Montana labor news., 1938-06-16
WORKERS ALLIANCE
OFFICER ENTERS RACE
FOR THE LEGISLATURE

Florence Larson, resident of Butte
and Centerville since 1909, filed Sat-
urday, June 18th, as candidate for
State Legislature on the Democratic
ticket. She is one of ten candidates
endorsed by Labor's Non-Partisan
League of Silver Bow County and
pledged to carry out their progress
sive program of legislation.
For the past four years-since the
beginning of the unemployed move
ment in Butte-she has been n of
the most active in promoting the
welfare of the unemployed. She was
instrumental in bringing about the
organization of the Workers Ali
ance of Butte and has given her time
unstintingly to organizing, leading
committees and protest actions for
jobs and adequate relief. AT the last
convention of the Montana Workers
Alliance with 80 locals in the state
meeting in Great Falls she was
named as one of the members of the
state executive board, as well as be-
ing elected delegate to the national
convention of the Alliance.
Because of Mrs. Larson's work in
the local Alliance she has been
placed in various offices such as
treasurer, president and executive
board member. She is best known
for her daily work as a member of
the grievance committee by people,
men and women on relief, WPA and
those seeking old age assistance.
Perhaps no one was more active in
the campaign of labor organizations
in upholding decent hours, hourly
wages and conditions for women
WPA project workers of the state
when they were threatened last
summer.
During the last session Of the State
Legislature Mrs. Larson was among
the labor forces who worked for
enactment of the Montana Relief
Standards Act which was hacked
down by company reactionaries into
the present Welfare Act. She is
thoroughly acquainted with all
phases of the relief situation which
promises to be one of the biggest
issues before the coming session. AS
a member of a democratic organiza-
ton she has condemned the dictator
ship of Governor Ayers and the un-
limited power he exercises in ap-
pointing everything in the relief set
up from the state board to the local
case worker.
With the endorsement of Labor's
Non-P Partisan League she has fully
pledged to work for their program
which includes: Cd Legislation that
will promote the security and well
being of Montana workers, employed
and unemployed. (2) Put Montana
back to work. 90 Place the burden
of taxation on those profiting most
from the resources of the state and
best able to pay. "a Protective
legislation in the interests of women
and children. Adequate educational
facilities and opposition to child la
Dor. (5) Full compensation to in
sure a livelihood for those victimized
by industrial diseases such as sill
COSTS.
Mrs. Larson's father, Dan Melon
aid, will be remembered by many
old timers of Centerville and Walk
erville. His life was spent in the
mines of Butte working for liveli-
hood and education for a family OF
ten children. After thirty years Of
work in the mines, he had contracted
silicosis and came to his end as have
so many others who worked hard
and long hours in dusty raises, slopes
and drifts.
Mrs. Larson has one small child
and is at present employed in the
local WPA sewing room as a seam
stress.