Montana labor news., 1933-07-27
ALLIED PRINTING TRADES

the dominant element of the master
printers hug their tattered garments
more closely about them.
eff the Industrial Recovery Act
means anything its purpose is to or
ganize both the employer and en-
ploye, thus providing the machinery
for the fullest measure of cooperation.
1t was not necessary for Congress to
adopt such a law to promote individ-
ualism in industry. Neither was such
a law necessary if the purpose had
been to organize only the employers
and make it possible for them to in
crease profits by raising prices, re-
ducing wages, and extending working
hours. 1t has been plainly stated in
the law that the purpose is to raise
the standards of labor and return
business and industry to a normal
condition by increasing the purchasing
power of the people. The standards
of labor can be raised in only one way.
That is by increasing their weekly,
monthly and annual earnings. The
earnings Of wage workers definitely
fix their standards of living and abil-
ity to onsum the nations production.
ITO increase purchasing power the
aggregate payroll must be larger. The
only way this can be accomplished is
by reducing the hours of labor, there
by providing employment for those
who are now unemployed.
ut will not serve the purpose of
the Industrial Recovery Act to divide
available employment among a larger
number of workers at prevailing wage
rates. There would be no increase in
purchasing power and the standards
Of labor would be lowered rather than
raised through such a process. Yet
the master printers seem to take adj
vantage of those provisions Of the law
which permit them to organize and
combine to fix prices, but they would
deny the right of employees in the in
dustry to organize and be heard upon
the question of wages, hours and con-
ditions of employment.
1.-THE printing trades unions are I'M
der responsible leadership. At no
time has there been even the least sus-
picion that these unions were involved
in racketeering in any way or faint
ed with destructive radicalism. At
all times we have endeavored to in
duce organization among employers
to provide machinery for cooperation.
We have advocated a policy of nego-
~tiation and Cancellation in dealing
with questions which effect the in
terests of the workers. We have urged
that representatives of employers and
representatives of employees sit around
the conference table and work out a
solution for the problems which eff
feet the interests of both elements.
And that is exactly what the Indus
trial Recovery Act provides for and
authority is conferred upon the Pres
ident to compel recalcitrant elements
to play the game according to the
rules laid down.
"In a telegram to the Chairman Of
the Employers Conference an invita-
ton was extended to name represen-
tatives to meet with representatives Of
the printing trades unions for the pur-
pose of formulating a code by mutual
agreement. This invitation was re-
jected. Anti-unionists who bitterly
oppose organization Of the workers
and attempt to disguise their activi-
ties by use of the terms American
plan and open shop are in control.
They would secure and retain all the
advantages of organization for the
employer, but vehemently deny to the
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