Montana labor news., 1937-04-29
The Following Letters Are So
Illuminating That Recon-
structing Them Into a Regular
News Article Could Only Re-
suit in Weakening the Story.
Montana Money Should Not Be
Sent Out of State to Assist
Unfair Printing Establish
ments.
With
CONSULATE LOGIC
EXPOSES DECEPTION
SIG Cherry St, Anaconda.

10y
Montana Labor News,
/ just received your letter for in
formation on the unpleasant situa-
ton involving the State University
over the awarding of the Sentinel,
the Annual of the university, to a
scab firm in Salt Lake City.
I have been in Missoula and con-
ferred with the student editor of the
Sentinel and with President Sim
mons of the University. Both real
ize they made a mistake in signing
such a contract but have not taken
any action to cancel it. The presi-
dent asked me to secure a ruling
from the state board of education
to stop such contracts in the future.
Very little attention was paid to a
recommendation made by the board
in 1885, covering a similar cas- in
the Normal College in Dillon, which
I have enclosed.
The students wanted "a pages (all
color work, which multiplies the
number of pages according to the
number of colors involved in the
pictures), more than the 1886 Sen
tinel contained; insisted on better
grade Of paper; demanded a more
expensive binding and cover; made
no allowance for increased material
prices and wage increases, and
wanted the 1897 edition with above
additions over 1886 for the same
price as last years book.
The students asked for bids from
only two Montana shops-Great
Falls and Missoula, then asked for
bids from three scab concerns in
the nation at large.
The enclosed copy of my letter to
President Simmons covers most of
the other points involved in the con-
troversy. Copies of the letter are
going to members Of the state board
of education to have our state col
leges stop patronizing nonresident,
non-taxpaying and scab firms.
Yours truly,
Frank Finnegan, President Mon
tana Typographical Conference.
= =
SIC Cherry Street,
Anaconda, Montana,
April IS, 1887.
George Finlay Simmons, President
Montana State University,
Missoula, Montana.
Dear MIR. Simmons:
I have spent many hours since
leaving your office in Missoula in
deep study Of the unpleasant situa-
ton that has resulted in the award
ing of the Sentinel to a scab firm.
l appreciate that all concerned at
the University are sorry for the mis-
take, but I still cannot see where
any assurance has been given by
the University that no such mistake
will be made in the future.
Unpleasant Situation Could Have
Been Averted
/ am going to give you this letter
for use in your conferences with
the students. If this appeal fails, I
am going to submit the problem to
the citizens of the state for action.
I shall speak plainly, and I hope
you will understand that plain talk
is better than soft SOAP" when we
consider principles, as well as state
laws. I am more than convinced
that this unpleasant situation could
have been avoided if you, as presi-
dent of the State University, had
obeyed the recommendations of the
State Board of Education and in
sisted in having the Sentinel print
ed in a union shop in the state.
Business Men Paid for Book
Your contention that the students
were spending tier own money is
not true-you fail to consider the
fact that the students of the Uni
versity solicited advertising in Mon
tana, thereby commercializing the
product and making the advertisers
Supporters of the publication. Your
students did not ask the merchants
if they would like to see Montana
Continued on Page 81