Montana labor news., 1938-07-14
WpA Discrimination
Brings Suffering 10
Large Family
Guy RAIDER Dismissed from Writ
erS' Project for Labor Activity

CID k4uJtSA U 1duOI ACTIVITY
Another glaring example of anti
labor discrimination by WPA Off
Gals in Montana is the case of Guy
RAIDER of Missoula. After eighteen
months service with the Federal
Writers Project - six months as
Senior Editor'-in Missoula-Rader
was summarily dismissed on the
grounds of negative attitude" Mr..
Byron Crane, state director of the
project, has failed to explain what
is meant by this ambiguous accusa-
ton, but all the evidence indicates
clearly that RAIDER was fired for
helping Missoula's unemployed in
their organized efforts to obtain bet
ter relief standards.
RAIDERS organizational activities
are not in violation of WPA rules
or state or county Lawsuit this
fact, evidently of no importance to
the politicians, has not brought bread
to his family. For five months his
wife and seven children have been
suffering the most desperate hard
ships, eating meagerly when an &C.
casional odd job provided scanty
%rations, many days having little or
nothing to eat.
It is worthwhile to review some
of the more significant aspects of
this case.
After one year with the Federal
Writer'S Project in Poison, Mr..
RAIDER moved his family to Missoula
on August 2, 1887, on instructions of
Byron Crane, state director. MI.
Crane acknowledged that RAIDER had
more experience as a writer than
any other member of the project,
with n exception. His work had
always been considered satisfactory.
Last November, RAIDER became ac-
tive in opposing reduction of wages
for women WPA workers, also in
obtaining relief for needy families.
From this time on he began to be
viewed as an undesirable and
pressure was exerted to have him
move to another town.
Byron Crane later notified RAIDER
that he was to be dismissed on orders
from the Butte office. This office
was presided over by MI. E. C. Bur
ris, who has since resigned to file as
a candidate for Congress. The Off
cial notice of dismissal was dated
January 18th. Mr.. Crane, asked to
explain the reason for the discharge,
stated that RAIDER had lost one day
through sickness and had failed to
report it until the following day.
The date of his illness in question
was January 18th; the "403" dis
missal slip was dated January 18th,
seven days before! Other excuses
were given, equally untenable.
Sailing in every conceivable way,
the WPA officials notified RAIDER to
report for work in Poison as an IN
skilled laborer, at the rate of $44 per
month. He was instructed to report
for work on February LIST but did
not receive the notice until Febru-
airy End!
The Welfare Board of Missoula
has refused to certify RAIDER for re-
lief on the grounds that he is not a
legal resident. He became a legal
resident of Miss0ula County on Feb
ruary End, having voted in the city
election. This refusal is in direct
violation Of the Montana Public We'll
fare Act.
Guy RAIDERS statement to the Ma
tional Policy Board, to which he has
appealed his case, states in part as
follows:
What a crime it has become, in
the State of Montana, to %sympathize
with labor and to strive to obtain
food, clothing and shelter for the
destitute. But thank God the citi-
zens of Montana have the privilege
of voting for congressman this sum
mer and next fall. If my family and
l have starved to death by then, then
others will remember when they
vote"
Contributed.