CONTENTdm
[The Labour Statesman]
BC Historical Newspapers
application/pdf
'•"<•*-■-' or OWNED AND CONTROLLED > . : ■-"* s '_.•'- BY THE VANCOUVER TRADES AND LABOR COUNCIL Supported by Sixty-two Local Unions NO. 361—EIGHT PAGES VANCOUVER, CANADA, APRIL 3rd. 1931 ants Pour In kmh~ The Government Sleeps |fc.ighty-.hret Thousand Immigrants Enter Canada in Nine Months —Governments Fail to Lighten/' Unemployment Burden was fagillg one "1 its JN SPITE OF THE. FACT that Canad; worst periods of Unemployment and industrial depression, we learn that 8_.°01 immigrants .enterecl^Canada dining the last nine months of 1930, and 26.441 Canadians returned from the .United States. During all that time every city and municipality in Canada was suffering from the effects of having a vast army of unemployed, willing and able toxarry on the work that these immigrants undoubtedly came out .here with the intention of attempting to do. Following this article is a statement from the Department of Immigration and Colonijsution which shows the nature and ejctent of immigration into Canada during the nine months ending December 31st, 1930. During all this time thc government knew of the plight amongst the unemployed in Canada, yet no definite steps were taken to make any great reduction in the number. Municipal and provincial governments have been complaining about the vast number of unemployed and destitute that they have been compelled to take care of, but their protests to Ottawa, most of them weak, however, have been ignored. We are still facing the depression, the Provincial Government refuses to give any more financial help to the municipalities, and the municipal governments make the same statement to the unemployed. April, May. and 'June are the heaviest months of immigration, so while our unemployed chase the elusive job, another hunch of immigrants will arrive on our shores and probably beat our.unemployed to the job. To Keep Wages Down Probably" our governments and financial magnates figure that business is going to pick up to such an extent that if immigration is stopped, labor will be scarce and wages, will have to go up. The powers that be do not like the idea of having to pay out what they call high wages, so they keep the hordes coming to Canada so as to jjejnire that there shall never be any real" Scarcity .of labor. There is only one way to offset the immigration and unemployment situation, aside from taking control of the powers of government, and that is enforcing a shorter work week or work-day, through organized effort. Sooner or later labor will have to make up its mind that it is going to enforce a shorter work week in every industry, for unless it does, every man, no matter what occupation he follows, will find that the unemployed will menace the job to the extent of taking it or aiding the boss in the reductiop of wages. The Unemployed Club Every unemployed man is a club in the hands of the employer. He uses it as a- threat to his employees and can thereby practically enforce any conditions that suits his purpose. Reduce that unemployed army, every time it grows, by a reduction of hours of labor with no decrease in wages and the employer will not be able to use the unemployment club. A reduction in working hours per worker, and an increase in wages will help business because labor power, applied to the natural resources of the earth, produces all wealth, hence the more people working, the greater will, be the wealth produced. And the higher ' the wage paid, the greater will be the purchasing power of the workers, thus creating an ever steady or increasing demand' for products. If the wages get too high to enable the' employer of labor to make a profit, then it will be just too bad for the employer, for the workers can eliminate the employers' profit by taking over the works and putting the boss to work. • Employers are n'tit necessary; the raw materials and natural resources are at hand, labor is plentiful, inventors and scientists are a drug upon the market, and there is plenty of scope for labor-saving machinery to do the work, so that the workers can have more leisure and a plentiful supply of the merchandise that now lies under lock and key in stores, factories and warehouses. The immigrant statement follows: British l3ngU.li, 13,.72; Irish. .'r.n'Ji: Scotch, 7.620; Welsh, 781. Total. -6.173. I'nih-il States, 21.070. Northern European Races Belgian, 238; Danish, 808; Dutch, 335; Finnish. 2.2H3; French, .1-3; Germain 7JS89; Icelandic, !!_; Norwegian. *I29; !_vrt.lsh,*7_>; Swiss. 1116. Total 13,288. Other Eacos Albanian, 85; Arabian, l; Armenian, 2d; Austrian. 112; Bohemian, 11; Bulgarian, 287; Croatian, 455; Csech, I'll; Bast Indian, 68; I'sthonian. 61; Greek, :;•>.;. Itullan, 880; P-panese, 172: Jewish, 2,842: Jugo-SIav, :i49; Lettish. -28; Lithuanian, 481; Magyar, 1,249; Maltese, 18; Montenegrin, 3; Moravian, 2: Negro. 120; Persian, I; Polish, 8,921; Portuguese, 5; Roumanian, 164; Russian, 865: Ruthen- lan, 6,313: Serbian, 183; Slovak. 1,907; Spanish; 6; Spanish American, 1: Syrian, B8; Turkish, 7. Total, 22. 122. Grand Total, 02,901. Statement of returned Canadians from the United States, for the nine months ended December 31, 1930: Canadian-bom Citizens April, 2,651: May, 3.114; June. 2.812; July, 3.053; August 2,813; September, 2.619; October, 2.370; November, 2,11(16: Daiem-eft 1,010. Total, 23.481. British Subjects with Canadian Domicile April. 156; May, 142: June. 285: July. 31(1: August, 347; September, 204; October, 176; November, 115; Dei-ember, 106. Total. 1.841. Naturalized Canadians With Somiolle April. 118; May, 103; June. 212; July. 131; August. 156: September, 124: 0C- tnlier, 110: November, 74; Dei-ember, 64. Total. 1.092. Totals for Each Month April. 2.928: May. 3.359: June. 8,(08; July, 3,494; August. 3,346; September, 2,947; October,- 2,656; November, 2,195; December, 2.180. flrand total. 26.411. AND C< WESTMINSTER Two Million Wage For Tobacco Heads New York.—The annual wage of George W. Hull, president American Tobacco Company, is computed at more fhan $2,200,000. Under the stock subscription plan, approved by shareholders, of the company, Hill will pay $25 a share for 13,440 shares of company stock, which has a market value of $116 a share. Under this system each of the vice-presidents received more than $500,000 last year in addition to salary. These payments rival that of Eugene C. Grace, president Bethle- hemhem StreP Corporation, who, in 1929, received $1,623,753 in addition to his salary. Grace last year, received a bonus of $1,015,591. , Stockholders of both concerns have brought suits...against these inordinate payment.-. Hotfe -corporations are anti-union*and block every attempt by workers to unite and raise their living standards. tf TRADES «v OflCO^ Working Button for Second Quarter of 1931: Color, red and white. LOCALS USING WORKING BUTTONS Beverage Dispensers. Brewery Workers. Building Laborers & Hod Carriers. City Fire Fighters. Camp and Mill Workers. , Carpenters. Egg Graders. Electrical Workers. Elevator Constructors. Engineers. Floorlayers. Hotel and Restaurant Employees. Ironworkers. Lathers. Milk Salesmen. Millworkers. Millwrights. New Westminster Carpenters. Plasterers and Cement Workers. Plumbers and Steamfitters. Painters and Decorators. Piledriv-rs and Bridgemen. Sign and Pictorial Painters. - Sheet Metal Workers. Tailors. Taxi Drivers. l Tilesetters. , Teamsters and Chauffeurs. Tile, Marble and Terrazzo Helpers. Upholsterers. Union Bakery Now On Robson Street The Golden Rule Bakery have recently taken over the bakery at 820 Robson street, previously operated by Welch's. The management extend to all union men, their wives and families, a cordial invitation to visit the new store, which has been thoroughly renovated throughout, and the decorating has been carried out on the exact lines adopted in their store at 957 Granville street. The new store has its own bakery and staff of union bakers, and everything, as in the Granville street store, is turned out fresh from the ovens day. / Union Meetings at Labor Headquarters FRIDAY, APHIi. 3rd Hallway t'arnien. 58 '2 Plasterers' Helpers 3 Bnglneers. 844 311". SATURDAY Bakers. 468 3 MOITDAY Electrical Workers, 213 ..' . l Teamsters. 166 ; ' 2 Printing Pri-smlii n. 69 3 Boilermakers 4 Bin (iradeftr- ...311 Painters' Committee V . 313 I'ement Finishers 315 TUESDAY Trades I'ouncll 1 i'liretak.rs and Engineers, 963 2 llurnaby Civic Employees .,...-....:,•.-•••■J' Mailers _ 4 WEDNESDAY Url«klayers, 1 ._ '.... 3 Ironworkers, ,97 ...ZT , 3 Millwrights, 1638 ......... **_r....: yyyy/. 311 - ' *_rtr_urosvr',''''■ • Painters. 138 .... .'. ... 2 Sheet Metal Workers; 280 3 Inlon Label Trades , 4 _«SS__: TRIDAY Mill, -salesmen; 4*rT7":.:. * ..... Plumbers nnd Steamfitters _ Machinists. 182 _ 3 Sheet Metal, 314 311 Engineers, 844 315 ' - ' •- FIVE CENTS PER COPY M00& an Taken frl The six hotels in Cleveland, which locked out the union cooks, waiters and waitresses eight months ago, are not only suffering a great financial loss, but they are bringing ruin to other businesses in their midst, if one is to judge from the reports made in the March issue of The Catering Industry Employee, official organ of the Hotel and Restaurant Employees' and Beverage Dispensers' International. Alliance. The big.AHerton Hotel is now in the hands of receivers, because it has not been able to meet the interest payment on $1,500,000. The Win- ton Hotel is also delinquent on over a million dollars capital. The Brandt Company, the largest wholesale supply house has been closed on account of extending credit to the hotels,, but the situation is getting- worse for these Cleveland hotels and the other business elements. The union forces have been so active that they have succeeded in not only taking away some very big conventions from the city, but have also transferred smaller meetings and banquets to other places. ■ The Loyal Order of Moose have threatened to take their State Convention and International Convention away from Cleveland if the strike is not settled. The State Convention will bring about 25,000 to the city, and the International about 50,000 for six days. The resolution was adopted unanimously by the, Cleveland .Lodge with 500 members present. gles Conventions Non-union Hotels k;.;_r»-*****J^ . The Fraternal Order of Eagles. State and International Conventions, have also been cancelled from Cleveland. The' Brotherhood of Trainmen hav_ transferred their convention to another place, and so have the Brotherhood of Ehginemen and Firemen, and many other smaller conventions. The Sales Managers of the General Electric Company's banquet has bven transferred from the Winton Hotel to a union caterer. This was for 700 at $9.00 per plate. Sheriff John M. Sulzmann of Cleveland has refused to take a leading part in the Ohio Sheriffs' Association, which will bring 5,000 sheriffs, deputies, police chiefs, jailors and others to Cleveland on May 7th unless delegates pledge themselves not to enter any hotel which was having labor difficulties. The Catholic Conference on Industrial Problems also refused to hold its sessions in any of the hotels. These items, taken from the union journal, show what a splendid and effective fight the union is putting, up. The six hotels are being picketed every day by 200 pickets, and it is costing $3,000 per week to feed and pay the pickets, and some 3,500 letters are being sent out every week to various organizations, clubs, societies, et'e. The organized labor movement is giving the union its solid backing and the Musicians, Stationery Engineers and Firemen are out from the hotels in sympathy with the union. Five-day Week Demand Marks End of Old Order, Says Green Washington.—."The old order has passed," declared Wm. Green, president A. F. of L., in urging the five- day week in an address to the nonpartisan conference in this city. The trade unionist traced the development of machinery in industry and insisted that the work day "shall be made flexible so to fairly square with the productivity of individual workers and of industry.'' "If a man can do the same work now in four days that he did in six two decades ago," said Mr. Green, "why should he be required to work the same number of days, only to stagnate the economic situation and to continue chaos. "You can't maintain a social order that makes for the welfare and well- being of the ■ masses of the people and with it a large army of unemployed." Mr. Green quoted census figures to sustain his claim that in 1929' the per cent, in wages, as compared with production, was 16,5 per cent, less than was paid in 1899. "That is surprising to most of you, I presume, because we are under the impression that wages have steadily increased, until they are higher than they were in 1899. Well, it has all been taken up in the increased productivity of the working man. That false economic condition cannot continue without the penalty for the continuation of such a policy. "Wprk security should be established in this country. Industry is obligated to find work for those whom it employs. If it is impossible to find steady employment, then everyone should be given an opportunity to share in available work. This will save us from the depressing, destroying, tragic effect of continual unemployment. "Will you please tell me what right a great corporation has to utilize the services of thousands of working men 1-and. then, when the tide turns, let them loose upon the cities and States to be fed by taxpayers?" —WM. GREEN, President A. F. of L. Rail Trainmen May Join the American Federation of Labor Washington.—A conference at A. F. of L. headquarters, called by President Green", discussed jurisdiction of the Brotherhood of .Railroad Trainmen and several A. F. of L. affiliates. Differences are being adjusted preparatory to the Brotherhood's action at their Houston convention next May on proposed A. F. of L. affiliation. The Brotherhood has a membership of more than 185,000. Other conferences will be held prior to the Houston convention and it is predicted that understandings will be reached. and is the result of many discussions between President Green and A. W. Whitney, president, and other officials of the rarlroad brotherhood, resident Green, two'ijl^*_^Jr**_t- tended the Montreal convention of these rail workers and a . few days later President Whitney returned the courtesy by addressing the A. F. of L, convention at Toronto. At that time Mr. Whitney said: "I don't know of any reason why this great organization," the B. of R. T. should be on the outside looking in on this, the greatest labor federation in the world. ; I am happy to say that even before Brother Green addressed our meeting in Montreal the other day, 1.03 chairmen of our general committees and 15 grand: lodge officers went on record in favor of the B. of R. T. affiliating with the A. F. of L., if your federation The conference will prove histority-sees fit to accept us:— That aeti-iv was unanimous, and after Brother Green made his wonderfully inspiring and illuminating talk every /el-• low felt that he had make no mistake.-" ""' ■■*_~----«.-,>..r-;:^-_~-«*1"'»->--*' ■ "Hail to Labor! Organize and stand together!"—Wendell Phillips. *~\ I ■' ,.! Page Two THE LABOR STATESMAN Friday, April 3rd, 1931 _____ For * Health, Strength and Beauty, eat our Whole Wheat Brown Bread. A wholesome body builder. Doctors recommend it. Fruit and Raisin Bread, Pastry and Meat Pies, Pumpkin Pies. THE ESTHER BAKERY Phone: Highland 1309 3728 HASTINGS ST. EAST INDEPENDENT LABOR PARTY VANCOUVER .BRANCH Chairman - - A.- J. Turner Secretary-Treks... H. E. Tlmmlns 536 Drake Street. Meets Second and Fourth Fridays Room 39 Williams blog.. Corner of granville and hastings Membership Fee - (1 Per Year VANCOUVER, HHW WESTMINSTER A_m DISTRICT TRADES AND LABOR COUHCII. Sixty-nine Unions Embracing- Nearly 15,000 Members. President Colia McDonald Vice-President _ . c, ■.'- Herrett General Sec.-Treas P. J». Benffonffh Statistician Barry Wood Warden William Watt COMMITTEES: Organization: J. Thomson (Chair,) Pile Drivers' Union. P. II. Bengough, Machinists. ■' XV. .1. Bartlett. Blacksmiths. C. Herrett, Barbers. E. H. Morrison. Electrical Workers. Legislative: Chas. Watson (Chairman), City Pire ■■Fighters. R. H. Neelands, Typographical, w. J. Scribbins, Civic Employees. P. R. Bengough. Trades Council. F. A. Hoover. Street Railwavmen. w. Hargreaves, Carpenters. ■I Thomson. Pile Drivers. ileo. Pettipiece, Operating Engineers. Bin Showier. Milk Salesman. c. Fitzgerald. Musicians. Press: Ed. Smith (Chair). Painters. Bert Speed. Street Kallwaymen. R. H. Neelands, Printing Trades. P. R. Bengough. Metal Trades. T. Hanotln. Beverage Trades. B. Showier. Teaming Trades. W. Watt, Building Trades. C. Herrett. Label Trades. I>an McPherson. Sheet Metal Trades. Grievance: ., Geo. Pettipiece (Chairman)', Operating Engineers. s Harry Wood, Restaurant Employees. \\. Page, Carpenters. B. Showier. Dairy Employees. II. \V. Watts. Electrical Workers. Union Bakeries Following is a list of clean and sanitary union shops, employing union members, who are required to take a rigid physical examination, and who are paid sick and accident benefits in case of illness which prevents them working when in a diseased condition: London Bakery, 439 Ea.t 7th street. Phone, Fair. laa--^/ Delicious Bakery, 1S00 East Hastings street. Phone High 70S. Independent Bakery, 1877 West 4th Ave. Bay. 788. Sunset Bakery, 2316 Granville St Craig's Bakery, 187 East Hastings. Pratt's Bakery, 3980 East Hastings street. Phone High. 5607. Stewart's Bakery, 2815 Main street. Fair. 3331. Dirks' Bakery, 6207 Main street Golden Rule Bakery, 957 Granville street. Phone Sey. 86S6. Hastings Bakery, 764 East Hastings. Phone High. 4637. Mutter's Bakery, 2167 Main street. Phone Fair. 3963. The Nook Bakery, 1836 West 4th avenue. Victoria Bakery, 3834 Main street Bennett's Scotch Bakery, 4166 Main street. McDonald's Bakery 4870 and 6080 Joyce Road. Carl 447. (Note. — McGavin's Bakery, tha big firm on Broadway Wast, which delivers bread is not operating a union shop. • ■ ■ . WIRE MEN STRIKE ! ' Atlanta,. Ga.—The, Georgia Power "
Oh yes, talking about a trip reminds me,
the rich are getting richer and the poor poorer
Are you in favor of Women taking part in public affairs?
@en, "Title changes in chronological order: The Labor Statesman (1924-04-25 to 1965-03), The Labour Statesman (1965-05 to 1969-09). From 1924-04-25 to 1965-03 The Labour Statesman was owned and published by the Vancouver and District Labour Council. From 1965-05 to 1967-07 it was published jointly by the B.C. Federation of Labour and the Vancouver and District Labour Council. From 1967-08 to 1969-09 it was published by the B.C. Federation of Labour."@en ; edm:hasType "Newspapers"@en ; dcterms:spatial "Vancouver (B.C.)"@en ; dcterms:identifier "Labor_Statesman_1931_04_03"@en ; edm:isShownAt "10.14288/1.0439133"@en ; dcterms:language "English"@en ; geo:lat "49.246292"@en ; geo:long "-123.116226"@en ; edm:provider "Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library"@en ; dcterms:publisher "Vancouver, B.C. : Vancouver and District Labour Council"@en ; dcterms: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/"@en ; dcterms:source "Original Format : UBC Library"@en ; dcterms:title "The Labor Statesman"@en ; dcterms:type "Text"@en ; dcterms:description ""@en .