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tkt \ t dec n w I ST fi ft N 0fTA R10 N Published in the Interests of the Working Class Alone. metal 403, THE NEXT ACT IN WORLD DRAM A Desperate and Biter Contest With Government Ownership Next in Order Before Decks May£jbe Cleared for Final Action ki the Struggle of the Proletariat for freedom. The conflict over the distribution of labor's producf is irrepressible, and in this conflict the only vantage ground froth which any testing src- cess csn.be itxeed by either side, is the coshrol of the tools and natural resources. So thc conflict it developing itself into one' tor ownership of the means of collective production and distribution. That its conclusion utimateljr is the common ownership uf the things we depend npen in common is not in doubt. It is a question only when and how it will be. 1 The theory has not been successfully controverted, and cannot be that the development of capitalist industry ne- t< warily increases -the number of those who are unavoidably unemployed and reduces the workers to a condition more and more unbearable. For thi* very reason it is clear that tin* capitalist system must and will bc modified belore it reaches its climax. There will be a transition rather than a catastrophe. But the aggregate evils of ths transition may be great lie ownership has certain points cf immense advantage in a contest with the Socialist Party for immediate political success. Complete collectivism is not an ittue at this time, and wc cannot make it an issue. And, if we were in power to set about its establishment at once, we could hardly set about it in any other way beside that by which it is coming through the public ownership cf public utilities bv capitalist administration, though Mtndamentally different to the way it will come under Socialist administration. When we talk to the man on the street about a new system, it simply makes him tired. And when lie will listen, we do not succeed in giving him a clear and positive understanding of what we mean by the new system, because the system will have to evolve itself. It is evolving itself. The thought of the complete subversion of the present order of things to replace it with our brand new system ig too big. It overwhelms him and frightens him. We might do just as well if we did not worry him too much with it. We shall convince him more easily of the irreconcilable antagonism between bis interests and the capitalist interest* tbat finance the ""•."' *?" """'Taii'Th. V-rMa"" tfiothcr poliical paries, and of he neces- er than the sum ol all tne eyt.s ci| :> .^r ^ _1,:.:.J, :_..-__ -, Vancouver, British Saturday, December 15, 1906 ****i-mf ftUtV *ttj possible catastrophe. This transition to -socialism can be through a partial condition like that anticipated in Mr, Herbert Spencer* 'Socialism, The Coming Slavery." Hut we are glad that we don't have to agree with Mr. Spencer that it is slavery that is coining. Meanwhile the work of the Socialist agitators is first to discredit and destroy the popular belief in the normal and legal rights or capital. This work they arc doing with right good tutcett everywhere, arousing thc workers to realization of thc fact that capitalists have no right* as capitalists, and that they have no power themselves to enforce their pretensions. And thc capitalists are lending us effective aid in this work. As it advances <o completion, laws and usages will bc modftcd to conform. Though the changes be by imperccp- *1 V"J"* tible increments, the result will be an<* s collect&res owi*Jertlrip of the mm»<t of work collective production just as t-urely Pnm'* as if the necessary properties were immediately "confiscated." But the existing industrial and financial organization will not be so greatly shaken. Public opinion of a nation turn* a* a great ship turns, imperceptibly to those who strain at the ropes. Rut the growing sentiment for public ownership show* that public opinion yield* to physical necessities and the incessant Socialist agitation. Yet its advocate* protest truly that they arc no Socialists. Mr. Hears*, say* "We are not opposed to capitalism large or small." Socialists regard thi* radical movement with distrust and hostility, because by it alone can the time be delayed when much more will be gained than state capitalism. That the government should conduct the capitalist system is something to which we are just as much opposed as the capitalists themselves have been. But the campaign thunder of thc Socialist Party has been stolen it seems. And *o it must seem for a white to these who lose sight of thc object to be gained by government ownership. Does the Socialist Party' posses* any great principle distinguishing it from other political parties which professional politicians canont steal? The Socialist movement was born in revolt against the horrors of poverty, lt gets its whole philosophy by analyzing thc modern industrial and financial system in search of the cause of* poverty. Its aim, namely, to make the conditions of all employment* prohibit the incomes which able bodied idlers draw sity for the political organization of hi* class against them. We cannot make a successful political party out of devotees of thc Co-operative Commonwealth. Most of those who are capable of understanding us are dominated by middle class morals and ideals. The majority of those who are incapable of understanding us are propertyless wage workers on whom we have a more unmistakable claim than on any other,class. Capitalism has crushed hope out of many of them. One needs but to look into their blank hopeless countenances and meet their dull ttare to be overwhelmed by a sense of how hopeless is tbe effort to inspire them with an ideal and arouse them to resistance. Out of those who study the problems involved the majority are holders of some small investments. And the more energetic successful members of the wage ing class hope themselves tc become investors too; so that their morals and ideal* are also the same. They hope to enjoy security and an income without labor. It is hopeless to appeal to their moral sensibilities iK-.inst the inherent immorality of capitalism. Theft consists undoubt-' cdly in the harm done to those whose goods are taken without recompense, because they are put to some pains to replace them. And the effect of obtaining goods without labor equal to tlieir production is the same by whatever method it is done, and even if a partial recompense is given to satisfy thc law. But honestly they,do not regard it as wrong, and they hope to iuccced by it. Often they are deeply religious. They hold some absurdly distorted notions of honor and patriotism which are sometimes as sincere a$ they are fantastic. But the commonplace morality is quite good enough for them. The clergy, who say they arc divinely ordained to teach us morals, naturally resent the suggestion that there may be something of morals known or to be learned which their teachings do not comprehend, and they retort by attacking thc Socialist philosophy. If a wage- worker has a small investment, and his predominant interest as a wage- worker is nine times greater than his interest as a capitalist, nevertheless he thinks of himself at a capitalist. He does not consider that whatever his employment, and whatever the name under which he receives compensation for that employment, his compensation must bc less because of cheap labor in other employments. To him that political party appeals successfully which claims to serve both the Interests of laborers wanting better wages and of business men who want to hire labor cheap, for he is in fact something of both laborer and capitalist himself. The farmers regard Socialism with tbhorrence, thinking that it threatens their possession of the land they till. Whereas the number of mortgaged farms and farms worked by tenants reaches the dimensions of a national calamity. Trusts and monopolies, especially the railroad monopoly, which taxes the farmers' goods both coming and going, skim off all the surplus of the farmers' annual income tbove the cost of tbe barest kind of living. But, while thc financiers IcaVe him title to the land, the far to proclaim, thc fact that municipal and national ownership will be in the interest of that class which pays the campaign fund of the political party which administers it. But it is not true that government ownership administered by a capitalist party will bc necessarily or positively of no benefit to the workers. And we shall defeat ourselves by attacking the people who are really working fcr government ownership in other organizations betides the Socialist Party. Violent denunciation of the leaders in whom thev have confidence will not tend to destroy that confidence. At the same time it is incredible that the capitalists themselves would prove the correctness of the Socialist principle for us by a successful application of it, even if they undertake government ownership to stave off political defeat; and we shall have our opportunity by effective criticism to show the reasons of its failure. That public ownership after the fashion of the capitalist should be corrupt is inherent in the nature of it. It will be corrupt not only as capitalist business is corrupt, but even as measured by the moral standards of the trading class themselves. The public may expect nc mercy and should^ deserve none when they choose to have the purchase of properties from public service corporations negotiated for them by the politicians who prove themselves attorneys, so to speak of the capitalist owners of these corporations. Government industries administered by professional politicians are often disgracefully inefficient and usually unprogressive, resisting the introduction of improved methods ind devices. But these things will be learned by experience. If this public ownership party which is not opposed to capitalism great or small is to accomplish anything at all, it must accomplish it at the expense of the great capitalists. Money must be gotten by taxation to pay for the properties designed for government ownership. Since it will be difficult or impossible to collect this from the wage workers, already reduced to the barest necessities, the property owner* will pay it. Purchase by the issue of bonds will gain nothing. It gives government guarantee of the incomes which it is the object to reduce. For the bonds must be at least as good as an investment in order to be worth as much as the stocks they are issued to pay for. In fact, it is possible tc get government Ownership only by taxing in the largest proportion the very peoplfaLin,H , ...l. _ »u. „.j,^.«;-. •*,.. »rt„.rrf-.V»OciaI who own tbe properties the govern' ment would buy. The capitalists oppose with all their might having the money taken from them by taxation to pay for the properties taxed. It is, in fact, confiscation. By no means will they be tricked or urged into supporting a political party for any such purpose, though thev might gladly exchange their stocks for government bonds. Thc great capitalists show no hesitation in declaring themselves opposed to government ownership and will present a powerful and determined opposition to it. On every field of industrial and political conflict they have defeated the little business man who renews his hope of self preservation by this movement for government ownership of the big capitalist's business. Into the world wide titanic struggle it comes with no more inspiring motive than the business interests of the petty traders and no other definite principle to determine its course. Its advocates among the petty traders have no new weapons and none so good that their old opponents do not have much better. This movement trim* its course to the wavering and conflicting purposes of the little capitalists, a demoralized and failing class. It possesses no principle that is not equally well adopted by any old political machine whenever it become* useful for political purposes. It can pursue no definite course therefore, with steadiness and confidence. Its contemptible weapons of trading for what it can get and compromising where no honorable and lasting compromise is possible will be soon lost in the confusion of its indecision. Nor is it by any means possible that the matter will be left to rest with its failure. Some relief from the increasing economic pressure will be gotten. And failure of half-hearted measures can-but make the demand for it more uncompromising and peremptory. Compromise after compromise will indeed be wrung from the great capitalists, but not by those who- seek compromise. Compromise they wiU yield only to blunt the sharpness of the demand for much more and to prevent the immediate effectiveness of Socialist agitation. And, indeed, is the approaching climax of capitalism in this most advanced of capitalist nations so slow and so far off that relief can be felt from such a doubtful and trifling concession as this government ownership? It has been yielded already by, the less developed capitalism of Eurooe without preventing the rapid increase in tbe Socalist vote there. If no war or other world calamity intervenes to relieve the overproduction of capitalism and postpone again the industrial depression which Mr. Rockefeller says may be expected in the next two years, the Socialistic senti- men that expresses itself in a hesitating demand for government owner- hip may crystallize suddenly into list conviction and dete-mina- IN THE DEAR UNO OTi^EeOOM ****?***■»*» A New York WoriOngman Lured by the. Ri*W>pw of Pronj- tse. into one of Capitals' Slay* Camps in Soutt^m Ffe-to Writes Interestingly of his Trim Key West, F!a, Nov. 8, 1906.—I am writing this letter by moonlight as I lie in my muddy tent, supposed to be asleep Did the guards, who pace the watches of the night, know what I am doing, my hide wouldn't hold shucks, for I am in a slave camp in Southern Florida, and I am supposed to be dead to the rest of the world. But I am not dead by a long shot. On the contrary, I am very much alive, and, ere many moons have passed, my present boss, Mr. Flagler, the far-famed emperor of Florida, will find it cut. For I -am going to present a truthful portrayal of industrial conditions as they actually exist in the slave camps here in Florida, and the first situation that I shall deal with will be the East Coast Florida Extension Railway. Hired by a Labor Agency. It was in New York that I first received an invitation to migrate south by a laocr agent representing the Flagler interests in Florida. With several hundred others, I was handed a glowing description of the conditions that surrounded the life of thc workingman in Dixie. I was told that the air was^soft and the days full of Sunshine, the nights such as tb make those of Italy and Sicily black J with darkness and green with envy.l and that the climate was all the human soul could hope for. Southern Florida, I was told, was a land where all seasons were summer and where fruit o f all kinds was plentiful and lusciously golden. On the Fertile Islands, where I was to labor but lightly a few hours every day, there were no swamps, ho malaria and no mosquitoes. There, in that paradise of delight, the bosses were all-"Southern gentlemen," who were too well bred to evencast a sour glance at a recalcitrant workingman. It was a labor of love, thc stunts among those Fertile Islands, laying the founda tion. We may then expect here what has happened abroad, first in Germany, then in France, and now in England, a magnificent increase in the Socialist vote. Warren Atkinson, in International Socialist Review. New York, September, 1906. the.hurry and excitement incident to getting aboard at Jacksonville' I over-* looked the "boarding car" away up near the head of the train. Without washing,; we scrambled along the vine-grown embankment, to the "boarding car," where, as we passed: - in line, we were each handed hunk* of black bread, bits of fat pork, and a cup of black.coffee, sugarless and flavorless and altogether unsatisfactory. The meal disposed of, we were ordered back into the cars in order* that the journey might be resumed. And, oh, that journey! How shall I describe it? What, with gnats and mosquitoes and. heat and stifling op- pressiori, by reason of the cramped quarters, it .was the worst night I had ever endured. I haye spent many nights more intolerable (ban that since my incarceration jn this camp, but thai was mv first experience of the kind. In Use. Fk**»da S-trampe. Nothing shall be said of the rest of the journey. Suffice it to mention that after two more days and nirfhts of travel and travail we finally emerged into an opening beside one of .the dismalist swamps that ever lay, dank and dark, beneath the vine-embower*' ed foliage of southern Florida. Here we were unloaded and investigated. - Every man was compelled to line up and submit to a personal search. This was done to secure su en weapons as might be concealed anywhere abouts. This process finished, we were marched across country to the camp, whkh was to be our home. I have neglected to state that, with our journey across Florida by freight, was commenced a career of abuse against us by the men wbo styled themselves our "bosses." We had long since ceased to be treated with, even ordinary civility. Opprobrious epithets were applied to us when cut attention was needed. This man and' that were singled, out and ordered «o do or cease doing with a nonchalance that was frightful as it was menacing. When well, in to the swamps the bosses boldly uncovered their re- SOME RECENT GLORHHS UNION UBOR "VICTORIES." tlons of the East 'Coast Florida Ex-1 j^^ ^. - . .. M tension Railway. It was outside1 ****** •** W^ **«* ** *■•«•'***** Work, away from the smoke and through their ownership of the means of production and distribution, is as, opposed to capitalist business and capitalist politics as light ts to darkness or life is to death Where «ne is the other is not. This .P"ttiP« no professional politKtn will adopt, and it is the only one worth stealing. We wsnt full ©ay for the work we do, and government ownership •' it is a means to this end. But KO*e-nment ownership will not in itself secure labor's product to those who produce It This is sustained by thc eupe:.- ence with trovernment ownership abroad, of which there is very much more already established in European countries than Is even pr°P°"» here Yet it has not stopped tlte migration of hundreds of thousancis •—*•"-£ ^,; -.*, de*M8r6n that he each year to this country in search mer worje una. q of better conditions of labor NeVc . U an .nd P P (ami, Th thelesB it is expend tfiat the.mo« w^ug ^ ^ ._ f government ownership of railroads, as that is not opposed to capitalism. Meanwhile an attitude can be maintained by us, which, if it will not yet win them over, will at least command the respectful attention of that large class of workers who are also small investors, leaving us free to show clearly and forcibly that this government ownership lacks the very thing essential to make it worth while to them. The Socialist Party will After all the fuss and turmoil which accompanied the strike of the Hamilton street railway employees, they are now back at work*—that is, those of them that the company feel justified in employing those who were conspicuously obnoxious, it is openly asserted, will not be taken back. A couple of hundred sympathizers who were so foolish as to continue to obstruct and assault the property of the railway company, even in the face of the armed militia and police are nursing sore heads and bruised bodies, and one at least who took part in the disturbances will serve two vears in jail. At Lethbridge, where the coal miners have been on strike for some time, a "settlement" has been effected and the men have returned to work without establishing the principle of the "closed shop." At Fernie much the same sort of compromise has been arranged, the men notifying the comapny they were ready to go to work after an industrial struggle lasting some months, and asked for a train in the morning to take them to the mine. The company not providing this accomodation they walked, and as many as thc company "could find places for" were put to work. For years we have had it dinned into our ears that the union was the only salvation of the wage earner. Hardlv a person who has paid any attention to these matters at all but will be familiar wkh the tactics pursued bv he trade and labor unions in their endeavor* to raise or down in one defeat after another will yet persist in calling the attempt of workingmen to combine in order to raise wages in an overstocked labor market, the only labor movement? We hesitate to apply a term for fear of doing an injustice to some who honestly strive thus because they know no better way. The trade union movement is generally led and fostered by those or-1 ganized trades who by reason of possessing a skill which differentiates them from common labor are in a position, by trade union combination, to effect better selling terms on the part of its members for this particular kind of labor-power over the supply of which thev have some control. (And because unionism, under these circumstances, is applicable to them as a portion of the working -*lass they proclaim that the same tactics can be purs e-d by all with like results. The idea is fallacious, but the pity of it is that those working- men who act on this idea, because! they can see no other hope of relief, follow it tenaciously and consistently to its logical outcome—which was the clubs of the police and thc bayonets of the militia in the Hamilton instance and the actual spilling of blood in Quebec. There is a labor movement, however, and a field of activity in which labor is absolutely invincible. That movement is the Socialist movement and that field is the field of politics. The wage-earners of the Dominion are in the majority. A political plat- form which will express their class grime of the cruel city, and it was glorious and health-giving exercise to toil within easy sight of the waving palmettos, and not toe far distant from a luxurious bath in the mellow, surf. Allured With Perfidious Promiaetv I listened to the spell-binding story of the labor agent, and was caught i with his honeyed words. The miserable existence I had eked out in Gotham rose in my memory to give emphasis to my desire, and, without more ado, I signed my name to the long list of the disinherited who were going South to find a home in' freedom. At half past two o'clock in the afternoon I trod the steerage of a tramp steamer, as she weighed anchor and turned her prow towards Sandy Hook, preparatory to a glorious cruise down the coast. I looked back at the smoky city, and silently thanked God that Fertile Islands lay to the south, for in those islands, I mused, I would everlastingly escape the infernal wage slavery I had so lpng endured in her roaring, sweating hell-shops. The labor agent told me that my Jassage to Florida would cost only ta, and that I could repay the company, after I landed, at the rate of %i per week. After we had been out at sea for three hours, another agent came around and informed me that the passage amounted to $25, and that unless I had the cash in hand I must sign a book which he had upturned to my view. In vain I review; ed my bargain with the New York* agent, and remonstrated against the J in plain sight of all. The further we progressed the wider grew the chasm ef hatred between the workingmen and their "gentlemanly" masters. By the time we reached camp, most of as were ready for open rebellion; bat. unarmed as we were, what could we ■ do? We'were miles from civilization, *)i the midst of swamps reeking with snakes and disease, and we knew not which way to turn were escape possible. j Uses die Mail in Spite oi Boavest I have been here five days, and the Conditions are like unto a living death. Most of the 3,000 men scattered through the camps here are ignorant, coarse, and inured to a life f slavery. ^ They work and whine nd mumble their discontent when e boss, is not looking, but none of em possesses the ingenuity or the udacity to escape. I have managed o establish mail connections witn.; „ey West, from which place my correspondence will be sent to Atlanta, Ga., where in turn it will be for-j warded to thc (Appeal to Reason. — i Special Correspondence to thc Appeal to Reason. ' —: 0 :— STILL SMOULDERING. ment lor government ownership now being organized within and without the old political parties up the Socialist Party by becom'^. more ftvd more radical, as though-j they would defeat it m the end by counterfeiting it. . To thi* new and shifty antagonist in the political field for public owner- ship not opposed to capitalism the Socialist Party will,have to.oppose more skill and politics sagacity than is needed against the el'tmsy brutality of the old capitalism. Capitalist pub- ions tn ineir cuucnuis »*j* ••■ov v. ,— maintain wages—by strike, boycott • interests must eventually command and "patronize the union label," and'*1"1** *""***i'*""*"*" «««« «"nnnrt A* many there are who still believe In the potency of these weapons. May we beforgiven if we regard them in the light of broken staffs and the ones who are relying on them as the sole equipment of labor's arsenal as more to be pitied than anything else. But while wc may regard with pity those who are so blind as'not to see that these methods can only result in such "victories" as the three above quoted, how are we to regard those who knowing the inevitable consequences of such action will yet encourage others to cling to these weak and foolish attempts to pit their empty stomachs against the property holdings of thc industrial lords, who injustice of the present demand. I their consideration and support. As their interests lie in setting themselves free from capitalist exploitation and in the abolition of capitalist" property in order that they may be the masters of the productive property with which they create the wealth of the country they are bound sooner or later to be driven j we be forgiven if we regard them in emancipation, as there is no other road thev can travel by. And although we may deplore the ttarvings, and clubbings, and bcyon- ettings and heartrending conditions to take thc political road to their rebels against the exactions of capitalist production, yet it seems to be a necessary part of their progress are entrenched behind and backed up I towards sane action and the process * - ' ite—mill-1 of getting their eyes opened; and no tary, police" and judiciary? How are|Pl>« will rejoice more than the So- by air the powers of the state—1 werytoPOr.™r"dndthosdeC'wS .St* wit-1 cinli.t when that time arrives aS SS* utmo^ffomlSsSgTJ? ^W&»X i1 ***** * ™-« «-* had to either sign the book, or submit to arrest upon my arrival at Jacksonville. There being no other alternative, I. attached my signature to the page. Little did I dream that I was virtually selling myself into chattel slavery when I signed that book! From Jacksonville in Box Cars. At length port was made, and we I were hustled from the boat to the' Wharf and thence to a train of box cars that were waiting on a nearby J siding. I wondered why we were being crowded into those dirty- cramped box cars-, but I had not long to wait. In less than an hour two whistles from thc front announced something doing, and a moment later we were off. The car in which I was placed was ciowded with a miscellaneous assortment of tinkept humanity, and I felt miserably out of sorts. All day we traveled, through a strange country of wild woods and swamps and dejected little rice and cotton farms. Negroes grinned and showed their teeth as we wound in and out from one turpentine camp to I another—grinned in a knowing way, and winked to one another, as we slowly sped on our course. Late in the afternoon the train halted at a siding, to the right of which was a water-tank and a coal-bin. While the engine coaled and watered, we were told to get ready for supper. In William English Walling, the well, known magazine writer on labor sub-1 jects, has just returned from an extended tour of investigation in Rus-! sia, accompanied by Mrs. Walling (formerly -Anna Strunsky), and will at once write a book of his exnerien*' ces in the land of tyranny, while Mrs. Walling will deliver lectures for th* benefit of the Russian cause of free*1 dom. Mr. Walling declares that the' revolution is progressing ' more, strongly and successfully today than, ever before, but that all news' discouraging to the government is suppressed wherever possible in order to protect Russian credits. Mr. Walling says that a new and powerful organization has made its appearance. It: is called the "Mox.matists," who use all the former methods of the terror-1 ists, and at the same time carry on a guerrilla warfare! The "Moximat-1 ists" are the raiders who hold up banks, express trains and every gov* 1 eminent institution that is known to have money, and all funds thus obtained are utilized in purchasing more arms and ammunition (or the people. The peasants are particularly active in this new organization, the strength and influence of which is spreading; through the country like a prairie fire. According to Mr. Walling, a state of war exists in Russia that will burst forth like a mighty voir cano as soon as the workingmen in the cities and the peasants are fairly well armed. The present ruling class1 is doomedi—Cleveland Citizen. o "Shall the wives of workingmen go into factories and shop-;?" asks an exchange. That largely depends upon, whether they can get a job there cr not. It would be advisable to consult the owner about k. „.>-1.......!- - .■■-.■■ y MMMeMwn— iff '! j*t"l» MM,'! 14:' IM lr:*' t If Wostorn Chrios ,^.Mavaw.****r-**^.>-*j^.»<'<~»1'^ Published twery Samrday in the Lterests of -the vnraing ehtaa »done It the Office of the Weatern Clarion, tck Block btssement, 165 Hastbgs Vancotjver B. C. 11 a aisaf.i aaaaisM lots SUBSCRIPTION: (mo PBS ANNUM Strictly ia Advsir-cs. Yearly subscription cards in litre or more, 75 cents ench. Bundles of 5 or more copies, for a triod of not less than three months, the rate of one cent per copy per nme. [ Advertising nteg on spoHcntlon ! If yon receive tins paper, It is paid )y^al1fy^M^(^^|t^^aa***^aaa»t^^f^^s*aa>*a*s*sl«* In making remittance by cheque, kchange must be added. Address li communications and make all |oney orders payable to THB WBSTBRN CLARION VtuKottver, B. C Watch tUn label on yoor paper. If tha ntrmber is on it, yonr snbscription expires the next * [04 Saturday, December 15, 1906. THB TRUB SOLUTION. vat ******* euaar vkmatnHm. **** &-**** kt.lA.i I . Smvnr*aTa*(ys a^traT*aaTa»aTr tj, ij j The most serious problem con- wonting the labor-skinning fraternity British Columbia at present is that cheap labor. For some inscrut- ble reason the labor market seems have been rather cleaned out of hose choice and juicy tidbits of la- |or-power, the exceeding cheapness which wa* wont to bring joy to the leart of the hungry profitmongers Bring recent years. The impecu- |icus laborer whose condition of pov- rty rendered him the helpless victim If the employer, in-the matter of wales, being less plentiful, joy has turn- into a heartburning most consum- ngly painful. Of course every stu- [ent of capitalist production understands that the present is merely a riod cf very rapid expansion of capi- that mast inevitably be followed ty a period of stagnation during rhith less labor wiH bc employed id the tendency of prices will be to eek the level obtaining previous to he present inflation, or to sink even elow it. It is a mathematical impossibility that the present rate of apitalist activity should continue for Iny extended period cf time. The leaction is bound to come and the trier of the commodity labor-power be the first to feel its effect. It, refore, stands the laborer in hand make the most of the present op- ^ortnnity to obtain as much a* he can the shape of wages ih order to be }ble to tide over the period of adver ty that it sore to come. Although a period of activity is on and the supply of available abor in the market is somewhat less ui was formerly the case, the fact |tiH remains that the average wage British Columbia is not, even now, fo large as to insure its recipient in he acquisition of a fortune. Taking bio consideration the prices of the things the wage-earner has to pur lhase it will go little, if any, farther |han the wage received during nor- ai times. Be that as it may, however, the sbor-skinner has a constitutional ^version to paying wages that even ok large as expressed in money. In et, it is characteristic of the breed i be dominated by an over-mastering •ire to get their work done for as ir nothing as possible. Ideal conditions, to them, are expressed by a Poor-market filled to overflowing pith laborers .whose impecuniosity is 1 pronounced as to make it possible the labor-skinner to secure the Ihoicest of specimens for a song. In (ther words, the labor-market should a sort of bargain counter or ram aage tale. There has been a good deal of ad rse criticism re the importation of static labor info the Dominion. The Unrestricted importation of (Asiatics almost sure to stir up a nasty and ellious agitation among the white rorkers of the province. The labor- smine that is gnawing at the vitals ipocketbooks) of the labor-skinners, Iowever, must be broken and their [resent sufferings brought to an end. According to the Victoria "Week," a [true solution" of the difficulty hat |ow been found that can be applied ithout awakening the unreasonable prejudice which the white working- nan entertains for his fellow-heathen If Asiatic persuasion. Thi* solution |es in the importation of working- lien and womep from the Britith Isles. To quote the "Week": "This is exactly the policy which tbe Provincial Government, through Mr. Tatlow, has just been sble to carry to a successful issue. By a definite contract with Commissioner Coombs, the Salvation Army has agreed to bring out and locate in British Columbia some thousands of suitable Englishmen, who will be available cither as hired laborers or in some instances as settlers. In ad dition. the contract provides for a supply of female domestic servants By this double-barrelled arrangement the most pressing needs of the labor market will be supplied, for next to the demand for manual labor in the various industries, the greatest need undoubtedly is for suitable help in the homes of the province." While the advent of the chief guy of the Salvation Army for the Dominion of Canada upon the scene may be taken as a wise dispensation cf providence, no small credit is due the efficient finance minister for the well- developed perspicacity that enabled him to recognize the divine messenger as soon as he hove in sight. A finance minister who would be unable to see an opportunity when it presented itself and lacked the courage to seize it, would be unfitted for any more exalted position than cashier in a Chinese hash house. That the Provincial Government is to come to the relief of the famine victims, by aiding the importation of the much-needed supplies, speaks volumes for its tender solicitude open behalf of that portion of the community that is absolutely incapable of providing its own sustenance and must, therefore, depend upon sapping its substance from those who are not only capable of supporting themselves, but the idle, shiftless and useless as well. It establishes the paternalistic character of the government beyond a doubt. If our dearly beloved masters are too shiftless to do their own work and their feminine belongings too lazv to empty their own slops, it is eminently meet and proper that "our" government should come to the rescue by importing, or assisting in the importation cf, more slaves to do it for them. In their assisting to assuage the heartburnings of the worthless profit-hungry, crew whose tools they are, not only will government prove true to its mission, but the red sweater and poke bonnet brigade will make good their claim to the title of "Salvation Army." If the scheme works out successfully the protit-hungry wi 1 be saved tbe further agony of paying "high wages," and their wives the agony of waiting on themselves. [ It is undoubtedly true that large numbers of working people can be induced to come to British Columbia from the old country. Ground down to a narrow and uncertain existence through centuries of capitalist tyranny and oppression they will grasp at a possible chance to escape from their misery and their servitude. To induce them to come over, their ears will be regaled with seductive stories regarding the felicitous con ditions surrounding the workingman in this favored spot. Nine-tenths of that told to them will be unadulterated falsehood while the remaining tenth may be safeiy taken only with the proverbial grain of salt. The action of the government in this matter once more proclaims the class character of this venerable institution. Springing from class interests, it must inevitably respond to class needs. The instrument of a ruling class, it must leave no stone unturned to protect the interests of tbat class and afford it succor in the hoar of its distress. That honr comes when, conditions surrounding its slaves become such as to make it possible for them to obtain a few crumbs in excess of the actual amount necessary to keep live* in their miserable carcasses. The interest of British Columbia wage-earners demands that no efforts be put forth to cause an influx of laborers from any other part of the earth. The conditions here at present are barely tolerable. To say the least, tbey are none too good. The effort of the present government to bring in thousands of laborers, the result of which can only be to make conditions worse, should be resented by every workingman in the province. It can only be resented by the return of a sufficient number of Socialist candidates to insure the prevention of any further action of this sort by the government of this province. The workers of every country on earth should, as far as possible, remain where the-*- are and fight the class struggle with their master* to a finish. So long as they allow themselves to be led from pillar to post by the sneaking knaves of capitalism, either pious or profane, so long are they unwittingly instrumental in delaying the deliverance cf enslaved la bor from the thraldom of capitalist exploitation. The break made by Tatlow and his band of politicians, in effecting an open partnership with that notorious slave importing concern known as the Salvation Army, is an excellent one to make at this stage of the game. An election is coming on and it will be made good use of for the purpose of putting the Conservative humbugs on the same road to oblivion that their Liberal counterpart is now so successfully travelling. CAPITAL Probably no term is more frequent ly used and less understood than the term capital. This is true not only of the devotees of tbe existing order of society, but of many Socialists as well. The editor of what passes as one of the leading Socialist publications recently stated, in substance, that the Socialist has no quarrel with capital but has a most decided aversion to tbe capitalist, and purposed to abolish him by making all pecple capitalists. This was to be accomplished by making the people as a whole the owners of capital. A more ridiculous assumption could scarce be imagined, and even the most careless examination of, or inquiry inte, the nature of capital will disclose its ridiculousness. Upon the face of it, the means of production appear as capital The conclusion is quite naturally arrived at that any person owning such means of production is, of course, a capitalist. -Consequently, if the people as a whole owned the means of production, upon which they depend for their existence, all would become capitalists. In order to arrive at anything like a correct understanding of capital, and the peculiar circumstances that endows the individual person with the title of capitalist, it is necessary to inquire into the nature of capital itself and ascertain, if possible, what it expresses, or the particular function it may perform in the daily life of a people. If the latter be fully under stood the former will be made equally plain. The function ef capital is to bring to it* owner, the capitalist, as the expression goes, profit. Ask of any capitalist why he makes an investment, and he will answer, because he expects to reap a profit thereby. The dullest one in the lot is not so stupid as to be unconscious cf the fact that to make an investment of the means at his command in any ven ture that was sure of proving a los ing one would nullify the purpose lying behind the making of an investment and strip from him the garb of capitalist. Hence, unless his capi tal successfully performs its true function of bringing him profit it is only a matter of time until he would find himself in the non-capital ist class. Although he might still remain in undisputed ownership of means of production, say, for instance, a factory, he would have lost his position as capitalist because his holdings of property could no longer be used as a medium through which the function of capital, i.e., to tn profit—could be expressed. Were it even possible for him to turn to and operate his factory by his own labor the output would acrue to him, not as profit upon his investment, bnt merely as a return for his own labor expended in it* operation. It may be seen from this that tbe means of production, though nomin ally appearing under certain circum stances as capital, are net in them selves capital. Under such circum' stances they afford a medium through which, or by which, capital may per form its special function in the present scheme of things. With such circumstances lacking capital vanishes. The capitalist depends for his profits upon the labor of those who, perforce, depend upon his property in the means cf production for their living. By purchasing the labor-power of such, as a commodity in the mar ket, and utilizing it in the operations of his instruments of production our capitalist finds hmself in possession of whatever volume of wealth may result from the expenditure of this labor-power. Under such circumstances the labor-power of the workman can be converted into the food, etc., necessary to perpetuate his existence, only by selling it to the' capitalist. Out of the wealth produced by its expenditure the capitalist recover* the amount expended for the labor- power and retains the balance as a profit. His ownership of the means .of production upon which the workers depend for their existence afford* a medium by which the wealth they produce passes into the possession of the capitalist. By this means capital performs its function of gathering profits from the toil and sweat of wealth producers. Capital, then, expresses the relationship existing between exploiter snd exploited. The present form ot ownership establishes the relation* ship and makes its expression not only possible but inevitable. With the ownership of the means of pro duction transferred from the capital* ist class to society as a whole, this relationship is destroyed because the medium through which it ii expressed—capitalist property—no longer exists. Capital vanishes; the capitalist stripped of his power to exploit his fellows, through his ownership of the means of production upon which they depend for their existence, becomes merely an individual member of society with the same rights and privileges as the rest. The Socialist wages persistent war fare against capital, but not against the capitalist a* an individual. The capitalist and the wage-tlave are le gitimate creatures of the present system of property in the means of wealth production. They sre not responsible for the system, but on the contrary the system i» responsible for them. So long as the means of production upon which all depend for their existence, and which, by reason of the gigantic and complicated nature of the instruments in vogue, can only be operated co-operatively, remain the property ot a part of society, the capitalist and the wage- slave will remain with us. As the one exists by virtue of the existence of the other, tbat which dispense* with the one will do away with both. They are twins bound together by the nexus of the present system of property which will admit of no other relationship. When that nexus la broken, rigor mortis in oblivion for the pair of them. exist withoat labor was enslaved and robbed. This robbery is the motive BUSINESS. of This is pre-eminently an age business. Everywhere is buying and selling. Every attribute of humankind, from the ability to shovel sand to tbat of painting human aspirations and emotions in words of living fire, is a thing for barter and sale in the market, the price largely determined by the necessities of the seller. If they be pressing even the honor of manhood and the virtue of womanhood will bring but a trifle in the market, ana either will be bought with es .little conscience or scruple as though the purchaser were bargaining for a plug of tobacco or a pair of shoestrings. Everv individual of the great throng that we call human society depends solely upon this buying and selling for his very existence. He or she, who have ncthing to sell, or to bc sold in their behalf, are in a sad wav. because without this they can not purchase the thing* necessary to a continuation of their existence. The workman must sell his power to labor, the farmer must sell his crops, the merchant must sell his wares, the factory lord must sell the output of his factory, the professional man mutt sell his talents, and the woman with nothing else to sell must part with her virtue, for the price they will fetch in a market that responds solely to the law of supply and demand. Each and all must sell or perish, in this glorious business era. Man is supposed to stand head and shoulders above all other animals in point of intelligence. In fact, from his lofty intellectual pinnacle, he disdains to grant the so-called lower animals the possession of anything better than instinct to guide them in their actions. Of all the animal* of the earth, however, there i* not one that appear* capable of making the enjoyment of life such a clumsy, awkward, ludicrous an J ghastly failure as man. Amongst all of his tribe it is rare indeed to find an individual whose appearance indicates close familiarity with a wholesome and hearty enjoyment of life. The bulk of humankind carry with them an unmistakably timid and frightened look strangely suggestive cf an ever-present fear of want or the momentarily expected appearance of a bill collector. Occasions! specimen* may be found that at first glance appear, to enjoy life io all its fullness, but upon closer inspection they afford an intellectual effluvium strongly suggestive of a fat hog wallowing in a swill- trough. Day in and day out the human animal pursues his time-honored avocation of buying and selling. Rarely, if ever, does a thought of anything else enter his head. To buy cheap and sell dear is his "cloud by day and pillar of fire by night." Business is merely the traffic' in human flesh, bone, muscle and marrow, either as it ie actually embodied in the carcass of the worklngmtm himself or coined into the commodities produced by his labor. It could not power that impels the juggernaut ot butinett along it* bloody pathway, leaving poverty, misery, vice, crime and corruption in its wake. Were the producers of Wealth not shackled, and plundered of their product, there would be no business; ne buying and selling with all of its lying, cheating, trickery, deceit and swindle; no more coining of the honor of manhood, tbe virtue of womanhood and the innocence of childhood into profits for the business world in the factory, mine and sweatshop hells of capital. Enslaved labor carries upon its bent back the crushing load of all of this degrading and vulgar business civilization. Every dollar of exchange value that is bandied about and patted from hnad to hand among the traders and traffickers in human fle»h and its by-products (commodities) it wrung from the laborers under the lath of a slavery more reckless, nn- tcrupulout snd vulgar than ever previously existed. It it a slavery of the office, counting-room, ledger, cash book, title deed, mortgage stock*, bond*, etc. The masters arei businei* men, backed by a government run on buainees principles. The basic principle of butines* is to seise the products of labor and have a regular monkey and parrot time over the division of tbe spoils. Capitalist production, under ite enphooious name of butiseta, hat tplit human society into the two war* ring faction* known as capitalist* and wage-slaves. The ever increasing conflict of Interest between them threatens at any moment to become to intensified as to wc capable bt settlement only at the cost of ocean* of blood, and widespread destruction. The life of the slaves is becoaaing each day more unbearable, thc efforts of the matters to hold tbem in subjection and wring even greater profits from their carcasses more determined, unscrupulous and drattic. In the field of capitalist production there is, there can be, no peace. Tempor* try tranquility there may be, bnt it it only equivalent to a trace to be broken at any moment either party may deem propitious. A slave civilisation cannot long survive. Either the smoldering fires of rebellion among the tta vet will bc fanned into the fierce flames of revolution, by the consuming passion for liberty thst never diet in tke human breast, and such a civiliiation perish 'neath the "iron sandal," or it will ttew to death in its own corruption and rottennett. a corruption and rotten-nets thst is thc inevitable conse* qiMMaoe of the slave virus la its Wood. Ob, bstinetsl Thou mighty magician that hath with thy magic wand turned the earth into a shambles where men, women and children are slaughtered to thy great glory and profit, we acknowledge thy power. Upon every hand we gather proof of thy magnificence. Thousands of miserably paid and cruelly harried wage-tlaver. thousand* more whose tennre of life hangs by tbe mere thread of occasional employment; the vast army of little children, the necessities of whose parents compel them to be sold into thy factories and mills; the counties* thousand* of the gentler sex whom thy tender mercy forces upon the street and into the red-light district*, the jail*, the aim- houses, workhouses and penitentar- ies; these are thy products and along with a multitude more of similar hoe, proclaim the glory of thy reign. In adoration of thee we are to carried awav by thy virtues, thst every time we mention thy name it leaveth a vile taste in the mouth, and an odor ariseth to the nostril strangely suggestive of numerous things thst would be unprintable even in a capi* talist newspaper bonutcd by tbe government. Hurrah for the continued rale of business. Should it ever be threatened, let every wage-slave to the rescue. Director Union uirecTory Was** Taay Mate j What* TV» h***.. t**j0**> ■Math *mt*tarnmmb*M mm *>"*** Intervutlcmal Association of Brides and Structural Ironworker* 1 TV No. 97. meets in Labor 11-,'n ti". and third Friday of the month S p. m. H. J. Parker, RecortJ lee-rrtarjr, Room 9. 66 Cordon Anion, Nc, •*, W. F. M. Meets every Saturday •*<•*•§ *t fxSb o'clock is Mintrf hall. John Mclnnis, Pre,;,] Walter Morrison, Secretary ent. twGUuist Ihncury 1 Of the Socialist IM* per Most*. Right uoon tbe heels of ths arrangement between Starvation Army Coombs and Finance Minister Tatlow to bring some thousands of workers from the old country to break the alleged labor famine in British Columbia, comes an appeal from Coombs' "army" of burnt for astistsnee in supplying Christmas dinners to joo "deserving poor** in thit city. It would appear to be np to Tatlow, Coombs and Co. to explain why such a lustv crop of "deserving poor" alongside of a "labor famine" to desperate as to require the importation of some shiploads of relief in the shape of worker* from the old country. If *ny tender-hearted Van* couverite withe* to contribute to the Christmas cheer of some needy per* son or family, by calling at this office he will be Informed how to do to without the danger of being rated at a means of tucking turkey, plum pudding and other good thing* into ths KmcuU**) Party et Can. emery alternate Tut*. McKcniie, Secretary. C. Ivo Onmiiiltia-c, an. Party of Canada, stasia TuetjaUy J, a. Ill Starr-art ■trset. remeemver. a c. m. t\ A t*. ottan. meeUnaa tvtrt •t headquarter*. • II Cr.mblr tUttst, doer). Educe. •very Bandar at • Hall. Cordova ttmxrtttry. ae Local Tsrooto, S. P. of C. M-. <■•* -v. cry Sunday j p. m at Dan*. |UH, corner Queen and Spadm* Wn- ues. F. Dale, Secretary, 41 Henry Street. Finnish Branch meet* Sunday night*, umc hall. Jewish Branch, Sunday night*, at liS •** Qoeen St. West. ft. P. at C. meets every Stutday, in Trade* Mall, tt a:jo p. m. J. Coxoa. Secretary, i/d Princess Si., Winnipeg, XItn Local Mite so, S. F. of C-Mcett ev* cry Friday evening at 8 pm, in Minors' Union Hail Kelson il C. A. W. Harrod, Orga-mcr. A. 0. Br*f**kw-Jack m*r a mm jack bAttmtbt, soucrrva* nt ». P.O. ■«. .. on. BO, bellies of a horde of cn*ign*, adjo* lasts, staff ca->,'*«ins, brigadiers. ( mi* missioner Cooni*- old ll<*-*-.l" and other such hypocrt-ti*...! naisaacet ami kumbugt 0 ■ ■ Thot astute tnd eminently sccur- ste Libera! journal, tbe Vanc«.o»ei World (God save ns), declare*, there is greet prosperity in store for the Pacific province (B. C), when the government shall have undergone * process of purification at thc ballot- box and the reign of grafter* and tcarlet women shall have lome 10 to end," WM* it is probably trite tbat the province will be at Ira*t a peace ful abiding place for decent pe..pl< af ter the workingmen have effected the aforesaid purification, still it it not altogether appropriate for one mug of the unclean gang that ha* tu long polluted it, to apply tuch -.uar-e. though perhaps truthful, cpn--***- ,l' tbe other. It savors too much uf "Satan rebuking sin," cr the "pot calling the kettle black." Such rindic* tive ebullitions of temper an mo»l unseemly between political brethren born of the same twinith parent - cspiulism—and reared at the same swill-trough of profit-mongering Come to think of it, however, it 1* not the hog at the trough whe setup the loudest squeal. A leader of ths Doukbobor*, the Ruttian sxilet who took refuge m Canada, Is now in St. rcter»b.irg. Roaaia, for the purpose nf obtainm-* permission for the eailes return to their native land. It is under>to>d the peraiitsion It to be granted. Af- ter running around Winnipeg in the dead of winter, without any clothe* on, tookinc for Christ, the Doukh o- bore have probably came to the conclusion that he would be more easily caught in Russia. 0 ■ ■ ■— Considerable discussion is beitiK in- dulged in over the respective value ot boiled or raw milk at food for bab» < The Oa.lv way to tettle the matter a* far ai infanta of the working <-'»s* ars concerned ie lo ascertain wbu't kind will soonest bring them to -" condition for the factory snd sweat shop. 0 — A SjOSSB Impious Austrian* recently broke into some sort of » jot*- house, chopped up a few monk* *>'"' other furniture, crucified an abbot atw carried off inch grossly material st"" as the gold and silver that bad niy* tcriously accumulated around tne •hop. The spiritual goods had be.n to cunningly secreted by the alii'" and his monks that the robbers coui<t n't locate them. Sat^raar, Decern W 1^ ^ jjj^- 'jatta Mssaassssssssssssssssosooeosssf | PARTY MATTERS % AND ANNOUNCEMENTS |*e«o»*s*«H»«ese«9«e»ee9e»eeee«*i THE EDUCATIONAL % % These columns have been placed at the dlspt-ssi of the Party. Secretaries of Locals sre requested to take advantage of them In, at intervals, reporting conditions to their respective localities. Communications under this head should bs addressed to the Dominion or Provincial Secretaries. Local secretaries are further requested to look to these columns for announcements from the executive Committees. By this means the business of the Party will bs facilitated and the Dominion snd Provincial secretaries relieved of a little ot the increasing burden of correspondence. FORCES OF SOCIETY TO STUDENTS OF SOCIALISM. In order to afford comrades an essy access to standard works on Soclalitm. thc committee bat decided to lay in a stock of literature. The following are on hand and will be tent post-paid to any address at prices quoted. Two-cent stamps will be accepted for sums not exceeding as centt: The Origin of ths Family, (P. lUl£S)lm) tee ea* ••• **ms0*s*s**aa*mwmwss The Social •"""evolution (Karl KajftUlanaKy) • — •-*•* The World's "revolutions (Breast Ontcrmann) ... ... ............ Ths Socialists, who they are snd what thsy stand for, (John Spargo) f The aovstaalon of Man (Bolscbs) Modern SscltUIsm (Chas. H. Vafsllj ••• *•• *.imii»mii....h>m.**ii.* Class Btrugsles ia America. (A. M. Simons) 10 Tbe Communist Manifesto, Karl Marx to cents Socialism, Utopian and Scientific. Man tt En<*elt...io cents Wage, labor* and Capital, Karl Mare g cents The Mission ol the Working Class. Outs. Vol! -._. Jtt ScciaHsai nnd Farmers. A. M. Simons 5 cents Other works procured to order. Addi .50 .80 .50 .50 .35 By W. J. CURRY. Continued from last issue. The Educational Efiects of Theology. One of the main functions of the church is tc teach that the great object of life is to prepare for death, and that the fleeting moments spent in this "vale of tears" should be employed in savng our poor little souls from beng eternally damned by our lovng Creator. If one's mental structure can be siifficently -twisted to accept this proposition it is evident that the victims can never be much force in thc social regeneration of mankind, and this is exactly what the ruling class desires. The expression of free thought is the unpardonable sin., because the doctrines of hell and purgatory are the economic key-stones of modern theology, and are important buttresses of capital society. Without thc superstitious fear of things here and hereafter the whole structure of class rule would crumble to dust. The proletarian, however, has little sympathy wth thc church and the instructions handed down by Paul an*.' Peter for "servants to obey their masters," to "submit themselves to every ordinance of man, whether of king's or governor's," have litcle effect on lhe wage-earner, or on the .<*- inands cf trade unions. The upper classes are usually aware that tbe "scheme of salvation" through faith in -minority is ore of thc many schemes necessary for the perpetuation of their rule, and it is quite natural that many who live in ease and luxury, who, like the lilies. of the valley, toil not, neither spin, should feel themselves to be the special favorites of providence. The proletarian, however, knows no ■ * With The ety of infidelity is the more consist* ent with true religion, with faith in "the powers that work for righteous- nets? The reader can judge. Ther; are many piout souls, even more ignorant of the religion they accept than the Socialitm they reject. They are not even acquainted with the historical fact that primitive Christianity was a working class, revolutionary movement, and that Con- stantine, one of the most infamous monsters who ever ruled oyer a nation of slaves, adopted it as the last chance of postponing the doom of his empire. The*- do not even know that ever since Christianity became the state religion of Rome it has been the\ great instrument of oppression in the hands of the ruling classes, changing its position as the economic developments of society demanded. From the religion of deeds, of the brotherhood of man, it became distorted into a blind faith in the creeds of a despotic and ignorant priesthood. All through the ages, science and freedom have had to wage a warfare with the representatives of ruling- class religion and today we see the same power* forming in battle array, to oppose the onward march of freedom and truth, represented by the Socialist movement. No revolutionist of today can hurl denunciations at the worshipers of Mammon more forcibly than they were applied to the ruling-class twenty centuries ago by the man Jesus. In the twenty-third chapter of Matthew may be found the following "Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocritet, who devour widow's houses and for pretence make long prayers, therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation." "Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye shut tip tbe kingdom of heaven against man, for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are en'ering to go in." What were tbey compared with the present defender* of wage slavery? "Ye blind guides that strain at a gnat and swallow a camel." "Woe unto you scribes ..nd Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye mak*. clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within is full of extortion and excess." "Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for yc are like unto whitened The forces of capitilitm Will ho doubt be concentrated irt an effort to sump out Socialism in fi. C, where car comrades have won such signal victories in lhe past and given promise of so much greater victories in the immediate future. We, too, should therefore concentrate our efforts in B. C. that capitalism may be given an effective blow. We therefore call on all comrades throughout Canada to do as we are doing, i-ocals should lose no time in appointing tome one to receive moneys for this purpose. Unorganized comrades should send their contributions to the Dominion Secretary direct. This fight in B. C. is our fight and we should act and act quickly. Yours for the Workers' Revolution, CHAS. F. LOWRIE. Claresholm, Alta. PROM YMIR, B. C. Editor Western Clarion: Dear Comrade—On Dec. 4th Comrade Geo. H. Goebel delivered an address in Union hall of this place, on Socialism. We had a good representative audience. It was a clear, plain and convincing argument from start to finish. Cap'.talism was hit a hard blow right from the shoulder. No quarter given and none asked. If we had a few more now like Comrade Goebel Socialism would easily lead the field. Yours Fraternally, W. B. McISAAC, Sec. Ymir, Dec. 8th, 1906 0 GRAND BALL. ths Literature Ageat."Box' providence except hard work 830. VeJttcouvsr. B. 0. >'" j* «■ r0<« .hoe or ud,e ^^^^^^^^^^a*e»s*e»s»*e»s»*e*sn*«.i well-fed bourgeois preacher may tell TO 8BCRBTARIE8 OS" LOCALS LIST OF SUPPLIES. Constitutions, per doaen Membership carda, sach ... Application btamks form) per 100 ... j cf the sparrow, that are watched and the hairs thnt are numbered, but the { wage-earner knows that there are mil- t .85JI-ons of his class who are always ,01; hungry, homeless and wretched and (with plat- as Ths committee being a stockholder in tht co-operative publishing house of Chas. Ken ft Co, can procure litcrsture for the locals at cost. Campaign fond receipt books sre now ready and will be furnished to locals at 10 cents each. • 0' •• ■ — PROVINCIAL ORGANIZING FUND. The following am6unte received op to date: Previously acknowledged $134.80 J. II. Burrough a.so L. White *..... 2.50 Total $130*- Britannia Miners' Union, W. F. M., will give a Grand Invitation Ball in Myers' Hall, Pender St., Vancouver, on Monday evening, Dec. 31. Brass- field's orchestra has been secured for the occasion and an alt-round gcod time is assured. The western miners already hold an enviable reputation as entertainers and the Britannia boys have on this occasion taken it upon themselves to break the record in this respect. Those who delight to indulge in the mazy waltz and the seductive quick-step should not overlook this event. Tickets are $2.00 per couple, includ- Invitations may be ae ernes, ior yc arc uae amu wiiucntu mg SUpper. — ----; ■ t>" r vf„ sepulchres, which indeed appear beau- cured upon application w/™1-"'" tiful outward, but are within full of ers, Myers Hall, Pender St. or V. u. CENTRAL CAMPAIGN FUND. It has been decided by the Provincial Executive to bnild up a central fund to be met ia fenerallv assisting »» the coming cs-mpaign and more especially for thc pnt-pote of printing and distributing csmpsign literature, „ _ Ail eomrcdee wishing to collect for this fund should st once spply to the provincial secretary for a receipt book. No dfort. should be spared in building up this fund. The following amounts received up to date: Previously acknowledged $4'S° Six Clarion Subs $ 3 00 Total - $44 50 Forward all contributions* to Provincial Secretary. o ***** VAX00UV1R LOCAL, VO. 1 (his physical hungers and thirsts are often more than he can attend to. He cannot have much confidence in "treasures in heaven" and "mansions in thc skies" when he sees the inad run on the treasures and mansions of earth by thc ruling clas* and their theological supporters. So we find that theology is most rffertive in diverting the attention of tbe middle classes, just those who possets the necessay ideality, sympathy and emotional energy to make mot effective forces for social revolution, if thev .mi! saw the light. Because of this fact there is a growing number who believe with Robert Blatcbford that we have a direct message for the church; that the Socialist doc* not have to go out of his way to meet thc church; that in every step he takes he comes in violent contact with thc stumbling blocks of theoloev. It should be evident to all that the church i* today a capitalist institution, and if the Sociali.-t Party is to capture the citadel of state it must first conquer the srongholds of theology which lie between it and success. It is reported that President Roosevelt has recently stated that he "looks to the Catholic church more than any other agency to stem the tide of Socialism,*' and recent legislation in Canada, in the interest of church at-1 tendance proves that our Canadian ■ statesmen (?) are also enlisting the political influence of the organized religion. In spite of these facts, there arc some who dispute the "materialistic conception of history" and there arc even Socialists who declare | that Socialism has nothing to do with religion and has no quarrel with the church. The Infidelity of the Socialist Movement. Within a few weeks a representa Regular business meeting, Dec. to, Comrade Mills in thc chair. Minute* of previous" meeting read and approved. , ... . The following applicants admitted to membership: II. R- «»«fwnvfI .•«- Jphanscn. Felix Mynlti, John Mane** son. , . 1 Warrants ordered drawn* for the following sums: . av;;.::-.::'..::.::::.*':::$^ Due Stamps ** 5°° Rent of Sullivan Hall .... 3-50 Literature Agent ••' "**•£ Cleaning Headquarters ■ ?., Nomination meeting postponed til I ^"^'^V^n that the defenders first Monday after procJ.tmat.on of J'aoitalism are infidels and athiest** from the standpoint of social democ- raFrom the Socialist standpoint the morals of the capitalists are of the 1...... «. •*... tive theologian in this town made the statement from his pulpit that Socialism stood for infidelity and atheism, and that it wa* against the best people. ! Thi* attitude of the church is be* | coming general wherever the revolutionary movement is being felt. " This simply means that in every historical period the prevailing mod* of production and exchange determines the religious and all other institutions of that period. We are doubtless infidels and atheists from a ruling class standpoint, and doubtless our morals and patriotism are j equally perverse, but it is evident for dead men's bones and all unclean ness." Were they worse than the big traders of today, who, through their political hirelings, send armies of workingmen to murder one another on the field of battle to give a market for their shoddy wares and instruments of destruction? Were they any worse than those who distil luxury and power from the flesh and blood of wage slaves? He condemned the business places of the. traders and bankers of His day as a "den of thieves." What would He hnve said of Wall street, of our "frenzied financiers" and trusts, of the great insurance companies and banking institutions of today? Kt; declared that no rich man could enter the kingdom of heaven among men because He realized that no man can be rich without the robbery of the producer, and he knew that no man can leve his neighbor as himself when on every hand he beholds his neighbors cursed through poverty. No Debs, Blatchford or Bebel could denounce the ruling class more vehemently and logically than did this revolutionist of Judea, and the persecution and death which he met at the hands of .the priests and "respectable people" of His day, shows that in the jungle of humanity the prey of the ruling classes was defended with the same ferocity then as it is today. . In his parable of the Good Samari- j tan and of the Last Judgment, in His Sermon on the Mount and the Lord's Prayer; in his words to Zaceheus, he showed most positively that salvation was not a matter of faith in authority but in right conduc; in working for social jusice, for the brotherhood of man, in doing exactly what the scientific Socialist is today doing. Back of the theological shreds, rags and patches hiding the real Christ we see the genuine man. Between the lines, corrupted by ruliog class priesthood, we can read the .records of a man born twenty centuries before his ideals could be realized. Were He here today he could not be found in the gilded temples built by those who have made this fair world a jungle of struga-1'.;.,, Heasts, but He would be found marchii" with his comrades under the re flag which symbolizes the blood ties arid brother- Shearme, 41 Hastings St. East. Do not forget the date, Monday, December 31, 1906. In the course of an aaute "diarrhea 0/ words" dubbed a message to congress, T. Roosevelt of Washington, Oyster Bay, etc., says: "We should establish shooting galleries in all the large public and military schools; should maintain national target ranges in different parts of the country, and should in every way encourage the formation of rifle clubs throughout ell parts of the land." No serious objection can be offered to this provided something about the size of a fat capitalist be used as a target. Some political tool of capitalism might satisfactorily fill the bill provided the range was not too long. a* Coiwnetieing at lha r*mit*Att is No. T, marked the N. E. comer post, thenc* Souta ISO chains, thence Weal 40 chains, theace Horth ISO chain*, thence East 40 chains to point of commencement. ft. Commencing at a point ene-half nil* Welt o< th* N. W. corner of section lt, marked Southwest corner post, thtnee North 190 chains, thence East 10 chains, thence South ISO chains, thence West- 40 chains to point of commencement. 10. Commencing at the same point aa No. V, marked the S. E. comer post, thence North ISO chains, thence West 40 chains, thence South 160 chains, thence Eaat 40 chain* to point of commencement. 11. Commencing at Ihe aame point a* No. 10, marked the N. W. corner post, thence South 160 chains, thence Eaat 40 chaint, thence North 160 chain*, thence Weal 40 chains to point of commencement. lt. Commencing at the same point a* No. 11, marked tbe N. E. corner pott, thence South 160 chains, thence West 40 chains, thence North ISO chain, thence Eaat 40 chains to point i.f commencement. 13. Ccrct-nencing at the Southeast corner of Section *0, marked the N. K. corner post, thence South 160 chains, thence West 40 chains, thence North 100 chains, thence East 40 chain* tn point of commencement. 14. Commencing at the tame point at No. 13, and marked the S. E. corner, thence North 160 chain*, thrnce West 40 chain*, thence South ISO chains, thence East 40 chains to point of commencement. 15. Commencing a half a mile West of the S. E. corner of section 20, marked the N. E. corner post, thence South 160 chains, thence West 40 chains, thence North 160 chains, thence East 40 chains to point of commencement. 16. Commencing at the same point a* No. 16, marked the S. E. corner post, thence North 160 chaint, thence West 40 chains, thence South 160 chains, thence East 40 chain* to point of commencement. 17. Commencing at a point near the N. W. corner of section 19, T'p. 15, marked N. W. corner post, thence East ISO chains, thence South 40 chains, thence West 160 chains. North 40 chains to point of commencement 18. Commencing at the S. E. corner of sec- tion 16, T'p. 14, marked the N. E. corner post, thence South 80 chains, thence West 80 chain*, thence North SO chains, thence East 80 chains to point of commencement. lt. Commencing at the aame point at No. 18, marked the N. W. comer post, thence South 80 chain*, thence East 80 chains, thence North 80 chains, thence West 80 chain* to point of commencement SO. Commencing at a point one-half mile West of the S. W. corner of section SO, marked Ihe N. W. corner post, thence South 160 chains, thence East 40 chains, thence North 160 chains, thence West 40 chains to point of commencement tl. Commencing s»t the same point a* in No. tO. marked the N. E. corner post, thence Soulh 160 chains, thence West 40 chains, thenc-* North ISA chains, thence Eaat 40 chain* to point of commencement 21. Commencing at the sante point aa in No. 21. marked the S. W. comer post, thence Noth 160 chains, thence East 40 chains, thence South 160 chains, thence Weat 40 chains to point of commencement 23. Commencing at tbe same point as No. 22. marked the S. E. comer post thence North 160 chains, thence West 10 chains, thence South 160 chains, thence East 40 chains to point of comrr.encement. 24. Commencing at a point near the N. E. corner of section 31. marked the N. E. corner post thence Smith 80 chains, thence West 80 chains, thence North 80 chains, thence East 80 chains to point of commencement S5. Commencing at the N. E. corner of section 28, narked the S. E. comer post, thence West 160 chains, thence North 40 chains, thence East 160 chains, thence South 40 chains to point of commencement 26 .Commencing at a point half a mile Eaat of the S. W. corner of section 27, T'p. 15. marked the S. E. corner post, thence North 160 chains, thence Weat 40 chains, thence South 160 chains, thence Eaat 40 chains to point of c.imuiencement. Dated at Vancouver, B. C, December 10th, 1900. IMPERIAL TIMBER & TRADING COMPANY. ^^^^^^^^^™ TBLBPHONB M* CAPITAL •CITY BAKERY G A. OKELL, Manager Bread and Cakes delivered to any. part of the City. Vou cau .always • depend upon our bread. Tity it. 37 Pandora St Victoria. B. C De you It-sow we seal tram 10 t* SB cents cheaper than our comp**^t*tn. THY HASHES' FAIR •rom -a, fm •MV**VMMM WW, vKltn*B*» •. «• > TELEPHONIC B77S \HCNRY BCHNSEN ft [ Kaattetirtr fa > Stefan*. eatye) ^ ¥9*9*** ClSJUtS 1 to I Certr* It ; J VICTORIA. B.C. 1 Ct. THB m^W" ^^» Sw a*********! REGISTERED SEWING MACHINE. ROUES BEARIWaV HIGH Money by buying this •reliable, hot*** high grade acts* ing machine. STRONGEST GUARANTEK. National Sewing Machine Co* SAN FRANCISCO. CAL. raCtv*iyAra^vhTEa*i.aJL. Hudson's Bay Company. Agents. Five Clarion sub. cards—$3.75. .A lone robber boarded a Chicago and Alton train near Kansas City, Mo., recently and at the muzzle of a revolver held up fifteen passengers. He was arrested and thrown into jail. A band of robbers known as railway owners at the muzzle of the law held up their 1300,000 wage- slaves to the tune cf nearly $800,000,- 000 last year. They will not be 1 thrown into jail. This show* that the hold-up business may be safely and profitably conducted provided the correct method be followed and proper instruments used. According to the report of the Department of Labor, there were 931 fatal and 2414 non-fatal accidents in the various trades and industries of the Dominion during 1905. As the wave of prosperity has been still greater during the present year, a substantial increase in fatalities may be confidently looked for when the returns are all in. Five yearly sub. cards—$3.75. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW what the Party ls doing on the Pactfie Coast of tbe United States, READ TBE "SOCIALIST VOICE" 528 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, California. "For the Socialist Party and By the Socialist Party." Ten weeks, ten cents; one year, 60 eta. SEND FOR SAMPLE COPY A French sociological ncodle named Mazet, hat been laboriously arranging a proper list of books for the average business man to read. This is "love's labor lost." There I are but two books suitable for him to read anyway. The cash book and the lede-er. He wouldn't understand any other if he did read them. NOTICE. re of hood of man. These who oppose Socialism be- r!Semii,S*lit?h& Notice b "»«r**by given -Hat ritty day. .f*r read more and think more. They r -**.—» "5»_._ .. .... r*.u* **/»■,. should look well to the foundation on which they build their faith, for if their house rests only on class-rule superstition, they will find that ere long the floods of revolt will beat upon their house, and k will fall because resting on the sand of ignorance and not on the rock of truth. (Continued Next Week) ■ ■ o ■ ■ to for election; ^sTstjTsTsTs^^^^^m .. > •.„:- Comrade Stebbings appointed chairman for next Sunday. Program committee instructed procure a speaker from Seattle next Sunday. . __... Receipts. Donations towards Contention ^Assessment ... 9 Collection Sunday * Literature •• Dues Donation '1 Adjournment. ' FREDERIC PERRY, , ' Secretary ... .* • . .$."1.06 . '4.5«> . a.35 .TT.as • . 25 same brand as their Chicago canned chicken, embalmed beef and pure leaf lard. The idea of the country being- tied and governed by a parasitic TO SOCIALISTS IN OANAl>A. he useful class are without a country! and are dept-nding on said minority in*- ^-tistence rather clashes with the ^ sSSWfft in humanity in the approaching triumph of social nsiiee- in a glorious destiny for man- K while the defenders of capi al- K?tre wVhout faith in humanity. iSjf tru-Tto their pre»ent claims and c ic» m«wM I--* y***'* °, c ,i,e approacmng nigm «*■ chases of fire-arms for *hc revolt,- J jure^nlfc t^app .^ ^ ^ tionists. i Great butiness activity is "ported at Odessa, Russia. On Dec 2 the bank clearinn* amounted to ?i4.50o- This was largely due to- heavy pur (ttetl. of class uie can see in the fu- 1™ °L the approaching night of The comrades of L*ocal Claresholm, Alberta, have decided that it will be a pleasure as well as a duty to give a helping hand to our comrades in B. C. in their fight against capitalism in the coming election. At their last meeting they voted to start a fund to be called the Alberta Aid to B. C. Election Fund. Two-thirds of this fund ig to be placed at the disposal of the B. C. Executive and one-third to be used for agitation in Alberta. Contributions 40 be sent to ]. J. Morgan, Dom. Secy., 551 Barnard St., Vancouver, B. C. Claresholm comrades may leave their contributions with J. W. IWoos- ter at the Tin-Shop, Claresholm. IStavcly comrades may leave theirs with Lee Hewitt, Bands Store, Stave- *y. _, . *. . a. date we intend to apply to the Chief Commissioner of "Lands and Works for special li* cense to cut and carry aw-ay timber on the following described lands in Rupert District;— 1. Commencing at a post marked Imperial T-atiber and Trading Company North East corner post situated at the N. E. corner of aectlon t» T'p. 15, thence 80 chains South, thence SO chains West, thence SO chains North, thence 80 chains East, to point of commencement t. Commencing at the N. E. corner of section SS marked Imperial Timber and Trading Company's Northwest corner, thence 80 chains South, thence 80 chaint East, thence 80 chains North, thence 80 chains West to point of commencement. S. Commencing at a point one-half mile East of the Northeast corner of section M, marked Southwest corner post, thence North ISO chains, thence East 40 chains. < thence South 100 chains, thence West 40 chains to point of commencement 4. Commencing at the aame point as No. S marked the Southeast corner post, thence North 100 chains, thence West 40 chains, thence South ISO chains, thence East 40 chains to point of commencement 5. Commencing at a point about one-half mile Weat from the Northeast corner of aectlon SS, marked Southwest corner post, thener Noth ISO chain*, thence East 40 chains, thence South 160 chain*, thence West 40 chains to Having been atrttoriztd by ths publishers of tbs Wsstsrn Clarion to receive subs at the regular rata—$1.00 per year and apply one bad ol all money received to tbe Central Cam* paign Fund, you are ssrnestly requested to assist in swelling this lund by sending your subs direct to me. Cither renewals or new tubs, to be taken lor a period oi not loss than one year, Yours for a generous Campaign Fund which means vigorous campaign. ■ 0. G. McKCNZlCa Prov. Secy. Box 836, Vancouver, B. C ATENTS " <r';.iiKALi,ll,r.<'' ww ww. _~ * of Maatulttctuitrt, *a*nglii««Taa4Sd others who rea lire the ad*laabll- Ity of ha-rlng their Patent busineaa transacted by Expert*. Preliminary ad vice free. Charges •sMaerate. Oar larvt-atar's htvhrtr eeatupoa, rear-eat Marion ft Marion, New York j-jifeBU-J, Montreal; aud Washington, D.C, t'.&A. Tradc Manns Dcsions .... Cot-vttrairTa Ae. Awmasmtlna s sketch and Smawtgimimsy aleVly aaosruin our opinion ft** whether aa 1T#ntloo f wniwbl* MtantaW*.. Commute*. bri^?sasSE:3wi sent Ira*. Uktast scene? for sees Patent* taken through ttaua sysrtalaetha, without chaff*, la taa Sdcuiific nmmt. k handsomely lltaatrated weakly. t«*-ae**lr. enlatlon of any aetanttSo journal. Terms, W a tear; four month*. It Sold by ail nawadaalsra. -*MJL««l.M;rs.S!!!!4,• ,,^ thence West 41 ' I point of commencement. s^s^H I t. Commencing at the same point as No. 8, marked Southeast corner post, thence North 180 chains, thence West 40 chains, thence Soulh 160 chains, thence East 40 chains to point of commencement 7. Commencing at a point one-half mile Eaat pf the Northeast corner of section S3, T'p. 14, marked the Northwest corner, thence South 160 chains, thence East 40 chains, thence North 160 chain*, thence Weal 40 chain* to point of commencement. •»«it'0*»«-*»"» >°*v^i£ ::,,;„. r\un- - tjYr*.-*-- — BEST IN B.C. CVQtV^. ———■ iii iii '—^-*»**»*a*JS*a-si United Hatters of North America When you are buying a i-TJll HAT arte to It that the Oenulne Union Label la tewed In It If a retailer haa loose labels tn his poaseaaion and often to put one tn a hat for you, do not patronise him. Loose labels In retail stores are counterfeit* The genuine Union Label Is perforated on rest' edgea, exaetly the same aa a postage stamp. Coun terfelta are some times perforated on three edges and some tl mea only on two. John B. Stetson Oo.1 of Philadelphia, la a non-union concern. JOHN A. MOITITT, President, Orange, N. 9. MARTIN IiAWLOR, Bec*ettu*y, 11 Waveety NtrwXorfc. ,, i at, foul atsa»j»jj*a aMsnatiaaataayiaaieafl et* a\ aalaafajaaT S. : % fl i! ■ ■ 1 !* ' ''"•* 1 I NEWS AND VIEWS AS GIVEN OR EXPRESSED BY SOCIALISTS THBOUCHOUT THE DOMINION BrMed by B* P* gStWBlSPCm, to wt**wn aU ooi-**i**-poir*3e*M» Ior this de *j-au*unent ahould be ajrfan-etaT-ed. WHAT POOLS WE MORTALS ICAPITALISirS COMMITTEE IN SESSION AT OTTAWA. Deputations representing the manufacturers, steel and iron industry, tin- (plate men, and other labor-skinning ■concerns throughout Canada, are [very much in evidence at Ottawa just {now. The House cf Commons is in {session and the bosses desire to make [sure that their hired men fulfill their [mission as legislators of "our" country. "More protection"—from the ■highly-developed Yankee labor-skin- [ner—is being asked for. And why net? Have not the workers of Canada [approved of their slavery by elect- tag ta M.P.'a at Ottawa- an energetic | executive committee of the ruling [class? There is not one representative at j Ottawa but what stands for the present form of property ownership, the [fundamental basis of capitalism. Before the workers can hope to [hear their interests voiced in the Dominion House they must elect men i who stand for a revolution in prop- | erty ownership. The robber** of labor cannot be regulated; it must be abolished. To accomplish this the workers j must secure possession of the ma- I chinery of the state, and by legal enactment transform all the means of life used to rob labor into the collective property of the working class; production to foe carried on for use in lieu 01 profit Anything short of such a program will merely prolong the degradation and enslavement of humankind. The onl> jSolttical expression of such a movement is found in the International Socialist Party. Its wonderful growth the world over is only measured by the neces sity for the existence of such an organization. Are the workers of Canada going to shirk their part in the nearby social revolution? Tbe next election will give a partial answer. p NOT TRADES UNIONS BUT "ACTIVITY IN POLITICS." It costs about $i.oo a ton to mine coal on Vancouver Island. The market price here is $6.$o. If production were carried on for the use cf the teople instead of for the profit of 'atnie Dunsmuir and his tribe, _ thc niners—even under capitalism—could be given twice the present wage and a 4-hour dav, and still sell coal for half the present price. While this would not alter the market price of labor-power, it would seem to prove the possibilities of collective ownership and operation. And, after all, why shouldn't the necessities of life be purchasable at the cost of production? o — A DELUSION AND A SNARE. The spontaneous wave of generosity (?) among the large employing interests, immediately preceding and closely following the election, ig be lie-red to have been suggeste* by la bor's .activity in politics. The voluntary advance of wages by railroad corporations and several of the pro tected industries hag tbe appearance cf a sort of peace offering to check the desire for labor legislation and forestall the demands of employees for an advance of wages proportionate to the Increased cost of living.—Typo, journal. If "activity in politics" on the part of the workers will produce such results, what's the matter with trying a little more "activity" in that direction But if the increased wage be only ''proportionate to the increased cost of Irving'' what better are we off, rel atively speaking? Ana how about the unfortunate cuss who gets no increase in wages because there are so many to compete with him for the job? As a matter of fact, then, there is HO solution of the problem confronting labor within the limits of the wage-system. The workers must legally restore to themselves their means of living, and then carry on production for use—giving to ench the full social value of their product. "Activity in politics" will secure to the worker something more than "increased wages." It wfll give to them the full product of their toil. Provided, of coarse, the activity is in the Socialist movement. ' ■ • —O' i WORKERS GETTING WHAT THEY VOTED FOR. Elizabctbtown, Ky., Dec. n.—Dock Aubury, who was convicted of vagrancy and who was ordered sold into servitude for nine months, according to the law of the state, was disposed of at nuouc auction today to J. Johnson, a farmer, for the sum of l.lio. Dock's reputation for general I sbiftlestnest was such that there were S' bids, the report having gone forth t his ability to consume food was out of all proportion to his capacity 1 for work.—-Daily Press. The above despatch seems to indicate another innovation in human slavery. It is, in fact, "government j ownership," under the rule of capi- tal, for which so-called "labor" parts ' are forever striving. It is not unlikel*- however, that the vagrant* i purchaser will discover before the ) nine months is up that he is indulging j in a losing game. Modern capitalists long ago learned that it was cheaper to buy labor-power from "free" men 1 at such time and place as required, i trusting to an overstocked labor ] market to keep the price down. And, [besides, "free" and "independent" men cost nothing. And in case of " ath or accident lots more swarm around ready to fill all vacancies. A i working class that will stand for and vote, for the perpetuation of such crimes at the above upon members | of their class are deserving of alt the j contempt heaped upon' them by a [ thievi.ig ruling class. POOLS WE BE." HOME-MAKING UNDER CAPITALISM. Immigration laws—alien, etc.—are not worth the paper they are written on, to the workers. It cost Vancouver trades unionists over $iioo to find this out. Apparently Winnipeg and Toronto workers did not profit by B. C.'s experience. Thev insisted upon learning the lesson for themselves. One would naturally suppose that some of -these days the workers would take a notion to write and enforce their own laws, until -.uch times as an industrial administration is ushered in. Unless, perchance, every fool thing else on earth has been tried and fails. B. C. LOCAL SECRETARIES.. PLEASE NOTE. Printed registers of voters for any riding shall be furnished by the King's printer for the sum of twenty-five cents each. Written copies ef the register of voters, or any part thereof, shall be furnished by the collector for the sum of, twenty-five cents per one hundred words. Any person applying for registration in any electoral district while hit name appears on tbe register of any other district, is liable to a penalty of fifty dollars. o LOTS OF CHEAP SLAVES FOR B. C. Judging by the arrangement recently entered into between the B. C. government and the Salvation Army, fcr the importation into this province of more wage-slaves, God Almighty it to be made a party to a labor bureau. And this to assist the purchasers of labor-power to Keep down wages by having plerrty of job-seekers hanging around. No wender Commissioner Coombs was banqueted by the Vancouver Employers' Association. o SIGNS OF THE TIMES. The International Typographical Union of over 45,000 wage-slaves adopted the following resolution at their last annual convention: That the International Union strongly urges upon its subordinate bodies the necessity of providing in their respective "orders of business" for the discussion of thc various phases of the labor question and otber matters of public moment having a direct bearing upon the welfare of wage-earner*. — o SAVVY THEIR CLASS INTER E8TS. A letter recently sent out by the Unked States Employers' Associa tion mildly suggests that "high-class butinets houses and manufacturers" should boycott thc advertising columns of labor papers. o STRIKE AT VICTORIA. The Boilermakers, Iron Shipbuilders, Helpers, Laborers, Ship Carpenters, Caulkers and Ship Joiners are out on strike against the B. C. Marine Ry. Co., <the Victoria Machinery Depot, and the Marine Iron Wcrks Co. of Ksquimalt and Victoria, for the establishment of an eight-hour day. In view of the flood-tide of prosperity, that, according to all acounts, is now sweeping over the country, it is difficult to imagine what reasonable excuse these concerns can offer for a refutal to grant the very modest demands of their employees. Any old excuse, or none at all, for that matter, is quite sufficient to satisfy the conscience of the average captain of industry in a case of this kind. Presumably the Victoria breed of "captains" are of the usual type and may be depended upon to beat the men out if pottible. It is not a question of what ought to be, judged from any standpoint of human decency, but one of what can be tcrced by either tide to the controversy. . If labor cannot be obtained to take the strikers' places, the companies may be forced to" grant the demands of the men. If it can be obtained, the men will lose. All workers are requested to stay away from Victoria until the trouble is settled. . By to doing they will assist their fellows in forcing the point at issue. -o REGISTER! REGISTER I If Socialism is not soon ushered in, capitalism will leave no homes to be destroyed, an accusation so often hurled at Socialists by paid puppets of capital. And, judging from the following daily press despatch, "free love" seems to be thriving fairly well under the present order of Christian civilization. A Dec. it cable tb the New York Journal from Paris says: "Eugene B. Higgins, the New York millionaire, and Emma Calve, the dramatic cantatrice, it is learned, have put into actual practice the trial marriage theory of the American woman, Mrs. Herbert Parsons. The experiment is now being made on board Higgins' yacht, on a cruise in the Mediterranean, extending possibly as far as Japan, with a few friends of the diva and millionaire. Calve and Higgins want to see if their love for each other will stand the wear and tear of usually disillusioning life. If they find they can stand each other around every day and aU day, they will get married. If they don't, they won't, o SOCIALISM IN SEATTLE. Seattle Socialists a** varrylng on a vigorous propaganda campaign this winter. With such resident speakers and workers as Vincent Harper, Walter Thomas Mills, Hermon F. Titut and Corns. Kennedy, Latimer, Randall, Brown and other active revolutionists, there should be no inactivity. Two mass meetings were held in Euan's hall last Sunday at 3 p. m. and 8 p. m. Over $200 was contributed to provide sinews cf war for the movement. The huge increase in the Socialist vote in the state of Washington last month seems to have caused renewed, vigor and unity among the Socialists themselves. o GREAT IS The wage system. The "system" raises the cost of living 10 per cent, and then raitea wages 10 per cent, and so on ad libitum, ad nauseam. As we said last month, "what profiteth it a man if he receives $10 a day in wages, if he has to spend it all, and then go in debt, to live? It isn't what you are paid; it is what you have left after paying all obligations necessary -to a decent living." The "system," it "turns the damper up, it turns the damper down, but the smoke goes up the chimney just -the same."—J. J. Dirks, in Typo. Journal. , o MUST HAVE A MISSION. An organization, in order to live, must have something to live for. Hence the apathy in the lab*** world of anything short of a revolutionary movement. There is no ground between capitalism and Socialism upon which a "labor" party can live. A "labor" party which stands for capitalist ownerthip of the means of Irving, rather than collective ownership, means nothing- and cannot live. Like the old capitalist parties it lacks a policy and men alive to the present needs and requirements of labor. o——— A LA GOMPERS! "All the trnde unionists will have to do is to secure a majority of both parties—then thev'll win," was one of the caustic remarks of Com. Mills, speaking in Vancouver last time, when referring to Pres. Gompers' policy of supporting political aspirants of both parties when favorable to organized labor. o B. C. TOUR FOR MILLS. The B. C. Provincial Executive Committee, in compliance with the request of various Locals, are arranging a tour for Walter Thomas Mills, who is now a resident of Seattle. The date* will be some time next month. Secretaries will he no* tified. o PRAYER BUT NOT Never mind about the date of election in B. C. Register anyway. And register at once. PRACTICE, If church members would vote as1 they pray the co-operative commonwealth would be ushered in day after tomorrow. -o Every male native of Austria 24 years of age or over, new possesses the right to vote. Pretumbaly „ he" must take a reasonable chance of his vote not being counted so long as the' matter holds the ballot box. o 1 A movement hag been started by Australian organized labor for the In* auguration of a sin-hour work day, We sincerely hope -the Clarion staff of printers will not become infected with such crazy notions. 0———— The net earnings of the* railways of tht United States for the year ending June 30 hut, were *#7,5P7.&77 After all expense of operation was paid thit tidy little sum was left to remunerate the owners for their "thrift and industry" in .owning. While aome of thc railway employees are grumbling because their wages are. so small, they should not forget' the tremendous sacrifice made by the owners in giving their entire time going nothing for a whole year for such an insignificant recompense as men-' ticned above. TORONTO NOMINATES CANDIDATES. Toronto Local hat launched out in an active winter's csmplign by holding Its first' Sundav afternoon meeting in itt new hall, Davis Academy, corner Queen and Spadtna avenues. one of the most central locations in the city. Meetings will be held every Sunday, 3 p. m., at this place, the" first Sunday of each month being a business meeting. The Finnish branch meets every Sunday night in the same hall. The Jewish branch still continue* to meet Sunday nights at 18S i-a Queen St. West On Sunday. Dec. 2, the following nominations for the coming municipal elections were ratified: For Mayor—James Lindala. tailor. For Board of Education — James Simpson, reporter; Phil1;p Thompson, journalist; W. G. Bribble. carpenter; W H. Rawbone. street railway conductor; Emil Tigert, tailor; J. Syrja- la. tailor. The last two and the nominee for Mayor are Finnish comrades. Property qualifications kept us from nominating for Board of Control or Aldermen. A campaign fund cf aSout $50 hat been raised and about 35,000 copies of our manifesto will be circulated in the working clats districts on the Saturday and Sunday before election. Two new members were enrolled at tbe Dec. 2nd meeting. Toronto comrades regret that circumstances prevented the Hamilton comrades frcm nominating a candidate in the bye-election for the legislature now on. The fight i* between a Conservative and a Labor man endorsed by the Liberal*, the leading Liberal in Hamilton being the president of the street railway company, Hon J. M. Gibson, who hired numerous strike breakers and was the central figure in the reccst class war and street railway strike. Liberal-Labor—it's enough tc make De Leon vomit again. G. W. W. Toronto, Dec. 2, 1906. 0 GOEBEL AT GREENWOOD, During the past month tbe interior comrade* have been working steadily pushing our propaganda work and trying as far as possible to perfect our organization. Whether the provincial elections are brought on now or not until next summer, in any event they will foe prepared for the fray. Comrade Geo. H. Goebel hat recently made a tour of thit part of the province and everywhere he went his tervicet were much appreciated. He spoke at Greenwood on the 8th, taking for hit subject, "Socialism, what it is and what it it not." That evening he spoke at Boundary Falls and tonight he goes to Grand Forks. Hit earnest and practical presentation of the truths of Socialism carry conviction to every heart and by turns with witty remark, stinging sarcasm, and forceful il)u*tration he drives the -truth home. Hit language is simple and he at all times make* his meaning clear and it easily understood. Comrade Goebel it undoubtedly one of the best propaganda tpeakert in the American movement. The comrades here will give him a royal welcome if he ever chooset to visit our burg again. Greenwood Local hat decided to put a tpecial organizer in the field in the person of the writer. The object it to attempt to organize thc outlying points in Greenwood riding. This work is to be begun at once and the comrades here are working enthusiastically to the end that victory may perch on the banners of Socialism at the next election in thit riding. There it a rumor that the two old parties are to unite against ut, but k matters little for in any event the triumph of our cause seem* assured. EDGAR W. DYNES. Greenwood, B. C, Dec. 10, 1006. o— WOOD HUBBARD ON "DIVIDIN' UP." CAPmieWH W J^ANa, Gigantic Factories Going up all Over the Cowtty. * ' Mtfftt&b-^ Private lettert received by Japan ete Socialittt in Chicagotho* that (American traders are iure to lose the profitable cotton goedt business in China and Japan. The Mitsui company of Japan will erect gigantic cotton mill! at Shanghai The factorv will cost 30,o»,ooo yen. Itt product, turned 0« by the cheapest tabor in the world, and, ac- c or dine to tome authoritiet, the mott efficient, when pstient and unresisting servitude it contidered, will crowd out of Asia all manufactured cottoh goods from America and European countries. Othe Factoriea Planned. Thit project is -to be followed by others of the tame kind. Energetic Japanese capitalists will erect all sorts of plants in China. Skilled mechanics from America and Japan will teach the Chinese how to work, in modern mills and factories. Chinese laborer, will live on little or nothing and the product of these factories will be sent to this country, and, at Ihe cheapest o-romodity always tells first, the condition will have a serious effect on conditions here. Japan appears to be preparing to exploit China at a nation' never was explcited before.—Chicago Socialist. Such dastardly action on the part of thete impudent Japanese capitalist ought to bring down upon their heads the condemnation of every European and American wage-slave. If thit sort of thing is allowed to continue unchecked lhe market in which the European and American labcr- tkinners now dispose of a large part of the hide taken from their wage- mules, will be lost. This would tend to curtail thc hide-taking process, and the agouy suffered by the wage-mute with no matter to take hit hide it well known to be unbearable. Let every wage-tlave fly to arms, wilh the slogan: "The world's market for tlie hide of a wel!-tkinned European and American proletariat. — —o- ' report £ffe*, they did nrTi& .th^hetcultahjAarlet Bradl,„Bh& J rlbry <*• h*y did lady ou Bradi* to leave **.$&$ 1% h.im*. Tb«y held on not Wench. Sley carried the lady o«e "«*«•■ J* W «*/ied Bradlaugh »"i «gh Bsl they did nt* dare to leave fir tt 1*;"! at thev left him. Th.„ ^ ,,,Ur« safe under bolt and bar, „tif the, Q. stripped her to see that th*. hady H abated he* perilous force* Sh» and the rest of thc terrible ten ~ For the moment we have time to breahe. B« hi, the Government considered the fact thst, owina »« the imperfections of our' law. thete Letter of Mr. Bernard They reproach ut with "dividin' up,"i. e., if you have 50 centt and your Jieighbor hat no money, they say that unoer Socialism you would have tc give him two bits; but under capitalism, if you have 50 cents and Rockefeller has one hundred billion dollars you have to give him 40 cents, and this is worse than two-bit*. The farmer now produces a bale of cotton worth $250 and divides up with the capitalist by giving him I200 of it. The factory worker produces $*ASP oi wealth per year, divide* up with the capitalist and give* him $2/013 of it. The workers produce sir-loin steak and tow bototn. Thev "divide up" with the capitalitt and give him the steak while they themselves eat the sow bosom. Labor produces all wealth and "divides it up* with the capitalitt so that the capitalist lives in a mantion with marble steps.and brown stcne front while the laborer- lives in a shanty built of Arkansaw pine full of knot-holes, cracks and ,bed-b\tgs. The capitalitt'i wife is dressed in sHk and expensive furs from the frigid north, her wrists are enclosed with bracelets and her neck with a necklace of gold, and her hair bejeweled with diamonds and rich rubles, while the farmer's wife, at she crawls down between two rowg**of cotton, IS dressed in calico rags, her heck tied up with a red handkerchief and her hair is bejeweled with cockleburs. The capitalitt's wife's poodle dog eats the bread from the children of ithe poor till it can eat no more, then they feed it steak until it takes the dyspepsia and goel to the dog hospital. It eats candy 'till Us teeth rot, and it Sent to the dog denist, who fills them with gold, while the old Democrats and Republican! who foot the bill can'f afford ' to have their own teeth filled with cement, arid to they have old snaggle teeth, and if you don't believe it lock in their mouths. This is dividing up with a vengeance.—Exchange, Thit is a terrible ...uowut in our national life. We are not often thoroughly frightened. When England tremble* the world knows that a great peril overshadows our island. It is not the first time that we have faced dangers that have made even cur gayest and bravest clench their teeth and hold their breath. We watched tbe Armada creeping slowly up the Channel. We wiped onr brow when chance revealed the treason of Guy Fawket We are listening even now for ihe bugle of the German invader, and scanning thc waves we rule for the periscope of the French tub-marine. But until now we have faced our fate like men, with our Parliament unihaken in our midst, grandfy calm as the Roman Senators Who Ml like statue* when Brennut and his barbarians charged bloodstained mto their hall. When Char let Bradlaugh. the mott mu-rular man in Kngland, dathed into the House of Comsnc.nt to claim a teat in that august assembly, the police carried him. tttaaically struggling, down the stairs, deposited him in the yaru with a shattered fountain pen and disdainfully set him free to do his worst. It waa but the other dav that a desperado arose in the Strangers' Gallery of the .House of Commons ami burst into disorderly eloq-tenre. WHS. out a moment', hesitation the daunt - let attendantt hurled themselves upon him and extruded him from oar Legislature. He was not haled before the magistrate; he was not imprisoned; no man deigned to ask se? curities for hit good behavior; thc British lion scorned protection against to puny an antagonitt. But the strongest nerves give way at last. The warriors of WiW were, when all is ssid, only men. German "Idiert, French bluejackets, Guy Fawkes, Bradlaugh, and the strartger ■n the gallerv bold and dangerous at ihey were, were no femalca. Thl peril today wears a darker,' deadlier aspect. Ten women—ten petticoated, long- »,0c,k«nir'd. corseted fetwtles-*hMe hurled themselves On ihe' British ' Desperate ladies will be at large «g,in h.{ many weeks are pasted? I ul' the name of the public, whether etZ er precautions have been taken £ Is not enouj* for Mr. Herbert Glad stone Mr. Haldane. Mr. A.<>u'th an* Sir Henry Campbell-Bsnnerman ,0 Sit there pale and determine.) wj. drawn lips and Jolded arm*, hrlplni. ly awaiting a renewal of ihe amult-- aa assault the consequence, of which no man can foresee. It is their duty without a mom*nt'. f«j5» tb «««*r»P*« «h« Police ,uff m. tide the Hoates of Parliament Writ mintter and Vtuxhall Bridges should be Itrongly held bv the Guard. If necessary, ipecial contublts .hould be enrolled. I am no coward, bat I do not want to see a repetition ol the folly that found ut unpieirared in Tsubnsi* however, that if the*. pt€, tautiont are taken, we might, per- haps, venture to let Mt* CuMm rson and her friend* out. At a taxpayer. I object to having 10 -,j- "or her bread and cocoa whrn hit rasband i* not only ready, but .p. parently even anxious, to pruvidc 1 "•ore tenerou* diet at hum* After ell* if Mr. Cobden-Sanderton it not afraid, turel- thc rett oi ut may puck tn a little. We owe something to Mr. (".,'.<*,». Sanderson, both as one of uur mun distinguished artist craftsnen aad 11 h most munificent contributor is (crises where public interests hart been at stake. If Mr*. Cobdrn-San* derson matt remain a prisoner traus Uie Home Secretary i» tou partiyred With terror to make that «troke of the pen for which every teatibk perv-a in the three kmgdomt i* l-yikmg to hint, why on earth cannot the be imprisoned in her ows house1 We should still look ndicu.i.uv but at least the lady would not be a mattyr 1 suppose Aobody in the w.rrkl really wishes to see one of the nice** wo* ia England tuflering from tbe coarsest indignity and the mott in- juriout form Of ill treatment that <he law eculd inflict on s :<•< Vr <»•■• It gives ut an air of having lott oar t**w*pers and made foolt of ourtelvet, add of being incapable of act nn trn- erousty now that we have hml time to come to onr tentc*. Surely, there ean be no two opinion* am ng tan*. people as to what we < ught to d« Will not the -Home Secretary rt»- tue ut from a ridiculous, tn uKuler able. and. incidentally a t*> iltiag- ty spiteful and unmanly lituatiott —G. Bernard Shaw, in l»od'n T met I haVe'* a Houtet of Parliament. measures are necessary right to speak in thi, matter, be- caute H wa. |„ mv play, *Man and Superman- that my sex were ffrrrt warned of woman', terrible .trength and man's mlterafole weakness. « is a striking confirmation cf the correctne., of mv vfewi that the miasuret which have alwa-fHs been deemed sufficient to protect the rjotise of Commons agaimtt men are not to be trusted againfM -women, tv if' i^'^P'* <*e diughter,* df Richard Cobden, long Itttdwn to ev* ervfoody worth knowing in Ldndonat among the most charming and Inter* "ting women of oar day. -0^T of la the south of Ru»*u the faavae is sc severe that the peasants •"-"■*■ even been forced to tell their dsofV ters as slaves and concubine* to tht Mohammedan* The Csar snd the Grind Dukes, however, are ttill (sir- ly Well tapptied with the nrret'arie* JRftS & CO. ■UMiMCssi Owler:; ••HP". w A large and varied 11 sortment of Heater and Cook Stoves, at bedrock prices. Boom Chain, and Log* gcrs' Tools a Specialty New Iron Beds from tM»«* Jttmk Furniture 11 «1P tatttnttt, S. 1 ***t*m**mt**»* MiShNlaka '■•'.. .. «... 1 . nr VAieoocncK, tnor at MB DOUtlALL HOUSE a no-xna. AW WIO"* li COKIiajp •WWII nt^jraa, (rattaa, kail attwraa, furnaces and t tt* *rrthooA *m<At of dirt. MICB IS** PBK TOM. *■ *■ 1 *. ■ .... ' ^S? iHWM*!? ^
Titled The Western Clarion from June 18, 1904 to June 1, 1907; titled Western Clarion thereafter.
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The Western Clarion
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