Pioneer

1 I Merthyr Notes. I Library Rowdyism. owdy children ha?e become a nuisance at ?ie I ?ade Library, Merthyr. The attention of the I POlice- is being called t8 the matter. penydarren Waste Land.  question of r?cla,iming a plot of waste a:nd behind the Penydarren Ho?&es and letting It as a garden is being considered by the MeT- thyr Co-operation. Why? Councillor Phillips remarked at Monday's tnlbng of the Education Committee that the W nCH ?' December were unwsually high,  ??'S ?C, a« against 252 in November, and 377? j.?? correapMtdiRg mOEth c? last year. Corporation Finances. At t th C Qí3e of the ?oco?s on December 31st, 19? ? e ^a'ance of the Merthyr Corporation's several aC(:'0iii]ts with the treasurer amounte d to 16 546 a.('ounts wIt the trea8rer a:rr¡pl1.ntd to -S16 ? "?" ? favour of the council on the general ?, X?'?? ?13,296 in favour of the Taf ¡ 11:n, Re I I t k. F?? R?arvoir works capital accoun making I ? ? bafan? of ?28.&42. I A Crime." I I'? "'d'rman William Ievi, Treharris, CO-I Itl dat Tues?y's meeting of tha Merthyr Fi- ??pmmittee on an i<t?m included in the ac- ?? ,) uit? for payment of 35s. for a. doc?. It was ?h ??e ? against the rates, wkich were now j? ?. in the £ he iaid. ?Laughter.) The :?ter', VVas accepted as being quite permissible, -a?? +"? accounts passed. "^ivatc to Colonel. V!el'th" Ed' Co. 1\ ;J- s^~ e;%r Education Committee on Monday in-  ?? director (Mr. Rhys Elias) to send a lettT ei* of congTatulation to one of their old em- ? t c?ngratu atlOn fo one 0 t ell' 0 en- !?xlo -^ieutenant-eolonel Wightman, on his ^tT Promotion Lieutenant-colonel Wightman 8 a certificated teacher at the Treedyrhiw ted :Te acl-ter at the Troe d yr b i-,v He enlisted as a private in the Guards at the outbreak of war. at1 and Wife. would be better for me to be dead than rt as I am now, sirs, said a labourer, Wm. .ç} Jackson at Merthyr Police-court on Tues- Jay when he was summoned by his wife, Sarah h aki;on, for persistent cruelty. Plaintiff said 61 hllsballd threatened her with a poker and c' Avcnt .i,Ni-,ay from him taking their six ehil- lien with her. Ihe oase was adjourned for a month to see if (ley could make up their differences. hist Drive. Saturday ew-nrag a goodly number of aH ^f turned up at Ben*ley's Hall to enJoy a few .iad8 at ?st- The light, wanrh and comfort |>i-e e ^vas ill striking contrast to the conditions ? ??? outside, and the time passed only too ta??y- All enjoyed themselves immensely, ??'' J. ?- JmWB and Mrs. Harry Davies hS Prizes worthy of their top scores. Every ? ?t?rday evening at 7.30 vow ensure a pleasant etnng ??. ??pg???.? witk a whance a? an ex- ,:Bl1Bnt prize, thrown in. -Not the War Office? 11 ? ?RclUor D. W. Jones, in a question a? Mon- ?, ? s Ineetin of the Education Committee, d- s ineeting of t b c-, i?, d -dcatloii  ffice that was  that it w<? Hot the War OSie? that was 'l-Nuir,itio?in- the Geilifaelog Schools as a hos-  for wounded soldiers, but a voluntary or- |t>' « ^• sation. He did liot agree with the inter- .?noe with Education by handing o?er a school Y voluntary organisation. If the War Office it¡;;elf wanted it there could be n(i) objection. rue ariclilor E. MOITGl (chairman) said that eor- espondence was being carried on to discover JUst what the position was. ^•"Oedyrbiw Licensee Fined. Mary Thomas, Belle Vue -Hotel, Troedyrhiw, 1 fined £ 6 at Merthyr on Tuesday for selling "? mottle of whisky within pi,ohibito? kouns and '8's. für sellmg It wIthout an attached label.  Edwards, by whom the whiskey was pur- S^, -??g fined 40s. for aiding and abetting. p1!Cf,ei-g6an^ LWI8 saId that he saw Ed- ? ? ?!M'ing the hotel with the bottle in bis  ';tat ?-? P-?- on December 26th. Return- "W r thepuhhc.kouse with him he spoke to the ?mt.?   who cl I made a mistake tke ti* rne, 1I came in and said he was bad." Mr y-p| (solicitor, Dowlak), for defen- la id l?llf?-Y admitted the o?e?Re, ?N? added that pJ o 1 f? had been put on the bottle as the s?wnPP-'y ? had run o?.

Dov/lais Notes. ^Ppointmsnt. U j Jeff. Newton. manager of the Dowlais ?UBdry, en eavinK the district to acce]all ':P1>?intmentat Southport. was preseBted with a iGlser ? cabinet by the orieket dub. ?a. ,h DUdel: the ??sP?s of Mrs. Llewelyn M. Wil- ??ia ?s, the Rectory, the members of the Dowlais T ;lrs' Ur,rion eJ:joyed a Hew Year's tea on T?'??a,y in the Wimb?orne?haR.

'1    Clyne Colliery ?aM HOME OFFICE ENQUIRY AT SWANSEA. 9o?' Ivo.l' Do.wen K.C., recorder, continued the t"" ome Offie mqmry at Swansea Gml&.all on Saturrf a representation made by Mr. Dyer 'r ewis> Majesty's inspector of mines, that \f Th.as J-.klii Lewis and Mr. Frank FLim. 1' were unfit to hold certificates as colliery d, ag?rs by, it was alleged, incorrectly keeping ,Pla!l of the Clyne Colliery, near Swansea, of 0 they bad been managers. lvhich th?Y h.d been iiiana ?''V?ers Meager (instructed ?y Mr. Ed- ??ct ?owell, Neath) appeared for the Home () 00, and Mr. W. -K ,s h o l e, A b er d are, repre- ,omce, ;S £ d Mr. W" Kenshole, Aberdare, repre- .??" i• whilst Mr. F. Berryman, Not- tmhaIh) ??? ??- ?rtis appe?ed for Mr. Hau- oek. toled^i J ha? spcially eub~ ?naed si?ee t  ?? ? 11?"? 11 ?f speci- aln ly su ib ,T"na,?d siikee thc, previous day to clear up cer- tam points, ? sai?a????? ? ca? lledjn to report on the workings In January, 1914. He was the workina?t gi l?g? on the plans, and said that the ,vork"Eg of QO'zL,l had proceeded to the extent •orvf f o2r9^,0rv0i'ia 0 TtAo^n s in the reserved area. He under- stood from Mr. Dyer Lewis that the workings in ? reserve ?ea had been done under the de- I fendant HaHcock s B?ntge?nt. Ifeiiry Pavies, the iliader-manager of the col- }ïery, testified hat muck of the workings in the 11 eserved area had been done when defendant LeWis was manager of the colliery. He also staie,(! that on Lewis s instructigns he caused a fall in the workings so that they could not be nspecled ky the agent. The illqUiry was adjourned until January 29. '■ ? ■ J  v

Merthyr-Troedyrhiw Progress. CO-OPERATIVE ADVANCE DURING PAST TWELVE MONTHS. SITE FOR MERTHYR CENTRAL PREMISES I SE8URED. The quarterly meeting of the Merthyr Troed- yrhiw Co-operetive Society, over which Council- lor E. Morrell presided, at Troedyrhiw this week, TO unmarked by those little discussions of the p&st two or three meetings that have 80 en- livened the evening and entertained the co-opec- ators present, by their proof of the growing in- terest which the members were taking ip. the oonduct of their affairs, and in the movement in general. The. absence of these discussions this week does not, of course, argue a dying down of that interest but rather that the balance-sheet under consideration gave smaM cause to argue; and ilsoolf.rlalll the fast that tke selection, of offi- oere for the ensuing year, took the belligerents minds off sugar, and new branch stores for the moment. Councillor Mowell, iJi. proposing the adoption of the balance-sheet and allocation of profits as set forth pointed out that from every point of view it created another new record of progress for the Society, and more thaln ever the success of the amalgamation of the two stores. Mr. Teeley seconded in a commendatory speech, and the proposal was endorsed. A few questions were asked respecting the items set forth in the balance-sheet and satisfac- torily answered, after which the meeting pro- ceeded to the election of officers. Alderman E. Morrell was xinanwnously re-elected to the Presi- dency for a further period, and the following gentlemen were selected to fill vacancies on the Committee—Merthyr; H. L. Nobes, Mark Hier, Jno. Williams (chairman of the Trades Council), and W. Harris; Aberfan, Mr. Josiah Lewis; Troedyrhiw, Mr. D. J. Lewis. Mr. G. Llewelivx proposed th? re-election of Mr. Burrews as secre- tary, and on being seconded by Mr. James, this was carried. In a survey of the Society's history during 1916 (i-oimcillar Morrell mentioned that during the 12 months the membership had increased from 1378 to 1617, while trade had goiae, up from £18,000 to £ 25,000. During the year a motor- car had been purchased at a cost of £286 which had been wiped out; and zElOO had been allocated to the reserve funds this quarter. The Abarcanaid property which had been purchased at a cost of £ 450 and re-constructed at a cpst of -C319-living a total cost of £ 769, had bees brought down to £ 569 outstanding by the allo- cation of £ 200 to the wiping aut of this sum. Merthyr was progressing by leaps and boun d s and the Committee was pleased to be able to re- port that a si? had been secured for the pro- mised new Central stores fhere-on the corner of Glebeland-street and Caatle-strcet. A vote of thanks was passed to the sta,? for t lel loyal and consistent work on behalf of the S t 1. e a 0 } e Society during the past twelve months.

I he Electric Theatre. -There was a change of programme from that announced at the Electric for the early part of the week. The big feature "The Lamb," was cut out for some reason and its place taken by a, fine W. Fox production dealing with Russian life and character, entitled, I believe, but my rnembry is shaky, "A Woman's Temptation." However shaky I may be as to the title I have no doubt as to the beauty of the film, or the magnificence of the setting, which was truly re- preventative of the Russia of romance, if not of reality, and whether the two are synonymous or not I cannot say, never having been to the land of the moujik. I should have lik4\d to see "Tke Lamb," but I should not have liked to miss this Fox production, and so perhaps we shall have the former later. "A Rough Knight," the Triangle comedy, was very funny, but not nj good as many of the series have been, to my taste. I am beginning to get fascinated by lJhti D'Orsej, film, tkat true reproduction of Eastern, life and customs. There were a erowd of excel- lent filJ-ups, too. From- Thursday the great picture is "Fast Lynne," also from the famous studios of Wil- liam Fox. We have had splendid stage preeenta- of this popular book, but as I have so often said, the stage lacks the conviction of the film in deal- ing with a theme such as this. There is more spaciousness, an opportunity to reproduce faith- fully that iii denied to the limited space of the stage and impossible under its garish lights. Theda Barr, who is featuring as itle lead in Mre. Henry Wood's novel, as now shown, is, I ohc,-tild have no hesitation in sayingj amongst the very few real emotional actresses of the cinemas. Her work is truly touching; if anything, I find the silent story of the film much more affecting than the original script. Mack Swain is great m the Triamgle comedy" His Bitter Pill," a rollicking burlesque in the best vein of the rou- table Keystone humorists. Another picture that is attracting a considerable amount of attention from certain members of our community is the review of the Volunteer Training, Corps at Car- diff recently by Lord French, and that because special attention is given in the :film to the Mer- thyr and Dowlais platoon. It is a fine piece of topical photography. "Peg o' the Ring is drawing to a close. Like all good things it has been much too short, but whether Peg will get rid of her strange malady, and marry Hugo in the concluding episode next week I am at a loss to know. To part with Lucille Love will be like saying go ad-fey o to a personal friend. iNext week's firs-b programme is to be note- worthy for our re-introduction to Dorothy Gish in another of those splendid stories that are being put out as Triangle dramas. This classic of the picture show is named Little Meena's Romance." His Last Laugh" is the comedy, and one of the best. From Thursday on The Mill on the .Floes is the big-liner. It is a Thanhouser interpreta- tion of Geo. Eliot's fine novel, and that means perfection. Baulking Society is the Triangle comedy; and there is another D'Orsey instal- ment as well as the last chapter of "Peg," and a host of good minor items. a bost of c, PJRAY«OER. I

The Cardiff Economics Class. The economicsalass recently formed at Cardiff, with Mr. E. G. Cook (of Forth) as lecturer, has made an excellent start, and a further large addition to the strident roll is anticipated next Sunday when we understand members of the N. U .R. and other local trades unions will en- rol. The Cardiff Trades Conneil sent a delegate to the opening sessien, and good results are an- ticipated from his report to that body. After the business of defining the nature of the in- struction to be given and the methods of carry- ing on the class, with a short account of the history of the Central Labour College, Mr. Cook made a rapid preliminary survey of present day economies, particularly with reference to their effect on the life and well being of the worker.

Gorseinon Notes. Have Yeu a Deaf and Dumb Friend? I I was surprised to be informed of a deaf and dumb Bible class which is held at St. Catherines Church vestry. The y^car (Rev. Richard Jones) having made enquiries as to how many deaf and dumb friends were in Gorseinon, thought it wise that these men should have reading and free dis- cussion. When I paid a visit to their meeting, there were 24 present, all of whom were enjoying themselves. Have you a deaf and dumb friend? If so, direct him to the vicar and he will inferm the friend when these pleasant afternoon meet- ings are held. An Enjoyable Time. I A most enjoyable social, tea and dance was held at the schoolroom, when the vicar enter- tained the children and adults of his Sunday School to a good feast. I should like to report the artistes who took part, but, indeed, the pro- gramme was too long. The idea of calling upon a child and then an adult to sing was good. It was not get rid of the children." Sometimes I think that the cheers for the vicar could be heard in Llanelly. Many thanks were given to, Mesdames Jones and Williams for their accom- paniment, which was very difficult on many oc- casions. Full Percentage of Marks for Gorseinon. Yes, if 100 is the full number of marks for the towns or villages where there has been conscien- tious objectors, who have accepted prison, Gorsei- non can claim the full amount. There is not one member of the N.C.F. here who has accepted any kind of alternative service, but is going the whole hog of 112 days in prison. We have Com- rades Stanley Rees, Evan Baldwin, Williams and EVan Morgan, then there is Sam Hughes, of Birch-grove, a dear friend of Miss Harris, Mor- riston, the, secretary of the Swansea, N.C.F,, who attended the Gorseinon meeting last Sunday. To these glorious men I say We are proud of you." Evan Morgan's time is just up, it is hoped a rallying of the flag will take plae. What a Nice Road? This was a remark passed by a visitor. I re- plied "Not irltich of it, madanl"; and wky this unjust traction engine should prowl from West End to Captain Harold William's house it a mys- tery..Fancy the road dug up to a depth of one foot, this carted away, and then filled up with tarred" stone, then another layer and still an- other. Of course, I quite approve of this pro- cess, but why cart the rubbish to Trinity-street and parts of Lime-street, in order to make a tarred patch of fifty yards. Workers, I say to you as tlie kid sang at my door New Year's morn- ing; "Rise up, rise up, and look at the stars I and moon." Picture Patece Concert. A concert and presentation was held at the Picture Palace last Saturday, under the auspices of the Grovesend Steel Works. The presentation consisted of a £100 cheque to Mr. David Lloyd, who has been disabled through a wound received at the front. AVi-n. Evans, executive member of the Smelters, made the presentation. Mr. Lloyd responded in an able manner. A first-class programme was given by the Fforest fach Male Voice Part#- (conductor Mr Willie Thomas). This party receives a wonder- ful reception whenever they come to our district. I should not forget John Brain, Wilcox, J. D. Evans, and J. Neyland, who organised the affair to a Huge success. Ca-WM.

Maesteg Notes. I Insurance Grievances. I_ A meeting of the approved sections of the Maesteg Brallch N.U.R. was held last Sunday, when a resolution was passed asking the rail- daymen's representative (Mr. J. H. Themas) to bring the cauestion of the contest between the salaries which are paid to the conimissionei-g against tke amount which is paid to secretary's who have most of the work to do, viz., Is. 3d. per member per year, and to provide their own meeting room stamps, etc., out of the Is. 3d., to the notice of the members of Parliament. A resolution WM also passed protesting against, the commissioners demanding two certificates be- fore an insured person can get a full week's sick pay. Also, they feel that the men appointed to the positions of commissioners are not men who have the experience of what the working men require, and call for a more Democratic set of commissioners. A further resolution was adopted calling upon Headquarters to formulate a scheme whereby members can obtain the first three days' pay and funeral allowance. Heard at a Maesteg Cinema. The following is a conversation overheard at a cinema, at Maesteg between two colliers while waiting for the performance to commencer: First Collier: Have you seen the "Pioneer" this week, Dair Dai: No, not I. What is the Pioneer "? First Collier: Why it is a. newspaper run bv the workers and Socialists. of South Wales, with no capitalistic cant about it.. Dai: What is it like, anything afcourt Maesteg in it? First Collier: Aye, the account of the mass meeting when Hartshorne and Hodges spoke at the Town Hall was in it the Saturday before Christmag and it beat the Gazette report hol- low I could fancy that I was at the meeting lie- teniag to it over again when I read it in the Pioneer." ) Dai: What is the aim of the paper, "Pioneer" did you call it? First Collier: Yes, the" Pioneer is the name, and well I think its name is appropriate with its aims. Its aim is to educate the rank i a,nd file to look after their own business. One very good thing in its is a series of lectures by Mark Starr on Outlines of Industrial History," they are great, and every week there is someone writing to it showing how the workers are being robbed in every way by the capitalists and how to remedy these things. It is great. Dai: Where do you buy it, I don't see it in the newspaper shops. I must have a look at it. First Collier: It is just the paper for the workers, a chap working by me gets it for me. Dai: Who is the reporter for it in Maesteg? First Collier: I don't know for sure, but I think it is a s'hort chap repairing up there with you in Cwrndu. The curtain rose and the performance com- mencing the conversation ended.

"PROPAGANDA, NOT PROFIT," is the motto of the "Pioneer Press." If you are alive to the tremendous social improve- ments that the Party the Pioneer" represents I stands før, then it is your duty to all that all your Trades Union, Co-operative, and General Printing comes to Williams' Square, Merthyr, the Home of the" Pioneer." 11 ■" in HIIITTTTIH^  WHEN REQUIRING I Is SUITS, COSTUMES, or GENERAL DRAPERY I | SEND A POST CARD TO Thomas St., • E-v 213 Thomas St., J H N BARR ???; j J AND A REPRESENTATIVE WILL CALL.   Cash or Instalment System. S I SUITS and COSTUMES to Measure a Spec?Hty t The 4C Ideal" School of Commerce, THE TEMPLE, TRAMROADSIDE, MERTHYR TYDFIL (Near the Palace). Principals—TOM PHILLIPS, F.C.T.S. (Inc.) (by exam.) & J. J. HUGHES, F.C.T.S. (Inc.) (by exam.). SHORTHAND, TYPEWRITING, BOOK-KEEPING, COMMERCIAL ARITHMETIO, and Other COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS On Thursdays and Fridays, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays, 6.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. Typewriting taug-ht on Bar-Locks, Remingtons, Smith Premiers, &c. Each Pupil guaranteed a full hour on the Machine each week. A New Term will commence Week ending 13th January. Interviews at The Temple on Thursday, Friday and Saturday Evening. NATIONAL Amalgamated LABOURERS' UNION. II IN!ite Office _1A8TTL RUTLAND STREET, :s.N I  Tne Live Fighting Union for South Wales. B We Don't Merely List Benefits on PaperWe PAY Them. JN General Secretary JOHN TWOMEY. g Organiser: "BOB" WILLIAMS, 220 Btackfriars Road, London, S.E. District Secretaries: A. BARTON, 5 Stuart Street, Docks, Cardiff; JOHN O'LEARY, Century institute. Winmill Street, Newport, Mon.; Coun. J. POWLESLAND, 10 Picton Place, Swansea ALL CLASSES CATERED FOR-MALE AND FEMALE. 1 g Affiliated to the National Transport Workers' Federation, Trade Union Congress, and IB National Labour Party. !J! Approved under the National Health Insurance Acts. I THI 11 NL'L TSLTLLI 111IIH1 HI IIIIMlilUliiyiiJi!li_iMJILiMBIlMlll^^ Mil-ifiTlfPTni"IT J|LILJN!liBMi-_LIIMtJLJMUMlllia B

Correspondents are requested to condense their letters as much as possible. Letters of a personal character will not be inserted. The Editor wishes it to be distinctly under- stood that he will not hold himself responsible for the opinions or statements of correspondents nor undertake to return rejected manuscripts. Correspondents MUST write on eiae side of the paper only.

THE MOTHER'S ARMS. Dear Sir,—May I claim the Hospitality of your columns to enlist the sympatky of your readers in our Mothers' Arms. Those acquainted with the congested areas of East London, and in consequence" the high in- fant mortality, can best estimate tte importance of this department of our numerous activities, and probably class it among the most essential, because its immediate results are 8e appreciable. The pressing need and the valuable effe«ts of this work are acknowledged by aH, and even by those who show onr movement but little sym- pathy. On entering our com far table rooms at 438, Old Ford-road (open daily from 8 a.m. till 7 p.i)t.), mothers who wisk to consult at our crtnic department are accommodated with seats till it is their turn to interview the doctor. Here the mothers receive sympathetic advice, have their babies weighed, and if too light, as is generally the case, the doetor ordeiis milk for nursing mothers or the baby. This milk is ob- tained free of charge, or at Id. a pint (a figure much below cost). This timely treatment, as will be readily admitted, benefits the child through- out life. Mothers who require to follow their daily em- ployment, leave their babies in the hands of our staff of nurses, who first of all see that the little mite is made fresh and wholesome by a bath. Then the infant is generally put to bed, or when not tired, it roams abowt and plays with the plentiful supply of toys provided. The bigger babies roam ion the park, and ex- tremely happy they are, playing at little mothers with dolls and soldiers witk rocking horses. These older babies are instructed by the Montes- sori method in a room which we are endeavour- ing to extend to accommodate more children who are expected early this year. Thig new method of education should assist the children to become very adaptable in their future life. Near the schoolroom is an apartment where are placed children requiring special attention as regards diet and other matters. All around the play element of the children s nature is specially catered for, and this should do much to secure the children's development along natural lines. On every hand we are being urged to safeguard the future, and as our scheme endeavours to meet this call satisfac- torily, it deserves the support of everyone Therefore we invite your readers to support this invaluable branch of our work by sending their contributions to our honorary financial secretary, Mise Norah Smyth, 400 Old Ford-road, Bow, E. -Ytour- etc., —Sours, etc. JEANIE HSPBITRN, Press Secretary. 400 Old Ford-road, Bow, E., January Zth, 1917.

WHAT YOU MUST NOT B0. I Under the Defence of the Realm Act the free- born Britisher must not show a light from his house after dark, push a hand-cart without show- ing a. white light to the frent and a red one to the rear, ring church bells after sundown, whistle for a taxi after 10 p.m., row or safl a pleasure boat farther than a mile from the coast, sell pic- ture postcards of H.M. ships, travel alone in ai railway carriage over the Forth Bridge, use a camera, or sketch in a prohibited area., speak in a foreign language on the 'phone, treat a friend to a drink.