davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Montana labor news., 1937-12-02
BY A. F. of L. News Service.

WASHINGTON D. Civilian Greer, president of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor, demanded that the Fair Labor Standards Bill, locked
up in the possession Of the Rules Committee of the House of Representa-
tives, be sent back to the House Labor Committee for reconsideration and
drastic revision in the interests of working men and women whose eco
nomic conditions come under jurisdiction of the measure.
In a letter to Chairman Norton of the House Rules Committee, Mr.. Green
declared that the American Federation Of Labor will not support the wage
and hour bill until it has been amended to protect without danger of dis
torion its fundamental detectives in accordance with the constructive force
contemplated by President Roosevets message to Congress on May "a,
1897.
Recent experiences with the National Labor Relations Board, coupled
with the present business recession, have compelled the A. F. of L, Mr..
Green said, to qualify its position of last August that the bill was fairly
satisfactory to labor"
He specially emphasized the point the American Federation of Labor
feels a a result of the rulings made by the National Labor Relations Board
in administering the Labor Relations Act it is not safe to confer on any
board of that kind authority to make the many determinations which
would be required in the administration of the Fair Labor Standards Bill
in its present form.
Moreover, the unemployment problem, MI. Green claimed, is rapidly
becoming very serious as a resul of the current recession in business, and
therefore it is imperative that the bill should be amended to provide a
shorter work day and work week.
Finally, the American Federation of Labor, Mr.. Green declared, is Of
the opinion that the necessary basic changes required to preserve the OBJ
jecdves of the bill can only receive proper consideration by the House
Labor Committee. He therefore recommended that the bill be returned to
that committees for amendments or for the substitution Of a new bill
Montana labor news., 1937-12-02
ATHENS GROCERY And
clerks union COME
TO FAIR SETTLEMENT
Proprietors of Store Negotiate Agree
ment With Officers of Clerks

The long standing dispute between
the Clerks Union and the Athens
Grocery was finally settled Tuesday,
November 80, when Frank Shea, Ma
tional Organizer and local president
of the clerks union together with
Andy Gunther, and secretary R. E..
Lavelle, consummated a satisfactory
agreement with Mr.. Earnest Pappas
and Mr.. Damos, pr%oprietors of the
store. Athens agreed to comply with
all clerks rules and regulations both
as to wages and operating hours. Or
ganized labor of Silver Bow County
is gratified over the happy outcome
of this controversy and extends its
congratulations to the officers of the
union and to both Mr.. Pappas and
Mr.. Damos. Members of organized
labor who have not been patronizing
the store are again requested to re-
sumo their custom. Coming at this
particular period of the year just be-
fore the holidays, it is hoped that the
Athens store will receive its just pro-
portion of the holiday increase in
business.
Montana labor news., 1937-12-02
HOLLY SUGAR co. ON
THE PRESCRIBED list

The Holly Sugar Company is still
unfair to organized labor of the
state of Montana according to the
Montana Federation of Labor and
the Silver Bow Trades and Labor
Council. This company, according
to the Federation of Labor, refused
to recognize or deal with the bona
fide Federal Labor Union at Hardin
during the time a building was be-
ing constructed in that community.
They not only refused to deal with
the union but were instrumental in
having a new union created there
and at Sidney with whom they
thought they could do business to
defeat the desires and purposes of
the original organization. All cities
and communities in the state of
Montana are notified definitely that
this company and its products are
unfair and must be kept in a posi-
ton of unfriendliness to labor or
CARNATIONS until such time as they
settle with the Federal Labor Unions
at Hardin and Sidney, and the Mon
tana Federation of Labor.
Montana labor news., 1937-12-02
UNIONS ARE
COMPLAINING LACK
OF PROPER RELIEF

POISON. - Numerous complaints
have arisen over the administration
of the Public Welfare Board in this
community and they r becoming
more insistent. 1t was stated au-
thoritatively recently by some of the
labor organizations that affidavits
had been signed and sent to Wash
ington, D. c., concerning discrimina-
lions in the sewing room. For ex-
ample one woman with three daugh-
tiers had been laid off the sewing
project. Her income was cut down
from $44 a month to $36 a month
and she is expected to get along on
$3.50 a month, $18 from the Dependent
Children's fund and an additional
S18 from direct relief. She has to
pay her own rent, buy her W
groceries and fuel, dress her daugh-
tiers and send them to school. She
has tried several times to secure any
sort of employment to help her out
and also tried to get back on WPA.
Their excuse is that she is a~gitating
among the ONE and not an eff
cient seamstress.
Montana labor news., 1937-12-02
Go Convention
VIII Be Held in
Butte January {

The Executive Board of Montana
State Industrial Union Council met
in Great Falls November q, for the
purpose Of calling a State Conven-
ton of all c. I. o. affiliates to com
plete formation of the constitution
and for nominating regular officers.
The convention is to be held January
6, 1888, at the Butte Miners Union
Hall. Those attending the meeting
at Great Falls were President Archie
Mcleod; vice president, W. M. An
derson, Sand Coulee; Financial Sec
rotary, Sylvester Graham, Butte;
Board member, Paul Fall, Jr., of Dis
trict No. l; Frank Holman, District
No. 2; Joe Hunter Of Billings, Dis
trict No. 8.
Montana labor news., 1937-12-02
MOONEY MAY GO
TO WASHINGTON

John M. Coffee, Congressman of
the Sixth District of the state of
Washington, is writing to the labor
organizations asking them to help
him and other liberals and mem
bers of the Senate and House to
bring Tom Mooney to Washington,
D. c., on December Is for hearings
on Senate and House bills. He re-
marked in the letter, eve in Con-
gress are doing everything in our
power to insure full and impartial
trial for Mooney. Will you join with
us in this fight to enforce the bill
of rights and the Constitution of the
United States in the case of Tom
Mooney" Sometimes the fight to
get Tom Mooney released seems al
most hopeless. It appears that the
ruling classes of California are de-
termined to have Tom Mooney die
in a penitentiary. In relation to the
meeting in Washington, it is now
planned to have the hearing held in
the open in order that the entire
truth of the frame-up may reach
the people. Both the American Fed
Grafton of Labor and the Committee
for Industrial Organization r fight
ing for the release Of Mooney. The
unions are requested to send tele-
grams not only to Senator Wheeler
and Congressman O'Connor but to
other senators and congressman ask
ing them to join with other repre-
sentatives in bringing Mooney to
Washington. The bills in the Senate
and House were introduced by Muir
ray and O'Connell.
Montana labor news., 1937-12-02
CTM TO BOYCOTT
JAPANESE GOODS

Mexico City. (MLN)-In accord
ance with a decision taken by its
Sixth National Council, which clos
ed its sessions here October S1st, the
CTM Confederation Of Mexican
Workers. has announced its inten-
ton to carry out a complete boycott
of japanese goods in Mexico as a
protest against Japan's invasion OF
China in defiance of International
law and treaty obligations.
At the same time, the CTM has
sent a formal petition to President
Cardenas asking that the govern
ment establish as embargo on the
importation of Japanese goods into
Mexico and on the export from this
country of all raw materials des-
tined for wal industries.
All social classes have been invit-
ed by the CTM to cooperate in max
ing the boycott nationwide. Instru-
ctions have been sent to all affiliated
unions and organizations to carry out
the boycott with strict trade-union
discipline and to propaganda the
anti-Japanese movement as widely
as possible. The same official cir
cular asks all organized maritime and
dock-workers to refuse to load or UNI
load japanese cargoes or goods des-
tined to that country.
Montana labor news., 1937-12-02
Miners Propose Siafe-
Wide Unemployment
Conference for Dec.

An unemployed conference pro
posed by the Butte Miners Union
will be held early in December, so
the Silver Bow Trades and Labor
Council was notified last Tuesday.
The Miners informed the Central
Labor Council that 1900 of their
members have been laid off work
from the mines and other industries
have been disastrously affected by
the shutdown. The notice for the
conference included all labor organi-
cations, farm unions and other labor
groups. No definite date was estab-
lished for the meeting. 1t is hoped
at the convention to get definite in
formation of the extent of unem-
ployment and to consolidate labor's
strength behind relief remedies.
Montana labor news., 1937-12-02

tensive than has been realized. This,
if finally verified, is important; but
even this is not the main question.
The vital issue is not what the
japanese have been doing this year,
or even what they may do next year,
but what they evidently have every
intention of doing-if your govern
ment takes no action to prevent-in
1889 and following years.
These intentions, if carried out,
will not merely deprive American
fishermen working in that district
of their livelihood, but will mean the
complete and permanent destruction
of this valuable American resource.
Surely that is plenty of reason for
alarm, and the present time is none
too soon to become alarmed and take
protective action, which should have
been taken ten years ago.
Montana labor news., 1937-12-02

Propose
Cosi OF Living Meeting

Stating that the cost of living had
advanced almost to the peak of that
prevailing in q the Blaeksmiths
Union has 81 & notice that a call
for a cost of lg conference is to.
be held at 8 -e to be chosen by.
their unto, p Fhe communication.
called ate 8 to the fact that rent.
costs in B we're excessively high,
food pric d advanced, and cloth
ing costs e all out of reason. The
notice q lentioned that while the
worker some instances had re-
ceived porary increase in wages,
the current unemployment crisis had
caused most of them an absolute
loss. No corresponding reduction in
prices has occurred. The Miners
delegates pledged their support to
the proposed cost of living confer
ence. All unions in this community
have been notified by the black
smiths to be ready to meet at the
call of the blacksmiths.
Montana labor news., 1937-12-02
CLERKS union BEARS
DOWN ON Vl0LATORS

Twenty years ago the Clerks I'm
ion established rules governing the
hours of operation Of grocery stores
and since that time have been at
tempting to have the p%roprietors
comply with the regulations. In
most cases they have met with fine
cooperation, but in some isolated
instances, such as the Cooks grocery
store and Cabin Camp on Dewey
Boulevard, there has been a long,
willful and deliberate attempt to
circumvent the rules of the union.
Cooks Cabin Camp is notorious in
this respect. This establishment in
cludes a grocery store, gas station,
and tourist cabins. Along with an
apparent desire to break the rules
of ethics as laid down by the unions,
this place seems to have a selfish
tendency to absorb all of the bust
ness of the neighborhood. Greed
and selfishness stand out all over
the place. The Clerks Union has
been very patient and so has the rest
of organized labor in trying to in
duce Cooks Cabin Camp to be rea-
sonable. That period Of patience has
raised and henceforth and during
the next tourist season, in all likeli-
hood, cars stopping at this place will
be submitted to union headquarters
and their names and numbers pub
lished. The clerks allege that either
through ignorance Or indifference,
some of the other labor organizations
have done work there, even since it
was declared unfair.
Montana labor news., 1937-12-02
WoodWorkers From
Coast Visit The Butte
Central Trades Council

A committee, Mr.. Collins and Mr..
Fessler, from the international
Woodworkers of America we're visi-
tors and speakers at the Trades and
Labor Council Tuesday night. Mr..
f. C. Collins delivered the main adj
dress. He expressed his pleasure in
addressing the central labor body
of Butte unions, and complimented
the delegates upon their fine 0
operation. He described himself as
a representative of the Ply-Wood
Council which represents the largest
council Of timber workers in the
United States and impressed upon
his audience that they should always
bear in mind that whether men or
women were organized in the c. I. o.
or the A. F. L., they were still mem
bers of organized labor, and if this
idea were carried in mind, no injury
could come to either the organiza-
tons or to the working people. Mr..
Collins illustrated his talk by re-
ferring to an incident that occurred
on the Pacific coast wherein the
Smith-Woods Production Company
had imported strikebreakers from
the Middle West to undermine the
demands Of the unions on the Coast.
The company offered these men a
five cent a day raise in wages. The
companies tried every tactic known
to them to make them feel as though
they were a part of the labor or
carnations, but without success.
Whether a worker scabs against the
c. /. o. or the A. F. L. he is still a
scab. 1T a not be denied" the
speaker reflected, that the big.
battle between labor is now on the
Pacific coast" The harmonious at
titude Of the Silver Bow Trades and
Labor Council struck the visiting
representatives Of the Pacific coast
unions very much.
Montana labor news., 1937-12-02

Perhaps will be arranged in the
near future, a meeting of speakers
on the subject Of the trial of the
Scottsboro boys. This is a case in
volving some negro lads in Alabama
who were charged with improper
relations with a white girl. The
Supreme Court released some of the
boys from incarceration after they
had been found guilty by the courts
in Alabama. The whole thing APP
parently is a frame-up on account
of the political and economic beliefs
of the Scottsboro boys and not on
account Of what they did. So often
this is the case. If you believe in
something that is inimical to the
capitalist system, you are apt to be
railroaded to the penitentiary by
the ruling classes in order to get rid
of you. A group travelling we the
nation in the interest of these boys
will be in Butte on December 20.
Montana labor news., 1937-12-02
CONVENTION
SETS up Go STATE
INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (UNS)
A convention to form a c. l. 0. State
Industrial Union Council was called
November Is in Salt Lake City for
the purpose of uniting all the pro-
gressive labor forces in Utah.
Affiliated c. l. o. unions and 9th
ers in sympathy with the industrial
union movement, representing thou
sands of members throughout the
state, were invited to send dele
gates. Big c. l. o. ihternationals in
Utah include the Mine, Mill and
Smelter Workers and the United
Mine Workers.
John Brophy, G. l. 0. director, sent
a message to the delegates, express
ing his approval of the formation Of
a Utah industrial union council.
Referring to the unity conferences
between the c. l. o. and the A.. F.
Of L., Brophy declared that 'the fact
that the c. l. o. Initiated these on
ferences and is sincerely DESTROYS Of
unity in the labor movement should
not in any way hamper the construc-
tive organizing work of the c. l. o.
or result in any kind of a let-up.
''The work of industrial organiza-
ton must be pushed more aggres-
sively than ever,' he said, land the
formation OF city and state industrial
union councils is essential for the
success of this work.
"The Atlantic City conference
voted to approve the setting up of
such councils, wherever these have
not yet been formed, to furnish pro-
lection to our affiliated unions in
the states and localities concerned,
to coordinate their activities and to
unite their strength for the achieve
ment Of their common purpose,
which is to organize the unorganized
and improve the conditions of all
organized workers"
Montana labor news., 1937-12-02
Depicts Story of Decline of Com
pany Union of Great Northern
Railway; Condemns Montana
Unemployment Compensation
Law.

President James Graham of the
Montana Federation of Labor pre-
sented a glowing story of the growth
and development Of labor organiza-
tions in Montana during the past
year in his address before the Trades
and Labor Council last Tuesday, and
stressed the need of either abolish
ing or drastically revising Montana's
Unemployment Compensation Act.
He also said that the Montana Fed
Grafton of Labor would again try at
the next session of the legislature
to extinguish Plan 2 of the Com
pensation Act Questionnaires are
being sent out to all union organiza-
tons in order to determine the state
Of mind Of organized labor in Mon
tana relative to the latter question.
Plan 2 Of Montana's Compensation
Act is that phase wherein employers
pay a premium to insurance COM
panies to insure their employees for
injury. It has been the experience
of the labor unions of the state of
Montana under these conditions that
where a man or woman is injured
in industry the insurance companies
attempt SO strenuously to avoid the
payment Of the compensation and
chisel out of their just obligations
that they have decided the best way
out of an embarrassing situation is
to abolish the plan entirely. The
insurance companies have driven or
gained labor to this expedient by
their callousness, s%elfishness and
treachery. The unions will not rest
content until the plan is definitely
extinguished from the Montana Com
pensation Act. Too many times
workers who have been injured in
industry have been deprived out of
their compensation by unjust insur-
ance companies. 1--WE are deter
mined to take it all away from the
insurance companies" Graham also
said that Montana's unemployment
compensation law was a farce and a
fraud and should be abolished.
The labor head then described a
scheduled meeting with the Holly
Sugar Company to be held in the
Arizona Hotel in Butte, Wednesday.
This company has ~flagrantly and de-
liberately violated and t~ransgressed
the rules of the Federation of Labor
and the labor unions at Hardin and
Sidney. They ficticiously and with
malice established two separate fed
eral labor unions in both of these
towns, for the deliberate purpose of
breaking down wage scales and
working conditions. The Holly
Sugar Company is charged also with
violating the 8-hour laws of the state
through working engineers more
than 8 hours a day. The complaint
has been brought to the attention of
the Attorney General. The presi-
dent, in describing the sole remain
ing railroad company in Montana,
said that while at one time this
Continued on Page 81
Montana labor news., 1937-12-02
Helena unions
ENJOYS GOOD Terms

Frank Verzuh, secretary Of the
Mill and Smeltermen's Local u Of
East Helena was a Butte visitor
Wednesday. He dropped into union
headquarters and described the re-
organization Of the Smeltermen's
Union at the East Helena plant. The
men at the smelter are 100 per cent
organized and are now working n
der contracts with the American
Smelling Company and the Ana
conda Copper Mining Company.
They are affiliated with the Inter
national Union of Mine, Mill, and
Smelter Workers.
Montana labor news., 1937-12-02
MISSOULA UNIONS SIGN
WITH THE GAS COMPANY

Missoula County Central Trades
and Labor Council announces that
an agreement has been signed be-
tween the Missoula Gas and Coke
Company and the stationary Engin-
GERS, Plumbers and the Hold Carriers
Union. The Central Union expresses
its happiness over the discontinuance
of the long standing feud between
this company and the unions. The
union organizations involved are es-
pecially delighted to be again on
friendly terms with the gas COM
pany. Organized labor from other
sections extend their sincere con-
gratulations over the outcome.
Montana labor news., 1937-12-02
Working People Urged.
To Attend Glasses in
WpA Adult Edutaiion

Last Monday evening, November
20, a preliminary meeting was held
at the High School to receive appli-
cations for classes to be held under
the Smith-Hughes Adult Vocational
Education Program this year. The
most popular classes judging from
the enrolment at this meeting were
welding, machine shop practice, and
mechanical drawing. There will be
a special welding class for members
of the Plumbers Union and it is ex-
pected that this will receive the same
enthusiastic response that it has in
years past.
The following subjects will be
taught and any worker who has not
enrolled may receive an application
by applying at the superintendent
office at the Administration building:
/. Welding-plumbers.
2. Welding-general.
3. Machine Shop Practice.
4. Mechanical Drawing-advanced
5. Electrical Subjects (telephone)
6. Blueprint Reading and Shop
Math.
7. Engineers License School.
The minimum instructions will be
two hours per evening, two nights
a week, for a ten-week period.
These classes are being sponsored
by the Silver Bow Trades and Labor
Council with the wholehearted CO.
operation Of the local school board.
The office of the state superintendent
Of schools will present instruction in
any type of work that the union
members of the community request.
It always has been understood that
the type of instruction given should
c~orrelate to the work at which a
man is employed in making his liv-
ing. It is not expected under this
Smith Hughes program to teach a
trade nor to present a type of in
struction equivalent to that neces-
sary for a man to change his mode
of making a living. Several of the
classes presented, such as the gen
eral welding class, is open to any
type Of worker as the welding torch
has been held to be a tool not a
craft in itself. The same holds true
for the mechanical drawing instruc-
ton and also for the instruction in
blueprint reading and shop mathe-
MATES.
With the wholehearted cooperation
Of all of the union members of this
community, these evening classes
can be made to fill a vital need, en-
abling the workers to keep abreast
of their trades and colleagues.
All who have enrolled in the me-
chanical drawing classes and all
others interested should report tc
classes Monday, December 9th, al
the Mechanical Arts room of the high
school at the Galena Street entrance
at Z o'clock.
Montana labor news., 1937-12-02

Ed Rule, delegate from the Clerks
Union, made a report on the public
ownership meeting at the high school
at which DR.. Thompson spoke last
Tuesday. Delegate Leary seemed to
feel that although the talk itself
was enlightening, the meeting Of
fered no concrete plan by which
means could be established for mu-
nicipal ownership of utilities. The
council accepted the report of the
committee.
Montana labor news., 1937-12-02

The farmers union Of Alder, Mon
tana, asked the Trades and Labor
Council to send fraternal delegates
to their meeting with another re-
quest that they be allowed the same
privilege. The Trades and Labor
Council granted the request. While
no official delegate was named,
Comba unofficially appointed Rev
erend Jones.
Montana labor news., 1937-12-02

The products of the Continental
Baking Company are unfair, accord
ing to word received at labor head
quarters. The most important COM
modify of that company in Butte is
Hostess cake. Further reports of
this matter will be made later. Ger
tain beer being shipped here from
Spokane is also accused Of having
an unfair odor.
Montana labor news., 1937-12-02

DENVER. - (FP) - Colorado's
much-hated 1915 industrial commits
sion act, providing for compulsory
arbitration of labor disputes, is SUI
perseded by the 1888 legislative act
f~orbidding courts from issuing in
functions forcing men to work, Dist.
Judge Otto Book ruled.
Montana labor news., 1937-12-02
LIZARD AND HORSE

A lounge suit, as worn by the
Duke of Windsor, is not to be con-
fused with the apparel suitable for
those working under Mr.. Bedaux's
stretchout.