davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Montana labor news., 1936-03-26
WISCONSIN CONGRESSMAN
A N u. S. TO MAKE
MUNITIONS

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. to gener-
ally reliable sources OF information in
the nations capital, the Munitions In
vestigation Committee, headed by
Senator Gerald P. Nye, will soon bring
out a report urging governmental man
ufacture of munitionns. That such a
move meets general approval in the
nation is evidenced by a recent poll
taken by the American Institute OF
Public Opinion, which showed that 81
per cent of those polled favored re-
moyal of private profit from the man
ufacture OF war materials.
The step finds favor with Congress
man Thomas O'Malley Cd. Wis., who
declared in a recent speech, Govern
mental manufacture of munitions and
implements of war would be a definite
step toward the prevention Of war
The obstacle to disarmament through
out the world would likewise disappear
as il is a matter of record that many
persons connected with industries max
ing a profit from munitions manufac-
ture, have actively engaged in propa-
ganda TO further attempts to disrupt
disarmament conferences and agree
ments.'
Montana labor news., 1936-03-26
West Side Girls, Women
Undergrad, OverwOrked

Stating that the women and girls
wers being exploited as domestics in
the homes Of well-to-do people in Sill
yer Bow County, the special relief
committee OF the Silver Bow Trades
and Labor Council recommended that
the organized labor movement Of Sill
yer Bow County take steps to remedy
the situation and to secure additional
compensation for this type of work.
The Butte Miners union now has a
committee in the field taking testimony
OF girls who have been p~itifully un-
derpaid and overworked. Other evil
dence has been secured showing that
in some cases the girls have received
nothing but their board and room and
have been compelled to work long and
hard hours. While the plan Of bring
ing these people in the fold Of the or
gained labor movement has not yet
been devised, a system will shortly be
worked out, it is hoped, wherein they
can either have their own organiza-
ton or be included in the crafts al
ready in the field
Montana labor news., 1936-03-26
N. Y. City Building
Service Strike Ended
By Arbitration Plan

NEW YORK, N. Y.-(AFLNS)-
The strike of thousands of New York
CITY elevator operators and other
building service employees, which was
called here on March l, ended on
March IS when the Building Service
Employees union and the Realty Ad-
visory Board agreed to submit the con-
troversy to a mediation board ap-
pointed by Mayor La Guardia. AS a
result of the agreement regular serv-
ice in $500 buildings affected by the
walkout was resumed. The board con-
sists of one representative Of the
union, one of the realty interests, and
an impartial chairman.
A significant condition Of the agree
ment, insisted on by the union, was
the discharge of all strikebreakers, and
the immediate reinstatement OF all
strikers except those against whom in
dividual building owners charged with
violence. Such cases viii be decided
by the impartial chairman of the ar
bitration board.
The terms of the agreement provide
that the minimum standards OF wages
provided in the agreement entered into
on Nov. q, 1884, shall be Immediately
arbitrated and that the new agreement
shall run for three years, with the pro-
vision that either party may open the
agreement at the end Of each year fol-
a reconsideration Of the wage rates.
James J. Bambrick, president OF the
union, said the settlement was a vic
tory for the strikers. Under the
agreement" he declared, demands for
more money and fewer hours will be
recognized - that's a steady program
All sweatshops s%ubstandard building:
will be brought into line. When we
lfind a ~substandard building and the
union gets after it, the Realty Advisory
Board has agreed to get after it. The
chiseler and the unfair competitor who
is running the real estate industry will
Ibe eliminated"
Montana labor news., 1936-03-26
7 h Montana State
Announcement Banquet

1t has been decided by the Lewis &
Clark Young Democrats Club to hold
a Montana State Announcement Ban
auet" at the Shrine Temple, April 4,
1886 at 100 o'clock, for the purpose OF
giving State Democratic candidates an
opportunity to their can
didacy. This will be the first time in
Montana political history that all can
didates have been able to open their
campaign at a central gathering.
The Lewis & Clark Young Demo-
Gratis Club in cooperation with State
Young Democrat Clubs anticipate an
attendance of some 800 persons from all
over the state, and invitations will soon
be sent to all Democratic state Of
ficials requesting their presence at the
banquet.
Mr.. Frank Wickham, National Presi-
dent Of Young Democrat Clubs is ex-
pected to be present, and a statewide
radio broadcast is contemplated to
bring the event to all unable to be
present.
Plans are now underway, and it is
urged that all candidates who intend
to make their announcements at the
banquet get in touch with Mr.. Tom
Judge, Capitol Station, Helena, Mon
tana, President, Lewis & Clark Young
Democrats Club.
Montana labor news., 1936-03-26
And Baking
Powder Now Union

The Richmond Maid Manu-. Com
pany, Inc, of Richmond, Virginia, has
placed two new Union-made products
on the market. They are Richmond
Maid coffee and Richmond Maid bak-
ing powder. Both are prepared under
union conditions and bear the A. F. OF
L. label. In fact the entire plant is 100
per cent ~unionized throughout and
every maintenance man must be a
member OF his recognized union.
The coffee is the highest grade and
finest flavor and the baking powder is
guaranteed 10 be manufactured from
pure phosphate and Of the best quail
.ity.
Members of organized labor are urg-
ing their dealers to buy these Union
labeled products, and the demand for
them has greatly increased in the past
few months.
Montana labor news., 1936-03-26
UNIONS ENDORSE
TOWNSEND PLAN

AT the meeting Of the Townsend Club
No. l, at the Y. M. c. A., March 20,
the principal topic for discussion was
the strong endorsements that have been
given to the Townsend Plan by the
various labor unions in Butte. When
we take into consideration the fact
that Butte is one of the best organized
cities in the Country, along union lines,
we realize that the Townsend Move
ment in Butte has the bone and sinew,
the brains and the red blood Of the
community behind it.
AS report was brought from the To-
cal branch Of the Amalgamated Asso-
citation Of Street, Electric Railway and
Motor Coach Employees Of America
that Division No. 381 endorsed the
Townsend Plan at their last meeting
March 5, 1886, and that, on motion Of
the Union, the Secretary had been in
structed to inform Montana's Senators
and Representatives Of the action TAX
en- by the Union and to request their
utmost consideration and support. They
also called attention to the fact that
Montana now boasts a membership OF
$4,000 people. Favorable answers have
been received from Congressman Mon
Afghan and Senators Wheeler and Muir
ray. Congressman Monaghan who is
Chairman Of the Townsend Strategy
Committee, enclosed a copy of his re-
cent radio broadcast, in which he said
in part: Some of the billions wasted
on battleships would better be spent
for the aged. Abolish the p%oorhouse
and reduce crime and the cost of the
pension is nearly provided. Recent re-
ports, one from the Government and
one from Wall Street, incidentally vim
dictate my advocacy of income, gift and
inheritance taxes. The F. E. R. A.
conducted an investigation in Winston
Salem, N. c., and in Richmond, Va.
The report shows that the factors most
significant in driving tobacco workers
TO relief rolls are der-employmen
and low wages. Workers averaged
only 90 days out of the normal year
Of 200 days, and the average weekly
income of the AT families studied wa.
1892. The report from Wall Stree.
gives the net earnings Of the R. J
Reynolds Tobacco Co. at $23,896,389, OF
100000 more than in 1884. This j!
nearly 50 per cent greater than the en-
tire wage bill of the cigarette anc
smoking industry, as reported by th'
U. S. Census Bureau for 1888. Today.
profits are, therefore, than lOO(
per cent on the original investment"
Montana labor news., 1936-03-26
T UNIONS WIN
GAS, OIL VICTORY

After several meetings with the
managers OF the oil companies, the
Transfers union and the Clerks union
have been successful in winning their
fight for the elimination of the lease
and contract system that has been
used by the oil companies for several
years for the purpose OF running gas
stations cheaper than they could pos
sibly be operated by the companies
under a wage system.
No gas station operator under this
contract can take any lease on a gas
station unless he knows that he can
pay his men the regular wages of these
two unions and also a reasonable COM
pensation for himself. This system
practically guarantees the wages OF all
gas station employees and also the six
day week OF 48 hours, where before
many of those lesees had been work
ing from ten to fourteen hours. The
settlement is considered satisfactory
by both unions involved. Union men
are now employed at all gas stations.
In line with the traditional policies
of the union movement Of Silver Bow
County, the public is urged to patron
ize the gas stations with whom they
have been accustomed to deal. Since
the strike has been amicably settled
there is no distinction insofar as the
unions are concerned in regards to
patronage. All stations are put on an
equal basis. Employees Of gas stations
now making their living at that work,
under union conditions, are entitled to
the general support of the public.
The contract as signed by the union
and the oil companies is as follows
This Agreement reached this date at
tests:
That the Butte Teamsters' union.
Butte clerks union No. 4, R. c. l.
P. A. and the Silver Bow Employers
Association, representing the operators
of gas filling stations, relative to sta
ton employees, have mutually agreed
that the following wage scale and work
ing conditions shall be effective from
the date OF this contract.
Section |. All persons employed in
any gas filling station who does car
greasing or washing OF does service
station work must become a member Of
the Butte Transfers union or the Butte
Clerks. union Provided Nothing in thi'
section shall be construed to interfere
with the right of a member Of the Sill
yer Bow Employers Association to pro
Continued to Page y
Montana labor news., 1936-03-26
! lana Wins Its
Fight On Rates At
|. c. c. Hearing

J.. G. Bruce, traffic expert of the
dontana Public Service Commission,
Attorney A. H. Angstman of the or
ganization and the members of the
Commission were highly pleased with
the result of their battle before the
Interstate Commerce Commission at
Washington in which they won a sig
nal victory for Montana with an es-
timated saving to the shippers of this
state of half a million dollars. Com
missioner Jerry O'Connell, Attorney
Angstman and Mr.. Bruce represented
the Montana Commission at the hear
ing.
MI. Bruce in outlining the action and
the points at issue said
During the year 1884 the Class 1
railroads Of the United States applied
for an increase in freight rates Of IS
per cent. The Interstate Commerce
Commission held hearings throughout
the nation and on March 26, 1884,
granted the railroads increases of ap-
proximately 7 per cent on all COM
modities with the exception Of grain,
hay. livestock, products of the mines
and products of the forests.
oThe order of the Commission in
cluded %intrastate as we'll as interstate
traffic.
"The Montana Commission refused to
grant intrastate increases and held
hearings in Billings and at Helena and,
after securing information through
these hearings denied the petition Of
the railroads for increases and refused
to obey the order of the Interstate
Commerce Commission.
"The railroads then applied to the In
terstatt Commerce Commission for re-
dress. This is possible through Sec
ton IS of the Commission Act. On
November %, 1885, the Interstate Com
merce Commission held a hearing at
Helena to determine whether they
would further order the Montana
Commission to allow intrastate in
c~reases.
aThe Montana Commission had de-
med the application altogether. lHey
refused to make any trades on any
commodity and on March Y, 1886, the
Interstate Commerce Commission rules
that, after due investigation Of the evil
dence secured at their hearings at Hell
ena on November 23rd, the Montana
Railroad Commission was within its
lrights and %concurred with the Montana
Boards decision denying increases and
ordered all proceedings before them
dismissed.
"The Montana victory was greater
through the fact that they refused &c
trade one commodity for another and
the State OF Montana is the only state
lin the Union which won a victory Of
this sort. All other states made con
cessions and SO certain of their com
modities carried increases"
Montana labor news., 1936-03-26

Dennis Mccarthy, financial secre-
tary of the Butte Miners union; Emil
A. Sundberg, former secretary of the
Butte Building Trades Council, and a
member Of the Electricians Union, No.
623, and H. A. Tyvand, Butte liberal
attorney, were nominated for school
trustees last Tuesday evening at a
mass meeting held by the Independent
Party.
The Silver Bow Trades and Labor
Council adjourned its regular meeting
at 8 o'clock and opened the doors to
the general public to participate in
the nominating convention. Paul Err
Ter, president of the council called the
meeting to order and read the call for
the mass meeting. He then requested
nominations for permanent chairman.
Pat Kelly, OF the Clerks Union, be-
ing the only one nominated, was de-
clared elected. Roy Richards was
nominated and elected permanent sec
rotary. Confidence and enthusiasm
were shown at the meeting, After the
preliminary work creating the perma-
nent organization wa disposed of, Mr..
Kelly announced the names of the
Platform Committee. These consist Of
James Sullivan, Chairman; Mrs. Mel
lie Shea, C. w. Hutchinson, William
Squires and John Mullany.
This committee retired to the ante
room to draw up a suitable platform.
In the meantime, Chairman Kelly
called upon members Of the audience
to address the gathering.
Charlie Whitley, a former Independ-
ent member OF the School Board, re-
cited the history OF labor's participation
in the conduct and liberalization Of the
administration of the schools and how
the Independents through efficient
methods of economy, had gotten the
district out of debt.
In a plan for a more progressive and
liberal plan OF teaching children, Reid
Robinson, president of the Miners
Union, pictured the need of a clearer
understanding OF social and economic
questions that have been brought about
through modern technique.
Blewett, Deforrest, Duncan, Bunny
Shea and Frank Krabler all gave stir
ring speeches and urged support OF
the independent ticket.
The platform as submitted by the
committee is very liberal in nature and
was unanimously adopted by the meet
ing.
PLATFORM
The platform Of the party was
adopted as follows;
we favor the continuance of the
practice OF strict economy in all
branches OF school operation.
mo supplies Of any character or
property shall be purchased by the dis
trict from members Of the board or
from any corporation in which any
member Of the board is interested.
'We favor the purchase Of all
school supplies in Butte.
Local Labor
we favor the employment OF local
Continued to Page A
Montana labor news., 1936-03-26
Famous Montana
Woman Opposes
War Appropriation

WASHINGTON.-A barrage OF
protests against the swollen navy
budget met members Of the sub
committee of the House Appropria-
lions Committee this week, when.
prominent representatives Of the ma.
TONS peace forces appeared at a hear
ing on the naval appropriations bill.
The strength Of the protests was.
magnified by the fact that at the same
time $50 well-known citizens from all
parts of the country sent to President
Roosevelt a letter expressing alarm at
the mounting war budgets.
The delegation appearing before the
House committee spoke for peace or
CARNATIONS, for college students, mem
bers Of all religious faiths, the Y. w.
|C. A., and business and professional
women.
In their arguments against the pro-
posed appropriations, the delegations
spokesman pointed out that adequate
relief for taxpayers along with ade-
quate appropriations for education and
the welfare of the people is impossible
while the army and navy are allotted
such sums as they are at the present
time.
The delegation was introduced to the
committee members by Miss Jeanette
Rankin, who was the first woman
member Of Congress and is now legis-
lative secretary Of the National Coun-
Gil for Prevention Of War. Thomas F.
Neblett, president Of the National Stu
dent Federation of America, and Miss
Dorothy Deter, executive secretary of
the Women's international League,
gave the main speeches for the delega-
| tion
Montana labor news., 1936-03-26
MILITARY DISAFFECTIoN

Sharp exchanges on the merits OF
the Military Disaffection Bill, S. 2253,
took place in the House on March d.
Congressman Mccormack, Democrat,
M Massachusetts,, co-author of the bill, at
temped to rally to his support other
House members. He maintained that
the bill in no way affected the peace
groups or newspapers in the ordinary
pursuit Of their activities.
Congressman McCormack's state
ment was sharply attacked in a detailed
and we'll thought out reply by Con
gresham Maverick, Democrat, Texas.
Congressman Maverick was well ap-
pleauded when he stated: Lets cut
this stuff out and let's get down to
legislation"
There seems to be enough deter
mined opposition in the House to block
enactment Of the legislation during the
remainder of this session but patriotic
groups and the Hearst press have not
yet given up hope of securing the pas
sage of the measure and the opposition
should not cease to express its mind.
Montana labor news., 1936-03-26
OFFICIAL REPORT
ON RELIEF FUNDS

mo contract was signed by Cover
MOI Holt as Acting Administrator Of
the Montana Relief Commission COW
ering a tanning operation at Butte.
The contract to which the late Gov
ernor Cooney objected was signed four
months after Hollis term Of office as
Acting Administrator expired.
Concerning the contract entered in
TO by and between the Montana Relief
Commission and the Hansen Packing
Company for the construction and OPP
Grafton Of a tanning plant in Butte, the
investigation conducted by the State
Examiner revealed that the contract
was prepared by a Mr.. Dyer, Assistant
Regional Engineer for the Federal
Emergency Relief Administration"
This Contract" the State Examin-
er reported, was first presented to the
Montana Relief Commission at its meet
ing on November IS, 1884, and from
the minutes we quote in part 1t was
brought out also that this lease was
executed by the Montana Rural Re-
Mobilization Corporation and was not
primarily a Montana Relief Commits
sion proposition excepting in so far as
it furnished employment to relief la
Dor. The contract was signed by the
Montana Rurau Rehabilitation Corpor-
alton.
Concerning recent charges that Gov
ernor Holt accepted a salary while ser
wing on the Relief Commission and as
Acting Administrator, the State Exam
iner's report set forth:
1.-THE records show that Holt wa:
not paid a salary either as Acting Ad-
ministrator or as a member Of the Mon
tana Relief Commission" The report
also set forth that the records of the
department disclosed that no member
of the Relief Commission was paid Z
salary prior to March 7, 1885"
A communication was received from
Senator Murray at the last session o.
the Silver Bow Trades and Labor
Council, stating that he was trying tc
have the tannery in Butte operated I'M
der the Montana Rural Rehabilitation
CORPORATION.
Montana labor news., 1936-03-26
Capacity Promotion
Urged By A. T. Of |.
Jobs for all Unemployed and 10
Per Cent Wage Increase Ur-
ged to Purchase Larger Indus
trial Output.

WASHINGTON, D. Cur indus
trial plants are equipped to produce a
comfortable living for our entire popu-
lation numbering 127,OO0,0OO people.
Although America has the greatest
producing mechanism in the world, it
has not been put fully to work mainly
because we are not permitted by the
judiciary to work out our attempt to
discover how this could be done"
For month after month industry has
pocketed increased profits and at the
same time reduced wages and length
ened hours.
Wages should be increased by at
least IS per cent to absorb a larger in
dustrial output and the 100000 job
less should be steadily employed in
wealth production.
These are among the important fea-
lures in the current Monthly Survey OF
Business, published by the American
Federation OF Labor.
Montana labor news., 1936-03-26
Thanks Governor Holt

Announcing that the State Indus
trial Accident Board had permanently
re-employed Dennis Murphy as State
Mine Inspector, Harry Grimes, secre-
tary Of the Silver Bow Trades and La
|bor Council, expressed to the delegates
the appreciation of the action OF
Chairman Clements of the Board and
Governor Elmer Holt in acceding to
the request Of the unions. The en-
|ployment OF Dennis Murphy as State
Mine Inspector was sought by a num-
Der of organizations and labor is par
ticularly pleased with the action of the
state official.
Montana labor news., 1936-03-26
Profits Increase, Wages Rates
Fall

Pointing out that under the NRA the
balance between production and buy
ing power was maintained, the Survey
added
THE end Of the NRA was followed
by significant gains in profits, losses
to the workers. Business no longer
assumes any responsibility for absorb
ing the unemployed. In the last half
OF 1885 profits of 12O large corpora
tons increased al per cent. Increased
earnings in industry made possible a
substantial lifting Of wages, but actu-
ally average wage rates were reduced
by one cent per hour between July and
December, 1885; hours of work were
heightened so that the average work
week was three hours longer in De
cember than in July and by this in
crease more than 100000 jobs were
denied to the unemployed.
workers experience in the last
half OF 1885 illustrates we'll the opera
ton of the profit motive in industry
High profits have strengthened bust.
ness confidence so that we may expect
industry to expand production and in
crease employment. But employment
gains last year were only half what
they could have been if work hours
had not been heightened, and ever
these gains were bought at the price o.
unbalance between production anC
workers buying power which denies tC
workers their share in recovery, limits
the market for industry's product anC
must, if not corrected, cut down pro
duction and prepare the way for an.
other depression"
Montana labor news., 1936-03-26

There has been some talk OF oppo-
sition in the House to the appropria-
ton of $350,00O toward the share Of
the United States in the international
Labor Organization. 1t will be re-
membered that the United States be-
came a member OF this body through
the passage Of a joint resolution in
1884. Since that time many isolation
ist and anti-league congressman have
felt they were mislead into supporting
passage Of the joint resolution for
membership.
While it is expected hat there will
be determined opposition by the House
to the appropriation, it is felt that the
Administration can muster enough
support for its passage. 1t is difficult
to see how the membership Of the
United States in this all-important la
Dor organization carries with it any
dangers to the United States. OBJ
servers have pointed out that Amer
lean membership has been OF great use
fitness in helping solve our common
economic difficulties.
Montana labor news., 1936-03-26
WOMEN ASK F. D. r. TO STOP
ARMAMENT INCREASES

Washington.-A delegation of dis
tingusihed women representing the
Peoples Mandate Committee called
upon President Roosevelt this week and
demanded that all increases OF arma-
ments and armed forces be stopped
These increases lead to but one end
and that end is war, the President was
told. Among those in the delegation
were President Mary f. Woolley Of
Mount Ho1yoke College, Mrs. Gerard
Swope, and Mrs. Hannah Clothier
Hull, national president of the Wo-
mems International League. Cong
resswoman Caroline O'Day d., N. W
introduced the delegation.