Montana labor news., 1938-03-10

6N 49, AA1AA(A -
should not be allowed to make
bricks Or otherwise help in the con-
struction of buildings, because there
are too many men in the labor
movement now outside of the peni-
tertiary, who r seeking jobs.
The legislative committee of the
Council will make an investigation
the week and will report
next Tuesday.
The Cascade unions are incensed
at the disparity in the figures sub
mitted by the Telephone Company,
one set of which was submitted to
the Railway Commission for the
purpose of establishing rates which
people shall be charged for service
and the other set is that submitted
to the Board of Equalization for tax
purposes. There is a difference of
about six million dollars between
the two sets of figures. This means
that the Telephone Company in an
effort To cut down taxes paid the
state of Montana, submits a lower
valuation for their property than
they do to the Railway Commission.
Some of these rates, charged the
people for telephone services, are
based somewhat upon the valuation
of the properties of the company.
Hence the higher they boost the
figures the more justified they seem
in asking for an increase in rates.
The committee of the Trades and
Labor Council intends to look into
this matter.
A local of the International Union
of Mine, Mill and Shelter Workers
at Poison in connection with the
Workers Alliance, submitted a
strongly worded resolution con-
demning the state WPA offices and
also the Public Welfare Board. The
unions asked the cooperation of the
Trades and Labor Council in having
some of the alleged abuses in these
two government agencies remedied,
A letter sent in from Lake County
pictured a terrible condition of in
adequate quotas. The communica-
ton stated that Lake County has the
largest unemployment list ever
known in that area, and that the
quota is pitifully inadequate to take
care of the situation.
Henry Murray, state secretary Of
the Montana Workers Alliance, de-
scribed the alleged raid on the com
modify warehouse in Great Falls
December 18th and made an urgent
appeal for money to assist in the
defense of five persons who are now
on trial in consequence of that act
The speaker mentioned many APP
parent abuses that he said existed
in the Great Falls relief organiza-
ton. In commenting upon this par
ticular phase, MIR. Murray said that
about December II, some 80 people
had asked that clothing be issued
This was denied by the agency and
the denial brought about the forcible
possession of the premises. The
speaker then read the comments OF
Attorney General Freebourn upon
the situation which explained his
reasons why these persons should
not be criminally prosecuted. The
whole blame Of the arrest of the
members of the Workers Alliance
was laid squarely on the shoulders
of Governor Ayers, according to Mr.
Murray. 1t was the opinion of the
speaker that an attempt is being
made to use this incident as a means
of suppressing the organization Of
the Workers Alliance.
The Silver Bow Trades and Labor
Council has authorized Secretary
Kennedy to look thoroughly into the
whole incident and to inquire of the
Great Falls unions particularly, as tc
just what did transpire. 1t wa:
mentioned during the discussion
over this subject that the Trade:
and Labor Council had already gone
on record to support the opinion Of
Attorney General Freebourn which
in effect gives the support of the
Council to the men charged with
the offense.
The Ladies Auxiliary of the
Miners Union are again holding one
of their delightful keno parties a
the hall, 82h East Park Street
March 18th, at 9 o'clock in the eve
ming.
IneSe social events were SJarteC
not long ago and have proven popu-
lar. The Ladies Auxiliary are notice
for their hospitality and versatility
in entertaining.
Ed Duncan told the Council that
two new classes for women had beer
established at the high school or
Monday and Thursday evenings; one
of these classes is in sewing and the
other in cooking. Women who are
interested may join these classes il
they so desire. They are being
taught at the new high school.
y
HOD CARRIERS HOLD STATE
CONVENTION