davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Montana labor news., 1935-04-25
EDUCATIONAL COMMITTEE
REPORT.

Ed Duncan, chairman Of the Educa-
tional Committee asked that all petit
tons, which were given to the unions
asking for the establishment of the
Educational Program under the FERA,
be returned to him as soon as possible.
Mr.. Duncan stated that some changes
have been proposed for the new Ma
tional Industrial Recovery Act. The
administration has asked that the
MIRA, be renewed at its expiration
this June. Some Of the proposed
changes, Mr.. Duncan thought, would
be beneficial to labor in Montana and
that the Legislative Committee should
look the proposed bills over and an
alyze them.
In relation to education, Mr.. Duncan
described three different phases of the
Adult Educational Program. He stated
that 50 per cent of the educational
program under the Smith Hughes plan
Of vocational training is borne by the
local school board. In order to in
crease the activity of this phase Of the
educational program it has been sug-
gested that a course of Diesel engi-
neering and welding be instituted. A
welding course has been established in
these schools at Great Falls. The mat
ter Of having these engineering courses
in Butte is a matter for discussion.
The establishment of these courses Of
training may not be suitable for this
community. Another matter, suggested
by Mr.. Duncan is the Smith Hughes
Program in which the Workers College
may be established. In the college the
union people and others will be taught
subjects of Americanization, Labor
Laws, History of the American Labor
Movement and Parliamentary Law.
The teacher selected for this type Of
work should be fully qualified and the
Federal Government will require spe-
at D~en7afrtiqn in Government schools
Duncan asked that the teachers union
submit a list Of six teachers from which
two teachers may be chosen. These
teachers will then be sent to these
Government Training Schools for a
period of six weeks. They will be
paid $500 a week while there.
Montana labor news., 1935-04-25
NEWS OF H
TRADES COUNCIL
THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
REPORTS.

The Legislative Committee recon-
mended that all the assistance be given
to the State Federation of Labor in
its effort to make the Patrol Bill in
operative. This committee stated that
James Graham could be assured of
sufficient signatures in Silver Bow
County to a petition to bring this Pa
troll Bill to the vote Of the people in the
next general election. They also re-
ported that no action was taken by the
Legislative Committee to make any
recommendations in respect to the APP
pointment of a mayor. An item of
considerable Importance announced by
this committee was that plans are now
being laid to obtain prominent speak
ers to teach the labor unions and their
delegates the i~ntricacies of the Legis-
lature. The purpose of these speakers
will be to train the labor movement to
use a more systematic method in Sc
curing beneficial Legislature. In this
connection a request was made to have
a joint session of the Legislative Com
mittee and the Educational Committee
next Tuesday evening at sever o'clock
at the Carpenters Hall.
Montana labor news., 1935-04-25
PRES. GRAHAM ORGANIZING new UNIONS
GARRISON
GIVES TALK.

Mr.. Garrison, the militant Senator
from Madison County addressed the
delegates of the Council and urged the
Trades and Labor Council to send a
delegate to a joint conference of the
farmers and unions to be held at Hell
ena next week. Mr.. Garrison stated
that there are 240 locals OF the farmers
an Montana. The purpose Of this con-
ference is to try and pick out a suitable
relief director for the State OF Mon
tana. At the present time the appoint
ment Of a director is tied up. The
Governor recently appointed a new
commission and this commission ha:
the power to appoint a director pro
vided, however, that he is suitable tc
the Federal Administration DR.. But
Ter is the present director. Mr.. CARR
son said that DR.. Butler had been very
fair and that the farmers were vel
pleased with his administration. How
ever, the new commission had sug-
gested the name of Mr.. Hart of the
Hart-Albin Company of Billings. Mr.
Hopkins, in charge of the Federal Re
lief, has already notified the State Of
Montana that the Federal Government
is satisfied with DR.. Butler. While
this controversy is raging the working
people are suffering. There is $780,
900 or more relief money tied up in
Helena that should be released for the
purpose Of relief. Secretary Grimes Of
the Trades Council was appointed &c
represent the Trades & Labor Council
at the joint meeting proposed by Mr.
Garrison.
Montana labor news., 1935-04-25
CLOSE RELIEF JOBS
TO CREATE LABOR
MARKET

. CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas-(FP)-
Neuces county, Texas, has disconti~
ued all relief projects.
Officials declare that the d%iscontin-
n is a Sign of recovery" But the
500 relief workers, many Of them Mex
leans, charge that the county relief
boards action was influenced by the
rich landowners who want cheap labor
to chop their cotton and pick their veg
etables. The workers have been told
in effect, to take the farm jobs for wha1
they can get or starve.
The relief payroll for the last montl
amounted only to $4,000. But the
paid by landowners is not ot -
reach 60 per cent % -ne Ienei 'ola' q.
the area hac 0een notorious Tor It's
a,a,aer rage scales.
Montana labor news., 1935-04-25
Nursery Schools APP
proved BY the Trades
and Labor Council

A communication was received by
the Trades & Labor Council asking the
support of the union movement for the
continuance Of the nursery school in
Silver Bow County. This letter said
that this part of the FERA educa-
tional work will be discontinued shortly
and a request was made in the letter to
have it begin again in August Of this
year.
To anyone who has not had an op-
portunity to visit these nursery classes,
the sight will be a revelation. There
are three public schools in which these
classes are now being conducted,
namely the Grant, the Franklin and
the Webster. As one enters the room
he is surprised at the tender age of
these youngsters. Some of them being
not much more than three years old.
They are allowed to play and roam
at will in a room under the guidance
and protection Of a teacher. These lit
tie human beings are undernourished
and underprivileged children and have
been taken from the homes Of people
who are on relief. The purpose OF
this undertaking is to build up their
bodies and their minds and to give
them expert training. A kitchen is
established at the school and meals
are prepared and served from menus
established by leading universities
Cod liver oil is also furnished. In the
afternoon the children are taught &c
take a nap and cots are provided il
another room for this purpose.
Undoubtedly it is a step in the RICH.
direction and from a physical point o.
view is the means of strengthening anC
~recreating the live processes of these
infants.
While the Trades & Labor Council
approves the continuance of the nurs.
cry classes, it voice sits antagonism t.
the condition which is the aus o
these children's sufferings. There i
no need in these days, in a land o
plenty, for any child to be under
privileged or undernourished. - .
sad commentary on II syst,"'i % uov
eminent and our social anu Hiuu''iia
order that children INST be taken GU
of their homes and given over to pub
lie institutions j. order that their bodies
and their sinds may be properly
nourished If there was proper dis
tr;bution of the wealth Of this country
there would be no need Of such insti
t,tions, as the parents would be ade
~ouately provided both in educatdona
and material way to rear their Chill
dren in health and culture.
Montana labor news., 1935-04-25
Carpenters Auxiliary
Entertains

The Carpenters Auxiliary No. 222
entertained at an Easter Party for
and children of members at
the Carpenters Hall April IS, with the
children furnishing the program, after
which refreshments were served and
baskets presented to each child.
The committee who took charge
we're:
Mrs. Ed Harrington, Mrs. Antoine
Jacobson, Mrs. Joseph Richards.
senteu following program was pre-
Isabella Richaru.,
Time" Shirley Harrington, 1At Easter
Is a Tavern in the Town "TJere
Walsh, poem; Joseph Richards, violin
solo, "Annie Laurie !" Genevieve Kaudy
tap dance; Gloria Gasser, poem, "The
Easter Story" Francis Walsh, song,
"On the Island of Capri" Virginia
Kenworthy, tap dance; Jack Harring-
ton, poem, 1.-THE Bunny" John
Richards, poem, Little Boy Blue >
Fred Walsh, poem, 81 Want to
Be a Carpenter; Rose Dorothy Flynn,
"On the Good Ship Lollypop;" Joseph
Richards, poem, "A Boys Mother"
Those present were Mrs. Charles
McBroom, Mrs. Ada Davies, Mrs. An
tone jacobson, Mrs. Miriam Gasser,
Mrs. William Tweedy, Mrs. Joseph
Richards, Mrs. Myrtle Jones, Mrs,
Charles Amendson, Mrs. Charles
Kaudy, Mrs. Dave Walsh, Mr.. and
Mrs. Ed Harrington, Mr. and Mrs. J.
Lundgren, Mr.. and Mrs. AL Jacobsen.
Mr.. and Mrs. Sam Latreit, MI. and
Mrs. Claire Kenworthy, Miss Dorothy
McBroom, Miss Pearl Richards, Mr..
Quay, Clyde and Bobby Gasser, Donna
Lee Tweedy, Eleanor Dolores Tweedy.
The mex social will be at the home
of Mrs. Charles McBroom, with Miss
Dorothy McBroom as c~o-hostess, May
2. Business meeting, May 10, with card
party following meeting.
Montana labor news., 1935-04-25
COMMUNICATION
STATE OF MONTANA
Department of Public instruction
Helena, Montana
April IS, 1885

Mr.. Clarence Blewett,
Montana Labor News,
q East Quartz Street,
Butte, Montana.
Dear Mr.. Blewett:
The Federal government allowed
$4,000 a month from the Federal Emer-
gency funds for education in Montana.
During the months OF January and
February we had quite an extensive
program. The classes always taper off
in March, April and May so we spent
a great deal more than $4,000 for the
months Of January and February. 1t
necessary to cut down some of the
classes in March, April and May and
still keep within our allotment OF an
average of $4,000 for each month.
At present we have a few adult
classes in general adult education. The
Nursery Schools are still running and
there are a few classes in americaniza-
ton work and vocational work. We
will have just about enough funds to
continue this work until June l, at
which time we understand we are not
to receive an additional allotment.
The Federal government may make
a regulation %alloting money to continue
the work longer, At present, we have
no information to the effect that we
will have funds for June, July, and Au-
gust. However, we do expect that we
will be granted funds to continue this
work next September. The funds that
we receive for education in Montana
are obtained through the regular ap-
preparation made for the Emergency
-f a certain amount being ear
marked i~r education.
DR.. l.. R. Alderman. Office Of Educ
alton, Department Of Interior, Wash
ing, D. c., is in charge of the Federal
Emergency Education Program. 1t
might be well if you would correspond
with him if you desire additional in
formation. When the funds are once
allotted for education these funds are
sent to the Federal Relief Director, DR..
w. ]. Butler in just the same manner as
other funds are sent but with a specific
'ear-markng" for education. If l have
not given you the information you de-
sire, kindly write again.
Sincerely yours,
ELIZABETH IRELAND,
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction.
Montana labor news., 1935-04-25
TRUCKING CONCERNS
APPLY FOR LICENSE

We wish to direct attention to the
fact, that elected officials Of this
commonwealth, have in the past per-
mitted, aided, assisted and granted to
Wall Street corporate interests rights
and privileges in many matters, much
to the detriment of our people, and our
state.
Some of the most fragrant abuses Of
their authority was committed by the
State Railway and Public Service
Commission Of Montana in this re-
gard during the administration which
ended last Jan. 1, 1885.
They granted to the million dollar
railroads and u of state trucking con-
Germs the in~discriminate and unre-
stricted right and privilege to make use
of our highways, which these concerns
did not contribute one dollar to build
and maintain, and further more, they
did not employ Montana men in their
operation as drivers or in any other
capacity; nor have they up to the
present time. They take the money
from our people and our state for
Wall Street.
In proof of the above statements,
we cite the denial Of several applica-
tons for permits, particularly the ones
of the lntermountain Transportation
Co. and one of Earl Wilds.
The latter one is refiled and to be
heard April 80, 1885, as previously the
Wilds asks for permits to transport
freight by truck from Butte to Helena
and return.
Mr.. Wilds is a Butte, Mont, resident
for many years, during which time he
has been, and is yet, an active member
of the Motion Picture Operators
Union. He previously, as at the pres
ent time, made application to the com
mission in good faith, in due form for
the above permit, he having proved
competency and capability to operate
said freight line, which was denied
him, although he pioneered it and
asked before any other applicant. 1t
was granted to the Great Northern
Railway and other firms.
The refusal of the Commission to
grant Wilds' application, which we
he was justly entitled too, not
only gave to foreign corporations our
money, much to the detriment OF Mon
tana people and their enterprises, but
It denied union men of Butte and Hell
ena employment, as Wilds would by
contract with the Butte Transfers
Union employed union drivers and
thereby in the present unem-
'loyment situation in this state, which
The successful foreign Wall Street car
BET baggers did not do. In this con
i%ection, we find they ship by Rail
clubs now extinct. The railroads broke
aith with their OWL employees. They
we're not employed on the railroad
rucks. These same employees at
empted to pass legislation to compel
Continued to Page ~
Montana labor news., 1935-04-25
LEGISLATIVE
Renaissance
CONTINUED From Last Weekl

H. B. No. 200 provided for inspection
of Electrical CONSTRUCTION. This Bill
passed the House but was killed in the
Senate.
H. B. No. 226 provided for abolition
of Plan No. 2 Workmen's Compensa-
ton Law. Passed in House. Killed in
Senate.
H. B. No. zoo provided for re-opening
of claims for compensation back to
January lst, 1929. Passed the House,
Killed in the Senate. A similar Bill
came from the Senate, was passed in
House but was vetoed by the Gov
ernor.
H. B. No. 343 providing for the rails
ing of $3,0O0,0O0.O0 for work and direct
relief. Passed both Houses and signed
by the Governor.
H. B. No. 351 provided for abolition
of Contracts in Highway Construction.
Killed in committee.
H. B. No. 365 provided for tonnage
tax on coal strip mines to provide rev.
enue for Old Age Insurance Fund.
This Bill was stolen.
H. B. No. 404 providing for the
abolitionment of one man working
alone underground. Passed House and
killed in Senate.
H. B. No. Az providing for a mini
mum wage for girls. This Bill was by
way of a substitute for H. B. No. %
and was supposed to remove the OBJ
jectionable features of the latter. 1t
died in committee.
H. B. No. 442 Highway Patrol Bill.
Killed in committee of the whole.
House Bills No. 456 and 467 in
elusive all p%ertained to amendments to
the eight hour statutes. They all died
in committee.
H. B. No. sos provided that all state
book binding work be done in the state.
This bill passed the House and was
killed in the Senate.
H. B. No. 532 an appropriation Bill
which contained the proposed appro-
priation for the Division of Labor.
This Bill finally passed both Houses
with this appropriation included and
has been signed by the Governor.
There were numerous other House
Bills in which we were more or less
interested and several House and Sen
Continued to Page ~
Montana labor news., 1935-04-25
Federation of Labor To
Hold Conference at
Washington

President Green of the American
Federation of Labor stated in a COM
%munication that a conference was to be
held in Washington for the purpose Of
modifying all forces Of labor behind
the Wagner-C onnery Labor Disputes
Bill which outlaws company unions,
and the Black Measure, relating to
working six hours a day. President
Green stated also that other measures
~effecting labor would come up for dis
cussion in the conference. He asked
the Council to send a delegate to at
tend this meeting. President Erler Of
the Council stated that James Graham,
president OF the Montana Federation
of Labor will be present at the meet
ing, and will represent the Montana
unions there.
Montana labor news., 1935-04-25
Commission Ends Its
Testimony About the
Water Co. Hear

The Railway Commission end s {
taking Of testimony in the Of s tc
show cause against the Butte : Ell
Company last Saturday. TIL q drt
room was crowded during Il g rec
days of the hearing by interesf = )ec-
tators. Many times during ~ ear
ing when Attorney Angstman Com
missioner O'Connell scored a DRY Of
got one of the witnesses of Water
Company in a tight place, Il Hence
applauded. An attempt tc qualify
Commissioner O'Connell was The first
move Of the Water Company. The
Board of Railway Commissioners de-
cided that the disqualification OF
|O'Connell would be decided on its
merits after the hearing had been con-
cluded. The three days were taken up
in much technical evidence dealing with
taxes, depreciation, history of the Wa
ter Company, etc.
At the hearing the many witnesses
included Kenneth B. Frazer, assistant
secretary of the Anaconda Company
Wade Plummer, superintendent of the
Water Company; Eugene Carroll, vice
president of the Water Company +;
George F. Burke, chief engineer Of the
Commission, and also Charles Haus-
wirth, Miss Margaret Laughren and
John Malta, county assessor. J. H.
Angstman, former judge of the SUI
preme Court, represented the Railway
Commission.
One Of the witnesses, Eugene Car
roll, had been asked what had become
of the three million, three hundred
thousand dollars that had been cred
tied to depreciation. The witness re-
piled that the money had gone back
into the plant. Much Of the evidence
revolved around this item Of deprecia-
ton. 1t seemed, from the testimony,
that 100000 had been set aside each
year for depreciation, and it seemed to
be difficult for the Board to get out Of
the witnesses whether this depreciation
was a book entry or whether it repre-
sented cash.
The depreciation account in many OF
these industries seems to be a good
method of covering up much surplus
earnings of the companies.
Eugene Carroll further testified that
regular remittances were made from
the Butte Water Company 10 New
York and that the Board of Directors
Of the Company set the salaries OF the
officers and also determined the
amount Of dividends 10 be paid.
Montana labor news., 1935-04-25
Correction From Last
Week

The Montana Labor News gladly
makes correction in an item appear
ing in last weeks issue, wherein it
stated that a letter was received from
the South Side Progressive Club in
relation to appointing a mayor for the
city of Butte and also relating to the
establishment OF the Transient Center.
The Club itself did not authorize any
suggestions as to choice of mayor by
the new administration or to anything
relating to the establishment Of the
transient headquarters. The letter
was written by an officer of the or
panization.
Montana labor news., 1935-04-25
MONTANA POWER COMPANY
PLANNING INDEPENDENT
UNION.

Delegate Bray of the Plumbers
Union stated that the Montana Power
Company contemplated forming an in
dependent union. The proposed Gre
alton of this company union was an
nounced last week in the Montana La
Dor News. Mr.. Bray was followed in
his remarks by MI. Peterson, interna-
tional representative OF the Plumbers
organization. Mr.. Peterson stated that
a new union OF the pipe filters had
been formed with the United Associa-
ton. 1t is composed at the present of
twenty-three lei The delegates
from this union were seated at the
Council last night. The representa-
tive of the Plumbers went into the his
tory Of the trouble between the Power
Company, the Plumbers Union and
the Pipe Filters Union. He stated
that seventeen gas filters working for
the Montana Power Company had been
initiated in the plumbers organization
and that seven men had so far refused
to do so. 1t was out of these seven
men that the Montana Power Company
was trying to form a company union.
Mr.. Peterson described how the
Tower Company had failed to abide by
il promise to enter into negotiations
With the Plumbers Union. He asked
al people who contemplate installing
gs in their homes to request to be
sown the building trades card Of the
wrkman. The bona fide union men
alng with the plumbers organization
vii be able to show this Butte build
ig trades card. Members OF the
Pwer Company union will not be able
toshow this card. In any event if the
MP employed to install gas cannot
shw this regulation union card. the
w'k should be stopped and the de-
mad made that the fittings then be
mailed by union labor.
Montana labor news., 1935-04-25
Federation Head Busy
In New Fields, Getting
Crafts to Join.

POISON. - On Thursday night
James D. Graham, President of the
Montana Federation of Labor met with
the workers of Lake County and a
Federal Labor Union was organized.
1t wa decided to have Mr.. Graham
address a Public Meeting on Saturday
night to explain the necessity for labor
organizing.
On Saturday night he again appeared
in Poison and addressed a large audience
Of the citizens Of Poison which packed
the hall, which followed him attenta-
lively and were liberal in their APP
plause.
The President of the Federation told
how President Green, of the American
Federation Of Labor from his office in
Washington, D. c., had instructed him
to come to Poison and investigate the
conditions of the workers here, and
report back to him.
For one hour and a half Mr.. Graham
pointed out facts to our citizens, show
ing them how their conditions could be
improved, how a number Of projects
could be started in Poison and Lake
County which would put many of the
unemployed to work. He appealed to
the workers to get into the union. At
the end of his speech forty-nine men
made application to join the union, the
first labor organization to be formed in
Lake County.
This was the first public meeting
ever held in Poison by a Labor Leader,
and we all hope that the head of the
unions of Montana will return to Pol
son in the near future.
WHITEFISH.-James D. Graham OF
the Montana Federation of Labor was
here Friday night and addressed a
large meeting of the wage workers.
He explained labor conditions through
out the state and nation in a way that
was very interesting.
Mr.. Graham made a very thorough
investigation Of unemployment here
and the administration of relief. He
promised a return visit within a few
weeks and it is intended on his return
to have one or more public meetings
arranged for him to discuss the neces-
sity and the advisabiEty of the workers
being organized to improve their eco
nomic conditions,
Montana labor news., 1935-04-25
May Day Celebration

A heated and lengthy discussion
arose over the matter concerning the
proposed demonstration by the Unions
on May Day. Some OF the delegates
charged that May Day was a Com
munist Holiday and that it was some
thing foreign 10 the American Fedora
ton OF Labor. Other delegates stated
hat the prime purpose Of holding this
celebration is to insure the continuance
OF the prevailing rate of pay on relief
projects. The Trades and Labor
Council officially voted down the mat
ter of holding the May Day celebra-
ton.
Montana labor news., 1935-04-25
Crippled Children's
Rehabilitation

The Central Labor Council was
pleased to contribute a sum of money
to assist in the rehabilitation Of Grip
pied children. The request was re-
ceived from the Butte Auxiliary Of the
organization.
Montana labor news., 1935-04-25
N NOTICE!

There will be a joint session of the
Legislative ommittee and the Educa-
tional Committee at Carpenters Hall,
Tuesday evening, April 80 at 7 o'clock.
All members Of these committees
please attend.
Montana labor news., 1935-04-25

GALLUP, N. M.-(FP)-All but 4S
of the 6Ol Gallup workers recently ar
rested in a series OF illegal raids by
specially deputized legionnaires have
been released, as the preliminary hear
ings on charges Of murder against 3S
men and 10 women in death cells at the
state prison began at Santa Fe.