Montana labor news., 1935-05-02
Governor Appoints the
New Relief Commission


The passage and approval OF the new
relief bill, H. B. 343, repealed all prior
relief legislation in the state and gave
to the governor the authority to ap-
point a state relief commission of five
members.
The five members appointed by the
governor are: Larry Duggan Of Butte,
DR.. Harry McGregor OF Great Falls,
William Riddell Of Billings, Royal
Mann Of Missoula and Frank T. Kel-
sey of Moorehead. Members of this
commission will each draw $40 a day
and expenses and have the right to
appoint the state relief administrator.
If DR.. Butler is going to be re-appoint-
ed, is not known at this time.
The administrator to be appointed
will hold office at the pleasure OF the
commission, but, according to the bill,
shall be a person acceptable to such
federal authority as is charged by law
with the administration and allotment
Of federal funds" Recent reports en-
anating from Harry L. Hopkins at
Washington indicate that the present
state administrator, DR.. Butler, is ac-
ceptable to the Federal Authority, The
question seems to be whether the pro-
visions Of the state law will supersede
the regulations governing the appoint
ment OF State Administrator by the
National Administration. According
to the terms of the Montana law the
five members Of the state commission
recently named by the governor, have
the power to select the administrator.
Mr.. Hart of Billings has been appoint
ed by the commission as administrator.
The fight is now between DR.. Butler
and Mr.. Hart as to who will retain
the post.
Another phase of this relief bill is
the appropriation made by the last leg
islature, of $3,0O0,000.00 as a state OF
Montana contribution to match the
Federal relief funds.
The commission will determine the
policies of the Montana relief admin
istration, but all administrative and ex-
ecutive authorities and duties are vest
ed in the administrator. Appointments
by the administrator of major depart
ment heads will be subject to the ap-
proval OF the commission.
The administrator, according to the
provisions of the new law, with the
approval OF the commission will ap-
point committees in various counties OF
the state. The bill specially provides
that mo member of the Montana re-
lief commission, or any of the county
relief committees, shall have any dir
ect or indirect financial interest in or
profit by any operations OF the COM
mission or any OF its agencies"
One OF the last sections in the new
law points to the grave emergency in
the state and the need Of prompt &C
ton relief on the part of the new COM
mission. Because OF hfe-inabihty of
thousands of persons throughout the
state to find employment and to sup
port themselves and their families in
the present depression" the law says,
1t is necessary that the powers con-
ferred and moneys appropriated by this
act be exercised and drawn or, res
pectively, Immediately in order to Gre
ate employment, to relieve distress and
to prevent irreparable injury to the peo-
pie Of the state so that the public peace
health and safety can be preserved i'm
mediately,"
Dissatisfaction, in many quarters,
with the handling OF relief, seems to be
one of the reasons for the creation OF
the commission. The committee ap-
pointed by the U. S. Senate to in
vestigate the relief situation unearth-
ed such a mass OF material that some
thing had to be done. Some of the
testimony Of the relief delegations
were startling to say the least. The
new commission will have plenty OF
work on its hands and car do much
needed good in relieving favoritism and
placing the responsibility of irregulari-
ties where they belong.
The Silver Bow Trades is co-operat-
ing with the Farmers union to select
an acceptable person for State Relief
Director, a meeting of several groups
was held in Helena, Thursday of last
week.