Montana labor news., 1934-10-04
Fort Peck Given Much Discus
sion; Deer Lodge Next
Convention City.

September Is, 20, p and %. 1t wa
one Of the largest conventions that has
been held in recent years, and the
subjects brought before the delegates
included the whole realm OF political
economy, sociology, economics, finance
and government. The first morning
the mayor Of Helena, Mr.. c. ].
Bausch, addressed the convention. In
his remarks he stated, 81 greet you as
a convention, | welcome you as fellow
men, | bespeak for you splendid re-
suits and | anticipate your meeting
will have a s%alutary effect" After the
seating Of the delegates, the commit
tee on Rules and Order made a report.
This committee was headed by Pete
lConnors, of Butte. Vice President of
the Federation, Jack Driscoll, was
chairman of the Credentials committee.
Many International officers were pres
ent, including Sam Vim and Mr..
Deco of the Railroad Organization.
Pete Dowler Of the Carpenters Inter
national, Jack Mcdonald of Hosting
Engineers. Senator Wheeler, James
Murray, Jerry O'Connell, Elizabeth
Kennedy, William H. BARLEY, Legis-
lative Representative Of the Railroad
Trainmen, Mr.. Weinberger, National
Representative of the Cooks & Wait
ers and Judge A%ngstman of the SUI
preme Court made addresses to the
delegates. Frank Edwards of Helena
talked more than an hour on Eco
monies and Finance. kilograms were
received from the American Fedora
ton of Labor and the Idaho Fedora
ton of Labor wishing the convention
a success.
Jack Driscoll was appointed chair
man Of the Resolutions Committee.
The first resolution passed related to
the eight-hour, three platoon system
for firemen in cities of the first and
second class. 1t was adopted. Resolu-
ton No. 1 related to the restriction
of men and women who are working
on relief being deprived Of their fran
chise. A long communication was re-
ceived in the form of a resolution from
the International Longshoremen's as
ISOLATION In connection with the charge
of murder that was %wrongfully laid at
the doors of some of their members.
A resolution relating to issuance of
franchises to bus corporations aroused
considerable discussion but was event
ually passed in an amended form
wherein the company seeking the
franchise promised to place its men on
an eight-hour bases. 1t was brought
out at the convention that violations
of the eight-hour law were being
practiced by merchants towards the
clerks and a resolution was submitted
covering this matter. There was also
another resolution relating to the VIC
%lations of the eight-hour day in other
industries. A committee was appointed
through the provisions of the resolu-
ton to interview Attorney General
Nagle to protest these violations. An
other resolution was presented looking
: toward the ultimate specialization of
hospitals and medicines. The conven-
ton went on record as being in favor
of government ownership of munition
T factories. A plan of recovery was in
PRODUCED by Hamilton Of Musselshell
county in which was provided the gov
eminent acquisition of Public Utilities.
This resolution caused quite a bit of
debate as some of the delegates point
: ed out that the present administration
is moving along to effect recovery and
! the injection Of other plans might be
confusing to the labor movement. The
. Educational Committee, headed by
t William LaFleur Of Helena submitted
r an exhaustive report.
The most striking article in this re-
port was the proposition in which it is
contemplated by the State Superin-
: tendent Of Schools to select a direc-
tor Of Workers Education at a salary
of $500 a month. There are many COM
T petent men in the labor movement who
are especially qualified to direct this
work when the appointment is made.
The report Of the Fort Peck Com
. mittee consumed more than a half a
day Of the conventions time. Walter
lSmeuthurst OF the United Mine Work
ers was chairman of this committee.
This committee introduced a reso-
luton relating to the pay Of mechan-
les and others at Fort Peck and seek
ing a classification and correction of
the wages paid to skilled and unskilled
workers. This committee also econ
mended that the State Federation Of
Il Labor petition for a congressional in
+ %vestigation Of Fort Peck conditions.
It should be noted in passing that
Senator Wheeler, in his remarks to
the convention promised that if con-
ditions were not corrected at Fort
Peck, that he would seek an investiga-
ton at the next session OF congress.
A report OF the Board Of Labor Re
view was submitted to the convention
and also President Graham's comment.
It looks at this time as though a
congressional investigation will be
made.
President Graham in his annual re-
port summed up the work Of the Fed
h Grafton during the past year and it
must be confessed that with the linz
tied amount of finances at the dis
posal Of the Federation a vast sum Of
constructive work has been done,
many abuses corrected, new %organiza-
tons formed and affiliated with the
Federation. President Graham de-
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