The Rhondda Leader

Letters to the Editor. Letters on any subject of public interest are cordially invited. The insertion of a letter does not necessarily mean that the Editor agrees with the views ex- pressed therein. Correspondents should write on one side of the paper only, and no letter will be published unless the writer sends his name and address, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. 1, A Cwmclydach Scandal. t,- To the Editor of the Rhondda Leader." Sir,—Kindly allow me a, little space in your most valuable paper to call the attention of the District Councillors representing Ward 5 to' the; scandalous condition of the road leading to Bush Houses, Cwmolydach. I think it is high time that something should be done for the inhabitants of these houses, and I often wonder whether the Council think these people are, human beings or creatures of the lower orders. There are a few oases which I will remind them of. It is not so very long agio that some poor un- fortunate fellow fell over an unprotected ledge on his way home, and the accident proved fatal. Some time later an old man fell into a. culvert, and this again would have ended fatally had it not been for his cries for help, which promptly brought two men to his rescue. Some time ago, here was a corpse lying in one of these houses, and on the day of the funeral the friends and relatives of the dead person had to persuadei someone kind enough to erect some sort of a bridge so that the funeral could pass over. During election time, the candidates for seats on the Council are eager to give all sorts of improvements to the people, but the promises made are soon forgotten after the voting is over. Such a state of things, where a, corpse, cannot be decently conveyed to its last resting place, demands the immediate attention of our Council, and if the road does not belong to them, surely they can do something which will alleviates to a, certain extent this hideous eyesore.—I remain, yours, &e., CWMOLYDACH. November 23rd, 1908. ""0"" Dr. Anderson and His Critics. To the Editor of the Rhondda Leader." Sir,—Allow me, in reply to Dr. Ander- son, to say that I have no objection to criticism when it is criticism and not dogmatism. It is the duty of everyone to search the Scriptures." But I agree with the opinion of the late W. E. Glad- stone, that we should treat them as we would a venerable monument of ,antiquity, and not be so eager to find fault with them. Of course, if they are found to be false, we are bound to say so; but we ought to give reasons for our assertions. However, as Dr. Anderson has appealed to authority, I shall refer him to a few higher elementary authori- ties. Germany has been the (Treat battle- ground of New Testament criticism. I herewith give my own translation (the German original if required) of a, few German opinions to, show that Dr. Ander- son's views are rather old-fashioned. Prof. Adolf Harnack, one of the greatest, if not the greatest, of New Testament critics, says: —" There was a time, and indeed the general public is still in it, when it was thought that the oldest Christian literature must be judged to be a network of deception and fraud. This time is past. The oldest literature of the Church is in the chief points and in most details, considered as literary history, true and trustworthy. In the whole New Testament there is probably only one single writing which is toi be designated as pseudonymous in the strict sense of the word—the Second Epistle of Peter. In history, not in literary criticism, lie the problems of the future." Prof. W. Bousset., in his leading article of Die Theologischei Runds,cihau I on The present position of Scientific Introduction to the New Testament," says: The general view of criticism since Barn's days has gradually become more circumspect and cautious, and is moving in the line of a constantly growing recognition of the historical Tradition-a, development which has continued farther and farther down to the last years. It has been more and more acknowledged that the traditional view of the Church on the New Testa- ment does not in any case bear the char- acter of intentional fraud, that it is on the whole (im Grossen and Ganzen) trust- worthy, and that one must have very strong reasons for rejecting it. The standpoint of an older and sharper method of New Testament criticism may, perhaps, be condensed in the statement that in those days one only believed in Tradition when irrefutable reasons spake for It, and till then it was distrusted; but now we have reached the standpoint that we are inclined to trust Tradition till cogent reasons demand the contrary. This is a considerably different frame of mind. Of late, we do not decide so readily that a writing is to be regarded as not genuine, i.e. as fabrication." .Now, compare Harnack's In the chief points and most details trustworthy and Bousset's On the whole trustworthy with Anderson's "A great deal of it is mythical." This, then, is the latest pro- duct from the German crucible, compared with which the fire into which the Hebrew children were cast was fairly cool. Can we blame the ordinary man if ho acts on this knowledge? If sceptical Germany declares that the New Testament is genuine, why should we in Christian England declare it false?—Y^urs^&c.^ A. N. SMITH. Doctors' Question. To-the Editor of the "Rhondda, Leader." Sir,—I am very pleased that a move has at last been made to place the management of the Doctors' Fund on more democratic lines. The meeting held last Wednesday, fortnight at Caersalem Hall, Llwynypia, was practically un- ani,mous to discontinue present manage- ment and adopt the system in vogue at Merthyr, Ebbw Vale, and Wattstown &e. As long as we workmen pay the piper," ) I think it is only fair we should be allowed to call the tune." It was, indeed, a surprise to me, as well as my fellow- workmen, to learn that the Cambrian Combine of Mid-Rhondda contributed no less a sum than L15,000 every year to the Medical Fund. Dot we get our money's worth? Emphatically "No." All our medical men should devote their whole time to their duties, and no one should be in our ,employ who holds another lucrative post. A fixed salary should be paid each doctor, and that fixed by the Workmen's Joint Committee, and the large sujrplue from the £ 15,000 should be devoted to procure nourishments for the sick poor, and ;m"liance.s such as arti- ficial legs and arms for those who unfor- innately meet with accidents. We could also support an efficient band of trained nurses, and still have a handsome surplus. —I remain, yours, &c. AN OLD WORKMAN.

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Tlje Hunger Marchers Visit to Tonypandy. Their Tactics Criticised. The Hunger Marchers descended upon Tony panel y on Monday evening, and Pandy Square was flooded with a, kind of oratory that sounded mighty strange upon its ears. An improvised carrier's wagon, bedecked with pictures and suitable Socialistic texts, did duty for platform, around which surged a throng, some hunciieds strong The C hairman (a workman), .referring to the strike at the Glamorgan Colliery, said that only a few months ago they elected a, man to a, public office who was J to-day fighting them. They were fools, 1 and they deserved all they had. Mr. Stewart Gray, the leader of the Marchers, dwelt at some length on the aim of the Marchers, and said that the J sole hope of the future was the Back ( to the Land policy. The grabbing of the land by the capitalists, said the ¿ speaker, was at the root of present social K evils, and unemployment, lionising, and ( other vexed questions would be solved i r people could once more be brought back the land. -+-o-+- To the Editor of the Rhondda Leader." 1 Sir,—You have recently had the ( Hunger Marchers" in your midst, and j as they return on Sunday next, a short account of the aims and working of the scheme may not be without interest. We aim at reclaiming the utterly desti- tute, without regard to creed, party or ( previous character. We aim also, at the ] reclaiming 'of the 3,000,000 acres of waste ] land that is lying idle in England; and this we propose to do with the aid of the 1,000,000 unemployed men, that grim whip with which the capitalist scourges the workers of this country. Surely, this is a laudable object! In reference to the working out of our idea, we encounter difficulties, of course, and by no means the least of these is the mistaken generosity of our working com- rades in offering the Marchers drink. Many of my comrades are making heroic efforts to overcome that terrible disease of alcoholism, and I appeal to' our friends in the Rhondda Valley to assist them in their fight, by abstaining from offering; to treat the men, What chance have you with the drunkards? I was asked last night; and my reply was: They are never I past redemption." One Instiance beforei I close. Some. few weeks ago, we picked up a new comrade, who celebrated the event by getting druink three times in the first week. (He was not a collector nor a pamphlet seller, so he had no oppor- tunity of drinking at our expense). I had a little chat with him, and pointed out to him that he was not only ruining himself body and soul, but by his conduct he was the means of giving his comrades a bad name. Is put it to him as a man that a certain class of people were only too ready to throw mud at a movement of this description, and that when they saw a drunken Marcher, they looked at him and him alone, and closing; their eyes to the remaining sober ones, placed us all in the same category. He seemed struck with this aspect of the case, and since that day he has been a changed man. But the crowning triumph came on Sun- day last. Ou" comrade's conduct being satisfactory, iwe entrusted him with a, collecting box. When he gave it up at night, he said: A gentleman in a, motor car threw this to me to-day, and I, could not get it in the box." This proved to be a five-shilling pieces which our com- rade produced and handed in. What a temptation to, the man fighting his bitter enemy—drink, and what a glorious vic- tory. What heart it put into me to con- tinue the fight; and when I told my esteemed leader' and comrade., Stewart Gray, his joy was worth going miles to see. He danced something that, he alleged was a\Highland reel, and tra-la-la'd in a voice that reminded me of a, buzz- saw. So L-fteir that experience I say with every confidesce:■ "It's never too late to me.nl. "-Yours faithfully, ROBT. WILLIAMS, Tonypandy, I Secretary. 24th Novemher, 1908. o-+- To the Editor of the" Rho nd da, Leader." Sii-Ma,y I be allowed a small space in your columns to offer some criticism, on the tactics adopted by some of the Hunger Marchers, who visited our locality on Monday. I must first of all say that a more disgusting exhibition of oratory I have never witnessed in the whole course of my life. The frothings of the man known as "Jimmy" were particularly so, and I cannot understand how they hope to win the support and sympathy of any intelligent community by such offensive garble. Jimmy" was not only flippant and offensive but positively tactless. Here is a, gem from his opening; speech. Thirty years ago, he said, he was an agricultural engineer. He went to America, and, there found that, instead of being a man, he became -art of a machine. His antagonism to machinery since (on his own admission) has been such that, whenever he wants to go from place to place, he never rides in a, train, nor sail in a steamboat, because these are driven by machinery worked by steam Steam is prodniced by coal, and the production of coal gives employment to the miner, and here we have a, man telling an audience of colliers (and revelling in the fact) that for thirty years, he has been doing his utmost to deprive the collier of his employment. What if all the "world were like Jimmy ? There wo,uld be no demand for coal, and consequently there would be no work for colliers. And the colliers on Pandy Square cheered his sentiments to the echo! Benighted fools! Of the mission of the Hunger Marchers s I will not express an opinion but I am rather convinced that the whole affair, with its transparent theatricality, is nothing more than sheer humbug.—I am, yours, SOCIALIST.

RUNNING SORES YIELD TO THE MARVELLOUS BLOOD-PURIFYING PROPERTIES OF DR. MORSE'S INDIAN ROOT PILLS. No person can be afflicted with a greater misfortune than having a running sore that will not yield to the ordinary treatment. The sore may originally be caused by accident or otherwise, but if it does not heal it is because the blood is impure. The foul humours, instead of being carried away through the regular channels, burst through the skin, causing suffering and humiliation. Dr. Morse's Indian Root Pills drive the poisonous humours from the system, purifying the blood, cleansing the stomach, and toning the organs of digestion and nutrition. Sold by Chemists and Stores, price I/It per bottle, or The W. H. Comstock Co., Ltd., 21, Farringdon Avenue, London, E.C.

Hunger Marchers at Ferndale. The Hunger Marchers visited Ferndale in Saturday, and a meeting, was organised 3ti their behalf by the local branch of the LL.P., and was held in the evening at he Assembly Hall. Food and shelter vere also, found them by the branch. Although the weather was very unfavour- able, a goodly number attended the meet ng;. The chair was occupied by Mr. Dharles Davies, North Street, and very iloquent addresses were given by Messrs Stewart Gray, Robert Williamig (secretary )f Hunger Marchers), and W. Stevenson Mr. Stewart Gray dealt with the signs )if the times, and remarked that the approach of the end of the unnatural con- litions of existence in which we are now plunged—or the end of the world," as it is1 called in Jewish prophecy—has been )bserved by the discerning for some years past. As usual, that tragic event has im- pressed the "poor in spirit" .and the young before it became apparent to the intellects of the wise and prudent" Dealing directly with the modus operand' ),f their marches, he explained that they lad two things in view. First, propaganda Ln favour of going back to the land; and secondly, collecting, funds for the niurchas8 of land for colonisation-purposes, where things would be produced not for sale, but for use. The men that were picked up on the march were free to accept work at any place, if they desired; but the main object was to take these men back with him to the home colonies and imbue them with the principles of his political and social faith, and so lay the foundation of a. newer and society of human brotherhood and love, the wondrous edifice which the Christ laboured and sacrificed sc greatly to establish. Hunger Marchers at Porth. Considerable interest in the Hunger Marchers was displayed at, Porth on Friday evening, when Mr. Alexander Stewart Gray, with his pilgrims, journeyed from Pontypridd to Porth with their peculiarly constructed van. A meeting was held at the Cymmer Bridge, after which they had recourse to the Old National School, Cymmer, where their leader addressed a large concourse of people. Notably among them was Vicar Thomas of Porth. It% Mr: Gray, in his address, stated he was not a, Socialist by ,tiiy means, neither did he believe that all industries should become nationalised, or in other words, the properties of the people. But he did believe in the nationalisation of the land, and that its restoration to the people was the only remedy for a, great many of our present evils. Continuing, Mr. Gray said he was not a sectarianist, but he would like to convert the people to the spirit and teachings of Christ. If Christ was living at present upon the earth, He would, (undoubtedly join them in their march. The present government system was very unsatisfactory and very unjust. Its laws suffered the few to live in wealth and luxury by various unjust systems. This few actually had the legal power to deprive people of the necessities of life. This drove the Britishers-tho,se that were bred and born Britishers, sons of England —into other lands to sojourn, and others donned the uniform to escape the prison cells or the workhouse. The foundation of the claim of the Hunger Marchers was, continued Mr. Gray, the restoration of the right to live. The Government which found 2150 million pounds of money for the Boer War in Africa, could have found 150 millions to restore to the people

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SociaSiem and Unemployment. Mr. Hyndman and Victor Grayson. Rousing Meeting at Tonypandy. Mid-Rhondda, Socialists were exceed- ingly active on Sunday, when two crowded meetings were addressed by acknowledged leaders of the I.L.P. and the S.D.P. The first meet- ing was held at the Hippodrome in the afternoon, when an inspiring and instructive address was delivered by Mrs. Bruce Glacier on Socialism and the Home." The lecture was preceded by a musical programme- Mr. Stewart Gray, the leader of the Hunger Marchers, who were in the vicinity, also addressed the meeting, and said that of all the sins mentioned in the Bible, the greatest stress was put upon the sin of overwork. In the evening, at 7.30, a large audi- ence at the Theatre Royal was addressed by Mr. H. M. Hyndman, London. In the absence of Dr. Datta, Ferndale, the chair was occupied by Mr. W. F. Jay, Porth. Mr. Hyndman, who took as his sub- ject The Social Democracy and the Future of Britain," said that he was pleased to be once more in the country where, many years ago, he had taken an active support in the strike, of .Bethesda. Great changes had taken place since then and Socialism had taken a firm root in the country, and he sincerely hoped that this would result in such a revolution as would sweep the existing; tyrannical con- ditions of life and labour out of existence (applause). Neither of the existing capitalistic forces had any solution of the antagonistic horrors of to-day. The Tariff Reformers preached the doctrine of a, reformed ta,riff as a remedy for un- employment whilst at the last General Election the Liberals held out that the future of the country lay in its steadfast adherence to the principles of Free Trade, but neither of these would avail anything 9 apart from the nationalisation of the land and industry. He well remembered the dark days when Protection was in vogue in the country many years ago, when women and children starved, and he did not want to go back to those days. Socialism was becoming a matter of common acceptance in these days, and the movement claimed to have the most advanced men—writers, thinkers, artists, men of science, &c.—in its ranks. No one could truly contend that Socialism was antagonistic to morality. On the contrary, Socialists held that they sought for their children the fullest facilities for their mental and moral development. The speaker then gave a historical survey of the growth of Socialism, and dwelt with some vigour on what he described as the degrading and brutalising conditions under which the great industries of the North of England were founded a, hundred years ana. Coming to t nestion of unemployment, the speaKer said that he brought a charge against the Liberal Government of keep- ing the unemployed on the street for the purpose of bringing wages down to their 91 lowest level, and Mr. Asquith and Mr. Balfour were only having a sham fight on the floor of the House of Commons. He, personally, did not believe that the Labour Ya,rty in the House of Commons were moving as they ought to. They had become too. subservient to the forms of the House of Commons, and did not believe that revolution was necessary. What he would have liked to see was the 31 Labour members following the example set by the member for the Colne Valley (loud applause). -Victor Grayson could not do everything.. He was only one man among many, and he had his limitations, but he showed that he didn't care for the forms of the House when graver matters demanded attention. What was the Licensing Bill and all the humbug of denominational education compared with the, fact that there were hundreds of thousands of their fellow-men starving in the land? If he (the speaker) were in the House of Commons, he would be sure to insult somebody (laughter and ap- plause).

Good News from Merthyr. All of us in Tonypandy will be glad to hear such good .news. We congratulate ourselves as well as this Merthyr resident, for the intelligence is of the gravest im- portance to many of us here. Mrs. M. A. Williams, 24, Penuel Street, Twynrodyn, Merthyr, says I used to have such dragging pains in my back that I found it most difficult to raise myself after stooping. I got no rest at nights, because of the pains; I t,ad giddy feelings, and my legs and ankles were swollen. I was also a sufferer from indigestion, and had bad pains in my chest which went through to my shoulders. I was often so ill that Iliad to rest while I was at my work. I had heard of Doan's Backache Kidney Pills, so I made up my mind to try them. To my delight they soon eased my back, and considerably brightened me up. I persevered with the pills, and I can say they have done me the world of good; the pains have all quite gone. I am thankful to Doan's Pills for the benefit I have received." Pains in the back are a. sure sign of kidney disease; the pain is caused by the kidneys, whichjie under the small of the back. Other common symptoms of kidney disorder are: dizziness, headache, watery swellings in the ankles and beneath the eyes, dimness of sight, urinary troubles, etc. Doan's Backache Kidney Pills are a special kidney and bladder medicine: they act directly on the kidneys-no action in the bowels-and thus cure the cause of backache, dropsy, gravel, rheumatism, and other results of diseased kidneys. Doan's Backache Kidney Pills are two shillings and nine pence per box (six boxes for thirteen shillings and ninepence). Of all chemists and stores, or post free, direct from Foster-MicClellan Co., 8, Wells Street, Oxford Street, London, W. You are sure to get the right medicine if you ask distinctly for Doan's. 2810d

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