No words could be read on this page.
No words could be read on this page.
ANUARY, 1940, "BOOTS!"
J. All reports and contributions /7\ must be sent to the Editor not later than the 15th of the month Toran prior to publication, Articles EDITOR: f,H.Ward, “published.do not necessarily 53, Mirabel Road, represent tne views of the Fulham, 8. 6. Editorial Committee.
This is number one of: volume five, which means that the magazine commences its fifth year with this issue, That is a record of which we can be justly proud, A mag.-which did not eave fill a definite need could not survive so long. Nor could it have survived without the fine efforts of the Editorial Committee or tae loyal support of its readers. So we can all’ congratulate ourselves.”
This being January, we cannot let the occasion pass without extending our best wishes to all readers. Whatever 1940 may be, we can take it for granted that bean eventful year. shape of those events will depend to a certain extent..upon us, so that the New Year calls for an increased effort onthe part of every one of us, in order that Socialism and: peace may soon be made reality, In the meantime, good: luck’ and much happiness to all of you!
In these: days:of depleted runs, some inter-Section activity would:seem to be the obvious thing, With many Sections not. so.very*far apart, by occasionally joining forces everyone ‘of them could have a turn out of reason-able dimensions. And after all it is numbers that gives the quality to club runs. Two or three can't make a crowd however hard thoy try. Yet in spite of this East Ham justly complain that their. appeal:for inter-runs has been ignored, Is it because Sections don't want to ride together or es because secretaries.won't take the trouble to fix up these events? Whatever the reason, the fact is that one of. the unique advanteges of our Club, especially in this area is being wasted. See that your Section arranges an inter-run, I'll guarantee that you'll enjoy it!
The beginning of the war unfortunately put an end to the arrangements for the annual London Union "do", but now that things seem to be settling down a little, and looking. pack on the great success of the C.&.A,C. dinner, it might be possible to organise this event on a modest scale,
The lack of social events this year is being keenly felt, few Sections are holding dances and the social life of the club is in danger of falling away altogether, There seems to be no reason why the L.U. should not promote just as enjoyable events as it has in the past, and I sincerely hope that at the next L.U.Committee there will be some support for the
(With feokuowhed went to the Bpiztos Lodge of the 4, ade Woodératt Folk Ate "Mast of you Base something about stare. “To many .of ‘you, “your thoughts turn to film stars, others think “of football stars, or the stars they saw when they. ran into. the lamp post in he
plackout, The stars I wart to write about are ‘those that we have really noticed for the first”
“Phe! ackout’ has enabled “us ‘ge8 then for the: first-time, in their real glory, undimmed the: city Lights: Por the first time. have” seen the.stars: reflected: the puddles’ Onre. Cuties strést’ ‘and ‘you. can see their light reflected from the slates” On the roofs, ‘You ‘may be. surprised to learn that, we can seé”5 C00... stare with the’naked eye; although only 2; 000 can be ‘seen’ At any one time. This is not all the stars in the’ sky however, astronomers say that there are over 5Q,000 miliion, of them. Persona: Vis. Pr shall Lot argue with” them, ee i
“gazers made ape: of ‘the 3 2 and naved them aftér-animals “whdse shapés: the “imagined ‘they saw in the star: ciuiaters, We~ “find” euch ‘names Littie: Bear; The Gréat~Bear, -Swan, Bull ete. Biven to- certain clastérs. The most’ well known of: ése isthe Plough; which ‘tT think is more like a saucepan; This“can be seen almost' ‘Any “night; and®: its outside edge points to the FE Pole Star (roughly three times the depth''6f: the: sagéepan ‘te the Pole Star), This star is:used by sailors--to indicate. the® north; The rough plan given below’ ee might make- ithe statlit. évening- more intézvésting to you.: “ALE the stars shown shéuld séen‘on -clear night about eight ‘phe rooks
ie CHARIOTEER 0 LATLE BEAR iaee eae 6 6 Gt: GEAR
JASUARY 1940, "BooTsi" PAGE
DOWNev ENG PLACES
Just about this time one thinks of ghosts and all sorts of eerie events. Well, just imagine thet I em a ghost that has wongled my, wey into a meeting of the “#poorsi" Committee.
Of course it Would be quite impossiblé to get into the sanctum
of sanctums in’ any other way.
In-previous.issués we have deseribed to you how your paper ig produced from the technicel.statdpoint. .But you/know. thet every word.in. the journal is*censored,..cut up, added to’. and its meaning’ entirely ‘altered. before it reaches you... T can hear :Bért Brown (alias Jimmy Green.) fervently chanting '-Hearicheart, meeiatnene
So I slipped: through the, kéyhole at the Jacksonry to attend the last métting, Low Down in High Pleces is a good title: pecause the meeting is held et the top of a five storied, peers plock of ‘flats perched on the top of one of the highest hilis in Morth London. So after.the Editorial Committee had collected’ its joint breath after the journey it settled down -to \business:~
Editor Ted-réad the stuff, including a serious suggestion from Bert that was accompanied by. Jokes that died of old ag
as théy: were being read.-: This reading of material is accompanied by moans, groens, wisédracks and other remarks
which would do credit to a,first-class variety show. Always comes the suggestion thet the issue must be Light shades
of Bill ‘Bobbim,. whose campaign for light SBoOorss" would .do
credit to the owner of a first class dance floor. But then
comes the inevitable question Is it a balanced issue?" appa Please don't be mystified by this magic phrase. The. Committee is only trying to mix ‘the serious with the iMeht aso. net you. will enjoy reading.this old-rag of ours thet has not missed
an issue for four long:years.:
But. how. there-dppears:to be a’fearce debate raging emong the members. Whet-can it possibly be. about? Oh, of course, I forgot to tell’ you.’ On the Committee are representatives of the Right, GeAtre and Left- and the debate is raging furiously eround the subject of the political article on Finlend, “You must know thet. cach artiele-of this cherecter,''and all the »ros and cons.of its coritents, provides the Committee with a monthly, first class political educational “-7Ft:
class.
And go I found "BOOTS! slowly taking. shape the. Gommittee vote in favour of the inclusion of various. articles. But still, there are gaps to be filled end from the depths of his dispatch case Ted-rakes out. ten page articles that have peen.sent by optimistic contributors with no sense.:.of. proportion. All ave voted down end thetiis why I heve had to write. this crticle today. But its’ good’ on this Committee.
BY, TOW SMITH. (Peckham asstiont:
Tho popular song of the moment tells us that “Wishing will
make it so", and judging. by, the confusion which exists as a result of the Soviet Union's move in Finland; many "socialists"
consider that the Soviet Union should have" ‘substituted wishfulness: for their foreign policy in place of prompt action.
These sockali ste" ealage that this action is a betray al of socialisn. Such a contention is-absurd. The oases taken against the Finnish Government. bankers and White Guards‘
clearly for the purpose of strengthening the land of- Socialism by the elimination of Finland. as a possible base’ a war by a bloe of capitalist powers against Russia.
The Soviet Unicn comprises one fifth of the world's earth surface and one quarter-o the entire industry of this immense
territory is situated in and around -Leriingrad, which is. within artillery range of: the present (December) frontier. There is no doubt that in a’ directed. Against Russia, the obliteration of the Leningrad district. would’ be an essential part, of the
capitalists' war planus. We may be sure that such a war,
the R.A.F.. would not confine itself to reconnaisance flights over Leningrad and the taking of photographs. Something far
more destructive than leaflets would be OPPS
For two months. the Soviet Union attempted. 80 settle ‘the matter by peaceful: means, but without -success,: and only one
cour se was left open to shanti They have adopted that course.
By strengthening th one land of socialism, the -Soviet- boone has not caused 4 setba to socialism elsewhere as is all egeds
Qn the contrary, has fortified the international. -workingclass movement. But if Soviet Union failed to take measures to protect itself,.if.it failed to render. itself immune from attack by world capitalism, and.thus allowed itself to be weakened and ultimately overthrown and.thus' open the way for the restoration. of capitalism in Russia, then would ‘the Soviet Union:..be .betraying the-cause of socialism.
It therefore follews that any..action taken by the Soviet Union to strengthen itself, no matter what methods.it is compelled to adopt,. must automatically be welcomed and by all ¢rue socialists, rip
"But what of the Finni eh people": some of you will say.
In the first place it must be understood that Finland is not the democratic, progressive country that the capitalist press wants you to believe. No democratic country has ever had the. support. of British imperialian. In the years immediately following the last war the Socialist elements in Finland were ruthlessly destroyed with German help by the very same Mannerheim who now has the hypocrisy to pose as a Finnish patriot. Sinee then his regime has been maintained with the game repression and the lot of the Finnish worker, instead of
JANUARY. 1940. "BooTSs:" PAGE,
being the happy one that we are led to believe, has in fact steadily deteriorated. They are acknowledged to have one of the lowest standards of in Eupope, and the prosperous stall farmers we hear so much about are very few in va number and have been growing fewer every year.
From the chains of their masters the Finnish people have been unable to break away, but now with the help of the Red Army the possibility of freedom and Socialism is very near them. Their government of bankers, generals and White Guards: dare not let them have contact with their comrades from the U.S.S.R. and that is why villages have been evacuated and new repressive measures introduced, The Soviets are attacking
he masters of Finland not only to baulk the designs of the Western imperialists but also to assist the workers of that country in their struggle for freedom.
«The tales of mass air raids on Helsinki must be discounted. Every possible means of propaganda, in newspapers and films, is being used to stir up the opinion of people in this country. Most of this news is fake, and that which isn't faked is distorted out of recognition. The Soviet Union still remains the greatest asset of the working classes all over the world in their struggle for freedom.
SEVEN SISTERS' SUCCESS.
The Seven Sisters Section was formed in March 1934, and three founder members are still in the Section, the Chairman, secretary and Treasurer. We have had some trying times for on one occasion our membership dwindled down to six menbers who kept together faithfully throughout a season. In 1937 we re-organised, and Jack O'Neil became our Secretary, we ran dances for che club funds and in this year we sent £17.14. 0 to the wins ee Aid Committee for the men who fought in Spain. n this year also we had a permanent clubroom, which at that time was badly in need of repairs, but at bhe present time is as comfortable as any home, with linoleum on the floor, home trainer, darts, table tennis and various other games.
At present our membership is 38, and of these nine are girls, this being the first year girls have been in the Section.. No member has yet been called to the forces, maybe because they work in the coal mines. Our cial activities this year have included the Annual Dinner held on Nov.1l1th,
4 members’ social at the clubroom, club hill climb, private time trial for members only, one trying at a time on different
days. To sum up, I attribute our tise in membership this year to three things, one: our clubroom, where members can
enjoy themselves on week nights, twos girls joining the Section, three; the fine fellowship which exists amongst the members.
UN ape. cud.
Ticorporabing Section News.
cose im hilsimecent: ci iroular, the National Secretary again draws attention to the neglect on the part of section secretaries to notity him of the members that have been called up for’ service with the forcés, If you are unable to get the ‘inember's certificate, you should send his neme and address and ‘the date on which-hé was called. up.’ This small ‘act on the section secretaries part will mean that the member’ will .be able to ha the benefit. of ‘the unexpired. period. of: she certificate: when. returns to civil life,. Failure tc do this will mean that the called up. member will.lose that unexpired period.
aeoe L suppose that it is inevitable that the aaémbership of the... Club will drop heavily:-due to the Conscription Act, Bub’ don't: think that that cause alons accounts for: the fact. that 500 more members have: expired their certificates: than new ones have been issued during thé month of Ostober alone. I think: that these rather atartling figures.can only be accounted for bg the fact that meny of the riding members at the-moment have uot up-to-date certificates. Pléase réalige the seriousness of this questionpecause otherwise it must goes verte. result in thé collapse of the Club,
oeeg am iret to see that the Club's National Emergency Committee are going ahead with-arrengerients for: Easter Conference the Club, London's suggestion. of -Buxton,’ which was ‘turned down at the last, ay née in favour: of Carli sle,,.is now being
am ‘alsQ glad see ‘that. game Committee
Sections should take part ticular note of informat ton.
these items o
ste. Lame; nears from. ‘the East Hem section that it has a. moan.” Now East Ham are ‘the Union's champion moaners but I think on this occasion the complaint is justifie de, The section points: out that in spite of the frequent appeals for inter-section runs the response: hes been very bac, In addition, where there” has been response, it has been the East Ham section that has had to do all the work of interviewing captains, suggesting: venues, leading the run and arranging the tea niaces, "BOOTS 3" has always advocated the policy of inter-s ection runs but: they should be real AODSE efforts.
Pema; LOUK Walle, remember that ali mentioned in‘lest month's notes that the Hounslow section nad applied to be enrolled ei ploc in the local A.R.P. movement. The.forms have now. been: received and the idea. seems bo heme captured the imagination of the local Dene
coes MY pest. paerer for’ the ‘New Year to all readers,
date for resolutions: for the Conference»
JANUARY 1940.° _"BooTsit PAGE
With Christmas over, the 1940. time trial season quickly. appréachés. ‘In past years.the problem of limitation of entries has confronted time. trial promoters. In 1940 this will be surmounted, not by the R.T.%.C. bus by the nature of our, existence. There should be no lack of events for those able to ride. Our London, associations, with the exception of the E.0.0.A. have indicated their intention of running the usual events if support is forthcoming... Subject to. A.G.M. confirmation the’ chub-will be promoting club events. as in 1930 with the addition of ladies’ events up to 25 miles and short distance trials for. junior members. It is also probable that two opens will bo booked at the date fixing
To those of our:younger members who have not visited the clubroom yet, we exténd an invitation to come along ee any Monday evening to the Marquess Tavern, Canonbury Street, near Essex Road: Underground Station, N.1, You can play darts, pontoon etc. drink tea etc., eat ham rolls etc.,
and in a few weeks, obtain entry forms for time trials...
New Year's pated to-all the lads, in Britain, France and India: may they al _be safely home soon. a Si 0.0: BAL BV ENTS.
Fulham and Kensington Sections are holding their 2nd “Annual Dinner at the Brook Green Hotel, Brook Green, .on 27th Jan. Full details can be obtained from R.E,Hedges; .97, Emlyn Gartcns, W.12,
On the 20th a dance is being held by FulHam Section at the Crabtree Hotel, ‘neot''far from Fulham Palace Roed, A first class band. has: been éngaged and everyone is promised a super “do", Doors open at 7,50; ardthé price is ive;
North London are now’ using a new clubroom at the Marquess Tavern, Quadrant Road, N.1. They will be very pleased to see you there Thursday evening, and extend a hearty welcome-to all menbers: of the London Union.
WE DEEPLY REGRET TO ANNOUNCE THE DE/TH OF GEORGE DOVE OF THE YORKSHIRE UNION, WHO WAS KILLED WHILE CYCLING TO WORK Oi) NEW YEARS DAY, GEORGE WAS ONE OF. THE ‘OLDEST MEMBERS OF. THE YORKSHIRE UNION AND HAD BEEN IN.. “THE CLARION MORE YEARS THAN MOST PEOPLE CAN REMEMBER, AEWAYS £1 OUTSTANDING FIGURE, AT EASTER MEETS HE WAS KNOWN TO CLARIONETTES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. WE EXTEND’ OUR SINCEREST SYMPATHY TO HIS RELATIVES,
RAGE "Boors! it JANUARY 1940,
Having heard with admiration that celebrated voice from Hamburg we thought that the owner might have some illuminating. remarks to make about our particular lot ascyclists. We were not far wrong, our very special correspondent got in touch with him (don't ask us how) and this,more or less, is what he said,
"The attitude towards.cyclists in England is typical of the snobbery and hypocrisy with which the middle and upper classes of that country abound, Nothing is more indicative of the moral and physical degeneracy of these over-fed and self-—complacent people. than the way in which they look dorm upon England's most energetic and virile youth,
The man- and who propel themselves towards the pure air of the countryside with strong and healthy muscles, full-or the fine exuberance that comes with physical excercise, are treated with an overbearing insolence and subjected to grave perils by the wanton. selfishness of.those who by hook or by crook have managed to. acquire a motor car. The larger the automobile the deeper the contempt of its usually corpulent and gouty occupant for the unoffending cyclist, The possession of this badge of social superiority, the motor car, is supposed to give the owner complete right to the whole of the roadway, so that the mere cyclist..must..fly to the kerb at his approach.
The. English code of honour stipulates that the lower orders, a necessary but too frightfully boring evil, must be ignored except for the purposes of work, taxation and military service, According to this code the motorist is the most honourable of men, for in driving his car he assumes complete oblivion of the existence of cyclists leaving them to get out of the way if they can.
No English cyclist ever enters a police court expecting to receive justice, for his mere existence will be an offence to the magistrates ‘who are certain to be motorists. In the adminstration of the law and in the creation of new legislation he must expect to be treated as a fungoid growth, to be discouraged to the point of extermination, With present lighting restrictions, no cyclist is allowed to show a beam more than one hundredth part as large as that of a motorist in case he should be mistaken for one, a social
error almost as great as wearing the wrong school tie.
I look with pity and horror upon the lot of eyclists in England. Not only are they persecuted and reviled, denied justice and looked upon as less than the hounds their masters hunt with, but they are subjected to this monstrous ignominy by a class which in indecent and effete, bloated with a fulsome pride in its lack of understand-— ing and complete inability to do anything worthwhile. Thank you for listening,"
No words could be read on this page.
No words could be read on this page.