Pioneer

Merthyr Notes Viscountess Rhondda's A deputation from Merthyr, consisting of Councillor E. Morrell, J.P. (chairman of the education committee), Councillor Marsh, J.P., and Mr. Rhys Elias (education director), met N- "scotintess Rhondda at Cardiff on Monday and discussed with her ladyship the Berry Technical Institute which it is proposed to found in Mer- thyr. Viscountess Rhondda, in promising to subscribe £ 5,000 to the funds, hoped the committee would take into consideration the advisability of pro- moting classes for women in the arts and sciences. A subscription for £ 1,000 was also given by Mr. Max Wideman, the Cardiff Docks- man. Children's Dangerous Practice. Eunice Violet Parsons (10), living at 15, Sta-j tion-terrace, Dowlais, met her death on July 15 by being run over by a brewer's lorry at High- street. Caeharris. The Deputy-Coroner (Mr. Griffith Llewellyn) held an inquest on Tuesday at the Clarence Hotel, Dowlais, and the evidence was to the effect that some children on coming from school ran after the lorry. They were driven off, but following it u P,, the little girl got under the rear wheel, and was instantan- eously killed. The lorry was going at a walking pace. One witness, Charles W. Manning, saw the children on the back and sides of the lorry There was quite a drove of them off. The 1-orry passed over the body and head of the girl. Poliee-Inspector Dove stated that as a conse- quence of this fatality he had gone round the nchoots and asked the teachers to impress upon the children the dangers of running after moving lorries and tram cars. The Coroner in return- ing a verdict of "Accidental Death," said he Wt'i3 satisfied that there was absolutely no blame attached to the driver or'his mate.. Merthyr's Memorial. I Merthyr's memorial fund in aid of necessitous ex-Service men totals £ 14,000. The now secre- tary of the management committee is Mr. John Vaughan, solicitor, whose offices ha.ve been be- sieged during the last few days by claimants from the fund. A few bad cast's have 'been re- lieved by grants, but in future all claims for relief must come through the secretary of the war pensions committee in the ward in which the applicant resides. It is only in tha.t way that the administration of the fund can do jus- tice to the neediest cases. Dowlais Workman's Death. I The circumstances attending the death of Henry Jones (53), surface worker, Dowlais, at the Xantwen Pit on July 14th were inquired into by Deputy Coronor Griffith Llewellyn at Clarence Hotel, Dowlais, on Tuesday. Deceased, it appeared, stepped off a train and attempted "LO cross the line on which coal-laden trucks came from the screen. Three of the trucks had passed, but a fourth one, coming unexpectedly, knocked him down. Thomas M organ, guard Dowlais, said he was taking the four waggons to form a train, and when he knocked the scotch away from the front waggon, they immediately moved, and he had to brake them down. He was not aware that the rear one was uncoupled and that it came on its own.' When he examined the brakes afterwards he found the brakes on No. 2 and No. 4 waggons were defective. Another wit- ness, J. Owen Williams, said brakes gave way at times; it had hapjened before. He was satis- fied that the brake on the fourth waggon was all right under the screen. Mr. Stanley Vaughan, engineer, Dowlais Collieries, said the waggons were frequently examined by their own workmen, and also by the Gloucester Waggon Company. The Coroner returned a verdicrt of Accidental death," and said no blame could be attached to anybody. Ablett v. Littlejohns. Mr. Xoah Ablett was interrupted in the course of an address he delivered at Ton Pentre on the nationalisation of mines and the Russian question..M r. Ablett told his interrspters of the real situation in Russia and of letters lie had had from soviets in Russia, while a British soldier had written: Do something, for God's ke, to get us from here. Last night our sen- try shot a wolf, and we managed to trade the nkin for a loaf of bread." Mr. Churchill him- self, the new Xapoleon of Britain, had admitted some of our men may have been squeezed through to Russia." The speaker avowed that hundreds of our men had been threatened to be ■shot if tliev refused to go. A Voice It's a lie! The Chairman (Councillor O. Buckley) You are net here to make a speech, but to ask questions. Well, I will debate the question with you." The Chairman You will have to ask the sanc- tion of Mr. Littlejohns. "I consider that an insult to myself." The Chairman: You have "?oa l i Ai)l(-tt been insulting us all night. Mr. Xoah Ablett accepted the chillenge, and sajd he would be only too pleased to debate the question witTTlVlr. Littlejohns. His Last Walk. Owen Coughlin (ï:3), of Bank-street, Merthyr. was knocked over by a taxi-cab at the foot of Dynevor-street. Merthyr. on Monday night, and died the same evening at the General Hospital. At the inquest held on Wednesday morning at the Hospital, the evidence of Lloyd Price, an eye-witness of the accident, and the driver of the car, William Johnstone, made it clear that the old man was well across the roadway, when he became alarmed at the motor horn and turn- ed back. If he had gone on or stood still, the caT, which was travelling about five or six miles an hour, would have passed him. He, however, staggered backward, and got right in front of the car, with his hands on the bonnet. The ear knocked him over, but did not pass over the body. The driver smashed his brake in hringing up the car dead. The medical evidence was to the effect that death was due to a fracture of the base of the skull, caused by the fall. There I, were no other injuries. (Mrs. Coughlin, the widow, told the Coroner (Mr. Griffith Llewellyn) that her husband had a bad cough and had gone out for a bottle of mixture. He was also a little deaf. A Week's Propaganda. During the week the Merthyr and Aberdare I.L.P. Federation has been lucky in having the services of Mr. Dessen, D.Pli.. of Bradford and a convinced Socialist of more than 20 years' ac- ti% () work in the I.L.P. and the old S.D.I?.—for whom he has served at International Congresses. Following a visit to the Abergavenny demonstra- tion, at which he spoke last Saturday, Mr. Des- sau, opened his campaign in the Merthyr zone before a good audience on Thomastown Park la.¡-, Sunday afternoon, when he chattily told the people what the Red Flag of International Socialism connoted. He followed this up in the evening at Abeidarc with an address on Postage Stamps. He himself is a philatilist of no mean o/vler, and during the days when, as he puts it, The Clarion was a Socialist paj>er, he in- augurated a stamp sale scheme by means of which he secured £ 25 in five years for the ♦'Clarion-" funds. In tliis connection his audiences were interested to learn that the new issues of postage stamps of the Hungarian Soviet republic are adorned not with the photo- graphs of Kings and potentates but of those dead heroes of the International working-class movement—Karl Marx and Frederick Engel«. He has spoken at Aberfan, Hirwain, Troedyrhiw, Dowlais and to-night (Friday) he is to visit Abercynon. The Rubbish Dispute. At the Disputes Committee of tile Welsh Coal Board on Tuesday at Cardiff the question of the unloading of rubbish at the Nixon Navigation Colli«ry, Merthyr Vale, which resulted in the recent stoppage, was again considered, and Messrs. P. O. Ward and R. M. Rees were ap- pointed to make further efforts, in conjunction with the proposals put forward by the men. Ablett on Direct Action. Addressing the Merthyr miners on Friday Mr. Noah Ablett (agent) declared he was not an I.L.P.eer and did not accept Nationalisation in the ordinary sense of the term. He would be as much opposed to the Government, as the coal owners now were, if they were going to govern the mines from Whitehall. Nationalisation from the top was no good. It must he from the bot- tom. The miners were prepared to take at any time control of the destinies of this industry and work it to the benefit of the community. H" was delighted that the Triple Alliance had de- clared for direct action because it meant business and in the forthcoming ballot he had no doubt but that the people in no uncertain voice would say, Hands Off Russia and no Conscription! If the Government gave way Russia would de- velop itself, and if Russia were allowed to de- velop then this country would do the same. If the Government did not give way the Triple Al- liance must act. /"Applause.)

Gorseionon Notes. I Emrys Hughes' Visit to the N.C.F. Our meeting on Sunday afternoon was an ex- periment, but an eminently successful one. It was very doubtful whether the local manner of spending the Sabbath would prove favourable for a meeting at that time, but all anxiety on that score had disappeared when Emrys Hughes rose to address the meeting. For nearly an hour the speaker bombarded his audience with facts. He mercilessly exposed the real motives under- lying our imperialistic policy, the hypocrisy of our protestations on entering the war, and the true basis of Allied intervention in Russia. It was the one theme with many variations. The proletariat of one country was led to make war on the proletariat of another land, not in its own interest, not in the interest of its class, and not in the interest of humanity, but in the inter- est of the speculators and concession-hunters, who, while they held the purse-strings, also kept a firm hold on the reins of Goyprnment-witness the investments of Geddes, Long and Chamber- lain in the concerns formed to exploit the natural resources of Russia. A few questions were forthcoming at the end of the meeting, and these were dealt with to the satisfaction of questioners and audience. A splendid collection was taken and much literature was sold. Comrade Dan Harry presided. I.L.P. and the Soldiers. Luck was against us on Sunday evening. We had failed to obtain a speaker. Tal Mainwaring was not able to come, his substitiitt, found it im- possible, and the 'bus that was to have brought the substitute's substitute failed to run at the appointed time! That reads like an elaborate riddle, but it is nothing to the problem that con- fronted us when the time of the meeting arrived and the crowd was expectantly waiting. I be- lieve we solved it successfully. Comrade Manuel Grenfell played the double role of chairman and speaker; he was followed by Comrade Oliver Harris and the meeting was brought to a close by Dan Harry. Faint interruptions from some discharged soldiers occurred at the end of t-lie Chairman's address: they wanted to ask ques- tions, and permission being granted, attempted to do so. It was evident that they had been in- spired by the affairs at Aberdare and Neath, but they did not attempt to emulate their comradp at those places. Nothing further was heard during the meeting, and although questions were invited when the last speaker had ended, the meeting closed without any questions being asked. It was a record crowd and interest wa.s maintained right up to the end. Next Sunday evening we expect Comrade D. F. God sell, of Gowerton. We hope that this meeting will inaugurate an era of mutual aid and co-operation between the Socialist comrades of Gowerton and Gorseiuon.

Pontypridd Notes. S.S.S. Anniversary. The Socialist Sunday School in (onnectdon with the Pontypridd l.hP: c&kbratcd its anniversary last Sunday, an d a very pleasant little functioli it proved. The singing, of the children was hearty and tuneful, whilst the solos and lecture, al- though delivered by local comrades, left nothing to be desired, and little, if anything, to be im- proved upon. May all who were present live happily to celebrate their diamond Jubilee in the cause. Tom Mann Proscribed. There was general disappointment in the town on Tuesday when it was ainounced that owing to the action of the police, by order it was un- derstood of the county authorities, the meet- ing 01 the Market Square was proscribed, at which Tom Mann was to have been the speaker. When the objection of the police to the meeting was announced Mr. Mann was telegraphed to informing him of the decision, and consequently lie did not visit the tow r., though it was later "announced-—too late to be of service—that the objection related only to the use of the Market Square as the venue, and no objection would be raised to the holding of a meeting on the Common. Continuous Propaganda. ft The I.L.P. continues its propaganda with great activity. With Walter Collier N.U.R., in the chair, Mr. A. P. Yates (editor, P-ion(,er ") gave a fine address. mainly on Russian inter- vention. Last Sunday eveiiing on the Common a huge crowd listened to Councillor Cook, who spoke on the Coal Crisis. Harry Lewis again wore his pleasantest smile, having easily disposed of "Pioneers" and Leaders." I Triumph of Labour. Cnder the auspices of the Treforest Ward Labour Party, Comrade Owen Hughes lectured last Tuesday evening at Glyntaff on The "The Triumph of Labour," Charlie Barker being in the ch air. I Dick Wallhead at Ponty. Despite the assertions of the Jingo press, the July 21st meeting on the Common against Rus- sian intervention was well attended, the speakers being Comrades Miss Whitbv and Dick Wallhe-ad.

I Deri Notes. I Syd Jones on Nationalisation. The Socialist message is being keenly absorbed in Dei-i.. Last Thursday a splendid audience fol- lowed Mr. Sydney Jones' exposition of the Na- tionalisation of the Mines with keen interest and appreciation. Questions were of a high standard and general satisfaction was expressed with the I.L.P. attitude as outlined by Comrade Jones.

I Save the Water. The Merthyr waterworks engineer asks us to notify the public that owing to the continued dry weather, and the shortage of water in the reservoirs, the water will be shut-off throughout the Borough at 8 o'clock at night instead of IP o'clock, and be turned on at 6 o'clock in the morning instead of .5 o'clock, and that it wift probably become necessary to still further re- duce the hours of supply. The Pentwyn Reser- voir and tJJ(t IA)%Vel- Neuadd are nearly empty. It behoves the public to use water as sparing! as possible, as the Vpper Neuadd Reservoir on which we largely depend ha.s also fallen to a low level. The quantity impounded there is only about 100 million gallons.

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Hooliganism at Neath. LABOUR DEMONSTRATION BROKEN UP. EX-SERVICE MEN RESICN FROM ASSOCIA- TION AS PROTEST. Hooliganism and mob-law gained the ascend- ancy in reactionary Neath on Saturday when, to the joy of the Jingoes and their syeophanti' press, a Labour demonstration was broken up by a gang of ex-Service rowdies. With glaring headlines the newspapers shrieked the glad tidings and with .journalistic cunning did their inkiest in essaying to create the impression that the break-up was the popular and spontaneous act of righteously indignant discharged and demobbed soldiers and sailors. The truth is that it was the work of an illiterate mob gathered from the ranks of the ex-Service men in the neighbourhood and there is ev«>; y justification for saying that the situation was the outcome of a premeditated and carefully laid plan. having among its sponsors, so it is be- lieved, several of the Law-and-order patriots not unknown in the Town Council Cham ber. Th" routing of the Trades Council procession and the subsequent demonstration in the Fair- field was seized upon by the police as an excuse for banning the projjosed Socialist meeting at the Gwvn Hall the same evening. For this demon- stration there had been over 700 tickets sold and there was no legitimate excuse for the police ban, as ample precautions had been taken to deal very effectively with any would-be disor- derlies." But the blue-bottle autocrats would have none of it. The public peace had to be jealously guarded. Still the Labour procession had met with concerted hooliganism when there wa.s not that protection arranged for the Cinyn Hall show. Ah. but that was another story with promise of a verv different ending. The wanton display of the iiiitli nki-ig of number has been followed by a disruption in the ranks of the local branch of the Discharged Sol- diers' and Sailors' Association, all the better ele- ment, including the branch officers, having re- signed membership. Mr. Tom Mann, who was the speaker billed for the Neath meeting was given an enthusias- tic reception at Troherbert, though there was. some hostility in Treorky. His Pontypridd en- gagement was cancelled, the meeting there also being banned by the police authorities.

After the Match. TEAMS TO VISIT THEATRE ROYAL. After the Victory Football Match at Penydar- i-en Park 011 next Wednesday evening, between Merthyr F.C. and a selected eleven rt-presontidg Birmingham, including several players of inter- national fame, the two teams will attend the second house at the Theatre Royal, at the invi- tation of the Manager, Mr. Val Stevens.

TO THE CONSERVATIVES OF CILFACH COCH. To the Secretary, Conservative Club. Gilfach Goch. Dear view of the report in to-day' I" \Wvestern Mail" of a resolution passed at d meeting of your Club against the .Nationalisa- tion of the Coal Industry of Great Britain, may 1 suggest that the fairest way to test the opinion 01" tbl' IJlil1l'I'S and of the general public of Gil faeli Goch and of the coalfield for and against the proposal is to discuss the pros and cons of th<-i?sucinth?fortnof a public debate. A? your resolution calls upon Mr. John Little- I¡ johns' to or?anis? "demonstrations of miners in I j the Welsh coalfield" against Nationalisation of the Coal Mines I shall be pleased to give him a push off in the impossible task you set him hv pii l ) l l(- meeting him in public debate upon thts subject at Gilfach Goch and in as niauv other parts ol the Welsh coalfield as lie cares to fix up Kind'y convey this challenge to your beloved champion and inform him that I will meet him on any and I every (ate he cares to offer f?r the purpose.— ?oursfa)tI)i))Hy l i(- ptir p c),,t, tl, i July. 1019. T. MARDY JONES-, i 1L\RDY.JOXES_-

Electric Theatre. Topping the bill at the Merthyr Electric Theatre from Monday to Wednesday of next week is a thrill of t-ll(-- PIood with the versatile Tom Mix in the lead. Mix in. the few years he has been playing to the camera, has earned for himself the reputation of being the most- reckless of the cowboy "stunt" makers, and in Western Blood he is respon- sible for a host of hair-raising episodes. "The Room of Flame" is the current instalment of The Hrass Bullet," and brings the serial to an exciting passage. Thursday onwards sees an Ideal production. A Soul for Sale," a vivid drama of the marriage market, with Dorothy Phillips as the Society debutante. Eddie Polo, one-time Barnum and Bailey acrobat, provides more sensation in the third release of the "Circus King." the picture serial which has already implanted itself in the favour of an exacting audience. Roscoe Arbuckle, the incom- parable "Fatty of the Films," will bounce joy- fully through a few hundred feet of farce, The Cook. Supporting the star features in each of the- performances is a fine array of subsidiary re- leases dealing with drama, comedy and news subjects. Printed and Published by the National Labour Press, Ltd., at the Labour Pioneer Press-v. Williams' Square, Merthyr Tydfil.