Montana labor news., 1938-03-03
OPEN FORUM
Lewisiown Jumps Into
Spotlight OF Unionism
Editor, Montana Labor News:

While it is somewhat early to
predict just who or how many will
grasp the opportunity of heaving
their lids into the political arena
over here in the bread basket of
Montana, it is assured that Herb
Haight will aspire to the Senate
seat formerly occupied by W. M. A.
Was, now state liquor administra-
tor. Mr.. Haight has made his formal
announcement. Gossip has it there
may be others who will also enter
the primaries. Such names as Merle
Greene, Tom Stout, and Victor
O'Dell being mentioned on the Dem
ocrat side, while Hugh Eagen, for
mel member of the House, in all
probability will oppose from the Re-
publican side of the fence.
Names mentioned for possible as
pirants in the primaries for House
membership contain those of Joe
Vanek, Joe Holecek, some gossip
that Mr.. Bishop of Roy may enter,
these on the Democratic ticket, and
yours truly, a member of the last
session on the same ticket, have not
really got "hot" on the matter of
making the race again, but suppose
as the date for filing nears, like an
old race horse, will probably feel
the pull IN the bit and be back in
the July political handicap, for what
reason we r not entirely sure, but
perhaps, we'll figure out some sane
reason why we should be accorded
another whirl at saving the cause
of the forgotten man or some that
haven't been forgotten. Bert Re
plogle, now a barrister over in this
neck of the woods and former mem
Der Of the legislative body, is a pos
sible candidate for a seat, and there
has also been some conjecture that
Bert might take a fling at the sena-
torial seat. On the Republican side
in the legislative scramble not much
is bestirring via the grapevine, but
all probability "Bing" Vrooman,
ye editor Of the Grass Range Re-
is likely to follow-up the in
vestment he made in the last pri-
mary. Whether Harry McMurray,
local roller of pink pills for pale
people, will repeat, is not definitely
determined, OF who the Republicans
will pick to fill out their ticket for
the House.
Republicans hereabouts held forth
February IL, at the festive board,
nonoring the memory of Lincoln,
Charley Sheridan of Great
Falls delivering the address of the
evening. After this there will prob
ably be considerable activity in the
Republican camp.
The genial speaker of last win
.er's session, Herb Rolfe, also state
president of the Farmers Union,
here recently, holding an all
lay meeting at the Brooks commu-
lity hall, where, no doubt, Herb put
many good reasons why those
outside the Farm Union fold should
DIN up, These reasons are many
md good and valid, because the
Farm Union organization is striving
better conditions of the rural
population in Montana, and their
members serving in the law-making
bodies of the state can always be
counted upon to be in there battling
or the common good.
1t is variously conjectured that
he genial Herb will be called upon
make the race for some more
important place in the political set
Up of u state within the not too
Instant future, but just which prob
IDLY will be determined by the turn
# events.
To date labor and progressive
members in state political parties
10 not feel that they have been
any too much representation
It the political pie counter. Those
n a position of authority and who
ontrol the reins of political appoint
nents seem to have a fear or least
POSSESS a profound laxity in giving
abor a share in the rewards. To
,e certain there have been some
aborites elevated to jobs, but we
10 not believe the number common
urable with the bloc of labor votes
which pour into the ballot box, and
or which at election time, the as
,irants to office clamor after.
Mr.. Ed O'Byrne has carried on a
,rogram of education rather than
me of persecution in getting com
on labor statutes, during a
ime when the 8-hour law has been
more or less under fire, even though
he people of the state realized the
iced of safeguards in this direction,
nd due to their desire to perfect
he situation, enacted the constitu-
ional amendment covering the
ours of labor, only to be stifled by
reactionary labor committee of
he last Senate, temporarily at
east.
However, recent supreme court
u~pholding the intent of the
hour law, probably will give the
ituation a different aspect.
Recently there has been some ac-
ivity in Lewistown in getting the
Inorganized groups of workers
med up in labor unions. This ac-
ivity has extended principally to
he clerks and truck drivers and the