Montana labor news., 1937-03-11
Harringion's Mayora|iY Candidacy Receives
Enthusiastic Support Of Organized Labor
Not a Professional Politician But
a Sincere, Loyal Citizen With
a Definite Program.

Once, in the Mitre Tavern in Lon
don, Doctor johnson and Oliver
Goldsmith sat at a table. A man
came in and took his seat in an oppo-
site corner. Johnson leaned over
and said to Goldsmith. "Goldie, I
hate that man."
And Goldsmith answered, who is
he?"
Doctor johnson rolled and rocked
in his seat, sputtered, winked and
then said, "Goldie, I do not know
who that man is; but if I knew him
l would love him"
That is why organized labor has
unhesitatingly endorsed the candi-
dacy of Tim ]. Harrington for Mayor
of the city of Butte. We know him.
Mr.. Harrington is not only sympa-
thetic with the labor movement, but
for years has played an active and
conspicuous part in it. In 1884 he
served with credit and distinction
as chairman of the general strike
committee. In that capacity he not
only endeared himself to the rank
and file of organized labor but his
patience, fairness and sense of JUS
tice drew the respect and admiration
of his ad%versaries. His executive
ability and administrative capacity
were demonstrated on more than
one occasion during that unsettled
period. No task was too difficult or
onerous for him to assume. So it is
a source of qualification to organized
labor to note that the rank and file
of the movement has so generously
responded in support of his candi-
dacy. The enthusiasm manifested
demonstrates that labor is not in
different to the appeal of those who
befriend it. Mr.. Harrington's can
didacy presents a man behind whom
the labor unions can unite without
fear of betrayal; a man who in the
event that he is successful will not
change plain old friends for fancy
new ones if political expediency
should render such course desirable.
Throughout his labor career, he has
never lifted his hat to a fast ground
er and let it roll to the outfield to
cool off. In industrial disputes he
has never emulated the antics of the
Mexican jumping bean. His CON
duct in political office should not
require the use of the acrobatic net.
He has presented a platform
which is not full of trap doors and
secret fire escapes. 1t is a simple,
understandable ana to the point. 1t
is not the usual goulash of verbal
opium, and vote batting promises put
out by the Abou Ben Adhems that
emerge around election time and
usurp the job of Atlas with ideals
and aims beyond the possibility of
any immediate attainment and never
intended to be carried out.
Mr.. Harrington is not a profess
sional politician. He does not suffer
with the common malady of the
genus politico-that is, the wiseacre
who with a suspender thumbing
flourish talks all day and writes all
night on every conceivable subject
and seldom says anything.
He has promised, among other
things, a rigid enforcement of all
traffic regulations and a restoration
of the motorized traffic unit which
is responsive to an urgent civic need.
He likewise pledges the installation
of sanitary sewers where needed, the
grading of alleys, more efficient re-
moval of city garbage to the extent
of placing this function under mu-
nicipal control and operation if nee
essary for the public health, the
establishment and maintenance of a
city park and recreation center, and
to clean up the unsavory conditions
surrounding the new high school.
Mr.. Harrington is a Democrat. His
-
political utilization with that party,
in the event of his election, assures
a more unselfish and jealous cooper
alton between the municipal govern
ment and the great social reforms of
the National Democratic Administra-
ton with which he is in full sympa-
thy and accord. The labor move
ment, feel that Mr.. Harrington is
admirably fitted for the office to
which he aspires.
His candidacy presents a refresh
ing interlude to the usual flair
weather friends of labor who once
every two years stand up to bawl
and beat their breasts as the pas
sionate scorners of the rich and the
in%corruptible lovers Of the toiler.
Be assured that a cross before Har-
rington's name on election day will
not mean the double cross the day
after.