The Aberdare Leader

WW «■ w v mm mw TELEPHONE, 174. EMRYS EVANS, isffi XMAS SHOWROOM now open With a finer selection than ever of Useful and Fancy Goods. j French, Welsh, English and American Novelties and various Toys and Games. CORRECT MODELS OF WARSHIPS AND TANKS. SOMETHING SUITABLE FOB EVERYONE AT PBICES WITHIN THE BEACH OF ALL. ^^8 SHOP EARLY SO AS TO SECURE THE BEST SELECTION AND ATTENTION

LOCAL CHATTER. BY THE CHATTERBOX. A Merry Xmas to all our read- ers, a large proportion of whom are now scattered all over the Globe. Where three or four Aberdare Valley soldiers are gathered together, there also is a copy of the Leader. Correspond- ence have been published in these columns during the year from numerous soldiers in r ranee, Salonica, Egypt and Palestine, Mesopotamia, German East Afri- ca, and from sailors sailing the seven seas. Next to a letter from home, a newspaper from home is a soldier's or sailor's greatest joy. By this means he is able to keep in touch with the district and is furnished with news of all the im- portant happenings in the locality. This week an acknowledgment comes to hand from a father whose son was wounded a coupie I of months ago. Particulars ap- 1 eared in the Leader that he was lying in Glasgow Hospital. The following week an Aberaman 'ady, who lives in Glasgow, made enquivjes for an Aberdare boy, and ft.unci him, and has visited iiiui tv.lce weekly ever since. Last winter there were potato queues. This year there are mar- garine, butter, tea and sugar queues. Cheese and bacon are also very scarce in town, and in Aberdare last Saturday fresh meat was almost unprocurable after 8 o'clock. A national sys- tem of rationing seems imminent. It was by a very narrow majority that Mr. Stonelake's motion to extend cheap fares to shop assistants was defeated. If snap assistants were given this privilege. Heaven knows who would not be able to claim a similar eonces"ik»n. The trams would be almosl monopolised by cheap raiders and riders, to the exclusion of people paying the ordinary fares. The other day our Stipendiary refused to inflict a fine on two workmen who were charged with riding in a tram other than a workmen's. He contended that inasmuch as the Council permit- ted their own workmen to travel in ordinary cars, the Council had no right to prosecute other work- men for doing so. At the month- ly meeting last week Mr. W. Thomas raised the subject, and it was referred to the Tramways Corfimittee. Out of 50 odd cases before the Aberdare Tribunal last Friday there were not more than about half-a-dozen men passed in a high medical category. It seems that the fit men have been combed out pretty clean. It is rumoured that the Govern- ment is going to have another try at sugar cards. This will be ex- periment No. 3. This time every ¡ consumer of sugar must give his or her exact weight, height, colour of hair, physical and politi- cal complexion, religious beliefs (if anv), whether total abstainer (from other luxuries besides sugar), whether married, en- gaged or about to be engaged. Also the Controller's legions re- serve the right before granting anv sugar application to search of the! applicant thereof and ascertain whether any sugar has been hoarded therein, and whether' any German gold has been hid there by Boloists. And whereas if any applicant should attempt to purchase, beg, borrow, annex, or feloniously 'steal, take and carry away any quantity of sugar of the goods and chattels of a controlled grocer without the sanction of the Food Controller, he is liable to be hung, drawn and quartered, and his remains (if any) forfeited a Christian burial. Stands England's Press where it did? The "Times" refused to publish Lord Lansdowne's now famous letter because "it was not reflective of British public opin- ion.1' Surely this is not quite in harmony with the best traditions of British journalism. An im- partial editor will publish any letter, even if it represents the views of the writer alone, provid- ed it is within reasonable space limits, and the matter of public interest and not of a libellous or personal nature. The price of liberty is eternal vigilance." has been truthfully said. Is the forfeiture of the freedom of thought to be the price of the liberty we are now fighting for on three Continents Jf so. it is a poor bargain—worse ,T-^co Vs. Let us pray that Lord Northcliffe may come to see the error of his ways, and that he will paraphrase Shakespeare and say:- The 'Times' is out of joint, oh! cursed spite 1 That ever I was born to put it wrong." The war has evolved many new and strange things and the new morality of "The Times" is one i of them- What if all newspapers adopted this standard and refus-1 ed to publish correspondence that I is not reflective of British public opinion? Besides, how is an edi- i tor to gauge the concensus of ) public ppinion 1 It is rather a large oider sometimes, for on cer- tain occasions the barometer of the public mind is most difficult to read. What steps did The Times" take to find out whether his Lordship's letter did not re- present the trend of British senti- ment? It is a pity that Lord North- cliffe did not leave Fleet Street and take to the air business. All people who wage war on Prus- sianism and at the same time in- troduce Prussian methods into the conduct of British news- papers, should be transplanted to Government Departments, where consistency is not considered a virtue and where public represen- tation is at a discount. What a mixed-up thing the old party system has become since war broke out! To-day that good old Tory, Lord Lansdowne, is the idol of the Liberals and the anointed of the Socialists. The "Daily News" and the "Manches- ter Guardian" swear by him and "The Times" and "Daily Mail" swear at him. No one can ap- propriately say of himself that he is the political property of Paul, of Apollos or of Cephas. Is it an auguty of the dawn of that glor- ious tiriie when it can be truth- fully said that Nole are for a party And all are for the State?" I am not discussing the wisdom or unwisdom of Lord Lansdowne in writing. his letter or the sound- ness of his lordship's war policy. I will leave that to greater minds. But I suppose even little minds are privileged to utter a protest against the attempt of one of our leading newspapers to stifle pub- lic opinion. Let it not be said that we are suppressing liberty of thought at home while fighting for the liberty of nations abroad. The Russians are going and the rations are coming. In a speech delivered the other day, Lord Rhondda said that he believed the war w*as going to be won or lost at home by the Allies who could stick it out longest. Up to the present Germany had had to submit to far greater privations than we had. So far we had only submitted to inconvenience. The rations were such as to keep the nation in a good and efficient state of health. They were 50 per cent. better than the rations imposed upon the people of Ger- many. It was said of the ancient Jews that they were whitewashing the tombs of the prophets, but the modern Turks appear to take de- light in bombarding them. At any rate it has been stated that the tombs of both Samuel and Abraham have shared that fate during the recent operations in i .< Some w&wrspaper writers, while dealing with the campaign in the lands of the Bible, have referred to the Philistine god as "Dra- gon." The dragon is the old Brythonic emblem, "Y ddraig goch a ddyry gychwyn." It ap-; pears also to have been wor- j shipped by some races that exist-1 ed,when the world was young, but the idol which the Philistines paid homage to. and which col- lapsed and crumbled in the pres- ence of Jehovah's ark was Dagon. With reference to the state- ment made at a meeting of postal employees that a side of bacon had been delivered at Sir Arthur Yapp's house, the Press Associ- ation is authorised to say there is no truth whatever in the allega- tion. Sir Arthur Yapp has had no bacon for many weeks, and he offers a reward of £100 to anyone who can prove he ever had a side of bacon in his house.. So our Economist-in-Chief is clearly saving his bacon. I have no doubt that Sir Arthur is carry- ing out the duties of his difficult office with fairness and impar- tiality. and it is not right tha t he should be accused of "taking sides." Mr- Joynson-IIicIcs asked, in the House of Commons, whet'hp" the Government intended to act- vise the King to order the closing of all shops, kinemas, theatres, and other places of entertainment on the 6th January, the day of the King's call to prayer. The answer of Mr. Bonar Law was: The Government have no power to make such an order as suggested. I The value of the response to the i King's call to prayer would be its j spontaneity. I think the fact that this appeal is made is the I best recommendation that could be made. I don't think it could I be strengthened by the course suggested. A very sensible answer. It is well to see people on their knees —sometimes. On some occasions I we see folks on their knees when they ought to be up and doing. So-and-So is a splendid man on f his knees," said someone to an tl old divine. "Yes, but how is he on his feet?" was the very prac- tical retort. There are times when it is much easier to bend the knee than to bend the arm. But the point I am driving at is I this: Prayer to order is an im- possibility. You may drive the horse to the water, but you can- not make it drink. You may compel a man to close his shop or ¡ office and attend an intercessory service but you cannot make him pray. Spontaneity is the very essence of supplication. The slightest touch of coercion changes it from a prayer to a formula. Pte. D. Phillips, Mountain Ash, has been home from France for 14 days. He is well known to our readers, having contributed several interesting notes and let- ters to the columns of the Leader during the past 12 months, under the nom-de-plume of Ap Pennar. He was on the staff of the Leader when war broke out. He is over military age, and belongs to the Royal Marines. His smart uni- form was greatly admired by friends at Aberdare and Moun-1 tain Ash. He was mistaken by one person for a Brigade fireman, while another took him to be a new Salvation Army captain. Asked if he felt insulted, Pte. Phillips replied: "No, but I hope the Salvation Army have not I been insulted." The long-looked for organiser for our War Heroes' Funds and Red Cross Concerts has appeared at last. He is Sergeant Major Ted Burge, than whom none is fitter to do the work. The sol- diers are already thanking him profusely for his hard laboursn connection therewith.

TO CORRESPONDENTS, READERS & NEWSAGENTS. The Aberdare Leader will be pub- lished next week at the usual tim-, and the parcels sent by the usual trams and trains. Will correspond- ents please forward news early. Letters, etc., for insertion in next week's issue should be received not later than first post on Wednesday.

INQUEST AT MOUNTAIN ASH. r, li. J. lihys, district coroner, on Thursday afternoon, conducted an inquiry at Mountain Ash Police- station, touching the death of Daniel O'Leary.—Margaret O'Leary (Ireland), sister of Daniel O'Leary, identified and stated that her bro- ther lived at 24, Victoria-street, Miskin, and that he was 65 years of age. He had complained of his health when writing to her Alary Alner, 24, Victoria-street, stated that deceased had lodged with her about 11 years. He died on Mon- day. He was a timberman on the day shift at. Cwmcynon Colliery. I On Sunday night he complained of not feeling well and said that he would not go to work. On Monday he changed his mind, had his break- fast, and went to work. He had been attended by Dr. Ross.—Wil- liam Richards, fireman at Cwmcynon | Pit, deposed that he saw deceased rm Monday about 6.45 a.m. Witness passed his lamp. On two subse- quent visits to his place he saw I O'Leary. At 11.30 he complained rtliat he had a terrible pain in his chest and witness aUoAved him to go out of the pit. He had worked there about nine years and was pretty regular at work.—Mrs. Cur- tis, 65, Hareourt-terrace, Penrhiw- oeiber, stated that she knew de- ceased merely by passing the house. On Monday at 1.30 in the afternoon, she saw him in the street in almost a sitting position on the ground. She got help and bathed his face with water and then had him taken into her house. Dr. Brugman stated that he was called to de- ceased, but lie died a few minutes after getting to Mrs. Curtis' house. In witness's opinion deceased suf- fered from some heart disease, pro- bably fatty degeneration or valvu- lar tiisenso. It was a nrettv clear r.o0f natural death.—The jury re- turned a verdict of "Death from natural causes."

LOCAL OPTION. Sir,—Mr. Mardy Jones could hardly have done his cause any good when he stated that "wherever the white man is to be found there also was the traffic to be found." This statement fully supports Sir James Crichton Browne, M.D., who has said that "the use of alcoholic beverages has been a marked characteristic of the diet of the European and other progressive races, and in no instance has the decline and fall of a nattion been due to alcohol." Mr. Mardy Jones is not justified in his statement to the effect that we are a drunken nation. We are not. In England and Wales dur- ing 1913 the convictions for drunken- ness were under 5 per 1 000 of popula- tion. In Gothenburg and Stockholm— the homes of Local Option which Mr. Jones supports—they were more than eight times more than in our country. Mr. Lloyd George says that there was never less drunkenness than to-day in our country. Why will these teetotal advocates state what they know are not facts when pro- pagating their fads?—I am, etc., J. B. MADDOCKS. Penarth, Dec. 15, 1917.

LAND VALUES. Sir,—The taxation of land values would compel every owner of land in the United Kingdom to utilise to the full every acre of his land, hence the landholders would have to come to the labour market to seek workers. There would be a demand for labour such as had never been before in this country. Take the case of butter. Tt was sent down by road and rail in Australia a hundred miles to the coast and shipped thousands of miles oversea to this country, while the land here, where the butter could, be produced, is locked up. The land would employ millions of men, and one effect of its utilisation would be that workers in the town would re- ceive the wage which justly repre- sented the value which their labour created. When we have done away I with the competition in the labour market, which forces the wages of labour down; when there is a scarcity of labour instead of a sur- plus when there is another kind of competition with all the employers seeking for workers; when employers are competing against one another, then wages will begin to rise, and a tendency will be created for wages to rise until the just wage is reached that represents the value a man creates by his labour. When wages are raised what is the first thing that will happen? Men will purchase those requirements which they cannot purchase to-day because they cannot get a just wage. The first things they will purchase are butter, milk and eggs, which should be got on British soil. When wages begin to rise a great demand will be set up for these necessaries of life, and a chance given for people to pro- duce from the soil of Britain. Immediately opportunities are giv.ii to create wealth from the land of the United Kingdom; the workers will not go from the rural areas to look for work in the town. What is the main thing that Trade Unionists always forget? I hear Labour leaders say: But you do not wish the artisans to grow turnips? Decidedly not, but let the man who wants to grow turnips do so by all means, and in- stead of coming to the town for your job he will come to the town for the goods which your Trade Unionists produce. Fair play, the late Alder- man David Morgan (hats off) saw the vision, and comprehended the problem in the early eighties, and called a conference to that effect at Carmel Hall, Aberdare. The land or revolution.—Yours, etc., T. E. DAVIES. Trimsaran, Dec. 6th, 1917.

Billy Sunday declares that if hell were turned upside down one would find "Made in Germany" sta'nped on the bottom. Therefore, Billy, you had better continue with your work of turning this world upside down.

i i a& U A Sensible J. XMAS GIFTI Those about to buy such would be wise to visit Jay's Furnishing Stores (Western) Ltd" 8 Commercial St., Aberdare ,t ■••■•■■■ukwcarifaanainiuuijj Below are a few SUITABLE ARTICLES: Piano Stools, Music Cabinets, China Cabinets, Occasional Tables, Base Rockers, Overmaniles, Book Cases, Wicker Chairs, Fancy Flower Pots, Vases, Palm Stands, Pictures, Drawing and Bedroom Suites in great variety, Hall Stands and Sideboards, Brass Curbs, Black and Brass Curbs, Black and Copper Curbs, Fenders and Tidies, in great variety. Make a GIFT that will be cherished in their Memories. We are the leading HOUSE [FURNISHERS of South Wales and hold the largest and most varied Stock. We can furnish the Cottage or the Mansion. Our terms are the most convenient. Give us a call. Jay's Furnishing Stores (Western) Ltdi, -Jj 8 Commercial St., I ABERDARE. Tom Netherway, The Mountain Ash Milliner, ALBION HOUSE. Draper & Dressmaker. Feathers & Flowers. Splendid Selection of Cloves, Lacds, etc., Suitable for Xmas Presents. Ladies' Costumier. Gents' Suits. I XMAS NOVELTIES TED MacGREGOR Callaway's Corner, MOUNTAIN ASH. In Ties, Scarves, Handkerchiefs, Socks and Gents' Underwear. Mourning Orders. Complete Outfitter. Large Stock of Xmas Novelties. DJHLTSTXX> HAY, HATS OFF to Oxford Street, MOUNTAIN ASH, He will supply you with a New one. SPECIALITIES- Children's Fancy Goods, Overcoats and Velvet Suits for Winter Wear. Wool Knit Scarves for THE BOYS. Kiddies' Oilies for Rough Weather. Fancy Handkerchiefs in Fancy Boxes. OXFORD STREET, MOUNTAIN ASH. XMAS POULTRY. llJWIiJ I r 11" II If you want RELIABLE POULTRY for your XMAS OINf-IER place your orders at once with The Carmarthen Dairy SEYMOUR STREET, or The CREAMERY, VICTORIA SQUARE, ABERDARE. All Poultry direct from our own Farms. W. T. EVANS, Proprietor.

— A kiATeC GWMVHKB iwiko. BY RAFFLES. I note that Bagpipes has shaved his Charlie Chaplin moustache. It is not a case of the police or the mili- tary being on his track. Simply the wish of his sweetheart. The lovers at the top of Queen Street the other night had an ani- mated discussion. Tone down, my fair ones, for your conversation was overheard by Raffles. The man with the straw hat is doing his rounds nightly in Bwllfa Road. He is not a special constable, but he has a special job on. 1 The amateur photographer has taken a few snapshots of the village celebrities. They include Popcorn, Gaffer Nos, Bumper and Mary Eliza- beth Ann. He tried to snap Raffles, but found him too elusive. The musical lodger's top note will be missing during Christmas. A good job, too, or else, perhaps, his head would be missing. Twm Talceii Slip down town last Saturday went into a shop for a half- penny worth of blacklead and a pound of sugar. The shopkeeper saw j him coming, atld wished him a happy Christmas, mitius the sugar. Ap Barley, of Llwydeoed, will spend Boxing Day at Cwmdare. On Christ- was Dav he will be lecturing at Cross Bvchan on "How to live with- out working." Ap, of course, is a striking example.

ABERCYNON POLICE COURT. On Thursday, December 13th, be- fore the Stipendiary (Mr. R. A. Griffith), Mr. Bruce. Jones, and Mr. Ed. Jones. ILL-TREATING A HORSE. Thomas Morgan, a boy of 16, and his mother, JIargaret Morgan, Pen- twyn Avenue, Matthewstown, were summoned, the former for cruelly ill- treating a horse, and the latter for causing the bctfse to be ill-treated. — P.C. Stedman Williams stated that on November 28th, at 12.30, he saw the boy Morgan in Pentwyn Avenue driving a pony attached to a rag and bone cart. He examined the animal, and found a sore on the pin bone that was causing the horse pain. It was in ¡ a terribly weak state, and could j scarcely stand- There was also &n I old sore on the spine, and the harness was rubbing it. The boy said that lie had told, his mother about it.—The j husband of Mrs. Morgan (in khaki) j was present, and promised the Bench I that the horse should not be worked. ( —Mrs. Morgan: I haven't got sufficient to keep me and my j children, and the horse is quite fit to work.—Stipendiary (sternly): You (I don't seem to understand. If the pony could speak he would tell a different, story. Mrs. Morgan is fined 20s., and the case against the boy is dismissed.

Every man is as heaven made him, and sometimes a great deal worse.— Cervantes. Job's Comforter (in the trenches) If they keep on stopping your leave I like this you'll never see your new kid till the war's over.—Job: Oh, yes; I expect I -shall. He'll be I coming out here in 1935. 1

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. SOMEWHERE IN MACEDONIA.— Give fuller particulars of the three men in the photograph-names of regiment and home address. CORPL. NICHOLSON, SALONICA.- Poetry too lengthy. PRO BONO, PENRHIWCEIBER. Address your complaint to the Fund Committee.