Pioneer

ITH^ THEATRE ROYAL AND EMPIRE PALACE, MERTnVRT?Ft?t Managing Director: Mr. WM. FIRTH. Licensee: Mr. WILL SMITHSON. General Manager Mr. FRED DRY. I jj  MONDAY, JUNE 2nd, and during the Week ?.?T? I t 645 DOORS OPEN AT 6.15 WICE NIGHTLY. Free List Entirely Suspended. Qt 4 jt I MOSS EMPIRES liMITED present ir Mus'c by Dave Stamper. + + Albert de Courville's + + Lrics by Cene Back, ■ Hp produced K Rmarkabfe London Hippodrome Success, m lw PRODUCED BY I By Albert de Courville, Wal Pink, G. Arnould ■BBbBB HHI BHHHhI BhMH Albert de Cotirville. BI ■ The Cast includes Ernest Sefton-Albert Darnley, junr.-Doris Clayton-Diana Morrow-Oswald Lingard-Katie Marsh t I LONDON HIPPODROME CHORUS OF 50! ~^[ This Production drew Crowded Houses in. the Metropolis for more than a year, and positively took London by storm. I I Popular Prices-Ordmary Doors: Circle 1/6, Tax, 4d.; Stalls, 1?-, Tax, 3d.; Pit, 7d., Tax 3d.; Gallery, 4d., Tax, Id. II B Circle Booked and Reserved- 1,8 Tax 4d. Stalls Booked and Reserved—1?2 Tax 4d. 

Merthyr Notes I Consumption Cases. I At the May meeting of the Insurance Com- mittee (Mr. J. \Y. Mollis in the cliair) the ♦Sanatorium Sub-Committee reported that a:) ap- plication shad been recei ved since thclast meet- ing. Of these 17 j>ersons were found to be suf- fering from tuberculosis. The remainder after examination werefound to he not suffering from tuberculosis. The Chairman of the Sub-Com- mittee, Mr. K R. Williams, stated that Dr Gaff akin., who had now returned from active service, had the assistance of two sisters, which meant that Dr. Gaffakin would have more time on his hands to carefully examine contact cases. He, however, pointed out that some people would not attend the Institute more than once, which gave the physician 110 chance whatever of doing his best for the patients. Civen Up a Panel. I At the last meeting of the Alerth* vr Insurance Committee a letter \\as read from Dr. W. \Y. Leigh, of Treharris. informing the Committee that now his son (Dr. Hubert Leigh) had re- turned from active service he to from the panel on June 30th, 1919. Tt was iv- solved it lid that the necessary instructions he issued to each insured person in accordance with the .Medicii Benefit Regulations. The Panel Committee for this area wrote stating that they were quitt, satisfied with the dispensing of prescriptions and that no surcharging was necessary. Gyfarthfa Secretary Dead. I Mr John I?e.s.J.p.. t;Ja?ra?n. CVfn I Co((l, AJerthyr.diedonAtond? ..?< pro- Mart? fUt.?s?hur?rmnthL'?t'vn-??'?- pro- j br+1'Y¡;tla. ?tut?M. ? ? .?-ss)s. .J:u as.I-" ?.u? 3Jr Rogers had .?Lcd with the Cd:rrthfa Iron and .,et-lworkers for over half a century. During tlie managership of the works hy the late Mr. Wm. Jones, he became private secretary and oc- cupied the same position to the succeeding man- ager, the late Mr. William Evans. On the trans- ference of the control of the concern to Messrs. Guest, Keen and Xettlefolds (Ltd.) he was ap- pointed secretary for the Cyfarthfa Works. For a long period he took and active part in the administrative affairs of the town. He was an ex-member of the Merthyr Board of Guardians, and was a deacon at the Market Square Congre- gational Church, Merthyr. Twice married, he leaves a widow and a grown-up family. .A Costly Blunder. I Henry Owen and Thomas Ittiie, George, of the firm of Messrs. Oven and George, brewers. Castle-street, Merthyr, were fined 40s. each and ordered to pay •"> ■"> costs by the Merthyr Sti- pendiary on Friday for brewing beer above the gravity stipulated in the Intoxicating Liquor (Output and Delivery) Order. 1918. The defence pleaded the offence was due to an oversight and that a loss of £ 119 had resulted from the error. A Labour Chairman. I Air. John Prowlc (Aberdare) is the new chair- man of the M erthyr Assessment Committee. I Cricket. I In their first match of tin- season, Alerthyr Y.M.C.A. Cricket Club were beaten by St. Alar- garet's, Afountain Ash, by five runs. Scores Mountain Ash, 72 Merthyr, (îoÏ. Labour and Public House Assessments. An activity by the Lalxmr majority on the Merthyr Assessment Committee was manifested :tt Saturday's meeting when Air. S. Bolwell (Bedlinog) tilted at the beer interests. He thought the time had come to re-value the pub- iic-houses of the union. Many licensed houses had done well on the 20 per cent, assessment reduction granted during the war period, and 'lis opinion was that such had been the pros- perity of the publicans in that time that the "oncession was not justified and ought never to have been granted. Air. John Prowle (chair- man) remarked that no alteration could be •ffected before the Sepiember rating and it was agreed to adjourn consideration of the matter to he next meeting, the CTierk Air. F. T. James) ';o report meanwhile. Gyfarthfa Castle .Municipal Secondary School. ruder the distinguished patronage of His Worship the Mayor, the seventh annual School -ports will be held an the Hoys' Playing Field, OyfarcJifa Park (East) on Thursday next. June ")fh, iD19. Sports ia-iii at two o'clock and all interesting programme has been pre- pared. The charges for admission, including ax, will be eightpence for adults and fourpenee 1 for children. Refreshments will be provided on he field. TI ie headmaster and headmistress will lie glad to welcome friends and parents of their mpils, together with the many supporters of the sc h ool.

SINN FEIN. A meeting of the Alerthyr and Dowlais Club vas held in the I.L.P. Institute on Sunday, Mr. ;). O. Driseoll presiding. Several matters of im- portance to the movement were discussed, in- cluding the proposed conference at Whitsun. A jmraber of new members were enrolled.

Llantrisant and District Notes. I A Grand Concert. I On Saturday evening last, a grand concert, which was splendidly attended, was held at the Church Hall, under the, auspices of the Llan- trisant Lahour Party. The Vicar, the Rev. D. T. Griffiths, ALA., occupied the chair, and was supported by Councillor Peter Jeffries. The soloists for the occasion were Aliss Lilian C'lat- worthy. Cardiff, soprano, winner of the National Eisteddfod; Aladain Langdon Rosser, R.C.AI.. contralto; Air. Haydn Richards, Llantrisant. tenor; and Mr. H. Gregory Evans, R.C.I., Pontypridd, bass. This excellent quartette of fingers was most ably supported by the fiiiii- trisant Orpheus Society, a body of picked and beautifully trained voices, and by Air. R. A. Thomas, of Ynysvhwl, elocutionist. Miss Clatworthy I Was in fine voice and greatly pleased the audi- ence by the splendid manner in which she gave her various items—" The Splendour of the Morn" (Callcort), followed by an encore, "Sonny"; "The Slave Song," ami an encore. Madam Langdon Rosser I Has a beautiful, rich, sympathetic contralto voice, and delighted us with her rendition of When you come back (Lovedav). As an en- core she sang the oid favourite, "The Zuyder Zee." Her other item, Aly dear Soul," is a lovely composition, which the artiste splendidly interpreted. The two ladies next gave a duet, Tranquil Xight ((Mover), and harmonised in the most charming manner. The audience right- ly demanded an encore and weiw rewarded with Echoes which was also perfectly given. .6. Haydn fit6hardg I Our locili ten'M', srtng My Dreams. His very sweet voice appears to have gained greatly in power, and his performance was a most pleasing one. An em-ore was called for, and he sang "Mother Alaehrce most feelingly. 1 Mr. Gregory Evan's I Contribution to the evening s enjoyment was The Lord Worketh Wonders", (Handel). Only a most accomplished artiste can do justice to this very difficult solo, one which requires great technique and execution, hut Air. Evans with his rich deep bass performed it faultlessly anil seemingly without the least effort. He begged to be excused the encore which naturally was ienianded. His performance of "I'm a Roamer" was delightful. A real basso only can sing this song with proper effect, and Air. Evan's bottom notes appear to I)(, ()f unlimited capacity. k m r. R. A. Thomas. I Much as the audience was delighted with the solo" singing, they were equally so with the re- citations of Air. R. A. Thomas. This gentleman has histrionic powers of a very high order in- deed, and j>ossesses what all reciters have not, a wonderful voice and a perfect command. His selection from the Alerehant of Venice" was a revelation, and (Poo's) "The Haven" striking in the extreme. The Orpheus Society. I Xow we come to the last, but by no means ,\o; %i,e (,oni(? to tli4? la,,t, I)tit 1)?- ii(o iis of Lll(- flirt\ Notlilii_(, I)tli tll(' under perfect command, powerful, sweet, drama- tic, they did full justice to themselves and to their leader. Air. Evans, who we are sure feels as oroud of them as we know they do of him. ff we may he allowed to prophecy there is a bril- liant future before them, and their career will Oe eagerly watched. They are going on tour to Cornwall this summer, and are booking engage- ments. I Our Cornish cousins have a treat in store and one which they will enjoy to the full. They opened i\- I tli L(.t-(] is a Alan of War (Handel), a duet for tenors and basses, which was sung in the most spirited manner. Next came Crossing the Plain (Price), and here again they sang In the most thrilling and dramatic way, and this is not by any means an easy composition. As an encore we had Welsh airs to new harmonies. "Arhydy X os" allll Llwvn On." "Soldiers Graves" came next, and then "Peace to the Souls of the Heroes," whi'-h had a visible effect on many of those pre- sent. The last item was "The Jolly Roger," sung in the proper rollicking style reminiscent of the Buccaneers. There is no doubt the con- cert was one of the very best ever held at Llan- trisant. Mr. John Venables. In Air..John Yenables the Party are very for- tunate in having a painstaking accompanist, who gives them every support without being too much in evidence I LLAX CON".

Eight Turns for Seven. AND OVERTIME TO BALANCE TURNS LOST. IMPORTANT DECISIONS ANNOUNCED BY ENCINEMEN AND STOKERS. The Executive Council of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Colliery Enginemen, Stokers' and Crafnnen's Association met at the Park Hotel. Cardiff, oil Tuesday last. Air. David Wil- hams(Treorchy) presided. Alessrs. W. Hopkins (General Secretary), D. B. Jones, and J. W. Grant (Agents) were also present. Air. Hop- kins gave a report of an interview with the re- presentative of the Coal Controller with regard to the payment of the war-wage for ordinary shifts lost, but which had been made up by overtime during the same week. A previous de- cision stated "If a man loses a day of eight hours, and during the same week works five re- gular shifts and eight hours' overtime, he gets five clays' war wage and no payment for over- time." The Enginemen's Executive took strong exception to this. and the General Secretary now reported that in future six days war wage instead of five will be paid. Ihe report of a deputation which last week had a conference with the Forest of Dean Coal Owners under the chairmanship of Air. Gilbert Stone, Deputy Coal Controller, stated that an increase of hi. per day and pro ratio in the stan- dard wages of all enginemen, stokers and crafts- men was conceded. The question of the payment of eight days' war wages to men whose customary week is one of seven shifts was also placed before Air. Stone. who has promised to forward his reply. i~w fuenerai .secretary and Mr. I), li. Jones, one of the Agents, reported upon their meeting the previous ^VitL tilV enginemen, stokers and craftsmen at Treorchy respecting night work on wcek-ox) shifts. The demand is for time and a-half for u?ht work and double time from mid-night Saturday to mUk'night Sunday. It was decided t)i..i; the question be referred back to the respective branches in the district with a view to considering the steps to be taken in the event of the present negotia- tions proving abortive. With further reference to the questions re- garding the payment of the overtime war-wage and the eight war wr.ges for seven shifts worked. Air. AY. Hopkins, General Secretary, has now re- Board of Track-, Coal Alines Department, (Production Branch), 2 Queen Anne's Gate Buildings, Westminster, London, S.W.I. 27th May, 1919. Dear Air. Hopkins, WAR WAGE 8 FOR 7 AND OVERTIME. I As promised I now send you the decisions of this Department with reference to the question raised by your deputation to Air. Stone on the 23rd inst.. and also the question of overtime war- wage as previously submitted to myself. The two questions with the decision in each case (1) Claim tor payment of eight. war wages to workmen on the afternoon and night shifts whose regular working week consists of seven shifts and who receive eight ordinary shifts' wages for the seven shifts worked. Tn this case it is agreed, subject to the provisions of Clause (> of the War-Wage Circular of the 23rd October, 1917, that the workmen re- ferred to in your application shall, in future be paid eight war wages for seven shifts worked either on the afternoon or thp Hight shifts. This should apply in precisely the same manner as is new the case where six for five, or seven fee six is being paid. (2) With regard to overtime war wage and your dailll that Idltm ordinary time is lost any overtime worked in the same week should count for payment of war wage. I am to say that this point has been carefully considered and the decision is that, in future, if a work- man is voluntarily absent during any shift or shifts, or part of shifts, in any week, but makes up the time so lost by working in the same week a sufficient number of hours by the clock to make up for time so lost, he shall be paid war wage in respect of such time. 1 nder this arrangement overtime war wage will be paid in respect of any overtime worked after completing the normal number of hours-con- stituting the week's work. This decision practically concedes the posicion as claimed By yourself. Should there be any difficulty in connection with any company or companies refusing to^b- serve the decisions as above the Controller will he glad if yi ii -ill kindly inform him giving: names of such company or companies so that matters may be put right as speedily as possible. — Y ours faithfully. W. L. COOK (For 'lie Co ni roller -of Alices). W. Hopkins. Esq., Agent, Enginemen's and Surface Cralt smell's Assoc. I Sunny Ban's, 1 homastou n. Merthyr Tydfil.

A Federal Commission on the lines of the i Xational Industrial Council proposed in this country, has been set up in Switzerland at the suggestion of employers and workers, to act as an intermediary in labour disputes.

I Merthyr's Sweated Clerks. I (Continued from Page 1. Column o). to-day unable to return to the collieries. It is time for us to put our foot down. I would not move a budge. (Laughter.) We are taking the blood from the heart of the poor people to-day with our rates at 15/7 in the t. I don't know where we are going to. People, he rambled on, who had striven to own a house or cottage were finding the advantage gene. He was informed that some of the clerks were, because of the high selling their house property. Where did the Corporation expect to get money to pay for tlJp demanded advances His suggestion was to carry on and shift for a time." Air. Gomer Thomas: This matter is an illegal strike, and until the clerks put themselves in a legal position by going back to work we should nave nothing to do with them. He moved such an amendment which was seconded Air. Henry Owen objected to the self-grading of the clerks. The Corporation, apparently, simply were expected to pay, pay, pay, and to have no administrative voice. He recognised smne of the eases were deserving of inonetarv improvement, but if the clerks dictated the wages which they should receive and the grade In which they should be put, the Council mighb as well resign. AN ANALOCY. Air. 11-ililattis turned a neat retort upon Air. Owen. Air. Owen (he opined) as an auctioneer, if he went to a fair with a horse for sale, he certainly would not be agreeable to the price of the animal being fixed by the buyer without having a word to say himself. (Laughter.) In such a position were the clerks. They had their labour-power for sale, and titey demanded the right to fix the selling price. The Borough Controller told the iuectini,- å difficulty that had arisen from t;1' strike" He had experienced trouble in f„KUiig the pay-sheets of the seoondmy senool teachers which had dis- appeared together with the clerks. If the men dj( not resume duty the next morning there would be further difficulties at the wfcek-end in paying the Corporation's other employees. Air Williams: What can't be done, can't be done. Air. H; irris: I am glad to hear you say so. Them's my sentiments. (Laughter.) By six votes to five Air. Morrell's motion was Carried, those voting in favour of allowing the strikers "to stop out" (as it was put to the meeting) being: Alessrs. Gomer Thomas. Wm. Lewis, F. Pedlar, David Phillips and Owen. THE SETTLEMENT. The offer of the Corporation of an audience to the clerk's representatives at the following night's meeting of the General Purposes Com- mittee- was accepted by a mass meeting of the strikers the same, evening, but they bluntly de- clined to return to their pens and ledgers in the morning. Such Has the position when the Genera] Pur- poses Committee met on Wednesday night. At first there appeared to he a danger of an impasse but towards the latter end of the meeting a spirit of reasonableness became manifested and an amicable arrangement was arrived at, carry- ing recognition of the union. Air. John Williams frankly admitted the Cor- poration members were to blame for their per- sistent delay, but appealed to the clerks' depu- tation for further tolerance provisional upon the council limiting a period in which the dispute should be finally settled. He could not account for the dilatoriiu ss of the Corpora tioll, and he pointed out to the clerks that should the Cor- poration fail to fulfill the settlement obligation in the prescribed time there would be still open to the staff the same strike remedy. Air. A. Wilson tLahour) moved successfully that a joint committee of six representatives of the clerks' union and six members of tho Coun- cil should meet in conference to enter upon the grading and salaries demands and to bring for adoption by a special meeting of the Council n, report for confirmation and adoption. rl his w as seconded by Air. Alorrell. Ihe committee is to be presided over by the Alayor. NO VICTIMISATION. Mayor: The condition upon which we are call- ing this joint meeting is that the clerks return to-morrow. lumrteen days were suggested as the limit for- the arbitranon deiiherations. but as the grading question might mvoh'e a longer period it w:?. agreed eventually to accept the conven)!)? of th(. Corporation Committee to ratify the ifndings, ,within three days of the completion of the joint report. Intimating the preparedness of the clerks to 1 resume duty in the morning upon the tenus now offered, the organiser imposed a further condi- tion that no victimisation of any of the uniot members shouid result from their strike action,, and to this came assurances from several quar- ters that no such step was contemplated. In order that the pay-sheets for all municipal em- ployees may be completed by the wee V he also gave an undertaking that over-time would be worked, and in return the Alayor stated that no deductions in wages would be made for thfi- I two days of the strike stoppage.

I Mountain Ash Notes. Great Meeting for Socialism. The Conservative Party recently held an open- air meeting on the square. For the better part of an hour the speaker, instead of dealing with the subject announced—"Reconstruction"— de- voted his time to atrocity stunts, etc. Now. this kind of business "worked" allright in the- early part of the war, but the people know that ''enough is as good as a feast." Besides sup- porters of the present system have no cast* against atrocities committed during a war when that system is responsible, in so-called peace- times, for rivers of tears and blood. The usual challenges and queries were hurled by the ipeaker in the direct lull of the J.L.P., and in a triumphant tone of voice he invited any I.L.P.ei- to answer him. Guardian Xoali Tromans teJdi. him to "carry on" and he 'would get his answers in a minute. This unexpected interjection of Xoah's caused the speech to come to an abrupt: end—the meeting now being open for" this; man to put questions." On being asked for ten minutes on the platform to answer the-speaker Xoah was vefusecl, and was only allowed to put- oil, Xot only did they come from him., but they lite^dly showered in on the speaker from all parts much to that gentleman's dis- comfiture. A demobilised soldier wanted to know if it was right for men like himself to be compelled to work for less wages than they pre-, viously received. Xo," said the speaker, "antf if there are cases ill the district they should hi- given to the member for the constituency, Air. C. B. Stanton who would see into it." was greeted with ()I] and "What a hope* we've got." it was really getting interesting- when the chairman intervened and called for ;1/ vote of thanks to the speaker. It gave Xoah the greatest possible pleasure to move the vote of thanks, and he sin -ei;ely hoped tha-t the speaker (name unknown) would come again and that the Conservative Party would arrange many mor- meetings in the future, ft was seconded and carried with acclamation. Immediately the chairman closed their meeting. Comrade Tottff I'll elps ably ( haired for Xoah, who delivered aIr excellent address on Reconstruction, which de- lighted.his large audience. The local branch of the l.L.P. are indebted to the Conservative Party for their kindness in arranging an even- ing's affair which did splendid work foi; Soci a lism. I I. L. P. Meetings. Last Sunday, Mr. Dan Gnihtns. Llanelly, de- livered a masterly address on "The Making of Public Opinion." Air. Griffiths showed in a vivid way how the press, pulpit, stage, pictures an(t schools were used as mediums of support to the- capitalist system. The Hall should have beeir full; how ever, owing largely, no doubt, to the beautiful summer weather, only a small nunibei- were present. On Tuesday, Air. Sheppard, Wol- verhampton, spoke on the town square to a large crowd of interested listeners. Open-air work is much preferable to indoor during these summer months from every standpoint, and should be adopted. In the former meeting Com- rade Tom Williams chaired, and in the latter Guardian Xoah Tt-omans.

i. a INDEPENDFN r I.4ROUU PARTY. t OPEAIR DEMONSTRATION ) W AT PORTHCAVVL  WHIT-MONDAY, JUNE 9th jj AT 0 P. re., | Speakers Miss PnHtster, Rev. (?o Neighbour, J. E. B I Edmunds, J. A. Ke?l?, i);:n Griffiths, etc. I ANNUAL CONFERENCE OPENS 10.30 A.M.. NATIONAL SCHOOLS, PORTHCAVVL. a A??LAL CONFERENCE OPENS !0.30 A.M.. NATIONAL SCHOOLS, PORTHCA?L. t Printed and Published by the Xational Labour Press, Ltd., at the Labour Pioneer Press. Williams' Square, Alerthyr Tydfil.