davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1935-06-09

II N THE many
letters which
have been
sent to me
. lately by young
business women,
certain problems in
ethics have been so
often repeated as to
seem not only i'm
portant but typical.
One of these. for
exa mple. is the
Montana labor news., 1935-11-21
Unemployables To Be Cared For
By State Funds

Through the Montana State Relief
Commission approximately 500 families
and single persons are being cared for
with State Funds on the basis of direct
relief.
1t is understood that after January
/, 1886, all unemployables, over the age
OF 65, will be granted a pension. This
pension is to be paid from available
county funds, funds collected through
the State Liquor Tax, and Federal
funds granted through the Old Age
Security Act.
Those persons who have not yet
cached the age Of 65 years, but through
infirmity or sickness are unable to
work, will be referred to the County
for the assistance needed.
In counties such as Silver Bow, where
the county's finances are such that
they are unable to extend relief, funds
will be Forthcoming from the State.
Montana labor news., 1935-11-21
Five Mile Hotel In
Union Craces

The representatives of the unio9s
OF Silver Bow County who gathered at
the Trades and Labor Council meet
ing, were delighted when informed that
the Five Mile Hotel had made a salts
factory agreement with the unious. A
week or SO ago this hotel got into a
little jam over the employment of nom
union musicians. When the persons in
authority were interviewed an immed-
late settlement was arranged indicating
that the violation of union rules might
have been done by someone having a
subordinate authority. But be that as
it may, the matter has been adjusted.
The Five Mile Hotel has been a popu-
lar stopping place for the people Of
Butte for the last generation. Conse-
quently the members Of organized labor
are particularly pleased to be allowed
to again drop in and have a cherry word
and some refreshments.
Montana labor news., 1935-11-21
No Discrimination
Against Old Men

Tom ]. Davis, director of the West
ern District of Montana of WPA, when
interviewed by a representative OF the
Montana Labor News, made the follow
ing statement
"WPA has no connection whatever
with the preparation Of 600 reports
which place men and women in a posi-
ton to be assinged to WPA projects,
but you may state very definitely for
the Western District of Montana OF
WPA that when a mar or woman has
been placed upon a 600 and is ready
for assignment to a WPA project, that
no discrimination of any kind will be
permitted against any man or woman
because of age. Any man or woman
who is an e~mployable on relief who is
certified for assignment will be placed
on a WPA project.
"All persons who have been assign
ed to WPA projects and who have
been reporting for work will be paid
for the days for which they have re-
ported for work; this also in spite of
the age of the person.
AT the present time we have no
projects which might be classed as
Fighter projects" but in the develop
ment OF WPA work men and women
who are somewhat physically handi-
capped will be given a preference to the
extent possible in placing them in WPA
projects. Such transfers to lighter
work will be made at the earliest pos
sible moment"
Montana labor news., 1935-11-21
Sadness HoverS Over
The Office OF The
Engineers Union

Wednesday, the Engineers Union Of
ficers were called upon to place bene-
ath the sod a beloved member OF the
Union. Many years ago, before the
present generation had seen the light
Of day, John McMullen landed in what
was at that time only a small mining
camp, the town Of Butte. Shortly af-
forwards he joined the Engineers I'm
ion. A group Of engineers reminiscent
ceing over the past life of their lost
comrade brought forth stories OF his
travels in Utah and New Mexico,
sometime after the famous American
Railway Union strike which was lead
BY that immortal character Eugene
Debs. Mr.. McMullen was in that
strike. He was a locomotive engineer
and when this organization went out
in sympathy with the A. r. U. union he
lost his job. 1t wa in Utah that he tried
to get back on the railroads but was
finally compelled to admit hat he
would never again be allowed to hand
lie the throttle. During the time that
Mr.. McMullen wa in New Mexico, he
was a member Of the legislature. In
the same session with Mr.. McMullen
was Albert B. Fall, later to become Sec
rotary OF the Interior in the Harding
cabinet.
The outstanding trait OF John Nc
Mullen in his union activities was his
conscientious and unflaging devotion
to duty. He represented his organi-
cation on innumerable committees. Be
sides being an active member of the
Engineers Union he was president Of
the Silver Bow Trades and Labor
Council and delegate for six terms to
the American Federation OF Labor
convention representing the Mine, Mill
and Smeltermen Workers. During his
stay in Butte, he wa a first motion
engineer at the Original, Munnie Healy,
Pittsmont and other mines. He twice
lost his job through union activities
and was twice returned to his occupa-
ton through the Intervention Of the
Engineers Union.
Some OF the older men in the organ
ization recall the fact that Mr. Nc
Mullen represented his union at the
first national convention OF the In
dustrial Workers of the World at Chi
cage when Sherman, DeLeon and Hay
wood were at the helm. 1t is report
ed that he bolted this convention be-
cause he felt that the rulings and the
constitution were not being obeyed.
He was returned to the next conven-
ton the following year. John Nc
Mullen was a member of the Summit
Valley Lodge, A. F. & A. NJ, Royal
Arch Chapter Deer Lodge No. 3, Mon
TAM Commandery and Bagdad Tenn
pie. He was buried from the Mas
onic Hall.
Montana labor news., 1935-11-21
Judge HattersIey Holds
8-HOUR LAW UNC0N-
STITUTIONAL

The law adopted by the legislature
of Montana in 1888 fixing the limit of
a work day at eight hours in this state,
has been declared unconstitutional by
J Judge R. M. Hattersley Of Conrad. The
decision was handed down in the dis
trict court in Great Falls Thursday
and created the most widespread excite
ment and discussion in labor circles
known this year.
The decision was given in the case
brought against Charles E. Kelsey by
County Attorney c. F. Holt and Deputy
County Attorney J. Paul Freeman in
the district court Of Cascade county.
Kelsey was charged with violation OF
the state labor laws that provide for
an eight-hour day in retail and whole
sale Establishments.
Kelsey was represented by the law
firm of Weir, Cliff, Glover and Ben
nett. A jury wa empanelled and the
case started. AT this point Attorney
Roy Glover made a motion to dismiss
the case on the ground that the state
had failed to prove a public offense
beyond a reasonable doubt, that the
law under which the case was brought
was unconstitutional and a violation Of
both the federal and state constitutions
and violates the fourteenth amendment
OF the federal constitution.
Judge Hattersley upheld the point
and after taking the case from the jury
granted the motion to dismiss.
The law that was declared invalid
was passed by the 23rd extraordinary
session of the state legislature and is
one that Commissioner of Labor, Ed.
O'Byrne has been relying on to bring
about a more general observance of the
eight-hour regulations.
In the absence of Attorney General
Ray Maggie, the question of an appeal to
the State Supreme Court was taken up
by officers of the State Federation
of Labor with Judge ]. ]. Lynch, Fri
day. The latter Is making an investi-
cation to determine whether or not
the action Of Judge Hattersley in tax
ing the case from the jury will stand
in the perfecting Of an appeal
Montana labor news., 1935-11-21
r GALLUP MINERS GET
As TO
so YEARS.

AZTEC, N. M-(FP)-All the tricks
Of judge and prosecution could not
wiring a first degree murder convic-
ton from the jury trying the 10 Gallup
miners, but did win a second degree
conviction for three with a plea for
clemency. Seven were acquitted.
Then, angered by the failure Of his
frameup plans, Judge McGhee gave the
men sentences of from As to 90 years
and burst forth in a TRADE that ex-
posed his bitter vindictiveness. He de-
clared they were Communists, hoped
that no governor would ever release
them, sneered at their possible appeals
to the U. S. Supreme Court, and charg-
ed that money was raised for the de-
Tense but was not used for legal ex-
penses.
Few people were in the courtroom
when the verdict was brought in. The
courthouse has been surrounded with
electrically charged wires and a squad
of New Mexican state police through
out the trial. Activities Of the United
American Patriots, vigilante society,
and the resentment of workers had
kept the little town Of Aztec tense.
Appeals based largely on Judge Nc
Ghee's charge to the jury will be in
stituted by the defense Immediately, it
has been announced. McGhee's ac-
tons and words have been prejudiced
throughout, courthouse observers point
out.
When Sheriff Carmichael of Gallup
and two workers were killed during an
unemployed demonstration April 4, COL
workers in the town were held for
questioning. Later the number held I'M
der arrest was pared to 90, and still
later to the 10 workers who were tried
The 10 we're charged with first de-
gree murder, although none of them
was shown to have killed anyone, and
defense attorneys have pointed out
that the bullets found in the victims
OF the shooting matched the guns OF
deputy sheriffs present at the demon
stration. When Robert Minor and Da-
vid Levinson OF the Init. Labor De
Tense went to Gallup early in the sum-
mer to investigate the case, they were
kidnapped by vigilantes, beaten and
dumped in the desert outside Gallup.
Montana labor news., 1935-11-21
LABOR AND The
COMING ELECTION

1t is not too early TO start thinking
of the stand we will take and how we
will vote in the elections next July and
November. 1t is only thru a united
stand and the adoption Of a definite
Legislative program that Labor can hope
to compete against the campaign funds
OF the employers associations, cham
bers Of commerce, contractors organ
izations, etc, whose united purpose is
to reduce the wages and eliminate the
rights Of the workers.
In the national field w II have
the opportunity OF choosi 3 Presi-
dent, a United States s. S jr for a
term OF six years and t :. Congress
men for terms Of two y In the
State we will choose a ~ from the
Governor on down to tho s. est County
office. q
On the basis Of pr Y performance
there is little question t that labor
will put its trust and a in the De-
mocratic Party for a the Republi-
cans have produced n like Norris
and LaFollette, the sneral level is
so low, their policies are so reaction
airy and their trucking to wealth is so
fragrant that their only hope in the
coming election lies in the similar short
s%ightedness of the Democratic Party
leaders with a resulting protest vote.
Judging by our Democratic Leader
ship in Montana we may expect such
a shift altho Butte has already learned
its lesson as to what may be expect
ed from Progressive" Republicans.
The important thing for Labor to do
at this time is to prepare a program
OF constructive legislation for the State
Legislature as well as the Congress.
On all sides are fresh evidences of
the fact that the Judiciary is streng-
thening its strangle hold to stifle any
evidence of liberalism or labor legis-
lation. Just a few days ago it was
reported hat in Great Falls a judge
had declared the eight hour law pass
ed by the 1888 session of the Legis-
lature unconstitutional, in violation Of
personal rights and ambiguous. It was
a similar shortsighted and %reactionary
federal court which declared the Child
Labor Law passed by the United States
Congress unconstitutional.
Similar rulings are pulled from the
judicial sleeve whenever there is an
attempt to tax public utilities, hold
ing companies, insurance companies,
railroads, chain stores or any other ag-
gregation controlled by wealth, but the
courts are silent when the rights of an
individual are violated as when an en-
|ployee is b~lackballed for activities in
a labor union or when pickets are
beaten or shot to death for peacefully
attempting to combine and protect the
selling price OF their labor.
The remedy is the stripping of this
illegal power from the Courts. Legis-
lation is worthless if it may be de-
clared unconstitutional and against pub
lie policy by the courts in disregard Of
the wishes of the voters.
When legislation may be picked over
and passed upon or rejected by the
Courts it is the death of democracy
and the birth of Hitlerism and depo-
tism.
The elimination of this power # the
courts is the goal which labor must
set for itself.
Contributed
Montana labor news., 1935-11-21
Big Profits Boom; So
Does Unemployment

NEW YORK-(FP)-Here is the
riddle for Americans to solve that is
more battling than the riddle OF the
sphinx-and remember, the sphinx de
stroyed those who could not solve her
riddle.
On n hand, we see business picking
up merrily. Profits are swelling bank
reserves until the excess of idle cash
lying around has mounted to unheard
OF figures. The automobile business is
booming. During July more cars we're
sold in June, although the reverse is
usually true. Sales Of washing ma
chimes rose 10 per cent in July owe the
previous month. One large company
after another is reporting the highest
six months earnings since the depres-
sion began.
On the other hand hours Of work
are becoming longer, wages are being
reduced and more men are jobless than
at any time in the last two years. The
NRA recently reported that $1,000
firms have cut pay or boosted hours
since the old NRA died-and the num-
Der m~ultiplies. The employers Ma
tional Industrial Conference Board ad-
mits unemployment increased 100000
in July.
How can one explain this weird
paradox Of jobless misery and under
paid employment increasing at the same
time business appears to be picking up
and profits getting latter? Certainly,
the same people who are buying more
and renting high-priced apart
ments in our big cities are not the same
people whose wages are being cut and
who are losing their jobs.
Part of the answer is found in the
fact that more farmers than industrial
workers are being effectively helped
by the federal government. No doubt
many farmers are buying automobiles.
But even here, it is only a relatively
small proportion Of the farmers who
can afford to do that-those who have
the best farms, have plenty of capital
and provide the best management.
Although the government boasts that
farm income in 1884 increased about a
billion dollars, it was still five billion
less than in 1929 when half the farmers
averaged only $500 a year. A recent
survey OF Oklahoma farmers showed
that most Of the farm families had less
to spend in 1884 than in 1888, although
prices had risen about II per cent.
This new business squirt seems to
come from the weather. classes, who
are managing to extract it from the
hides Of the workers.
One can only point to those unbe-
lievable figures which the Bureau of
Internal Revenue published last De
cember showing that in 1888 the number
persons with incomes Of 81 100000 or
more increased to 40 from 20 in the
previous year. At the same time the
incomes Of the people in the lower
brackets diminished drastically - de-
scended into that class which does not
pay an income tax. And, remember
also, that one-third of the national in
come tax is paid in New York where
the suckers are not coming into the
stock market.
There is no doubt that the old money
concentrating mill is working again at
full blast, But the question is-how
long can it continue, unless wages are
raised and more men employed?
Montana labor news., 1935-11-21
Labor Pleased By
New Contempt Rule
Steinbrink's Decision Up
holding Right to Jury Trial in
Contempt Cases, Frees Unions
From Tyranny of Reactionary
Judges = Bakery Workers
Fight Reaches Historic Legal
Denouement.

No longer will it be possible in New
York State for an antagonistic judge
to strike down a labor union with a
stroke Of the pen by enjoining it from
carrying on the only business for which
it exists and then Furnishing its lead
ers for contempt when they struggle
to avert the unions ruin. The legis-
lative enactment granting the right to
jury trials for persons accused of vio-
lating labor injunctions has been up
held by the Supreme Court of the
state.
The decision of Justice Meier Stein
brink, unfolding this law, was rendered
in the case OF the Standard Baking
Company against officers and members
of Local sos Of the Bakery and Con-
fectionery Workers International I'm
ion Of America. The original i%njunc-
ton wa granted several months ago
by Justice Leander Faber in Brooklyn.
Indignation against the sweeping pro-
visions of this order was largely res
ponsible for passage Of the jury trial
statute by the last Legislature.
Justice Steinbrink held that the jury
is as much a part Of the Supreme Court
as any justice thereof and that, there's
lore, the Court was not deprived by
the new law Of jurisdiction to vindicate
violation Of its mandates by punish
ment for contempt. He threw out the
old argument that a plaintiff who OBJ
tains an injunction becomes vested with
property rights.
Balks Bourbons
Organized labor here escapes a haz-
ard that has hung w its activities
for nearly half a century. Bourbon
judges in the past have wrecked many
courageous struggles to obtain justice
for workers by misuse of the equity
power and tyrannical infection OF pun
ishment. The Clayton amendment to
the Antitrust laws started a train OF
events which has moved slowly but
surely to emancipate labor %organiza-
ton. The Clayton Act declared the
labor OF a human being to be not a
commodity and restricted use of the
injunction in labor disputes. The Nor
is-LaGuardia Act outlawed the yellow
dog contract, under which employers
sought-to deprive workers of the right
to join unions. Section IA OF the
NRA, and, later the Wagner Labor
Disputes Act have sought to establish
the right Of collective bargaining.
Legally, Labor is faring well. Rec
ognition Of its true rights has come as
much through enlightened appreciation
Of their fundamental justice as through
pressure exerted by the Labor move
ment, itself, The way has been cleared
for Trade Unionism to give its mem
bers adequate protection in their econ
omic life. The task remaining is that
of organization. That will require
genius and capacity in leadership and
no excuses need be offered when that
leadership fails. The labor leader Of
the future must bring more to his
task than a desire for a soft job.
Montana labor news., 1935-11-21
Miners Offer Turkeys
As Prizes

If you enjoy card parties and if you
enjoy dancing which we are assuming
that you do, go to these affairs at the
Miners Union Hall, S2H East Park
Street. The card parties are held
every Friday evening at nine o'clock
and the dances are held every Sunday
evening at nine o'clock. They are fast
becoming the two most popular forms
of amusements of account. Next Mon
day evening there is to be a special pre-
Thanksgiving card party with turkeys
as the prizes. This weeks regular Fri
day nights card party will be held
Monday evening November 18th.
Montana labor news., 1935-11-21
SLAVONIC-AMERICAN ADJUST
DIFFERENCES

The Hold Carriers Union announced
with not a little qualification that an
adjustment has been effected in the
matter Of the Slavonic-A American Hall
800 Cherry Street, East Butte.
The union wishes to clear the name
Of Mr.. Larko who was mentioned in
connection with the misunderstanding
The public is cordially invited to
attend a dance to be held in the hall
next Sunday evening. The Musicians
union will supply the music.
Montana labor news., 1935-11-21
James Graham Busy
With Glasgow Unions

A federal union with American Fed
Grafton Of Labor affiliations was or
ganized al a mass meeting at Spot
Hill, Lakeview SHACK town near Fort
Peck Dam). Officers were elected and
a charter has been applied for. w. w.
Ward and Haven P. Perkins reported
for the committee which had interview
ed Major Larkin, district engineer in
charge of project, concerning the re-
cent cuts in hours from 40 to % per
week, thereby reducing the weekly in
come OF the majority Of the workers on
the project to $l4 a week. J. D. Ora
ham, pres. of the Mont. State Fed. Of
Labor, spoke on the rotten labor con-
ditions at the dam and the fight which
he and the State Federation had made
successfully to force the WPA to pay
the prevailing union rate in Montana.
He also discussed a resolution which
the National Convention of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor which met in
Atlantic City, New Jersey last month
had passed. This resolution urged up
on the Executive Committee of the A.
F. of l.. an intensive organization
campaign at Fort Peck and a Congress-
ional investigation Of the well know
chiseling there. He read a telegram
from William Green, president of the
American Federation Of Labor, which
backed the proposed organization. The
mass meeting voted to have education
al meetings at Spot Hill each Sunday
at | 100 P. M. The mass meeting pass
ed a resolution to invite Major Larkin
to present the governments case for
the wage cuts at the next meeting,
Sunday, November "a. J. M. David
son, president Of the Valley County
Trades and Labor Council, presided.
RONALD VENUE,
Montana labor news., 1935-11-21

Ed Duncan, chairman Of the Educa-
tional Committee, urged the delegates
to report to their respective unions
that more registrations were required
to fill the number of students needed
to complete the diesel engineering class
es. Only thirteen men have register
ed so far to date and sixty are nec-
essary. Mr.. Duncan pointed out that
this diesel class is strictly a school for
the working people, and that they
should take advantage Of it. Men who
are interested in learning the funda-
mentals Of diesel engineering should
register at the school administration
building on Montana Street. The class
es in mechanical drawing and machine
shop practice are going along very nice
ly according to Duncan and are holding
sessions each night at the high school.
Montana labor news., 1935-11-21
HENRY WEIDENBACH,
ENGINEER PASSES

Henry Weidenbach, Secretary of the
Engineers union, died last night at
Murray Hospital. He had been sick
for a week having suffered a paralytic
stroke last Thursday. Engineers will
please watch for funeral notice.
Montana labor news., 1935-11-21

The Typographical delegates warned
the Trades Council that the Crowell
Publishing Company is unfair This
company puts out the American Mag
azine, Golfers, Mentor, and the Lad
les Home Journal Union members
and ladies auxiliaries are urged not to
buy these publications and to ask ali
their friends and relatives to assist the.
unions in bringing this company into
line with union regulations.
Montana labor news., 1935-11-21

Loans totalling $124,615 have been
made to the 955 Rural Rehabilitation
clients in Las Animas county, figures Of
the Resettlement Administration show.
OF the total number Of farm clients re-
ceiving loans, 800 could be resettled in
more productive sections of the state.
Montana labor news., 1935-11-21
S14.OO

From This budget if Is possible TO
estimate tbe situation of men who live
IN Glasgow with b;ober rents and tran
snortat;on costs Mn, living in the
barrscLs With families At home viii
b.uo * M ner ,veel, laft after thew
bave naid a. +be;r Subsistence ana
nnarters
Ma;or rark;n no;nted ont 70 the
-comn,;ttee tbat he had done some
t5;nas - male ne n,mber Of lavoffs
sraaIlor than !, would Otherwise have
baon H. sa;d tba4 ,nvone sborld have
roai;1ed ~ tha dredoes stc worId
close do,yn n winter H. sa;d that he
Lad done come limo 70 warn tbe WPA
a~hor;t;as /, Hotoeo Ia Wasb;noton
tbat men were ~ he Iaid off here
ITho cov,,;ttoo ,sted him e he had
cont;n,,ad f;rbt;ra 10 ao+ nro;ects start-
al hero M he Ia ~ h. bad not
n,,da , hard f;ob+ IT, vas aIso aeked
e he bad made arv lind % f;obt to
no+ ,,,aaes ra;sed and ) bigoer snnro-
-, ~ 80 that the u,oeI.i,, y1oae World
Montana labor news., 1935-11-21

The Relief headquarters, Ralph Flynn
in charge sent a letter to the Silver
Bow Trades and Labor Council thank
ing them for their efforts in securing
additional appropriation for relief pur-
poses for Silver Bow County.