The Carbon County news. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1924-1931, 1925-08-20
STEPHEN ELY IN
ALETTER FAYORS
HOME INDUSTRY

| IS offering prizes Tor the best letter
on "Patronizing Home Industry"
The labor movement, as typifed by
the American Federation Of Labor,
has consistently advocated the patron
age of home manufacturers and home
merchants, to the exclusion of all
others, with due regard for the well
being of those engaged in the process
of production and distribution.
Many merchants in Montana in de-
fiance of statute plainly forbidding
it, carry merchandise manufactured
in prisons, without any label indicat-
ing that fact, thus deceiving the public
and at the same time violating the
law
If the public knew it was buying
goods manufactured under the loath-
some, disease breeding conditions
prevalent in prison factories it could
not be induced to touch them.
The merchant who, in the mad rush
for profits is guilty Of this nefarious
practice, cannot expect the patronage
of members Of organized labor, nor
of that part of the public which has
regard for decent, sanitary health
standards. An earnest effort is being
made to show up the merchants who
are guilty of such law violations and
to bring them to the bar of justice.
The coal mining industry in Mon
tana and the nation is suffering from
many ills, and Investigations conduct
ed under the auspices and by the au-
thority of the United States govern
ment, have disclosed the distressing
condition of this basic industry, and
the sufferings entailed upon the work
ers and their families, who are COM
PEELED to exc out an existence in iso-
lated coal camps, and who by their
labor furnish industrial energy for
the economic life of the nation.
Montana coal mines, according to a
report just made by the state board
of equalization, have run 10000 tons
short every working day this year,
when compared to 1924 production.
Nevertheless, thousands upon thous-
ands of tons of coal are being shipped
into the state from outside, large
percentage coming from Utah where
working conditions bordering on slav-
cry, imposed by greedy coal operators,
ably assisted by their allies in public
office, prevail.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars
are being spent by the people Of Mon
tana for Utah coal which is no better
than the product Of the mines at Red
Lodge, Bear Greek and Roundup, and
workers in this state who would be
spending the extra amount they ought
to have in wages with their home mer-
| chant, thus benefitting the mining
communities directly, and indirectly,
enhancing the prosperity Of the state
as a whole, are being kept in idleness.
Merchants who bring prison manu-
featured merchandise into the state
and palm it off on an unsuspecting
public as the product of free labor,
merchants who import cheese from
New York and Wisconsin, butter and
| -four from Minnesota and eggs from
Nebraska; coal dealers who place
orders for coal with Utah coal oper-
ators and boost that product instead
Of coal mined in their own state, are
not consistent boosters Of Montana,
their declarations to the contrary not
withstanding.
| We believe in patronizing the pro-
ducts of home industry, we desire the
development of the great resources Of
our state, we devotedly wish for its
prosperity because our homes are here
and most of us have resolved to spend
the rest Of our lives here.
We have actual differences, and pos
sibly some misunderstanding with tn,
Montana Development association, but
in the matter Of inducing the people
of our great state to patronize home
industry, always with due regard fol
those whose efforts are essential fac
tors in production, and distribution
we are willing to forget our differences
and cooperate with any agency which
has for its purpose the development o.
the immense resources with which
our state is endowed and aid in max
ing Montana better and more fl
place in which to live.
Let us have a spirit Of complete
cooperation on the part of all, anc
thus make the slogan 'Patronize Home
Industry" reality.
STEPHEN ELY,
President, Montana State Federation
of Labor.
Richel Lodge Guests