Montana labor news., 1938-05-19
Montana ~Progressives
Endorse Candidates
J. J. O'COnnell Unanimously Sc
lected for Reelection.

OAAGA 4GlllCls PAOASe9ACAAOAS oAo
independent business men of Mon
tana, against monopoly corporation
domination in the coming election
campaign.
One hundred and -- delegates
participated In the conventions de-
alterations. % A. F. of L. locals, IL
c. I. o. locals, z Central Labor Coun-
ellis, 6 Railroad Brotherhood lodges,
q Farm Union locals, II Workers
Alliance locals, 9 Labor's Non-Parti-
san and Farm-Labor Councils, in
Guiding miners, s%meltermen, teach
ers, carpenters, teamsters, farmers
and practically every other trade
and craft in the state were repre-
scented.
The call for the convention had
been issued by decision Of a confer
ence held in Great Falls on April Bird
at which a tentative program had
been written. The program was sub
mitted to the convention and Off
cially adopted. The program reads
as follows:
Corporate domination of Mon
tana, which for years has controlled
economic, political and educational
Institutions and the press, with only
sporadic challenges from progressive
groups, is responsible for the deplor-
able economic and social conditions
Of the great majority of the people
Of our state. On the basis of the
preamble and principles stated in
this platform the candidates en-
dorsed by the Montana Council for
Progressive Political Action pledge
their efforts to the enactment of
laws which will give the people Of
the state a closer control and just
regulation of their natural resources,
legislation in general which will
benefit them, and laws which will
put a check on d"ictatorial powers
now being exercised by the corpor-
ate interests and their political pup
pets. In furtherance of our efforts
toward %unification of the workers
of the state, whether farmers, in
dustrial or commercial laborers, I'M
employed, or independent business
and professional men, and to unity
their efforts for economic better
ment in their common struggle
against monopolistic greed and cor
porate control we submit the follow
ing program:
81. Readjustment Of the present
tax structure to the end that the
main burden Of taxation will fall
upon those best able to pay and Sc
designed that there will be fair and
equitable taxes on corporations ex-
plotting our natural resources, en-
gaging in speculative profit ven
lures, on idle wealth and monopoly
higher income taxes in upper brack-
cts and lower in lower brackets, ano
increased gift and inheritance taxes
The Montana Council for Progress.
sive Political Action d~ifferentiate!
sharply between the huge monopoly
corporations and trusts and legiti-
mate independent business. The
former evades taxes, take theil
profits out of the state, and do no.
contribute their share to the genera
welfare Of the people. The indie
pendent business man lives and pay
taxes in Montana, employs Montan;
labor, buys Montana products, anC
contributes to Montana's prosperity
We propose to protect Montana bust
ness against predatory monopolie
to the end that we may have a bal
anced prosperity among all the PEG
pie Of Montana.
2. Unalterable opposition to an.
form of sales tax.
3. Legislation beneficial to tn
health and we'll being of all work
ers to the end that they shall receiv
a just return for the products o
Is their labor.
4. Prohibition of child labor an,
necessary legislation to provide ade
quate free educational facilities. w
favor national and state subsidies t
h provide educational opportunitie
for all children up to the age of l
st who are unable to continue thei
1t studies.
5. Revision of the State Publ
d Welfare Act to insure a standard G
living compatible with decency an
at health and provide severe penaltie
ID and machinery for removal of an
official charged with the administra
It ton of the act who fails to compl
= with its requirements.
id 6. Legislation for land utilizatio
and rehabilitation of the farm popu
/ lation, coupled with development
at our natural power resources throug
lie the extension and expansion of ma
Sc chinery now set up.
" Z. Provision for adequate old az
tie pensions and removal of existing re
n quirements of relinquishing all pei
is sonally owned property by the per
III sioners.
8. We favor legislation that wi
end the dole by adequate subsidi(
which allow farmers to remain o
their holdings and to utilize tn
labor of the unemployed for a syi
tenn of public works which will ad
to the wealth and prosperity Of tt
IA state and of the nation.