Montana labor news., 1935-09-12
WOULD BENEFIT WAGE SCALES

1t would have the effect Of greatly
strengthening the efforts Of labor to
increase its earning power and main
tain these wage scales which they had
struggled for years TO establish, On
the other hand, any attempt to lower
these scales would have the immedi-
ate tendency to break down the estab-
lished wages everywhere.
However we'll meaning the proposal
for a subsistence wage scale may have
been, it was but natural for labor to
resent this 10Y and regard it as a
direct effort to lower the American
scale of labor. l feel that in support
ing the McCarran amendment l was
doing no more than carrying out the
mandate Of the Democratic Party, an
nounced in its state platform last year.
That platform pledged me to such
a course and my sense Of justice and
fairness to the obligation that l as
sumed as a candidate impelled me to
throw my support to the McCarran.
amendment, and | voted for it consist
emily while that measure was before
the senate.
In the closing days OF the session 1
circulated a petition on the floor of
the senate with a view Of securing an
amendment to the work-relief appro-
priation bill to provide for the pay
ment Of prevailing scale OF wages on
all WPA projects. l secured the sig
natures Of seventeen senators, but the
great majority felt that it was impos-
sible to secure action on the matter
at that time. This question will again
come before the Senate and eventu-
ally will become the law Of this coun-
try. Already a great many states of
the Union, | do not recall the exact
number, but | believe more than fifty
percent have already enacted state leg
~islation providing for the payment of
the prevailing wage scales in public
works projects.
I am now in correspondence with
Washington seeking to make adjust
ments on the matter of wage scales in
this state. No fair minded American
can deny the justice Of these efforts
on the part Of Labor to maintain de-
lcent living conditions. There can be
no genuine prosperity unless the pur-
chasing power Of the masses Of this
country, the workers and the farmers,
can be maintained at a decent level
Industrial and business leaders of the
country are coming to recognize this.
Discussing the whispering campaign
which has for its objective the start
ing OF national apprehension concern
ing the physical and mental condition
of President Roosevelt, Senator Muir
ray said;
II talked with the president just be-
fore leaving Washington, He is in
fine physical and mental condition,
pleased by reports which have come
TO him concerning the improved con-
dition of the country as the result Of
the success Of his program, and keen
ly interested in further aiding that pro-
gress. He discussed Montana prob
Hens with me in a manner which show
ed an amazing grasp Of conditions in
this state, and / might add that he is
thus able to discuss with any senator
the problems in any Of the states in
the union.
Mr.. Murray is happy to be back in
Montana after the arduous work Of
the last session, probably one OF the
| forraef a,d ,,oe4 e4ra,ttot.e eare.,,e q,
the history Of this country. He ex-
poets to be recalled to Washington in
the neal future in connections with his
services on the Commission appointed
to study the subject presented by the
railroad retiremen t act, and to pre-
pare for the putting OF that measure
into actual operation. He was select
ed as one Of the members of the sem
ate to serve on that commission.