Montana labor news., 1935-08-01
NEWS OF THE
TRADES COUNCIL

last Tuesday. Messages we're received
from Senators Wheeler and Murray
and Congressman Monaghan and Ay-
ers and also from Postmaster General,
James Farley. Nearly all of these re-
lated to the appointment OF Ray Hart
of Billings as Works Progress admin
istrator for the State of Montana. The
Silver Bow Trades and Labor Coun-
Gil has vehemently opposed the reten-
ton OF Mr.. Hart in his present posi-
ton. Last night the delegates again
affirmed their former sentiments IN this
respect. They refused to compromise
on this situation as they feel that no
reconciliation is possible between the
unions and the present head OF the
works administration Of Montana. Part
of this antagonism Gems to have arisen
over the fact that Mr.. Hopkins did
not consult Senator Murray or Sena-
tor Wheeler before the appointments
and the set-ups were made. If our
representatives in Washington had
been consulted in this matter it is GER
tain that a more favorable choice
could have been made in respect to
organized labor OF the state.
The messages received by the coun-
Gil also referred to what is known as
the Workers Rights Amendment to
the Federal Constitution. This is EN-
bodied in Joint Resolution, one, num-
bered 327 and one numbered 30l, which
are now before the United States Con
gress. Monaghan, one of II congress
men. is the author Of one of these
Workers Rights Amendment and it
was read at the Trades and Labor Cou-
neil Tuesday evening. The purpose Of
this amendment is to deprive the Sup
RENE Court Of the United States of its
present usurped power Of declaring
measures passed by Congress as I'M
constitutional. 1t was brought out in
these communications that the original
constitution did not provide, nor in
tend, that the Supreme Court of the
United States should have any juris-
diction over acts Of Congress, but this
power has been assumed by this Court.
Hence many Of the liberal members
OF the National body are attempting
in these proposed amendments, to take
away this power from the Supreme
Court. Naturally this would be in the
interests of the common people. The
Supreme Court has always been the
bullwark of property rights as against
human rights and the capitalists and
the upper classes, namely the rulers Of
the country, always vociferously defend
the Supreme Court in its powers whet-
her legal or illegal.
= 4 4
A letter was received from Lawrence
Westbrook, assistant administrator to
Henry Hopkins appealing for a little
more liberal attitude toward the state
administrator Mr.. Hart. The dele
gates, however, were adamant in their
antagonism and the secretary was in
structed to notify Mr.. Westbrook tina;
no temporizing in this situation could
be tolerated. The opposition by the
Central body is i%rreconcilable.
A communication was received from
the United Wall Paper Crafts of North
America, asking the unions to buy wall
paper with the union label. This mat
ter should be brought to the attention
of the Ladies' Auxiliaries. A request
was also received from the American
Suspender Company. This company
desires to have its merchandise handl-
ed by some Of the Butte stores. Taey
put out a union made s%uspender. The
communication was turned over to the
union label committee. This committee
will probably visit some of the stores
and notify the council OF the names Of
the merchants who will handle these
union made goods.
A letter was received from the Great
Falls Trades and Labor Council cor
corning the organization of asbestos
workers there. This union has juris-
diction owe insulation work. The
plumbers union of Butte, so it was re-
ported, takes care Of all Of this type
of work in Silver Bow County.
1t was decided by the Council to
ask the City Council Of Butte to pro-
test the continuance OF Mr.. Hart in
lis present position and also TO pro-
test the payment of the wage proposed
under the Relief Works Plan. The
Montana Labor News has already pub
lished a communication from the city
Of Anaconda indicating that that NUM-
cipality has already protested the pay
ment Of what has become known as
the Roosevelt Scab wages. Some time
ago this very matter came up in the
City Council through requests of the
F. +. R. A. organization.
A little discussion arose over the
proposed organization Of the F. f. R.
A. Workers. A series OF meetings is
now in progress to this end. A pro-
posed conference was included. The
adoption of resolutions by the various
craft unions against the Government
Wage scale on relief work has been
requested. One of the delegates felt
that if those in control Of the Silver
Bow County relief set-up exercised
the power to pay the prevailing wages,
as asked by the unions, that there
should hardly be any need, Of an or
ganization, OF these men, because their