Montana labor news., 1934-03-08

IIduto dllQ LdbOA OOaAACAA " Nh0OARG
ment, to the local press for publica-
ton, to Secretary of Agriculture Wal
lace and the Farmers Union at Mel
rose, F. B. TAFT, President.
l made the following statement be-
fore this committee:
81 wish merely to state that, while
| voted for the Agricultural Adjust
ment Act, l believe, as Senator Cap
per has so well stated, that the pro-
blem of sound economics is not the
control of production, but rather more
| equitable distribution of wealth. A
more equitable distribution of wealth
through the proper medium and pro-
per channels of legislation, will put in
to the hands of the people the power
to buy the farmers products, and the
abandoning at the present moment Of
| those efficient methods of production
will be eventually suicidal to our
American form Of farming.
II do not believe we ought to sac
rifice efficiency to economy at any
cost. | believe that the safest and
soundest course to pursue in the inter
ests Of best government, is that type
of legislation which will more equi-
tably distribute wealth. Put pur-
chasing power in the hands of the
American people, and there will be ne
surplus on the market.
"This, l say, because it has beer
subtly suggested that the reason fol
the cutting of this particular appro-
priation and several others, such a;
the appropriation for predatory ami
NAL control (Which later as a supple
mental estimate is to be increased tc
last years amount) was because there
was a surplus on the market; and, as
| say, l believe that this surplus can
not be conquered properly, and should
not be conquered, by methods that will
sacrifice efficiency in any FORM"
Economy has been carried to ex-
tremes on Capitol Hill. The Amer.
lean people have always sought the
elimination of reduplication of Boards
Bureaus and Commissions and THEN
consequent reduplication of personnel
buildings and facilities. But the pub.
lie does not want, nor will it tolerate
the elimination of worthwhile activ-
tiles designed to better living condi-
tions throughout this country.
Old Age Pension
A few promised extracts from the
letters / have received in regard tx
my Old Age Pension Bill:
New York: eff one has seen as
much as | have of the d~emoralizine
influence of approaching old age upor
wage-earners, seen during a long &C.
tive life, handling many employees
particularly when forced to lay then
off, and see them hunt for the mos
mental dirtiest dregs of jobs for {
mere pittance, one knows then that al
no point in our dilapitated economic
structure is help needed more thai
here.
"In another sphere if you could hav'
seen a few years ago, at the offices
of the Strause Bond Company in New
York City when the failures of theil
mortage bonds became known, thu
many middle class men and women
dazed, broken down because their lif,
savings were wiped out, and in many
cases nothing but slow starvation o.
suicide staring in their faces, it woulC
require no other incentive to devote
all ones energies to work to prevent
such a recurrence"
Arkansas: "This help would pro
vide for the necessities of life, lenC
comfort to those who have been use
full in building up the country, pu'
money in circulation, help increase
consumption, stimulate trade and in
crease income"
Alabama: perhaps the law would
not do me any good, as | am too fal
along-S2-to get any benefit from
it, but some will, and | hope you sue
coed. A law of that kind ought to d.
away with every poor house in tn,
land. But for goodness sake dom
get so much red tape around it tina
it will take a Philadelphia lawyer tt
untangle it,"