Pioneer

A Merthyr Chestnut. WAISTCOAT EXCUSE IN MINES CASES. James S. Williams, who was fined Ll or 7 days at Merthyr on Friday for having a cigar- ette in Messrs. Hill's Plymouth No. 1 South Pit. said he had his brother's waistcoat on and did not know the cigarette end was in the pocket. A boy of 15 (Russell Thomas) gave the same reason for a similar offence. The Stipendiary (Mr R. A. Griffith): I am afraid that is a chestnut. (Laughter.) A fine of 10s. or 7 days was imposed. Alfred Dixon was summoned for having a box of matches in his possession in the same mine, and fined 60/ or 21 days. The Stipendiary: Taking a box of live mat- ches into a pit like this might have the most disastrous results. Mr. C. James (solicitor, Merthyr) prosecuted for the Hill's Plymouth Company in each case.

I Ferndale Labour Club. I SPLENDID SPEECH BY NOAH ABLETT. On Sunday, August 20, at a well attended meeting in the above club, Mr Noah Ablett  delivered an address on "Trade Unionism and After." The Male Voice Party was in at- tendance and gave two excellent renderings of Come Merry Comrades All" and Little Church." The speaker, who was in excellent form, and held his audience spellbound through out his address, said that the industrial war of the classes since the development of capita alism was greater in magnitude, involved more people, and showed heavier casualty lists than the present war. The best motive that had been urged for the participation of Britain in this war was the securing of the indepen- dence and freedom of Belgium from German dominance. What did the freedom of Belgium mean? Did it mean that the Belgian working classes would be freed or emancipated from the dominance of Belgian capitalism? No! It meant that the Belgian capitalists, instead of German capitalists, should as hitherto continue to exploit the Belgian workman. That might be to the good, but the Trade Union movement could claim a higher motive, a nobler idealism than that contained in the idea of national freedom. Freedom, and nationalities compris- ing subject and oppressing classes, was impos- sible. What was freedom? Whilst there was no absolute freedom, the degree of real freedom could be measured by the amount of control the people had of their own conditions of livelihood. That could be obtained to its maximum limit by the workers of the world absorbing all the other classes, and controlling the work of the world and its results. from the bottom upwards. That was the real mission of Trade or Industrial Unionism, though as yet it was not consciously recognised by the majority of Trade Unionists. But every move that was being made consciously or uncon- sciously tended inevitably in this direction. He warned his hearers against the humbug now being preached about capital and labour after this war living together in harmony. The Welsh coal owners at present were showing an example of harmony bv asking for 15 per cent reduction in face of a rising market. When this kind of thing was being preached that was the time for the workers to be more on the alert than ever. History showed how deep-rooted was the antagonism of capitalism to labour. It would be absolutely accurate to say that the working classes in this country commenced their career five centuries in a bath of blood. He quoted legislation of that period as proof. Even in the early part of the 19th century, the exploitation of the workers was so terrible, and the generations were "becoming so short-lived, that it was agreed that if the government did not inter- vene with factory legislation, the industrial population of Britain would be wiped out of existence. Oould a class of that sort ever be trusted to care for the destinies of the work- ers? It was the duty of the workers to cling to every power they had won, and not to surrender under any pretext whatever. (Applause.) Mr John Williams (checkweigher) moved a hearty vote of thanks to the speaker, which was seconded by Mr H. Bateman. and the meeting, which will long be remembered in Ferndale, terminated with an inspiring rern- dering by the Male Voice Partv of "To the Ramparts."

County Borough of Merthyr Tydfil. EDUCATION COMMITTEE. EVENING SCHOOLS, SESSION 1916-17. A PPLICATIONS are invited for Teachers to '-1 take charge of the following Classes during the forthcoming Session — (1) Preparatory Classes for Boys at Dowlais; Penydarren; Abermorlais; Georgetown; Aber- canaid; Troedyrhiw; Pantglas and Treharris Schools. (2) Mining (a) Advanced at Intermediate and Pantglas Schools. (b) Mining Science at Dowlais; Abermorlais; Abercanaid; Pantglas and Treharris Schools. (c) Mining Mathematics & Mining Drawing at Dowlais; Abermorlais; Abercanaid; Pantglas and Treharris Schools. (3) Engineering (a) Engineering Science; (b) Engineering. Drawing; (c) Practical Mathem- atics at Dowlais and Abermorlais Schools. (4) Commercial (a) Book-keeping; (b) Shorthand; (C) Mercantile Practice at Dowlais, Abermorlais and Treharris Schools. (5) Mathematics at the Intermediate School. (6) Domestic Course for Girls at Dowlais; Penydarren; Queen's Road; Pentrebach; Pantglas and Treharris1 Schools. Salary according to the Committee's Scale. Applications, which must be made on the official form, which will be sent on receipt of a stamped and addressed foolscap envelope, should reach me on or before September 11th, 1916. A sepa-rate application is required for each class. RHYS ELIAS Director of Education. Town Hall, Merthyr Tydfil, August 31, 1916.

Merthyr Conscientious Objectors. THREE MORE BEFORE THE COURT. Three Conscientious Objectors were brought before the Merthyr magistrates on Tuesday, fined 40s., and ordered to be handed over to the military authorities. They were Walter Wm. Fishpool (37) Penydarren, chairman of the Dowlais branch of the I.L.P.; Thos. Wm. Stevenson (32), Penydarren; and Edward Jones (37), Merthyr. Stevanson said he could not admit being an absentee because he had sincere conscientious objections to militarism. Mr T. Elias: You admit receiving the notice, and your conscience would not allow you to answer.—That's correct. Do you wish to say anything?—Only that my conscience, prohibits me taking any part in this. The local tribunal (he went on) had re- cognised him as a boiia-fide Conscientious Ob- jecto,r, but the decision was reversed at the Appeal Tribunal. He was still prepared to take up service as decided by the local tribunal Fishpool said hp could not answer to a call to anything with which he did not agree. Having also been given exemption from com- batant servioe by the local tribunal, that deci- sion should not have been reversed by the Appeal Tribunal. The whole thing was illogical to his mind. Jones said he could not reconcile his con- science to submit to the military authorities. Mr R. A. Griffith (Stipendiary): Very well. I hope you will be a good soldier nevertheless.

7 gs Bargoed Notes. Plebs' Leagu e. 1 Under the ailspice-i or the local class formed in connection with the above league, a, lecture was delivered by Mr. J. B. Allen on "Philoso- phy" on Sunday, August 20, at the I.L.P. Rooms, and judging from the interest shown by the members present, Mr. Allen's, future lec- tures are certain to be appreciated by the class. Anyone desirous of becoming a member of the class can obtain full particulars on com- municating with the local secretary—Mr. E. L. Jenkins, 22 South Street- Bargoed. A Savage Assault. At Merthyr on rnday David Morgan Jones (of Deri) was summoned for assaulting .Fred- erick Craddock at Deri on the previous Sat- urday night.—Complainant said that the man met him at 10.30, struck him a blow on the ear, knocked him down and kicked him about a. dozen times.:—P.S. Jones said that the cut on the ear was H inches in length, and one could put a penny in the hole. There was a bad bruise on his mouth the size of half an orange, and his legs were badly bruised.—The Stipend- 1 iary: We think it was a savage assault; pay 60s and 40s costs (to go to complainant), or 28 days. Fowl in Coal House. 1" ow At Bargoed ronce uourt last r riaay. Waitei Hill (38), collier, of Hengoed, was fined 10s for stealing a, fowl, value 2/6. the property of David Parry, Garngethin Farmi, Hengoed.— P.C. Thomas said that he discovered the fowl in the defendant's coal house.—Hill pleaded that he picked up the bird on the roadside, and intended making, enquiries as to the ow- nership. Sleepy Miners, At Tredegar on r riciay David Isaac úo), Rhymney, wae summoned for sleeping in the colliery. It was stated that the defendant was found asleep on the side of the main haulage rope. There were over 500 men in the pit at the time. Isaac was fined 40s. James Price (22), collier, Rhymney, was summoned for being asleeep while in charge of an engine at the Maclaren Colliery. The manager said the defendant was found asleep in the engine room, which was a source of danger. Price was fined 40s. Aberbargoed Colliery Worker. Private Stephen Williams (Welsh Regiment) .v 10 and died at was wounded in France on July 10, and died at Rouen Hospital a week later. He lived at 62 Church Street, Aberbargoed; and has left a widow and one child. He had been employed at the Powell Duffryn Colliery for 7 years. Bargoed I. L.P. The members of the above are requested to attend the branch meeting on Saturday next at 7.30; important business will be discussed. Morel's Visit. Lest ye forget I Workmen s Institute, Bar- goed; Monday, September 4; at 7.30 prompt. I Fancy Dress Carnival Fete. I On Monday last a fancy dress carnival fete and open air concet—the proceeds of which are to go to the Welsh Hospital, Netley, Red Cross and British Prisoners or War Ftinds-was held. The procession started from the Old Mill, headed by the Bargoed Town Band, under the conductorship of Mr H. Bosanko-, en route to the Park, where the concert was held. Selections were rendered by the Bargoed Or- pheus Conceit Party (conductor Mr D. Rob- eats). Solos by Miss Maddocks (Bargoed) and Miss Brown (Pengam); cornet solos by Mr Ivor Bosanko; quartette by Mesdameg Davies and Jones and Messrs. Foster and Davies; accompanists, Misses Lily Gabriel and Adel- aide Roberts. Prizes were distributed by the chairman, Mr T. M. Jones; concert marshall Mr Rees Davies I Shop Hours Contravened. I At the Bargoed Police Court on Friday last Mr J. Gardiner (manager of Woodley's, but- cher, High Street. Bargoed) was fined 5s. (in- cluding costs) for employing a boy 13 years of age after 9 o'clock, therefore not complying with the Shop Hours Act.

Socialist Unity Scheme for the Rhondda. I I IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT TO BE I LAUNCHED. ",riter a series of meetings have been held for the purpose of trying to unify the Socialist forces of the Rhondda and Pontypridd dis- tricts, they have at last come to some definite understanding of the proposed form this orga- ganisa,tion shall take. A committee has been formed—representatives from each locality where there is a Socialist body or an Indust- rial class are allowed to be represented on this committee^—to undertake the necessary ar- rangements for the calling of a meeting of all the Socialists in the Rhondda who are inter- ested in the scheme. The proposed meeting is to be held at the Aberystwyth Restaurant, Tonypandv, on Sunday, September 3, when the following draft constitution will be submitted for acceptance or amendment. I Name. I Rhondda and Pontypridd Districts Socialist I I Society. Membership. I Open to all those who agree with the follow- I I ing statement of pi-inciples:- (a) That the present form of society, based upon private ownership and the exploitation of the workers, must eventually give way to another in which the workers will become their own masters, thus doing away for ever with the cause of this exploitation (or slavery. (b) That the opposition of the working class to the present form of society itself con- stitutes one of the chief factors in bringing about its downfall. I Objects. I To do everything in our power to educate, organise, and develop the power of the working- class in order to facilitate the impending social revolution. I Methods. I Educational. (a) Classes to be organised for the purpose of imparting to the workers a knowledge of the Social Sciences. (b) Lectures, discussions, etc, on similar subjects. (c) Distribution of literature, etc, and any other means of propaganda that may suggest itself from time to time. Industrial. (a) To seek by every moans to develop and consolidate the Trade Union movement. (b) Substitute Industrial for the Craft basis of, these organisations. (c) To co-ordinate the Unions into closer relationship one with another so as to ensure mass action by the workers upon an ever widening scale. Political (a) To secure the return of an independent working class representation upon all legislat- ive and administrative bodies. (b) That the full power of the workers be brought to bear upon these channels whenever accusation lends itself, so as to wrest every advantage possible for the workers- as a whole or any section thereof. (e) To consistently oppose any measure pro- posed that may postpone the inevitable dissolu- tion of the present form of society. General. To affiliate, accept affiliation with and from any bodies whose p-urpose it is to propagate any or all of the above objects, provided such is consistent with our general principles and policy. Financial. I The Contributions shall be 6d. per memoefr per month. All expenditure involved in the carrying on of the general activities of the organisation to be borne by the central funds. Every section or branch to be at liberty to undertake any activities they may decide upon. provided that all expenses incurred be borne by such section Administration. I An Executive Committee to be elected tor tlio purpose of making arrangements for the 6 t c, an d various activities, organising classes, etc., and to manage the internaJ business of the society. All questions affecting our relation to other bodies to be decided by general meeting. The basis of representation to be as decided by general meeting. I Officers. I Chairman, Vice-Ghairnian, secretary and Treasurer, to be appointed annually. It is hoped that the proposed organisation will set to work directly it is formed, for the purpose of combating the after-war problems, because the ruling classes are now carefully preparing to fasten more securely the chains of slavery upon the proletariat, helped by the militarism we have allowed to enslave us. It is also hoped that other districts will do likewise, because there will be sufficient work for ALL districts at the end of the war.

I TROEDYRHIW WESI,EY CONCERT-The promoters of the Wes- leyan concert at Troedyrhiw regret that the date chosen (September 28) coincides with the Oalvinistic Methodist Association. The possibil- ity of changing the date has been fully con- sidered, but a number of reasons make it practically impossible. There is, for instance, the fact that a number of much-sought professional artistes have been secured for that night. < -r\

A Failure. MERTHYR DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND GIRLS' PREPARATORY SCHOOL. MRS. EDWARDS AND "A CLUB." Mr Rhys Elias (Director of Education) told the Merthyr Education Schools Committee on ] Friday that preparatory schools for girls had 4 been a failure, and were partly attended by married women—"some of them even past the prime of life." Mr. D. Yv. Jones: Quite a delicate touch that. (Laughter.) Director: It's a waste of money to get these women. They do nothing at- all—they come and wag their chins- (Laughter.) Mr. A. Wilson: That's not such a delicate touch. (More laughter.) Of these women, went-on the Director, some were between 50 and 60 years of age, and sim- ply came because they were friends of the teachers whom they got to "cut out things" for them in dressmaking and sewing. not an infraction class," he added. Mrs. W. Edwards: It is a club. (Laughter.) Girls between the ages of 14 and 16 years- the type of student wanted—said Mr Elias, would not attend these classes. It was decided to discontinue them for the present. Preparatory classes for boys, technical and mining, economical cookery, and elementary commercial classes it was agreed to continue; and also art instruction for teachers at various centres. The opinion was expressed that compulsory attendance at evening schools would only bring about satisfactory results. Mr A. Wilson We know perfectly well if it were left to the children themselves there would be very few attending. At Treharris sometimes they have to carry them. It was decided also to recommend to the Education Committee the appointment of a whole-time lecturer in mining and kindred subjects.

Wallhead's Mission in Aberdare Valley. REV. NEIGHBOUR'S UNEXPECTED MEETING. Under the auspices of the Aberdare I.L.P., Mr R. C. Wallhead spent a strenuous Week in the district. We commenced the cam- piagn on Sunday week at the Grand Theatre, where lie spoke on the" Economic Effects of the War." The illustrations he used as to how the money expended on the war could be utilised for better purposes. His explanations of the attitude of bankers, financiers and income tax since the outbreak of the war was well received by the large audience. On the Monday he spoke at Cwmbach; on Tuesday at Cwmaman; on Wednesday at Hir- wain; and on Friday at Abercwmboi to good audiences. On Thursday we held a social in the Insti- tute for members, when songs and refresh- ments were provided. Comrade Wallhead gave a dramatic recital and a short speech, indic- ating the growth of the movement throughout the country. We had a few of the Mountain Ash comrades at our social, accompanied by the Rev. G. Neighbour, who told us of his experience that day at Cardiff. Comrade Neighbour mentioned that by soiiis unex- plained reason he went to the Cardiff G.W.R. Station, and there lie met in the train Emrys Hughes and his colleagues from Abercynon, Conn. Morgan Jones, Sardis, and the Brothers James from. Risoa. They told him they did not know exactly where they were going, but apparently they were going to Wormwood Scrubbs. We are exceptionally pleased with the week's mission, and throughout Mr Wallhead's spee- ches have created a very deep impression, and we are looking forwai-d to good results in additional members to the party. During the week we have made several new members, and plenty of enquiries have been made by those who attended the meetings. Our litera- ture sales were exceptionally good, and we are looking forward to another visit from Mr Wallhead.

Dowlais Murder DATE OF SULLIVAN'S EXECUTION FIXED HOW HE RECEIVED THE NEWS. September 6, at 9 a.m.. has been fixed as the time of the execution of Daniel Sullivan, who is now at Swansea Prison under sentence of death for the murder of his wife at Dowlais. A second petition for his reprieve has been presented to the Home Secretary, and the re- sult is expected in the course of this week. How the condemned man received the news of the date of the execution is referred to in a letter sent from Swansea Prison by the Rev. Father Greene, deputy chaplain of the gaol, to Mr D. O. Drisooll, Dowlais. He writes:- Poor Dan wishes me to ask you how the petition is getting on; and how many, names have you? Poor lad.' I am awfully sorry for him and pray he will have the sentence al- tered. He seems such a simple hoy. and I really don't believe he knew what he was doing. Under the sad circumstances he is hearing up -well, though he was r- i ttira-Ily depressed to-day when he was informed that the sentence would be carried out on Wed- nesday week (September 6). Do all in your power to get as many names as yoi* can. I wish I could do something in that way for him. ,r No decision with regard to the petitions from Merthyr and Dowlais for Sullivan's reprieve has as yet been received from the Home Office.

Persecuting the Peace Society The Peace Society, which for more than one hundred years has followed the even tenour of its ways, has recently attracted a great deal of attention. Twice within the last ten days it has been subjected to attack. Its windows have been smashed and quantities of refuse have been bespattered upon its exterior. With cha- racteristic cowardice, these things have been done under cover of darkness. Both these attacks have followed abusive articles in the "Daily Express," whose editor. Mr Blumenfeld. does not appreciate the vigor- ous pacifism of the Peace Society's Secretary, the Rev. Herbert Dunnico. The responsibility of the Daily Exrpess for these attacks is to be raised in the House of Commons by. Mr Joseph King, M.P., when Parliament re-assembles. An effort to raise the matter was made on Wednesday last, but it was unsuccessful owing to insufficient notice having been given.