Montana labor news., 1936-10-01


Days Work.
James Graham, president of the
Montana State Federation of Labor
is urging all central labor bodies, in
dividual unions, and members there
of to support the Shorter Work Day
proposal.
The people at the election in Nov
ember will be handed a ballot pro-
posing an amendment to the Consti-
tuition of Montana, in which the Leg
islature will be given the power,
should they deem it necessary to re-
duce the number of hours required
for a days work to any figure be-
low that of 8 hours which is the law
at the present time. There are quite
a number of 8 hour laws on the sta
tutes of the state of Montana and
Edward O'Byrne, Labor Commits
sioner, has been doing splendid work
in compelling compliance with these
laws; however, it is universally con
coded by all enlightened and liberal
people that machinery and mass pro-
duction has SO increased the pro-
ductive capacity of the ordinary
worker that 8 hours is too long a
time for labor in a day in the pro-
duction of wealth. Statistics issued
by the United States Government
and by private institutions show
that the wages paid to the workers
have not increased in proportion to
increase in their productive capacity.
One organization goes so far as to
state that the labor costs in the pro-
duction of an automobile valued at
$753.00 is only $4,000 and that the
making of a door for an automobile
only involves a labor cost of 15c.
It is evident that two things are
needed in order to prevent another
colossal depression and they T
higher wages and shorter hours. The
proposed Constitutional Amendment
heretofore referred to will be the
means of bringing this reduction of
hours about. The American FEEDER
alton of Labor has stressed the need
of reducing the hours of labor. The
demand for a six hour day has in
creased tremendously throughout
the United States since 1929.
All the working people who are
eligible to vote and all the farmers
should consolidate their members
and vote for this proposition. The
letter sent out by the State Fedora
ton of Labor explains very ade-
quately concerning the shorter work
ing day and is as follows:
MONTANA STATE FEDERATION
OF LABOR
Helena, Montana
September 10, 1885.
To All Affiliated Unions, Central
Councils and Friends of Labor:
Greetings:
An amendment to the Constitu-
ton of Montana will appear on the
ballot at the forthcoming General
Election providing for the Shorter
Work Day. This amendment if rati-
fled by the voters will permit the
legislature of Montana to enact laws
to shorten the hours of labor below
the eibht-hour day. Should the anne
ndment be not ratified then we can
not hope to secure the six hour day
by legislation.
All Central Councils and Local I'm
ions are urged to appoint commit
tees to carry on a campaign in fav-
or of the Shorter Work Day Con-
stitutional Amendment.
There are still over nine million
unemployed in this country. The
best remedy for unemployment is
shorter hours for those employed.
Boost the Shorter Work Day. Work
for the constitutional amendment for
the Shorter Work Day. Vote for
, the Shorter Work Day.
We hope that you will cooperate
in promoting the campaign for the
ratification of the Shorter Work Day
Constitutional Amendment.
F~raternally submitted,
JAMES D. GRAHAM,
President, Montana State
E1l1rot;1a - 7 n1or