Montana labor news., 1937-03-04
WHATS HAPPENING IN The UNIONS

them to him personally giving the
opinion of the unions regarding
R~oosevelt's plan to curb the power
of the Courts.
Frank Shea of the Clerks union
gave quite a comprehensive report
of action taken by both the Senate
and House on bills relating to the
Clerks. He stated that the penalties
provided for violation of the Clerks
8 hour law had been reduced to such
an extent that it was practically
worthless.
From the reports coming from
Helena, Attorney George Sheppard
of Missoula is blamed for most of
the dangering amendments that have
been made to labor's 8 hour bills.
His word seems to be law and what
ever amendments he suggests are
adopted. All prison penalties for
violation of the 8 hour law have
been abolished, according to reports
made at the Trades and Labor Coun-
ell. Another very reactionary Sem
ator and one that should never be
sent to the Senate again is O'Day
of Great Falls. His attitude on all
labor legislation has been one of
naughty antagonism. The Great
Falls unions are asked to take notice.
Vice President Jack Driscoll of
the Montana Federation of Labor
reported regarding the progress of
the Social Security Act. He men
toned that the l per cent tax on
employees to provide revenue for the
unemployment compensation bill
was again put into the bill over
labor's objections. Originally in the
House Committee, the l per cent tax
on employees was stricken out and
the employer was to provide the
entire amount. This is as it should
be, and it is reliably reported also
that the National Administration de-
sires that the employee be left out
of the tax on state unemployment
compensation measures. MI. Dris-
coll also reported that the measure
as it stands now is Objectionable to
the common people.
President Graham of the Fedora
ton had submitted suggestions to
the committee in charge of this bill
that the compensation to be paid
to workers when they were out of
employment should be increased
from $500 ia $1,000 a week as the
bill originally provided to $1,000 and
$500 a week, according to the num-
Der of dependents of the unemployed
worker. The suggestions of Presi-
dent Graham have been ignored ap-
parently by the Legislature. The
bill has now been submitted to a
conference committee. Labor or
CARNATIONS are requested to imme-
diately notify the Governor and
liberal representatives and senator's
to urge that the desires of organized
be considered before that body.
One Of the delegates reported that
was his observation that at least
81 senator's voted solidly against all
labor measures at all times and if
they could not kill a bill in the
hat they would emasculate
it by amendments until it was
worthless.
Under good and welfare of the
Trades and Labor Council, more
discussion occurred regarding Roose-
velt's proposal regarding the Su-
oreme Court. If the sentiments of
Trades and Labor Council of
Butte are any criterion as to how the
rest of the working people of the
state believe, there is not much re-
;peet for the Supreme Court as it
There seems to be a uni
yersal feeling that the sooner the
Supreme Court is denied the power
% annul acts of Congress, the SOON
er we will make strides towards
better democracy and a better coun-
Try.