Montana labor news., 1936-07-09
INVESTIGATION OF
FORT PECK BEGINS
Steinmetz, of Great Falls 20
Represent Federation of = II
in Unearthing Unsanitar s.
case Breeding, and E, : AN
Peonage at Fort Peck.

J
A committee consisting OF j army
officers, two Washington union
officials and one delegate ed by
the Montana State Federi OF La
Dor (B. l. Steinmetz, Falls,
president OF Cascade Trad d Labor
Assembly, will investigate rvrt Peck.
Efforts will probably be made to stall
oil the investigation until after the pri-
maries. Senator Murray's secretary
said to Tryon, our delegate to the State
Federation convention, For Gods sake
let us get elected before you raise all
this hell"
The Federal Union proposes to the
mass meetings and to the Valley
County Trades and Labor Council
that we demand that;
/. The investigating committee hold
its hearings in the Recreation hall.
2. That some hearings be at night
when the largest number OF workers
is off.
3. That delegated (elected) wit
nesses be allowed to testify for work
ers who are afraid to expose themsel-
yes. Such elected witnesses to swear
in each case that they took the facts
personally from a worker on the pro-
ject.
4. That at least one hearing be held
in Glasgow so that workers who have
been beaten up by the Fort Peck po-
lice, or otherwise u off the project,
may testify in safety.
5. That the committee demand the
help OF Ayres, Monaghan, Murray and
other politicians in securing the widest
possible publicity.
6. That the committee demand that
the Fort Peck administration pay the
expenses Of witnesses who have to
come in from outside where the charge
is made hat they were fired unfairly,
7. That the committee make its in
yestigation of the barracks and com
missaries in company with a workers
committee.
8. That the committee attend a
barracks mass meeting and explain
how the hearings will be conducted.
Union Man Fired for Activity
Delegate George Tryon of the Fort
Peck Machinists' union, made a report
on Fort Peck at the State Federation
of Labor convention. He was fired
when he got back. A Billings delegate
overheard two stool pigeons making
sure OF Tryon's name. The office here
made no bones about the fact that he
was fired for union activity. Organi-
cations are requested to protest to
Ayres, Murray, Monaghan and any
other politicians. Every effort should
be made to get publicity for conditions
at Fort Peck. Candidates should be
asked to make statements about it to
the press. Everybody knows about
bedbugs, double decker cots, bad food,
compulsory residence. Everybody ex-
cept those who read the kept press.
Try to force some candidates to make
statements in the papers. Get them to
say something about false classified
tons producing low wages. The Fed
eral Union, Fort Peck, has asked all
candidates for Governor, Senator and
Congressman, to make statements to
the press. Organizations should check
up on them if they fail to do so. In
dividuals attending political rallies
should ask them if they have done SO.
One Of the politicians at the Fedora
ton convention said to Delegate Tryon
For Christ's sake, Tryon, let US get
elected before you raise all this hell
Bedbugs and Bad Food
E. r. Kinder, Secretary Farmers
Union, should be written to by all
Farmers Union locals and individual
members, and also by labor unions, and
asked to print the material on Fort
Peck, which he received June 9. His
address is Room II, Selvidge- Babcock
Bldg, Billings, Mont. Bedbugs,
double-decker hunks, bad food, make
life miserable in the barracks. The
men want the right to live where they
please. Those who will stay in the
barracks figure conditions will be bet
ter if they have the right to move out.
Federal Union 2O192 is leading the
fight, and hopes to show the Fort Peck
workers the value OF organization by
| winning it. The union needs every
help it can get. Farmers union locals
and individuals should write Murray
and Monaghan protesting conditions at
Fort Peck, In many places petitions
are being started asking that the men
have the right to move out. They are
being sent to President Roosevelt.