The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1919-01-24
TO REFORM Mu1T.pv ro,-nna

~ nEfokM MILITARY COURTS
Inc attack on the judicial methods
Oh our military courts from many di-
fectlons is creating a sensation that
Is iikeiy to result in important re-.
forms. One of the chief critics l.
George T. Page, conservative presi-
dent OF the very conservative Ameri-
can Bar association. At a racan+
meeting OF lawyers in New York CITY.
mr. rage pointed out how we were
sun Following the barbarous rules and
forms copied from the English prac-
tice OF l774 and long since abandoned
oy England, and he gave many illus
tratlons to back his points, such as
the following:
A boy OF 16, who had just beer
dlscharged from the hospital after an
attack OF influenza, instead of beng
allowed the usual five days for re-
cuperation, was set to scrubbinp
kitchen floors and to guard duty. He
protested he was not strong enough
to do this work, nevertheless he was
continued on guard duty for a longer
period than usual. In this condition
he was taken with a chill, went to his
tent to get his overcoat, and while
there sat down on the edge of his cot
He was caught with his head in his
hands and was accused of being
asleep while on duty. Though he de.
MED that he was asleep and asserted
that he only yielded to overpowerina
fatigue, he was convicted by court.
martial and sentenced to % years II
the pfn1tentiary."
Those who know of cases where
men have been railroaded to prison
by army authorities for trlfing of
lenses under this old system shoult
communicate the facts to their sena
tors without delay. The more tn,
senate hears of the matter the NOR,
likely we are to secure thorough re
form.
UNEMPLOYMENT GROWS
The politicians who refused to pre-
pare for reconstruction are beginnin,
to see the tangible results of thei
carelessness, or better, their unwill
ingness to interfere with special priv
lege. From the shortage of labo
which we had so recently as earl
November, we have suddenly change
to widespread unemployment. S
Paul, one of the smaller cities, ha
over 5000 out of work, by official re
port. Chicago reports $4,000 unen
ployed. New Orleans and Boston eac
report 10000; st. Louis, $4,000; Ne
York, 10000; Cleveland, 10000. E'
cry day the situation grows worse be
; cause soldiers are being rapidly di:
charged (about 100000 in the la'
two months); war industries are Ia
ing off their men; and basic commod
, ty prices are kept SO high by tt
5 monopolists that peace-time manufa
r turers do not dare to launch out on II
: creased production. Starvation, WHO
. follows the wake of unempioymen
, means bread lines in the cities.
+ means riots and bloodshed, the mo
terrible because from the point
view of the starving they will
justified in that the hand OF org
,. nized society has turned against tnel
: denying the right or opportunity
;. work that they may live. 1t mea
n declining markets for farm produc'
: The more intelligent business lea
4 ers. who see the way things are g
: ing. are demanding more co-operatl
a among business men to meet the U
employment problem, but they ma
no workable plans because the
% special interests insist that this
:, their opportunity to hold up tn
h prices, reduce wages and Kill OH
# bor unions. They will insist on
% complishing these aims though
IN skies fall. Also President Wllso
,f unexplainable advice in his last III
- cage TO the effect that reconstruct
q wonld take care of itself has play
n into their hands.
&c THE SIMS BILL
n The Sims bill, before the hou
=. which aims to carry out the reco
=. ,nendations of the federal trade &C
= mission. is now receiving serious
= tention. Under its provisions
- nackers are first to be put un
~ strict license regulation. When !,
n fails to stop their 1awlessness' t
ba are to be put under license tnae
~ ers other activities besides the pa
~ mo and marketing of meats. IL
yer fails, they are to lose their owners
of the markets, but may stlli ope'
- under license. If they stu play
~ crooked game, they are to be punls
ms by a complete program OF pu
~, ownership and operation OF ST
IT, ,.oSt of the marke