Montana labor news., 1938-12-08
Montana ~Progressives
Unite al Helena
Permanent Organization of
Farm, Labor and Liberal
Groups Formed to Further the
Passage of Labor and Farm
Legislation.

A largely attended meeting of
delegates from labor, farm and pro-
gressive groups was held in the
House chambers in Helena, Sunday,
Dec. 4th. The meeting was presided
over by Vice President Spiegel who
stated the purpose of the meeting
was to consolidate the present loose
organization into one which would
more closely unite the various local
farm and labor organizations, state
councils, and county progressive
units into a parent organization
which would have the power of
forming other county units and
assist in the passage of much needed
liberal legislation.
There were represented at the
meeting As labor and farm unions,
practically all state councils, and II
county progressive units and county
trades councils.
A permanent constitution, con-
tanning the preamble and declara-
ton of principles which had been
endorsed at previous meetings of the
council, was adopted. The name of
the organization was shortened to
be known in the future as the Mon
tana Progressive Council.
The bars were let down so that
all progressive groups, including the
Townsend clubs, could join the
parent organization by the forma-
ton of county progressive clubs.
These county clubs were given rep
resentation of one delegate, while
local farm and labor unions were
given representation according to
membership. For their organization,
one vote was given. For the next
major portion of 100 members an
other vote was given, and also one
vote for each additional 100 mem
bers up to 500; after which each
additional 300 members entitled the
organization to another delegate or
vote.
AS a means of raising funds to
carry out the activities of the or
g~anization, the following schedule
was adopted: For state, county, city
and district groups, an affiliation fee
of 81 per quarter will be required;
while for local organizations, a per
capita tax of " cent per member
per month will be charged.
The council went on record as
~favoring legislation which would
eliminate the obnoxious Plan No. 2
of the Workmen's Compensation Act,
favored the Women Jury bill, and
also the repeal of all legislation
which tended to curb civil liberties
and academic freedom.
Resolutions requesting an embargo
be placed against German goods,
lauding Jerry O'Connell on his
launching of a new progressive in
dependent state publication, and also
requesting that all these independent
publications form a state association
to combat the state corporation
papers were adopted.
AS a final move, the council
recommended that all state farm and
labor bodies join in calling a legisla-
tive meeting to be held in the city
of Helena on Sunday, January 8,
1889, for the purpose of drafting q
legislative program which would
meet the needs of the common people
of Montana.
Delegates from the following or
CARNATIONS were appointed to act
as a joint committee to send Out
notices of the meeting: State Indus
trial Council, State Farmers Union
State Electrical Council, State
Plumbers Council, State Carpenters
Council, State Building Trades Coun.
Gil, Railroad Brotherhoods, State
Council of Unemployed Workers
and the Teamsters organization.