Montana labor news., 1938-10-20
Workers Alliance Asks
For Twenty Per Cent
Increase in Wage Scale

The Workers Alliance of Butte
was looking back on a most success
full rally Saturday, Oct. 9th. Called
in the interest of a drive for new
members, and for a 20 per cent in
crease in WPA wages, it chalked up
on the credit side of the ledger,
many new pledges for membership,
new sympathy for and a better
understanding of the Workers Ali
ance among the small business men
and middle class of the city and
more support for the 20 per cent
increase.
In a program with many speakers,
every moment was full of interest
and packed with food for thought.
Joe Knight, chairman of the Ana
conda Workers Alliance, was the
first speaker and gave a report on
the recent national convention of
the Workers Alliance in Cleveland,
Ohio. He stressed the need for men
in Congress who are progressive and
sympathetic to the program of the
Workers Alliance. In this connec-
ton he told us that Jerry O'Connell's
name was mentioned at the eonven-
ton oftener than any other and that
his name, next to that of Franklin
D. Roosevelt, received the greatest
applause. When a telegram of
greeting and good wishes was read
to the convention from Mr., O'Con-
nell, he said, the delegates immedi-
ately started marching around the
hall with their banners, cheering
wildly. They were SO enthusiastic
that it was difficult TO quiet them
and resume the regular order of
business.
Mike Mulholland, candidate for
the state senate from Silver Bow
county, was next on the program
and spoke briefly on his labor stand.
Walter Niemi, executive board
member of the Butte Workers Ali
|ance, spoke next. Mr.. Niemi was
the youngest speaker on the pro-
gram. He spoke on the problems of
youth today, %stressing the need for
youth to join the Alliance.
Bob Brown, president Of the Butte
Miners Union, No. |, spoke in his
usual, clear, forceful style. A few
years ago, he said, he could not
have brought himself to believe that
an unemployed union could exist,
much less one that was as strong
and powerful as the Workers ALI
ance had grown to be. He told the
crowd that, with the possibility of
becoming unemployed constantly
staring him in the face, he wanted
to have a strong unemployed union
that he could join and get protec-
ton from.
Ed O'Byrne, former Labor Com
missioner and member of the Miners
Union, went into the economic stu
alton and showed the need for a
strong Workers Alliance and why
everyone should join. He praised
the work of the Alliance very highly.
Phillip O'Donnell, labor endorsed
candidate for associate justice of the
state supreme court, brought out
how, in ten cases, Sam Stewart and
his reactionary associate in the SUI
preme court had handed down de-
cisions in favor of the banks as
against private individuals. He went
into three of the cases in detail and
showed how they outraged legal
principle as well as elementary
justice. He pointed out that it was
up to the people what sort of a
supreme court they would have and
urged all to give il serious thought.
Park Lea, president of the Town
send Club, No. |, of Butte, next
spoke and showed how the Town
send plan, if adopted, would obvi-
ate the necessity for WPA, direct
relief, the CCC, PWA, etc. He stated