The Rhondda Leader

Correspondence. insertion of a letter does not neces- .rily mean that the Editor agrees with the 6WS exPresse(i therein. We do not answer correspondents trough the post. Bij" correspondents must write on one 6 ?f the paper only, or their letters will be rejected. be published unless the iter sends his real name and address, not ± cessarily for publication, but as a guaran- good faith.

Clydach Vale Strike. To the Editor. bir,-—As a member of the South Wales mers' Federation, I am willing to sacri- great deal for the good of the acco- 1011' kut I should like to understand oroughly both the cause for which we ■ re niaking the sacrifice and the policy our eiders are following to secure the benefits °*Lwhieh the sacrifice is made. k Being a night workman in No. 1 pit I Hew nothing of the dispute until I wa? opped when going to work the night Allowing the daymen's first stoppoge, and °st of us supposed it was an ordinary °ppage for scarcity of trucks. ^t the meeting the following day we or t?u?"se heard that the insufficient supply of ttiber was the principle cause but- I to find one single workman who can ow6 1116 details of the case. For my ei. Part the strike pulls parti- ■larly hard on me, as not only are my eekly earnings stopped, but being refused Permission by our agent to finish my small Viyract'' "hich the company are perfectly t 'ing to permit, I have to leave over a °rtnight's earnings in the hands of the Pjfipany with the certainty that a con- ^.i rf*ble part of that will be lost should 6 strike continue much longer. „• Iruiy also state that permission has been n to one man to finish his contract, ^.loUgh the men working for him were non Zionists, and that my efforts to interest r mirers' agent ou my behalf are, til.' unavailing. arii 10111 ^ie Scncra' tone of conversation v°ng the men, I find that most 'would l.o a.r. S° to work and let the case he l'anged either by County Court action or ^.arbitration. I have good reason +o t eheve that the company would also agpp j that, I know that our agent wishes to Qvf matter in the hands of Judge n Williams, as arbitrator, not as Court Judge. opinion is that our leaders, from our Sent up, have got us into a difficulty and see their way to get us out, and I tak*1 opinion frcm the willingness to th e ^0Unty Court proceedings to recover fra Avages withheld by the company, and tjj111 the fact that though they told u. s, the enginemen and stokers would Work in one or two days, they after found it necessary to give a month's ice, before bringing them out. Vnot dwell on the sufferings caused strike, the enforced idleness of lv'i() depend on the colliers for their and ^'e loss to shopkeepers ancl others, l}, the hardships of those who have to et. the landlord, grocer, butcher, tally- shilV and clu'° collector, on ten or fifteen Ql, Ilngs per week. If it were necessary eyen wise I could bear it without mur- gq/111?; but we can see nothing to be Ca ne^ by remaining idle when the affair ipjjil settled by arbitration or by law Hlv f We are working. And I appeal to afL ow workmen to call a meeting, and aff •llsre an immediate ballot to decide how R.Irsare to be settled. Uyi the case is put in the hands of Judge aa '1\1 Williams his decision will be the Of -e lyliether he sits in the County Cour! 11 own parlour and I am certain heartily approve our action if we He work while the case was being de on. Our present policy suggests tare having a trial of strength with }}ri employers, a rash and dangerous ex- tried by a new organisation cipi'Se Members have not yet learned dis- oiejJ1?' and whose officers are sadly defi- c pn §eneralship. Should the meeting Se'lf should ask permission for ray- to parid my mate to work two turns so as ^plete my work and receive what is 11' beta.use even if work is resumed soon oj- that I shall be for the first month to employed in helping to put things to vj? s at the1 faces, and when I get time in SiU ?rn to the old job, I may find if of J* condition as to require a great deal • r;i work to complete it.—Thanking In anticipation, I am, etc., 18 J. B. THOMPSON. -Knoll Terrace, Tonypandy. Sir To the Editor. ?0n j' the letter of Mr. J. B. Thomp 2'011^ paper seems to call for a reply the 1n.e, would state that I am sorry for of knowledge on his part with re- eVery 0 the question in dispute. He had knowing the whole of thrv^1 v,s w'bich led up to the struggle if ^lc] .^Sht fit to attend the mass meeting JUe§d 7 Theatre Royal, Tonypandy. oo January 8th, the morning of the s0n tyn he was stopped. Mr. Thomp- ^°rk vAery favourably situated whilst at ti*nbGr • regard to tiie proper supply of Wied t 1Ilasmuch as all the timber sup e,Ito t, e, working places had to pass hadce where he was repairing, so that ade the, first, opportunity of obtaining •1st| t)i suPPly. That disposes of his arnnt- With regard to the permis- T- the man mentioned by Mr. ri ^tra*1' may statG that this man had excavating on the surface, a f e ttien 10 ^oes n°t affect the dispute of n«r U i 6 miners have been on strike t th0jr e.e^ fighting for the recognition (1jr 1-1 Q^^nt-s, upon which depends the a frery f te and limb, to examine the a? a"ieovi^sa^^s^ themselves that there is ,8upply of timber. If perm's;• 10llld }, ?lven, to Mr. Thompson that t(i Q,t,d, eq."ivalent, to allowing one man h !tr,y ,,v .his life for the sake of the few rfiispi11?88 to him. The next IcQ .)vy. ls the general tone of conver- tho men. Allow me to say theil0 Siven them every opportunity tn rla -°iWn discretion, and they unan- ^tr \Vh'l t'l!'t there was no ballot lify. st seeking an interview with Cn' re the detained money of hp+°n' there was, a lengthy clis- in rpfWeen -^r. Trevor Price and f0l, (lr<>nce to the dispute. I did Williams to be i^r/atov. „^We. are ready to accept the PPPOi-nte,d by the Board of Woiii j ? learned judge is ap- he quite willing to aceeyt him. I did not tell Mr. Thompson that I was desirous of having Judge Williams appointed as arbitrator. The difficulty which ycur correspondent alleges the miners' leaders to be in is mythical. We have all along endeavoured to avoid a strike, but we were driven to it by the re- fusal of the management to recognise t he rights of examination by the men. and ac- cording to the latter's decision they do not intend to return to work until that point is conceded or the compensation paid. Will Mr. Thompson allow me to point out that we offered the company on the 8th, 9th. and 11th January to put us in the County Court for the alleged illegal action in coming out without notIce r But they did not take up the challenge then. Now, after a strike of 14 weeks' duration—during the whole of which time Mr. Thompson apparently acquiesced in the righteousness of the struggle, inasmuch as he was pre- sent at each taeeting except the first, and voted for the continuation of the strike—- he turns round to condemn the leaders for an action with which he has all along agreed. Mr. Thompson here is desirous of calling a, meeting of the men with the avowed object, of seeking permission to re- turn to work himself. He. first raises the bogey of a balot to decide how affairs are to be settled—a question which the men have, unanimously objected to from the commencement, he himself, be it remem- bered, taking part in this decision. It can therefore be plainly seen that Mr Thompson is only desirous of completing his contract to meet his own ends -f am, etc., TOM JAMES, Clydach Vale. Miners' Agent. To the Editor. Sir,—I am not concerned in the dispute between Mr. Thompson and Mr. James, but I must take exception to the statement of the latter that "we," i.e., the miners' leaders, have all along endeavoured to avoid a strike, but were driven to it by the refusal of the management to recog- nise the rights of examination by the men." So far from the management having re- fused to recognise the right of the men to examine the mine, the company have frequently expressed its regret that that- right was not exercised more often. Only once last year—namely on June 1st—did the workmen avail themselves of the right. Not only has the company given every facility to the workmen in their employ to inspect, but it has always permitted the miners' agent and cheekweighers to go down the mine whenever they desired Mr. James proceeds to say that, accord ing to the decision of the men, they do not intend to return to work until that point is conceded or the compensation paid." If it is possible to concede what has never been refused, I may say at once on behalf of my company, that they will fully concede the right, of the men to examine the mine and upon resumption of work the men may examine the mine as much as they please, provided they do not ask the company to contribute towards the expenses of such examinations, as they have hitherto, done. What the company have resisted, and will continue to' resist, is, the right of the general body of the workmen to leave work without notice in support of a grievance by a few of their number and who insist upon an axamina- tion of the mine before a resumption of work, a right they do not claim at any As- sociated colliery, notwithstanding the loud assertions of the miners' leaders that they are prepared to give us equal treatment. Mr. James asks why we did not take the matter into court. He knows very well, for he has been told over and over again that we did not do so—just as we did not regain the wages—because we wished to avoid friction that might prejudice an amicable settlement. We are quite prepared to take the matter into court now in a friendly way. and are advised it. is not, too late, if the miners' leaders wish us to, and provided they on their side will in an equally friendly spirit refer the question of com- pensation to a court of law, all other mat- ters in dispute to be referred to arbitra- tion or a. Conciliation Board. To me that appears a most fair and reasonable offer, and we wait the reply of the responsible miners' leaders.—I am, etc., CHARLES A. G. PUTLLIN, Secretary Cambrian Collieries, Ltd. Exchange, Cardiff, April 13th, 1901.

A Nantymolian's Return from the War. The universal nature of the interests involved in the South African war is being daily forced in upon our mental horizon. Even muddy, out-of-the-world, sleepy Ogmore has a personal interest in it. This is brought home to, us at intervals' by the return of an Ogmorian unit of the thin red line from the work of massi paint- ing." The thin red line" gives forth sufficient of the colour to transform a giant's share of the globe. The latest re- turn from the front is Mr. Joseph Lee, Ogmore Terrace, who arrived at Nantymoel on Thursday morning of last week. Al- though his return was rather unexpected, he met with a. warm, though spontaneous reception at the railway station. He was chaired, and conveyed to his home, fol- lowed by a, considerable crowd. Mr. Lee was a reserve of the Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry, and took part in the for- ward. movement through the Orange River Colony under Major-General Smith-Dorien. going through to Pretoria and Wonderfon- tein. He returned to England with a large number of men who, like himself, ha,ve become time-expired hands

P.M. Convention at Tonypandy. On Easier Monday under the auspices of the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Lhvyny- pia, a circuit convention was held, when the order of services were as follows — Prayer and experience meeting at 10 a.m., conducted by Mr. W. Furnival; sermons by Messrs. R. Keen and E. White con- ductor, Mr. W. H. Farmer, at 11 a m. sermons by Messrs. Brinn and G. Adams conducted by Mr. W. Lane, in the afternoon at 2.30; open air mission at 5.30 p.m., the conductors being Messrs. J. Giffard and H. Morgan, while in the even- ing at 6 p.m., sermons were delivered by the Rev. J. Bacon and Mr. Hoskins. the leader of the singing throughout being Mr J. F. Farmer, Tonypandy. The various preachers were well received and atten tively listened to throughout their appro- priate discourses, Collections were made at the evening service to defray expenses. Refreshments were provided in the vestry

Porth Police Court. Robert Rosser, a van-man, late of Peny- graig, surrendered to his bail to answer a charge of having embezzled the sum of 6s. from his employers, Messrs. J. Powell and Co., bakers, Penygraig. Mr. J. Phillips, solicitor, Pontypridd, prosecuted. It ap- peared that the prisoner had received a sum of £2 9s. 3d. from Mrs. T. P. Jenkins, Tonypandy, but to the contrary his book showed he had only received JE3 3s. 3d. Prisoner pleaded Guilty." It wa.s pointed out that, he was the son of most respectable parents at Aberdare, and, aiter a few severe strictures by the chairman (Mr. T. Griffiths), the accused was let off with a fine of t3 and costs. Theft of Fowls at Ferndale. A charge of stealing six fowls, the pro- perty of Mr. Evan Thomas, Blaenllechau Farm, Ferndale, was preferred against Benjamin Davies, Evan Evans, and Thomas Evans, colliers, Blaenllechau. The theft, which was admitted by Mr. James Phillips, solicitor, on behalf of the defen- dants, was committed on the preceding Thursday night, the accused being then under the influence of drink. Defendants were fined £1 each. Stabbing Case at Ystrad- Rhondda. At the Pontypridd Police Court on Wednesday, John Whitley, a chimney sweep, residing at Ystrad-Rhondda, was charged with stabbing his lodger, Nicholas Laffan, a tailor, in a bedroom early that morning. Whitley, it appeared kept a lodging-house at 39, Gellygaled Road, and when Laffan and another lodger expressed their intention of going to bed early in the morning, prisoner went into the bedroom a,nd said, None of you will stop here to- night." A heated discussion led to a scuffle between prisoner and Laffan. Feeling a sharp pain in the arm, Laffan cried out, I am stabbed." Prisoner then left the room. Upon examining himself, Laffan discoverd that he had been stabbed in the left, forearm. Joseph Sparks, pri- soner's stepson, said "All had had enough to drink. He saw no knife. P.C. Ash- ton produced a knife in court which he found in prisoner's possession when ar- rested. In reply to the charge he said, I never committed the crime." When asked to account, for the stab at court pri- soner told the magistrates he would let them use their own judgment. He was sent to goal for a month with hard labour.

Eisteddfod at Tonypandy. An eisteddfod was held last Thursday evening at Hermon (M.C.) Chapel. Mr. Tom Evans, checkweigher, Trealaw, pre- sided over a good attendance. The ad- judicators were:—Music, Messrs. J. Jones (Ehedydd Samlet), Blaenclydach, and D. G. Simpson, Tonypandy; literary. Mr. T. Davies, Chandlery, Trealaw, while Miss Maggie Thomas, Trealaw, performed the duties of accompanist, as usual, quite satis- factorily. The competitions resulted thus —Reading a piece at, sight, Mr. Tom Roderick, Clydach Vale, out of 7 competi- tors; essay on Brawdgarwch Crefyddol Mr. Thomas Evans, Kenry Street, Tony- pandy; trio, "Duw bydd drugarog." Mr. William Evans and friends, Penygraig bass: solo, Merch y Cadben," Mr. Harry Jones, Penygraig; impromptu speech on Asgre lan diogel ei pherchenog," Mr. Tom Roderick. Clydach Vale soprano solo, Llythr fy Mam," Miss Hannah Griffiths, Tonypandv (the only competitor); for the best 40 lines on Y Golofn Niwl a Than," Mr. Owen Hughes, Tonypandy; chief choral, "Trewen," only one chior competed, viz., Pisgah; they were, however, deemed fully worthy of the prize. Mr. William Evans, the conductor, was presented with a splendid chair. Miss Maggie Thomas contributed a. splendid pianoforte solo, and Mr. William Henry Davies. a recitation, during the proceedings. Messrs. W. J. Griffiths and Reesi Evans were the secre- taries.

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Singing Festival at Ton. On Easter Monday the annual singing festival of the Calvinistic Methodists of Nazareth, Jerusalem, Dyffryn, and Bethei took place at Bethel in the morning, and at Jerusalem in the afternoon and night. The conductor was the capable and well experienced Mr. D. Jenkins, Mus. Bac., Aberystwyth. The morning meeting was wholly given up to the children, and right well did they do their allotted part. The songs they sung were the following ■ owln "lesu yw bywyd y Byd," Plant ydym eto," "St. Nicholas," "Maddeuant." Pwy fel efe," Telyn Seion," and I 'ais yr lesu They also sang an anther, 'Addolwch yr Arglwydd," and r-hanted the third Salru, which they did exceed- ingly well. The chairman of the meeting was Mr. Jonathan Rees (Nathan Wwn). In the afternoon meeting, Mr. J. Jones, Lon- don House, presided, whilt the following tunes were s-Ling: -Solomoii, Dudley, Fulda. Corinth, Leeds, St. Bees, Havi- lah, Teyrnasoedd y Ddaear" by Mr. J. Ambrose Lloyd was also sung, and Psalm 24 chanted. In the evening meeting the president was the Rev. W. Jones, Ton. The following tunes were rendered: Roche Abbey, Triumphant, Shawmut, Bod- awen, Talgarth, Bridport, San Rene, Whitford, and Ida. Three anthems were also sung namely Teyrnasoedd y Ddaear," Cyfraith Gwirionedd." This is a requiem in memory of our beloved Welsh patriot, Mr. Tom Ellis, M.P. The other anthem* was Gostyngodd Efe fy nerth," in memory of Mr. John Williams, colliery manager, and congregational leader of Jerusalem. This was composed by Mr. D. Evars, Mus. Bac., London, at the ex- press wish of the committee. There wps a crowded audience at, each meeting, wh'ch speaks for the value of the singing and t Ii.■ popularity of the conductor.

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