Llais Llafur

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A SHIRKED CHALLENGE. I I Rev. John Hugh Edwards, M.P., claimed in a speech at Pontycymmer recently that the Miners' Minimum Wage Act was a legislative achievement which the miners owe to the Liberal Government. In a letter to the press Mr. Vernon Hartshorn, the Labour candidate for Mid-Glamorgan, attacked with some vigour the rev. gentleman's statement, which he described as "the limit of political audacity." Mr. Harts- horn also challenged Rev. J. Hugh Edwards to a public debate before a mass meeting of Garw Valley miners, and indicated what he (Mr. Hartshorn) was prepared to prove. After some- what lengthy and anxious considera- tion the rev. gentleman replied that he is very busy, that he can only give a Saturday night to the debate, and that the debate must be on "the specific question-and that only-whether or not I was justified in claiming that the Minimum Wage Act, as it exists at pre- sent, was both introduced and passed into law at the instance of the Liberal Government." This is a jesuitical attempt to avoid the real point at issue. The question is whether the Liberal Government is en- titled to claim credit for the Act. We say, and Mr. Hartshorn says, that it is not. The only people who may take credit to themslves for the introduc- tion of the Act are the miners who struck and COMPELLED the Govern- ment against their will to introduce it. The defects in the Act are wholly and solely due to the Government. If a dirty schoolboy is compelled by his teacher to go to the lavatory to wash his face, he has no right when he re- turns (with his face half-washed) to "swank" before the other boys as a virtuous boy of cleanly habits. The element of compulsion has destroyed the virtue and the credit that attaches to cleanliness. The analogy with the Liberal Government and the Minimum Wage Act is complete. Rev. John Hugh Edwards in his reply to Mr. Hartshorn gives his whole case away in an artless manner by quoting speeches by Ramsay Macdonald, and Mr. Lloyd George, and citing the fact that the Labour party very rightly vot- ed against the third reading of the Bill. It will be remem bered that the Government, eolkdtous for the welfare of the coalowners and other capitalists, refused. to incorporate the miners' sc hedules in the Bill, and later when this demand was waived, the famous five and two minima. For this and other reasons the Labour party voted against the Bill, and it went on to the Statute Book without their full appro- val. Good results were a fterwards ob- tained from it, and these are due to the careful and thorough way in which the miners' leaders in South Wales and all over the country put the io&e for "Ie men to the Joint Boards. U n l ,-he miners' leaders had "put their bn. into the task, th? Minimum Wage Act, oonceded grudgingly and in a nv ->rly spirit, bv a Liberal Government spokosmen a few weeks before were triumphantly proving the impossibility 1 of a statutory minimum wage—would be as worthless as any obsolete Act that encumbers the Statute Book, and as dangerous as the Sedition and Blasphemy Acts. Credit for the Act then. is due to the million miners who ceased work, and to the miners' leaders who made the most of the Act when it became operative. Mr. Edwards by claiming the kudos for the Act as belonging to Liberalism, has plainly shown the elec- tors of Mid-Glamorgan that however brightly he shines in London pulpits as a Congregational minister, he is a very feeble rushlight where practical poli- tics are concerned. But1 inefficiency, as Professor Levi once pointed out, always dogs the footsteps of the political half- timer.

THE VEXED QUESTION OF COMPENSATION. It is high time the Miners' Federa- tion and the Labour party brought pressure on the Government to amend the Compensation Act. In the dis- cussions on wages, hours, and safety in the mines, it may well be that this question is being lost sight of, yet there is no law the administration of which causes so much resentment, is so pro- lific of injustice, and lends itself so easily to the tyranny and theft of the coalowners and the insurance compa- nies, than the Workmen's Compensa- tion Act. Mr. D. Watts-Morgan, the very efficient agent of the Rhondda Miners, in his addrek-is to the last dis- trict meeting drew attention to the fact that there were cases where colliery companies subjooted men to a medical examination once or twice a week, for several weeks, before making a decision as to allowing compensation. This is a monstrous injustice, and the Federa- tion would be worse than feeble if it accepted the employers' reading of the. Act without contesting it to the utter- most. Not that their experience of litigation has been favourable, particu- larly when they have had to rely on the interpretations of the egregious Judge Bryn Roberts. Mr. Watts Morgan recommended his district to pass a resolution calling upon the Labour party to amend the Work- men's Compensation Act so as to have questions of fact decided by a jury. and also ask for a return of the contested cases in Judge Bryn Roberts' circuit, so that it might be compared with other industrial districts where county court judges had to deal with cases similar to those adjudicated upon by Judge Bryn Roberts. This resolution they passed. It would be well if the Welsh Labour M.P.'s made a public and formal ap- peal in the House of Commons to have Judge Bryn Roberts either compulsorily retired, or removed to a district where his abysmal ignorance of mining eondi- tions will matter less than in South Wales. But the thing is to press for root-and-branch amendment of the existing law. —————— a ooo-

I COAL AND IRONY. Mr. D. A. Thomas, of the Cambrian Combine, is concerned in some coal ventures in Western Canada, and he is the principal supporter of a project for building a railway 1,500 miles long, which will be used for tapping the coal sources. "Wa are getting on," as Mr. Asquith said. It is pleasing to think that Mr. D. A. Thomas, in the intervals of giving advice to Cabinet ministers, miners' leaders, and business men, is able with extensive view to survey the world from Tonypandy to Teheran in the interests of fresh profits. We hope there is nothing in the rumour that he has designs on the Equator. But whether or not, his extensive activities provide an excellent object for the miners of South Wales. The international ex- tension of capital involves as a logical corollary the international solidarity of Labour. The internationa! solidarity of Labour is the surest guarantee of peace. There is irony, to which only a Thomas Hardy or an Anatole France could do justice, in the fact that the profits wrung out of miners in the Rhondda Valley and out of European communities by the sale of coal for naval purposes, is invested in such a way that it will ultimately wreck the system which makes exploitation and warfare possible.

THE WELSH NATIONAL I LIBRARY. f There are not many members of the Pontardawe Council who can be accused of taking too keen an interest in the higher things of life. The vision of the majority does not extend beyond rates. They are on the Council to keep down expenditure, not to ad- minister laws for the well-being of tho community, certainly not to take an independent i nterest in the mental and physical health of the people. A letter written by Mr. Lleufer Thomas, the Rhondda stipendiary, one of the most disinterested and influential of Welsh Nationalists, was read at the last meet- ing of the Council, and this letter con- cerned the Welsh National Library. Now to most members of the Council the word "library" has most sinister associations. It does not produce "cash"—a fatal failing to the trades- man-lawyer type of mind. Its upkeep is in many places a "burden" on the rates. Then, too, it has an uncomfort- able suggestion of thinking, a function that some of the councillors must find exceedingly painful when they try it. The letter asked the Council to open a fund for subscriptions to raise an amount on the collection of which a Government grant of £ 50,000 is con- tingent. The Council refused to ac- cede to Mr. Lleufer Thomas's request, and decided that the letter should lie on the table. A similar request made to the Miners' Federation elicited a de- claration of approval of Mr. Lleufer Thomas's work, and a recommendation to the lodges to assist. Where "igno- rant" miners, who are supposed to be materialists and anti-nationalists among other things, are supporting the Welsh National Library, why should "en- lightened" people of the middle-class like the Pontardawe councillors give it the cold shoulder?

— THE PONTARDAWE STRIKE Following the meeting between Messrs. F. W. Gilbertson, C. G. Gil- bertson, and W. Clement (secretary of the Employers' Association) held at the Hotel Metropole on Saturday, a report of the proceedings was given to the galvanizers at the Victoria Hotel on Monday evening. On Wednesday evening Mr. T. Hughes, organiser of the Dockers' Union, attended and addressed a fairly representative meeting of the members of the branch of the Dockers' Union, when, after a discussion lasting an hour and a half the meeting decided by a majority of 11 votes to accept the ad- vice of the officials, and resume work under the same conditions as they came out a month ago on the understanding that the grievances would be dealt with by an independent committee, com- posed of three employers and three workmen. Much dissatisfaction is expressed at the decision, a.nd although it is stated that work will be resumed on Monday, there is a strong feeling amongst a section of those who have grievances in the galvanizing department that a big mistake has been made in agreeing to resume work without some definite assurance from the firm. A meeting of the "tankers" and "dippers" will be held this (Friday) evening. <»♦>»

The fit freight of Kent coal abippd from any port. left Sandwich Haven in a btargie om Wednesday afterron fofr Hammersmith. Pontardawe Council at the Poor Law Conference I Pontardawe Delegate: Began pardwn, Syr, please which is the way to the Guild Hall? V.F.W. :My dear man, come along with me; I am also a delegate to the Con- ference. P.D.(aside): "Duw caton pawb; 'E nele'r Hen Giwrat haner dwsin o short hwn! (resignedly)—all right, we'll keb it.

PONTARDAWE COUNCIL w The fortnightly meeting of the Pontar- dawe Council was held on Thursday, Mr Owen Davies presiding. There were pre- sent Messrs. Joseph Thomas, Henry Thomas, Richard Thomas, Wm. Davies (B.), WiTliam Davies (Y), J. M. Davies, David Jenkins, J. G. Harries, John Thomas, Lewis Davies, W. D. Davies, J. D. Rees, W. Griffiths, D. J. Williams, Herbert Gibbon, R. A. Jones, David Lloyd, F. R. Phillips, M. Davies, to- gether with the officials. The Clerk reported that the audit of the Council's accounts had taken place on Tuesday, and there had been no sur- charges. The auditor had called atten- tion to the new rule which had been made regarding the payment of members at- tending conferences. The old rule per- mitted the payment of j31 and train fares for every 24 hours, but the new scale was 15s. and allowance for cabs, in London and e lsewhere. Mr J. M. Davies Will the rule be in our fa,oux? The Clerk Slightly in our favour. Mr F. R. PhiUips Well it be retro- spective ?—No, sir-(Iaughter). SUNDAY CONCERT AT PONTAR- I DAWE. r An application was received from Mr Frank Gallagher, manager of the Pontar- da-we Pavilion asking for permission to hold a sacred concert on Sunday, Feb. 22nd, the proceeds of which would be ¡ handed over to the Strike Committee. Mr Henry Thomas moved, and Mr J. M. Davies seconded, that the application I be granted. Agreed to. ENGINEER'S REPORT. Mr John Morgan (engineer), recom- mended that, in consequence of com- plaints from i v iters adjoining Dyffryn road, Alltwen, v, ith regard to the drain- age of the surface water, that a 6in. stoneware drain about 80 yards in length should be constructed to carry the storm water off this road into the Alltwen School drain. The cost would be about 113. Further reported that he had con- sidered the proposal to take up the dis- used 2ui. cast iron pipes laid under the Caegurwen Common, the length of which was about 1,400 yards. He was of the opinion that a profit of J66 could be made by taking up the pipes, a.nd selling them as scrap iron. Tenders would be invited for the work. The report was adopted. HOUSING AT CRAIGCEFNPARC I AND GODRE'RGRAIG. The Sanitary Inspector reported upon the s tate of a. house on Llidiadau Farm, Craigcefnparc. The house was in the oc- cupation of Mr Henry Joseph. The main walls of the parlour and kitchen were damp; the bedrooms wore very low and insufficiently lighted. The thatch roof was very delapidated and offensive. In some parts the main walls of the house were bulging, and one side of the house was built against the earth for a height of fivfeet. Decided that a closing order should be served upon the owner. The Inspector further reported upon the condition of two houses at Graig rd., God re'r graig, in the ocou nation of Jane Lewis and John Evans. The main walls of the kitchen and bedroom were bulging and the floors, which were of atone, were buckling, due, in hig ..inion, to a land- slide at the back of the premises. Recom- mended that the surveyor should inspect 3.1¡,d report upon the houses. This was agreed to. The Inspector reported that the num- ber of scarlet fever cases reported during the fortnight was 13, and the number of diphtheria, cases, 3. Eight cases of rtarlet fevex and three of diphtheria ha.d been re- I moved to the hospital. Ten of the fever cases wore from Clydach, three from Ys- t-lyfera, and the diphtheria. cases were from Pontardawe, Rhoa and Brynamman. PLANS COMMITTEE. I Mr J. D. Rees reported that nine plans for eight dwelling houses, lock-up shop, fvmithv, alterations to houses and shops, etc., had been received by the Plans Committee a.nd approved. Report adopted. SMALL DWELLINGS ACQUISITION I ACT. The clerk reported that two applica- tions had been received for loans under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act, and the Engineer was instructed to report up- on the houses. G.C.G. STATION APPROACH u I The Clerk reported receipt of ietzer from Mr Frank Potter, general manager of the G.W.Rly. Co. in respect of the proposed roadway access to the new sta- tion at G.C.G., which was estimated by the Company's engineer at 91,250, ex- clusive of land. In view of the fact that the Company had already made provision in their plans for dcoess to the station, which, in their opinion, would amply meet public requirements. The Company regretted that they could not see their way to subscribe towards the cost which would be incurred by the deplicate ac- commodation suggested by the Council. The Clirk said the Council had been led to believe that if they subscribed a moderate sum towards the making of the road that the Company would undertake the work. They now saw that the Com- pa.ny were not prepared to subscribe to the cost of the work. Mr J. M. Davies said it would be of interest to the Council to know the grounds upon which the Rev. Evan Davies had stated that the Company would pay towards the proposed ap- proach. Mr W. Davies replied that the local members had been led to believe that the Company were prepared to do so, and he understood that something to that offect had appeared in th first letters sent to t,hem by the Company. Mr E. Davies had probably formed his conclus- ions fronl what was contained in those letters. Mr W. Griffiths said ha understood that the Compa.ny had given .n undertaking to that effect when they had met. their representatives. The Clerk said the Company had not given such an undertaking. The Com- pany certainly had led them to believe that they would ass ist the Council if they undertook the financiul burden of making the road. Mr R. A. Jones suggested that the Rev. E. Davies had placed a,n ecclesiastic- 801 construction upon the.' contents of the letto--s-(Iaughte,r) SUPPORTING ROAD HOGS. The Clerk reported receipt of a letter from the Glamorgan County Council, ac- knowledging receipt of a letter sent on December 19th, 1913, respecting the limiting of the speed at which motor curs should be permitted to run through Clydach. The matter had been conGide, ed by the Roads and Bridges Committee which ha.d decided that the protection of the public did not require the restriction of the speed of motor cars to 10 miles per hour, as a.ny person could take proceed- ings against the driver of any car which was driven to the divnger of the public. A Member The trade influence has been strong. AN IMMORAL SUB-WAY. I I THE COMPANY'S EXCUSE AND I THE CHAIRMAN'S RETORT. A letter was read from the Engineer's Department of the G.W.Rly Co. in which it was stated, in reference to the Clydach, Pontardawe and Cwmgorse railway bridge subway at Craig rd., Ponta.rdawe We feel quitu sure that when built it will not be used and that, as in cases, elsewhere, it is likely to become a public nuisance, mor- ally and otherwise. Bearing in mind the unimportant cha,racter of the road, and the few und short intervals during which the gates will be o losed across the road for t ? pa.i? '?? for the passage of, trains, I again suggest for your Council's consideration the post- ponement of the provision of this sub- way until they see for themselves what inconveniece, if any, the public suffer when the railway is open for traffic. The Chairman: Whv don't they say they object to the cost and finish with it! Mr Hy. Thomas said that all the child- ren from the Graig would have to cross the railway at this point to get to the new school. It was nicst important thai they should look after the safety of the child.'?. This sub-w::y question had oc- cupied the attention of the committee for eomo time. He moved that the Council should adhere to their former decision, that the sub-way should be constructed. CLAIM FOR SPOILT SALT. A claim for J31 Is. Od. was made by Mr Joseph Williams, of 11 Tirbach road, Ystalyfera, in respect of damage done. to a ton of salt, caused through the alleged negligence of the Council's workmen. The Clerk stated that he had referred the claim to Mr Seaton, who ha.d written denying liability and concluded his letter by, "»tcAting "So I have no need to give it attention." (Laughter). The matter was deforred. AMMAN VALLEY JOINT SEWER- AGE SCHEME. Tho Clerk reported that a public en- quiry would be held in connection with tho Amman Valley Joint Sewerage Scheme at the Stepney Hall, Garnant, on February 24th inat at 11.15 a.m. It was decided that the chairman, to- gether with the Clerk and Engineer should attend the enquiry to represent the Pontardawe Council. I G.W.RLY. HOUSING SCHEME. Mr H. A. Jones asked the Ulerk it any- thing further had been received in con- nection with the Great Western Railway Company's Housing Bill ? The Clerk 6aid no further communica- tion had been received from the Com- • pany. He had written very fully and carefully on the subject. I CAEGURWEN CEMETERY. In reply to Mr W. uriihtns, me uiexy. said he would call the G.C.G. members together as soon as he heard from the ar- bitrator in reference to the Caegurwen cemetery.

THE PLAYHOUSE YSTALYFERA NIGHTLY AT 7.45. Friday & Saturday, Feb. 20th & 21St Stirring Film Play,— Will Evans Harnessing a Horse Other Attractions— MYSTERY OF WALL STREET, TINY TIM STEALS AN ELEPHANT ALSO 3 Changes Weekly Great Attraction Next Week THE DAYTON FAMILY (12 in number) Vocalists, Acrobats, etc. The Latest Creation. Children's Matinee every Saturday at 3 p m. PRICES FLOOR 6d.; BALCONY, 3d. THE COLISEUM YSTALYFERA NIGHTLY AT 7.45. 6reat picture programme Don't Miss It! Friday & Saturday, Feb. 20th & 21st Starring Attraction- Cbe Berpl Coronet A Magnificent Drama in Sherlock Holmes series. Special Picture for the Workers- CDe Ironfounder and Three Roaring Comics Prices: Circle, 6d. Stalls, 3d. Coutts' Circuit. Why AW you should use a SINGER /rW BECAUSE it will halve your labour, double your leisure, and reduce your expenses. BECAUSE you can dress yourself & children lug in the latest fashions, at least expense. 151 ?? BECAUSE you can darn and mend table- jftlj ihf i .??? linen, stockings, curtains, etc., etc., all B ??? better, and in a fraction of the time ?a taken by hand. ?M?? BECAUSE, in short, you can't afford j ? ?M????? to be without one, when they can ? y ?????B? be had on our Free Trial System, 0^ purchased from 13 up- ? ? t. ?N?M ?? wards, or on easy terms, ???? '? and can be rented by the week or m nth. j^l | j ^frr««-SINGER SEWING-MACHINE ':Y" CO., LTD. 0 .(: I asty Town RECORD SALE NOW Proceeding at r*Wf^TT vy ..K .j JL BARGAIN STORKS, 36, Castle Street, SWAIUSBA. Fancy and Heavy Drapery, Men's, Youthb\ and Boys' Clothing at Giving-Away Prices. SEE WINDOWS SEE WINDOWS Note only Address- Cecil's Bargain Stores 36, Castle Street, Swansea Observe Every Article a Bargain.

A NEW HOSPITAL. I HOW CONSUMPTION IS FOUGHT I IN WEST WALES. I Swansea and District Sanatorium Committee met this week at Swansea and approved of plans for the erection of. a tuberculosis hospital near Swan- sea to cost £ 12,000. The plans provide accommodation for fifty beds, and will be sent to the Welsh Insurance Commissioners for their ap- proval. Dr. Patterson, the chief medical director, in the course of an encourag- ing report, stated that the first two cases sent from Swansea to Pontywal I Sanatorium in Breconshire had been returned absolutely cured. Dr. Clifford, tuberculosis physician, said he had 750 cases on his list that were under care in hospitals or under observation in their homes, and he was quite satisfied with the progress made towards recovery. t ————

Tha net profits of the Imperial Tobacco Company are this year a. quarter of a million higher, at 3,353,912. We can only remember one other British manu- facturing company whose not profits ex- oeed three millions--that is J. and P. Coats, of Paisley. Both companies a.re amlagamations of the most important firms in their respective trade., and both demonstrate what may be done by a fusion of concerns when the heads of the firma stick to business and no not over- capitalise the new concern.

I SWALLOWED A PENKNIFE. I A penknife which she had been using as a. toothpick was taken from the stomach of a Bo'nefla girl of 14 at Edin- burgh RoyaJ Infirmary after the applica- ticm) of X rays. The patient is making rapid, progress towards recovery. During the three months ending Sept. 30 la.st304 persona were killed on the railways of the United Kingdom and 2,213 injured, the deaths showing an in- crease of 28 and the injured persons a Ob- creaae of 116 as compared with the corres- ponding period of 1912. The Aisgill dis- aster occurred in the September quarter of last year.