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We 1918 THE INDUSTEIAI, UNITY: BTBBNflTH Xn COLUMBIA FEDERATIONIST OTFICIAL PAPEB: VANCOUVEB TBADES AND LABOB COUN JIL, AND' B. C. FEDEBATION OF LABOB POLITICAL DNITT: VIOTOBT TENTH YEAR. No. 43 EIGHT PAGES VANCOUVER, B. C, FRIDAY MORNING^ OCTOBER 2M918 / (la Vancou w\ City. 12.00 ) $1.50 PER YEAB Men Are Not Satisfied With Award Made by- Adjuster Local Conditions Demand an Increase of at Least V/i Cents Per Hour Mr. W. L. Macdonald, adjuster of shipyard disputes, has rendcrod his decision as to increased rntes of pay for the shipyard workers. . This decision haB been awaited for some time by the men ongaged in the shipbuilding industry. The docision, howover, has not met with any approval so far as can be learned, and while tho Macey award has not beon mado on the othor sido, it is expected to grant much more of an increase than doos Adjuster Macdonald 'h. Tho findings of the adjuster are as follows: "Olause 15 of tho working rulos and ratos of pay governing operations of shipbuilding and allied manufacturing plants in thc Province of British Columbia as from Juno 1, 1918, provide as follows: '' ' These rules to remain iu effect for the period of tho war. Thc wage rates will be rovised ovo.y threo months, according to official information on the cost of living as published in tho Labor Gazette of tho Department of Labor of the Dominion of Canada as applicable to tho Provinco of British Columbia.' "In accordance with tho abovo clause I havo investigated the cost of living iu Britiah Columbia, and particularly in the area affected by tho shipbuilding industry, and havo compared the fljguroB for the month of June and for the month of August, as contained in tho Labor Garotte, in order to arrive at tho amount of in- SETTLEMENT IN I LAUNDRY Influenza Epidemic Used by e Employers Without Avail rs Are Ready to Give ir Services Free to eet Sitaution idry strike still contiuues, the weok tho owners have a ruses to see whother they influence the strikers to go back to work. Tho need for clean linen in the hospital and in sick cases was exploited to the limit through advertisements and the telephone, which, howover, on ringing had the fatal defect that tho work was to bo done in tho laundriea for tho profit of the owners. Tho offer by tho Union to provide if necessary, froe help in the hospital laundries, and to allow "tho Pioneer laundry to run with Union holp to do such other work that bore a doctor's certificate, being turned down cold. Tho hospitals and privato people could got their laundry done the best way they could, unless the owners make a profit on their neods. Thoy finished up tho week with big display ads, stating that thoy were going to start up on Mon- day, making the most of the new scales of pay which thc strike has forced.thom to grant, and thon complacently sat down and waited for the help—mostly now, they hoped, but new or old, to Hock in. What a lizzio! Around tho various laundries the pickets wero in full forco and totalling up results from tho ads., the splendid crop of six wns tho addition to tho few ringtails working in tho laundries! What a deluge? Who would bo u scab? Evidently tho peoplo of Vnncouver won't. Tho cost of ro* emits works out at about $100 per head, rather oxpensivo, but it is said crease, if any, to bo added to the that Mr. Kirk .is willing to spend half wagos of employees governed by tho agreemont above referred to. "I find that the cost of living in tho citios of Vancouver, Victoria and Now Westminster combined, ns shown by the Labor Gazette, amounted for the month of June to $20,049, and for the month of August $21,100, showing an increnso of .517 or .52 cents per week. Dividing this by 44 hours, which is tho ordinary working wook in tho shipbuilding yards, would givo an increase of 1.2 conts p*r hour. "As tho articles onumorated iu the Labor Gazette do not includo all tho necessaries of lifo I havo further Investigated the increase in the priceB of clothing and other necessities, nnd find that Buch increases will bo mot by a furthor increase of .8 conts per hour to tho wages, which, in .addition to the 1.2 cents per hour referred to abovo, mnkes a total of 2 cents per hour increase iu the wages of nil employees covered by tho above agreement, such increuse to be effective us nnd from September 1, 1918." From the above it will bo seen that the adjuster has tnken his flguros from the Labor Gazette, and a littlo investigation into the figures in thut journal will soon prove that tho awnrd is not ono that meets the increase in the cost of living. In the first cast- tho figures of tho increase in the cost of living are taken from tho avorage of sixty towns and cities throughout the Dominion, and not locally at all. Again the figures us given for local prices are not in keoping with tho prices prevalent. For instance, fresh eggs arc quoted at 53 cents por dozon, while cold storage eggs are quoted at 58 cents. Any ono that has knowledgo of tho local situation must know that these pricos aro not accurate No doubt local people would be tickled to death to got fresh oggs at 53 conts per dozon, but thoy would be a long timo without eggs if thoy would not purchase thom until they could obtain them at that price. In tho Department of Lnbor'a figures, no allowance is made for soap, or for clothing, so the adjuster haa allowed $2.00 per month on that score. Rent again is not in any wuy in proportion to thnt which is being paid in the eity, or in tho suburbs. The government's figure for ront is $4.89 per woek. This ia for a six-roomed houae without sanitary conveniences. Surely tho government does not desire to seo tho workors living in homes without modern sanitary convenioncoa, and evon at that the figures nro not in keeping with the local situation. No ono can nt this day secure a habitable six- room house for less thnn $25 per month, and if this ia so, whoro oan the workera bo given justice on the above basis aa quoted in thc Labor Gazette. From^n carefully propared statement by the oxecutivo of the Metal Trades Council, it can be plainly seen from tho figures, which have been taken from tho labor department'a own statistics as to local conditions, that thc award is much below the amount necessary to meet thc incrense in the cost of living. To meet the increase, ovon as taken from tho Gazetto dealing with local conditions, it is necessary that thc increase in wages should bo at least five cents por hour. But that would not give the amount that is really required, and a tabulation of the prices of commodities in thn city and district would show that nt least IVi cents per hour would bc needed to meet tho increase in thc coat of living aince last June. General dissatisfaction is being expressed at the award of tho adjuster, and as soon ua meetings can be held thc mntter will be thrnshed out by tho varioua organizations affected. In tho meantime the Robertson ngreoment hns been violated by thc employers on many occasions, and the awards made from timo to time by Adjuster Macdonald are not boing lived up to. It is true that he hns not the powor to enforco thom, and his position is not an enviable one, as the men are not satisfied with tbe way things are going and bo cannot do anything to assist them, so long ua his awards are ignored by the employers. a million, The omployers now aro evidently at thoir wit's end to know what to do. Tbey have played thoir final card, and it proved a douce instoad of an nco. Tbey are now trying what effect cajoleries will have on the pickets in thoir efforts to find a weak joint. Messrs. Creelman and Raymond havo been offering various inducements to them in tho hopo that thoy niight find a fow weak-knood ones, but without success. Not a single dosortor was secured. This says much for the solidity of tho girls, and of the .men. This is the seventh week of tbo atrike. nnd while it Is a fact that some of thc girls are getting as much strike pay as they wore earning, tho main bulk of them aro losing $8 tn $15 a woek, somo moro. This is especially truo of tho married men. And yot they are determined, with tho support and usaistance of the Labor movement, to go on. It must not bo forgotten, too, that all tho employees would, under the new schedule granted, receive increases on their provious wages. How is that for principle? It ia now up to the Labor movement to ahow that it is a real forco in Vanoouver, und not the • force whicb the employers affect to believe and sneer- lllgly tell you it ia. You will be spoofed at the finish thoy tell them; it •ia up to tlie Labor movoment to aee that tbey uro not spoofed. The owners aro on their knees now, but-if thoy have the least suspicion that tho Lubor movoment is getting weak they will tnke fresh heart, and keep up the bluff they are running thia week, but which the* Laundry Workers know is accomplishing nothing. The influenza has created difficulties; but tho difficulties must be surmounted. On tho way the unions act now rests the futuro of the Labor movement in Vancouver. Othor trades are watching eagerly tho result of the laundry striko: success, and it will bo child's play to organize thorn. A report has reached the Laundry Workers Union that somo of the pooplo working in the laundries aro willing to join tho union and that the bosses (straw) aro intimidating thom by snying thnt tlio union intends to line thorn $50 on initiation $50, Good Lord, no wonder thoy aro frightened.) Tlio position of thc union is thut they do not intend to discrimiunlo ngninst the mombors to tbo ndvnntuge of the at present non-members, and any wishing to join bad better come up uud soo tho oxocuttvo. Thoy will got nn explanation, Tho union wishes to make good union mombors of thom, not an tagonizo them. Sec tho executive, and whatever may be snid to tho contrary, there is no truth in tho roport tbnt tbe owners are having a modal struck off for presentation after tho strike is ovor. B. C. Federation of Labor and »»**»» ****** ****** «*«««* ****** ****** Proposed Western Conference THE EXECUTIVE of the British Columbia Federation of Labor evidently has seen that something more than passing resolutions is necessary to deal with the present situation, Following out thc recommendation of the Western delegates at the Trades and Labor Congress of Canada convention,, steps have already been taken to bring about the desired conference of representatives of organized Labor in thc West. With no strike orders and other obnoxious measures being enacted, it must be apparent to all members of the working class that something must be done to bring about some changes. Winnipeg unions at this time are taking a general strike vote. This vote is already showing that the workers are prepared to go to any length in order to defend the right to strike as a last resort. But other matters will be needing attention in the near future. There are evidences that the present war will not last through the winter. There are also evidences that the end of the present war may be only thc beginning of other struggles, unless the workers are prepared to step in and point thc way to a real peace, both as regards warfare in the general sense, and industrial warfare, both of which are thc results of the present system of society. Demobilization and all its problems must be met, and with the object of giving the Western Labor movement the opportunity to discuss these vital problems, Secretary Wells, acting under instructions from the executive, will today issue the following call for a referendum vote. The proposal, if carried, will give every opportunity for Labor in the West to make its views known. The matter should be given every consideration by the affiliated organizations, and while it is realized that it will entail some little expense greater than would have to be borne if the annual convention was held in Victoria, the results of such a conference as proposed, will be of great benefit to the Labor movement not only of the West, but of the entire country. The proposal of the executive of the B. C. Federation of Labor* is as follows: TO ALL AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS, GREETING:— The recent convention of the Trades and Labor Congress of Canada, was so unsatisfactory to the representatives of organized labor in tho West, that in practically overy instance, the dologatcs on their return, voiced their dissatisfaction, aud stated that thc division betweon the East and the Wost, is so far as the Labor movement is concerned, is so great as to warrant Bome steps being taken to give the western members of organized Labor somo avenuo through which to express its views. Following the convention referred to abovo, the representatives of Labor from the Wost hold a conference. This conference was made up of representatives of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Colunibia. At this gathering, it was decided to recommend to all Labor organizations of tho four provinces mentioned, that a Western conference bo held prior to tho next convention of Congress. - With this end in view, the following officers were olected to call thc conforonco, and to arrango the dotails: Dave Rees, Vancouvor, chairman; V. R. Midgley, Vancouver, secretary; F. Wheatly, Bankhead, Alberta; H. Perry, Regina, Saskatchewan; E. Robinson, Winnipeg, Manitoba. It must be fully understood that the idea of holding this conference is not a secessationist movoment, but a movement to give expression to tho aims and objcctB of organizod Labor in the Wost, and whieh was not possible at the Congress convention, owing to the domination of thc convontion, by the Eastern representatives, and which was made possible by the holding of thc convention in tho East, and as tho next convention will also be held in tho East, Borne means must bo provided for the Western movemont, which is so different to that of thc East, to give expression to its sentiments. Thia is most important in view of thc serious situation that is likely to dovelop in the near future as a result of the cessation of hostilities in Europo, and tho period of reconstruction that must follow. Chairman Rees, and Secretary Midgley of the committeo appointed by the Western representatives, has suggested to your executive, tho advisability of holding the next convention of tbo B. C. Fedoration of Labor at Calgary. Tho object being to havo thc Alborta Federation of Labor hold its annual convontion in the same city at the samo time. At the closo of tlio conventions, the representatives of tho movement in Mnnitoba and Saskatchewan, whore there are no provincial federations, along with the delegates to tho British Columbia and Alberta Foderation conventions, will form into a conference of representatives of Labor from tho four Western provinces. With the object of defining thc programme of Labor in thc West towards nntional problems. Tho usual procedure as to provincinl matters will be carried out during the first throe days or more if necessary, and the Western conference will not bo called together before the privinoial needs are attended to. By this method, it iB expected that a large and representative conferonco of Wostern Labor men cnn bo held, with tlio loast possible expenae to tho movement. The executive, arc aware that this programmo can not be carried out without consulting tho affiliated organizations, ns the noxt convention was to havo beon hold at Vietoria, B. C, as was determined by tho last annual convention, and tho following question ia, thereforo, submitted to the affiliated organizations for a referendum vote. Local unions should ttike tho voto as early as possiblo in order that, the executive may be in a position to prepare for tho proposod conforonco at Calgary, or to carry out tho detail work necessary for the holding of tko annual convention in Victoria, as decided at tho Inst convontion, should the vote bo unfavorable to tho proposal. Respectfully submitted, Question: A. S. WELLS, Secrctary-TroasurcT. PRESIDENT MOORE LOCAL FEELING AND Head of Trades Congress Denies That Labor Was Consulted New President Shows Decision and Ability to Handle Job President Moore of the Trades and Labor CongresB of Canada, in a statement given to the press, denies that Labor was consulted in connection with the recent no striko "order-in-council." The reason that Presidont Moore issued the statement was to roply to a statement iaaued by the govornment thiB weok, which is purported to "explain" the reasons for the order-in- council in question. Labor all over the country - is up in arms against this latest piece of autocracy, and President Moore does not mince matters in his reply to the government statement. His reply is as follows: "The official statement does not seem to carry out its purpose of correcting misinterpretation of the recent order- in-council prohibiting strikes and lockouts during war time. It must bc apparent to ovon the casual reader that there is a great difference between thc voluntary co-operation to tho end that no strike or lockout should occur during tho war, to which labor representatives agreed, and tho order-in-council which provides that thero 'Bhall bc none.' Labor No Desire to Strike "Labor does not desire to striko nt any time, and whon mutual agroomonts have boen reached providing reasonable safeguards for working conditions, they havo boon entered into in many instances providing that these agreements should remain in oxistenco for thc duration of thc war, subjoct only to such revision of wagos as mny bo necessary to meet thc increased eost of living as shown, from time to time, by the official Labor Gazetto. This was emphasized when the labor poll- , cics wcro published undor order-in- council last July, wherein thc first No Strike Order Cause of Protest AU Over the Country President Winch Wires to President Moore Endorsing Opposition Nothing' has occurred in the Labor world for some considerable time bas caused so much unrest, and so much resentment as has the recent '' no strike order-in-council." From all parts of the country word is being received that indicates very clearly that the workers are up in arms against this latest piece of autocracy. The metalliferous miners of the Boundary country, the miners of the Crow's Nest Pass, and the workers in many of the points in the eastern part of the' country, including such centres as Toronto and Winnipeg,, arc against the taking away of the right to strike. President Moore of the Trades and Labor Congress of Canada hae in no uncertain voice expressed thc general opinion of the workera of the country. It is useless to say that the Labor movoment has beon eonsulted, and no camouflage along theae lines will fool tho members of organized Labor. While no metings have beon held on tho coast for thc past few days, the sentiments as expressed by officers and members of organized Labor show no dissenting voices in the opposition to the taking away of the last rights of the workers. The genoral opinion of the men in tho shipynrds and other largo industries on the coast being, that despite all that has beon said about the mombors of organized Labor, that they havo never gone on strike unless compelled to do so by the employers and tlieir arbitrary methods. That thoro was no ncod for this action, unloss the roason is not disclosed, is the general opinion of thc workors. That tho real reason haB not been shown is proved by thc Minister of Labor, who stated just as he waa leaving for a holiday, 'that in spile of the criticism that had ... ... „.,.„„., .■.-.,< ,,..>,,.....-„-,-.. .clauses stated 'there should be no lock- been levelled at the Department of That tho Annual Convention of tho B. C. Federation of Labor be held in thc Olty of Cnlgary, in order that a confer- °,ut8 or strikes,' and we might add ntU^bor, that there has boon fewor labor o of tho convention. this timo that whenever a measuro of troubles m Canada than in any of tho onco of tho representatives of Lnbor in tho Wost can bc hold at. tho close ALL ballots must bo signed by tho Presidont ami Secretary of the organizntion voting, and returned to this offico nt the earliest possiblo momont. In viow of the influenza epidemic, and tho cessation of meetings, and the uncertainty as to when thoy will be resumed, no time limit for thc roturn of ballots is boing set, but local officers will confer a favor on the executive by making tho returns at tho oarlicst possible moment. This is most important, ME DISCUSSED An Important Meeting Was Held at Nanaimo on Wednesday A vory important mooting was hold in the Windsor Hotel, Nanniino, on Wednesday evening. Thoso present woro Mr. R. S. Green, M. P. for Kootc- ?nny* Mr. Mcintosh, M. P. for Nanniino;' Mr. Nichol Thompson; Mr. T. D. Bulger; Mr. Thomas Graham, manager of the Cumberland Collieries; Mr. ,1. Hnat, manager of tho Canadian Western Fuel Company; Mr. Thos. Sprue* gon of thc Ladysmith CoHcries, and committees of miners from tho different minos. Thc meeting was hold to discuss the wago scales in connection with the Island mines, and it is expected that the outcome of the nieeting will bo an increase of 75 eents per day for the miners. It is evident that the mine operators are getting wiso on Vancouver Islnnd, aad are prepared to deal with their employees in a manner which has not always been the case in the past, nnd which hns previously cuused trouble. It is to he hoped that this is another sign of thc times, nnd that u realization of the miners' rights in collective bargaining is to be at last recognized. Many Members Are Attacked With Spanish Influenza Two members of the Klectricnl Workers hnve passed to the great beyond. J. B. Montgomery, who was a member of His Majesty's forces, and who wns stationed nt Vietoria, hus answer* od his last call. .1. G. McNeill, nnother member of this locnl, has also succumbed to pneumonia. W. B. Bunting, nn employee of the B. C. Telephone Company, is critically ill, and little hopes are held out for his recovery. Mnny other members of the elcctricnl workers' orgnnization are down with the "ilu," but most of them nre progressing favorably. Patronize B. C. Fedorationist advertisers and toll them why you do so. BOILERMAKERS ARE VICTIMS OF FLU Spanish Influenza Takes Its Toll from the Shipbuilding Fraternity Two members of the Boilermakers* working nt the Coughlan's shipyard, liavo died of influenza, and are fo be buried today. Their names aro M. Flynn and A. McLellan. Flynn has only been a member of the organization for n short time, und the funeral will tnko place from Hnrron Bros.' parlors. McLellan died ut his homo, 1848 William street, on Tuesdny evening. The funeral will take place today from fhe above address. Bro. McLellan is n young man, being only 28 years of iige. Neither of the men was married. Street Eailwaymon W. H. Cottorill, president, and A. V. Lofting, of the Htreet and Electric Railwny Employees ,nro down with the flu. In addition to those ,nbout forty members of this organization are suffering from this disease. None of the enses, however, aro very serious, the most of the enses being slighf. INFLUENZA .AND LABOR TEMPLE Usual Activity No Longer Prevails Owing to Prevailing Epidemic The Labor Temple, which has been one of the busiest* spots in the eity for a considerable timo, has felt, the influence of the opklemic now raging, and thc usual air of activity has been lacking during the past woek. No meetings are being held owing to...the regulations now in force forbidding tho holding of public meetings or gatherings of any description. Amongst tho victims of the "flu" in official circles is V. E. Midgloy, who was tho first to bo a victim; ho is recovering and it is expected that ho will bo around in a few days, Walter Thomas, business agent for the U. B. Carpenters, Fred Barratt; business ugent of the A. S. U. B. Carpenters; Bert Showier of the Teamsters, and Goorge Bartley of Cowan & Brookhouse, printers, are all laid up, but making progress towards recovery. Piledrivers and Wooden Bridgemen Business Agent Ironsides of the nbove organization reports things booming iu this industry. He states that ho has vacancies for at least 40 men at the present timo. Freight Handlers The locnl Freight Handlers huve returned to work. No further news lias come to hand excepting flint which appeared in fhe local press. Against Order-in-Council President T. Moore of the Trndes und Labor Congress of Cnnnda has profesfed against Ihe recent order-in- council. This .does not coincide with the slntement thnt l.nh'or wns consulted by the government. LAUNDRY WORKERS STRIKE FUND RECEIPTS Receipts to and Including October 21, 1018—Laundry Workers' Strike Fund Steam Engineers 1 800.00 Test-uteri too.oo Shipyard Laborers 400.00 I. L. A. 38*52 400.00 Painters 800.00 street Hallway Employees 300.00 I. L. A. Auxiliary 200.00 Shipwrights 200.00 MacMnllts 777 200.00 Carpenters, North Vancouver 160.00 Piledrivers 126.00 Plumbers 123.00 Bakers 116.00 Carpenters Brotherhood 116.00 Electrical Workers 160.00 Postal Employees 100.00 Butchers 100.00 Civic Employees 100.00 Warehousemen 100.00 Barbers 06.36 aas Workers 86.00 Machinists 182 75.00 Cook) and Walters 76.00 Blacksmiths 75.00 Pattern Makers 85.50 Typographical 60.00 Tailors 50.00 Flre "Fighters 50.00 Factory Workers 60.00 Marine Firemen 60.00 Sheet Metal Workers 50.00 Carpenters, New Westminster 50.00 Carpenters, Amalgamated 46.00 Bricklayers 40.00 Machinists 720 35.00 Bakery Drivers 36.00 Pressmen 26.00 OU Refinery Workers 26.00 Freight Handlers 26.00 Jewelry Workers "
Social salvation is tho order of the day
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