Pioneer

PENYDARREN. FOK THE FIFTH TIME.—We are pleased that our comrade aild colleague, Mr. Dan Bvans, of •t^nydarren, has once more been recognised for the good Trades' Unionist ,that be-is hy his £.e- lows in the Workers' Union, who, for the fifth time, have elected him to a post on the Execu- tive Committee of that progressive union. Citariie Duncan has no better or tamer Trades Umouist in his army than D?n Evans, and whilst congratulating him, we should like to comp.nment the union on the good semse it has ?hown in again electing him to this responsible e.4e,:ttii_ l? i iii to tihi.9 responsi b le

DOWLAIS, WORK AT DOWLAIS.—Trade conditions at Dowlais were much the same as for some time past, the whole of the works being in a very ao- tive condition. The blast furnaces kept up sup- plies for the Siemens and Bessemer plants. The Goat Mill turned out a large quantity "of steel rails, tin bar and squares of steel, which were much in demand, while tlate Big Mill worked up a large quantity of steel, which was converted into curves, and was besides engaged on fish and sole plates, as well as light rails. The fit- ting and locomotive shops were well engaged on repairs and new work,

TREHARRIS. DEATH OF MR. D. CLEE.—A well-known Tre- harris tradesman, in the person of Mr. David lJiee, ironmonger, Threharris, has passed away at his residence, 3 Glenview, The deceased was 70 years of age, a^d wras a native of Ystalyfera. He was one of the founders of Tabernacle Welsh Independent Church, Treharris, of which he had been a deacon for many years. He leaves a widow and grown-up family.

Jewellery Rollers at larlhfr.. THIEF LEAVES FINGER PRINTS IN I I BLOOD. Jewellery to the value of aoout £ 50 has been stolen from the lock-up shop of Mr. John Wil- liams, The Arcade, Merthyr. Apparently the burglar climbed over the gate at the front of the premises and smashed a pane of glass in the doorway, by which means he effected an entrance. The safe was untouched, but the till had been forced open. As it happened, this contained only a small sum of money, but the burglar took many articles of jewellery, of the total value of about £ 50 Bloodstains were found on the doorstep, on the lfoor of the shop, and on a number of arti- cles It seems, therefore, that the man smashed the glass with his fist, or else cut himself m get- s ing through. ? On a carving knife which he took out of its 'se finger-prints were clearly visible. In connection with the affair an arrest, it is understood has already been made.

ABERCYNON. i OBITUARY.—We regret to announce the death of Mr. W. Mason, of Ynysybwl, whose lln- era-1 took place on Th ursday. Mr. Mason has been for some years general manager of the Ynysybwl Co-operative Society, and is well- known in the neighbourhood. I;Ovv LAIS-CAR:D»T MASS MEETING.—At a mass meeting of colliers employed at the Dowlais- Cardiff Colliery the half-yearly balance sheet was discussed. The auditors' report was given by Messrs. Turner and Fred Pulsford, and was subsequently adopted. The chairman was Mr. Stephen James. met Ton Pen tie on Thursday last, when Ton Pentre were successfuly by three points. The highest break was made by E. 8) a vies (58). Scores: Abercynon: E. Davies 122; W. Rockey 150; James. Williams 133; T. Roberts 150; Richard Moses 99; W. Garbett 137; Alf Pellard 122; T. Harrises 1.50-total 1,063. Ton Pentre Geo. Ridge 150; D. Alexander 70; D. Davies 150; James Phillips 106; H. Evans 150; Edg. Hughes 150 W. Middle 150; W. Perks 140—total 1,066. S.WM.-F.—At a general meeting of thol Aber- c-ynon Lodge, the half-yearly balance sheet was discussed. The Auditors—Messrs. W. Jenkins and E. Ilees-gave their report, which was ad- opted. A report of the Cardiff Conference on Conscription was also on the agenda, but the delegate (Mr. W. Reynolds) was not present.

ABERDARE. I LEAVING THE .FATHERLAND.—Mr. Charles Morris and family are leaving their native hearth to seek new pastures in Australia. The family had resided at Swansea, for a number of years. Mr. Morris was one of the pioneers of the Socialist Party at Aberdare, and will be well remembered by the older members. He worked hard with the few that were trying to keep the flag flying in days gone by, when the members were looked upon a.s Anarchisms of the deepest dye. We wish Mr. Morris and his family well in their new hqtne. SEQUEL TO LOVE LETTER.—The sequel to an A oorda re girl's love rdHianee occupied file at- tention of the Stipendiary at JFberdare on Wednesday, when Mabel Chapman (19, an Ab- erewmboi domestic servant, was charged with attempting to commit suicide by taking poison on the 13th inst.—The girl's mother explained that her daughter's young man had admitted having written to her saying that when he went away on his holidays last Christmas he ,had picked up with another _girl in the country, and that he was not it'ee to go with her (the defendant) any more.—The Stipendiary re- manded the case for a week, and told the mother to take the girl home and look after her.

ABERAMAN. I .BRAVO! THE I.L.P.-The Aberaman I.L..P is making great strides, largely because ft has the valour to carry on an active propagation of those principles for which our Party has al- ways stood, and which are te-day being chal- lenged -?tooda, ll. -flie forces of reaction. Last Fri- day, a very successful meeting was held in the Aberaman Public Hall, when Comrade William John Edwards spoke well ciii the sub- ject of working class education. T¥ lecturer handled his subject in fine style, and because he was not afraid of the issues he raised a number of controversial points, which provoked keen comment on the part of Mr. John Thomas, B.A. Mr. Thomas Bowen. Mr. W. Bowen, Mr. Trevor Norman and others. By its utili- sation of local talent, Aberaman has started along the rit road, and the well-wishes of all our comrades are with them in their task of converting their own particular mud-patch to the glorious conception of the Socialist State.

BARGOED. I COAXES COUNTED OUT.—The contest between Dai Moseley (Rhymney) and Tom Coates ("Coosh," Gilfaoh) attracted a big at- tendance at the Bargoed Pavilion on Saturday. Coates was the more aggressive and generally led. Moseley, who was palpably the stronger, counterodeffeetively, and his vigorous in- fighting in flicted punishment on his opponent In the sixth round, after a generally even con- test. Moseley shot out his rightt and left sharp- ly. Coates went down and was counted out. Mr. Bob Powell. Tirphil, refereed.

PONTYPRIDD. [ GOOD NEWS.—There '?as a better attendance I and keener interest taken at the last meeting of the I.L.P., which was held at Coole's Restaur- ant, The Arcade, N ominatlORs for offices in the I. L. P were considered, Comrade E. J. Williams beino; nominated for the N.A.C. CHAMBER, OF TRJDE ACTIVITY.—Are local af- fairs to receive more attention? It is devoutly hoped so. At the Pontvpridd and Dist- rict Chamber of Trade, held at the Y.M.C.A., Taff Street on Tuesday, matters under discus- sion were: The need of through tramway service from Trehafod to R.hondda; lack of fire brigade equipment in Pontypridd; an open station for Pontypridd: the need of the Cardiff Railway Company extending their serviee on from Rhydyfelin into Treforest, etc. In each case it was decided to take the matters. up with the parties concerned. Mr. W. T. Davies presided. The Secretary being Mr. Walter G. Singer, Berw road; subscriptions are 5/- per year.

 I he Boys m t h e T renches will be G!ad'/ ONE GIVES THE LIE TO C.B. _00 (To the Editor of the Pio-NEIPR.) fcttr,—In the "Pioneer" dated December 4th I (j. ust received), I see that Mr. Stanton, in re- turning thanks to the electoKS for returning i him to Parliament, said that the boys in the trenches would be glad to hear that he was returned. Well, as one of the boys that was in Gallipoli at that time, I must say that I a In extremely sorry to hear that the electors of the Merthyr Borough allowed themselves to be led astray so as to return such a man as Mr Stanton in preference to one that had been tried and found true (Mr. Winstone). In my humble opinion, there was only one man to vote for, and that was not Mr. C. B. Stan- ton, and I don't think that Mr. Stanton had any right to make such a statement, for some of us at least, wanted a man to succeed the Grand Old Man-Keir Hardie—that could come somewhere near to what he (Keir Hardie) was. Trusting you will publish this.—I remain, Yours fraternally, Corpl. SAM DAWKINS, I Welch Horse. December 28, 1915. Welch Hoi,se. I

Compulsion Rejected. 1,577,000 OF A MAJORITY AT BRISTOL I CONFERENCE. BOB SMILLIE'S WARNING TO THE GOVERNMENT. By a majority of 1,577,000 on a total vote of 2,015,000, the Labour Party Conference to-day unmistaldng proclaimed its opposition to Com- pulsion. There were two motions on the agenda, but the first s-ufficed. It read: Tihat this National Labour Party Confer- ence protest emphatically against the adop- tion of Conscription in any form, as it is ag- ainst the spirit of the British democracy, and full of danger to the liberties of the people. A. card vote was taken, which resulted as fol- lows AGAINST COMPULSION 1.796,000 FOR COMPULSION 219,000 MAJORITY. 1,577,000 IN-IR. ROBERT SMILLIE, on behalf of the miners, said the resolution enabled him to ex- press the opposition of the body he represented, root and branch. If the conference resolution on Wednesday satisfied the Government as a representative expression of opinion, the deci- sion to-day must be also so accepted., No am- endment or Government Bill would satisfy him. (Cheers.) It was the principle to whieji he was opposed. They might be faced with even an extension Bill, and he dreaded what might come afterwards. He warned the Government against dividing the Labour Party. They would need the support that party courcl give them to win the war,

Death of Merthyr Medico. I UNEXPECTED PASSING OF DR. WEBSTER The death took place on Thursday of Dr. Thomas James Webstoi-, AIRCIS (Eng.), LSA, d .P., of Brynglas, Merthyr. Deceased, who was 72 years of age, was a native of Flintshire, and came to the Merthyr district from Aberdare in 1869, where he has remained ever since. He was then assistant to the late Dr. P. R. Oess- well Dowlais, and after a few yea.'»s com- menced practice at Merthyr. He married the only daughter of the late All.. T. J. Pearce, Cefn Coed, and for several years past his only son, Dr. Vivian Webster, was in partnership wnh him. The late Doctor was on the medical staff of the Merthyr Hospital from its incep- tion "In 1867. Last year he relinquished that position, and was tlien appointed on the con- sulting staff, from which position he resigned as recently as six weeks ago. He was also the doctor for the Cyfarthfa Collieries and Iron Works (Messrs. Crawshay Brothers), and at- tended Mr. William Crawshay when he resided at Merthyr. Deceased was for many years a J ustice of the Peace for the County. He had been in failing health for some time, and at- tained the age of 72 last Sunday. In addition to his son, Dr. Vivia-n Webster, he is survived by a widow and five daughters, two of whom are married to Mr. Stanley Martin and Mr. Gilbert Harrap respectively. He was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him, and his death is deeply deplored.

Theatre Royal. I Just at; we had; opera at its provincial best at the Theatre l-toyal last week, so, too, this week, we are having Vaudeville at its best. This is not platitude, but my honest opinion. I have sees, much worse shows in reputable Metro- politan halls than that which is proving popu- lar at Mr. Noreliffe's house this week. Can- didly, there are turns on the bill that I pre- fer to the top liner, and that without making any invidious comparisons. I like ventriloquism —nave done sinee as a child I read "Valentine Vox," and I have long placed Johnson Clark in the premier position with his pleasing en- tertaining art. There is brightness and sparkle and genius in Johnson Clark's work that is missing from that of practically every other ventriloquist. His quaint little yokel figure Hodge-is always a source of enjoyment. I believe that Merthyr audiences will go all the way with me in all that I have said. Then there is that other old favourite of mine, Will Lacey, whose mono-wheel act I remember writing upon shortly after his trip over here from the other side of the Atlantic. Will Lacey has not only created the art of unicyclist en- tertainer, but lie has all the distinctive humour of a first-class American entertainer. I reckon Will Lacey fit to top any bill in the British Isles. Then there is the Miracle Maid, who has pre- mier place on the bill. I. am mystified by her art, pleased with her show, and charmed with her self. There are those unmistakable points of fine art about the presentation of her work that give it grace, and add to its effectiveness. How she materialises the loads of good things that are produced from her hanging cabinet I do not know, but I did enjoy whilst I mar- velled and so did everyone else, I believe. Madame Borzy could not have come to Mer- thyr during a more trying week, for last week made us all critical of vocalists, and that she gets the applause she does is the best guarantee she could have of her greatness. I enjoyed her sweet singing immensely. TIelm and Cozens have one of the best sketches touring in "Doc- tor and Patient," and their presentation of it is a scream. It is a great sketch well worthy of such a bill as this. Then there is that laughter monger, Hal Russ, in great vein, and the Findens, the great sketch artistes, are at their best. Next week we are to be entertained by Fred Allandale's great company in the breezy, briny Revue of the sea-—"Heave-O i" The company includes that prince of revue comedians, Char- ley Harvey, in the sparkling part of Bill Stickers." And Charley is supported by a company calcnlateg to enhance his work; a company which includes Hal Bryan as "The Oaptain" Maud Banks as "Sally Brown" Harold Brown as "The Bo'i-in" and George Franklyn fiR "The Lancashire Lad." Rene Ash is to play the principal part' of "Elizabeth Cheshire," and Vera Yilliers and Rene Mallory are playing specialities. There is a full London chorus. In addition to this there is the big attraction Cliff Rennie and Hilda Rox- burgh in that screaming farce, "The Old Tin Cans," a musical attraction that has made good in the Moss' Empires and the leading London halls. One gets so used to film addi- tions that one is apt to overlook them, but there are some good ones booked for next week I am told, By the way, at the request of a majority of the regular visitors, the management is, as from Monday, taking the sensible step of making the circle the "best" seat in the house. All will agree as to the sensibility of the move. PLAYGOER. I

ru HlltSaTOIiliMWJiCmwBt91M—IHI—»—>taa— II I" WHEN REQUIRING | j SUITS, COSTUMES, or GENERAL DRAPEQY I S SEND A POST CARD TO )JOHN BARR??r?: j U Merthyr Tydfi1,  1- AND A EPESENTATIVE WILL CALL. I ICas. h or Instalment System. | I SUITS and COSTUMES to Measure a specia(ity J SU!TS and COSTUMES to Measure a Spec?aHty t

A Down Tools Policy. SOUTH WALES' ANTI-GONSCRIPTIONISTS' DETERMINATION. One of the most significant conferences ag- ainst the Military Service Bill that has beell held in this part of the country, was that which assembled in the Ruskin Institute, Car- diff, on Sunday afternoon, and that comprised 112 delegates from various Trades Unionist organisations. Socialist societies, and No-Con- scrjption Fellowships from all over the South Wales area. The meeting was a private one, and al- though one may not reproduce the discussions that were engaged in, one may speak of the earnestness with which the delegates expressed their repudiation of Compulsory Service under any guise. Ultimately the meeting decifled to issue a manifesto to all the workers of Sou £ h W ales, ana unanimously adopted the following resolu- tion That this Conference is of the opinion that the only effective means of combating Con- scription is by means of industrial action by the organised workers, and that such a policy should be put into action upon the day of Proclamation making the Act operative; and that a simultaneous down tool policy be adopted throughout the country. With a view to this recommendation being adopted, we initiate a strenuous propaganda campaign throughout South Wafes. Further, that failing the acceptance of this policy in Eng- land, that South WTales alone put it into operatioo. It was announced that Anti-Conscription Committees had now been formed in every area in South Wales. A strong Executive was ap- pointed.

Certificate Withheld. SPANDIARD'S APPLICATION TO CARDIFF TRIBUNAL. Aid. J. T. Riehards presided at a meeting of the Cardiff Munitions Tribunal on Friday, Mr. T. Allan Johnson and Mr. D. W. Cheeke sitting with him as assessors. Francisco Sanz, a Spaniard, employed by a Dowlais firm as a coke furnace stoker, com- plained that his certificate under the Munitions Act had been unreasonably withheld, and he applied that it shouUi be granted. Sanz said he had been working as a spare hand in the coke furnace since last October. He had been a fitter in Spain about 14 months, and had served as third engineer on a Spanish ship for six months. Mr. Allan Johnson: Can you work a lathe? II Applicant: What is that ? Mr. Johnson: I should have thought that a fitter would know. Mr. Oheeke: It is not essential that a fitter should work a lathe. He m!ght be a pipe fitter. Mr. JoBhson: He does not appear to know what a lathe is. Mr. Roland Evans, furnace manager, said the spare hands :it the furnace numbered from 10 to 12. When he applied for work, Sanz did not tell him that he was a fitter, but that he was a wireless operator. The application was refused. Sanz has but an imperfect knowledge of Eng- lish, and the interpreter to whom he communi- cated did not appear until the case was over. His ignorance of a lathe, we understand, is not of the machine, but of the word, which he had never met before.

Football. J CYFARTHFA CASTLE SECONDARY SCHOOL v. CANTON (CARDIFF) SECOND- ARY SCHOOL. KEEN GAME ENDS IN A MERTHYR I VICTORY. This match was played at Cardiff on Saturday last. The Castle were without several of their best players, including their Captain (E. J. Chapman). The opening stages were in favour of Cyfarthfa, but Canton soon awoke from their state of lethargy and bombarded the Castle goal, but Evans, in his usual brilliant style, dived at full length, and made one of the finest saves of his career. Just before the interval a pretty movement, initiated by E. Arthur, re- sulted in T. II. Lloyd scoring the first goal for the Castle boys. » The second half opened with some exceptional- ly tricky work by the Castle forward line—in fact, the line worked as if by clockwork, and a little later T. H. Lloyd scored the Castle's second goal. After this Canton ,attacked strongly, but the Castle defence prevailed. Evan Arthur was the most brilliant man on the Castle side, and was congratulated by many of the spebtators for his scientific display. The Castle forward line, as a whole, was seen at. its best. Jenkins and Williams were Can- ton's best players, whose forwards were disap- pointing. Final Score: Cyfarthfa Castle. 2 I Canton .I. 0

Has your name appeared in our 10,000 Shil- lings' Fund list? If not, let it be there next week. SMALL PREPAID ADVERTISEMENTS. One In- Three fei- Six In- sertion. sertions. sertions. s d. s. d. s. d. 20 words Ö 6 1 0 1 9 30 words 0 9 1 6 2 9 40 words 1 0 2 0 3 6 50 words l 3 2 6 4 6 60 words 1 6 3 0 5 6 In all cases the i^ame and Address are counted as part of the Advertisement. These prices apply only to Advertisements ordered for consecutive insertions and which are prepaid. Trade Advertisements are inserted under the Heading "Personal at 9d. per line. All Advertiiementii should be posted to the Office on or before Monday. Medical. f* A -PAGE BOOK ABOUT HERBS AND Ut HOW TO USE THEM, post free. Send for one. TRIMNELL, THB HERBALIST, 144 RICHMOND ROAD, CARDIFF. Established 1879. Literary. T TNITARIA? PAMPHLETS on "Tke Bible," I J "Heaven," md "Hell," given pmt free.—Miss BABMBY, Mount Pleasant, Sldmout A N Educative Percentage Book for Miners *and Colliery Clerks, post free 5d.- E. EVAHS, 38 Church Street, Penydarren, Merthyr. Miscellaneous. A STROLOGY.-Life events, changes, for- tunate days, business success, matri- mony; two years' future added; send birth date 1/- P.O. Prof. GOULD, "The Nooli." Heathfield Road, Cardiff. GET YOUR I TOBACCO I I AT Our Shop %P h o p 74a, Pontmorlais, Merthyr. PROGRESSIVE LITERATURE Kept in Stock or got to order. II lb U till'llfllMi Illinium Iiifl m II n H HH' lim ll ll 'Wia J'- IBM | Iimm. jrrTfira—mwiMMTfwirirnwi > mmim i»f himnim mm n iman>wnn* ibm ■ jiiaa

Toleration in Mountain Ash. I COUNCIL REFUSE TO HEAR N.C.F. LETTER. At this week's meeting of the Mountain Ash Council, a letter was received from the Aber- dare Valley of the No-Conscription Fellowship in opposition to the Bill npw before Parlia- ment.Coun. Thomas Jones moved that the letter lie on the table. Coun. Rev. George Neighbour It has certainly been acknowledged on the part of the Government and the Cabi- net The Chairman: The letter has no been read yet Coun. Bruce Jones, in seconding the motion, said: "1 don't think we should read stuff of that kind here, especially at a time like the present. Mr. Neighbour moved, and Coun. Bowles seconded, that the letter be road. The motion that the letter lie on the table was carried by 7 votes to 5. Coun. Neighbour: It is unworthy of this Council. We don't want to talk about Prus- siftfnsm The Chairman: The matter is out of order now. please-

A Night Attack. MERTHYH LABOURER'S ASSAULT ON WOMAN. He woke up out of his sleep mad after drinkmg/' said Annie Walsh, of Newton's Court, giving evidence at Merthyr on Tuesday against Win. Payne, a labourer, with whom she had lived for 14 years, and by whom she had had four children. Payne was charged with doing her grievous bodily harm on Saturday last. by kicking and beating her. Prosecutrix, who appeared in court with her head swathed in bandages, stated that the prisoner was awakened from his sleep by som people quarrelling in Newton's Court, and ac- cused her of "having been at it again." This she denied and called prisoner a "scamp," whereupon he hit her in the face several times, and she fell to the ground. Dr. H. F. James gave evidence to the effect that prosecutrix had two contused lacerated wounds an inch and a half long and a quar- ter of an inch deep—one over and the other under her right eye. He inserted two stitches. Prisoner ,who admitted sriking the woman "with my naked fist," was fined 60/- (or 26 days), the charge being reduced to. one of common assault.