Le monde ouvrier = The labor world, 1 octobre 1938, samedi 22 octobre 1938

24e Année — No 43 SAMEDI, 22 OCTOBRE 1938 — MONTREAL — SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1938 24th Year — No.43 Standard of Strength and Quality DEINK BLACK HORSE ALE 100 Years of Brewing Experience behind it Rédaction: 11, rue Saint-Paul Ouest INSTRUIRE ET AMELIORER Téléphone : LAncaster 5361 Au Conseil des L'ELECTION DE SAINT-LOUIS.et du Travail La séance bi-mensuelle du Conseil des Métiers et du Travail, tenue jeudi soir était présidée par le p:' ident Raoul Trépanier, assisté et vice-présidents Pierre Lefebvre et Jack Cuppello.Après la lecture du procès verbal de la séance précédente, l’admission de nouveaux délégués et l'acceptation de quelques item du Comité exécutif recommandant que le Conseil soit représenté à une réunion de la Ligue Educationnelle des Travailleurs, on procéda aux correspondances.Le secrétaire Gariépy donna lectine de plusieurs correspondances parmi lesquelles une émanait du délégué Raoul Trépanier offrant sa démission connue président du Conseil des Métiers et du Travail, Le candidat duplessiste doit être battu RAOUL TREPANIER Candidat ouvrier dans la Division St-Louis dû ;.u fait qu'il avait accepté la candidature de l'Action démocratique dans l'élection complémentaire de la division Saint-Louis-Montréal.Afin de se placer en accord ; la constitution de ce conseil il avait cru bon selon les prin-y énoncés, de prendre cette attitude.M.Trépanier déclare que vu lit; circonstances particulières qui •.iourent cette élection cela lui impose un sacrifice qui le privera de l'honneur de continuer à présider eux destinées du Conseil des Métiers et du Travail.Néanmoins, il croit qu’en ac-copiant de se porter candidat dans la présente élection, cela signifie une vive protestation contre la lé- ’ait'in qui a été adoptée lors de •a dernière session provinciale.Après, discussion de part et d’au-t:'c ir cette communication, une résolution fut approuvée à l’unanimité que la démission du président Trépanier reste sur la table indéfiniment.Le délégué David Wolfe entreprit at-Denls tél LA W Officie» Officers.Gérard Gagnon, vice-président international et président local- J.Georges Gagnon, vice-président- ü' A Neveu, secrétaire-financier ; ukouî Trépanler, agent d'affaires: Alberto Brodeur, trésorier: Henri Cholet.Secrétaire correspondant; W.Latour sentinelle.Le local se réunit le "e mmredl d« chaque mois, A la salle de ‘Union du Commerce, 1079 Berrl e» •J/™,le lundi précédant l'assemî blée régulière, A 1153, rue St-Denis PAGE 4 SAMEDI, 22 OCTOBRE 1938 — MONTREAL — SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1938 Action contre la guerre LES ARMEMENTS ET L’INDEPENDANCE DES UNIONS OUVRIERES La grève générale en cas de guerre se trouvait au centre de la propagande générale contre la guerre avant le Vie congrès syndical international tenu à Bruxelles en 1933.Dans l'activité courante cette revendication, qui porte sur l'avenir, fut complétée par l'action en faveur du désarmement et le contrôle des industries d'armements.Bien que 1 échec complet de la conférence du désarmement et la course générale aux armements des impérialismes fascistes ne suscitèrent pas une attitude fondamentalement nouvelle dans l’hostilité à la guerre, cette évolution fit cependant naître le besoin de nouveaux moyens défensifs et d'une nouvelle position dans la lutte journalière.Aujourd’hui pas plus qu’hier, il ne peut s'agir de bannir la grève générale de l'arsenal du mouvement ouvrier.Quoique, à l'heure actuelle, on se rende parfaitement compte que la grève générale en cas de guerre signifie une révolution internationale et qu'on ne peut "décider" de révolutions nationales ou internationales pour une heure déterminée, la grève générale garde toute sa valeur de possibilité d'une manifestation spontanée de volonté, qui — on doit le souligner doit être complétée et soutenue par l’aversion et 1 hostilité à la guerre des peuples menacés, c'est-à-dire la collectivité.Or, à 1 heure actuelle, où l'on donne une sorte d'enseignement par 1 image, en Espagne, en Chine et ailleurs, de toutes les horreurs de guerre imaginables, de ce côté le concours n'est peut-être pas aussi improbable qu'il le fut par exemple lors de la guerre mondiale.Les fomenteurs de guerre eux-mêmes apportent une des plus grandes contributions à la lutte contre la légende du "bain d'airain".La décision du congrès syndical international (FSI> de Bruxelles peut se concrétiser de la façon que le fait un des rapports du secrétariat de la FSI au conseil général: ‘la question de la grève générale, deviendrait, en cas de guerre, la question de l’attitude envers Tag-gresseur”.En vue de la défense contre les impérialismes fascistes l’attitude pratique des différents pays et l’action internationale se basèrent plus que jamais sur “le système de la paix collective", de la lutte collective contre l’agresseur, c’est-à-dire contre l’Etat qui recourt aux armes sans vouloir se soumettre à l’arbitrage.Les prises de positions fréquentes que le mouvement ouvrier britannique fit dans ce domaine contribuèrent largement à l’orientation internationale.Dans cet ordre d’idées.les syndicats et le parti britannique élaborèrent un memorandum qui date maintenant de quelques années, qui déclare au début que le mouvement ouvrier continuera d’opposer la plus vigoureuse résistance à toute tentative du gouvernement d’engager le pays dans une guerre d’agression, et poursuit: “D’autre part, considérant les événements les plus récents survenus sur le continent, on estime que des circonstances peuvent se présenter où le mouvement soutiendra toute action défensive en vue de protéger la nation et ses institutions démocratiques".En d’autres tenues: “Le prolétariat est catégoriquement opposé à toute forme de gueiTe agressive, mais nous reconnaissons qu’il pourrait se présenter des circonstances dans lesquelles le gouvernement de Grande-Bretagne pourrait être obligé d’utiliser ses forces militaires et navales pour aider la Société des Nations à maîtriser tm Etat agresseur qui refuserait de se soumettre à l’autorité de la Société des Nations et qui, de façon flagrante, recourrait à des mesures militaires au mépris de la parole donnée”.La sécurité collective dans le cadre de la Société des Nations, c’est-à-dire la défense contre l’agresseur devient, sur le plan international, aussi la solution du moment.* * * Est-il possible, à l’heure présente, de parler encore de système collectif de paix dans le cadre de la Société des Nations, ou bien existe-t-il, extérieurement à la Société des Nations, une volonté collective de défense contre les fascistes fermement coalisés?Bien qu’il faille répondre presque négativement à la première question et qu’en ce qui concerne la seconde — surtout depuis quelques semaines — on puisse BONJOUR,MONSIEUR .ÇA M'A L'AIR D'UN BON COIN PAR ICI; , AVEZ-VOUS PRIS QUELQUE CHOSE?y -«te v/; 'EST UN COIN ÉPATANT: ) J'Y Al PRIS UN BON \ J'COUP DE COEUR//£> % V-' .Ai 5 - ') Av'%/; % ' ' 3h 'h-A f , _ ** tVfe ri" r, 10 onces 26 onces Dittilli et embouteillé eij C*c,d* tout li turVcillarxc d.recle de JOHN de MJ/PI[P à SON, Dittilleteur», Potterdi*.Hollande.40 OnCGS MAISON FONDÉE EN 1695 85* $1.90 $2-65 Le vrai goût de Hollande a toujours distingué ce vieux gin bienfaisant et les vrais Canadiens l’ont toujours préféré depuis plus de centansl,,, par contre, dire que cette volonté de défense semble se fortifier, le prolétariat ne peut manquer de constater que le déplacement du centre de gravité vers des efforts extérieurs à la Société des Nations est regrettable, ne fut-ce déjà pour la raison que cette mutation aide à la constitution de blocs et, singulièrement de blocs impérialistes.La sécurité collective, à la quelle on n’épargna pas, au sein de la Société des Nations, le reproche de revêtir une orientation impérialiste, avait, dans le cadre genevois, en raison de la collaboration d'un grand nombre de pays neutres, incontestablement un arrière-plan moral considérable et un arrière-plan matériel non moins substantiel.Au-dehors de la Société des Nations une large part de cette force morale et matérielle devait fatalement se perdre.Même si dans l'un et l’autre cas, c'est-à-dire en fonction de la sécurité collective intérieurement et extérieurement à la Société des Nations, des armements sont inévitables.il n’en demeure pas moins vrai que dans le second cas il y a lieu pour le mouvement syndical à adopter une attitude réservée, en l’espèce souligner l’attitude inspirée de considération purement économiques, celles qui s’indique d'elle même aux syndicats en tant que représentation des intérêts économiques des travailleurs.Cette attitude, on la met d'ailleurs bien en évidence! Il est inté-î essant à ce propos de rappeler l’exemple britannique qui.nous l’avons d’ailleurs fait observer, servit déjà de ligne directrice.Le rapport du conseil général du Trade Union Congress (centrale syndicale britannique) soumis au congrès syndical britannique de cette aimée contient un chapitre sur les pourparlers ayant eu lieu avec le premier Ministre au sujet de l'exécution accélérée du programme d’armement, et reproduit le texte d’une lettre adressée à celui-ci au cours de ces pourparlers, Cette lettre débute en disant que le conseil général du Congrès ouvrier britannique a “pleinement conscience de la nécessité d’un ren-foicement adéquat de l'équipement défensif du pays".Ensuite le message dit que l’organisation du travail est spécialement l’affaire des organisations professionnelles intéressées, puis, tout en ne dissimulant pas les préoccupations des syndicats par rapport à la politique extérieure du gouvernement, il déclare que l’attitude du conseil général du Congrès “dans scs pourparlers avec quelque gouvernement que ce soit doit être déterminée par des considérations économiques mais non point par des considérations politiques”.Nous avons déjà mis en évidence plus haut les raison qui, vu la plus récente évolution des faits, paraissent recommander aux organisations syndicales de souligner fortement la position p’urement syndicale ainsi que la position de principe.Le point crucial de cette attitude demeure, et reste, aujourd'hui comme hier et demain, le transfert de l’industrie des armements à la collectivité et — considéré du point de vue matériel — l’équitable répartition des charges.A ce dernier propos signalons qu’au cours des pourparlers avec le Premier Ministre britannique l’attention fut spécialement appelée sur “l'insuffisance des mesures concernant la limitation des profits de l'industrie des armements”, et sur la “nécessité de la juste répartition des sacrifices".Même dans le nouvel état de choses, la lutte contre la guerre et le péril de guerre dans les cas d’urgence, reste et demeure une affaire dans laquelle, pour qu’une action soit efficace, la collectivité doit avoir un mot déterminant à dire.LE DEVOIR DE L’ETAT ET DES CLASSES POSSEDANTES "75.— En outre, l'Etat ne doit rien négliger pour créer ces conditioi matérielles de vie, sans lesquelles une société ordonnée ne peut subsiste; et pour fournir du travail, spécialement aux pères de famille et à : jeunesse.A cette fin, qu’on amène les classes possédantes à prendre u elles, vu l'urgente nécessité du bien commun, les charges sans lesquelle ni la société humaine ne peut être sauvée, ni ces classes elles-mêmes ; sauraient trouver le salut.Mais les mesures prise dans ce sens par TE', doivent être telles qu’elles atteignent vraiment ceux qui, de fait, détienne entre leurs mains les plus gros capitaux et les augmentent sans cesse grand détriment d’autrui.” — Extrait de l’encyclique Divini Redemptori A LA LIGUE DE L'ETIQUETTE dans le courant de novembre.Les réunions de la Ligue se tie:.Rent les 2e et 4e mercredis, à salle des “Millinery Workers" 1: me Université.Mercredi de cette semaine, une assemblée a été tenue par la Ligue de l’étiquette de l'union, sous la | présidence du confrère P.-J.Ryan.représentant de l’union des employés de théâtres, local 56.Une trentaine de délégués y assistaient.et d'après les rapports ils ont fait de la benne besogne dans l'intérêt de l’étiquette de l’union, qui semble vouloir reprendre sa vogue parmi les unionistes.Cependant une critique assez sevère a été soulevée contre les unions qui jusqu'ici ont montré une indifférence injustifiée en s’abstenant d’une représentation à cet organisme indispensable du n ouvement ouvrier international.Une nouvelle qui a provoquée une grande satisfaction, est celle qui a été rapportée par les délégués de la B.& S.W.U., que le contrat des chaussures des pompiers et des policiers avait été accordé par le comité exécutif de la cité à une important fabrique de chaussure de Montréal ayant le droit de se servir de l’étampe de l’union sur ses produits.Une douzaine de communications émanant des conseils centraux des métiers et du travail des diverses villes du Dominion ont été reçues relatant la pression qui fut faite près de la Compagnie J.B.Stetson, fabricant de chapeaux pour hommes de Brockville, Ont.pour l’induire à apposer la marque syndicale sur ses produits.On rapporte que trois autres restaurants ont été ajoutés à la liste de ceux où le cadre de l’union est affiché ce qui augmente le nombre à plus de 40.Les délégués des ouvriers en sacoches ont rapporté que la grève qui dure depuis près de deux semaines dans cette industrie est sur le point d'ètre réglée.Les délégués des employés de tavernes et de l’union des casquettiers ont rapporté l'organisation d’un souper aux huîtres pour les premiers et d’un bal pour les seconds qui auront lieu DERNIER APPEL DES EMPLOYES DE TAVERNE: : Un dernier mot au sujet du sou aux huîtres organisé par la jeun .vaillante union des employés de t vernes, local 200.C’est avec hâte plusieurs anticipent de participe ces agapes fraternelles, auxquels les dames sont également invitée Comme on Ta déjà annoncé.cV samedi prochain, le 29 courant, un cet événement social aura lieu, dan les salles du Club Ouvrier Papineau 1378 est, rue Sainte-Catherine.; le patronage de M.Hector Dupuis, 1 populaire échevin du quartier Pa neau.Le comité d’organisation de la fé: réitère son appel à tous les unionistes désireux de fraterniser avec I commis de tavernes.Qu’ils retienne:, leurs billets au plus tôt, à raison a-: 75 cents'.A ce prix-là, qui est à la portée de toutes les bourses, les billets s’enlèvent rapidement.Donc, allons-y tous, ne manquons pas l’occasion de nous régaler d'un aliment qui fait les délices des gourmets.Indiquons que ce qui a été formulé dans le memorandum du mouvement ouvrier britannique dont il a été question plus haut, est confirmé dans le chapitre que consacre au même sujet le rapport moral présenté au congrès syndical britannique de cette année.Au sujet de propositions émises par certaines organisations, relativement à la convocation d'une conférence nationale pour discuter de la situation internationale, on déclare, après rappel de tout ce qui a déjà été fait nationalement et internationalement, que le conseil général du Congrès ouvrier britannique estime que dans les circonstances actuelles une telle initiative n’aurait pas d’efficacité: “En le faisant on ferait reposer sur les organisations syndicales des responsabilités qui doivent être supportées par l'ensemble du peuple et il en résulterait des difficultés et des dangers qui pourraient entraîner les plus graves conséquences pour le mouvement syndical".Si Ton entend respecter le principe de la responsabilité collective— ce qui est incontestablement le cas, toute prise d’attitude ou tout conditionnement sur le plan des armements, doit être porté, tant que n’existe pas une situation de guerre, sur le plan supérieur des pouvoirs et compétences du gouvernement, c'est-à-dire dans les pays à régime démocratique, devant le Parlement.—Fédération Syndicale Internationale."A NOUS LA LIBERTE ! " Revue mensuelle de doctrine sociale et mouvement d'action.Constate que la politique à courte vue et la recherche des solution-immédiates et faciles pour parer au plus pressé sont la cause de la situation catastrophique où nous nous débattons aujourd’hui; Refuse de faire confiance au: mêmes hommes et aux mêmes méthodes pour résoudre les conflit, qu'ils n'ont pas su prévoir; Combat toutes les tentatives d'étatisme d'où qu’elles viennent: ; qui ne nous promet que l'aggra, -tion des maux présents; Affirme le primat absolu de l'homme sur les institutions t-: qu’en conséquence il faut soustraire les personnes aux féodalités artificielles et monstrueuses, aux ; intitulions périmées et trouver les institutions nouvelles permette:.' T libre développement de chacun dans le cadre de sa terre, de sa famille, de sa profession; Propose trois institutions nouvelles, logiques et bien définies: le service civil, le minimum vital et la fédération libre des communes et des entreprises.“A Nous la Liberté" abonni ment annuel: $1.00, 6, rue Saint-Hubert, Pont Viau.AVIS D'APPLICATION POI'B divorce AVIS est donnd par le présent a WILLIAM PERCY REMUAI.I.dour.de la CU6et District do MnntrS unna la Province de Québec, s'adr* sera au Parlement du Canada, a prochaine session.afin d'obPi.ir bill de divorce d'avec .son spoil ANNE MARIE TREBOÜTAT, de f.iti* et District do Montréal, , 'i“ en use d'adultère.MAX S.KAUFMAN.Procureur du rcqu-'m 721 Edifice Insurance Ex'han: 270, rue Saint-Jacques 1 40-415.Montréal, Québt LISEZ “Les Grèves de Sorel" 250 pages de lecture intéressante $1.00 — franco : $1.10 à la Librairie J.-A.PONY, Limitée 554, rue Sainte-Catherine Est MONTREAL SAMEDI, 22 OCTOBRE 1938 — MONTREAL — SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1938 PAGE 5 Trépanier's Candidature in St.Louis By-election Raoul Trépanier, who in a few years has meteorically risen to the highest positions in the Organized Labor Movement of Canada, in a surprise announcement Wednesday morning, proclaimed his intention of running as Liberal-Democrat in the St.Louis by-election.Our first reaction was surprise, then came a feeling of determination to do all in our power to carry Raoul Trépanier to victory in his election, if only to carry home to the Deuplessis Government, the fact, that the workers of this Province do not approve of his so-called labor legislation.The workingmen and businessmen of St.Louis and of the whole Province need a man like Raoul Trépanier to represent them at Quebec.For with a man of the calibre of Trépanier in the Legislature our laborbaiting Premier will think twice before introducing any more of his so-called labor legislation which is detrimental to both workers and businessmen alike.Raoul Trépanier is an experienced and able leader, he has proven himself a capable administrtor in the affairs of his union and he has gained considerable experience as a legislator as vice-president of the Trades and Labor Congress of Canada whose deliberations are usually of a more serious nature than the farcical mock Parliament seen at Quebec since the advent of the Duplessis regime.Peter Bercovitch was always a stout defender of labor and of its revendications, as shown last session by his brilliant attack on the proposed Bill No.88 threatening the very existence of labor unions, and no more worthy successor could be found than Raoul Trépanier.Every man who believes in democratic government, who wants the rights of Labor protected should consider an honor-bound duty to vote for Raoul Trépanier and thus give the Organized Labor Movement a voice in the Legislature of this Province.Now, to all the workers and businessmen in St.Louis who want a fearless defender of their interests, get on the Trépanier band waggon and let November 3rd dawn with our leader Raoul Trépanier a Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Quebec.Fight on ! — M.F.New Waterway Argument A speech made in the United States Senate by Senator Francis D.Culkin shortly before the body adjourned contained statements which make railway employees smile.His subject was the Great Lake Saint Lawrence Seaway.Among other things, he said tliat this would admit ocean vessels from the Atlantic to the Great Lakes.and he contented it would do no violence to any other type of transportation.With tills waterway in the Great Lakes area, railway tonnage would increase and more employment would be given to the railroad employees, he said.This is a new argument for the Saint Lawrence Seaway — that it will increase railroad employment.It will suggest to railroad employees that they consider what the construction of other waterways has done to railroad employment.For example, what effect did the digging of the Panama Canal have on railroad employment figures?it is well known that vessels plying between the Atlantic and the Pacific by way of the Gulf of Mexico and the Panama Canal took heavy tonnage from railways by adopting cut-throat rates, thereby de- priving railroads of freight transportation, and also reducing railroad employment.The waterways in the Mississippi River system, including the Missouri River, the Illinois River and Drainage Canal and other channels, are free routes, built with tax money for barges which carry goods formerly hauled on the railroads and liandled by railroad employees.The competition provided by the expenditure of tax money for canals and waterways, and on land for highways, has reduced railroad labor from 1.600,850 employees in 1919 to about 900,000 at present.In those figures there is no hot ah, no propaganda, no so-called tricky stuff disseminated for the purpose of fooling the public, by inducing them to believe that black Is white.The cold figures on railroad employment, published by the Interstate Commerce Commission, a government body, are pretty black for railroad employees, and it is doubtful whether the propaganda that all the politicians and ship own-era can publish can induce railroad men to see white when they look at those figures.WHY KILL ONE ANOTHER?Herbert Morrison, labor M.P., and leader of the London County Council, has addressed an open letter to the German people, asking “Why kill each other ?’’ “Will war settle any of the issues on which it is nominally fought ?Almost certainly it will not.“Will it solve the problems of the common people ?Almost certainly it will result in greater poverty and insecurity."Many of you think the British have benefitted greatly from the last war.Believe me, you are wrong.We are carrying a terrific national debt which absorbs much of the productive labor of our people without economic return.As with you, the burden of armaments is vast.And one and three quarters millions of our people are unemployed." “No problem faces Europe which is incapable of solution by honest, friendly discussion.” BARBER SHOP PATRON GETS CUT AND LOSES LAW SUIT Sustaining a gash on the chin when a barber was shaving him, a prominent merchant of Silma, India, sued the tonsoria] artist for about $360 damages.In his defense, the barber told the court he had told his customer a story so full of humor his patron rocked with laughter and got cut.The Judge held the barber had merely exercised his time-honored right to narrate witty stories and jokes to his patrons to soften the rigor of being shaved.The blame, therefore, was not upon the barber, but upon the merchant who could not restrain his laughter.TAX ON OUT-STATE BUSES A resolution imposing on every out-side-the-state bus using city streets a fee of $20 a year for those holding 13 or fewer passengers, and a $30 fee for those holding 14 or more, in addition to a mileage fee equal to one cent a mile of bas operation in the city, was adopted recently by the New York City Board of Estimate.Members agreed that heavy trucks did more damage to city streets than bases, and said a similar tax for trucks should be considered later.The bus taxes are expected to go toward meeting the cost of traffic direction and street surfacing.Members look for the day when buses and trucks will be directed along routes of their own.LABOR BILL OF RIGHTS Ohio labor adopted a bill of rights at its recent meeting held in Columbus, Ohio.The call for the meeting was issued by the Executive Board of the Ohio State Federation of Labor.The conference tvas called the Ohio State Non-Partisan Po-licital Conference of the American Federation of Labor.After the conference has considered principles and policy, it outlined the following bill of rights for labor, taking paragraphs bodily out of the Constitution of the State of Ohio.The Ohio Labor Bill of Rights reads: Inalienable Rights: All men are by nature, free and independent, and have certain inalienable rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and seeking and obtaining happiness and safety.Where Political Power Vested: Special Privileges: All political power is inherent in the people.Government is instituted for their equal protection and benefit, and they have the right to alter, reform, or abolish the same, whenever they may deem it necessary: and no special privileges or immunities shall ever be granted that may not be altered, revoked, or repealed by the General Assembly.Right to Assemble: The people have the right to assemble together, in a peacable manner, to consult for their common good; to instruct their Representatives; and to petition the General Assembly for the redress or grievances.Freedom of Speech: of the Press: Every citizen may freely speak, write, and publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abase of the right; and no law’ shall be passed to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech, or of the press.Private property Inviolate: Private property shall ever be held inviolate, but subservient to the public welfare.-:o :—- MORE TRESPASSERS KILLED Trespassers to the number of 1,040,760 were ejected from railroad property in the first four months of 1938.This was an increase of almost 14 per cent over the same period of 1937.The large increase was thought to be due to the business depression, which throws many persons out of work, leaving them to roam, looking for jobs.About half of the persons killed and injured on railroads are reported to be trespassers.Nearly half of those trespassers who are in accidents are killed.Many of them walk the track and do not protect themselves against on-coming trains, and others ride trains and become involved in accidents.RAILWAYS TRAIN STAFFS British railways act on the democratic principle that any man who wants to learn the other man’s job shall have ample facilities for doing so.C.M.Turner, geneial traffic manager of the Associated British and Irish Railways, said recently that special voluntary evening courses are opened each winter by railway companies, and that students are given free travel facilities and reasonable leave of absence where necessary.The basic subjects covered are signalling accountancy, freight and passenger station working and means to achieve greater working efficiency in the practical field.Facilities are also granted to employees to attend courses of lectures at the London University (London School of Economics), in addition to which arrangements are made wherever possible for employees to attend classes organized by the London County Council, covering in the junior section stenography, English and arithmetic, and in the senior elements of transport, economics, economic geography, statistics, elements of the law of inland carriage, bookkeeping, accountancy and stenography.A School of transport Is being built at Osmaston Park, Derby, for the further education of selected London, Midland and Scottish Railway employees.The companies also encourage debating societies, ambulance classes, independent clubs, and other organizations.Some 10,000 employess are enrolled in the instructional courses of the Great Western Railway.MONTHLY ASSESSMENT CONTINUED BY THE A.F.OF L.Houston, Tex.— The annual convention of the American Federation of Labor in session here ordered the contin-unance for another year of the assessment of one per cent per member per month which was legally and officially levied at the Denver convention of the Federation last year.“The records show that during the montlis from July, 1937, to and including June, 1938, our organizers have applied for and charters have been Issued to 809 local trade and federal labor unions,” the Executive Council told the delegates.“This figure does not include those ap-plicatioas which were forwarded to the various national and international unlpns whose jurisdictions covered such groups.” In recommending that the one-cent-a-month assessment be continued for another year the Council said: "The funds provided through the payment of tills assessment will enable the American Federation of Labor to continue its organization policies, maintain the gain we have already made and render additional service both to national and international unions affiliated with the American Federation of Labor and to the unorganized workers of the nation.” Snappy — The portly man was trying to get to his seat at the circus.“Pardon me,” he said to a woman, “did I step on your foot?” “I imagine so,” she said after glancing at the ring, “all the elephants are still out there.You must have.” DEMANDEZ ASK FOR LA BIERE POPULAIRE THE POPULAR BEER MOLSON \ Brassée à Montréal Brewed in Montreal depuis since 1 152 ANS 152 YEARS PAGE 6 SAMEDI, 22 OCTOBRE 1938 — MONTREAL — SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1938 Medical Care for Labor Policy of Pope Leo XIII Wage Earning Groups Commended by Catholic Prelate Andrew J.B1EM1LLER Bishop Byrne Tells A.F.of L.Convention that Letter “on the Condition of Labor” Formed an Unexcelled Bill of Rights for the Workers.The question of adequate medical care for the wage earning group is coming to be recognized as a very important aspect of the whole problem of social security.Wage workers face four great hazards— industrial accidents, old age, unemployment and sickness.The first three have been recognized and met in some degree through federal and state legislation.But sickness which is as much outside the control of the individual worker as any of the other hazards and for which he is equally unable to prepare, is still a burden which he must shoulder alone.To the worker, sickness, or an accident for which he is not covered by workmen's compensation, cones as a major calamity.If he has any savings at all, and many are unable to budget any emergency fund, they are soon eaten up by living expenses and doctor's bills.The ensuing poverty, with its frequent lack of proper food and its burden of worry', delay’s the period of convalescence.If some member of the family other than the breadwinner is sick and requires prolonged treatment or expensive operations, the whole family must suffer.The very poor and the very rich do not have to worry about medical care.The rich can pay for all they need in the way of family’ doctors and nursing care.The destitute can claim at least some free care at the public hospitals and clinics, the charity wards and outpatient departments of other hospitals, and the services of the visiting nurse.But the man who is earning from twenty to fifty dollars a week is denier these services.He does not want charity anyway, and prefers to get along as best he can without asking for it.And so the wage earner does without a doctor as long as he can, perhaps until the nagging cough has developed into a serious case of tuberculosis, or the small pain is an incurable cancer.He buys a bottle of patent medicine because it is cheaper than paying both a doctor’s bill and a druggist’s prescription.He reads the almanac and tries the home remedy of the man next door.And when he finally does go to the doctor, he is scolded for not coming before, and then becomes miserable because he cannot pay his bill.If he is in for a long siege of illness, he borrows money to pay off the doctor, and the hospital, and then staggers under a burden of debt for years afterward.Twenty-eight percent of all personal loans made in the United States in 1936 went to pay medical bills, according to the Bureau of Cooperative Medicine.When the Committee on the Costs of Medical Care made its exhaustive study during the early years of the depression, it disclosed many deficiencies in medical care.In a study of 9,000 families, representing all economic levels, living in 130 different communities, the quantity and quality of medical care received was found to be far below the demands of reasonable standards.Service from physicians was only 43 percent of that considered essential; hospital care was only 25 percent of what was necessary; and dental care was only 25 percent of what should have been given.Standards were lowest among the lowest income groups.For instance, in families making less than $1,200 a year, 90 percent received no dental care whatever.Families with an income less than $2,000 a year averaged two doctors’ calls a year, while families with over $10,000 a year income average five calls a year.The discrepancy is greater when you consider that there is more sickness in poorer families because of poorer housing, food, recreation and rest, and more hazardous occupations.More and more people are beginning to inquire into the proposals roughly grouped under the misnomer, “socialized medicine.” There are many plans which seek to bring medical care to those who need it, and at the same time bring a better average income to physicians.They fall roughly into three classes: first, the private group pre-payment contract clinics, in which a numebr of doctors as- sociate themselves to give certain specified care for a flat rate per month; second.health insurance, in which workers and employers, and perhaps the government, pay into a fund which is used to pay for medical care when it is needed; and third, some form of straight public subsidy to doctors and hospitals to provide medical care for those unable to meet even a part of their own expense.None of these plans affects the method of treating disease, but merely the method of paying the bills.The contract clinic meets the need of the family with a small but steady income-say $1,500 to $3.000 a year.Such families are able to pay a small monthly fee, as they pay for their insurance, but are not able to build up a reserve large enough to meet medical emergencies.They are definitely not the charity type, and are no more anxious to ask the doctor for free help than they would be to ask the grocer for free food.Dr.Thomas Parran, Surgeon General of the United States, whose valiant fight against cancer and venereal disease has won him world wide respect, has urged the need for close cooperation between doctors and public health agencies, and criticized the closed corporation of organized medicine because “they have failed, in the minds of many lay people, to identify the common good as the first interest of medical organization.” There are more than 40 cities in this country where some form of hospital insurance is available.The plans are usually organized by associations which charge a flat fee per month and then pay hospital bills for members as they are needed.One of the best known and most successful is the Associated Hospital Service of New York.Their rate is $10.00 a year for a single person, $18.00 for a married couple, and $24.00 for a family.Benefits are for 30 days per person per year, in a semi-private room, with 33 1-2 percent discount on the bill for longer periods.For a small additional charge a private room may be engaged.The service covers bed and board, nursing, laboratory drugs and dressings, anesthesia, and certain other special items.One of the charges most frequently made against group prepayment clinics, but seldom substantiated, is that of advertising.Advertising has long been a violation of "medical ethics.” It is amusing therefore to note that the April 1938 issue of the magazine “Hospitals,” from which most of the above information was taken, takes for granted the need for wide dissemination of information on hospital plans.I quote, “Frequent use is made of newspaper publicity, radio talks, and articles in various magazines and publications.This material is accepted without charge, as having ‘news’ value or being educational in character.Folders are distributed widely among prospective subcribers.” The doctors in the 300 hospitals which are membrers of this association are members of the American Medical Association and of unquestioned standing.In no way in conflict with group medical practice is compulsory health insurance, under the direction of the national or state governments.Health insurance would reach those with low but regular incomes, and would give increased benefits to those who could now afford to join a group clinic but would find it difficult to meet large hospital bills.Health insurance in America is sponsored by the labor movement.The American Federation of Labor went on record in favor of it at its 1935 convention and is continuing to study the subject.Various state federations are on record in favor of health insurance.In Wisconsin Henry Ohl, now president of the State Federation of Labor, introduced a health bill into the 1917 legislature, of which he was a member; the question has been discussed at various state conventions and1 the federation sponsored the bill which I introduced in 1937.In addition to doctors and hospitals we must also consider the question of nursing and the other problems of convalescence, which are many even in families able to meet normal medical expenses.As city homes grow smaller and smaller, the difficulty of caring for an Houston, Tex.— Tire underlying principles of Catholic teaching on the rights of labor and the duties of employers set forth fifty years ago by Pope Leo XIII and corroborated by Pope Pius XI constitute a veritable charter of liberty for the toilers, the Rt.Rev.C.E.Byrne, Bishop of Galveston, told the delegates to the annual convention of the American Federation of Labor here.Bishop Byrne was introduced by William Green, president of the American Federation of Labor, “as a representative of a great religious organization, a scholar, a philosopher, and a great humanitarian," who “is beloved by all people, regardless of religious affiliation.” "As Bishop of the Diocese of Galveston, of which tins city of Houston is a part, I wish to join my welcome to those so well spoken by the Governor, and the Mayor, and the various heads of local Labor Unions to you on last Monday,” Bishop Byrne said.“And as a Bishop of the Catholic Church I need not tell you that the encouragement and sympathy of that ancient Church are with you.Social Justice Demanded “There has never been penned a plea and a demand for social justice more clear and cogent and uncompromising, than is found in the Letter of Pope Leo XIII.On the condition of Labor’; and forty years after in the commemorative and corroborative letter of the present Pope Pius XI on 'Reconstructing the Social Order.' "The pleas and principles of your action: the rights and conditions of labor you demand; your stand for the worker, ever to be a man, and free, and never a tool of industry, nor a chattel of trade, are of the very’ soul of the combat, fought for the toiler in these two great letters.Paragraph after paragraph of either might serve you as a charter, or become the ground work of a Constitution for you.They form a 'Bill of Rights’ for the poor man and the laborer that has never been excelled.invalid and at the same time maintaining the normal activities of the household are constantly increasing.There is no space for a private nurse even if her salary can be met.In many cases a visiting nurse who can give baths, assist the doctor and sometimes change dressings or give treatments, is the best solution.Often a fulltime nurse is both a luxury and a bother, yet for an hour a day she is indispensable.Such nursing sendee is often available, for the very poor, yet most cities do not have a similar arrangements for those who can afford to pay something but do not want or need a full-time nurse.Then there is a special problem when the mother Is sick.It is impossible to hire both a maid and a nurse, and the requirement is for someone who can undertake nursing duties for a short time each day and devote the rest of her time to running the household, caring for the children, and cooking.Boston has an excellent training school, and prepare really competent practical nurses able to take over a household on a moment's notice and run it, with or without servants, as long as necessary.For the majority of cases which do not require extremely expert nursing, such helpers are much more useful to working class families than the exorbitantly expensive registered nurse who refuses to lift a finger to help with the household tasks.In America we have urgent need of such rest houses, where many serious illnesses can be prevented by advance care or where workers can recuperate from operations or illnesses away from city noise and dirt.Our hospitals are the best in the world, but we pay appalingly little attention to the things that may prevent illness, or to its effective cure by means as important as surgery.Any health program for America’s wage-earners must stress preventive medicine all along the line.Every proposal discussed in this paper helps to do this."Your fine organization had not yet seen its teens, when nearly fifty years ago, the luminous pronouncement of Leo XIII startled a smug world satisfied to enjoy the emoluments of hard driven labor, w’hile it left the laborer and his family to possess their hovel and its attendant starvation and degradation.Indifference of Favored Few Condemned "With piercing words he pricked the cold, hard cover of indifference of the favored few in the great family of men; w’hile at the same time he warned the suffering and the down-trodden against the wolves in sheep’s clothing who would devour and destroy that gospel upon the teaching of which alone men have equality, and from which they derive a dignity never before enjoyed till He who preached it joined in His Divine Person the nature of God and the nature of man.A more solid and straighter road for the march of man's rights be laid out than that which places all mankind in the following of Him, who is.“The Way, the Truth, and the Life.” "A little more than half a century ago, when Labor was striving to arise from the depths into which it had been sunk by the greed and heartlessness of over-lords—a condition which made the laborer easy victim because of the loss of the old time craft guide—temptations and bewilderments and pitfalls beset the endeavor such as dogged the weary steps of God's wandering people, long ago, in the desert.Here and there golden calves were set up to lure the laborer and to stay his progress towards the Land of Promise flowing with the milk of human kindness and the sweet honey of God's eternal justice.” —American Federations.-;o:-—- Nice Distinction — "When the judge ruled Smith had to pay alimony, how did he feel about it?” "Chagrined.” "And how did his wife feel about it?" "She grinned." The group clinic encourages frequent examination and by removing the fear of a fee for every visit, makes it easy for the worker to go to the doctor at the first sign of pain, and have an operation or treatment promptly without waiting until the disease develops.Health insurance carries the same assurance of adequate and early care without fear of bills.Hospital insurance makes a necessary visit to the hospital easy from a financial point of view.Improved nursing service may speed recovery and relieve the house wife of the unaccustomed strain of nursing work.Vacation homes, rest houses, and convalescent homes cut dow’n the causes of future illness.At every point such a program aims first at preventing illness, then at curing it.Of course sickness can no more be treated as an isolated problem than can unemployment, It is related to the genera] question of economic security, to housing, and playgrounds, and adult exercise facilities, and working hours and conditions, and a host of other social and economic questions.Proper education of parents on the feeding and care of children, and of children on health and safety habits, is an important part of it.But meanwhile disease still exists, and accidents still happen, and wage-earners and their families need doctors and nurses and hospitals and can’t afford to pay for them on the present fee basis.A comprehensive national health program, coordinating private facilities, encouraging the growth of private group clinics and hospital associations and nursing societies, providing funds where needed, must be built.In many parts of the country we have made a start toward meeting our health needs.If we can overcome the fanatical hostility of a section of the medical fraternity and educate the public on the need for such a program, we can promise good health and the happiness it brings to a far greater proportion of our people than have it today. SAMEDI, 22 OCTOBRE 1938 — MONTREAL SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1938 When the 'Prodigal' Returns By DR.CHARLES STELZLE Executive Director, Good Neighbor League.Peace in the ranks of Labor seemed much nearer at the convention of the American Federation of Labor in Houston than at any time since the C.I.O.broke away from the Federation about three years ago.President William Green spoke words of welcome to the C.I.O.using the language of the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son, inviting the "wandering boy" to return to his father's house.But in the Bible story of the return of the prodigal son, as (old in the Gospel by Luke, it is said that "when the son was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and ran to meet him, and fell on his neck and kissed him." In other words, the father in the Bible story didn't wait for his son to come all the way alone, wondering how he woulc be received, but he met his son half-way, in order to show the boy that he was more than welcome, no matter what the neighbors might think or say.If the C.I.O.and the A.F.of L.are to get together, it will no doubt have to be upon a somewhat similar basis.Both wil have to forget their pride and all that has happened in the past, holding no hard feelings.The Bible story tells what happened after the prodigal's return.The father said to his servants : "Bring forth the best robe and put it on him ; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it ; and let us eat and be merry." But while the festivities were going on the elder son came in horn the field, and heard music and dancing.And he asked the servants what had happened.And when they told him "he was angry, and would not go in." He was sore about the whole thing, because, he said, he had always been faithful and loyal to his father, and he hadn't even been given a kid, so that he might have a party with friends of his own.And that nearly broke up the festivities.Let's hope that if and when the "C.I.O.prodigal" returns to the A.F.of L.father s house," there won't be any sons who will be hanging around the woodshed, saying that they'll be darned if they'll come and join the party, because that would be just too bad all around.YOUNG MEN NEEDED Police vs.Padlock Law The Montreal branch of the Canadian Civil Liberties Union today was informed by Director of Police Fernand Dufresne that he had given instructions that no police officer was to "intrude" in meetings of a "private character." Mr.Dufresne's statement was contained in a letter to R.A.C.Ballantyne, executive secretary of the C.C.L.U., written in reply to a request for information addressed to Mr.Dufresne by the C.C.L.U.in September.Mr.Dufresne's letter said in part : : rom a legal opinion obtained in the instance (cited by the C.L.U.) it appears that no police officer can intrude m meetings of a private character but whenever the public ha.admittance it is legal for the police to attend.Therefore I heme given instructions accordingly." in its letter to Mr.Dufresne, the C.C.L.U.explained that it had been informed by the Montreal Youth Council that a police officer was present on August 22 at a private meeting of the executive of the Montreal Youth Council in the Central Y.M.C.A.The Montreal Youth Council has requested the Canadian Civ.; Liberties union to inform it of its rights in this matter," the C.C.L.U.'s letter continued, "and therefore we are addressing a request to you for an explanation.It would appear to us thct the presence of a police officer at such a meeting i3 an unwarranted intrusion gn the right of individuals to gather privately to discuss their affairs.It is our belief that there is nc statutory authority for such procedure, but if there is we wisn to be informed of it." Following receipt of Mr.Dufresne's letter, Hubert Desaul-niers, chairman of the Montreal branch of the C.C.L.U., issued me following statement : .The Montreal branch of the Canadian Civil Liberties Union !s giateful for Mr.Dufresne's courteous response to its request or ’^formation.Mr.Dufresne's letter would appear to indicate ’ .ne has given order to end the intrusion of police officers on private meetings.The Canadian Civil Liberties Union is hopeful “al Tse orders will be strictly enforced.Montreal citizens nave been terrorized for too long by the attendance of police •“ at purely private gatherings.otto- )Ve Can now assume that any municipal police officer who siinor' Q pnYate meeüng is disobeying the instructions of his rHm- °-rS' and we assume that any citizen who sees fit to refuse tally Sin°hS °"iC" at SUCh a me9,in3 wUI be «>”9 We are living in a day when youth is becoming more and more of a real factor in our organization's life.There was once a time when our locals where headed by grey-haired soldiers well along in years, brave soldiers of the movement.Today we find young men at the helm of many locals forging ahead with the help of the old war horses, the old timers ever ready to assist the youngster in the labor movement.Old fashioned ideas and old fashioned methods of doing things have been supplanted by new, modern methods which are are on the whole remarkably successful.conditions being what they are.The control of a few strong old locals still remains in the hands of those who have a lifetime in it.and somehow our locals have failed to attract into it's ranks as many oi the young bakers, as it should have drawn into its fold.Yet, like every other organization, the locals ol our International Union are ir need of new blood, to carry on Present day' methods of organization work are the methods of youth and they need the enthusiasm and the energy of youth to put them across.It is not disparagement of those members of our locals who have spent their lives in the organization's work to make a strong effort now to bring the younger generation into it’s ranks, rather, it is a tribute to the older generation for it insures the carrying on of the best traditions and heritage of the International and it's local unions New ideas are necessary in every organization to keep up with changing times and changing conditions, and it is the younger generation which must be put into the best position to build up the locals and increase its prestige.We cannot lag behind, we must carry onward the banner of our International Union.We must give the youngster in our movement a chance to show of what caliber he is made.We must give him the opportunity to show his stuff in the field.But how can this be done?This is the problem for which the old timer has got to find the solution.Perhaps, if our organization meetings were made more interesting for the younger generation and the young members were encouraged to take a more active part in the discussion at meetings it would stimulate their interest.jinn Mcur itu •W SUN LIFE OF CANADA WHOli-llFf ASSURANCf annuities mnniA/uiNTc I HMD OmCt-MONTRIJU CHILD FOl'CATION ^M.lV FROlf'.f’ON NEW AFFILIATIONS TO TRADE UNION LABELS DEPARTMEN1 New affiliations to the depart ment since the 1937 convention wen l eported as follows: American Flint Glass Workers’ Union, Inter national Ladies' Handbag, Pocket book and Novelty Workers’ Union Sheep Shearers Union of Nortl America.The following were reported as having reaffiliated: International Broom and Whisl Makers' Union, International Glovi Workers’ Union, Sheet Metal Wks International Association, American Wire Weavers' Protective Association.There are now 64 union labels shop cards and service buttons listed with the department.Under the head of recommendations, the report asked strong administrative enforcement of the Walsh-Healy Act.Stringent amend-mentments to the act to provied that the government buy only from "fair" manufacturers was also asked.The report was submitted by Mathew Woll.president: Joseph Obergfell, first vice president; A A.Myrup, second vice president: John J.Mara, third vice president; I.M.Ornburn, secretary-treasurer.¦-— :o :— -« Newspapers have begun to run headlines about “suicides in Czechoslovakia.” Which surprises no one who remembers wha happened after Hitler “liberated" Austria.“MEN AT WORK!” The most cheerful sign on the road ?MEN AT WORK” is an encouraging, cheerful sign upon the highway.It is the happiest sign on the business highway too.Business enterprise, making wise use of banking service, is the mainspring of employment.The contractor responsible for that "Men at Work” s*»n the job of building that stretch of highway by being the lowest responsible tenderer.Not alicays