royal. I Before proceeding to an eulogy of the ex- cellent bill which is occupynig the boards at the Theatre Royal this week, I have to an- nounce the bad news that under the Derby Scheme we are to lose Air. Norcliife, the genial manager, who has done much to popularise the Theatre during his sh&rt stay amongst us; and to heighten the standard of our entertain- ments. His management has been a pleasure', as much for his own self, as for the high grade stuff that he has brought. We shall miss him. miss him much, and I am only echoing the sentiments of everyone who has met him in wishing him rapid promotion, an early and safe return from the wars; and a speedy re- turn to the good work of making others happy -preie.rably in Merthyr. Now for this week's "hill" which has the charm and sparkle of good champagne. Paul Cambier's Belgian Quartette of vocalists and instrumentalists is a turn that none with a taste for real music can. miss. J t is a great turn of singular beauty, entirely free from "cheap- ness." I have been to Chapelle concerts at which the musical talent has not pleased me so well as this great act. It is a "classic" of vaudeille, and deservedly. Tom Jones, the pre- mier Welsh comedian, whose name I have of- ten seen bottoming at the London "Hip" and other Aletropolitan hans, is better than I have ever seen him. On his native heath and am- ongst his own race, he has totally refuted the old saw anent "prophets and honour in their own country." Maud Courtney and Mr. C. are versatile entertainers with the very highest sense of an oft-times misused phrase. I greatly enjoyed their show. The Royal Dread- noughts are marvels with firearms, simply won- ders; and though I am not enamoured of these turns, I thoroughly enjoyed theirs. Baniaroif and Sonia are presenting a turn which breathes the very spirit of Slavonic artistry; and Chester and Dottridge. the vocal comedy duo, are giving a full show of mirth and melody of a distinctly high standard; and the Bioscope is proving a truly interesting turn with an excellent Charlie Chaplin picture, "John Bull's Sketch," and "French and Greek Troops in Salonika." Next week is to loe a strong week, with that great comedy sketeh, "The Missing Link," topping. It is 25 minutes of laughter, played by a West End Company, including those wejU- known comedians, Jock Preston and George Preston. It is a sketch with a great name, and should prove a big attraction. Then there is the Royal Tokiwa Family of real Jap- anese entertainers in a Japanese entertainment; and Oharburn's Young Stars in a pretty scena, A Picnic Up the River." PLAYGOER.

EVERY PRINTING ORDER given to the II Pioneer Pressmeans more Ammunition for Party Propaganda. Get into I the Line of our MUNITION WORKERS.

Merthyr Electric Theatre Manager J, BOWEN, Special Attraction Tc-day-HIS WORSHIP THE MAYOR. A li Super Film in 5 parts. Monday to Wednesday Next- SALLY IN OUR ALLEY. A tender Love Story written round one of the most famous old English Ballads. Exclusive to this Theatre—WIZARD & VIM, America's latest and greatest Comedian in a Sc-earning Farce, 'A Pair of Birds." Thursday to Saturday Next- THE NIGHTBIRDS OF LONDON S By G. R. Sims, featuring Stewart Rome, Chrissie White, and Violet Hopson. THE SINN FEIN REVOLT-Actual Scenes in Dublin. The longest Topical yet produced. See the Sinn Feiners at drill. Dublin before and after the Revolt. Lewis Gun in action. Photographs taken under the most exciting conditions. Twenty minutes of the Revolt. See it in comfort at the Electric. Shots and shell. The Entertainments Tax comes in force Monday, May 15th, 1916. By Special Request!-We are asked to bury the Kaiser. Help the Government by visiting the Electric Theatre. Your Tax, with our Tax, will help to win this terrible war. PRICES :-1/ with Tax 1/2 6d., with Tax 7d. 3d., with Tax, 4d. 2d., with Tax, 2id. Children's Matinee on Saturday, Id. free of tax. Continuous—2.30 to 10 daily. Look Out for our Winners Two Big Serials Coming— DIAMOND FROM THE SKY! GIRL FROM LOST ISLAND! Thirty Episodes. Twenty Episodes.. It's going to be warm. Come in to the Electric, it's cool. [THEATRE ROY AI 1 i T f1N¡E,2X L I I 6.45. TWICE NIGHTLY. 845. I t Monday, May 15th, 1916, and during the Week. I *I* Walter Bird's West End Company in the original Comedy Sketch, entitled— £ i "THE MISSING COLÍÑ"lted- (Including that funny Comedian. Jock Preston, assisted by George Preston, 2 ? CHARBURN'S YOUNG STARS under the direction of R. L. Griffiths, Esq., in their I X prettv and refined Yocal Scena, enhtled-" A Picnic up the River," including their S v latest Patriotic Tableau—" Comrades in Arms." I THE ROYAL TOKIWA FAMILY, genuine Japanese Artistes. Latest Novelty. One 5 1 and only original Japanese Comedian. Including incomparable Little Matsu & Masu.1 ? The Big Woman & Wee Man—NIAGARA & FALLS, Comedy and Acrobatic Duo. B 5 ALFRED CUNNINGHAM, Operatic Baritone. From tne London Opera House. 5  Latest Films on the Bioscope. FLORRIE ELUSTON, Vocalist. g ? SPEMAL NOTICE.—The Entertainments Tax comes into force on Monday, May 15th. 1 M Circle Tax StaHs Tax Pit Tax G&UeryTax B I PRICES OF 0. Doors ] Is. 6d. 2d. 18. Od. 2d. 6d. Id. I 3d. Id. 1 3 ADMISSION E. Doors 2s. Od. 2d. Is. 6d. 2d. 9d. 2d. I 4d. Id. i. II II II It .i THEATRE ROYAL, MERTHYR. Sunday, May 14th, 1916, at a p.m. Orchestral & Vocal CONCERT In aid of the Blind Soldiers and Sailors. Orchestra of 50 Performers. Excellent Vocal Talent. For full particulars see large bills. "THE SPUR" Because the Workers need a Spur. Edited by GUY A. ALDRED. Kartooned by KRITIKOS." The Enemy of every God, the Foe of every King, Flies only the Red Flag. Single copies-Post free, lid. annual subscrip- tion, Is. 6d. APRIL ISSUE NOW ON SALE. Special No-Conscription and Anti-Tribunalitis Number. Together with Miscellaneous Collection Aldred's Literature, worth 3s. Od. post free, Is. 6d. Published at 17 Richmond Gardens, Shepherd's Bush, London, W. | THERE IS ONLY ONE OINTMENT THAT CURES And this is snpplied by Chemists and the MANNINA OINTMENT CO., fc FISHGUARD, t And is sold in Three Strengths—1, 2 & 3. ———— i GET YOUR I TOBACCO I AT Our Shop I 74a, Pontmorlais, Merthyr p PROGRESSIVE LITERATURE Kept in Stock or got to order. OWING TO DEPLETION OF STAFF The Sale Stock must be reduced at HARRIS'S boast^ STREET MERTHYR. N.B. Money advanced upon all Valuables. Charges strictly in accordance with Act of Parliament.

I Bargoed Notes. :-1 I N.C.Fers. Several local Conscripts" appeared this week before the Monmouthshire County Tri- bunal to appeal against the decisions of the Local Tribunal. Their eases appear to have followed the usual rule. Mr.. ldris Davies, Ab- eroargoed, was called; and, not hearing the Chairman's reading of the Local Tribunal's reasons, appealed to him to kindly reafil. them again, which he did. The reasons given were these: he was neither a Quaker nor a Christa- delphian. Applicant stated that he was a mem- ber of the No-Conscription Fellowship, but the Tribunal could not grant exemption, they said. The whole procedure occupied just three miiiutes. Mr. Jenkins. New Tredegar, who had his father with him. received even less attention. The Chairman at once decided to dismiss his appeal, whereupon Jenkins' father rose in court and said his son had a genuine conscentious objection to taking part in war. He was refused a hearing. Mr. Greene (Rhym- ney) did not appear, but a letter was read from him by the Chairman, in which he stated that he understood his case was being taken up bv his employers at the Local Tribunal. Re thus thought it inadvisable to appear at the Appeal Court until they had been heard. He was given till Monday next. Mr. Allen, an insurance agent from Fleur-de-lis, was given non-combatant service. Several other objectors appeared, and all stated they were miners, ex- cept one, who was given non-combatant serv- ice. This applicant objected on religious grounds. Several of the miners were men from Nine Mile Point Colliery, and who, for some reason or other, had not been appealed for by the Company. It appears they were told to attest to get exemption. As they did not at- test. they appeared at the Tribunal. Local Auxiliary Committees. Questions are continually being asked locally as to who are the representatives of Labour upon tha-se committees. Local organisations might raise the question of their constitution in order that some light be given the public geneTaJlyand they belong mainly to the lab- ouring classes—upon this important matter. Conscription and Wealth. I A local gentleman, typical of cases freely spoken of in the town, a great supporter of Conscription, has recently informed his friends that he is applying for exemption as his takings are C400 per week. Other advocates of this beneficent measure are leaving no stone un- turned to get exemption also if they can. But. friends, surely your patriotism isn't measured in £ s. d., is it? Cheer up, YOU may get ex- empted yet I Billiard League Presentations. A very interesting meeting was held at the Workmen's Institute an Thursday, May 4, when the Abertysswg Billiard team of that Workmen's Institute met the Bargoed Bil- Hard Team. Both teams were the winners of the First and Second Divisions of the Rhymney Valley Workmen's Institutes' Billiard League. This League is formed an^fl carried out by the Rhymney Valley Joint Libraries' Committee. Each institute in the valley has its represen- tatives upon this committee. This evening medals were presented to the champions of the League. Abertysswg Institute had won the 1st Division, and Bargoed Institute the 2nd Divi- sion and on the evening when the medals were to be preseiifced a match was arranged between these two teams, when Abertysswg conceded Bargoed 200 points in a game of 1,200. The following were the scores:—Abertysswg: James Jones 150; Chris Way (captain) 150: Ben Rees 150; Dai Morris 150; Stanley James 150; E. Ariss 145; Dai Jones 150; Tom Hirst 150 total 1,195. Bargoed: Albert Burrage 125; Tom Davies 117: David Thomas 55; Wm. Nor- ris 102; Richard Powell 100 Jo»!wi Davies 150; Tom Williams 142; Henry Price 115; total 906. After the match was over. the meeting com- menced. Mr T. D. Matthews. Chairman of the Rhymney Valley Joint Libraries Commit- tee. opened the meeting bv saying that lie was very pleased witth himself that evening. be- cause they had reached the most pleasant part in the career of the Billi-ard League for this season. He was pleased to say that the players had done, well in abiding loyally to their institutes. Billiards was a very expensive sport for a working man, but by combination they were able to make this sport very much cheaper. If a working man wanted to have billiards at home he would find it a very costly business, but by uniting together they could enjoy long or wet evenings verv much easier. This went to prove what could be done by the working men of SouthWales if only they would make up ther minds to it. There were private concerns in the valley where this sport was car- ried on for profit alone. He hoped that the players would stick to the institute be- cause the billiards there were theirs; every- thing depended upon the way in which the people themselves looked after their own pro- perty. It was the intention of the committee, if they were supported, to extend the League further afield. Every effort would be made to make the competition more interesting than it is at present. Institutes from the other val- leys would be invited to join. them. This was accepted by the players with cheers. The Chairman then called upon Mr. Watkin Jones, of New Tredegar, to present the medals to the champions of the two divisions. Abertysswg players were the first to be called upon, and they were each presented with a very valuable, and prettily designed gold medal. Mr. Harri- son, jeweller, Hanbury Road, Bargoed, carried out the order of 18 double-sided gold medals, which were suitably inscribed. The captain of the team responded, and at the same time expressed the desire to present Mr. J. F. Tho- mas. their representative, with a similar medal to tH3 one they had won. Mr Thomas very neatly responded, thanking the team for the kindness and respect shown him for his work on the Joint Libraries Committee. He stated that there bad been a litttle rough riding on the road, but this token had compensated him over and over and that he would do his best in the future to foster billiards in the insti- tutes. Mr. Watkin Jones the* presented the Bargoed team with their medals. Mr. Williams (the Bargoed Secretary) represented the Bar- goed team, who were presented with a gold medal with a billiard table and player very prettily designed on it, which was suitably inscribed on the other side. After the usual votes of thanks from players te committees, the Chairman drew to a. close a very pleasant evening.. Lucapia Competition. I The final stages of the Lucania Billiard Com- petition were carried out on Thursday evening, May 4, at the spacious new billiard rooms at Bargoed. The Six Bells tetami were the winners of the shield and medals. Colliers' and the Conscription Act. A mass meeting of the workmen of the McLaren Collieries, Abertysswg, was held on Thursday, May 4, to select a delegate for the Cardiff Conference on Friday. Mr. John Rees. chairman, opened the meeting, and ex- plained the objects of the conference, and spoke for some time on the questian of the 15 per cent. application for advance by the men, and the n per cent, reduction by ifue owners. Mr T. D. Matthews then addressed the meetfng, which was now very well attended. He (Mr. Matthews) spoke on the question of opposing the extension of the Military Service Act. Af- ter speaking at some length, the meeting de- cided. without dissention, to oppose the Bill, and instructed Mr. Reee, the delegate, to vote demanding the repeal of the Military Service Act. Next week we shall publish an article by Coun. Morgan Jones, and the first instalme,n of "The Case fpr the Light Employment Men," by Mr. John Hawkins. Interesting Steam Coal Meeting. A special general meeting of the Bargoed P.D. Steam Coal Workmen was held at the Workmen's New Institute, Bargoed on Mon- day. Mr. Ellis Savaker was elected chairman of the meeting, and appealed that the meeting should be conducted in the best possible spirit and that all personalities should be avoided, and that the speakers should confine their remarks upon the points at issue. The Chairman called upon the Secretary to give the necessary explanation for calling that meet- ing, and the latter reported as follows: -That the delegate appointed to the Lmdon Confer- ences at Thursday's general meeting approach- ed him on the Friday evening following, that a rumour had gone around the colliery that he was a non-Unionist, and that, if that was cor- rect, it would be unjust lor such a person to represent the miners at such an importa-nt Conference, when it was arranged that the Secretary call the above meeting. The Secre- tary, in his remarks, appealed to the light em- ployment workmen to keep their membership right in the Federation, as if any class of workmen wanted support from an organisation it was they, and he could officially prove it by the huge costs paid out in contesting com- pensation cases in court; secondly, he reg- retted he had to complain of one person posting notices on the pit top calling meetings of light employment men and labourers. Conduct of this sort 'would not be tolerated, as it did more to disorganise workmen, and he should like the. meeting to know that he pulled these notices down, and would do the same in the case of future unofficial meetings while he wsa secretary of the colliery. It was for the meeting to say whether it was the proper thing to do. Mr. J. Hawkins then replied to the action he kad taken in regard to the former business of the meeting; having been a staunch Trade Unionist for 17 years, and taken a prominent part wfth the workers in important matters, he objected to pay to the findings of the committee seeing that a ballot had not been conducted for the 21i- increased contribution.— Several questions were asked and replied to, when Mr. Fitzgibbon proposed that it has been proved that Mr. J. Hawkins, according to his card, is a Unionist, and that he. proceed as tie-legate to the London Conference."—Mr. T. Edwards moved that Mr J. Hawkins with- draw the statements made to the committee. and accept its finding; failing to comply, that he do not proceed to the London Conference." For the proposition, 30; for the amendment, 29. Mr H. Pope asked the Secretary if he knew who was responsible for the reports of the meeting which he read from the "Merthyr Ex- press. —The Secretary said he was glad of the opportunity to reply to the question, and it was that he never gave a report to any newspaper unless he put his name and took full responsibility upon instructions given him, and complained "that a great injustice had been done to him personally in the" Pioneer" the following week with the sarcasm, without an atom of foundation for the same. Mr. Del. Davies then poposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. E. Savaker for the excellent manner in which he had conducted the meeting, and the vote was unanimously accorded.

Ynysybwl and District Notes. o We are getsing a move on at Ynysybwi. All along, though it's us as says it," we have been pretty well alive, and done our little bit to keep Labour's end up. We have striven hard against the encroachments of our petty local tyrants, and not without success. In these contests we were fortunate in having a "village. Hampden" in the person of Morgan Waiters, J whose prowess as a protagonist of Labour I has passed beyond the narrow confines of our || little burgh. Alas! his activities earned for J him economic deportation, as in later days 1 those of David Kirkwood and others secured for M them State deportation. < But, as ever, though "J ohn Brown',? body lies mouldering in the grave, his soul is mar- ching on." Morgan's example—his ardour his self-sacrificing and whole-hearted devotion to the cause—awoke a "divine discontent" in the hearts of many of us young fellows who to-day are keeping the flag flying. Before ever the Military Service Act (No. 2) was brought in, we managed to get a big meeting of Lady Windsor Lodge workmen to pass a unanimous vote against it, and to pledge ourselves to do everything possible for its repeat. We've dis- tributed thousands of anti-Conscription leaflets and we had the honour of being the only lodge among the Ocean Collieries to have a represen- tative on their behalf at the Mining Recruiting Court, a fact which Dr. Atkinson commented upon. Possibly that may have something to do with the fact that only one wsrkman was asked for from our colliery. But. as stated above, we are moving on. The best attended public meeting held at Ynysybwi since the war was that which Air John Tho- mas, B.A., Aberdare, addressed last Tuesday. John is no stranger in our midst. He has con- ducted classes in Industrial History and Eco- nomics here, and those of us who sat at his feet in those days entertain for him the deep- est affection. Also, during one of the coalfield stoppages, he gave several lectures on the La- bour movement to the body of workmen, much to their edification and instruction 1 The chairman of this week's meeting was the Rev. Jack Jones who, in fitting terms, op- ened with prayer—a rather unusual, but cer- tainly a. most impressive mode of procedure. In his opening speech he expressed his happiness, as an old colliery worker, who had not forgotten the rock from which he had been hewn, in be- ing allowed to preside. He declared his abhor- rence to war on two grounds: (1) It did not pay the workers; and (2) it was ifc-Clirist- lan. He reminded his hearcrs" that the Boer War waged ostensibly to secure equal righte for Britishers, had had the result of making it easier for an alien to enter South Africa, and to allow him, if anything, more freedom than the compatriots of those who had fought. And this was because alien labour better enabled the R.andlords to amass the colossal wealth for which THEY had sought the war. It was ever thus. Bogus cries were raised in order tog^t workers to support wars, but in the result thfe poor were always the poorer and the rich rich- er. He deplored the fact that so many of hill brethren in the pulpit supported this war, which personally he could never reconcile with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. John Thomas followed, and in a masterly ad- dress, fired with Celtic, or rather Socialist pas- sion, sketched the insidious and sinister manner in which, step by step, the campaign for Com- pulsion had been engineered bv that section of the press owned and controlled bv Lord North- cliffe. First the Registration Act: then the Pink Form," followed bv the Scheme of Lord Derby, the Military Act (No. 2), and finally the full-fledged Conscription Act. And oveir the whole history of the business was a trial of broken pledges, base intrigue and AlachiaveHian duplicity. The ardour and enthusiasm of the meeting were such that no one wondered when the resolution was carried unanimously Even a careful count, of those on the stairs, who could not get In, did not reveal a single dis- sentient. In the meeting were the parents and wife of Gwilym Smith; the parents of Beth Morgan and Miss Hughes '(sister of Emrys Hughes), the lads who are awaiting court-martial at Cardiff Barracks. The sympathetic references of the speaker to our absent comrades undoubtedly helped to cheer and comfort their loved ones A large num ber off "Pioneers" were Hold at the close, and names of regular subscribers ta- ken. Ynysyhwl friends will please note that this is only the first of a series of similar meet- ings which we hope to hold in the near future

MERTHYR. MERTHYR TELEPHONE SERVICE.—At a meeting or the Watch Committee of the Merthyr Cor- poration on Friday last, Councillor D. W. Jones presiding complaints were made with regard to the telephonic communication in the district, and to the delay in carrying out repairs cessitated by the recent storms. The Chairman said they co'u!d not move at  said they could not move at Merthyr without asking Cardin, and sometimes Bristol.—Coun. F. A. Phillips mentioned that it was very ill- convenient also to have some portion of the borough on another circuit. Treharrif- for instance, was on the Pontypridd circuit It instadneccei, ded to wrJto the local Members of Par- liament on the subject.

DOWLAIS. I PLEASANT CO OPERATIVE PRESENTATION LEATHERING .—An interesting social and presen- I tation meeting took place last Thursday in connection with the employees of the Dowlais Co-operative Society. After doing full justce to the good things placed before them. the company sat down to an excellent evening's entertainment, presided over by Mr. D. Rees. butchery department: The following artistes took Part: -Mastei- Willie Evans, Pep ydarren-- Miss M. L. Evans, Pant Road;M Evans, Penydarren; Mr Jones and Miss Evans. Caehar- ris. The recipients of the presents were Miss Bowen (Drapery), presented by Miss Ceinwen Jones: Mr Harding (Bakery), presented by Mr Thomas, Caeharris; and Mr Philip Evans, pre- sented by Mr T. Robinson. The following ladies presided at the tahles: -Misses Farrisey; Bate- man; Edwards; C. Jones; M. Jones; Price and Evans. Great praise is due to the above ladies for the excellent manner in which the tables were laid. Votes of thanks to the Rector (for the use of the Parish Hall), also to the artistes, chairman and secretary (Mr A. W. Lloyd. Pant) brought an enjoyable evening to a close. Mr Richard Lewis, Blanche Street, pre- sided at the piano.