Montana labor news., 1932-06-09

CENTRAL COUNCIL NOTES

There was not a large a delegation t. the Council as usual, but inn
portant special meetings kept many away so they a be excused this
one absence.
There as very little business to come before the Council, outside of
turning the names of political candidates who asked the support of Labor,
over to the legislative committee. The list handed them last night will
keep this group busy for some time to come.
Glen Bmkhardt spoke en- some changes being needed in the matter
of auto licenses. Under our present system, the unemployed have been
penalized because of their poverty. Many men could not afford the Ii.
the weather is opening up and they ca get away from the misery of the
city FOR a few days they manage to snape up enough to pay the license
fee. They then find themselves fined Oh assessed an extra amount because
they could not afford to buy their plates sooner.
Miles Romney, editor of the Western News, n of the few papers in
Montana not controlled by the corporations, and a candidate for governor,
addressed the Council In speaking of a program for lettering condi-
tons in Montana, Romney said:
an any rehabilitation program would stress the necessity of three
major operations:
@smash the companys' bipartisan political machine.
elect a free governor, a free legislature, free judges and other key
officials. Handpick the nominees in the public interest as carefully in the
July primary as the company machine has hand-phked its candidates.
Study legislative roll calls and any other evidence that may indicate the
bias or financial inducements of the candidate. Select candidates who
regard public office a a public trust.
Having smashed the bipartisan political machine and having elected
a free governor and other officials, the next step should be for an assem-
bly, composed of free lei and women, to enact a th~oough-gong and re-
vitaizing Legislative program. If were permitted would recommend
as essentials:
"Reuef for the unemployed. Our unfortunate fellow citizens who helped
magnificent resources and ample credit can easily find employment for
them on rural roads connecting trunk line highways, creating storage
irrigation systems, developing state-owned power sites and bringing
again under cultivation numerous tracts Of state and federal lands ac-
quired through mortgage foreclosures.
IF the Treasure State can afford to spend s,5OOOOO a year, a large
part of it going IS profits to contractors and manufacturers of machinery
on trunk highways, surely the state is able to finance and provide en-
ployment on worthwhile public works for those of our unfortunate fellow
citizens who helped build this state, whose families arr now destitute
through no fault of their own, rather than subject them to the humiliation
of accepting a Red Cross dole, affordng the barest existence?
Devise ways and means to repenish the depleted farms and ranges
with livestock. 1t will require years of effort and much capital to rehabfi-
tate the livestock industry in Montana.
"a plan must be worked out whereby the dispossessed farmers, whose
holdings have been consumed by taxes and interest may recover same
through a system of refinaneing, with low rates of interest and the period
of payment depending upon the amount and price of crops. The Montana
farmer shall not be forced into a condition bordering on serfdom or
peasantry.
"Memorialae congress to levy duties on copper and manganese to cover
the difference in cost of production at home and abroad.
"Memoriaize congress for reconciliation Of silver, looking to restora-
ton and development of an immense trade with China, India and South
American countries, users of silver money from time immemorial, a well
as all other countries that are off the gold standard.
ut will be equitable to repeal or abolish all state taxes on farms, homes
livestock, and city property, leaving this field to the county and municipal
governments. The crooked classification schedules also should be abolished,
in the constitution. To raise funds to support the state government license
taxes may be levied upon the public utilities, including hydroelectric, tee-
phone and other corporations. All schools should receive abundant support
from the proceeds of the land grants, together with separation taxes de-
rived from such natural resources as oil, gas, now rapidly being exhausted"
Although Romney did not ask for the endorsement of the Council in the
primaries, he is a man worthy of the support of Labor. He has been a
friend of Labor as was shown when he pioneered the Workmens Compen-
Council to speak. From the reception given him, he could well see that
those IN the Council are hoping that he beats brother John and his foreign
contractors in the next primary.
After the address of Mr.. Romney, the Council adjourned.
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