Pioneer

f Trade Union Notes W By Trade Unionist. 1- COTTON TRADE PEACE. I The wages dispute in the cotton industry, which I have referred to in previous notes, was settled last week. It will be remembered that the Amalgamated Association of Operative Cot- ton Spinners had demanded an increase of 32,1 per cent., and the Amalgamated Association of Card and Blowing Room Operatives were out for a 40 per cent. increase.. The following are the terms of the settlement: — (1) That an advance of 15 per cent on the standard piece price list rates of wages be paid on the pay day in the week ending December 15th, 1917, and' with this advance the rates of wages to remain unchanged up to and includ- ing the week ending Saturday, June 10, 1918. (2) That if the above is accepted the em- ployers agree to the Cotton Control Board making such levies on employers running ex- cess machinery as will enahlethe Board to con- tinue unemployment pay at the present rate lip to and including the week ending Satur- day, June 10th, 1918. AN IMPORTANT POINT. This agreement has been ratified by the oper- <• natives' organisations. Having regard to the fact that the increase granted is considerably lower than the demands of the workmen, one is rather 'surprised at the readiness with which the agree- ment has been accepted. The explanation pro- bably is that the men pait their demands very high in the first instance, because the employers threatened to stop the levies they had imposed upon themselves to provide unemployment bene- fit for those thrown out of work owing to the reduced number of machines to be run under the Cotton Control Board Order. As I have pre- J viously pointed out, employers running more machinery than was specified by the Board as the maximum, and for running which excess machinery special permission was to be obtained, paid a special levy on the output of such (excess machinery?) to provide an unemployment fund. The trade unions were not allowed to draw upon their funds to relieve unemployment, as the levies were designed to meet this obligation. v Now that the'new agreement provides for the continuance of the employers' levy scheme, the men have accepted readily a much lower in- crease than they would otherwise have done. The men have also, I learn, had permission from the Board to supplement the unemployment jgrant from their Trade Union funds, and they have already decided to make a grant of 5/- a week, which will be in addition to the grant al- ready made. I CANAL DISPUTE UNSETTLED. The dispute also referred to some weeks ago ill these notes, which is in progress between the workmen on the Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds canals and their employees, is still unset- tled, The Ship Canal Directors, however, made an offer last week to the officials of the Dockers' Union for submission to the workers at their next mass meeting. The dispute arises but of a <3laim for higher wages and altered conditions of  employment. Incidental trouble has arisen from the manager's refusal to accept a member of the j indoor clerical staff as a member of the deputa- tion appointed to negotiate with him. The direc- tors state that they are anxious that a friendly way out of he difficulty should be found at once, -and in the meantime, to avoid delay, and while negotiations for the permanent settlement are in progress, they make an offer of increased wages all round. The offer is not likely to be acceptable to the men, inasmuch a« the chief claims. of the Union are ignored, and the right of the Union to choose its own representatives for negotiating with the company has been questioned. The men will cer- tainly be quite' justified in refusing to consider any proposals whether satisfactory or otherwise until this important principle has been accepted. GOOD NEWS FOR RAILWAY CLERKS. With refe,reaice, to the recent settlement of the railway trouble it is satisfactory to learn that the Railway Clerks' Association has received an intimation that the wage settlement arrived at between the Railway Executive and the N.U.R. in to be applied to the whole of the clericalstaffs I of the British railways. This means that male -clerks of 18 years of age and upwards will re- ceive the advance of 61- per week, and women clerks and youths. under 18 an advance of 3/- 'per week, paid from the 5th November. It is most regrettable that women clerks are not to receive the same advance as the men, and it (seems to me that Trade Unions should refuse -any more to acquiesce! in any arrangement whereby women are to receive less favourable terms than men. Further, it is a keen disap- pointment that shop workers employed under railway companies are not to participate- in the "benefits of the agreement. Why, it is difficult 'to understand. The workers concerned and rail- 'workers generally should not abate any of their ,e.ff orts to have/ this matter rectified. I A.U.C.E. EFFORTS IN SOUTH WALES. The Amalgamated Union of Co-operative Em- ployees are very busy just now, particularly in South Wales. This Union, aware of the difficul- ty, the impossibility almost of securing work- people experienced in the dis,tributive trade, have chosen this time as the most opportune' to press their demands upon the various Co-opera- tive Societies. The A.U.C.E. scale is being in- sisted upon. Many of the societies have con- ceded, while others have resisted and as a con- sequence the workpeople have struck work. Now the scale of the A.U.C.E. is none too high, in- deed, one would say that it is not high enough, and yet I cannot help feeling that the A.U.C.E. attitude cannot be justified. By enforcing their -demands, it is evident that Co-operative Socie- ties are placed at a, serious disadvantage. They have to compete with the private trader, and it is their business* to induce as many of the pri- vate traders customers as they can to become members at the stores. By being compelled to pay higher wages to their employees they can- not hope to do so, and, in fact, it is quite pos- sible for the, A.U.C.E., if it succeeded in organ- ising the majority of the men in its own ranks, to strangle the Co-operative Movement alto- gether. As is well known, the A.U.C.E. is not recognised by the T.U. Congress, and in the closer relationship' now existing between the Trade Unions: and the Co-operative Movement, one of the essential requirements is that all Societies should insist upon all employee* belong- to a bona fide Trade Union. It is much to be regretted that the shop assist- 1 'Jlts all over the country are not well enough organised in the Shop Assistants' Union to en- force an adequate scale of wages and the neces- sary improvements in working conditions upon all employers alike. It is manifestly unfair to pounce upon one set of employers, and they on the whole theae.st employers, and compel them to pay wages and apply conditions of Labour which places them at a serious disadvantage as compared with other employers who are less sympathetic. Meanwhile, a keen struggle is being waged between the rival unions—the A.U.C.E. and N.S.A.U.—for the support of co-operative em- ployees, and I sincerely hope that the managing committees of Co-operative Societies everywhere will help forward the cause of clean trade- unionism by insisting upon membership of the recognised Trade Union as a condition of em- ployment., I IMPORTANT MINES CONFERENCE. I An important conference was held last week between representatives of the Mines Associa- tion of Great Britain and the M.F.G.B. to con- sider the principles of action to be taken with regard to men who have served in the Army or Navy and who may be disabled, but not suffi- ciently so as to be unemployable. The two phases discussed were: (1) Whether the coal- ?iiiiii.ing industry should take the matter out of the State altogether or, (2) leave it altogether to the State. 3: Now I have, for my own part, a decided ob- jection to either of the two courses suggested. By adopting No. 1 the industry is undertaking a responsibility towards these men which can- not be justly placed upon them. The disabled men would under these circumstances be the re- cipients of a form of charity. The mesponsibility is undoubtedly the State's. It was the State that called for his services, and in the special service of the State lie was disabled. It would not be just or even desirable to relieve the State of its obligations towards them. But the State, as we know it to-day,' is hardly to be trusted to deal with these deserving people. We know how very careful the people in high places, who for the time being act for the State, are not to give too much. What their idea of proper and adequate treatment to workpeople is we know from long experience. The safest way to deal with this important matter would be for the State to act in conjunction with employers and Trade Unions. I understand that a small com- mittee, upon which Mr. Vernon Hartshorn is to serve, has been appointed to go liato the whole matter.

Swansea Valley Notes. Bravo ,Mrs. Snowden. I The Central Hall, Ystalyfera, was crowded on Tuesday evening last week when Mrs. Snowden gave a magnificent address on Women and Peace." Miss Alice Williams, governess of Wern Schools, rery ably presided. There was a rumour current previous to the meeting of an opposition, but immediately the meeting commenced it was. obvious that the audi- ence was unanimous in its endorsement of Mr*. Snowden's remarks. There was not the slightest interruption, and Miss Williams had to appeal very eoaxingly for questions, but only had one from a sympathiser. In fact, so effectively did Mrs. Snowden speak, that, a curate whose views have not been altogether favourable to our movement, rose up at the close and expressed his appreciation of her address and moved a vote of thanks to her, which was carried unani- mously. C ui-i d er Many women joined the local W.P.C., under whose auspicee the meeting was held. The secretary is Miss Elsie M. King, to whose efforts the success of the meeting is greatly due. A request was made at the meeting for a col- lection to provide comforts for the local wounded soldieM, and a good sum was realized. It is proposed to' run more meetings under the auspices of the W.P.C and the success of Tuesday's meeting augurs well for the movement in the valley. Authoress cf Last Weapon." The Pubilc Institute, Pontardawe, was packed to suffocation on Fridav ei-eni-iig last, when Miss Theodora Wilson-Wilson gave a very in- spiring address on "The Great Emergency." The chairman was the Rev. Llew. Boyer (Alltwen), and he was supported on the plat- form by four other ministers. Mr. Boyer, who deserves great credit for the brave stand he has madø for Peace and Conscience, was very out- spoken in his opening speech, and was loudly applauded by the audience. As at the" Ystalyfera meeting, English and Welsh hymns were sung, which gave a suitable Feligio,us atmosphere to the meeting. It is satisfactory to note that a large percentage of the audiences at our meetings here is composed of wounded soldiers. Future Events. -1 I The Rev. George Neighbour will visit Glais this (Wednesday) night, and Cwmtwroh on Friday night. Miss Pallister will address a series of meetings in this valley from the 15th to the 20th inst. James Maxton has been booked for Glais some- day next week. Congratulations and Good Wishes. The surprise of the week at Glais has been the marriage of our I.L.P. treasurer, Comrade Tom Jones. <:> The wedding took place on Saturday, and the lucky bride is Miss David, Clydach. We all heartily congratulae the happy couple and wish them a Merry Christmas and a life-time full of Happy New Years.

In Reply to Mr. Woolf Labour's Way from Industrial Servi- I tude to Industrial Supremacy. Marxist Outlines His Programme. I TO THE EDITOR. I Dear Sir,—Mr. Woolf's rejoinder to my reply to his article on Labour and Political Power in your issue of November 17th shows how widely he and I differ with regard to principles and methods. Whether the kind of world lie wants to exist is the same as mine is dubious, as he does not define his kind of world. What, however, he does make clear is that he is out for unity at any price, or what Belfort Bax has termed "fac- titious unity." His whole case- is built upon the rotten foundation of opportunism. AN INITIAL DIFFERENCE. In his first article he states that Labour had failed politically mainly because of intolerance within itself." I do not think so. I contend that the reason why the Labour Party has failed in Parliament is because it is essentially a poli- tical reflex of craft unionism. Craft Unionism is based on the principle of obtaining a fair day's pay for a fair day's work," "and it only emerged upon the political field as a separate political party when it found that principle threatened by the Taff Vale decision. Since then it has vainly endeavoured to improve its status as a wage-slave class by fighting the effects of Capitalism instead of aiming at its overthrow. As Craft Unionism divides the workers into over a thousand sections, real unity of aim on the political field is impossible so long as Craft Unionism exists.. This fundamental weakness is now recognised by the more intelligent workers in all the unions. They realise that Capitalism has evolved beyond the stage which necessitated the formation of trade unions. They perceive that Capitalism has reached the point where the industry is the unit of production. They, there- fore, aim at bringing their fellow workers to- gether as a class, organised upon an industrial basis. The Workers' Committees which have been formed in most of our big industrial cen- tres are tentative efforts to achieve this end. On the other hand, the trade union officials are doing their best to hinder this progressive de- velopment. Hitherto they have wielded an al- most despotic power in the unions, and they perceive in the new movement a menace to their power and authority and their privileged posi- tion as, paid officials and political leaders. As the workers' commodity status as wage-labourers has not been improved by the compromising taotics of their trade union leaders, either in their capacity aa officials or political representa- tives, it is not surprising that- conflicts between the rank and file and their officials are so recur- rent. TRADES UNIONISM AT THE CROSS-ROADS. I Despite this fact Mr. Woolf is optimistic enough to believe that unity can be effected be- tween interests that are rapidly becoming irre- concilable. Trade Unionism is at the cross-roads and until the vexed question between those who advocate industrial unionism and those who ad- here to craft unionism is fought out triumphant- ly by the former section there can be no real unity of aim. on the political field. As a member of the Socialist Labour Partv and an organiser of; the Central Labour College, I am doing my best to promote the establish- ment of a Socialist Lahnur Party with the ideals not of the Capitalist State, but of the Socialist Republic." The first step in this direc- tion is to educate the workers in order to en- able them to understand the problem to be solved. The class of which I am secretary in- structs its members in the principles of scientific Socialism, i.e., Marxian Scientific Socialism. Scientific Socialism explains the commodity status of the worker, how the unpaid labour of the wage-earner creates surplus-value why the interests of the Capitalist Class and the Work- ing Class are irreconcilable, thus developing the class-struggle why the workers must aim at the abolition of the Capitalist System if they would be free; a-nd why no nostrum put forward by any section of the Capitalist Cl ass can possibly save the workers from the dire effects of profit- making. It also shows that the evolution of Capitalism will inevitably lead to the breakdown of the system, and indicates that' the historic mission of the working-class is to expropriate the expropriators, i.e., to socialise the means of production in. order to substitute the social pro- duction of wealth for the Capitalist production of commodities. ? Finally it calls upon the workers in all lands where Capitalist production is carried on to unite, internationally, so that they may win the world I for Labour. Labour's Empire is the world! CONSTRUCTION AND DESTRUCTION. I The ideals thus inculcated (familiar enough to Marxists) needs a constructive and destructive programme in order that they may be realised. As an S.L.P.er, I advocate that as political in- stitutions are not adapted to the administration of industry, constructive Socialism can only be realised in the industrial field. Hence the neces- sity for revolutionary Industrial Unionism as a constructive forte. On the other hand, as the Capitalist State, together with its political ma- chinery and its power over the armed forces of the nation, is an obstacle to the realisation of constructive Socialism, I advocate that it is necessary for the workers to come together on the political field in order to capture the State, the robber burg of the Capitalists, with a view to dismantling it and rasing it to the ground. Hence the necessity for revolutionary political action as a destructive force. Now, Sir; I submit that this is the only way a Socialist Industrial Republic, or Co-operative Commonwealth, can be effectively established. The other ways mentioned by Mr. Woolf will certainly not lead to Heaven, but will un- doubtedly keep the workers in the present hell of Capitalism—the only hell I know. The tac- tics of strategy I advocate—springing as they do from sound principles-will strike at the Capi- talist system on all sides—front, flanks and rear. The, rem edv I propost, seeing that it will cut out the canker of Capitalism from Society, will free it from its hereditary disease—slave-labour; and thereby elevate Humanity to a plane of health and well-being it has never hitherto known. The advertisement which will announce this wonderful revolutionary change will not be Pink Pills for Bloated Capitalists (see political pro- grame of our revisionist Labour Party), rout the waving of the Red Flag where once the patriotic flags of all the nations flaunted their menace to peace and liberty within and without the bour- geois communities they represented. Yours, etc., F. B. SILVESTIRP-, (Ho*. gee., Birmingham Social I Science Class). 8, Evelyn Road, Sparthill, Birmingham. Dpoetmbtr 8th, 1917.

Abercynon Notes. Co-operative Meeting. The quarterly meeting of the Ynvsybwl Co- operative Society was held at Abercynon on Thursday. Mr. Watkins, Ynysybwl (president) being in the ohair. The Committee's Report showed the sales for the half-year as CI05,354, an increase of £ 21,424 on the corresponding period of last year. Mr. S. Paget was re-elected representative. The Education Committee's report was given by the secretary (Mr. Abel Morgan) who said that classes for children had been opened in the six centres and that nearly 600 children had been enrolled. Classes for adults in Co-operation and Book-keeping were running at Pontypridd, Ynysybwl and Abercynon, whilst a women's class was also flourishing at Pontypridd.. The reoommenda,tion of the Management Com- mittee respecting remuneration for services ren- dered by the President were condemned as being ambiguous, and the voting resulted in the recommendation being turned down by 75 votes to nil. A notice of motion "That accounts be bal- anced in four monthly periods," was carried. The meeting agreed to adjourn the question of affiliation with Trades and Labour Councils, to a special general meeting to be called for that purpose. At the end of the meeting many ques- tions were raised and suggestions put forward, the most striking of which was that the Society open a shop on the Abertaf side. The action of the committee in refusing to pay the award recently obtained by arbitration by the A.U.C.E., was challenged. The excuse of the eommittee was that the A.U.C.E. was not a recognised trade union. Since the date of arbitration the committee bad offered 5 í war bonus to married and 3/- to single employees. Cantata. The children of- the Carre town Spiritualist Society performed a cantata entitled "A Holi- day Concert," at the Empire last Friday before a full house. Mr. Evan Davies was the con- ductor. Ballot. The first ballot for mine examiner took place at the colliery last week. Result: T. Brixey, Abercynon, 943; Griff. J. Maddox, Hafod, 288. Later the district result was made known, show- Maddox with 4,896 votes, and Brixey with 2,241.

| SOCIALISTS WANTED. SOCIALISTS desirous of joining the Aber- bargoed Branch I.L.P. are asked to OOID- municate with T. J. JENKINS, Secretary, 10 Chapel Street, Aberbargoed, Monmouth. SITUATIONS VACANT. w ANTED, a Smart Errand Boy.-Apply, Pioneer 11 Office, Glefoeland, Merthyr. LITERARY. UNITARIAN PAMPHLETS on The Bible, Heaven," and Hell," given post free. Miss BARMBY, Mount Pleasant, Sidmouth. MEDICAL. JU-PAGE BOOK ABOUT HERBS AND Pt. HOW TO USE THEM, Post p, Send for One. TRIMNELL, THE HERBALIST, 144, RICHMOND ROAD, CARDIFF. Established 1879. MISCELLANEOUS. STROLOGY.-Lif, Events, Ohags, For- Atunate Days, Business Success, Matrimony; T£ wo Years' Future added.-Send Birth-date 1/? P.O., PROF. GOULD, "The Nook." Heathfield Road, Cardiff.

Bridgend Notes. Challenge to Hodges' Detrar-tor. -L Garw VaHey Trades and Labour Council passed the following resolution: "That we treat with contempt the remarks of Mr. George Bevan (chairman of the Bridgend Food Control Com- mittee) that Mr. Frank Hodges (miners' agent for the Garw District) was the representative of a class of exploiters of the public, and challenge him to prove his assertions in a public meeting at Bridgend or Pontyeymmer at an early date." A meeting of the local Labour organisations at Bridgend on Sunday passed a resolution re- questing the District Council to forthwith ac- cept the nomination of Mr. Hodges as the work- men's representative on the- Food Committee. The sequel was a lively discussion at Tues- day's meeting of the Bridgend District Council, resulting in the rescinding of the motion ex- 'eluding Mr. Hodges from the Food Control Committee. A resolution for the co-option ef Mr; Hodges was carried oy the casting vote of the Chairman (Mr. J. G. Jenkins).

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I RHEUMATISM- KIDNEY TROUBLE. Rheumatism is due to uric acid crystals in the joints and muscles, the result of excessive uric acid in the system that the kidneys failed to remove aSi nature intended, and this acid is to a great extent the cause of backache, lum- bago; sciatica, gout, urinary trouble, stone, gravel and dropsy. The success of Estora Tablets for the treat- ment of rheumatism and other forms of kidney trouble is due to the fact that they restore the kidneys to healthy action, and thereby remove the cause of the trouble, and have cured num- berless cases after the failure of other remedies, which accounts for them superseding out-of-date medicines that are sold at a price beyond all but the wealthy. Women frequently suffer from ills, aches, and pains under the impression that they are victims of ailments common to their sex, but more often than not it is due to the kidneys, and in such cases Estora Tablets will set them right! The test is at least worth making, as woman's happi- ness and success in life depends on her health. Estora Tablets fully warrant their description —an honest remedy at an honest price, 1/3 per box of 40 tablets, or six for 6/9. All Chemists or, postage free, from Estora Co., 132, Charing Cross Road, London, W.C. Bargoed and Aberbargoed Agent—W. PA RET WILLIAMS, M.P.S. i ■

Ton Pentre and C. O. 's. « 1 At the South Wales divisional meeting of the Co-operative Wholesale Society, held at the Society's Offices at Cardiff on Saturday, & reso- lution submitted by the Ton Pentre Society re- questing that the same allowances be made to dependants of mexiibers who happen to be con- scientious objectors and who were penalised thereby, as were made to the dependants of other members now serving with the forces, was carried by a large majority. v