Montana labor news., 1937-06-03
SIDE LIGHTS FROM
ME50ULA LABOR


soulian two weeks ago pertaining
to the birth of another son in the
family of Charles Lindbergh and
that although this had happened
about two weeks ago, no mention
had been made of the event in the
press. The comment was that this
could not have happened in Amer
lea, presumably because of the am
pie facilities for publicity and the
honest desire to give the public the
news.
We are not certain but what it
would be entirely possible to keep
the event from being known by a
majority of the people if for any
reason the controllers of the press
deemed it their best policy to give
no publicity.
Here is an event in which the
people of Montana are vitality in
terested. A mass meeting was held
of about four or five hundred en-
thusiastic citizens, advertisements
were carried in the Muscular and
Sentinel on Saturday and Sunday,
statements were made at the meet
ing that were real eye-openers, much
discussion ensued after the meet
ing, resolution was adopted and
copies mailed to all members of the
Board of Education, yet insofar as
the local daily papers were con
cerned, you would think that this is
still the era before the printing
press, the telegraph, electric lights
and free public schools.
Last week end, like one of the
many terrifying air raids conducted
by the Fascists of Europe, came dire
full and mysterious threats and fore
bodings of an impending shutdown
of all useful activity in this the eyes,
You'll Like Missoula" town and busy
burg of western Montana. Just from
where the rumor came or what mo-
tive inspired the sudden attack of
filters no n seemed to know. Like
in all impending disasters, a few
were badly frightened, others on the
verge of despair (not much), while
the more faithful sought comfort and
refuge at the CLabor) Temple. Nu-
merous inquiries had to be answered.
What is this we hear about a general
strike? The one and same answer
served in all cases. GO back to
work on Monday morning as though
you had heard no rumor. If there
were to be a strike the unions of Mis-
soula would know something about
it."
Well, the direful moment has
passed and as time goes on a little
more enlightenment comes at hand
as to who were the originators of
the intended coup d'etat. 1t seems
that an effort has been made in some
months past to secure an organiza-
ton of employers who would be in
positions to cope with all eventuali-
ties in connection with the rapidly
growing labor organizations. Things
have not moved as freely as might
be desired, mainly we think for want
of experienced leadership. Fairly
reliable information indicates that
some support had to be secured from
men with some first hand experience
within the labor unions. Naturally
any move made by an organization
composed of such a conglomerated
mixture would turn out to be a
monstrosity. That is why some
thought it would be a strike, others
would call it a lockout, in terms of
business it was shutting off of credit,
while in reality the intention was
and it turned out to be nothing but
a bluff.
Carpenters r still saving boards,
masons are plllng up brick and
stone, painters r busy beautify-
ing, and business men are ringing
up the cash.
Here is u suggestion to those
who arc not in accord with the hap
py progress made through coopera-
ton between liberal and forward
looking business men and organized
labor that if they really want to
create some excitement, and are not
equal to the occasion themselves,
why not turn the job over to the
c. I. o.? They would likely make
a success of the thing and stage a
real (sit-down) strike and lockout
combination. Of course, it would
be the business men who would be
locked out.