Pioneer

There is Only One Way to to ——- But It's A Very Big Place I Mr. Woolf Replies to Marxist Critic I Mr. Silvester's letter on "Labour and Politi- cal Power has happened to flick a sore spot in my brain, and so, if the editor will allow me, I propose to return to the subject in a second article. There is only one way to Heaven," says, in effect, Mr. Silvester, and that is the road discovered by Karl Marx." There is only one way to Heaven," says the Co-operator, "and that is the road discovered by Robert Owen and the Rochdale Pioneers." There is only one Th ere I s only one way to Heaven," says the I.L.P.er, and that is the road discovered by Mr. Philip Snowden." There is only one way to Heaven," says the Syndicalist, and that it the road discovered by M. Sorel." "There is only one way to Heaven," save the advertisement, "and that is the road of Pink Pills for Pale People." "There is one certain way to Hell," says Mr. Woolf, and that is to think that there is only one way into Heaven." RIGHT AT THE OUTSET. Mr. Silvester would probably find that he and I agree on practically all the essential points with regard to the kind of world which we want to exist. Certainly I agree with him in tracing the evils of the world which does exist mainly to what we call the Capitalist System. I agree that economic causes are at the root of nearly all the sicknesses of society. If you strike at the heart of those economic causes—a-nd Marxian Socialism is not a bad weapon to do it with—. you will have taken a big step towards creating the kind of world which we want, and the duke and the brewer do not want, to exist. But the world and the social and industrial system into which we poor mortals find ourselves pitchforked by Providence, without a rag to cover our naked- ness, crying lustily, and kicking feebly, are ex- tremely complicated affairs. If we do not dis- cover an early road into Heaven through rickets or diarrhoea or scarlet fever, we get out first glimpse of the Capitalist System in the- Primary School. We find that Capitalism is in full blast all round us, that it controls the educational system, the Press, the pulpit, the public-house, the Law, and the whole political system ft4i! well as the workshop, the factory, the mine, the rail- way, and the Bamk. AND AT THE OFFSET. I •From the Primary School to the grave we are enmeshed and entangled in this complicated world of capitalism. It gives us a particular kind of education in the Elementary School while it gives an entirely different kind of edu- cation to those of the "capitalist" and profes- sional classes. It does this partly through econ- omic and partly through its political power. It sends us to the mine or the factory at an age when others are only half-way through their Eton and Oxford years. It does this partly through economic and partly through political power. It preaches capitalism at us from pulpits and pumps capitalism into us every day through the morning and evening newspapers. It lures us into the public-house. This, again, it does partly by economic and partly by political power. When we are too old to work for it, it used to put us away in the Workhouse, but now, thanks to Mr. George's generosity, it gives us an old- age pension, which if you saved it up for a year would just be sufficient to buy a well-bred lady's lap-dog. And when at last we die, we find that one way to Heaven is a pauper's funeral. And the pauper's funeral is maintained as an institu- tion of British civilisation partly by econamic and partly by political power. WILL MARXIAN SUFFICE? I Now this is not a simple but a very compli- cated system. It is not created and maintained by any one simple expedient nor can it be de- stroyed by any one simple method. There is no such delusion among the people who maintain the capitalist system; they do not believe that there is any single or simple specific, like the joint-stock company or the wages system, for putting life into capitalism. The schoolmaster, the parson, the journalist, the publican, the lawyer, the M.P., even the Labour leader, are all enlisted under the same banner as the em- ployer and the financier, the landlord and the shareholder. "Strike at the economic causes," says Mr. Silvester, "with the only adequate weapon—Marxism." Strike by all means with be so foolish as to Marxism, I reply, but don't be so foolish as to make, this frontal attack and forget all about the flanks amd the rear. For that is the disastrous history of the Labour Movement for years. The Marxist goes off along his particular path with his particular weapon; the Syndicalist goes off along another; the Co-operator, along a third; and the Political Labour Party along a fourth. Each sees a particular part of the evil system and swears that he has found the only Pink Pill for Pale People, and will have nothing to do with other Pills. And what happens? The Marxist hammers away at one end and at last makes a small breach in the economic defences of capitalism. He breaks through only to find that his path is barred by the lawyer and the politician—the mercenaries of capitalism..He bursts open one door only to find that Parlia- ?men,t controlled by capitalists has shut another in his face. Meanwhile, on the other side the, Labour Party has been hammering away on the door of political power. It forces it half open, only to find that it is confronted by the brewer and the whole economic defences of capitalism, and the press, which is the poison-gas of capital- Ism. Somewhere else a small group is hammer- ing away with the s ingle-tax, or educational re- form, or housing. Bach group shouts 11 Evecry- one for himself and the Devil take the capital- ist." But the Devil doesn't take the capitalist: he takes the working man, gives him a bad edu- cation, binds him securely with capitalist-made laws, works him 54 hours a week (if he is lucky), feeds him on bad beer, the halfpenny capitalist

Swansea Valley Notes. I Dick in Fine Form. I The I.L.P. Institute, Glais, was crowded on Sunday night when R. C. Wallhead gave an excellent address. He dealt with the present position of the war and demonstrated in his masterly fashion how recent events are vindi- cating the attitude of the I.L.P. Undoubtedly, Wellhead is the best propagandist in the coun- try and his visit to this valley will add enthu- siasm to the movement. Our good comrade, Ed- win Thomas, presided at the meeting. Tom Mann Spreads the Light. I Mr. Tom Mann was. the speaker at the Public Hall, Clydach, on Saturday night. There was a splendid audience, and all were deilighted with the powerful eloquence of the speaker, who spoke on the workers' charter, Six hours a day; five days a week, and £ 1 a day." The chairman was Mr. W. Ball. John Thomas Hajmmers Away. At riemail Chapel, Owmtwrch, on Friday night, Mr. John Thomas, B.A., gave a splendid lecture on From the wilderness of war to the promised land of peace." The lecture was very much appreciated by the large audience present, and will add to the popularity of the lecturer in the upper part of the valley. On Saturday night John Thamas was the lec- turer at the Central Hall, Swansea. The sub- ject was The part played by Co-operation in Industry since 1750, and the position it should take in Industry in the Future." Tupper's Magnanimity. The most successful event of all took place at Pontardawe on Monday evening. A meeting was organised under the joint auspices of the local Co-operative Society and the Trades and Labour Council at the Public Hall, the speakers being Mrs; Edna Penny and Mr. Tom Mann. We were surprised on Saturday to hear that the British Workers' League were organising an op- position meeting at the Pavilion Cinema. The speakers were to be Captain Tupper, J. Sedden, Councillor Wright, George Gunning, and Page (chairman of the South African Labour Party). Naturally, we were eager to see whether the army of five would beat the contemptible little army of two and draw a bigger audience. The B.W.L. plastered the district with handbills and posters, and sent boys all over the place to sell 3d. tickets of admission. Guess my satisfaction when I reached the Publio Hall and saw It packed with over 1,500 people. I was told by a. friend just after that there was no audience at the Pavilion, which can hold 2,000 people! When Tom Mann had spoken for about 15 minutes, four gentlemen came in at the stage door, and wanted to speak to him 'and the promoters of the meeting. The "gentlemen" were none other than Capt. Tupper and his crew They wanted to "explain" and apologise for what had taken place. They emphatically said that they were not going to be made tools of by the B.W.L. They did not kRoiw of the Public Hall meeting and when informed of it by the inspec- tor they had refused (?) to speak. They would not think of speaking in opposition to Mr. Tom Mann! Good Prospects. The prospects are good for Mrs. Snowden's meeting at Ystalyfera to-night, also Miss Theodora Wilson Wilson's meeting at the PuJblic Institute, Pontardawe, on Friday evening pro- mises to be a success. The chairman will be Rev. Llew. Bayer.

I I.L.P. MERTHYR CONFERENCE. The adjourned conference of the I.L.P.ers of I the new Parliamentary Division of Merthyr, to I deal with the question of our Parliamentary Re- presentation will be held at Bentley's Hall on Salturday evening next at 7.30 p.m. ■.

Are you a WAR SAVER ? THE War is costing considerably more this year than last year, and the cost is still growing. Therefore it is necessary that everyone should save considerably more than they did last year, and- lend their savings to the State. Those of us who are not in the Army or Navy must help to win the War by lending to the State all the money we do not require for absolute necessities. Buy all the 15/6 War Savings Certificates you can. Increase your hold- ings of Certificates if you already have some, and if you are not a holder start buying them to-day. You can get them at any Post Office, Bank, or through your Local War Savings Association. Keep each 15/6 Certificate for five years and the Government guarantees to pay you Ci for it in cash. If you. need the money in the iiilailtime, you can cash your Certificates at the Post Office. They increase automatically in value year by year. Save at least 6d. a day for this purpose. When you have 15/6 buy a Certificate. Each member of a family can hold up to 500 of them. They are en- tirely free from Income Tax. It is the best way of saving to prepare for a boy's start in life, or to start a small business. Save for the rainy day it is sure to come sooner or later. Saving helps you towards success in life. Begin at once to save and so help your country and yourself. ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WAR SAVINGS COMMITTEE r" II II I DOWLAIS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY, Lil-liited, • 16, 17, 18, and 19, Union Street, Dowlais. • DRAPERY DEPT. j I We are now showing a Large Assortment of New Goods for the I I coming Season- I I Household Linen. Blankets. Quilts. Sheets. | I Carpets and Rugs. I i — MILLINERY DEPT. I I Costumes. Jackets. Blouses. Ladies and | I ChHdren's ?HHmery. I I VALUE AND QUALITY (jUAANTEED IF YOU BUY AT |j ? 16, 17, 18 & 19, Union Street, Dowlais. I I Pantscallog, Dowlais. Caeharris, Dowlais. | I High Street, Penydarren. I I Stat!<? Terrace, Bedlinog. S i.u II ee It'" .u.i

Gorseinon Notes. I News of Our C.U.s. I Cheerful letters have been received from Northallarton Prison, where Comrades W. J. Roberts and Herbert Rees are at present in- terned. We are assured that they are quite fit, and are still as determined as ever not to com- promise with the shades of Democratic repre- sentatives. They wish us all a Merry Christmas, and we, in return, desire that their Christmas he as cheerful as possible under the circum- stances. We have news of Stanley Rees also, from Carl- ton Prison, Edinburgh. He is bright and cheer- ful, even over the prospect of continued impri- sonment. Judging by the signs we do not think his imprisonment will bel for a very long period, but we do, not think he will be home for Christ- mas, as he predicted he would be. His sister will be disappointed. Another Donation. I We have great pleasure in thus making putxiic the generosity of the worshippers at Bryn Con- gregational Chapel, Llanelly, of which the Rev. J. Evans is pastor. This is the third cheque we have received as a result of the appeal made in the district. We made a minute examination of the cheque, etc., and could find absolutely no trace of Boloism. We just make this remark to help Clem Edwards in his search after German gold. He will thus have so much more time to make inquiries—mounted on his bobby-borse-in those places where Boloism is still rampant. We really must help him to justify hie acceptance of E400 a year, plus war bonus! Mrs. Snowden at the Institute. On Saturday evening Mxs. Snowwen com- menced her series of lectures on « Peace by Ne- gotiation." There was a large and appreciative audience, composed of as many of the knock- out-blowers" and list-shilliiigers as of sym- pathisers. We were, glad of this, for it does not do to preach to the converted every time. Yet, in spite of their presence, there was no hostility, nor any question asked which was not answered satisfactorily. The success of the meeting can be taken as a compliment by the people of Gorseinon, who evidently believe in the first principles of fair-play, a belief not shared by the patriots of our neighbouring town. To jog along with the crowd is easy work, but "He is a slave who dare not be In the right with two or three.^ Tom Mann—His Work. u _I Surelv the seeds sown by Mr. lom i wan" during his recent lecture fell upon good ground They have grown and borne fruit already-as ?.s the various unofficial meetins that are SiS place. The results are excellent, and will endure for it is the very people who know what they want are making the demands, ?nd are de- termined to realise those demands without the ?Son?v red tape of offioialism. It seems that under the new award to the amalgamated unions, the poorly paid worker is worse off than before—a very unsatisfactory state of affairs. A committee has been appointed to arrange an in- terview with the powers that 'be where the catfise of the whole of the unrest prevailing will fee attended to. The workers demand a low-paid price on commodities. If this is granted there will be no further need for increased wages nor bonuses, and in that way the poor beggar who has no hopes of a rise, but who has to pay the inflated prices for the necessaries of life will have a, chance to live. The workers are on the right track. May they keep on it, and not be led down blind alleys, is our earnest prayer. The Drink Question. Some days ago a temperance meeting was held at the Institute, and amongst the speakers was Lady Howard, of Llanelly. In normal times the room would undoubtedly have been crowd- ed, but there are humJgpds of people who view with suspicion any movement such as this and war aims meetings financed by our Bureaucracy. Dick Wallhead. We are not in the least tired of public meet- ings and look forward with eagerness to hearing the above gentleman at the Institute on Decem- ber 4th. It is hoped that the comrades of the- ? I.L.P. will rally round and that the catch of ?ii,ew members will be a. tremendous one. I A R umour. warrant, but someone terribly ignorant of Co- gppq plBAYU gg- OLJJ. •Spoq^aUI eAT^-BJBdO Now! who did give rise to that wicked rumour eM. 'laquiaTii v aou 'clo-o.') jbooj eip Suyujoouoa good. Must it go back to the ÍundlS?

SOCIALISTS WANTED. SOCIALISTS desirous of joining the Aber- bargoed Branch I.L.P. are asked to com- municate with T. J. JENKINS, Secretary, 10 Chapel Street, Aberbargoed, Monmouth. SITUATIONS VACANT. WANTED, a Smart Errand Boy.—Apply, Pioneer" Office, Glebeland, Merthyr. LITERARY. UNITARIAN PAMPHLETS on The Bible, LJ "Heaven," and "Hell," given post free. -MISS BARMBY, Mount Pleasant, Sidmouth. MEDICAL. f^/t -PAGE BOOK ABOUT HERBS AND U?: HOW TO USE THEM, Post Free. Send for One. TRIMNELL, THE HERBALIST, 144, RICHMONB ROAD, CARDIFF. Established 1879. MISCELLANEOUS. o-T,ROLOGY.-Life Events, Changes, For- tunate Days, Business Success, Matrimony; Two Years' Future added.—Send Birth-date, 11- P.O., PROF. GOULD, "The Nook," Heathfield Road, Cardiff.

prompt dealing with outstanding disputes by ap- pointing a committee to deal with questions of wages and to co-ordinate the settlement of la- bour disputes in Government departments. The committee, which will be known as the Gov- ernment Labour Committee," will consist of Mr. G. N. Barnes, M.P. (chairman), Sir Auckland Geddes, M.P. (vice-chairman), Sir George Ask- with, Mi-. Guy Calthrop, Sir Lyndon Macassev, Mr. J. H. Mitchell, and Mr. N. Woolff. TEXTILES STILL UNSETTLED. I The Textile Employers' Federation have again declined to accede to the demand of the I Operative Spinners for an advance of 32 per cent. on their present wages, or 50 per cent. on pre-war rates. I press horse-racing and football, and finally is generous enough to offer him a pauper's funeral. THE VICIOUS CIRCLE. It is no good Mr. Silvester telling me that the Co-operator isn't a. genuine believer in Co-opera- tion and that the Trade Unionist and Labour politician are not out for a Socialist Republic. Of course they aren't. And the reason why so many members of the Labour Movement are not fully conscious of the evils of the system under which they live is precisely because of the com- plicated machinery of the capitalist system, the ceaseless action upon us not only of economic capitalism but of all its allies, the law, politics, the church, the press, and the trade. All these are co-ordinated and interlocked. They form a vicious circle, as Mr. J. A. Hobson has explained in a book just published, "Demoeracy after the War." I would ask Mr. Sylvester and those who think with him to read what Mr. Hobson says in that book far better and at greater length than I have been able to say it in this article. The vicious circle of capitalism and reaction will never be broken unless Labour and all who be- lieve in democratic ideals weld themselves into a single and solid body of new Crusaders deter- mined to rid the world finally of the lies, the ignoraiiee,, the poverty, the ugliness, the bru- tality, the sordid misery and the more sordid pleasures of our political and economic system. There is no single and sovereign remedy for the world of evils and degradation which Europeans have built up for themselves upon a foundation of greed, false economics, and corrupt politics. NO TRADING. L6t us cease to trade our Socialism or Co-oper- ation, our Trade Unions or our Labour Parties, like the fraudulent purveyors of patent medi- cines, about a. world which is dying of a hundred different maladies. The Co-operative Movement by itself is not going to build any New City for this world staggering to ruin under its load of capitalism, party politics, and war. Nor will the Labour party by itself, nor Trade Unionism, and with all respect to Marx and Mr. Sylvester, nei- ther will Marxian Socialism. But if all these men and movements whilo pursuing their own particular work aid one another and co-operate in preaching and pursuing those ideals of demo- cracy and Labour which are after all common to them all, then there is some slight, hope tkat the vicious circle of capitalism may be broken. But to do that both the economic power and the political power must be controlled by the, Demo- cracy in the service of those democratic ideals. Personally I should be delighted if Mr. Sylves- ter would continue to pursue the highway to the Socialist Republic by the "right road" of Marx- ism. All I ask is that he shall at. the same time help to create a Labour Party with the ideals not of the Capitalist State, but of the Socialist Republic. Otherwise he will find that the Capi- talist State is itself an insuperable obstacle in his road of Marxism just as the Political Labour Party if it neglects Mr. Sylvester will ind that economic capitalism is an insuperable obstacle in its road to political power. There is not one but many ways to Heaven, just as there is not one but many ways to Hell.