Montana labor news., 1934-08-30
DRIFTS AND RAISES
(This column contributed by Butte
Miners Union No. D


Some OF the things we Snould worry
about are the constant increase in the
cost of living, and the constant de-
crease in the number of people re-
quired to produce all the necessities
and luxuries that can be consumed by
the people of this country. Our faci-
lities for production are constantly be-
coming more efficient, SO that short
er time is required and fewer people
are employed in the performance OF
these functions than ever before in
the history of the world. These, and
a number of other things must be taken
into serious consideration in the final
settlement of any wage disputes or
similar controversies in existence at
the present time.
The present and immediate future
cost OF living is another serious con-
sideration. The cost of living has seen
a considerable step-up during the past
year, and according to all indications
the coming winter is likely to see an
additional step-up Of probably IS per
cent in the prices of the staple food
commodities that workers use most.
Where will the worker find this extra
purchasing power? Certainly not in
the pay envelopes the large employ
ers intend to force upon him. Through
the F.E.R.A. the employers have found
out how little the workers and their
families can exist upon, and hereafter,
that is the mark at which they are
shooting in re-arranging their wage
scales. In great many cases this
short-sighted policy amounts to actual
blindness. They fail to realize they
are humping their own destination.
There are many ways in which this
situation may be remedied, but its en-
tire elimination is the thing for which
we are most desirous. As prelude
TO this ever to be hoped for consuma-
ton, we believe that an adequate Old
Age Pension Law coupled with an In
heritance and Income Tax Laws, where
by Estates for inheritance purposes
and Incomes from whatever source de-
rived be taxed at 100 per cent above
certain predetermined amounts. If
these amounts were placed low en-
ough, there wouldn't be much incen-
tive to build up huge fortunes, there
by keeping the workers and their fam
lilies continually on the verge of starva-
tion. These fat boys, like Con Kelly
and a lot more of them would very
likely relinquish lot OF the product
they have been appropriating to them
selves and spread it around in wages
rather than turn it over to the govern
ment in taxes.
OF course, Con knows as well as we
do, and probably better, that he isn't
worth the huge salary he pays him
self. He pays himself that salary be-
cause he happens to be in a position
that permits him to dictate the amount
he will collect. Perhaps he realizes he
would be just as happy and content
with one per cent of the huge salary
he pulls down. But, be that as it may,
these people will not do anything to
remedy this situation; on the contrary
they are doing everything in their pow
er to intensity it. Consequently, it is
up to the intelligent rank and file of
the working class to do something
about it.
1t has been said that in a country
where the people have universal suf-
frage, the government of that country
and the conditions under which the
people live, must be good enough for
majority of those people. If they
weren't, the people would change them.
Well, that contention seems perfectly
logical; but of course, it isn't as easy
as that. Human nature being what
it is, the working class will require a
lot OF experience and education before
it measures up to that standard. But
the outlook for the future looks bright
and we believe that if real working
class political and economic movement
was launched, with a comprehensive
program of progressive principles, that
its success would be immediate
Meantime, we must keep our col
lective ear to the ground, repeal, to
the best of our abilities every invasion
of our rights. See that when this
strike is settled, it is settled right and
that every move we make is calculat-
ed to strengthen our position in the
future.