Pioneer

I  } PONTYPRIDD  t COKEMEN'S BUSY EVENING.—A well-attended meeting of the Maritime Branch of the Amal- gamated Union of Cokemen was held on Mon- day evening at Coole's Temperance Bar, The Arcade. Pontypridd, Mr T. W. Lane in the chair, when the following were elected for the Ensuing six months —Chairman Mr Tom Rees treasurer Mr Henry Preece; secretary Mr Hy. Savegar, committee—Messrs. Harry &11, Hy. Biackford. Frank Love, William Hedges, Ar- thur Tucker, William Rogers (with power to 3d! two more to represent the fitters). Collec- tOl1's-Messl's, R. Marsh. P. Hunt and Henry Hill. Delegate to Council meeting, Henry Savegar. The balance sheet and sooretaa'y's ^fcport were considered very satisfactory, the total membership being 66 and only 6 non- Unionists. The resolutions for District Council feting to be held at Sheffield this month, ^er» fully discussed, and the delegate ""as instructed to carry out the nranch's re-  ?mmendations. A most instructive meeting j I closed with a hearty vote of thanks to ?hL- retiring chairman, on the proposition of Mr ?<Mn Rees seconded by Mr H. Preece, and sup- ported by Messrs. J. Morgan, Hy. Savegar and othej. members. Mr Lane briefly replied, stat- ing that he was still prepared to assist the l'anch in every way. 4

Theatre Royal. Becanse. to be quite candid I did not enjoy "Joy, bister of Mercy," at the Theatre Royal, so well, as J did the two plays that were p-iesenteci last week some of my friends seem to imagine ttiat I am deficient in those qualities that a x ia-vS°ei' must possess if his writings are to be worth while. I am quite content to stand by my opinionB; but in explanation of my last week's preference, I should like to say that I have seen "Joy" three times alto- gether now, and that within the space of some IS mouths at the outside, and the situations did mot have the novelty that they would have had for a theaweite making his first visit. On the other hand the knowledge of what was coming, allowed me to exercise a more critical faculty on the structure, of the piece; to ob- serve. if you will, the craftsmanship of Miss Eva Elwes as writer; and I want to express my aclmlraltion for the Qasy fluency of her pen; the sweet rhythm of her style the charity of her contrasts and the absence of strain in the natural unfoldment of a truly dramatic con- ception, Like Somewhere a Heart is Break- ing last week, there is a topical war touch about some of the scenes; yet, also, like Pte. Gore's ivoi-li:, it is a topical interest which is not topical if 1 may so describe it. It is a hu- man interest which will keep the play ever- green in the, alas, far distant future when the production of "Joy" will have as much tepical interest in those scenes, as we have at the mo- mnt in the military significance df "A Roy- al Divorce." After all, the only standard we can apply to any piece of work, whether it be flippant revue or "Hamlet," is, "Does it de-  t" live?" and by this standard I believe Joy will win the commendation of a majo- rity of the dramatic critics. As to the playing, one a well-caste, well-instructed piece when the authoress is herself playing the title lole and in Joy" one is not disappointed in tne expectation. There is not a weak charac- 1 in the j and the work of Miss Elwes herself, and of Mr Harry Cullinford as "The Rev. Matthew Freeman," is far above the level or provincial melodrama. There is a natural gra(>e,a coimncing sincerity about their work uch hits one up, and transports one to an all1osphere of ??y' remote from the arti- eJahty of the stage ? in these days; and what IS true of these two true also of the greater ? ex?-? ? P?pcrtion as opportunities for pxprebsion are forthcoming.  saw that next week we were to have LeW> Lake's The Story of the Angelus," I lacked i-ny brain to try and discover whether I had ever heard of a farce of that name; for one could not suppose that Lew Lake had ap- peared m anything without having heard a lot about it; and I was unaware then that he was running dramatic companies. I now discover that the latter 18 the case, and from enquiries I have made Lew seems to be on a ,good thing in touring Miss Dorothy Mullford in her "The Story of the Angelus, for I see from the re- cords that it has been playing to big houses of delighted patrons in most of the big towns. Although like the main plays of the past fort- night, this concerns itself with the problems arising out of the present war-it is totally different in construction from its predecessors. It is a story of Catholic Belgium, and of a Belgian girl's love story—a strange, deep love only possible to a few natures. The authoress is anxious that the plot should not be re- vealed, but if the caste is adequate to present the story, and I believe, on good evidence, that it is, the story of Angela's love and her sin should be extraordinarily telling on the stage. PLAYGOER. I

The Editor's Appeal. I B. d. Share Capital. Bargoed Pioneer" Committee" 10 0 Shilling Fund. Mr Geo. Phippen, Ystrad, BUiondda 2 6 Mr J. Miles, Mardy 2 0 P. D 1 0 Mr G. Mclvor, Glasgow. 4 0 Mr D. J. Lewis, Troedyrhiw 1 0 Com. Wm. Morgan 1 0 Bkrgoed "pjoneer" Committee 8 0 14 6

An Open Letter to Omni- potent John. My Dear John,—Kindly excuse the brevity of my letter on this occasion, as I have been rather busy of late-b,aving had to take that late colleague of yours in hand a bit. I must say that the "gingers" and "ortbodox" boys ( are getting quite out of hand of late, and it takes all my spare time in trying to put them ¡ on the track. You will forgive me for stating ¡' that your last article was very disjointed and incoherent; in fact, I was so informed by sev- eral who read your letter. I am also given to understand that you have been asking seve- ral persons if they helped me to draft my f article; and, of course, that accounts for your heading of your last article, VIZ" "T"o Whoinit May Concern." You state that I am not serious in reference to light employment men. Now, John. did I not state on the last occasion that we discussed the light employment question in our lodge meeting, that I did not agree with your policy, as I deemed it a penny wise and a pound foolish one. Your criticism of the Nottingham Conference Resolution is very erroneous, and is not workable, because if your method of applying current percentages to tke average previous earnings of injured work- men was adopted, I am sure that we would be a great deal better off financially- when in- jured. Now, I think the resolution of the M.F.G.B. practicable. First, because it is a step in establishing a sound basis to work from; secondly, it has got the backing of the whole organisation. And when you have got aright prnciple backed up by an organised might, then you are able to achieve something tang- gibie for the injured—pounds, not pennies, John! When you refer to the attitude of the H committee towards your being exempt, you must not forget that it has got to be made up to the district out of the contributions of other members of the lodge, so I don't see how you can accuse me of trying to squeeze (you, when 1, with others, help to pay your quota to the District. You refer to the sym- pathy of the committee towards the injured "workmen's case. I must say they are extreme- ly so. seeing that after the Geneial Secretary had got one man 4d. a day rise, or 8/- a month advance, they exempted him of 1/- per month. This is sympathv with a vengeance. but not so much an acknowledgment of the is valuable assistance of the General Secretary, f who worked and got him the advance. It is not those who do the work on behalf of the men who get the praise; but those who gasi" and dragoon." And let me inform t you. John. that it is a foregone conclusion t' that if a ballot is taken on the I or 2/ that the 1/- would certainly carry. It is-ag- ainst ail ethics to expect any other. Why is it necessary to hold show cards? If the large ma- 1 jority were interested in their Unions, there would be no need for the great waste of funds in carrying out show cards which exists at pre- sent. There are thirteen amendments to the Compensation Act to be discussed at Buxton next week by the National Conference of the M.F.G.B And yet you say that tbereis no- thing done by the organisation on behalf of the injured. Why not start iL new organisation, John? Then you would be able to mould it in the manner that would suM you oest.- Yo»rs. ■ Pit e I GEORGE WALTERS (The Treasurer.)

G.B.S. at Court-Martial. I OBJECTOR'S HUNGER, THIRST, AND SLEEP STRIKE. I Private C. H. Norman.. 8rd Reserve Batta- lion Grenadier Guards, appeared before a ,{ court-martial at Chelsea qn Friday charged 1 with wilful disobedience of military orders on J' June 12a.t Wandsworth. Mr Bernard Shaw and the Editor of the Age" gave evidence that Horman was undoubtedly a Conscientious Objector. ( Staff-Sergeant Andrews stated that 'Norman Ei refused to dress for parade on the morning of June 12; he did not notice that prisoner was » looking ill. ,t Norman then went into the witness box and -sa.(! that he had been ferociously treated at Wandsworth Detention Barracks, and was in very bad health. On the day m question he had been in a strait-jacket for over 20 hours, part of which time he was unconscious. He was put on a. diet of bread and water, and decide to go on a hunger, thirs^ and sleep stri-ke for 48 hours. Forcible feeding was resor- ted to. and the tube was too large and in- flicted agony on him. The commandant called him, among other things "Swine," "Beast," .1 and Coward," and spat three times upon him. Cross-examined: There was documentary evidence to prove his statement, but this had been falsified and destroyed by the com- rna-idant, r Military testimony having been supplied as to Norman's character, the court retired to consider their finding, which ",111 be promulg- ated Jater.

Dismal Dowlais." I CARDIFF BOROUGH ENGINEER'S VIGO- ROUS DEFENCE. Mr W. Harpur, M.Inst.C.E., borough engi- neer of Cardiff, made a vigorous defence, of Dowlais against the criticisms of Mr H. Ald- ridge, Seci-etary of the National Housing and Town Planning Council, at the annual confer- ence of the Institution of Municipal and County Engineers at Blackpool. W hilst Dowlais has- been in existence for more than half a century," said Mr Ald- ridge "the great industrial developments of these valleys has taken place during the last 20 years, and during the earlier part of this period everything was subordinated to the 'get- ting of coal' and the production of steel and iron. This is the only, as it is the sufficient, explanation of the scandalous neglect of hous- ing conditions throughout the district, condi- tions which we regard as mainly responsible for the labour unrest in South Wales. Indeed, it would indicate the complete extinction of any glimmer of a desire for better things if those who dwell in these places did not from time to time rebel, even though they iimy be only dim- ly aware of the real causes of the discontent they are voicing. Though we covered in all a distance of nearly 80 miles in these valleys, we did not see throughout a single house to let. The lack of desire to encourage any kind of beauty and development was painfully appa- rent • some of the rows of houses seeming in- terminable. Mr Harpur said he had known old Dowlais intimately for 57 years. When he first went there it had no water supply, and in summer time it was a common thing to see hundreds of people—mostly women and boys and girls— standing with their buckets at a, well or .spring by the roadside. There was no drainage. Now those things had been changed. Perfec- tion had not been reached, and could not be leached, without clearing the whole place. Every house had now one of the best supplies of water that could be found anywhere and ev- ery house was drained. Dowlais and Merthyr I we!p the first to tackle epidemic diseases, es- pecially small-pox. Dowlais had one of the first infectious diseases hospitals ever erected in this country. It was also one of the first pla- cets which put up an apparatus to disinfect clo- thing by the application of heat. Dowlais and Merthyr had one of the be&t methods of drainage disposal; it was a, pioneer in that nctter.

MERTHYR ) EXEMPTED.—The Merthyr Tribunal exempted the Corporation Waterworks assistant engineer, a foreman and a plumber (the only one in Dowlais). MORE NOISY THAN SPEEDY. Although he pleaded that his car was more noisy than speedy, a Merthyr motorist, John Webley, was c.p,eedyt, 5 at Abergavenny. MEIITHVIT'S HIGH MORTALITY RATE.—In view of the high infantile mortality. Merthyr Health Committee is being urged by the Local Government Board to increase the visiting staff. WAR-TIME LATITUDE.—The Merthyr Health Authority is giving some latitude regarding fowl-keeping in war time, and objection is only raised m cases where nuisances are I created. MERTHYR's BmTH kTF.-The birth rate at Mbrthyr during the past month was 25 per j 1,000, while the rate for the corresponding | period at last year was 23.5. Infantile mortal- ity was 88 per I,OC@ births. No CONSISTENCY.—"I don't see the consist- ency of saying to-day I am prepared to join the Army and appealing to-morrow to get off," said a married man to the Merthyr Tribunal when asked the reason why he had not attested BIRCH FOR BAD BOYS.—Two 8-year-old Mer- thyr schoolboys were ordered to receive six strokes each w .Itb Vie birok for breaking and entering the Hrphif Lucania Billiards Hall on two occasions, and stealing therefrom cigar- ettes and chocolate to the value of £1 9s. GAMBLING AT MERTHYR.—At a Juvenile Court at Merthyr six boys aged between 13 and 14 years, of Pontlottjm, were each fined 10/- for gaming with cards on Sunday evening last.-—P.S. Clinch, Pontlottyn, remarked that the boys were takmg advantage of the scarcity of police. I SUICIDE OR THE WORKHOUSE.—Were*his son taken for the Army, said an aged appellant to the Merthyr Tribunal on Wednesday, their bus- iness would have to be closed dswn, and it would mean suicide or the workhouse for bis wife and himself, for which the Tribunal would be responsible." His other son had been wounded, and was in hospital in Egypt. Ex- emption was granted. "SOME" COMMENDATION.—Quoth C. B. Stan- ton. M.P.. the chosen of Merthyr: "Only last week Mr Lloyd George and Mr Churchill thank- ed me for what I have done, and expressed their obligations to Merthyr for having return- ed me to Parliament." There,now What bet- ter recommendation could a. Labour member desire than these words from such an eminent statesman—such real, true good frienids of the workers P EDITOR EXEMPTED.—The Editor-Manager of the "Pioneer" was exempted by the Merthyr Tribunal 011 Wednesday on business grounds. Mr T. J. Evans, on behalf of the Committee of Management, stated the case, and Mr Harry Evans (Guardian) was also present as Chairman of the Company. After a, courteous and im- partial hearing, the Tribunal granted condition- al exemption. In the case- of our linotype operator, two months' conditional exemption was granted, with a leave to further appeal. Ex SOLDIER COMMITTED EOR TRIAL.—J ohn Mc- Gill, an ex-soldier, was committed for trial by the Merthyr Magistrates on a charge of wound- ing William Sutton, a lodging-house deputy. The men had quarrelled and when Sutton said he would complain to the police defendant, it was alleged, struck him with a knuckledus- ter on the temple. It was said that there was blood on the weapon.—McGill made a statement in court that the so-called stain on the knuckleduster was merely rust He picked up the knuckleduster in Armentieres whilst on the march, and it had been in his posses- sion ever since. AN APPRECIATION AND A PROTEST.—The local N.C.F. and Merthyr and District Peace Council desire to place on record their appreciation of the action of Mr Wm. George Durston in sur- rendering himself under the Military Service Act as an absentee in order to accompany Mr Harry Morris in Its arrest under the same Act. The Peace Council also desire to call public attention to what it considers the spiteful attitude of the authorities in arresting the two Cefn boys as absentees, before the time they had won by their good behaviour whilst serving their two months' term of imprison- ment for distributing N.C.F. pamphlets- had ex- pired. They had earned a ten days' remission, but before that ten days expired they were once again arrested and handed over to the military authorities under the Military Service (No. 2 Act). MERTHYR GUARDIANS.—The Rector of Dow- lais. at a meeting of the Merthyr Guardians on Saturday, moved that the Clerk be instruc- ted to forward to the Local Government Board copies of all minutes authorising the payment of expenses of members delegated to attend Central Committee meetings, conferences or in- stitutions where inmates from the Union were maintained in order that unnecessary and vexatious interference by the Auditor may be avoided." There was an impression abroad, said the Rector, that the board or a certain number of the members, were continually under the burden of surcharges by the audit- or. What he wanted was to have the matter set- tled once and for all. If the board's scale of charges was illegal and wrong, let the Local Government Board say so; if it was right and proper let them say so in order that the board should not be held up to public ridicule. (hear. hear.) Then the auditor would not be able to fling the tar brush at them.—Mr John Lloyd (Penydarren): The auditor does not ob- ject to the charges, but says they are exessive. —Mr Walter Lewis (Bargoed): You can always get mud slung at public men. This is a very serious matter for each member of the Board. —The motion was carried unanimously.—A let- ter was received from the Local Government Board pointing out that the money provided for British-born wives and children of in- terned aliens" was provided bv the British Government from the British Exchequer, and does not come from Germany or Austria." (Laughter.)—Rev. Ll. M. Williams: That in- formation is not for the Board, but for the wives of these aliens, who might go about brag grng that it comes from the Kaiser or someone else. INAUGURAL MEETING OF WAR PENSIONS COM- MITTEE.—The first meeting of the new War Pensions Statutory Committee for the Mer- thyr District was held at the Town Hall on Fri- day evening last, Coun. H. M. Lloyd presiding over a representative attendance. The Chair- man outlined the powers of the Committee, and explained that some of the Charity Organisa- tions were desirous of carryng on. The Sol- dlei-s' and Sailors' Help Society were desirous of doing so, and the Patriotic Fund would deal with deaths up to June 30. The officers of the new War Pensions Committee are as fol- lows:—Chairman, Coun. H. M. Lloyd; vice- chairman, Mr T. T. Jenkins; secretary, Mr W. W. Meredith. The Borough Comptroller (Mr W R. Harris) was appointed treasurer.— A discussion arose on the question of auditor, and particularly as to whether he should be local. Several names were suggested to the meeting, and ultimately the appointment was given to Mr Kinsman. Chartered Accountant, Pontypridd.—An intereting point came out in the discussion: that there was no chartered accountant in the Merthyr County Borough. —It was made clear that the administrative expenses could 00 provided for from the local authority, Is-Lit a feeling was soon apparent- and was crystallised in a resolution-that the Local Committee will expect the Central Statu- tory Committee to find the fiinds.-A small swb-oommittee of five'—Messrs Harry Evans. D. Hughes, A. Wilson, F. A. Whiting and Wil- liams—was appointed to deal with the admin- istrative expenses.—It was resolved to ask the LowH Ward Committees to proceed as before with the work in the wards; and further de- cided to ask for a grant for six weeks of R600. --A resolution was carried against relieving from voluntary funds, but that all expenses should be borne by the State.—A vote of thanks was passed to the secretaries and workers of -t;te local Prince of Wales Fund for the ex- cellent voluntary work that has been put in by all concerned for the past 23 months:

j WHEN REQUIRING a I SUITS, COSTUMES, or GENERAL DRAPERY leI ? SEND A POST CARD TO A 28 Thomas St., I JOHN BARRMerthyr Tydfil, AND A REPRESENTATIVE WILL CAL.L. Cash or Instalment System. Cash or Instalment System. | SUITS and COSTUMES to Measure a Speciality!! < Labour's Fight with the Trusts! I THE GREATEST OF ALL SOCIAL PLAYS. I Each Part complete in itself. ALL SERAL ^QTO^LA^ 2 0 W S 40 R E m Each Part complete in itself. I | At the ELECTRIC THEATRE, Merthyr. 'I.. I I Thursday, Friday and Saturday of each Week. I

ABERCYNON WORKMEN'S SIOK FU>TD.—Mr T. Brixey pre- sided over the general meeting of members of the Workmen's Sick Fund at the Lesser Hall on Wednesday last. The following members were elected as committee-men —Messrs. Evan Rees, John Thomas. John Davies. W. Davies, John Williams, T. Howells. D. Morgan, T. Howe, and Arthur Turner. Mr Stephen James was appointed junior auditor. S.W.M.F. LODGE.—-The Abercynon Lodge meeting was held on Thursday. Guardian W. C. Dyer was in the chair. The distrist delegate (Mi J. it. Morgan) gave his report, in which he ably outlined the proposed income tax scheme.. It was stated that the lodges should recommend tax collectors. A. sub-commitee was formed to give help and advice to workmen affected by the tax, and requiring rebate, etc. Messrs. T. Brixey, W. Jenkins and T. Davies were elected to act on this committee. The lodge unanimously decided to recommend its Chairman (Mr Dyer) for the position of tax collector. Mr J. R. Morgan resigned his position on the Minimum Wage Board. The resignation was accepted with regret. Mr T. E. Davies (checkweigher) was appointed in his stead. It was reported that the rubbish question" had been settled, at least for a while The chief pointS in the new agreement are: That only two trams of rubbish may be unload ed by a colliery in a day; and that the price of unloading be raised from 6d. to 8d. (new standard). Messrs. T. Howells, D. Wil- liams and J. Howe were appointed committee- men. A letter was read from Mr W. R. Johns (Ynysybwl) inviting the lodge to send de- legates to a conference with the object. of maMng a protest against the Local Education Authority's action in the case of Beckeirlegge. Messrs. W. Jenkins and R. Jenes was appointed delegates. Beckerlegge was a teacher under the Local "Educational Authority. He appealed to the Tribunal as a Conscientious Objector, and was refused exemption, apparently on the ground that he did not have a Conscientious Objection. Having been medically rejected by the Medical Board, he naturally went back to his own employment. But the Local Education Authority, some members of which were also members of the Tribunal, refused te re-employ him unless he satisfied them that he could teach patriotism properly. This has been done, appa- rently, on the ground that he now has a Conscientious Objection.

I Has yeiir name appeared in our 10,000 Shilol lings, Fund Hit P If not, let it be there nex'< week. SMALL PREPAID ADVERTISEMENTS. One In- Three In- Six In- sertion. sertions. sertions, s. d. s. d. B. d. 20 words 0 6 1 0 1 9 o0 words 0 9 1 6 2 9 40 words 1 0 2 0 3 6 4(1 words 1 3 2 6 4 6 60 words 1 6 3 0 5 6 In all c ses the Name 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 Advertisements should be posted to the Office on or before Monday. Medical. 0 4-PAGE BOOK ABOUT HERBS AND HOW TO USE THEM, post free. Send for one. TRIMNELL, THE HERBALIST, 144 RICHMOND ROAD, CARDIFF. Established 1879. Literary.. (I TTNITARIAN PAMPHLETS on "The Bible," L; "Heaven," and "Hell," given post free.—Miss BARMBY, Mount Pleasant, Sidmouth A N Educative Percentage Book for Miners Aand Colliery Clerks, post free 5d. — E. EVANS, 38 Church Street, Penydarren, Merthyr. Apartments. BUSINESS Gentleman in Merthyr retires Comfortable Bedroom and Sitting-Room with attendance; bath essential.—Write full particulars to JACKSON, Clio "Pioneer" Office. Miscellaneous STROLOGY. Life events, cbanges? for- ^.V tun ate days, business gueoem, matri- mony two years' future added: send birth date, 1/- P.O. PROF. GOULD, "The Nook," HeathfieH Road, Cardiff. GET YOUR TOBACCO AT Our Shop 74a, Pontmorlais, Merthyr. PROGRESSIVE LITERATURE U Kept in Stock or got to order. MOUNTAIN ASH CONFERENCE.—A council meeting of the Wor- kingmen's Club and Institute Union was held at the Workmen's Hall, Mountain Ash, on Saturday, when delegates were present repres- enting clubs and institutes throughout the country. Councillor G. H. Hall (Chairman of the local District Council), who was accompa- nied by the Clerk (Mr A. Pinoombe), extended on behalf of the town an official welcome to the delegates. Mr A. Robinson presided. The report of the Executive, which expressed a hope that clubs will not lessen their opposi- tion to the regime of the Board of Control, was adopted. EVERY PRINTING ORD-ER given to the "Pioneer rrml; means mwe Ammunition for Party Proda. Get imtat the Line of our MUNITION WORKERS,