Llais Llafur

Backache Days | and Backache Nights. Picture tells a Story." I Do you realise that Pains in the Back, Limbs or Joints-Weak Heart, Irritability, Langour, Sleeplessness, Urinary troubles are Symptoms of Kidney Weakness? I Kidney disease comes on quietly and may take you unawares, for often its symptoms are put down to other causes —a serious mistake in many cases. Early symptoms are pain and tender- ness in the back and groin, bladder irritation, stiff or aching limbs, scarcity or excess of urine, sediment, night sweats-chilly, moist or swollen ex- tremities—drowsiness, blurred sight, dizziness, and morbid depression. For when diseased the kidneys fail to purify the blood, so that uric acid and other poisonous matter is collect- ing in the system, causing rheumatism, stone, dropsy, gravel, sciatica, lumbago and other complications. Doan's Backache Kidney Pills are a tonic for the kidneys, which they heal and strengthen, enabling these all- important organs to rid the system of poisonous deposits that are setting up disease throughout the body. They- promote a healthful flow in the urinary channels, which relieves irritation, soothes the bladder and dissolves stone and gravel. Keep the kidneys well and they will keep you well, but you must get the right medicine. SWANSEA PROOF.- Your neighbours tell you what Doan's Pills can do, and home proof is the only proof that counts in Swansea. Mr. C. Turner, of 1, Brynsifi Terrace, Mount Pleasant, Swansea, says:—"In the beginning of the year I caught a severe cold that affected my kidneys. The pains across my back were very severe and for three days I hardly knew how to move. The kidney ex- cretions were in an unnatural condi- tion. "I tried other medicines, but to no purpose; then I purchased a box of Doan's backache kidney pills, and from the first few doses of these I had re- lief. By the time I had finished the box I was quite well again. Doan's pills did me good without a doubt, and I can heartily recommend them to other sufferers. (Signed) "C. Turner." One tize only, 2s. çd. a box, 6 boxes 13s. Qd.; of all dealers, or from Fosier-McClellan Co., q, Wells Street, Oxford Street, London, lV. Dont ask for -JfA&Uache "Y pills txxk distinctly for DOAN'S 4 C A-A Cfi ? KIDNEY PILLS, and MAKE SURE the name DOAA-'S is on the box you buy. Refuse substitutes. A I p I c 1 1 0

STERILISED MILK CON- DEMNED. FATAL EXPERIMENTS ON KITTENS I Practical experiences conducted by Mr. Robert Mond, son of the late Dr. Ludwig Mond, according to "The 'Times," have shown that tuberculosis is not conveyed by milk from cattle to human beings, and that children, fed on sterilised milk, are definitely pre- disposed to tubercular infection. Mr. Mond has conducted investiga- tions over a period of many years at his experimental farm at Coombe Bank, .Seven Oaks, and at the Infants' Hospi- tal, Vincent-square, Westminster. The great outstanding fact resulting from these experiments was that milk is a living fluid, intended by Nature for immediate consumption, and if boiled it is chemically changed and loses its tiut/ritive value. At the Infants' Hospital Mr. Mond found a large number of children who were known to have been fed exclu- .Bively from birth on sterilised or con- densed milk—which, of course, could be ,guaranteed tubercle-free — developed tuberculosis of the bovine type. The term "bovine" must not be taken to imply that iL particular form of infec- tion had been passed on from cattle to human beings. It was quite as reason- able he said, to suppose that human beings had infected cattle originally as that cattle had infected human beings. Those children were always weak and ill-nourished, and it was suggested that this might b due to their having been fed on a boiled as against fresh diet. A an experiment a number of kittens  obtained and fed exclusively on ? 7?i?d n?- They all died within a :3ten u;e Th Home Office curiously f ht e ce cunOUi y ortmgh 1 insisted that the experiments enoug I d fd, L conducts un d er a vivisection "g ou e I. d Hc?e and on hcense d premie at Icence. an te the Lister InstItu TU  was so impressed by the "fatec roor f' tthnt e ?ttens that he obtained e 0 t Ie kittens that be obtained some tuberculous to the test  f P?tttnn ?hi.s tlic-o rv +,0 the tost, drank their milk hig Pression he "thrIve 0n it. He added: I should ???t have dared to use ?a. milk steni?? d. They take tl1a- 'II ten Ise v mI S' to creches feed h?thy children  ereelles, fcod th" 'l' d rnJ ( ( t ?m on sterilised ? ? ??_ t!le, m. Were It not for the un- ?ril?d crea.m th? c? ? ?"" ? hemHk the children would die.  T+ VVaS flrious< he aid. that the ad- voc ?  ? '?? overlooked vocat-, ovei-lool?ed b tt c O sen Isa 1 "llI"t :lS lIkely 11 er '1' 11 r TV butt lIC was every qs Wt lAJ e e  1 rnl to be eOnt,'I.niI na,ted is Yn'll?The flet was th"aat tibutt+er saved th un fortunates ??rn?dto live on boiled mm-

A HAUNTED VICARAGE. I NEW THEORY TO ACCOUNT FOR -1 GHOSTS A correspondent of the "Times" de- scribes the haunting of a vicarage at which he dined on Christmas day, and takes the opportunity of offering an in- genious explanation of the whole problem of ghosts. The vicarage ghost is the sound of foot- steps along the passages and in the bed- room formerly used by the old vicar, who occupied the house for over 40 years. These sounds are only heard when the house is very still, generally late at night. The people living in the house have all heard them, but have grown quite ac- customed to them and think nothing of them, though they got on the nerves of a brother of the vicar's who once lived with him. He could not stand it. Nothing has ever been seen nor is there anything to account for the sounds, which are frequently heard by the vicar when he sits up late in his study. A "NATURAL" EXPLANATION I It has occurred to me that there may be a perfectly "natural" explanation of this phenomenon and of the innumerable recorded c a&es of things heard and seen of a similar character, the correspondent continues. They have nothing to do with "spirits" or anything living at all, but are, I suggest, merely past impressions left on matter and making themselves perceptible to our senses under favour- able conditions, very much as impres- sions left on the memory (whatever that may be) present themselves to our con- sciousness in an apparently capricious manner. We do not know enough about the constitution and properties of matter to understand the ultimate nature of the process or to set any limits to it. But it is quite legitimate and m keeping with the modern trend of physacal to œe that Irnpred;slons ma<le, science to senupnpnontfse e tuhia«*t imprressaons made, Isa- v on the aet h er, and ai the same perceptible to our senpas, may last call b_x.om?e again pewy tibie under a? nd  r ? J e ?? ? ?,? favourablci <c-/ onditions, juft like, the last, mg impressiona on the brain which we the bralfi W IC we call memory. I AETHERIC ME.\lVIH£.>> I Gr<hi osti s, r from t+hliiis <s pnoon int of v i ew, may Gh<?. fr?. ihi. PO:? ? ?h? be called aetheric me1Ilori. The thL'Ory would account for *-1,, authenti- cated ca.sM of .?ud,.b!e ?d ? i?Ie gh?ts, ?d particularly for the P»^ ur?d in d;spr>x»f of '"a so-called r?venar.t5 a-? ?"? -? ;voarl„g the clothes they wore mM*«J they spirits they J™ ?y ?? ,pi,? they ? ?ies ''?m,butifthev?rc ?hsric mnemories ?ey ?t only would, but m?-

I CWMLLYNFELL I FOOTBALL JOTTINGS. Much local interest was evinced in the match played last Saturday be- tween Cwmllynfell and Glais on the latter's ground. In the first place it was a League match, and in the second place, Glais had already sustained two defeats that week, Lougher beating them on Thursday, and Resolven claim- ing a victory at their expense on Fri- day. The Glais players and their sup- porters were, as a result, not feeling over cheery on Saturday, and their spirits were further depressed by Cwm- llynfell carrying off the laurels of vic- tory to the tune of three points to nil. The game was a good one, and was thoroughly enjoyed by a good attend- ance of spectators. The success of Charlie Pnce in scoring during the first half for Cwmllynfell encouraged the visitors, but spurred on the home side, and during the second half Glais were mainly on the attack, but were kept well at bay by the visitors. The two second teams played at Cwmllynfell, and in spite of the fact that the home side could only put a poor team into the field, they were not defeated, the game ending in a draw. THE MALE VOICE CONCERT. The concert promoted by the Male Voice Party in the Cwmllynfell Chapel on Thursday evening last, was greatly enjoyed by all present, and the efforts of all the artistes were loudly applaud- ed, each one receiving an encore. At the last moment news was received that Mr. J. Walters (baritone), Llansamlet, could not attend through indisposition, but his place was taken by Mr. Richard Daniels, of Ystalyfera, who stepped in- to the breach with conspicuous success. He sang excellently. Unfortunately the attendance was not quite so large as had been anticipated, and whilst the promoters will not lose on the venture they will on the other hand, make little profit. OTHER GATHERINGS. 1 The social held under the auspices of the St. Margaret's Church in the Council School last week was a signal success in every respect, and the pro- moters are to be complimented on the results of their efforts. An excellent sum was realised for the church hall fund. On Wednesday evening of this week a bachelors' tea, social and concert took place in connection with the Bryn- gwilym Baptist Chapel. A large num- ber of tickets had been sold, so that the success of the function was practi- cally assured, and a good number of persons attended, spending a very pleasant time. MALE VOICE ENGAGEMENT. I The local male voice party, conducted by Mr. D. W. Rowlands, have been en- gaged to take part in the concert to be held at Ebenezer Chapel, Cwmtwrch on January 10th, for the benefit of Mr. J. Higgins, who has been ill a considerable time. The party may be relied upon to put their very best ef- forts into their performance, and it is hoped that this first engagement will result in further engagements in the I near future. OBITUARY. I Two very sad deaths have occurred I in Cwmllynfell and district during the past few days. Last week, Daniel Wal- ters, the nine-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Walters, of Cefnbrynbrain, passed away very suddenly after a severe attack of bronchitis. The inter- ment took place on Saturday and was conducted by the Rev. W. Evans (curate). A large number of relatives and sympathi&ing friends attended. I On Friday morning another child I named Henry Jno. Davies, aged nearly three years, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Davies, of Ochrywaun, passed away after a lingering illness. He was in- terred at Cwmllynfell on Monday, the service being taken by the Rev. D. Jeremy Jones. THE CWMLLYNFELL COLLIERY. It is pleasing to learn that matters at the Old Cwmllynfell Colliery are as- suming a very much brighter aspect than was the case a few weeks ago. The water in the pit is gradually being got rid of, and arrangements are be- ing made for another batch of men to re-start work next week. All other local collieries are working satisfactorily so that the outlook for the future appears to be rosy. i DR. PRICE AND A LOCAL BARD. I The far-famed Dr. Price, of Cwm- llynfell, was a great wag. On one occa- sion a local hard, known as D. W. Rhys, Llangiwc, went to him and oom- plained of a severe pain in his shoul- ■ der. But Dr. Price would not proceed to examine the shoulder until the bard put a verse together. He was not much of an Englishman, but he managed to I scrape together the following I do complain my shoulder, Mae ynddi boen ysgeler: And if you give me good advice. Mi waeddaf-Price for ever

THE COLISEUM YSTALYFERA. On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday next, local playgoers will have an oppor- tunity of enjoying a. rare dramatic treat, when that celebrated production, "The Ever Open Door," now running to crowded houses at the Aldwych Theatre, London, will be presented: by a first- class London Company, at the Coliseum. Nowadays we have polite melodrama and preposterous melo-drama. In the first we have for hero usually an amateur cracksman or gentleman thief, and the second is full of crude sensa- tionalism which leaves us transfigured with excitement, or prostrate with laugh- ter at is absurdities. "The Ever Open Doer" is at the same time too old-fashioned and too new fashioned to come within either definition. Th3 dramatists responsible for it are Air Geo. R. Sims and Mr H. H. Herbert. Mr Sims has modelled his delightful piece after the style of his former success- ful Old Adelphi and Princess' dramas, although in this case he dispenses with tho orthodox hero and heroine. The play is new-fashioned enough to be styled a "melodrama of ideas." It is a. plea for the child life of the slums, and this cry sounded by Sims-the philanthropist- publicist—should not go unheeded, as there is no one, cleric or layman, who knows the conditions of the very poor better than the worthy "Da.gonet." The dialogue, although full of literary merit, retains the reality of human speech, yet is it terser and more dis- tinguished than human speech. But the chief ingredient of this fine drama ;s that it is a story conceived in a sincere .,pirit- story in which one can believe. All these eulogies and more can be said of "The Ever Open Door," which it is palpable to everyone must bear the touch of the master. Sims is always accounted par excellence in his drawing of charac- ter. and in addition to the principal roles there are many low life sketches in the submerged Westminster scenes. The first act shows us Lady Dereham, a wealthy and beautiful widow, re- linquishing her position in society to take up work amongst the poor at Father Clement's mission in Westminster, called "The Ever Open, Door." She is persuad- ed by the present Lord Dereham— a cousin of her late husband—that in a fit of delirium at its birth she had destroyed her offspring. Years before she had married secretly the heir to the Dereham peerage, when she was a young and penniless governess. Soon after the marriage her husband was incurably injured by an accident which affected his brain. Separated from her husband and about to become a mother, she turned for help to the only person who knew their secret—the cousin of her husband mentioned above. He, pretend- ing to assist her, sent her to a home kept by a horrible baby farmer, and hKre, when her boy was born, it was conven- iently spirited away and the tale con- cocted that she had murdered him. The boy is being brought up as a typical street arab in Westminster, and Lady Dereham is destined to meet him. Panic- stricken at the thought that Lady Mir- iam may discover Robbie as her son, the false Lord hastens to Mrs. Dundon, the fa, l s,,A Lord ha.t<?iis to i\lrs. Diiiidcn, the erstwhile nurse-worn an and offers her JS100 to secure the boy's arrest as a thief, and thus get him out of the way. Not- withstanding his surroundings the boy's principles remain good, but an effort" is made to get him inveigled into a burg- lary. What is the result of this we will not say here, as it would spoil interest to relate the whole story. Our advice, therefore, is that no lover of fine drama, well-staged should miss witnessing one of the best plays written in Tecent years and one of strongly religious character throughout.

WELSH PIT DISASTER IN- QuIRy. KEEN INTEREST OVER THE I SENGHENYDD EXPLOSION The inquiry into the Senghenydd Col- liery disaster, which opens at Cardiff on Friday, is awaited with keen in- terest by those engaged in the British ooal industry, and the proceedings will bo closely watched by many mining ex- perts. In the loss of life, the force of the explosion, and damage to the workings, the disaster stands without parallel in this country. The Court of Inquiry will consist of Professor Redmayne, the Chief Inspec- tor of Mines, who descended the pit shortly after the explosion Mr. Evan Williams, chairman of the South Wales Coalowners' Association, and Mr. R. Smillie, president of the Miners' Federa Smillie, president of the Miners' Federa- tion of Great Britain. Coalowners and workmen will be re- presented by legal gentlemen who have specialised in mining, and no effort will be spared to discover the cause of the explosion and to ascertain the exact condition of the pit prior to the disaster. It is important that certain rumours circulated in the Aber Valley at the time of the disaster with reference to the state of the Lancaster pit, and the complaint made by Mr. T. Richards. M.P., general secretary of the South Wales Miners' Federation, as to the policy adopted by the rescue parties in the early stages, should be thoroughly investigated, and, no doubt. Mr. Rich- ards, one of the representatives ap- pointed by the South Wales Miners' Federation to attend the inquiry, will, raise the question he submitted to Lord Merthvr -and the Universal Colliery Management during the rescue opera- tions. The Home Office is anxious that the inquiry should be very searching.

Warafaig to Emigrants Going to California The following appeal has hen sent to us by the Californian State* Federation of Labour, with the request to give it publicity. "On behalf of the organised workers of California, we most respectful urge upon all organised labour of Europe to co-operate with organiaed labour in Cali- fornia in a matter of mutual and world- wide concern, namely, the proper regu- lation and distribution of European Emi- gration to the Pacific Coast after the opening of the Panama Canal. In order to afford European labour a. correct impression as to the present con- ditions in California, we submit the fol- lowing analysis. The opening of the Panama Canal to the traffic of the world is an event of tremendous importance and consequences to the organised workers on the Pacific Coast. Protected by our comparatively isolated position, labour organisations here have been able to settle their econo- mic problems with comparatively little interference from the outside world. Thus a. feeling of permanency and security has been built up amongst most classes of workers. On the whole fairly satisfac- tory wages, hours and general working conditions have been obtained through the ordinary activities of labour organ- isations for nearly all classes of labour that were willing to organise for self protection. In addition, labour has taken an important part in the legisla- tive and political field and gained for itself many advantages and security. With the opening cf the Panama. Canal an d the threatening aspects of an enorm- ous immigration of foreign and to a large extent unorganised labour, the situation becomes materially changed. To realise the seriousness of the situa- tion one need only to consider the his- tory of European Immigration to the U.S.A. Hitherto that immigration has been absorbed by the Eastern and popu- lous parts of this country. And although this addition to our labour supply has reached the enormous total of almost thirty millions, the increase was so gradual that American Industries were able to adapt themselves and expand each year without undue disturbance of economic conditions, except in particular ca.ses where employers for the sake of greater exploitation has displaced one class of labour by an entirely new one. But with the completion of the Canal it is believed the stream of European immi- gra,tion will in a large, part be diverted to the sparsely settled West. This means, that while in former years immigrants amounted to an addition of a, certain small percentage each year to the exist- ing population, on the Pacific Coast the coming immigration will within a few years double and treble the population In other words immigration will no longer here in the. West be a question of absorbing or assimilating a new element, but will assume the character of how to meet an invasion and perlizps domination of a new population. If this were a new country all would be well and no harm would follow from this extraordinary event. But the Pacific Coast is a.n old country, and all its rich and wonderful resources have long ago been monopolised by and gathered into the hands of a few individuals and cor- porations. And these that hold the titles to the land, to the water rights and the other means of production, do little or nothing to develop them, but keep wait- ing for an increase in value which is bound to come with an increasing popula- tion, and the labour, industry and enter- prise of others. It. is net to be expected that these conditions will be changed by an extraneous event like the opening of the Panama Canal. Legislation may re- move wme of the obstacles confronting those who would otherwise engage in founding new industries on a large scale. But these changes cannot be effected immediately. That they will come in time is almost certain, if labour and other progressive elements in the politic- al field continue as heretofore to work with zeal and intelligence to accomplish them. The years preceding the completion of the Canal have been industrially dull. This is shown by the chronic state of unemployment revealing itself at stated times in the cities and in more or less aggravated form every winter in San Francisco, Portland and Seattle, which cities are the chief distributing centres for labour, not only for the Pacific Coast but also for Alaska.. It is an easy task and a. pleasant pastime for Chambers of Commerce, Boards of Trade and specu- lators generraly to compile statistics pur- porting to show the growing prosperity of the West. In our judgment, however, prosperity cannot be measured by in- creasing exports, bank clearances, pro- perty assessments, saving accounts, or dividends distributed by investment companies. Steady employment for lab- our at good wages, and the ability of labour to obtain, good concessions from time to time without the necessity of re- sorting to a strike—are far more reliable signs of prosperity. Therefore, we repeat that on the Pacific Coast seasonal employment has become chronic in the last few yeaars, and strikes for the maintenance of existing conditions or to enforce better conditions have been frequent. All this proves that the glowing ac- counts of California, given so freely just now in the press of the world, should always be taken with several grains of dou;bt. progrefzivo immigrantt. choiild ever bear in mind that existing indus- triea on the Pacific Coast are hardly able to permanently support the labour that is already here, much less ready to afford employment to a. great number of immigrants.

A MAN OF 13 S. The number 13 recurs in the circum- stances of the death of Mr. Phuvah Rudd, of North Burton (Yorkshire) who fell dead of heart disease on December 13th. He had been 13 weeks on the village club funds, and on the day of his death had 13 shillings to draw. His youngest son attained his 13th birth- day on the day of the funeral, which was attended by 13 members of the club and by 13 members of the family, whose total mileage in travelling from their homes to the funeral amounted to 1,300 miles. Mr. Rudd's family con- sisted of 13 members, including the elcl- est son, who is at present serving in his 13th ship in the Navy. Mr. Rudd's name Phuvah appears only once in the Bible, in the 13th verse of the 4Gth chapter of Genesis.

I 7 t_ f 5AY W.UfcN stf. 1&oob tte ■ )r,b ifye g&ecivt of I 1?3uf i;ou nutsf uf t:ou musf ccxlT at.. e t6c g>oppe Wo. 10 ^xvaxxsea o prooc it ? f?!?! ?i .????? 3 L. If ?'??! ?? ? r'??'"  ?. ? ?"?  ????' ??? ?'; ?.' ? VifYiT i a | | S;ij | cooK mssm P- '-r- y Ar GAS | 7 You can bake and boil and roast at the same time— | prepare the whole meal at once. j Tf You will avoid the weary drudgery caused by the ashes and dirt of a coal fire. If You will save yourself hours of fatigue. r ,I The early morning meal of the breadwinner can be prepared quickly. AND ALL AT A TRIFLING COST! I I YOU CAN HAVE A FIRST-CLASS I STOVE INSTALLED IN YOUR j HOUSE FREE OF CHARGE.. For particulars, drop a Post Card to the 1 MANAGER, GAS WORKS, PONTARDAWE. Pan Fyddwch yn Abertawe ac am GWPANAID 0 DE neu GINIAW BLASUS Y He goreu i chwi fyned yw i'r HOTEL MONICO, 33 HIGH STREET. Ystalfell eang, gysurus at wasanaetb Un. debau, Gwib-gyroh Ysgolion Sul, etc. PERCH EN" OGES MRS. A. E. RICHARDS Prisoddd rhad, &'r gwasanaeth goren. 6/- FOR 2D. AT LAKE'S CIRCULATING LIBRARY, YSTRADGYNLAIS. Latest 6/- Novels at 2d. per week. C. D. LAXE ??* Mtt?m ttSBBBOHMESBa  Ss E  THE Bookseller, YSTRADGYNLAIS

The ballot of Dean Forest miners, for the election of officials resulted :—Agent, Mr G. H. Rowlinson (1,184 votes to 358 cast for Mr William Smith, Socialist); president, Mr Martin H. Perkins (915 votes to 479 given for Mr T. Parker, Dry- brook) vice-president, Mr David Organ; treasurer, Mr James Baldwin and secre- J tary, Mr Richard Buffrey.

RISE IN PRICE OF HOUSE COAL During the last few days there has been a rise in the price of house coal in London of Is. a ton on all kinds ex- cept best and stove. The prices now ruling are as follows :-Best, 29s. by, 285. nuts, 27s., and stove, 22s.

Mr Lloyd Edwa.rc? owner of th • Nan- hora, (-'stat.e, has given ?.1?? m?.? ?ncil at P?-llheh half b<>ur_ I "? ?d f? four cot?ges for farn ?our ??beleft?.half?cr?wcek?.

SWANSEA SOCIALIST SOCIETY I SOCIAL There was a goodly gathering of j members and friends of the Swansea Socialist Society at Siddall-buildings on Boxing Day, when an enjoyable tea and social was held. The ladies in charge of the tea were Mesdames Isaac Davies, Alf. Richards, T. J. Barrow, D. Evans (Fforestfach), and Miss A. M. Jones. The musical part of the pro- ceedings were most enjovable, songs being given by the Misses Jeanette and Mabel Tillett, Messrs. D. C. Rees, T. Williams, Captain Ja-ek Harris J. Davies, B. Duprec, and E. Gould. Miss Dupree was at the piano. Games and a distribution of presents from the Christmas Tree provided pVnty of amusement. Everybody present re- ceived an appropriate present. The af- fair was so successful that it was unanimously decided to hn'd another gathering on Now Year's eve. and this too, was largely attended.