Montana labor news., 1938-10-20
BUTTE May HAVE A
PEACE COMMITTEE

oI
meeting was held by a group repre-
senting different trade unions of
Silver Bow county. The meeting was
held at the Engineers hall. Proposals
affecting the American labor move
ment were discussed. Bob Brown
of the Miners Union presided and
Norman LeFever acted as secretary.
The proposition recently submitted
by Secretary of Labor, Madam Per
kins, was analysed. The proposal
put forward by Miss Perkins pro-
vided that the CLIO organization Sc
lect a committee of five, the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor select a
committee of five, and these ten to
select three others. According to
report made at the meeting, it was
said that Walter Winchell, famous
radio announcer, had stated that the
plan put forward by Miss Perkins
would expire November is. This
seems hardly fair because the ma
tional convention of CLIO does not
begin in Pittsburgh until November
Is and this would hardly give time
to deliberate over the proposal even
if desired. The group, however,
that met in the Carpenters hall
seemed to be of the opinion that if
peace were ever established it must
come about through committees and
Miss Perkins plan seems to be as
reasonable as any other. In view
of the telegram sent to the recent
convention of the American Fedora
ton of Labor at Houston by the
President, it would appear that the
Secretary of Labor and the Presi-
dent r quite in accord, at least
one is allowed the inference. The
sentiment in Montana overwhelm-
ingly indicates that the rank and
file + desperately sick of the per-
sonal feud between Mr.. Green and
Mr.. Lewis and that the elimination
of both of them would be a good
thing for the labor movement in
general.
The prevailing sentiment among
the people appears to be that no
harm could come if Green were elm
mated from the A. F. of L. He has
allowed his vindictiveness, f%erocity,
and unbridled venom to warp his
sense Of responsibility to the work
ing people.
At any rate, Montana labor is de-
handing and is going to demand
more and more, that the working
people be taken into consideration
in the question Of harmony.
No word has come from Missoula
recently regarding the proposed let
ting of a contract to the Doney
Electric Co. to wire the new science
building at the university but the
unions of Butte are of the opinion
that objections still prevail to giving
this company any work. It is I'M
fair. The Public Works Administra-
ton didn't take the same view. They
based their decision of letting or
not letting the contract on a ques-
ton of responsibility. The trade
union movement protested to the
Public Works Administration and
also to u congressional delegation
at Washington. Letters were re-
ceived last Tuesday in which Sena-
tor Wheeler and Congressman
O'Connell inquired as to whether
the Doney Electric Company of Mis-
soula should receive the contract
or not. Senator Wheeler did say
that the director Of labor relations
for the Public Works Administra-
ton was making an investigation.
1t is hoped that the contract will
not be given to Mr. Doney.
The Coal Miners Union at Red
Lodge has endorsed George A.. Davis
for the position of railway and pub
lie service commissioner, six-year
term, so the Silver Bow Trades and
Labor Council was informed last
Tuesday. This union was high in
its praise of Mr.. Davis and in the
letter asked other organizations to
support the Republican candidate.
4 4 Il
Rather pleasant new was re-
ceived in a report given by Mr.. Ellis
for the Union Label committee, in
which he said that the Butte Cham