HO. 618 f Vancouver- British Columbia, Saturday, Feb. 11, 1911. sntMCri-rtioD Price mi «■ TXX1XAX CI all V SOCIALISTS AFTER MINES DEPARTMENT Administration Dissected in Telling Criticism Hawthornthwaite on the new Coal Mines Regulation Act. Williams, speaking on the "enforcement" of the existing Act flays McBride. Owing to the large number of workers who will be affected by the new Coal Mines Regulation Act, the reports of other speeches dealing with matters of leBs Importance have been left out to provide room space for complete reports of the attitude of the Socialist members towards this Bill. Friday, February 3. Hawthornthwaite resumed the debate which he had adjourned from February 1. He referred to the fact that the Government had on one or two occasions shown a desire to enact labor legislation, and the eight-hour law ln British Columbia was one of the best ever devised. The Bill before the House was the most important one of the session. He thought the government should have appointed a Royal Commission to Investigate conditions before bringing in the BUI, and brought out all the facts affecting the interests of employers and men, but they had only appointed two officials, Chief Inspector Shepherd and the Deputy Minister of Mines, Mr. Tolmle. The former was a political appointee and he would deal with that later. Mr. Tolmle might be a good citizen and a faithful official, but he had no practical experience of the operation ot coal mines, and was utterly unlit for the position. He had felt sure cessltiea of the case. No provision had been made as to the thickness of the seam. If it happened to be anywhere from 9 to 30 feet thick crevices were bound to occur, and the clause would be no protection to the men. The company could point to the Act and say they had complied with it. The Bill was more beneficial to the property owners than the men, and placed the former In a position to do as they liked. All through there were evasions and alterations of no benefit to the men. Safety clutches could be eliminated by rule 30. Accidents frequently occurred from defective apparatus, but safety clutches cost money, and need not be used in shafts where wire rope-guides were used. The Bill was the same all through. Clause 3 prohibited the employment of boys under 14, but many were employed under legal age to-day under the existing Act. In England in a recent explosion the flrst body to be recovered was that of a child under ag?. It was the same lu British Columbia and the Inspectors did not take steps to enforce the law; Children often had to turn out at 4 o'clock in the morning, and If required to work a double shift, stay 16 hours underground. Clause 12, allowing the men to appoint a check welghman, looked well on the face of it, but really the provision was Ineffective. If the man proceeded to use his position to protect the men who put him there, the next clause (13) prevented him from doing so. If he men employed six years ago it would have meant that for nine million tons of coal raised last year, one hundred and twenty-six men would have been killed. He admitted that some inspec. tors had been appointed of late in whom the men had confidence, but they had no confidence in the former staff nor in many of the present staff. In the recent inquiry into the disaster at Extension Some of the officials had advanced theories as to the origin of explosions which were most absurd. He agreed with the member from Newcastle that it would be a good thing If the men were allowed to elect the Inspectors whose duties it was to protect their lives. In closing Hawthornthwaite said it was not his intention to cast any aspersions on the officials of the Mines Department, many of whom were his personal friends. He had no personal antipathy In the matter but this was a vital question, and no matter what their politics might be—whether Liberals, Conservatives or Socialists—he would have no hesitation in dealing with them. The House had the lives of these miners in its hands and if the members failed to protect them they were practically guilty of murder when an accident occurred. He con- respect was the same now. Before he got through he would try to place certain facts before the House, and they could judge if the regulations were enforced or not. For that reason he would direct his attention to dealing with the enforcement of tne existing Act. He contended that no phase of the matter was of more vital consequence than that enforcement. He would not deal so much with the new Act as with things that were occurring in the coal mines of the Province. The Bill before the House contained no more vital principles than were In the old Act, but It was better arranged and was good in that respect, as far as it went. The matter of safety in the mines appealed strongly to him. Some might ask if his presentation of the subject would be of any use, but his only motive was to Impress upon the Minister of Mines (McBride) the necessity of guarding the lives of the miners. * * In the last ten years the death roll of coal mines in British Columbia was as follows: In 1900, 17 killed; in 1901, 102, in 1902, 13'9; in 1903, 42; in 1904, 37; in 1905, 12; in 1906, 15; in 1907, 31; in 1908, 18; in 1909, 57, a total of 470 miners killed in the last 10 years. In fessed that he had no wish to work 1909 the 57 killed were 1 per cent, underground himself, and drew a pic- of the total number employed in that ture of the miners working thousands year. In a working life of 25 years of feet under the earth in imminent the chances of a miner getting killed danger of their lives, for a mere pit- would be as one in four. The loss of tance. He hoped the members would life In the Crimean war, in actual fight- be a credit to tbe House and a protec- ing, was not so great in proportion as tion to the men. that in the mines of British Columbia, Parker Williams resumed the de- and the Franco-German war was fin- bate, after waiting to see if any of the ished with a less proportion of deaths Government supporters were going to McBride had been in the Department reply to the previous speaker, which than had occurred in the coal mines none of them attempted to do. of British Columbia in the 10 years After referring to their silence, he of Mines. The miner in British Colum- sald that one year ago he had pointed bia waa running more risks than the out the necessity of enforcing the regu- combatants in those two wars, or in lations under the existing Act in a any campaign in modern history, rigid manner, and his position in that (Continued on Page 4) when that commission was appointed discovered the scales were wrong, any no good would result. The result of their visit to Nanalmo was purely farcical, persons appearing before them representing no one In particular and expressing opinions fio good to any one. With regard to the decrease in the number of Asiatics employed underground. The attitude of the Socialist Party on that question had been frequently misrepresented. One of the stands they took against their employment was grounded on the fact that they were a source of danger tb white men working with them in dangerous employment. It took them a long time to understand the work and the language, and from those facts alone lt was dangerous to. work with them. McBride had said that the province had produced 9,000,000 tons of cosl last year, a large amount and creditable to the number ot men employed MeGuire, ln the debate on the resolution dealing with the price of coal, had said that the coal owners made a clear profit of $1.50 a ton. Sometimes questions arose as to the rate of exploitation of Individuals and the amount of profit in certain industries. If tbey divided the profit on that 9,000,000 tons by the number of men employed the enormous amount of exploitation could be realized: Tbat was a matter of great Interest to tbe people engaged In the Industry, and moved many to strongly emphasize the necessity of stopping the robbery as soon as possible. The new Act was disappointing from every possible standpoint. The promises of the Premier had not been realised. All the trumpeting that had heralded the Bill amounted to nothing. It did not protect the men in any respect. When the old BUI was good for the men, the new one placed them at a disadvantage. Many of the new regulations would not have the effect ot preventing accidents. The clause regarding mining under submarine areas required a cover of not less than 180 feet ot solid measures; owners were only compelled to give the depth ot water and solid measures overlaying the mine. It was ot greater advantage to have more depth of silt than of solid. In Extension a roof of 360 feet of solid conglomerate had Woken down. In East Wellington, ■while taking out pillars under 450 feet ot solid roof it broke down. The employers looked at the mattter from their own standpoint, but those limits ■were of no benefit to the men, and showed absolute ignorance of the ne- action he might take could be construed as Interrupting the working of the mine, and he would be prevented from doing the very thing the men put him there to do. The provision was an absolute farce. ..Clause 18, dealing with the eight- hour day, was one of the most Import, ant sections of the Bill. Some years ago the eight-hour Bill had passed in the face of great opposition from the employers. Previous to that there bad been a considerable number of disastrous strikes. The Socialist Party had then said that it the hours were limited those troubles would be largely reduced, and such had been the case. The men were more contented and less inclined to take extreme measures. The Bill before the House practically destroyed the benefit of the eight-hour day In coal mines. It was abolished in changing the shifts. Employers who wished to take advantage of the Act could work some of the men from 8 1-2 to 10 hours if tbey wished, and on one day of the week the clause made the eight-hour day a complete nullity. The chief Inspector and the deputy minister had modified tbe old Act to that extent. The exemptions in the old Act had been extended to an extravagant extent. Clause 18 also provided that wben an accident occurred "to the mine" (which might be a trivial one) the employer had the power to do away with the eight-hour limit. He did not think tbat a mere boy twenty-five years of age should be allowed to take charge of a mine; he would have it changed so that a man before he could take a position of that kind Bhould be at least thirty years of age and should have had good practical experience. Also a shotman or Are boss should be compelled to hold a miners' certificate, as tbe safety of bo many men depended on their actions. He would also like to see inserted a section from the English act that no Inspector should be allowed to hold any interest in any of the mines of his district. If he did bo, how could he do his duty Impartially. He would also suggest that a number of men be chosen as gas Inspectors one of whom should go through the mine every few hours and see that no gas existed. He admitted that conditions in the mines so far as the safety of the men was concerned had improved. At one time the Province was notorious for the number of men killed in its mines ahd In the proportion of deaths to tbe Dangerous Plainness LOCAL VICTORIA STARTS CAMPAIGN. Advance Leaflet Prepares Way for Vigorous Work "A political combination of the lower classes, as such and for their own objects is an evil ot the flrst magnitude, and a permanent combination of tbem would make them supreme in the country." Thus saith Walter Bagehot ln the introduction to his "English Constitution" page 23. The reason given by Walter why he thinks It would be such a great evil, is because we are such ignorant devils. You see, not having the wherewithal we were debarred from finishing our education at the University, consequently our stock of Latin would be too meagre to enable us to even draft a bill. We would be so ignorant of Latin phrases that we would be forced to blurt right out what we proposed ln a few plain English sentences. That would let the man in the street know what the law was all about, and maybe, knowing what it meant he would kick like blazes, and legislation would be at a standstill. For, Walter Informs us farther on, page 48, "the whole truth as to laws cannot be spoken out," because he says "all Important laws affect large vested interests, they touch great sources of political strength, and these great Interests require to be treated as delicately, and with as nice a manipulation of language, as the feelings of any foreign country." I hope you wage slayeB who still vote for these manipulators wlll note where the quotation marks come in. They are not the utterances of a Socialist,, but the statements of a Liberal writer, a recognized authority on Parliamentary affairs. Parliaments abhor plain talk so much that they use a foreign word to condemn it. It is gauche you know, and that is why our gentle-spirited Comrade, Parker Williams, ls described by the capitalist preas as "lowering himself considerably ln tbe estimation of the House" as though Parker or any man, would give a "hoot" for the estimation of a house which quotes dead languages and mumbles in ambiguous English. The Clarion has often told you fellows in all kinds ot plain talk that lt you would combine politically your troubles would disappear. You combine Industrially in the hope of being able to force your masters to give you or rather, let you keep a trifle more of the wealth you create. Every little while you go out on strike with a "whoop " and go in again with your tails between your legs, sadder, madder, men; when all you have to do ls to combine politically, and, as Walter says, "it would make you supreme in tbe country." How does it strike you, friend, this Idea of Walter's, to once and for all put an end to your whining like a cur, aud walk up like a man to the polls and plump for supremacy? Do you think you could stand It? We are told that Tomson's colt swam the river in order to get a drink out of a creek where lt was accustomed to drink, and maybe some of you fellows are so used to the old dinner pail, that this opportunity of plenty right beside you does not seem to strike you yet. Well, think It over for a winter or two. At the beginning of the nineteenth century any kind of a combination used to scare the capitalist class into fits, and so in 1800 a law was passed making combinations of workers illegal, and so bad was the scare that all kinds of secret societies were put under the ban. But bless gracious, honey, that was over 100 years ago. The capitalists soon found that as long as tbe workers had no vote, they were quite harmless. Stress of economic circumstances brought on the Reform Act of 1867, whereby many of tbe workers received the franchise. This started the scare once more, and Bagehot seems to have got it along with the rest. By and by, however, the ruling class found the worker took a long time to know he had a vote, and even when he became conscious of that, he did not know the power of it. So the rulers sat easy once more. And my industrial unionist friend, there they sit and you may combine industrially till you are all tied up in a knot, and you can strike, and hoot, and howl, till you are blue ln face, tbey don't care one little dam. But combine politically; scratch up your X for the Socialist candidate at the polls, and as Walter says, "it will make you supreme." Think it over for a Winter or two, while you are doing nothing. GEORGE F. STIRLING. The growing intensity of Industrial problems, the uncertainty of the average man's hold on the means of sustaining life and maintaining himself and family in comfort, and the ever- increasing difficulty of dealing adequately with social evils so rampant in all civilized communities, is daily compelling .thinking men to give more and more attention to the analysis of social conditions presented and the so. lution proposed by Socialists. Are the social problems of the day of any importance to you? Do you think our present social system is the last word in social evolution? Are you satisfied with a condition of affairs which gives ah abundance of the good things of life to a small number of the human race; a comfortable livelihood to another comparatively small number; to tbe largest number, about 60 or 70 per cent., an existence with only the smallest chance of making provision against, sickness, accident or old age; and to from 10 to 20 per cent, a precarious existence, with a chronic shortage of both the food, clothing and shelter necessary to maintain life. This Ib the condition of human society today. This leaflet ls primarily addressed to the third class mentioned — the working class—the class who by tbe daily expenditure of their labor-power, on the natural resources of the earth, produce all the good things of life, and when In regular employment only receive, on the average, wages sufficient to keep themselves going from week to week. Having given some consideration to the fundamental causes of these conditions, we are desirous of placing before you for your consideration some of the literature bearing upon this subject, with a request that you will give the matter your attention, and in the hope that if the tacts. presented convince you that our present social system presses heavily on tbe working class and should be changed to one in which all able-bodied persons should take their part In useful pro- Miction and all waste be eliminated, to the end that a comfortable livelihood will be assured ito all and that with the minimum expenditure of time In labor, you will, in time, do what you can to enlighten others', and help forward the movement aiming at the establishment of such a social state that our present life will appear mean and poor ln comparison. In this leaflet It Is not proposed to attempt to explain the alms of the Socialist movement. We are simply Issuing this to say that during the next few months tt is our Intention from time to time to leave for your perusal a leaflet on the subject. We ask you to spend the ten or fifteen minutes necessary to reed theae leaflets carefully. If after reading these you are sufficiently interested to desire further information on the subject, we Invite you to attend the meetings held every Sunday evening during the winter months in one of the local theatres, and urge you to secure the following books and pamphlets, and read them: "Introduction to Socialism," (5c); "Industrial Problems" (26c; by N. A. Richardson. "The Common Sense of Socialism" (25c); by J. Spargo. "Modern Socialism" ( 25c ); "Principles of Scientific Sodal- Ism" (35c); by Chas. H. Vail. Publisher: C. H. Kerr ft Co., 118 West Kinzie St., Chicago. "The Manifesto of the Socialist Party of Canada" (25c); "A Proletarian ln Politics." Published by the Dominion Executive Committee, Box 1688, Vancouver, B. C. These books and many others are to be obtained at ithe bookstall at the Sunday evening meetings or any evening at the Party headquarters. After reading these elementary party will be glad to advise the enquirer as to more advanced books, or Messrs. Kerr will be glad to send aa explanatory catalogue on request. We also recommend subscribing to The Western Clarion, the Party's official organ, $1.00 per year. There are a number of books on Socialism iu the Sociological section et the Public Library. Visitors are always welcome ait the Party headquarters, and members are always glad to discuss the' subject with enquirers. The Party have a library of works on Socialism, which is constantly being enlarged. Tickets, costing 50c, entitle the holder ito borrow books for a period of one year, and tbe money realized is used to increase the library. Membership ln the Party is open to all who believe in tbe principles ot Socialism. The membership fee ot Victoria Local ts 50c per month, and this Is used to maintain 'he Party headquarters, and for propaganda! work. Sooner or later, economic conditions will force this subject upon ths consideration of the working class. We ask you to consider the subject now, and be prepared in time. Thst present conditions cannot last ls the - positive conviction of all students of social conditions. Don't delay year preparations for the inevitable change until a crisis Is upon us. Yours sincerely, THE PROPAGANDA COMMITTEE, Victoria Local of the Socialist Party of Canada. "Workers of the World, unite; you have nothing to lose but your chains ; you have a world to gain."—Karl Marx. VICTORIA, B.C. Dear Comrade: — The fight goes merrily on. Lsst Sunday we bad Fitzgerald with us and he delighted the audience to such an extent that they coughed up $25, and also bought 111.60 worth of literature. Our expenses have been considerably curtailed since we left the Grand and took to tbe Crystal Theatre, and, should the collections maintain their average of the last few weeks, the state of the exchequer wlll enable us to carry on successfully the literature distributing campaign. Regarding this. It would have been far more preferable to us to have had some Party leaflets (the printing of which was suggested by Comrade Ed. Fulcher) Instead of the Kerr's matter which we are using. Enclosed please flnd eight subs. Yours, ever tired (of capitalism especially), GORDON BROWN, 840 Johnston St., Stall 19, Victoria, B.C. WANTED. books on the subject, members of the Comrade Editor: — Would you Insert the following In the Clarion as a notice: Information Is requested by Calgary, Alta., Local No. 4, as to the whereabouts of Comrade Jacob Klilur. Any. one knowing anything of him, communicate with tbe undersigned. TOM MACHIN, Secretary. Box 647, Calgary, Alta. NOTICE. Local Vancouver No. 45 wishes to announce that Port Moody Finnish Comrades will play "The River Drivers" (Tukkljoella), at headquar. tors, 2237 Main street, on Saturday, February 11th, 8 p.m. Admission 50c. Let those who do not believe that life has a material basis try to live without eating. Metaphysics stand ln about the same relation to materialism ss the shadow of a steak on the wall does to the porterhouse on tbe plate. The Socialist tangles himself up as little as possible with slave organizations, or those whose business lt Is to get Into the commodity struggle. THE WESTERN CLARION. VANCOUVER BRITISh COLUMBIA SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1911. HE WESTERN MON "Pabllahed avery Saturday kr_th* Wist Party of Canada, at the OIBoe the Western- Clarion, Flack Black ■naent, 166 Hastings Street, Vanceu- r. B. C. ■SS OSTXOB ADDBESS, BOX 1S88. StrBSO«XPTXON: Tn Tear, BO oanta for Six Months, SS oasts far Three Montha. Strictly In Advance, ■•■dies at 6 or more coplea, for a at at not less tl-an three months, at rate of ane cent per copy per Issue. ASTertislnir rates on application. If yeu receive this paper, it ls said Mm ra Ik making remittance by cheque, ox- ■anaje must be added. Address all ■BSBtnleatloni.' and make all money ■Sara payable to III -WESTERN CLABIOX. la 1SSS Vancouver, B. O. be glad to get rid of plenty of sour punk that nobody will buy. Of course men cannot work very long on prison fare, but that doesn't matter; the staff can easily be replenished from the crowd of "won't works" that never grows less. It may cost a little something to furnish each played out slave whose "sentence has expired" with the price to get out of the country. It Is a beautiful scheme, the Province shouldn't let it drop. The necessary condition for the sue. cessful manipulation of capital is a well-stocked labor market. This presupposes that a number of men must at all times be out of work. The capitalist knows this as well as we do, therefore he constantly screams "Vagrants!" "Idlers!" "Shiftless-"rascals," etc., in order to distract attention from one of the reasons for his own existence. <m?t~&^> 619 Watch the label on your paper. If this number Is on it, your subscription expires the next issue. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1911. Il i s=aas i ii TURNING AN HONEST PENNY. We have suggested in these columns Hhst there were a number of unemployed in Vancouver. In fact, we were sander the impression that several worthy individuals ot our acquaint- -ttce had been unable to flnd employ- SMXtt for quite an extended period of time. According to later advices, this «as merely an hallucination—a fig- vent of an imagination carried away "fcy tn unexpected invitation to a re- nesl of pork and beans. "Unemployed" is distinctly an unscientific term, there is no such thing ear condition. Every man out of work ts s vagrant and, moreover, a prospective criminal—dangerous to the peace and welfare of that portion of lhe community sanctified by property. At least, so says the Daily Province, and It ought to know, being BUpplied with an amazing amount of information that no one else would be able to secure. For Instance, it says that the wsgrant "hears street ioraitors proclaiming the pernicious doctrine that imroerty is a sin, and that the opera- She classes are wage-slaves." The analy Street speakers we ever heard talking about "sin" were connected with the Salvation Army and other snch search-parties for Christ, and certainly no one could accuse them of acumen enough to perceive that they were wage-slaves .themselves, let alone anyone else. According to the Province, it is this way: "A vagrant with nothing to do sad with a tendency to Idleness ls a poor addition to the ranks of ithe city's j-opulation." This refers to those Idle persons who have become somewhat crippled financially filling contracts for the G. T. P., or digging coal in some either worthy cause. It Is necessary to point this out In order to avoid con- tosion with those other people who "have nothing to do but are ,not vagrants, technically, because their pockets are lined with the great unraveller ot all legal entanglements. In Bhort, a man with no money and ao Immediate prospects of getting any, is liable to "provide himself with a pistol and a mask, and endeavor to en. sfch himself by forcible means." He tt, therefore, a menace to the com- ■unity and should be severely dealt with. Thla would make a fine rule applied to the whole of society—I' snrerybody who is apt to do something ito the future which the .rest of us wouldn't like ls to be punished In advance, it is quite time we all got busy psssing sentence on each other for Ibe crimes we might commit. The punishment suggested for being discovered in Vancouver without, money gives the key to the whole situation. It ls proposed <to establish a sock quarry on the Admiralty reserve, opposite Barnet, in which those who tad no place else lo go might labor •Sir the good of their country. You see, a. city can always use all kinds of sock. It is very desirable that this Ttiek be procured cheaply as possible. Nowadays there are two methods by which a municipality can supply Itself with rock. One is to hire labor (or let contracts, practically the same thing), paying tho prevailing rate of wages. The other Is to arrest the labor, accuse it of an "Inclination to idleness," make sure that lt has no -noney, or friends with any, then set a to work at the reck business. Anybody with any brains at all can easily see which Is the best plan of the two. The latter costs nothing, «r next to nothing. Any old kind of a trough building" will do to herd tbe bunch Into and ithe bakeries will BOURGEOIS REVOLUTIONS. As Marx has pointed out, no sooner does the bourgeoisie, or a section of it, achieve a revolution than it begins to become anti-revolutionary. This feature Is becoming more and more pronounced as time goes on. The Portuguese revolution is a case in point, which, we are confident, will become more plainly manifest in the near future. The dethronement of a dissolute and innocuous youth is no more to a "monarchist" party than the loss of its pictorial donkey would be to the Democrats. Already, from current reports it appears that the republicans are finding themselves confronted with a choice between allying themselves with the riff-raff of the monarchlal regime, or putting their "republican principles" in their inside pockets and maintaining their hold upon the reins of government by armed force. The choice which cowardly bourgeois politicians will make is not hard to guess. Spain appears to be in even worse case, for there, as was pointed out in these columns at the time of the Ferrer affair, the "revolutionary" bourgeois dare not even begin a revolution for fear it will go too far. Without the assistance of the workers the petty capitalists cannot wrest the powers of state from the present Incumbents, weak as has become the position of the monarchists. But if they arouse the workers to revolt on their behalf, can they repress them again themselves when the monarchlal clique has been overthrown? The prospect does not seem Inviting evidently in spite of all the braggadocio that Is ever and anon indulged in by some "prominent revolutionary leader." In Mexico the issue the revolt against the tyranny of Diaz (which appears to be some tyranny, all right) is of course a matter of doubt, but the prospects for the success of the "anti- re-electlonists" seem fair, so far as can be judged at this distance. Certainly a regime such as that of Diaz cannot continue indefinitely, as it is, for one thing, compelled to draw, for its instruments of coercion (the army, police etc.), upon the ranks of the very class which it oppresses. However, should the revolutionists win out. What next? Mexico will be rid of Diaz and the most prominent and best hated of his supporters, and probably, for a time, the peon may at least escape some of the more extreme and outrageous pains of enslavement. But wc feel safe in predicting that, almost with the accomplishment of the revolution, the Liberals will be compelled to combine with their quondam foes and turn upon their own supporters. For this ts the reign of Capital and Capital must be served if it is even tolerated. Diaz has attracted Capital to Mexico by giving Mexico a "stable government"—a government that can ,"iarantee and protect Capital in its tile deeds and profits. Diaz has made Mexico a paradise for Capital by sparing no pains i to teach the laborer his proper station in life and to see that he lives down to lt. So Mexico has been "prosperous," from the capitalist viewpoint. And It will and must be the capitalist viewpoint that any successful revolutionary Liberal group must take. Law and order will have to be restored. The extortionate and absurd demands of the laborer for a share of the "liberty" for which he has fought and for more ot the good things which he produces must be summarily disposed of. Strikes and disorders must be repressed, and "security" and "reasonable returns" must be guaranteed capital If the country ls to continue "prosperous." Nevertheless, a new regime in Mexico would hardly dare to be so flagrantly oppressive as the old, and consequently would at least leave the workers ln a slightly better tactical position" for the achievement of a revolution in their own Interests when they become sufficiently enlightened to attempt ono. prize ring, but he hasn't much brains —hasn't enough in fact to know his own name, which ls pithecanthropus ^rectus, short for upright ape-man. With all due respect to our dead ancestor, It must be said that he seems to have been more or less of a brute beast, chiefly more. If he appeared on earth ln these days he would be probably shot for a gorilla. Like the rest of tbe beasts, he evidently rustled his living wherever he found lt; killing other animals, grubbing for roots and climbing for fruit. His chief peculiarity was that he walked on his hind legs, If not with grace, at least with more or less ease. So that Satan could some mischief find for his Idle hands to do. Of course, as he didn't keep a diary, it is purely a matter of assumption what he did do with his idle hands, but it is a pretty safe guess that he used them to help him rustle his living, and in doing so he evidently got started making things, of necessity such things as would be of use to him, clubs, grub-sticks, spears, and so forth. As generation after generation would use these "tools," crude as they were, they would become more and more de. pendent upon their use and would constantly be under an incentive to improve them so as to acquire further advantages in the procuring ot a living. At the same .time each generation would have the advantage of the experience of prior generations, while the making and use of tools would endue them with increasing skill in their use and contrivance, and would further stimulate itheir brain powers, until, ultimately, they would be so metamorphosed that their disinterred remains would occasion no debate among the professors as to their classification as man or ape. Thence on, man's history has been one of the development and extension of his tools, and few are the directions in which he has not extended it. He has made a tool of earth and sun and rain to produce him food and clothing. The cataract and the lightning are adjuncts to his millstone and shuttle. The ocean Is his highway, the bowels of the earth his treasury. But with the growth of his tools has grown his dependence upon them. Without them he cannot live. He has created them and become a slave to his creation. They now direct him, and not he them. Rich or poor, master or slave, none can escape the bondage of what has now become one vast Inter-related tool. They must obey its mandate or perish. VANCOUVER ECONOMIC CLASS. CAPITAL.—(Continued.) ATEIMTS *lroPTLY SECURED! i'eaacu the business of Manufacturer*, *a***gi»eero ana others who realize the advisability of baring their Palcnt buaine-4 transacted sty HzpeiU. PrelHoiiiaryadvlce tree. Charge! wndemti. Sar Inventor'a Adviser sent upon arnnest. Markm Si Marion, New York Life Uldg, Sbwtic.il i and Washington, U.C, U.S.A. TOOLS AND THE MAN. Conceive an earth, flowing with milk and honey, if you will, but peopled only by apes and ants and alligators and such like, or, If your fancy pleases, by plesiosaurs, dinosaurs, lcthyosaurs, IguanodonB, pterodactyls and other weird beastles with hard names to spell. On this earth the ape-man appears. Ho haB a muscular development which would make him a fortune ln the 2. The relative form of value. (a) The nature and Import of this form. In order to discover how the elementary expression of the value of a commodity lies hidden ln the value relation of two commodities, we muBt, n the flrst place, consider the latter entirely apart from its quantitative aspect. The usual mode of procedure is generally the reverse, and in the value relation nothing Is seen but the proportion between definite quantities of two different sorts of commodities tbat are considered equal to each other. It ls apt to be forgotten that the magnitudes of different things can be compared quantitatively, only when those magnitudes are expressed in terms of the same unit. It is only as expressions of such a unit that they are of the same denomi. nation, and therefore commensurable. Whether 20 yds. of linen equal 1 coat or 20 coats, or equal X coats—that is, whether a given quantity of linen is worth few or many coats, every such statement Implies that the linen and coats, as magnitudes of value, are expressions of the same unit, things of the same kind. Linen = coat is the basis of the equation. But the two commodities whose identity of quality is thus assumed, do not play the same part. It Ib only the value of the linen that ls expressed", and how? By its reference to the coat as Its equivalent, as something that can be exchanged for it. In this relation the coat is the mode of existence of value, Is value embodied, for only as such is lt the same as the linen. On the other hand, the linen's own value comes to the front, receives independent expression, for it ls only as being value that it is comparable with the coat as a thing of equal value, or exchangeable with the coat. To borrow an Illustration from chemistry, butyric acid is a different substance from propyl formate. Yet both are made up of the same chemical substances, carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O), and that, too, in like proportions—namely, C4, H8, 02. If now we equate butyric acid to propyl formate, then, ln the flrst place, propyl formate would be, ln this relation, merely a form of existence of C4, H8, 02; and in the second place, we should be stating that butyric acid also consists of C4, H8, 02. Therefore, by thus equating the two substances, expression would be given to their chemical composition, while their different physical forms would be neglected, If we say that, as values, commodities are mere congelations of human labor, we reduce them by our analysis, it is true, to the abstraction, value; but wo ascribe to this value no form apart from itheir bodily form. It is otherwise in the value relation of one commodity to another. Here, the one stands forth ln its character of value by reason of its relation to ithe other. By making the coat the equivalent of the linen, we equate the labor embodied in the former to that ln the latter. Now, it is true that the tailoring, which makes he coat, is concrete labor of a different sort from the weaving which makes the linen. But the act of equating it to the weaving, reduces the tailoring to that which is really equal in the two kinds of labor, to their common character of human labor. In this roundabout way, then, the fact ls expressed, that, weaving also, in so far as it weaves value, has nothing to distinguish it from tailoring, and, consequently, is abstract human labor. It is tbe expression of equivalence between different sorts of commodities that alone brings into relief the specific character of value-creating labor, and this it does by actually reducing the different varieties of labor embodied in the different kinds of commo. dities to their common quality of human labor In the abstract. There is, however, something else required beyond the expression of the specific character of the labor of which the value of -the linen consists. ftuman labor—power in motion, or human labor, creates value, but ls not Itself value. It becomes value only ln its congealed state, when embodied in the form of some object. In order to express the value of the linen as a congelation of human labor, that value must be expressed as having objective existence, as being a something materially different from the linen itself, and yet a something common to the linen and all other commodities. The problem is already solved. When occupying the position of equivalent in the equation of value, the coat ranks qualitatively as the equal of the linen, as something of the same kind, because it is value. In this position it is a thing in which we see nothing but value, or whose palpable bodily form represents value. Yet the coat itself, the body of the commodity, coat, Is a mere use-value. A coat as such no more tells us it is value, rthan does the flrst piece of linen we take hold of. This shows that when placed in value relation to the linen, the coat signifies more than when out of that relation just as many a man strutting a-out ln a gorgeous uniform counts for more than when ln mufti. In the production of the coat,, human labor—power, In the shape of tailoring, must have been actually expended. Human labor is therefore accumulated In it. In this aspect the coat ls a depository of value, but though worn to a ithread, it does not let this fact show through. And as equivalent of the linen in the value equation, it exists under this aspect alone, counts therefore as embodied value, as a body that Is value. A, for instance, cannot be "your majesty" to B, unless at the same time majesty In B's eyes assumes the bodily form of A, and, what Is more, with every new father of the people, changes its features, hair and many other things besides. ""Hence, In*the-value""equatlon, in which the coat is the equivalent of the linen, the coat officiates as the form of value. The value of the commodity linen is expressed by the bodily form of the commodity coat, the value of one by the use^alue of the other. As a use-value, the linen is something palpably different from the coat; as value, it is the same as the coat, and now has the appearance of a coat. Thus the linen acquires a value form different from its physical form. The fact that it is value, ls made manifest by its equality with the coat, just as the sheep's nature of a Christian is shown ln his resemblance 'to the Lamb of God. We see, then, all that our analysis of the value of commodities has al ready told us, is told us by the linen itself, so soon as it comes into communication with another commodity, the coat. Only It betrays its thoughts In that language with which alone it is familiar, the language of commodities. In order to tell us that Its own value is created by labor ln its abstract character of human labor, it says that the cost, ln so far as lt is worth as much as the linen, and therefore is value, consists of the same labor as the linen. i In order to inform us that its sublime reality as value Is not the same as Its buckram body, it says that value has the appearance of a coat, and consequently that" so far as rthe linen is value, it and the coat are as like as two peas. We may here remark, that the language of commodities has, besides Hebrew, many other more or less correct dialects. The German "werth- seln," to be worth, for instance, expresses in a less striking manner than the Romance verbs "valere," "valer," "valoir," that the equating of commodity B to commodity A, ls commodity A's own mode of expressing its value. Paris viut blen une messe. By meanB, therefore, of the value relation expressed ln our equation, the bodily form of commodity n becomes the value form of commodity A, or the Socialist Directory Every local of the Socialist Party of Canada should run a card under this head. |1.00 per month. Secretaries please note. DOMINION EXECUTIVE OOMtmTTBB Socialist Party of Canada. Meets every alternate Monday. D. G. McKenzie, Secretary, Box 1688, Vancouver, B. C. COLUMBIA PBOVIXOXAL Executive Committee, Socialist Party of Canada. Meets every alternate Monday. D. Q. McKenzie, Secretary, Box 1688 Vancouver, B. C. ALBSBTA PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE Committee, Socialist Party of Canada. Meets every alternate Monday in Labor Hall, Eighth Ave. East, opposite postofflce. Secretary will be pleased to answer any communications regarding the movement in the prov- - ince. F. Danby, Sec, Box 647 Calgary, Alta. "••Hr41! y**.OOUTB», B. 0., XO. 45— * innlsh. Meets every second and fourth Thursdays in the month at 2237 .Westminster Avenue. Secretary. Wm. Mynttl. LOOAL VERNON B. C, Xo. 38, S. T of O. Meets every Tuesday, 8 p sharp. at L. O, L. Hall, Tronson Ht W. H Oilmore, Secretory. (Continued on Page 3) MANITOBA PBOVINCIAL BXBOUTITB Committee: Notice—This card is inserted for the purpose of getting "YOU" Interested in the Socialist movement SOCIALISTS are always members of the Party; so if you are desirous of becoming a member, or ' wish to get any information, write the secretary, W. H. Stebblngs. Address, 316 Good street, Winnipeg. LOCAL FEBNIE, B. P. Of 0. HOLDS educational meetings ln the Miners' Union Hall, Victoria Ave., Fernie, every Sunday evening at 7:45. Business meeting llrst Sunday ln each month, same place at 2:30 p. m. David Paton, Secy., Box lot. LOOAL OBEENWOOD, B. C, XO. B, S. P. of C, meeta every Sunday evening at Miners' Union Hall, Greenwood. Visiting comrades invited to call. C. G. Johnson, Secretary. LOOAL LADY8MITX XO. 10, 8. P. Ol C. Business meetings every Saturday 7 p.m. in headquarters on First Ave J. H. Burrough, Box 31, Ladysmlth, B. C. LOOAL VIOTOXIA, XO. 8, .«. P. OP 0 Headquarters and Reading Koom 628 Johnston St. Opposite Queens Hotel. Business meeting every Tuesday evening, 8 p.m. Propaganda meetings every Sunday at Grand Theatre. T. Gray. Secretary. LOOAL COLEMAN, ALTA., XO. », Miners' Hall and Opera House—Propaganda meetings at 8 p. in. on the flrst and third Sundays of the month. Business meetings on Thursday evenings following propaganda meetings at 8. Organizer, T. Steele, Coleman, Alta.; secretary, Jas. Glendennlng, Box 63, Coleman, Alta. Visitors may receive information any day at Miners' Hall from Com. W. Graham, secretary of U. M. W. of A. LOOAL OALOAXT, ALTA., Xo. 4, B. T. ot C. Meetings every Sunday at 8 p.m. in the Labor Hall, Barber Block, Eighth Ave. E. (near postofflce). Club and Reading Room. Labor Hall, T, Machln, Secretary. Box 647, A. Maedonald, Organizer, Box 647. LOCAL EDMONTON, ALTA.. XO. 1, S. P. of C. Hearquartera 622 First St., Business and propaganda meetings every Thursday ad 7:30 p.m. sharp. Our Reading Room ls open to the public free, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. dally. F. Blake, 649 Athabasca Ave., Secretary. Treasurer, T. Btssett, 322 Fourth St., Organizer. LOOAL MICHEL, B. 0., XO. 18, 8. P. OP C, meets every Sunday ln Graham's Hall at 10:30 a. in. Socialist speakers are invited to call. V. Frodsham, Secretary. LOOAL MABA, B. C, XO. 34, 8. P. Of C, Meets flrst Sunday in every month in Socialist Hall, Mara 2:30 p.m. Cyril Roscman, Recording Secretary. LOCAL MOYIB, B. C, XO. 30.—MEETS second Sunday 7:30 p.m. in McGregor Hall (Miners' Hall), Thos. Roberts, Secretary. LOOAL NANAIMO, XO. 8, 8. P. Of O. meets every alternate Sunday evening In Foresters Hall. Business meeting at 7:00 o'clock sharp. Propaganda meeting commences at 8:00 o'clock. A. Jordan, Secy. Sox 410. LOCAL XELBOX, 8. T. Ot 0., every Friday evening at 8 p. m., in Miners' Hall, Nelson. B. C. I. A. Austin, Secy. LOCAL PRINCE BUPBBT, B. C, Xo. S3, S. P. of C.—Meets every Sunday in hall ln Empress Theater Block at 2:00 p. m. L. H. Gorham, Secretary. LOOAL XBTBLSTOXB, B. ft, XO. 7, S. P. of C. Business meetings at Socialist headquarters fourth Thursdays of each month. T. S. Cassidy, Organizer; B. F. Gayman, Secretary. LOCAL XOBSLAXO, XO. SS, 8. P. Of C, meets in Miners' Hall every Sunday at 7:30 p.m. E. Campbell. Secy., P. O. Box 674. Rossland Finnish Branch meets in Flnlanders* Hall, Sundays at 7:30 p.m. A. Sebble, Secy., P. O. Box 54 Rossland. LOOAL VANCOUVEB, X. O, XO. 1.— Canada. Business meetings every Tuesday evening at headquarters, 2237 Westminster Ave. F. Perry, Secretary, Box 1688. LOOAL 80UTX POXT OBOXOB XO. SI, headquarters and public reading room, Show building, Hamilton street. Business meetings every Saturday night at 8 p. m. Nell McLean, secretary, John Mclnnls, organizer. Comrades contemplating coming to Fort George are earnestly requested to write for 1 * liable information. LOOAL LETHBBIDQB,, ALTA., XO. It, 8. P. of C.—Meets 1st and 3rd Sunday in the month, at 4 p.m. In Miners' Hall. Secretary, Chas. Peacock, Box 1983. LOCAL XEOtXA XO. 6, SASXATC WAX.—Meet* every Sunday, Trades Hall, Scarth St. Secretary, Ben Simmons, P. O. Box 1046. Socialist speakers will be greatly appreciated. LOOAL WINNIPEG, MAX, XO. 1, 8. P. of C. Headquarters, 528 1-2 Main Street, Room No. 2, next Dreamland Theatre. Business meeting every alternate Monday evening at 8 p.m.; propaganda meeting every Wednesday- at 8 p.m.; economic clnss every Sunday afternoon, 3 p.m. Organizer, Hugh Laldlow, Room 2, 628 1-2 Main Street. Secretary, J. W. Hillings, 270 Young Street. LOOAL XO. 34, TOBONTO, ONT Headquarters, 10 and 12 Alice St (near Yonge). Business meetings every 2nd and 4th Wednesday; propaganda meetings every Sunday at 3 and 8 p. m. By arrangement with Toronto University popular scientifto lectures every Monday at 8 p.m. during the wia^er. Address all communications to Secretary, No. 10 and 11 Alice St. LOOAL BRANTFORD, Xo. 13, 8. P. Of O. Meets at headquarters, 13 George St., every Thursday and Sunday nights. Business and Speukers' Class on Thursdays; Economic Class on Sundays, Wage workers Invited. A. W. Baker, Secretary, 9 George St. W. Davenport, Organizer, 141 Nelson St LOCAL OXTAWA, XO. 8, 8. P. of a Business meeting 1st Sunday In month, and propaganda meetings following Sundays at 8 p.m. ln Robert- Allan hall, 78 Rldeau St, John yona, Secretary, 43 Centre St. MARITIME PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE Committee, Socialist Party of Canada, meets every second and fourth Sunday 'n the Cape Breton offlce of the Party, Commercial Street, Glace Bay, N. S. Dan Cochrane, Secretary, Box 491, Glace Bay, N. S. LOOAL OLACE BAT XO. 1, OP X. 8— Business and Propaganda meeting every Thursday at 8 p.m. ln Macdon- ald's hall. Union Street All are welcome, Alfred Nash, Corresponding Secretary, Glace Bay; Wm. Sutherland, Organizer, New Aberdeen; H. G, Rosa, Financial Secretary, offlce ln D. N. Brodie Printing Co. building, Union Street To Canadian Socialists On account of Increased postal rates we are obliged to make the subscription price of the International Socialist Review ln Canada 11.20 a year Instead of 11.00. We can, however, make the following special offers: For |3.00 we will mall three copies of the Review to one Canadian address for one year. For 70 cents we will mall ten coplea of any one Issue. For |3.00 we wlll mall the Review one year and the Chicago Dally Socialist for one year. OXAXLB8 X. XBXX II OOXPAXT 134 Weat Klnzle St., Chicago. DISTRICT. LAXD Dlatrlot of Xew WeetmlaaUr. TAKE notice that David Stewart Ryan of Vancouver, occupation miner, Intends to apply for permission to lease the following described land:— Commencing at a post planted near an unnamed Island about two miles from the south end of Texada Island on the east Hide, thence west 40 chains, thence south 60 chains, thence eaat 40 chains more or less to the foreshore, thence ln a northwesterly direction to point of commencement, containing 240 acres, more or less. DAVID STEWART RYAN. Dated November 2nd, 1910. THE CAFETERIA A good place to eat 305 Cambie Street The best of everything properly cooked. Chas. Malcahey, Prop. _*&_ F. PERRY TAILOR 834 PENDER GREAT BOOKS BY GREAT MEN Riddle of the Universe, by Haeckel 25c Lifeof Jesus, Renan Ut Age of Reason, Paine ISc Merrie England 10c Ingersoll's Lectures, 1st, 2nd and 3rd series each ISc Origin of Species, Darwin Ik Evolution of the Idea of God, GrantAllen.. ISc Postage prepaid 01 books The People's Book Shire 152 Cordova St. W. DENTIST W. J. CURRY Room 501 Dominion Trust Bldg. Price List of Literature Issued by tbe Dominion Executive Committee "Slave of The Farm," or "Proletarian in Politics," to locals subscribing to the publishing fund, $1.00 per 100, to others 26c per doz. "Socialism and Unionism" to be published. "Value, Price and Profit," to subribers to publishing fund {2 per 100, to others 30c per doz. ' 'Socialism, Revolution and Internationalism" :o subscribers to publishing fund $6 per 100, to others 76c per doz ®9®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®m s^. »_ _ ■ ;*> „. _. Q c,. *rST IN B.C ,/V«S 8ATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1911. THE WESTERN CLARION. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA Three THE SOCIALIST PARTY OF CANADA This Page Is Devoted to Reports of Executive Committees, Locals and General Party Matters—Address AH Communications to D. G. McKenzie, Sec., Box 1688, Vancouver, B. C. DOMINION EXECUTIVE. Meeting held Jan. 6th, 1911. Present: Comrades Mengel (chair- nan), Fitzgerald, KlngBley, Karme, Jjorgan, Peterson and the Secretary. Minutes of previous metting approved. Charter granted Local Burnaby, B.C. Correspondence dealt with from I Iberia, Manitoba and Maritime Ex. kuttves; Locals Toronto, Sellwood, ault Ste. Marie, Garson Mine, Ont., Jeginn and Menzles, and New Flnn- nd, Sask., Dewberry, Alta.; Organ- lers O'Brien and Gribble, and Com I'des P. C. Young, Toronto, F. Hyatt, |. John, N. B„ W. K. Bryce, Dins- lore, Sask., and A. S. Root, Zealan- |a, Sask. Receipts. C. Executive $50.00 |ta. Executive 25.00 .ritlme Executive 6.75 peal Sellwood, Ont 5.00 cal Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.... 13.00 teal Garson Mine, One 10.00 cal Menzles, Sask 3.00 cal Reglna, Sask 2.00 j. K. Bryce, dues 3.00 Iterature—Victoria, $1.00; Dew- Iberry, 50c; W. K. Bryce, 25c.. 1.75 larion Maintenance Fund— ■January surplus, $66.45; B. L. |j„ $1.00; J. White, $1.00; J. iLarner, $1.00; D. Legler, $2; IJ. McGourlay, $3.00 74.45 ITotal $193.95 ! Warrants authorized for Clarion jinuary card, $1.00; printing pamph- |t and dues stamps, $57.50; postage 5.00; Secretaries' January salaries, 110.00. B. C. EXECUTIVE. Meeting held Jan. 6th, 1911. Minutes of previous meeting ap- Iroved. I Correspondence dealt with from Ideals Moyie, Sandon, Greenwood, Jmlr, Malakwa, Silver Creek, South fort George, Victoria, Ladysmlth and Ifanalmo Finnish, Fernle Campaign I'ommittee and Comrade S. Moen. Receipts. Local South Ft. George $ 5.00 cal Ladysmlt.. (Finnish).... 6.00 ocal Sandon 5.00 [.ocal Moyie 2.00 ocal Victoria 11.00 local Nanalmo (Finnish) 10.00 Local Vancouver (Finnish) 5.75 |x>cal Burnaby, charter and buttons 7.50 Moen, dues 3.00 fernle Campaign Committee 105.00 Total $160.25 Warrants authorized for Clarion kanuary card, $1.00; Okanagan Organizing Committee, $3j.00; Dominion tx- ^cultlve, $50.00; Secretaries' January Llaries, $30.00. ■•LARION JANUARY 8TATEMENT. Receipts. hubs $244.00 p!a*rds and Advertisements 50.50 Total $294.50 Expenditure. Printing $188.00 falling 13.05 Editing 26.00 |jlrror, 1910 Accounts 2.00 [Surplus 66.45 Total $294.50 COMRADE LESTOR AT NORTH BATTLEFORD. Comrade Lestor spoke here on I Thursday evening, January 26th, be- (fore a fair sized audience and the com- frades were exceptionally well pleased [with the manner in which he handled Ikls subject, "The Slaves' DeBtiny." I Tbere were several questions asked as to our position relative to religion, } and our comrade gave some most con- | elusive replies, going deeply Into the i "materialist conception ot history," illustrating his remarks so simply that even a school boy could understand and be certainly shook the foundations of any metaphysical teachings that may have been reposing peacefully ln the minds of anyone present. Yours in revolt, F. G. ALLEN. NOT GUILTY. None of the owners of the Bellevue mine were on the jury; neither were they present to defend themselves. True, they had slaves hired to do that for them. Capitalists would not have so tirelessly laboured in their own defence as these slaves laboured for them. The jury were all slaves—no I' other would inhabit ithis part—four of them were practical miners. Not conscious of the fact that they are slaves, they are true to the master class concept and do their reasoning from that standpoint. Had they been in possession ot the revolutionary concept, the verdict would have been different. Tbe hirelings who defended the company developed two theories—the match theory and the percussion theory. It is unlawful to have matches about the person while ln the mine. Pipe, tobacco and matches were presented to the court and witnesses swore that they were taken out of a pocket In the clothes of one of the dead minerB. It ls an old trick of the religious, church-going, worthy member of fraternal orders, good liberal or conservative, and all round highly respectable hireling who defends the company, to put pipe, tobacco and matches into the pocket of a dead miner. Dead men tell no tales. In this case, however, the match theory failed. Unfortunately, they put the smoking materials Into the pocket of a slave who had never smoked in his life, as was easily proven. One of the slaves who escaped alive, swore the pipe was his—taken from the pocket of his clothes that he had left in the wash house as he changed to go on shift. To bring ln a verdict according to the evidence of the miners would be to legally state what is generally known, namely, that the Coal Mines Act la openly violated with the connivance of government inspectors. So the percussion theory Berved. According to the jury, all these slaves were killed by carbon monoxide generated by the percussion caused by a rock slide. While inspecting the mine since with a view to re-openlng It, it was found that the supposed rock slide did not take place. The percussion theory has been rejected by the mjne inspectors in Australia, British Columbia, Alberta and perhaps other places. Correct or other, wise, lt served well the Interests of the company in this case. Where the match theory works, the miners are blamed for the disaster. The official hirelings and the company are always relieved from responsibility, and the facts concealed that disasters are caused by Inefficient safety appliances. SometlmeB disasters pay. Small stockholders are frozen out; insurance companies are tapped at a time when funds are needed; and in various other ways high financing is facilitated. Slaves are killed or injured, of course, but what of it? They are cheap and lots more are eager ito take the chances. It Is the slaves, not the capitalists, who repair the property in case it is damaged by a disaster. Mine managers and government Inspectors could greatly reduce the number of disasters, perhaps do away with them altogether, but to accomplish the former would be to greatly reduce profits, and the latter would possibly eliminate profits. But these hirelings are placed in keen competition with one another. Those who can secure the greatest profits for the capitalists would be the most likely to hold their jobs and perhaps get promoted. So even disasters would not pay, the official hirelings are compelled to itake great chancea even on their own lives. If religious sentiment had been strong in this part, no doubt the verdict, would have contained something about providence or "God in his Infinite wisdom." However, most of the witnesses refused to kiss the Bible, and some refused to take any oath with the word God in it. There is no doubt about the honesty of the jury, and the verdict ls quite in accord with the best interests of the present social system. All who In any way assist to maintain the rule ot capital with Its wage slavery for profit are responsible, equally wltb the official hirelings, not only for the death.of this bunch of slaves, but for all the misery, poverty and degradation inflicted upon the working class. We, who are fighting to break the rule of capital, that we may Individually enjoy ithe abundance that we can collectively produce, are the only ones who can truthfully say not guilty." C. M. O'BRIEN. Vancouver Economic Class (Continued from Page 2) "Self-preservation is the flrst law of nature." But the flrst law of capitalist society is that the fool worker shall sacrifice himself to preserve the bOBS. OVER es YEARS' ENCK Trade Marks Demon* Copyrights Ac. Anyone leedlnf a rtetnti and "eiorlptlon m»y ■uioklr eMerteln our opinion free whether ea HMdal nolle-, without ohwrge, I Scfeitific JLtotfictt. A huidmraelr Ulo-tntot WMkly. I*n"«* circulation of any inetUt iou*™*i1.1T,*""1f., '*" Canada, fa. 76 a year, poataga prepaid, bold by all rant aetaie. body of commodity B acts as a mirror to the value of commodity A, By putting itself in relation with commodity B, as value ln propria persona, as the matter of which human labor is made up, the commodity A converts the value in use, B, into the substance in which to express its, A's, own value. The value of A, thus expressed in the use-value of B, has taken the form of relative value. (Continued next week.) DISCUSSION ON EXTRACT FROM "CAPITAL." Clarion, February 4th, 1911. ' In their visible form, commodities present themselves to us as corn, hats, linen, coats, etc.—use values. Besides being use-values, objects of utility, however, they are embodiments of value. As use-values they satisfy particular and specific wants, and in this respect identify themselves with the quality of the labor that produced them, I.e., the labor of the tailor, weaver, carpenter, etc.; as values they are expressions of Identical, undifferentiated human labor, realities of social abstract labor, as becomes evident when they exchange for each other. Our attention is now directed to value In Its elementary form, as manifested by commodities in their exchange relationship. An unknown quantity represented by X, of commodity A, is equal in value •to, or is worth an unknown quantity represented by Y, of commodity B. Or, 20 yards of linen are equal to or are worth 1 coat. The value of the linen is here expressed in the coat., The relative and equivalent forms of value are in this instance represented by the linen as the former, and a coat as the latter form. The linen is the relative form, and the coat the equivalent, and although the position may be reversed and the coat assume the relative form and the linen the equivalent, the coat cannot take the initiative and assume the relative form, representing thereby ithe value that is being expressed, at the same time as it assumes the equivalent form, representing that in which value is being expressed. EWEN MacLEOD, Secretary Press Committee. Class meets each Sunday, 2237 Westminster avenue, 3:30 p.m. Mathematics class at 2 p.m. THE PASSING OF THE BOTTLE BLOWER. By Robert J. Wheeler, member Glass Bottle Blowers' Union. Modern machinery has become a tre. mendous factor making for ceaseless change in industrial processes and within industrial society. Out of this movement is evolving the new economic system that will solve forever the problem of the distribution of wealth People in general are not aware of the great change in methods of production or of the revolutionary effects upon the minds of the workers. Society feels, in a sort of sub-conscious way, that machinery is making progress; but it is the particular groups of workers who have been displaced by the machinery, who have suddenly been compelled to face the fact that their means of livelihood has been taken from them, these men and women are keenly alive to the miracles of modern economic development. Before the machinery invades a particular trade, the workers within that group are, as a rule, Indifferent to general machine progress and the Inroads being made ln other trades. But ln these days of astonishingly rapid advance ln labor Bavlng devices, workers of every craft and calling are com. lng to realize that no trade ls secure; no craft safe In possession of a profitable means of making a living. Among the workers, then, It ls no longer a debatable question, but a hard and stubborn fact; machinery ls, even now, entering into every branch and department of production. Each year sees faBter progress, more wonderful Inventions. The automatic stage ls being reached. It is no longer a matter of working out an Idea that will accomplish a certain part of the production of an article; but to develop a machine ithat will, ln itself, embody every necessary principle, making possible the production of a finished article. Henceforth Inventors will work toward the ideal, the automatic. We may look for leaps instead of a slow growth. The advance will be by "mutations" rather ithan evolution, as it is commonly understood. The glasB bottle blower's trade is, at present, a fitting illustration of the foregoing. Within the last six years an automatic machine for producing narrow-neck ware has been invented and developed to such a degree that the companies using it now occupy a commanding position In the market. As a result, Increasing numbers of skilled men are being displaced; thrown out upon a crowded labor market; compelled to swell the swollen milks of the unskilled. The machine, known as the Owens Automatic, was placed at work ln 1904. It is the invention of Mr. M. J. Owens, ot Toledo, Ohio. Mr. Owens was factory manager for the Libby Glass Company from 1890. He was formerly a member of the American Flint Workers' Union, and worked ait the trade. Previous to the invention of the automatic, he bad brought out the tumbler machine, the chimney machine, a device for drawing glass tubes, and the idea of pressing the blank shapes to be used ln ithe cut glass trade. These inventions alone are enough to make the man famous. But tbe invention of the Automatic places him in the front rank of great American inventors. History will credit him with having made possible the •application of the modern capitalistic methods to the glass bottle business. The Owen's Automatic is indeed a marvel of mechanical ingenuity. To stand beside it, this creature of wheels and cogs, levers and valves, with a constitution of enduring iron; to see it revolve ceaselessly, tirelessly, needing no food, no rest, while from out of the maze ot Its motions a constant stream of perfect product flows, no human hand aiding, no brain directing, one is profoundly impressed. Here ls the very acme of Inventive genius. Here is the full fruition'of the ideas, the alms, the hopes of inventors since tbat day, three thousand years ago, when the flrst water wheel turned In ancient Greece. The old Greek poet who celebrated that Invention ln song, beheld with a seer's vision the dawning of a day when machinery would do the world's necessary work, and the race of mankind be free from the slavery of toiling to gain only food, clothing and shelter. Before the advent of the Automatic, the economic situation of the bottle blower was most desirable. For more than a generation he had been the aristocrat" of the labor world. After the successful general strike of 1888, his union became very compact and powerful. With the increase of strength which came as a result of victory in the famous Jersey strike of 1899, and the accession of some 2,000 bottle blowers from the Flint union in 1902, the Green Glass Bottle Blowers' Association reached the zenith of its strength and power and the period of prosperity which followed was the greatest known in ithe history of the trade. No craft in America ever enjoyed better conditions. High wages, short hours, almost entire freedom from danger of accident, most excellent working rules, drawn up and enforced by the union, made 'this period indeed the halcyon days of the glass bottle trade. But those days are past never to return. The strength of the union grew out of a set of circumstances peculiar to the bottle trade. The business was and Is even today, in greater part, carried on by small companies, scattered over the country, located generally with re. gard to sources of raw material and fuel supply. The manufacturers, like all small business men, were intensely individualistic and fiercely competitive. Naturally, compact organization among them was practically Impossible. Out of this weakness of the employers, the strength of the blowers' union developed, Its greatest progress being made under the presidency of Dennis A. Hayes, who was elected president In 1896, and who still holds the offlce. The natural difficulty of learning the trade was an Important factor in giving the union control. A glass blower is not produced in a few months. To learn tbe trade thoroughly, several years of application was necessary. Thus fortified, the union was able to constantly improve the conditions of the bottle blowers. The greatest period of prosperity began with 1900 and lasted until 1907. During this stretch of years the business expanded until the demand for men considerably exceeded the supply. The Ideal economic condition for labor under the capitalistic system was attained. "The job sought the man." Wages steadily rose, reaching the highest point In 1907. Fair workmen could make from $6.00 to $8 per day of eight and a half hours. The speeders ln Massillon and Newark, Ohio, Streator, 111., aud Terre Haute, Ind., made from $8.00 to $12.00 dally. The work was hard, heat Intense, nervous strain great and night work unpleasant, but all this ls true of other trades where men are poorly paid and Ill-treated. Under the rules of ithe union no glass is made in the summer months, July and August. Glass blowers look forward to this rest season with the keen anticipation ot men who can afford a vacation and have the money to aid them'in enjoying it. Working an eight or ten- month season, men earned from $1,200 to $3,000. This allowed a margin above a comfortable standard of living. Glass blowers live well, try to educate their children, give generously to every worthy cause and have no apology to make that ithey are not bondholders today when adversity has come upon them. A considerable number are fairly well off, probably as large a per cent as will be found among any other class earning the same amount of money yearly. The splendid union gave tbe blowers protection and enabled them to get a large share of the value they produced, but it failed to develop In them an understanding of economic conditions. And so, at the climax of prosperity, when ln fancied security, the bottle blowers looked forward with confidence to even better advantages than they were then enjoying, the blow fell upon them. The machine was invented that has revolutionized the trade and in time will practically destroy it in large part. We quote from latest news on the Owens machine: 'The machines are now being operated in Monterey, Mexico, a greater number in Germany, and one ln Rio Janeiro, Brazil. The Owens Company has received application for tbe installation of a machine ln Johannesburg, South Africa, and ln Yokohama, Japan." Machines were flrst installed in old style factories which had been fitted up with the patent Owens' revolving furnace. Later, a specially designed factory was built ln Fairmont, W. Va. A description ot this factory, making a contrast between the old and new systems, follows. This is also taken from the "American Flint," April, 1910: The factory now being erected at Fairmont, W. Va., which wlll be put In operation during July or August, will have a capacity of 2,000 gross of bottleB a day. This plant will be a marvelous innovation and surpass the dreams of the most sanguine idealist. Under the present system of making glassware the raw materials are hauled from the mines to the factory and unloaded, mixed, and carried to the furnaces and placed there by the use of shovels in the hands of common labor. After the glass has been melted, it has been gathered from the furnace by skilled labor and manipulated by band or semi-automatic machinery Into bottles. The ware is then carried by boys Into the annealing lehrs, and these have always been operated entirely by hand power. "At the West Virginia plant all of this labor, including the skilled, will be dispensed with." The factory is so constructed that the railroad cars are drawn up an Incline 100 feet high, hoppers are suspended in a row and the railroad cars pass right over the ops of same. The sand, lime, soda and broken glass is mechanically removed from the railroad cars and placed ln the hoppers. On the lower end of these hoppers is a measuring spout. By the use of a plurality of valves the quantity of sand, lime, soda and broken glasB ts measured and put into a traveling mixer beneath the spouts of the hoppers. A man sits on this traveling mixer and mechanically manipulates the movement of same. After the mixer has passed under the spouts of the different hoppers and received the quantities ofv sand, lime, soda and broken glass sufficient to make up a batch, the mixing car is started by him for the furnace room, traveling over the tops of the furnaces. The mixer revolves, which properly mixes the batch, and when It reaches the flrst furnace, a disc is removed from the cap of the furnace and the hopper low. ered through the cap of the furnace, the material passes from thlB hopper into the furnace where the melting takes place. The hopper ls then elevated and the disc placed to cover the hole in the cap of the furnace, and the man returns to the batch house in order to repeat the operation for the second furnace. As the batch becomes melted, it flows by gravity into the revolving furnace used by the Owens process for making bottles. The machine sucks the glass from the furnace through the bottom of the blank mould, forms the blank, transfers the blank from the blank mould to the blow mould, and by compressed air, expands it into a finished article, glazes the lop, the lehrs being part of the machine, anneals the bottle and dumps lt out at the exit end of the annealing lehr, at which point the wares are selected and placed in crates ready for shipment. The machine has been started to work producing at as high a rate as 23 a minute at 6 a.m. Monday and kept in continuous operation until the following Saturday midnight. Moulds are changed and the machine oiled while ln continuous operation. An extraordinary revelation connected with this mechanical wonder is that at the Fairmont factory It will not be necessary to touch the raw materials or wares, from the time the raw material leaves the mines until the selector passes judgment on the ware at the annealing end of the lehr and places it In boxes ready for shipment. "To give you an Idea of the revolutionizing effect of this machine In the cost of production, will state that It ls reliably estimated that at Streator, 111., with a shop of three blowers and the necessary small help making pint beer bottles, and under a 20 per cent, reduction ln wages, that shop labor coBt Is approximately $1.15 a gross. By the use ot a six-arm machine for making pint beers the labor cost is 11 cents a gross. In Toledo where a ten-arm machine is used for making pint catsup bottles the total labor cost is 4V4 cents a gross, and it is expected to reduce the Toledo cost when tbe Fairmont, W. Va, plant is placed in successful operation." At this, writing, the Fairmont factory is operating. Tbe new style of factory, like the machine, requires but tew men to keep it in operation. The trustification of the glass bottle business Ib now possible.- Before the appearance of the Automatic, the bottle blower, through his strong union, was able to demand and get such a large share of the wealth produced that the profits left to the manufacturer were not large enough to attract men with the genius for trust organization. Then, too, the difficulty of organizing the small manufacturer made combination impossible. But now tbe human Labor is thrown out and capital will feel perfectly safe. Permanent investment of capital to any amount can be made with certainty of large return. In no department of industry is the prospect so Inviting. There are strong reasons for believing that the foundations for one of the world's greatest trusts are now being laid. The Owens Machine Company leases its machines on a royalty per gross of bottleB made. The bottle business Is divided according to different kinds of ware. The practice ot leasing the machine only to big firms having large capitalization has been carefully followed. The first company to use the machine was the Ohio Bottle Company, formed in 1904. This company was made up of Reed ft Co. and the Pocock Company, both ot Massillon, Ohio, and the Everett Glass Company of Newark, Ohio. The next year this corporation merged with An- heuser-BuBch with two big plants at St. Louis and Belleville, and the Streator Glass Company, Streator, IU. This company makes beers, soda and brandy bottles. The famous Ball Brothers, of Indiana, leased the right to make fruit Jars. The Thatcher Milk Bottle Company, with factories ln New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Illinois, has the rights on milk jars. The great Alton Glass Company, Alton, 111., the Whitney GlaBS Company of Glassboro, N. J., and the Chas, Bolt Company of Cincinnati, Ohio and Muncle, Ind., with the Heinz Pickle Company of "57 variety" fame, are all companies with plenty of capital. The significant thing is that these companies are not engaged ln competing with each other, with the product of the machine. The Import of this will appear later. These companies are well located geographically, a fact which is of much importance If a trust is to be organized. The Owens Company reserves the right to enter the producing field also, and is now operating two plants and selling the product In the general market. It Is safe to say tnat an understanding exists, as to price, between the OwenB and other companies. With the Owens Company owning the machines and gaining experience as a glass bottle producing concern also, profits are sure to be immense and combination inevitable. The large number of small manufacturers, now struggling ln an anarchy of competition, are doomed. There is absolutely no future for them. Even should they be able ito beat wages down lower than at present (it should be stated that wages were reduced 20 (Continued in Next Issue) While the masters are snarling with each other over tariffs and such, the slaves on both Bides of the line are preparing to settle the quarrel by removing the cause thereof—surplus value. The following are working to that end: Greenwood W. F. M 21 Grand Forks W. F. M 12 Britannia W. F. M 10 Gribble, Calgary 10 Lestor, North Battleford, Sask 10 Gordon Brown, Victoria, B.C t C. M. O'Brien, Passburg, Alta 5 H. Colllngwood, North Battleford.. 4 John Rivers, Sointula, B.C 4 J. H. B„ Victoria 2 SlngleB—D. B. Fraser, Ruskln, B.C.; R. McGowan, Central Park, B.C.; R. M. Campbell, Danville, Ills.; Raymond Tune, Petone, Wellington, N. Z.; Frederic Lapierre, Toronto, Ont; C. Steen, South Hill, B.C.; Matt Stafford, South Wellington, B. C; L. R. Mclnnls, Greenwood, B. C; Desmond, Enderby, B. C.j Jos. Williams, Hillcrest, B. 0.j E. Johnson, Beaver Point, B. C. Bundles. Local Victoria 5(1 Local New Westminster 25 Rossland, B.C., W. F .M 25 Moyie, B.C., W. F. M 16 Phoenix, B.C., W. F. M 14 Propaganda Meeting Empress Theatre Sunday, Feby. 12th. R. P. PETTIPIECE ^ THE WESTERN CLARION, VANCOUVER. BRITISH COLUMBIA, 8ATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1911. SOCIALISTS AFTER MINES DEPARTMENT (Continued from Page 1) Watson (Vancouver) had said that he (Williams) had told the worst hard luck story he had ever listened to, and that he had accused McBride of going round killing miners with a pick, when he was not sandbagging his followers in the House. Watson had never seen a blue flame In a mine coming his way and licking up everything in front ot him. It was no subject for that gentleman to make sport of, or sneer at. The task he (Williams) had undertaken was to tell the truth, and anything he said he was willing to put in writing or repeat to his constituents in Ladysmith. All he could say he had said in Ladysmith laBt summer. There were "Informers there, left over from the Dunsmulr regime, and he had given them the opportunity of conveying his remarks to the chief inspector, and he had follow, ed the same course in Alexandria. He had attacked the department on its administration of the Coal Mines Regulation Act, and the Inspector had taken no notice or action, and it would be no abuse of his privilege as a member of parliament to deal with it again. As to the fact ot Inspector Shepherd running as a Conservative candidate in the last Dominion election he had as much right to do so as he (Williams) had, and that fact would not influence ln any shape or form the criticism he was going to make ot him as an official of the Department of Mines, but he did criticise the government methods in using the department for political effect. Over a year ago he had had an argument with Inspector Shepherd and Mr. Robertson, the Government mineralogist, over life- saving apparatus being introduced into the British Columbia coal mines. The Bill providing for the installation of the Draeger oxygen apparatus was brought ln to tbe House 24 hours after he (Williams) had told the Department of his intention to introduce it himself. They had practicaly taken it out of his hands, and the Department assumed the credit for it. Advance notices in the daily press, which could only have come from the Department, emphasized it as evidence of the great concern held by the Department for the lives of the miners. Was it a mere coincidence or was it politics that the Draeger apparatus was trotted up to Fernie by Shepherd and Tolmle, the Deputy Minister of Mines, and installed shortly before the recent bye-election? He did not accuse those gentlemen of Interfering in politics, but the tact of installing the apparatus at that time would tend to create an impression amongst the miners that the Department was awake to their interests. Was that the reason? The Department had recently been loudly trumpeting over the Province about the new Bill, as an improvement on the old one, while they failed to enforce the latter. In that connection he would refer to another matter. McBride had on several occasions done him'the honor of following him, and displacing and removing words he (Williams) had used, to alter the construction he wished put upon them. He had said that Mr. Tolmle, the Deputy Minister of Mines, did not know a coal mine when he saw it, but that did not justify McBride in launching out into an eulogy of an old public servant, etc., etc., in an attempt to dodge the main issue and put his opponent at a disadvantage. Tbat long statement was the justification for the old drake or gander who ran the Week Bhould spread himself all over his paper about the deputy minister. Here the Speaker asked him to confine himself to the principle of tbe Bill. Parker Williams replied tbat the Speaker had already allowed the debate to go pretty wide. The Speaker Btlll demurred, and Williams retorted that nothing in the Bill had justified McBride in referring to the introduction of thousands of Britishers into the British Columbia coal mines. He claimed, as a matter of justice to himself that McBride should be fair, and would remind him of the Biblical saying which referred to tbe man who moved his neighbor's landmarks. McBride asked for a few minutes to answer. He emphatically dented tfere and then ever having wilfully misrepresented anything he (Williams) had said. He had felt it his duty as Minister of Mines to meet the comments on Mr. Tolmle. Parker Williams could have said nothing more damaging to a department man than what he had said. Parker Williams replied that if any one had said that he (Williams) knew nothing about wireless telegraphy he would not complain. Mr. Tolmle might know a mine when he saw one, but he knew nothing of what went on Inside, and the safety of the miners was In charge of a minister of Mines, He would refer to a matter which took place some years ago. It had reached his ears that some very damaging charges had been made of a coal mine inspector being ln lhe pay of one of the coal companies of British Columbia, and he had demanded of McBride an Investigation. McBride not seem to have reached him. In what manner had McBride met his demand for an Investigation? He had appointed a Royal Commission, which sent In a report that the charges were groundless, but that Commission had only been appointed after he (Williams) had refused to be satisfied. There were only two men who could have thrown any light on the matter, Tonkins, who was in Pennsylvania, and S. S. Taylor, ln Vancouver. McBride took no steps to get thOBe men to disclose any evidence they had, or to produce Tonkins, who, particularly, had made the statement. McBride Interrupted, saying that If Parker Williams knew of that evidence, he had failed dismally to perform his duty. It was not too late to do lt now. (Conservative applause.) Parker Williams did not think it was time to aplaud. They should wait until the story was completed before they rejoiced. McBride had the cor respondence in the Department to set tie the question. He had made no effort to get the men who knew something about it. The enquiry was taken down to Vernon, before an agricultural judge. In 1905 certain questions were asked as to miners certificates being issued to Chinese, and the nature of the examination imposed as to knowledge of English, etc., required by the Act, but those questions were not considered deserving of much notice by the Premier. In 1908 a resolution had been introduced by the Socialist Party condemning the conditions In the mines at Cumberland, with reference to the employment of Chinamen and disregard of the Coal Mines Regulation Act, and McBride had instructed his party to vote down the resolution. Year after year they had drawn the attention of the House to the way in which the mines of the Province were being run, by resolution and In the debates on the speech from the Throne and on the. estimates, and in no case bad McBride taken any notice. He (Williams) felt justified in saying that McBride was either indifferent to the lives of the miners, or under the thumb of the mine-ownerB. It was either indifference or worse. Here considerable crossflrlng took place between Parker Williams, the Speaker and McBride, the latter advising that Williams should be given every scope to make charges, and the Speaker objecting, and desiring to confine the debate to the principle of tne Bill before the House. Parker Williams, to settle the matter, asked the Speaker If he would consider a reference to the situation which led up to the explosion at Extension on October 5, 1909, as referring to the principle of the Bill before the House? McBride pointed out that Williams wanted to refer to certain past events to make his points. The Speaker assented and Williams continuing, said that his only motive in making the charges (which could be easily dealt with In the form of a resolution) was to show that the Department made no pretence of enforcing the Coal Mines Regulation Act. If anything, he said, would cause the Department to look after their duties a little closer than they had done in the past, that was all he desired to do. He would be more satisfied to have the existing Act enforced than to see the new one pass. The Extension disaster took place some 18 months ago. He had paid great attention to the evidence at the inquest, which he had followed cloBely, and discussed the matter with many of the men in all its phases, and had also learned a great deal from the Keserich case in addition. All the evl. dence went to show that the mine was not "run" at all, but just ambled along until the explosion took place. Section 76 (or 56) of the old Act said that an up-to-date plan of the mine should be hung up at the pithead. There were certain Important reasons why It should be there, and the Inspector was responsible for lt being there, but the evidence at the Inquest disclosed the fact that lt was three years old! The Act stated that the plan had to be approximately correct, but lt was half a mile out. He ers, but as a matter of fact there were none. The best possible evidence of that the men were supplied with safety lamps, which were hung on the tim, bers while they worked with a naked light, and were used to test the air for gas after firing a shot. Rule 2 of the existing Act said that not more than 70 men should work in each "split." He would ask McBride to satisfy himself as to only 70 men being worked ln each "split." It was probable that 100 men would be found in those places Instead of 70. Section 67 said that the Inspector should visit all the working faces, inspect the air-courses, etc. Had any inspector ever done that in any mine in British Columbia? Could one mine be mentioned where the Department had lived up to that rule? There was absolutely no attempt made to do so. Matters of that kind led up to the explosion at Extension, and the Department was in a position to know the conditions and could have prevented that disaster, On February 8, 1909, Inspector Dick in his report said that he went to No. 4 west level and found it full of gas, and the overman said he knew nothing about it, or about No. 5 either which had to be stopped on account of gas, and did not see how it could be so. The Inspector told him to set to work, fence it off, and remove the gas. The following day he found gas in No. 6 stall, and In No. 5, 20 yards farther from the face than on the previous day, and nobody knew anything about it. The overman, after (having 24 hours to do it in, had not sufficient sense of danger to rid the mine of that gas. An air way caved ln and the supply of air was reduced 75 per cent, and continued that way for 24 hours, and the bosses In the mine could not flnd out the cause of their troubles. Was that mine being "run," or was it running Itself? The Inspector made a report in May, 1910, and he (Williams) would draw the attention of the House to the humble letter sent to Mr. Bryden, the manager. The Inspector said "that he had had the 'honor to inspect' No. 2 mine and was 'sorry to say' that he found the ventilation at a standstill." The same had occurred in February, when warning was given to the overman and in May following it had occurred again. The Inspector got so severe that he wrote to the overman's superior. Why did the Department not prosecute? They were probably too busy punishing miners for trivial offences. In the mining reports for 1909 are found particulars of these prosecutions. One man is soaked for breaking his safety lamp by swinging his pick against it, two for breaking lamps underground. He (the speaker) had never broken a lamp himself, and he had never known any miner to do it otherwise than by pure accident. One was prosecuted for checking a company car of coal, one for breaking windows in the hoist house, and one for stealing coal from miners. In the last three cases the inspectors or the department was running a bluff on the men, for there was nothing in the Act giving them power lo punish for offences of that nature. Compare the swift punishment for these trivial offences, most of them purely accidental, committed by the miners, with the lack of any action against the company for letting the mine run itself. No explosion would have taken place if Shepherd had done hiB duty. Yet the government let things jog along until the inevitable happened and the mine blew up. Following the explosion McBride had been called upon to cancel the certificate of that overman who could not possibly see how the mine could be full of gas, and who had been twice oaught negligent in his duty, ultimately resulting in the destruction of 32 men. It the department had any care for the lives of the miners they would have cancelled that man's certificate, but they would not do so. There wbb absolutely no excuse tor their refusal. The only explanation laid in the fact that If his certificate had been cancelled lt would bave weakened the company In a suit for damages and strengthened that of the widows and orphans. That man could now go and waj under the Impression that the plan blow up other mines In B. C. shown to the jury, touched up by the Inspector, was not correct, and he did not think they had a correct map, yet, within six months of being up-to- date, ln the company's office. In reference to shotlighters, who, if the Act had been enforced, should have done all the shooting—the only man who knew anything about it was one live man and 32 dead men. At the Inquest a fire boss, who had been eight years in the mine, did not know if there were any shotlighters or not. Every feature of the evidence would Justify one In saying there were none In that mine. It was proved that on the morning of the explosion five shots were fired by others than a shotllghter. It was useless to say It could have been done unknown to the shot-lighter, for the concussion ls felt at long distances, and lt would be easy to find the place. No shotllghter was around at the time those five shots were fired on the day of the explosion. had more means of knowing the facts |The mine foreman made a positive The inference could be taken that "the ox kneweth his stall and the ass his master's crib." An attempt had been made in the report by Shepherd on the explosion to damn the case of the widows and orphans of the dead miners. He had referred to the absence of gas ln the mine for 52 days previous to the explosion. As a matter of fact Shepherd had arbitrarily divided the mine into two parts, when for all practical purposes tt was all one mine. In his statement of the deductions to be drawn he said that dangerous cond- tlons could exist in mine atmosphere even when the safety lamps failed to indicate the presence of marsh gas. He let that dangerous (but Imperceptible) state of the atmosphere account for the explosion, while In a previous report he had commented on the dangerous quantities of gas producing such dangerous conditions. Mr. Robertson, the provincial mineralogist, was equally careful ln safe- than he (Williams), but the facts did'declaration that there were shotllght-' guarding the companies' interests, but he had overdone it. He said, "No. 2 east, and No. 2 west, from the bog in, should be kept completely separate, and while one of these mines ls on safety lamps exclusively, access from that mine into the other should only be through locked doors, or screens If necessary, or by passing a lamp station In charge of a responsible man." To read that gave the Impression of some irresponsible goat gallivanting about with a naked light looking for something to fire. He (the speaker) had worked ln many mines and had never seen anything like that. The Inference was that some Irresponsible person was usually going around like that. The supposition was that the miners never waited for the shot-lighter to come around, but were in the habit of doing It themselves, "against orders." Had Robertson ever found the time when they had orders not to do so? The only evidence ln support was that of the overman, who was responsible for the explosion. Robertson, like a simpleton, took Shaw's word as tb the firing of the shots. He went on to advocate that the fire-bosses only should carry caps and batteries, the Inference conveyed, being that the explosion was due to the Ignorance of the miners. He also said coal dust was used for packing shot-holes when the Inspector's back was turned. Mr. Robertson had failed and had better confine his activities to his own field. He had done his level best to saddle the responsibility on some dead miner, while at the time he wrote he knew the way the mine was run. Shepherd in his report had the following: "In a Held scattered over such a large area, and so far removed from the older centres of mining, it follows that the general class of mining labor available cannot be selected so as to insure the maximum degree of efficiency, experience, and safety." What distance from the "older mining centres" made it impossible to select miners with "the maximum degree of efficiency, experience and safety?" That Implied again that ignorance of the miner caused the explosion. He then went on to say that "dangers may exist in the mine atmosphere which are not apparent to the ordinary mine official." He (Williams) wanted to point out that the danger on Feb. 8th or 9th was most apparent to the mine officials, but Shaw must have been looking for insignificant quantities of gas likely to explode. Shepherd went on to say that "It should be made incumbent upon the management and under officials to determine at all times the condition of the mine atmosphere with regard to low percentages of marsh gas and take necessary precautions to anticipate such an "unusual contingency" as obtained in the present case." Unusual contingency!" The one thing Shepherd and Robertson did was to try to saddle tbe responsibility on the dead miners, or the Almighty, notwithstanding the admlslon tbat gas under three per cent, was not reported. When the government appointed Ash- worth they had appointed the right man. He was one of the "grand old men" of B. C. today. He had travelled through the mine with Shepherd, Bryden, but while they tried to put it on the dead men, or God, Ashworth did no such thing. In his report he says he noticed evidence of blasting, but they (Shepherd and Bryden) "assured me that the shot had been fired the day before, and that the fireman said be found it when he made his rounds ln the early morning before the explosion." The visit of the jury to the spot followed, and Mr. Ash- worth's version was completely verified, and "further evidence that the shot had been fired on tbe morning ot the.explosion," was discovered. Ashworth said further on ln his report, after summing up the conflicting statements as to the ventilation of the mine. "I have not the least hesitation in saying that on every one of the five visits I paid to the mine lt was unsafe to fire with black powder or giant powder ln any of the working places on Nos. 2V& and 3 levels of No. 2 west." He went to quote an English Royal Commission as considering two per cent, of marsh gas dangerous. "Three per cent, was the condition before the explosion. What percentage was called gas by tbe Extension officials was not very clear, but the impression con- j veyed to my mind was that only such gas was reported as would bring the air current very close up to* the explosive point—far above three per cent." That was the statement of Mr. Ashworth as to the Extension officials' idea of gas. Rule 3, in the Act said that ALL gas had to be reported. The result of all that was that 32 men were killed. One thing he wanted to point out was that Rule 3 provided that the fire- boss should give a full report on leaving. That same Are bosB told the jury at the inquest that he did not make a practice of reporting a smaller quantity of gas than was computed to be 3 or 4 per cent. That was a man who had passed the government examination. The companies books would not look good with "gas, gas, gas," spread on them every day, and so it was not placed there. In explanation of his failure to comply with the rules, he said he was not told to do so. A man holding that certificate courted a certain PLATFORM Socialist Party of Canada We, the Socialist Party of Canada, in convention assembled, affirm our allegiance to and support of the principles and programme of the revolutionary working 'class. Labor produces all wealth, and to the producers it should belong. The present economic system is based upon capitalist ownership of the means of production, consequently all the products of labor belong to the capitalist class. The capitalist ls therefore master; the worker a slave. So long as the capitalist class remains In possession of the reins of government all the powers of the State wlll be used to protect and defend their property rights in the means of wealth production and their control of the product of labor. The capitalist system gives to the capitalist an ever-swelling stream of profits, and to the worker an ever-increasing measure of misery and degredation. The interest of the working class lies in the direction of setting itself free from capitalist exploitation by the abolition of tho wage system, under which ls cloaked the robbery ot the working class at the point of preduction. To accomplish this necessitates the transformation of capitalist property in the means of wealth production into collective or working-class property. The irrepressible conflict ot interests between the capitalist and the worker is rapidly culminating in a struggle for possession of the reins of government—the capitalist to hold, the worker to secure tt by political action. This is the class struggle. Therefore, we call upon all workers to organize under the banner of the Socialist Party of Canada with the object of conquering the public powers for the purpose of setting up and enforcing tbe economic programme of the working class, as follows: 1. Tbe transformation, as rapidly aB possible, of capitalist property in the means of wealth production (natural resources, factories, mills, railroads, etc.) into the collective property of the working class. 2. The democratic organization and management of industry by the workers. 3. The establishment, as speedily as possible, of production for use instead of production for profit. The Socialist Party when in office shall always and everywhere until the present system ls abolished, make the answer to this question its guiding rule of conduct: Wlll this legislation advance tbe Interests of the working class and aid the workers In their class struggle against capitalism? If It will, the Socialist Party ls for it; if it will not, the Socialist Party is absolutely opposed to it In accordance with this principle the Socialist Party pledges Itself to conduct all the public affairs placed in its hands ln such a manner as to promote the Interests of the working class alone. responsibility. The evidence at the inquest and in court had shown that be was an unsafe man to be in a mine, yet he was still acting. While two per cent of gas was dangerous, he never reported less than three per cent, while in Extension, and he still held position as fire boss in B. C. The Department was utterly indifferent to the safety of the miners or they would have made it impossible for that man to again hold such a position in B. C. The Keserich case had proved that every rule in tbe Coal Mines Regulation Act had been broken tn every particular. Here the Speaker objected that the case was still before the courts. Williams pointed out that the verdict had been given the previous day, but the Speaker remained obdurate, and after more argument on the point Parker Williams adjourned the debate until Monday, February 6th. J. H. B. THE CHRISTIAN SOCIALIST. An aged son of the soil and his wife were taking their flrst and only holiday. They visited one of the large cities and, together with other sights, went to view the anlmaU in the park. When the old man saw the Giraffe he gazed at it long and hard. Then, turning to his wife said, "Maria, tbere ain't no such darned animal." When the Socialist meets with the dreamy-eyed individuals who call themselves Christian Socialists, he says "there ain't no such darned animals," and as Mac Bays, "There you are, where are you?" We are stuck because we don't know where we are. Tbe Christian Socialist Is a hybrid and can't be classified. We don't know what love sick propagandist is the author of his existence, but here he ls. As far as one can make out he belongs to tbe same category as the mule canary. He ls begotten by chance apparently and we wont have him fathered on us. The only scientific ground for hope is that like nearly all hybrids he is likely to be sterile. Like the eunuch he will leave no posterity. On reading the "Christian Socialist' the other day we saw an article on th; "Materialistic conception of History.' The article was well writtn and con cluslvely proved as only the Christian Socialist can prove that tbe material istlc conception of History was thi materialism of God. What our earl: tutors feared is about to come to pas: if we don't watch it. God is about ti. sneak into the party. It might be that our many sins make us dread th' old man's approach. We don't know what it is but we would rather be with out him even if we are a year behind with tbe revolution in consequence The Socialist movement and tbe So cialist Party are two different things The Christian Socialist can work ai hard as be likes in the movement Hi can't do much harm anyhow because its impossible to make the wage slav' any sillier than he is. Wherever t Christian Socialist has been at work one of the red propagandists can gen erally get one meeting afterwards, Just one, and then the devoted floe? are scattered. Just one yelp they giv< and flee. There is nothing in heaver, or earth or in the waters under thi earth that the Christian Socialist ti afraid of except Socialism. We hav great admiration for our beloved con rade; he Is all right in his place an. that is—outside the Party. LESTOR. To the true revolutionist all thlngi,1 that spring from economic enslave' ment are rotten. I Bring your dull razors to ^^h SMITH'S BARBER SHOP Claret-den Poel Room, opponte eei benu Wettmixler Avenue Vancouver, B.C. TO HOUSEKEEPERS IJIf you would like to spend less time in your kitchen and woodshed, and have much more time for outdoor life, recreation and pleasure, look into the question of doing your cooking with a Gas Range. Telephone yonr address to onr office and we will send a man to measure your premises and give yon an estimate of cost of installing the gac pipes, Vancouver Gas Company, limit
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Western Clarion Feb 11, 1911
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Title | Western Clarion |
Publisher | Vancouver, B.C. : The Western Socialist Publishing Co., Limited |
Date Issued | 1911-02-11 |
Geographic Location | Vancouver (B.C.) |
Genre |
Newspapers |
Type |
Text |
FileFormat | application/pdf |
Language | English |
Notes | Titled The Western Clarion from June 18, 1904 to June 1, 1907; titled Western Clarion thereafter. |
Identifier | Western_Clarion_1911_02_11 |
Series | BC Historical Newspapers |
Source | Original Format: Royal British Columbia Museum. British Columbia Archives. |
Date Available | 2016-04-04 |
Provider | Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library |
Rights | Images provided for research and reference use only. Permission to publish, copy, or otherwise use these images must be obtained from the Digitization Centre: http://digitize.library.ubc.ca/ |
DOI | 10.14288/1.0318875 |
Latitude | 49.261111 |
Longitude | -123.113889 |
AggregatedSourceRepository | CONTENTdm |
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