The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-03-15
Investigate
CornplaintsAt
0rinO Camp
Labor Committee Looks Into
Conditions There and Re-
ports Nothing Wrong.
EIGHTEEN MEN
LET OUT FOR CAUSE

AT the request of petitioners from
Eureka, the local Lincoln County adyis-
DRY committee of the Unemployment
Service in conjunction with A. J. Fey,
district supervisor, made an investiga-
ton Of conditions in the Sam Orino
camp at Kootenai Falls.
Those present were Paul X. Church.
Libby, ]. P. Wilson, Troy, D. o. Mount,
manager, Libby. and A. J. Fey, Shelby
Marshall Murray, the other member Of
the committee, wired that he would be
unable to attend
All the conditions were found very
satisfactory. Out of total of los men
placed, Is have been discharged for
cause, Is quit of their own accord, and
IA have been temporarily laid off due
to work conditions. Now employed are
Sc men, of which Al are from Lincoln
county, and IA skilled men are legal
residents of Montana. The only outside
man working on the job is a competent
powderman from Spokane, and he was
employed with the consent of the
Helena Unemployment office, as the
work required is exceedingly dangerous
and involves great risk and should not
be attempted except by an expert who
is used to such special conditions.
The Montana law makes no restric-
tons as to employment of county resi-
dents, and any Montana man is eligible
for work. The law does not provide for
enforcement of this employment statute
through the courts or legal officers, or
by suit, but provides that THE state,
county, municipal, or school officers
who have executed the contract shall
retain five hundred dollars ($5OOOO) Of
the contract price for liquidating dam
ages Of the violation for the terms Of
the contract, and said money shall be
credited to the proper funds Of the
state, county, municipal, or school dis
tricts.n
Under this statute the Sam Orin~
contract can only be enforced by the
State Highway Commission They have
labor inspector on the job continu-
ously and 1t is his duty to see that there
are no violations so far as the labor
provisions of the contract are concerned.
The men working, rs per cent of
whom are Lincoln county men, state
hey are well treated and satisfied with
heir job. We also find that our County
Unemployment Service with Mr.. %. O.
Mount manager. in charge, is doing
possible for the best inter
,sts OF the workers of this county. and
We feel the unemployed men Of Lincoln
county are being very well served
lnder the existing conditions.
The rules and regulations of our serv-
&c give us no jurisdiction at this
ime except in the furnishing Of proper
v classified and qualified labor upon
equest from contractor. After man
$ placed on a job. our duty is done.
The contractor is then sole Judge as to
he workers fitness for the job he was
lven and for which he was registered
nd classified The worker must realize
hat at this time there are not enough
obs for everyone looking for work and
is not part of our duties, nor can
re, as much as we would like to, make
obs for everyone.
If it is so desired. the Advisory Com
aittee is in position to publish list
+ all men discharged and the reason
Or this action
Signed,
AMBROSE j. FEY,
District Supervisor National Reem-
loyment Service, Shelby, Montana
Paul X. Church, Libby,
J P. Wilson, Troy,
Members of the Unemployment Conf
littee.