davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Montana labor news., 1936-06-18
u. M. W.. A. SAYS mo"
TOA.F. OF |. REQUEST
TO DISBAND c. |. O.

Washington-(FP)-A flat NO" is
the answer OF the United Mine Work
ers OF America to the request of the
American Federation of Labor execu-
tive council that unions dis-affiliate
themselves from the Committee for In
dustrial Organization, the executive
board OF the union meeting here de-
cided.
I'VE question the right and author
ity, or the propriety OF the executive
council Of the A. F. of L. to make such
demands upon any committee such as
the c. |. o. or upon any international
organization, to cease constructive work
calculated to serve the best interests
OF American labor in bringing about
effective organization of such labor in
the mass production industries OF this
country" the letter of the executive
board to VIM. Green, president of the
A. F. Of L. read.
The United Mine Workers of Am
erica emphatically refuses TO accede TO
either the call or the request of the A.
F. Of L. to discontinue its constructive
and logical course of action" the let
ter concluded.
The sharp answer of the miners I'M
ion was in response to a letter to it
from a committee of the executive
council of the A. F. of L. calling upon
the c. I. o. TO dissolve Immediately"
and asking the nine unions constituting
the c. l. o. to withdraw their affilia-
ton. In some quarters it was thought
that the letter of the A. F. Of l. *
ecutive council constituted an ultima
tum to the C. l. o. unions but as the
letter was made public it was revealed
that it only asked for a reply within
two weeks and ended, Further action
OF the executive council depends upon
the character of the reply which you
make to this official communication"
No mention of suspension was made.
In its letter, the executive councils
committee, consisting of Geo. M. Har-
rison, G. M. Bugniazet, and ]. N. We
Der, declares itself created for the pur-
pose of presenting to you and the
representatives of other organizations
identified with the c. I. O., the grav-
ity of the situation existing within the
ranks of organized labor which has
grown out of the establishment and
activities Of the self-constituted c. l.
o.
The letter then points out that de-
Continued to Page q
Montana labor news., 1936-06-18
LABOR INVITED TO
DEMOCRATIC FETE

Members of organized labor have
been invited to attend the introduction
banquet which is being sponsored by
the Silver Bow County Young Peo-
pies Democratic Club next Saturday,
June 10th, at the Masonic Temple.
The banquet is scheduled to start at
$50 p. m.
The purpose of the banquet is to in
troduce the Democratic candidates for
state and national offices and allow
them to present their political pro-
gram and platform to the voters Of
Butte.
Because of the deep and fundamen-
tai interest members Of organized labor
have in the selection of elective Of
ficials OF the city, state and nation the
Young Democrats Of Silver Bow
county feel that their Introductory ban
quet is Of particular Importance to
labor, as a means Of comparing the
relative worth Of the various candi-
dates.
Among the local men scheduled to
speak are Secretary Of State Sam
Mitchell, State Treasurer James J.
Brett, County Attorney Harrison J.
Freebourn and Railroad Commissioner
Jerry J. O'Connell.
Montana labor news., 1936-06-18
FORT PECK news

FORT PECK, Mont, June IS, 1886
The campaign to get the barracks at
Fort Peck Dam made optional was
continued last night by a parade
through the barrack district, the bust
ness district, and a part Of the residen-
tial district of Fort Peck. The parade
continued for about two hours. Previ-
Gus to this the men, under the auspices
OF Fort Peck Federal Union 20,192, had
concentrated a post card campaign on
Senator Murray and the District SUI
pervisor in Kansas City. The results
so far have been to get Colonel Lar
kin, who is in charge Of the project,
ordered to Washington, where he is
having conferences with Senators
Wheeler and Murray, a representative
of William Green and one OF the Ma
chinists' union. The barracks are over
crowded double bunks) have bed
bugs, and the food is poor. The men
feel that in free America they should
have the right to live where they wish.
Mass meetings will continue twice a
week until favorable action is OBJ
tanned. Ali farm and labor organiza-
tions are asked to write Senator Muir
ray to get the barracks made optional
and to boycott the Great Falls Tribune
which has refused to print any infor-
nation about conditions in the bar
racks.
Montana labor news., 1936-06-18
G. or. Brain Trust
Offers Fascist
Program for U. S.
Persons Unable to Afford an
Automobile Not Allowed to
Marry.
By Robert S. Allen

Staff Correspondent New York Post.
WASHINGTON.-April 30.-A pro-
gram of pronounced Fascist character
is being advocated by a leading MEM
Der OF the recently organized Republi-
can Brain Trust.
He is Thomas Nixon Carver, profess
sor emeritus Of political economy at
Harvard University, and his extraor-
binary policies are contained in an a.
page booklet entitled What Must We
Do to Save Our Economic System" 1t
has been privately circulated among
business leaders.
Lauding theories advocated by Hitler
and Mussolini, the Republican brain
truster proposes that the following
program be adopted by the "substan-
tial people OF America, the real for
gotten men" to combat New Deal mea-
sures and policies:
(1) Relation or elimination OF Gov
eminent regulation and restraints on
business.
~ Drastic curtailment of unemploy-
ment relief, with the jobless needy
forced off (~relief rolls by severe re-
gulations," if necessary,
(3) Sterilization of the "palpably un-
fit" use of birth control, limitation of
marriage to those who can afford to
buy and maintain an automobile, and
exclusion Of all immigrants in order to
reduce the o%versupply of labor.
(4) Organization of the propertied
class in a party to put over this pro-
gram.
Carver's name is the only one on the
cover OF the pamphlet, but on an inside
page are the names OF three sponsors :
Harold l.. Doolittle, chief consulting
engineer OF the Southern California
Edison Company; Franklin L. Pratt,
an insurance company official, and Err
Continued to Page 81
Montana labor news., 1936-06-18
Five Former Tampa
Cops Convicted Of
Florida kidnapping
By Sidney Hertzberg

Barlow, Fla.,-The Ku Klux Khan
and the citrus growers, shipping mag
mates, phosphate interests and thiev-
ing politicians who for years have US
ed the Khan to terrorize labor were
convicted here Saturday along with the
five former Tampa policemen found
guilty OF kidnapping Eugene F. Pou-
mot, Chairman OF the Florida Workers
Alliance.
While these convictions constitute
the most stunning blow against Wig
ilantism ever struck in Florida, it is
only the first round in the fight for
the establishment of civil liberties
here.
The convicted kidnappers may still
be cleared by legal m%anoeuvres in the
Florida Supreme Court. The higher
ups who instigated this and many 9TH
er outrages have not yet been reached.
This, furthermore, is but the first of
the trials arising from the kidnapping
and flogging of Poulnot, Dir. Sam J.
Rogers and Joseph A. Shoemaker last
Nov. 80. Shoemaker died of his in
%juries.
The Committee for the Defense of
Civil Rights in Tampa, liz East 10Th
Street, New York City, has consequ-
entity announced that it will intensity
its activities and has appealed to all
labor and liberal groups for continued
support.
The verdict of guilty astonished all
observers here. 1t came in the face Of
a charge to the jury by Judge Rob
ert T. Dewell that amounted to direct
ing a verdict of not guilty and after
five and one-half hours of unrestrain-
ed appeal to passion and prejudice by
defense attorneys.
The six-man jury retired at 9:D
Saturday morning and returned with its
verdict at :05 P. NJ. Three unani-
nous ballots were taken.
we agreed on the first ballot, but
we just took three to make sure" de-
clared George A. Walker, 90, a WPA
worker and foreman of the jury.
Continued to Page g
Montana labor news., 1936-06-18
TOO MANY SCAB
BRO0MS in BUTTE

BROOM & WHISK MAKERS
UNION


Chicago, ILL.,, June 8, 1886.
MONTANA LABOR NEWS:
We wish to call to your attention
the fact that the International Broom
& Whisk Makers Union has a union
label which is placed on the products
Of manufacturers employing union la
Dor. | am enclosing a list Of these
union Broom Factories. You have a
union factory in your own city, the
Montana Broom & Brush Company,
$50 East Iron street; Harry Hitch
cock, Proprietor. This shop pays the
union scale of wages and employs
only union labor.
The following non-union concerns
are selling brooms in your city through
jobbers. They are;
National Broom Company, Arcola,
Ill,
National Broom Company, Pueblo,
Colo.
Merkle Broom Company, Paris, iii.
Deshler Broom Co., Deshler, Nebr.
Hartman Broom Company, Clay
center, hans.
There is one broom on sale in your
district called "Snowbird," made, so we
are informed, by the National Broom
Company of Arcola, Ill.,, one of the
most unfair of non-union factories.
This broom does not bear the union
label. We understand it is distributed
by Butler Bros.
We wish to urge organized labor OF
Butte and vicinity to refuse to pur-
chase brooms made by these concerns.
Insist that the broom you purchase
carries the union label fastened under
the wire at the finish Of the broom.
Thanking you for past %favors, I am,
Fraternally yours,
w. R. BOYER,
Secretary-Treasurer
Montana labor news., 1936-06-18
POLITICAL LETTERS
ENGAGE ATTENTION
OF THE COUNCIL


Quite a number OF communications
were received from political candidates
Harry Meyers sent in quite a long
record and history of his political ca
reer and asked the endorsement OF the
Central Body. A delegate from the
Electricians union didn't seem to take
kindly to this record, presumably ow-
ing to the failure OF Mr.. Meyers tc
support an Electrical Inspection bill.
Attorney w. f. Coyle submitted a
request for endorsement. About this
time the Butchers union delegate an
nounced that their organization had
endorsed Mr.. Rice for sheriff. Mel
Weston, who has filed for sheriff Oh
the Republican ticket wa asked to
get up and give a talk. He was given
some applause after he had finished
talking. Lew McLeneghan, the Min
ers' delegate, upon the conclusion Of
Mr.. Weston's speech remarked that
Mr.. Weston was to modest, that, as a
matter OF fact, the success of the whole
Miners organization was owing to the
capable direction OF its affairs shown
by Mr.. Weston as its first president
after the reorganization in 1888.
Elmer Shea, who il seeking the po-
sition of clerk of the district court, was
given quite a hand upon the conclusion
of a short talk. Another visitor of The
Trades and Labor Council last Tues
day was Charles Christman, who is a
candidate for the Legislature on the
Democratic ticket. Mr. Christman is a
machinist and stated that he had lived
all his life in Butte and had served q
years in the unions. He seems to have
a we'll defined idea OF what he is going
to do should he be elected, which is
more than can be said about some OF
the candidates for the Legislature.
His program includes the revamping OF
the state security law, in which the
nauper provisions shall be eliminated.
He was probably referring to that
part of the state law which requires, in
the event a man, or a man and his wife,
accepts the old age pension, upon their
death the property shall revert to the
state. In other words, the speaker
seems to feel that the government is
putting a premium upon unthrifty per
sons predicated upon the principle that
it is useless for people to buy homes
or to try to acquire a home because if
they are poor, when they die, the gov
eminent will take it away from their
children. If they had not acquired a
home while they were living they have
nothing to lose and neither have their
children. Mr.. Christman is much op-
posed to the present automobile license
tax. He promised to do all in his
power to have these scales revised
downward, should he be elected.
Montana labor news., 1936-06-18
JEHOVAH'S WITNESS GETS
DIPLOMA

Maywdod, Ill.-(FP)-Des pite froth-
ing legionnaires in this western sub
urb of Chicago an elementary school
diploma will be granted TO Beverly Buff
fington, who was reported by a bud
ding young snooper for refusing to sal
ute the U. S. flag on Memorial day
exercises May %.
Baby snooper reported it to daddy
snooper who is influential in the marine
post Of the American Legion and in the
Veterans Of Foreign Wars. Daddy put
it up to the haywood school board,
which took a sensible view Of the case.
No state law covers the case, the
board president said, adding, IF we
compelled Beverly to salute the flag it
would not make her love the colors
more"
Beverley, who is IA, said, MY religion
teaches that it is wrong to praise or
honor symbols or images or anything
but god"
Montana labor news., 1936-06-18
BEADLE VISITS AT
THE TRADES COUNCIL

The Trades. and Labor Council had a
prominent visitor last Tuesday night in
the person Of Mr.. Kerr Beadle, candi-
date for Silver Bow County Attorney
on the Democratic ticket.
Mr.. Beadle spoke of the days when
he was president of the Central Labor
Body, way back in 1907 and 1908. Mr..
Beadle made a very significant remark
when he stated Everything organized
labor asked me to do | have done" He
then went on to give specific instances
in order to prove that assertion, men
tioning the favoring Of measures dur
ing his Legislative career. The strike
Of the clerks, machinists and teamsters,
during which time, when he was Mayor
OF the city of Butte, he placed members
OF the strike organizations in the po-
sitions OF special policemen thereby
establishing a very unusal precedent in
the conduct OF industrial disputes. Mr..
Beadle stated that through this action,
this community had perfect law and
order demonstrating that the unions
have always sought to obey the laws
and that the additional responsibility
placed upon them as. officials doubly
assured the preservation OF order.
After Mr.. Beadle had departed a
number Of delegates arose and sub
stantiated the statements that had been
made by the distinguished visitor and
praised him. One Of the delegates re-
minded his audience that the unions
were under a debt OF gratitude for all
the services that had been rendered
by Mr.. Beadle and that they should
show their gratitude by e~lecting him
to the position Of County Attorney.
Montana labor news., 1936-06-18
Lets Get Together
on the 3rd and 4th

Plans are rapidly being formulated
for the largest and most spectacular
Fourth of July celebration this com
munity has ever witnessed. The en-
thusiasm centering around the event
has been spontaneous and most enthu-
s%iastic. Committees have been APP
pointed and are working diligently tc
give the people Of Silver Bow county
and all visitors such a gala time that il
will long be remembered.
The celebration will start on the
Third. The sponsors of the movement
state that on this day the hilarity will
commence. Many novel and origina.
CARDS, including masks, wigs and other
more grotesque and fantastic costumes
will be seer on the streets and in the
business establishments starting Friday
OF next month.
In order to properly advertise what
Butte is going to do on the two days
observed as the founding of the Ma
ton, broadcast speakers have been en-
gagged and newspapers have promised
h1eral space.
The purpose behind this unusual and
unique fete, according to Mayor Haus-
with, is to bring the populace together
in a spirit of fun and conviviality. The
end sought is to be obtained through
street dancing, parades, music and par
ticularly through the shedding of re-
straint and dignity which so often ham
pers thorough clean enjoyment.
William Palmer, who has often been
used by the unions in their various
celebrations has been appointed to in
terview the merchants with a request
that they agree in writing to masque-
rading their clerks and decorate the
stores for the occasion. All hat he
visited to date have readily agreed to
the proposition.
AT the meeting OF the Silver Bow
Trades and Labor Council Tuesday
night, the independence Day celebra-
ton was unofficially endorsed by the
delegates through a donation of $500.
Following this action many Of the other
union delegates arose and stated that
their members had also contributed
and had agreed to go along whole
heartedly with the program.
One can't help but visualize a sort of
wholesale make-believe on the Third
and Fourth. We have often heard Of
party masquerades, but never in the
history OF most OF us have we ever be-
fore heard Of a whole community put
ting on a masquerade affair such as this
1t is bound to arouse comment in many
quarters outside the confines of Butte
and Montana.
The Pioneers Club was given a vote
OF appreciation by the Silver Bow
Trades and Labor Council This ex-
preston Of good will from the
Fourth Of July discussion.
Montana labor news., 1936-06-18
EXECUTIVES PLEAD
POVERTY WHEN ASKED TO
PAY RAILROAD PENSIONS

Observation-Disclosures power
ty, high priced railroad executives and
corporation attorneys continued Their
fight in federal district court here for
continuance Of their own pension sys-
TENS and for an injunction against the
government payment of pensions thro-
ugh the Railroad Retirement Act.
The act which went into effect in
August 1885, provides for a tax of 81
per cent on railroad payrolls with an
equal tax on employees incomes
Money collected from the tax is used
to pay pensions to railroad workers in
service over 80 years.
The roads contend that they are toe
poor to pay half the cost of an ade-
quate pension and that they would
rather bear the entire cost Of the pen
sion system themselves as at present
Reason for the generosity Of the roads
was amply illustrated in the testimony
of c. E. Hildum, executive secretary OIL
the Lehigh Valley Railroad. He ex-
planned that the maximum pension or
his road is $50 a month, except in
two or three instances"
It wos pointed out that the private
pension system Of the railroads are
used as a club over the heads of work
| ers to prevent strikes and to keep la
Dor docile.
1t was brought out that an increase
OF less than 2 per cent in the gross re-
ceipts of the roads would be sufficient
to meet the $~5S,000,000 a year esti-
mated as the carriers share of the pen
sion burden.
A promised "army" of employees OF
the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad who
were to appear in court as representa-
tives of thousands of workers opposed
to the pension system proved to consist
OF 10 persons. One is an officer of the
company union. He admitted that he
did not know the average pay Of any
employee on the road. Another con
fessed that the Anti Pension League, a
railroad sponsored organization, paid
him to extract donations" from en-
ployees Of the Atlantic Coast Line road
and that the League paid his expenses
and salary while here.
Evidence was presented showing
how excessive speed-up on the roads
has resulted in greater strain on EN-
ployees together with reduced per-
sonnet. Faster schedules with heav-
Ter trains together with lengthening OF
sections have combined to make rail-
reading a heavier strain than before,
it wa said, wearing men out at an
early age.
The case will probably be taken tc
the United States Supreme Court.
Montana labor news., 1936-06-18
BIC FOUR" OUTPUT
AND PROFITS SOAR
Labor, Consumer, Shown Victim.
lied in CLIP Report.
Big Companies Did Not Pass
Reduced Production Costs on
to Cigarette Buyers, 1t is Re-
vealed.


Production and profits in the Gig
arctic industry have scared in recent
years, while employment and annual
wages have dropped sharply, the Coun-
Gil for Industrial Progress, better
known as the CLIP, reports.
The CLIP is one of the progressive
organizations Of the present day. 1t
IS also n of the most cautious in
making positive statements. It con-
sists OF representatives OF employers
and workers alike; and no assertion is
made in the name of the CLIP unless
it is able to stand any amount Of fair
criticism.
With this fact in mind, the report
Of the CLIP on the mechanization of
industry has a special value for that
large part OF labor which would like
to see the Big -Four companies routed
from their present position OF a vir-
tual monopoly OF the tobacco industry.
In the cigarette industry" lays
She report, production since 1920
has been more than doubled, while
employment has declined. Annual
wages per worker also declined, with
the net result that in 1888 the net
profits of the four largest companies
exceeded the combined outlay for
wages and domestic tobacco by the
entire tobacco industry, except Gig
ars."
The four largest companies" are, of
course, the Big -Four the American,
R. J. Reynolds, Liggett & Myers, and
P. Lorillard tobacco companies. Yet
the ultra careful CLIP reports, after in
vestigation, that these Big Four paid
themselves more in net profits in 1888
than they paid to all the American
farmers who raised their tobacco, and
all the workers who manufactured i'll
If that is not an appalling statement,
what is?
Other Years Tell Same Story
As a matter of fact, the CLIP might
have gone much farther than it did. It
spoke OF the profits Of 1888 alone. But
for the three years before that, in
1880, 1881 and 1882, the Big -Four UNI
iformly made more clear money each
year than they paid to workers and
farmers combined.
Very significant" says the CLIP,
"is the fact that the price Of Gig
arettes did not decline when pro-
duction and consumption doubled
It does not always follow that when
reduced costs are realized, the reduc-
ton is passed on to the consumers
The Big -Four never pass anything
on that they can keep in their own
grip. The only tobacco manufacturer
who do pass the benefits of improved
production on to their consumers are
the makers OF l0-cent cigarettes and
all the l0-cent cigarettes are union
made, while the Big Four block labor
unions wherever they can.