The Aberdare Leader

Letters to the Editor. ettera on any lubrect of public interest &re invited. It should be understood that we do not neeesearily agree with the views expressed therein. Correspond- ents will oblige by writing on one aid* of the paper, and must invariably en- close their names and addresses, not necessarily for publication, but as a •iuarjintee of good faith.

SUNDAY TRADING. Sir,—It is more than likely that we are going to be treated in Aberdare much as Swansea has been dealt with during the past few years. There, it seems, the tewn is governed by a crowd of Sab- batical Faddists. These over-zealous puritans are responsible for over 2,000 prosecutions up to December, 1906. One newsagent alone has been prosecuted 320 times, and has paid t200 in fines. Others have had to pay similar amounts and yet the town has not got rid of Sun- day trading. This proves that Sunday trading is strongly supported by the pub- lic, and also proves that there is a great demand for various things on Sunday, and that this demand must be met. I am told that when the Welsh Sunday Closing Act came into operation, argu- ments were adduced by the supporter" of the Act that non-intoxicants could at all times be obtained outside iicensed houses. But now all almost pre-historio Act is being revived and people cannot get beer or small beer with their Sunday dinner. The rich man has his cellar and can enter it on a week-day or Sunday, but the poor man has to depend on these small shops for driuks. One thin amongst several others that strikes me as extraordinary about this Act is the difference made between a COllsumption on the premises and Consumption off the premises." The real Sunday trading is carried on inside the .shop, no matter whether the stuff sold is consumed on or off the premises. Modern Licensing Laws discourage the custom of people standing or sitting down for hours at a stretch in public-houses. The man who takes his bottle of beer home for dinner or supper is regarded as superior to him who consumes it on the premises. Why should it not be likewise on Sundays with respect to Temperance drinks? Tf this Act of Charles II. is going to lie enforced much longer, we must start an agitation for the repeal of the Sunday Closing Act. In England, when the Temperance estab- lishment is closed, they have the hotel supply to fall back upon, but here in Wales we are bound hand and foot, with both places closed. The Stipendiary rf-rcastically re- marked at Mountain At h last Wednes- day week that the County Council were not going far enough—they should not only close the coffee taverns and other places, but they should nlso pass a bye- law compelling people to attend churches and chapels! This addition may come later on, if we tolerate their present in- terference. I hope that our local County Councillors, who are, I know, sensible men, and hardly in sympathy with this modern persecution, will do their utmost at the next meeting to drop" the Act and consign it where the bones of Kiag Charles II. were laid centuries ago.- I am, etc., ANTI-FADDIST.

NATIONALIZATION OF THE RAILWAYS. Sir,—According to your report in the "Leader" of August 31st, Mr. Trainer, of the Social Democcatic Federation, gave a very eloquent and stirring address" at Abercynon, in which he states "the profits of our railways were scmething enormous, that some of the employees were receiving only 15 or 16 shillings per week in wages, and that on New Zealand Government Railways not a single one received less than 8s. per day." Are these statements correct? Let us see. The following are the dividends paid on ordinary stocks for the half-year ending June 30, 1907:- Great Eastern, Ii-; Great Northern, 3; .Great Western, 3; South Eastern, 1; Midland, 3; L. and N. Western, 51; Great Central, nil; Metropolitan, i- per cent. per annum. The value of the paid-up capital of the Railways of the United Kingdom in 1906 was thirteen hundred millions. On this the average rate of interest was 3.43 per cent. when all allowance is made for watered stock." How can anyone in the face of these figures, talk about enor- mous railway profits? The fact of the matter is, English Railways at the present time are perhaps in a more diffi- cult position than they have ever been placed since they were built. A grea'- shrinkage has occurred in the capital ,alue, of their stock; their working ex- penses have increased, and yet they are hide-bound and limited as regards the amount which they might charge for car- riage. There is no ot]l' trading com- munity in the country/that is not per- mitted to make a chajrge somewhat com- mensurate with the increased cost of working which was due to causes beyond their control, such as the increased prices of materials. Railway Companies and their prosperity are closely and in- timately bound up with the welfare and trade of the country, and any blow, from any cause, with any motive, which was aimed at and affected the conditions of railways would be the hardest blow that could be struck at the prosperity of the country. Thirteen hundred million sterling has been invested in railways at about 3t per cent. Investors have been content to accept a comparatively small return for their money, because they be- lieve in the absolute security of the rail- ways, and because they indulge in the

National Telephone 21.] JOHN MORGAN & SON (ABERDARE) LIMITED, Builders, Contractors and Undertakers. Complete Funeral Furnishers and Funeral Directors. I Estimates given for Bricked Graves and Vaults. ALL ORDERS PROMPTLY ATTENDED TO AND CARRIED OUT AT MOST REASONABLE PRICES. Orders taken at the Offices:- Penydarren Street aqd 4 Stuart Street, Aberdare.

Aberdare Bankruptcy Court MONDAY.—Before Mr. Rees William- (Registrar) and Mr. Ell's Owen (Official Receiver). ADJOURNED SINE DIE. CWMDARE BUTCHER'S AFFAIRS. The adjourned examination of James Thomas, butcher, Cwmdare, was first proceeded with. Debtor was represented by Capt. W. D. Phillips, and Mr. R. T. Leyshon, Swansea, appeared for Walters, who had been in partnership with debtor. Capt. Phillips said that last Wednes- day his client (the debtor) was threat- ened by Walters, who offered to put down a sum of money and challenged Thomas to go out to fight. Registrar: That must be settled in another court. Capt. Phillips: I think it amounts to contempt of court. Registrar: We can't go into that here. Debtor was then questioned by the Official Receiver regarding a transaction with W. B. Jenkins, Swansea. Debtor denied owing this man any money, but the Official Receiver said that Jenkins had written to say that he was a creditor. Continuing, debtor said that Walters, his late partner, used to take meat out every week end. He generally brought back £ 1 10s. or 11 15s., but the meat was valued at more than that. He did not know what became of the balance. He did not want to suggest that Walters had misappropriated the money. Wal- ters kept one book. Asked who had that took at present, debtor said be did not know, unless Walters had got it He (debtor) generally kept the books, but Walters had also entered items on the ledger. They never balanced the ac- counts, and they had no proper record of bad debts. He owad a. sum of money to a Mr. Eynon Thomas, Pontardawe, for sheep bought. Cross-examined by Mr. Leyshon, deb- tor said he did not remember seeing him before. Mr. Leyshon: Oh, yes. I have had the pleasure of meeting you before. Were you not carrying on business as Thomas Bios, at Swansea?—No. Did you have a brother there?—Yes, Thomas Thomas. What was the name of the other ?- -1 don't know. Asked if he had been served with sum. monses by Swansea bailiffs, debtor said he had not. In reply to further questions debtor I said he had been working at Pontardawe and Llangadock. Eynon Thomas, who was a creditor, was a farmer. Mr. Leyshon: I suggest that you don't ewe anything to Thomas?—I do. Mr. Leyshon: We know a little too much of Eynon Thomas to believe that he could wait three years for his money. Debtor was next asked to explain why he did not enter the various items show- ing how Mr. John Watkins' account was made up. He admitted that Mr. Wat- kins had supplied him with meat up to the time of the receiving order, and was supplying meat to his wife at the present time. Debtor said that Mr. Watkins gave the amount of the balance at the end of each week. He was given receipts for every sum that he paid Mr. Watkins. Later on debtor confessed that he did not know how he stood with re- gard to Mr. Watkins' acpount. The Official Receiver said that debtor did not appear to disclose his affairs He believed that the examination ought to be < ijourned sine die. M Leyshon said he could produce further proofs regarding the partnership of Thomas Bros., Swansea. The Registrar stated that debtor's answers were most unsatisfactory. The examination would be adjourned siDe die. EXAMINATION CLOSED. Messrs. Kenshole, who were acting for creditors, had no questions to ask Messrs W. F. and Ll. Price, builders, Aber- lare, bankrupts, and the examination %-as closed. Mr. W. Thomas also represented credi- nrs. MOUNTAIN A L'fJ COLLIER'S FAIL -JilE James L?wis, collier, living at 28, hvern Iior-street, Mountain Ash, was ext examined. I" i = statement of affairs howed that his tota! liabilities amounted c. = £ 91 8s. 10d.; .ixpecfed to rank, £ 89 s. Id.; assets, £ 9 16s 3d deficiency, ;79 8s. lOd. Causes of failure, i'lntss nd large family. Debtor had always ived at Mountain Ash. and was em- loyed as a colliery haulier. He had ,eeii ill for 21 weeks at a stretch. He lad always been steady and had never pent his money extravagantly. Four ears ago he obtained all administration rder. He thought he would be able U ischarge his debts in full, but he had ailed, and the order was rescinded. He ad incurred debts amounting to about '50 since then. Ten grocers were mong his creditors. When one refu-ed ) supply him he went to another. He juld not see his children go without Md. He also owed money to 22 drapers. ris earnings then were 28s. a week. Now e earned 30s. a week when working re- ularly. He was obliged to sell some of it- furniture before filing his petition. The examination was closed. BAKER'S BIG DEFICIENCY. Howell Howells, baker and confection- r, Gadlys-road, said that his gross lia- ilities were .£1,096 4s. 4d.; expected to ank for dividend, < £ 704 3s. 6d.; assets, fter deducting preferential rates, wages, te., jMO 6s. 5d.; deficiency, X423 17s. Id. The Official Receiver pointed out to ebtor that he had omitted one item. Irace Bros. were creditors for .£56 9s. 'hat brought up his denciency to t492 5. lid. "This proves great negligence," ob- erved the Official Receiver, "that you llow a sum of .£66 out of your account. laving a deficiency of practically £ 500, ou have romething to explain." Debtor said that he had lived at his resent address for the last 20 years. He tarted business as a baker in 1899. 'rior to that he traded as a hairdresser. ) le was in partnership for some time in he bakery business, but in less than 12 aonths they dissolved, David Griffiths, lis partner, going to open a business of lis own. He (debtor) had had no exper- ence, but Griffiths had. He bought the touse from the Bank, and started a bank ccount with the L. and P. He deposit- d the leases of two houses and his ireeent shop in the Bank, and obtained m overdraft therefor. He had bought wo houses previously with money part- y borrowed from his mother. There vas .£181 balance still due to his mother. le was aware that the business did not )ay his predecessor, but he thought he :ould make it pay. However, he had een in difficulties from the very start, md had to borrow money on several oc- asions. He was not aware that he was nsolvent until Mr. C. M. Lewis, ot the j and P. Bank, called his attention to me of his oheques being dishonoured. Le had three vans taking bread out. He employed two men and he himself took :he other out. He had a system of check- ng the men's accounts, hut nevertheleos tie had been cheated more than once. His employees had entered certain items In the credit column, but lie subsequent ly found that the customers had paid. The men then absconded. J. D. Owen was the name of one oil them, and he cculd not remember the name of the other. Competition was very keen in his l-ne of business, and he had to sell very cheap, but he had never sold under cost price. The examination iras adjourned to amend his accounts, and for the produc- tion of other books, which debtor had not handed in to the Official Receiver. 81 KIND-HEARTED GROCER. OFFICIAL RECEIVER AMAZED. 1'7 Win. Davies, 5, Wain-street, Aberdare, j was represented by Mr. W. Thomas. He owed £112 3s. 8d., and he had only tlo to meet his: liabilities. His earnings were very small, and he had suffered from ill-health. He had a large family. He owed £66, more than half his defi- ciency, to Mr. R. L. Mathias, grocer, Commercial-street. He had been deal- ing with Mr. Mathias for the. past 14 Jears. Official Receiver: That is an enormous sum to owe one man for groceries. Was it not possible for you to pay him some- thing ? Debtor: I was doing my best. Official Receiver: You dealt with other grooers ?- Yes when I had nothing to pay Mr. Mathias. I could not face him to ask for more cred't. Official Receiver: I can't understand how any grocer could give you credit to the extent of £ 66. Registrar: There are plenty of like case,- coming before me in the court. Official Receiver (to debtor): Is he any relation of yours ?—No. Official Receiver: Has he been suing you ?—No. Official Receiver: Then he is a very kind-hearted man. On the application of Mr. W. Thomas, the examination was closed.

Labour Jottings. BY "DEMOS." The Aberdare Trades Council are go. ing to appeal to the local railway com- panies for reduction in the fares of hos- pital patients travelling to Cardiff. Rail- way directors are generally regarded as inhuman commercialists, who, so73io feed on stocks and dividends. We will now see whether or not & few grains of humanity can be found in their stacks ef mercenary chaff. A road which was being made with coal was referred to at tha Woolwich Police Court on Wednesday, when Wm. Childs, a labourer, was charged with being in the unlawful possession of seme coal. Childs said he picked the coal out cf ashes which were being used in mak- ing a road at Crossness. Tons of coal," he declared, "are being rolled into the road." The foreman in charge of the work for the London County Council said there was a lot cf coal among the ashes He told Childs to pick out the coal. as when it was rolled it became dust. The charge was dismissed. Had it been the Aberdare or Mountain Ash Police Court, the poor fellow who had dared to annex the dusky diamond, even to prevent it being rolled into dust, would have done so at the peril of bii purse, if not his akin. He would have found himself mulcted in any sum up to ,t5, and perhaps would eventually find himself in the House of Correction. Dr. Pan Jones, the Welsh Socialist agitator, has deemed it necessary, owing to weight of years, to relinquish his min- isterial charge. Ere the present gener- ation of revolutionaries had seen the light, the militant Dr. was a most active advocate of Land Reform. His cry, The Land for the People," was beard in the wilderness of social reform four decades ago. May it be long before tine forerunner of the Social Evangel in Wales reaches his Machaerus. The annual demonstration of the Aber- dare District on Monday was a great success, the weather being very fine and the members turning out in fine forces. Mr. Stanton well reminded the miner4 what was due to them when he said that the question of small coal would be dealt with at the forming cf the next wage agreement. He showed that the employers who did not pay for the production of small coal were competing unfairly with the em- plovers who were paying for through and j through coal. The former had a great advantage at the expense of their work- men. There was some amusement when Mr. Bibbings told the men that their gra- cious employers allowed them to take away gratis from the pit the smut on their faces. Had Mr. Bibbings followed the corres- | pondence column of the "Leader" the last fortnight he would have seen that seme of the workmen are wiljing to re- lieve their persons of the smutty commodi- ty after their day's work at the colliery, and walk home with a clean and respect- able appearance. It struck me when perusing the letter written by one of the mining students who had been in Germany, and who said that the Germans studied the welfare and comfort of the miners, that we in South Wales could do something to re- move the impression that the Welsh miner is a nobody. The question of pit-top baths to which 1 am referring is a question that should ei-igiage. the attention of local authorities and ministers, as well as employers of labour and miners, for it is a question of sanitation and of morality. '—— I Is there no leader in our ranks that can suggest a scheme that will meet with the approval of men and masters ?

Aberdare Miners' Demonstration. -AIR. STANTON AND THE COMING SMALL COAL STRUGGLE. The Annual Demonstration of the Aberdare Miners was held on Monday. Headed by the Aberdaiv, Aberaman, and Cwmamau Bands, the various lodges marched to the Market Hall, .where the meeting was held, the spacious Hall beiny full. After a. selection by the Aberaman Band, Mr. M.J. Morgan, Glyn Neath, who occupied the chair, spoke briefly Referring to the resolution on 'the agen- da, he observed that it could be divided into two parts—retrospective and pros- pective. It referred t. the passing of certain measures and also to the need of other measures which. he believed would soon become law if they would send to Parliament their own men. Among them was a Bill to provide Old Age Pensions (Hear, hear.) He was glad to note the increase in the membership of the Feder- ation. Mr. C. B. Stanton then moved the fol- lowing resiolittion:- H This Annual Meeting of the Aber- dare District of the South Wales Miners' federation expresses its satisfaction that since the last Annual Demonstration the Trades Disputes Bill and the Amended Compensation Bill have been passed into Law, and that the Coal Tax has been abolished. Also that during the year the general wage rate has been consider- ably advanced. We sincerely hope that the investigations of the Royal Commis- sion on Mining Accidents will result in improving the conditions under which the Miners of the country labour, and materially reduce the number of acci- dents in mines from all causes. We are glad to note the great increase that has recently taken place in the membership of the Miners' Federation of Great Brlta-ii, and urge upon every colliery workman the imperative necessity of fidelity to the Federation, so as to secure further in- dustrial and political reform. We again confirm our approval of the legislative reforms called for by the Federation of Great Britain, the Trades Union Con- Kress, and the Labour Party, and expect Mie Government to pass into Law this Session the Miners' Eight Hours Day from Bank to Bank Bill, being strongly of the opinion that this measure has been too long delayed. We also iircle that a measure for the removal of the legal disabilities of colliery che.k- i-eighers should be jessed as early as possible. We heartily approve of the de- cision of the Government to pass into law next session a measure for providing Old Age Pens-ons, believing such a measure to be the most pressing and urgent at the present time of all social reforms." Mr. Stanton said that he did not think that anyone had a case against the Federation now. A few years ago they were troubled by low wages, stop wagons, and other evils, but now they enjoyed a good wage, regular employment, and Prospects of shorter hours. There was another struggle to come. He referred to a demand for payment for small coal. When the last agreement was made the workmen had to accept a Hobson's choice—the devil or the deep sea. He would ask them to bring pressure upon their leaders to get payment for small co-al'which fetched such a high price at present. If they made a strenuous de- uland he believed that they would get it, and then another reform would be added to the credit of the Federation. He had no desire to create a turmoil \11 the coalfield, but he would be less than a man if he did not advise them to stand up for their rights. If the necessity to strike would force itself upon them, let them show that they were determined. The employers could afford to grant this c,oiiec,ssion. (Applause.) Mr. Stanton then went on to contradict a statement which appeared in the (f Western Mail" regarding his attitude towards militar ism. He was not in favour of militar- ism, but if they had citizen forces in South Wales they would be able to give a warm reception to so-dierfe who came here at the instigation of employers to shoot down the workers. It was citi- zen forces that he had advocated at the Congress and not compulsory military service, as stated in the "Western Mail." Mr. Illtyd Hopkins seconded the reso- lution in the vernacular, and introduced to the meeting Mr. W. E. Morgan, miners agenc, Swansea, who said he was glad to see amongst them the Rev. W. A. Edwards, a minister of the gospel, appearing in the role of a workmen's leader. (Hear, hear.) He was glad to be present at the workmen's great; annual festival. The resolution which had just been proposed was pregnant with importance. It was, as had been remarked, retrospective, it also held bright hopes for the future in the form of progressive measures which Aveu 1 d soon be introduced. Referring to the non-unionists, the speaker said that they were scotching the chariot of re- form. The non-unionist should be iso- lated like the leper of old. He did not consider the non-unionist any better than a lunatic. He was injurious to himself and to his fellow-men, and should therefore be confined in the place re- served for madmen. Having regard to V k, ;I the perilous nature of his OCCIlpaiioli, the miner ought to, be paid at least as generously as the diver or steeple-jack. Unionism gave a man backbone. It also ensured equal treatment to all. In the past some colliery managers were stuffed—not after their death like birds, hut they were stuffed to death with bribes. Referring to the checkweighers and the disabilities which hedged their occupation he would ask was it fair that it should be so. (Cries of "No.") Deal- ing with the small coal question, the speaker mentioned that the collier suf- fered doubly. He received nothing for the small coal which was cast to the gob, did he receive any consider- ation for the small coal which brought money to the employer's pocket. The Hev, W. A. Edwards, M.A., Rector of Vangan, was the next speaker. Mr. Edwards, addressing the audience as fellow-workers," said he was pleased to identify himself with the cause of Labour. The two causes with which he was intimate were the Labour movement and the Temperance movement. Some of his friends thought it shocking that he should take part in a Labour Demon- stration. But he believed that all min- ister,s ought to be interested in the appli- cation of practical Christianity, which me-ant work on week days as well as 011 Sundays. He was proud of the work done by the Miners' Federation. Mr. Keiv Hardie he claimed as one of his oldest and warmest friends. (Hear, hear.) Referring to the good work al- ready done by the small band of Labour Members in Parliament, he remarked that it war, an earnest of what they could expect when the number was multi- plied. He hoped that the number would increase and the quality would be main- tained. Labour should be represented on every public body throughout the land. But the leaders should be backed tip by the rank and file. With reference to Old Age Pensions, he trusted that they would get from the Government some substantial measure. If the man who went to the battlefield to perform a. work of destruction deserved a pension, then certainly the soldier of industry was en- titled to a pension. (Hear, hear.) Where was the money to come from? From a graduated tax on incomes. An obligation rested upon them all to be loyal to their Federation. He could not understand any honourable man being a non-uniou- ist. It would be far better for em- ployers as well as employees if non- unionism were abolished. Referring1 to the House of Lords, the speaker said that the fact that such an institution was allowed to exist was more than a. sane man could realise. Let them re- member that their quarrel was not with individuals, but with sjstems. They should simply say to the millionaires politely, U Please get off our backs." (Laughter.) As a Christian man die was in favour of a re-constructed society on progressive lines. He wished to warmly support the resolution and wished every success to the workers of Aberdare. (Loud and continued applause.) The resolution was put to meeting and carried unanimously. Mr. Stanton moved a. resolution to the effect that the 9,000 miners of the Aber- dare district call upon the Labour Mem- bers in the House of Commons to do all in their power to induce the British Government to put a stop to the Congo atrocities. Mr. Stanton said that they had independent evidence that the re- ports concerning the Congo authorities were quite true. Personally, while a man of peace he was prepared to volun- teer to go cut to exterminate such ter- rible tyrants. (Hear, hear.) Let them in no uncertain voice tell the Govern- ment to direct their energies against these assassins. Mr. G. H. Bibbing?, B.A., referring to the small coal question, said that when the workmen would make a. claim for payment for small coal, the masters would probably set against that demand a claim for the smut which they took away on their faces and hands from the mine. (Laughter.) He wished to second the resolution, and to endorse every ad- jective used by Mr. Stanton. Mr. Bib- bings made a most,eloquent appeal on bt- half of the Congo victims. The resolution was put to the meeting and carried nem. con. Mr. W. Trainer made an appeal for help for the Belfast workers who had been on strike, and a collection was made at the door. Mr. Augustus Davies moved a vote of thanks to the chairman and ipeake-r- Mr. W. M. Hopkins seconded the resolu- tion, which was carried. Among other occupants of the platform were Councillor E. Stonelake, Guardian J. Prowle; W. Phillips (chairman of the I.L.P.), and D. James (ex-president of the district).

A DOCTOR'S ADVICE TO SUFFERERS FROM THE Nerves, Stomach and Kidneys. The sound and expert advice contained in the following letter from a well-known specialist should be of interest to all. It deals with a preparation called Dr. Cassell's Tablets, which is made up from a priceless prescription and now in uni- versal use in every home in Great Bri- ain. During the last six months I have prescribed Dr. Cassell's Tablets in cases where a nutrient tonic was indicated, and in this respect I found them most valu- able in each case. They increase flesh, strength and weight, and appear to pos- sess the peculiar action of reducing fat tissue and increasing muscular strength and activity. I regard the preparation as a most valuable addition to therapeu- tics. Surely advice such as this is, worth more than passing consideration, and we would advise all persons suffering from wrecked constitution, debility, thinness and weakness of body, indigestion., stom- ach disorders, nerve troubles, kidney and heart weakness, decline, and like ailments to get a lOtd. box of Dr. Cassell's Tab- lets. Any chemist can supply them,

Father Ignatius is expected to Cardiff shortly. Could we not get him to Aber dare to slash the Sunday tradeis;

j Printing of every description done neatly and promptly at the Leader » Office. Coloured work a speciality.

hope of future benefit from increased traffic; but they find themselves in this position, that notwithstanding the in- crease of traffic, the working expenses had so increa.sed year by year that it has now reached a point at which the margin of profit has almost entirely gone. I am not writing in opposition to the Nationalisation of Railways. Let us have it by all means, but do let us bring a little common sense to bear on the sub- ject. It is ridiculous to rouse the passion of the public by drawing lurid pictures representing. railway investors as a piratical horde bent on plundering it to the utmost. Let us face the facts, pre- pared to pay a fair price for the article we want.—I remain, CITIZEN.