The Carbon County news. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1924-1931, 1929-09-05
LABOR REVIEWS
STATUS ON DAY
DEDICATED TO IT
MACHINE REPLACEMENT OF
MAN POWER BIGGEST PROB
LEM TODAY. SHORTER WORK
ING DAY AND SHORTER WEEK,
LOGICAL OFFSET.

LO0ISftIJ VI
Labor, on Monday, took its an
ual holiday. But locally, as well as
in countless other communities, the
day was not passed without taking
stock of Labor's present status; re-
viewing the events and trends of the
past year that had bearing on its
wefare; facing the problems that
confront it, and seeking to find then
solution. TO these considerations
the speakers on the mornings pro
gram directed their talks.
In the mining industry, which
local Labor almost wholly represent
ed, the past year brought severe
setback in the form of an appreci-
able wage cut, and along with it in
some sections, the breaking down of
organization.
That the cut was forced by ec-
onomic conditions, and its acceptance
a necessary step in preserving the in
tegrity of the organization, was con-
ceded by everyone of the speakers
representing the U. M. w. A. These
were Carl Kansala of Billings, presi-
dent of District 27; and William Rid
dell Of Billings, secretary treasurer of
District 27; and Walter Smethurst of
Klein, international board member.
The fourth speaker was Judge Rob
ert G. Stong,
William Riddell expressed his pride
in the district that it had been the
last to accept the cut, then had tax
en- smaller cut than any other, and
remained today the strongest district
in the country both in point of or
ganization and financial condition.
Machine Age Hits Labor
The greatest problem facing Labor
today, as stated by Mr.. Riddell, and
concurred in by the others, is ma
chinery, which is throwing men out
of work faster than new industries
springing up can absorb them. The
most effective and probably only
means of offsetting this condition, as
suggested by Judge Stong, is the
shortening of the working day and
working week. Besides increasing
employment, the plan would give la
Dor more leisure, more opportunity
for spending, and so trend to strength
ten mass consumption, which is es-
sential to the maintenance of mass
production.
One Plan Compensation Law
The need of obtaining a one-plan
workmen's compensation law 0 +
Montana, and the State Federation's
stand taken at the annual convention
in June on work for such measure.
were presented to the Miners by both
Mr.. Smethurst and Mr.. Riddell. At
present in Montana workmen's COM
pensation is handled by the state, by
private insurance companies, and by
employing corporations, a situation
that in many cases, the speakers
claimed, has wrought injustice upon
the employees and cheated them of the
full benefits to which they were en-
titled To change the statutes, an in
itiative measure must be carried
through. It will be fought, Mr.. Rid
dell stated, and require big outlay
of money to put through, which must
be raised chiefly through assessment
of wages.
Scrap Heap at 40
The dumping of the man Of DO on
the scrap heap was another injustice
Reason for it was ascrib-
ed partly to the higher industrial
insurance rates which hold for older
employees. That these rates should
De adjusted, and the burden carried
oy the state, if necessary, to change
,he situation, was suggested by Judge
5tong, who believed that even if it
ell TO he taxpayer finally. to foot the
oill, it would be. better than for the
swelling ranks rof men oyer 40 to be
brown out Of work and pauperized.
Judge Stong took occasion during
lis Speech to pay tribute to the great
eaders in the Labor movement, and
included for this honor the names of
he late Samuel Gompers, for 40
vears head of the American Fedora
ion Of Labor; William Green, pres
mt head; John L.. Lewis, information
j president of the Mine Workers, and ,
datthew Woll
Joe Bosone acted as program chair
nan, introducing the speakers and
allied upon the band, intervals for
MUSICAL entertainment. {
Despite threatening clouds, and
eavy downpour Of rain during the
DON hour, the days entire program
Tent through on schedule, and with
ut hitch. Sports program started {
at l o'clock; team of col s
red boys employed at Cody hotel, {
ubstituted for the Grow Indians in t
king on the Bearcreek nine for ball {
anne. Street concert and dance at c
abor temple, filled the evenings i
ours. 1t