Montana labor news., 1935-11-14

Reports finding their way into union
headquarters tell a pathetic story Of
men assigned to Works Projects being
unable to continue at work because OF
lack of clothing. In some instances,
recently, during the cold spell, men
were forced to go home because of in
tense suffering. Oxfords that had
been purchased in PALMER days, but
which now were partially without soles,
were supposed to perform the needs Of
heavy shoes and o%vershoes. Some
WPA employees came to work in
faded best suits. Every other article Of
clothing had been worn out during the
depression and all the work clothes
also that had been given by the relief
agencies. On many projects street
clothes that had served as dress suits
covered shivering bodies, devoid Of un-
derwear and without any heavy outer
garments, TO protect them against the
chilly blasts coming down through Elk
Park.
The committee from the Trades
Council unearthed a condition that
would touch a heart of stone. Relief
cases receiving insufficient food, coal
supplied in scanty amounts and the
clothing budget reduced to a negligible
amount.
The committee interviewed Mr..
Ralph Flynn, Silver Bow County Re
lief Administrator for several hours.
Mr.. Flynn showed that his office was
helpless in the matter of giving addi-
%tional relief unless money was allocated
from Washington. After being con
WINGED that more money was needed
the representatives Of the unions sent
kilograms to Senator Murray at Wash
ington and to Henry Hopkins and Au-
brey Williams. Mr.. William Malo-
ney OF the State Relief Office at Helena
was in Butte Sunday the tenth, and
the committee sought his assistance in
getting additional funds.
Mr.. Ray Hart State WPA Admin
;strator, was informed that the lack Of
clothing was seriously Gripping the
progress Of the WPA projects.
Congressman Joe p. Monaghan and
Regional Director Tom Davis realize
the need that exists and have rendered
their help in relieving the condition.
Frank Walker to Help.
Attorney Frank Walker, a former
Butte man, who now holds a command
ing position with the Federal Emer-
gency Relief Administration in a reply
to the appeals from members of the
committee stated that he would try
and secure for Silver Bow County the
additional relief money so badly needed
After successive and persistent com
plants had come to the Silver Bow
Trades and Labor Council, concerning
a sad lack of adequate relief for fami-
lies in Silver Bow County, where the
bread-winner had been unemployed for
many months, through no fault Of his
own, resolutions were passed by this
organization, to appoint a committee
to investigate the relief administrator
OF Silver Boy County.
On November 9, 1885, this committee
met with local administrator asking for
a complete statement as to the funds
allocated to Silver Bow County and the
expenditure Of the same. Following is
the transcript of the meeting:
Committee: Mr.. Flynn, as admins
traitor of relief in Silver Bow County,
are you aware of the fact that many
complaints are being made, that ade-
quate relief is not available in Silver
Bow County?
Answer: Yes.
Question Why is this condition not
corrected, and why should it exist?
Answer. Funds are not available to
Silver Bow County.
Question. What are your financial
circumstances for the month Of Novem-
Der; and have all funds that were
made available for relief purposes been
expended?
Answer: Yes, we have been allo-
Gated $30,873.00 so far this month. We
have made expenditures of over $780,
00000. Or in other words, we have
spent some $l0,000.00 for food and fuel,
which we had no authority to do. AT
the present time we have an overdraft
in excess Of 100000.
Question You say you have ex-
pended 100000 more this month than
you have received?
Answer; Yes.
Question: Who will make up this
deficit?
Answer: If sufficient funds are not
allocated to the county, | cannot state.
am under bonds to stay within my
ALLEGATION.
Question: Just what funds have
been made available to you for the
month Of November?
Answer: On November 2, 1885, we
we're given an ALLEGATION Of $2,500.00 to
supply clothing to the men assigned to
work on WPA. On November 9TH,
1885, we received a telegram stating
that $28,373O0 partial November allo-
cation had been granted Silver Bow
County. This makes a total alloca-
ton so far this month Of $30,87300.
However. as | have already stated, over
100000 has been expended by US this
month to date, in carrying on relief.
Question Was the $2,50000 allo-