Montana labor news., 1935-10-10
In Defense Of Workers
Education
By Clifton C. Gilbert

In response to the great interest now
being shown in Montana in the pro-
posed program in Workers Education
as sponsored by the Federal Govern
ment through the WPA it is necessary
to set forth the following prospectus
or description of its aims and set-up,
all OF vital importance to workers and
their friends.
Workers Education in its present
form and status can only be appreciat-
ed by an understanding Of the steps
which have made the history OF its
progress. Approximately Is years ago
far-sighted and social-mineded persons
realized the crying need to bring a spec
ialized type of training to workers ;
more careful study in economics, trade
unionism, labor tactics, organization,
politics and cultural subjects. The
result OF these early ideals was Brook
wood Labor College, New York City,
which has weathered financial and or
g~anizational strain but is now definitely
headed for a period Of greater use
lulleSS. lHlS iusututnOhi ANaiiNiiiS
that the system of 192l-32 is gone for
ever, now turns resolutely to building
a new social order wherein the work
ers shall hold more power, lest they
sink back into a much less desirable
position than they occupied in the pion-
eening days OF capitalism" There are
other such schools and groups simil-
arly operating throughout the country,
principally in the eastern states, and
all with the same general goal to
enable the toilers TO acquire knowledge
and culture necessary to their coming
responsibilities.
Numerous brilliant and competent
men and women coming from the ranks
have given their best efforts toward
this cause. Many of these are college
people, emminently fitted to carry on
when one recognizes their remarkable
labor background in collaboration with
their scholastic training.
Amoung these should be mentioned
Mr.. ]. c. Kennedy, Director of Studies
at Brookwood in 1929, and now acti-
vely engaged in Workers Education
projects Of the WPA, Of special inter
est to us Of the Northwest as he was
one of the leading faculty members
at the Workers Education Institute
held at the University Of Washington
this August. In the event the pro-
gram is carried out in this state Mr..
Kennedy is expected to make a spec
ial organization tour to help US get
under way.
1t was considered only fair that
Workers Education should benefit pro-
portionally along with all the other
branches of education which have been
so beautifully nurtured during the
current administration. Hence actual
schools were established through the
unions and with FERA backing last
year in eastern cities including, Chica-
go, Minneapolis and Denver. Reports
indicate that they were a great sue
cess in both attendance and accomp-
lishment. At first no one questioned
the practical benefits and needs Of this
work, yet scarcely three months elaps-
ed ere certain papers of the capital
press began voicing opposition. The
reasons motivating this regressive at
titude are obvious and need no elabora-
ton. Suffice to say that the workers
are the benefactors and lest they real
ize this they are to be deprived Of
one Of the finest advantages yet ac-
cruing to them. Workers Education
will thrive and become part of the
workers future prestige but it must,
now in this period of change and in
creasing obstacle, be heartily support
ed by the Workers themselves. 1t is
for them and no n else.
August 10Th fifty men and women
chosen with due consideration to their
labor background and educational re-
quisities met in Seattle forming their
own Institute within the great
Adult Education Institute of 400 per-
IONS assembled for a month at the
University of Washington. The Work
ers division was headed by Messrs. J..
c. Kennedy and ]. l.. Kerchen, both
prominent in Pacific labor circles and
authorities on all subjects relative to
labor and unionism.
From Montana went people repres-
enting Butte, Anaconda, Great Falls,
Billings, Missoula, Kalispell, Miles
City, Havre, Broadus and Glasgow.
They came from sections engaged in
all sorts of occupations varying from
sugar beet raising and grazing to min
ing and smelling and each was in SYM
pathy and acquainted with the prob
lens OF the workers in that section.
Courses in the History Of the Labor
Movement, Labor Economics, and Pub
lie Speaking were intensively conduct
ed. An ordinary college course would
have required 3 months to cover the
same ground that we did with a mat
ure student body and alert faculty. Our
leaders were enthusiastic in their work
in contrast to the tired routine man
ner SO often seen in our schools Of
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