Montana labor news., 1935-10-10
CHANGES In RELIEF
MEET WITH MUCH
OPPOSITION

A committee representing the office
workers in the Government relief ag-
encies appeared before the delegates OF
the Trades and Labor Council Tuesday
night. 1t was headed by Mort Dono-
hue. In addressing the delegates, Mr..
Donohue, in reference to the subject Of
Social Service, stated that there is no
such thing as Social Service in Butte.
The people here are o acquainted
with this high sounding phrase. We
are not used to having strangers knock
ing at the door and inquiring about
intimate questions concerning the fam
lily, the husband, the wife, and the baby.
As much as a year ago, an attempt
was made to put this system in opera
ton. The local men and women in the
relief offices put the skids under it.
It was alleged that the local people in
the relief set-up treated the Butte peo-
pie too well in the matter of relief so
that now there is to be a more seien-
tific operation of these agencies. Gull
tured, trained, and scientific social
workers from eastern centers are TO be
placed in charge. All the warmth, the
affection and the understanding which
has been a part of the administration
of the relief heretofore, is to be turn
ed into one of cold, scientific admin
istration. Mr.. Donohue stated that Mr..
Ralph Flynn, the head of the relief
bureau Of Silver Bow County, had
taken this matter up with the relief
offices in Helena in an effort to per-
suade them to permit the local people
to remain in charge. In presenting
the reasons for the appearance OF the
committee before the central labor
body, Mr.. Donohue stated that it was
necessary to create a labor ~organiza-
ton out of these Government office
workers and hat that was the under
lying motive Of the call. Through this
organization it was hoped to develop
more power in administering the re-
lief affairs in Silver Bow County in
the interest Of the people.
Both Mr.. Donohue and Mr.. John
Linquist Of the committee, explained
the reason Of the visit of the commit
tee. 1t was stated that the men and
women working in the Government re-
lief offices desired assistance from the
Silver Bow Trades and Labor Council
in forming an office workers union.
Meetings have already been held by
these folks and he estimated that sixty
or seventy people are willing to join
the new organization. The dominant
ideas behind the plan is to affiliate with
the American Federation of Labor and
be chartered by that organization. At
the last meeting Of the group it was
unanimously voted to apply for a char
ter from the A. F. of l.. Temporary
officers of the organization have al
ready been elected.
MI. Donohue pointed out the need
of forming such a union. He then
spoke of his own connections with or
ganized labor during the last half cen
fury and expressed his pleasure at be-
ing given the privilege Of again ad-
dressing a labor body. He expressed
confidence that the assistance in form
ing the new union which he asked for
would be granted. According to the
speaker, nearly all of the proposed
members OF the new organization had
spent nearly all of their lives in this
community and warned the Trades and
Labor Council that it could not afford
to let the opportunity go by Of form
ing a new union. 1t would be the
means, said Mr.. Donohue, of prevent
ing outside interlopers coming into this
community with their unsympathetic
plans in the administration of relief.
President Erler OF the Trades and La
Dor Council responded to Mr.. Dono-
hue and assured him OF the sympathy
and the undoubted acquiescense of the
Trades and Labor Council to the plan.
Arrangements were made to have re-
representatives. OF the Government Of
flee workers union meet with the Or
ganization Committee of the Trades
Council of which Delegate Moore of
the Musicians is chairman.