Montana labor news., 1938-08-11
An Open Letter 10 Labor
And the People

AAiiiiN' eAAte 4 ouPpoi tGQ anu SpOh6 III
behalf of President Roosevelt in 1882,
in Butte and Anaconda. l have no
quarrel with the President or the
New Deal. l shall try to explain
my attitude in this article and with
this in mind, l want to thank those
who supported me in the primary
election.
| am not satisfied that a wage of
$50 per month is sufficient to render
general comforts to those who de-
pend upon WPA employment for
livelihood. 1t is inadequate for
reasonable comforts and does not
conform to general standards as has
been customary in the past 1t is
also unfair because in some localities
the beneficiaries receive only $25
per month for the same working
period. 1t is my opinion, that Con-
gress must direct its efforts to bring
about sound business conditions and
full time employment in private in
duStries. The real workers and 9TH
ers with whom l am acquainted want
that and nothing else. Such attitude
is not unreasonable, for the greater
majority of our forgotten men still
retain the spirit of their forefathers
and cherish the feeling of free men
and women.
The people know object to the
prevalent attitude of hypocritical
charity which is assumed by politi-
cal gift bearers. This feeling share
with them, because distribution of
public property is obnoxious to all
of us. This is particularly true when
it is realized--that we destroy our
selves by reckless spending of our
own resources. The most objection
able feature in this squandering rests
in the fact that it is used to retain
political adventures in office at the
peoples expense. The real citizens
desire nothing more than that Con-
gress resume its constitutional posi-
ton, as representatives of the people
and not that of petty kings or rulers.
| favor any plan that will bring
about employment of our idle people
in productive work. I believe that,
in order to bring about greater Sc
curity, peace and prosperity, a retire
ment pension is imperative at the
age of 55 years When in full opera
tion such pension should pay to each
individual at least $75 per month.
Everyone who has complied with the
requirements of such plan should
be paid without any question when
the pension is due. Such pension
will eliminate the older men and at
the same time permit the younger
generation to be employed in re-
munerative work. I believe I am
correct when say: Idleness in youth
is dangerous and destructive in any
nation where such condition exists.
If I get your cooperation such pen
sion plan will be introduced in the
next Congress and it will be free of
incomprehensible legal phraseology
now prevalent and confusing, not
only to us, but to the legal profess
sion itself. It will instead be clear,
so anyone can understand it. The
cost of administration of such pen
sion must be very low, for in eco
nomical administration lies the maxi
mum amount of compensation to
those who are to receive the pension.
l have been closely connected with
labor for many years and sitting
with them in the galleries, I have
watched the political show and its
bid for labor's support. Today am
watching the same show, not as one
of those who sit in the gallery, but
instead as one of the performers. In
spite of my position, want labor to
know that in my heart l am sitting
with them in the same gallery as l
sat with them before, only now it is
my desire to do something of real
permanent value. l do not intend
to make futile promises as has been
customary in the past and which, no
doubt, some of the candidates will
use in this campaign, l shall instead
rest my case on sound business prin-
ciples. The same principles which
have been used by us for the past
l45 years and which is still used by
other nations throughout the world.
Trades against corporations, mali
cious personal attacks, filth and
other vile insinuations are not of
any value to labor or anyone else.
Nothing but poisonous gases arise
from the cess pool of perverted and
corrupt human minds. We must in
stead use reason and try to be con-
structive. We must at all times work
with a true perspective of our rela-
tionship in the nations complicated
society. Instead of believing propa-
ganda, it is better to investigate the
treason for its use. Labor must re-
member that up until the present
time, its condition has not improved
but the opposite is true. 1t follows,
there, we should do our own think
ing and less believing in the propo-
nents, who present themselves for
Ipublic office.
We have more laws, more regula-
tions, more centralized power, more
taxes, and more prepared propa-
ganda than we have ever had before.
We must also remember much of
this propaganda is the creation of
foreign thoughts and foreign influ-