The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1914-10-29

paying his own direct tax, but
ultimately he pays the tax of the
other industries.
5. During the very first year of
the operation of this bill over two
million dollars will be collected from
the people of Montana, to be exnended
by the bureau and state officials
having control of the same. The
largest part of this amount will be
both directly and indirectly paid by
the farmer, notwithstanding the
farmer absolutely receives no benefit
whatever from the measure itself.
This continues from year to year.
g. This bill is substantially like
what was known as the "Murphy
Bill" introduced in the last legisla-
ture. Murphy was then president OF
the Butte Miners Union. Many copies
of that bill were printed. These
printed copies were endorsed on 1.-The
back Proposed by Organized
Labor 1t is intended solely to
benefit the unions, which exist
principally in three or four Of the
west-side counties Of the state. 1t
cannot help the farmer.
Z. BY means of this bill, these
unions intend to build up in the
State of Montana a great political
machine composed Of office holders,
clerks and accountants, at direct
expense for these office holders, clerks,
accountants, inspectors, assistants,
etc., of many hundreds of thousands
Of dollars each year. Fifteen percent
OF all moneys collected is, under the
bill, to be used for expenses of the
Industrial Commission. 1.-two million
dollars is collected the first year, this
amounts to three hundred thousand
dollars AS the amount collected
increases, the amount thus expended
increases. The farmer, already over
b,rdened by taxation, must pay these
bills either directly or indirectly, and
what benefit does he derive from the
same? Absolutely none.
s. This bill is only a part of plan
entertained by the Butte Miners
Union and other like unions. to
control the legislature Of the state for
their sole interests. If the people of
Montana stand for this bill, and the
farmers vote for it, two years
from now these very same unions will
propose by initiative, a billproviding
for an eight hour day for all farm
labor. This is no idle statement.
The farmers of the state of California
and the State of Washington, having
supported and passed, at the command
of the labor unions, workmen' s
compensation bills, are now getting
a dose of their own medicine. The
labor unions have initiated in both
states measures providing for an eight
hour day for the farmers. In both
states they are to be voted upon this
fall, and if they become laws, every
intelligent farmer knows that it will
absolutely ruin the farming industry
in both states, and make it impossible
for the farmers to compete with the
farmers OF other states. Such a law
in this state would absolutely destro!
the farming industry in view Of tilt
already great expenses which fal
upon the farmer in his operations
and which he is compelled to pay il
wages, taxes and in other ways. L
the labor unions can pass this work
men S compensation law by the vote
of the people. and if the farmers hell
them to do so, it would seem reason
able that they can as readily pass ;
law providing for eight hours a da,
farm labor after they have built III
the great political machine, with it,