Montana labor news., 1934-06-28
Happenings in Congress
By Hon. Joseph P. Monaghan
Petition Begets Action.

until disposal is made Of pending
remedial legislation has had various
unofficial psychological results, The
Banking and Currency Committee
amended the pending bill, thereby
guaranteeing a victory for the Nc
Leod Banking Bill. The President de-
clared that he would present a Labor
Disputes Act upon which all could
agree. Our Committee reported out
the Crosser-Keller Pension Bill and
the Speaker agreed to recognize Mr..
Crosser for suspension of the rules and
passage of the Bill. The Amendments
to the Railway Labor Act were also re-
ported by our Committee and a rule
for an hours debate with all points OF
order waived was given, however re-
l%uctant, by the Rules Committee.
All OF these victories coming in one
short week, when several previous
months were unavailing, leaves no
doubt that the petition is accomplish
ing its purpose, and it is generally
conceded by the Congressman on
Capitol Hill that action could not have
been forced by any other method. A
great deal Of credit is due those
courageous men who signed the pc
tition.
| can now report forty names in adj
dition to those originally obtained. 1t
is sad to report that many members
would rather desert the people and re-
turn to their Congressional elections
than stand by the Ship Of State at
that crucial momen when the waves
are beating strongest against her
sturdy PROV. My statement to the
press has been this:
Our country needs adequate legis-
lation now more than ever, and in
spite Of threatening election contests,
the heat of Washington or any other
consideration Congress should stay in
session until it has disposed of the
necessary legislation that will help in
a greater measure to put America
back on her feet. l shall therefore
use my very best efforts as leader of
the so-called insurgent group to block
adjournment until satisfaction on GER
tain measures now pending is OBJ
tanned"
For the benefit of the readers OF
this column it may be said that some
members have signed the petition pro-
visionally, indicating their willingness
to stay only until specific measures
have been considered. For example,
some will not vote against adjourn
ment after the Amendments to the
Railroad Labor Act and the Crosser-
Pension Bill are enacted into law.
Others, however are determined to vote
against adjojjurjnment until disposal,
to use the words Of the petition, "of
pending remedial legislation, "the
only reasonable assurance we have,
therefore, is the blocking Of adjourn
ment until the two aforementioned
measures have been passed.
Friday we achieved a great victory
in the House by passing the Amend
ments to the Railway Labor Act,
thereby leading the way to the enact
ment of a law which will do much to
establish peace in the railroad indus
try. A victory was also achieved for
Railroad Pensions and the road has
been paved for the enactment of a
better system for railroads and a more
splendid system for all industry. 1t is
estimated this Pension Bill will retire
about $4,000 men throughout the
country, thereby making place for the
unemployment of hat many men. AT
the same time it places purchasing
power in the hands of these retired, as
well as in the hands of those who will
automatically be employed. If legis-
lation of this kind had been enacted
eight years back the so-called depres-
sion would never have been heard of
and people in all fields would be en-
joying a greater degree OF happiness,
peace and prosperity.
Would that the majority of the
members could agree to remain in ses-
sion for another month, earnestly
working on the 30-hour week, the g.
hour day, the Frazier-Lenke Farm Fl
nance Plan, and various other meas
ures that should be enacted at this
time.