Montana labor news., 1935-12-26
TOWNSENDITESLA LAY
POLITICAL PLANS

Townsend Club No. /, held an I'M
usually interesting meeting at the "Y"
on the evening of December 20. The
report Of the Membership Committee
showed that the membership is being
increased rapidly. The response to the
request for the payment of dues was
encouraging, showing that the members
are willing to make a sacrifice to raise
the funds needed to carry on the Con
gressional campaign, rather than to SOL
icit funds from big interests or politi-
clans who would, no doubt, demand
control OF the organization in return
for the contributions as has often been
done in political parties and other 10
ements. The petition committee re-
ported that petitions carrying 800 new
names had been sent in recently. The
name of D. c. Peck was added to the
list OF nominees for the office OF presi-
dent.
Mrs. H. N. Kennedy, the speaker Of
the evening, talked on Some OPPOSE
ton The Townsend Plan Is Meeting,
And Its Outlook For the Future" She
said in part, "All down the ages when
people attempted to right wrongs they
met with opposition. Cries Of imprac-
teal, revolutionary and radical are the
challenges until people are refusing to
be influenced by these cries and are
doing their W thinking. Are Ameri-
cans ready to ask the trusts and ono
poles to give us in pity what we ought
in justice to take? Under existing
laws and conditions it is futile to un-
dertake to prevent monopolies. That
was clearly shown by the opposition to
the Wheeler Rayburn Utilities Holding
Act in the last congress. They we're
simply trying to pass a measure for
public justice, and where did they get
with III?
Some opponents are trying to make
out that labor is against the Townsend
Plan because they have consistently
opposed an ordinary sales tax that
would have to be borne by consumers,
a large part OF whom are laborers.
Labor leaders, however, understand that
funds for this plan are to be raised
by a transaction tax that will be levied
upon every transfer of stocks and bonds
on Wall street; all grain in the pit
in Chicago, every transfer of real es-
tate and every purchase Of supplies by
industrialists, and not alone upon the
poor mans loaf of bread.
And now for the future. Members
of the present Congress have spent the
summer largely in their own constitu-
%encies. With their ears to the ground
they have sensed the temper Of the
linen and ome who elected them to
Congress and will go back to Wash
ington with their viewpoints changed.
Their reelection to the next Congress
will depend very largely upon their sup
port or rejection Of the Townsend Plan.
There are now 5000 Townsend Clubs
with an average Of 500 members, and
both clubs and members are rapidly
increasing. The East is fast becoming
a rival of the West, where the move
ment started. This is a formidable ar
ray OF voters, more than a Dalance OF
power in any election.
Mr.. and Mrs. Kerr Beadle, members
of the Helena Club, we're present and
signified their intention of having their
membership transferred to Butte.
Mr.. James Chatham, graciously fav-
ored the Club by singing two selections
He also signified his intention Of put
ting on a Townsend program at the
Broadway Theatre, when a good speak
er would be provided and old fashioned
fiddlers would furnish the music.
At the next meeting, to be held Fri
day evening, December 81, Mr. Pat A
Kelly will lead a public forum on 1.-THE
Essential Of the Townsend Plan" Mr.
Ralph Hum, the popular young Chin.
csc singer, will sing several selections