Montana labor news., 1939-08-17
LUMBER AND 5AWM|LL|
MEET AD0pTSL label OF
CARPENTERS UNION

The convention of the Inland En-
pire District Council of Lumber and
Sawmill Workers Union held in Kali
ispell was an outstanding success in
every way, according to all reports.
More than four hundred delegates
and visitors were registered from
points in Montana, Idaho, Washing
ton and Oregon and in the limited
time available for business sessions,
many matters of concern to the lum-
Der industry were taken up by a
smaller group of official delegates
meeting in Carpenters hall. Details
of a program to bring about uniform
working conditions and wages in the
various numbering operations of the
Inland Empire territory were con-
sidered, the fact being brought out
that at the present time there is a
wide variation in the wage scales
being paid and in the conditions
under which men are employed.
One of the main topics of discus
sion was the proposed drawing up
and adoption of a standard policy for
all L. S. w. district councils in the
Northwest to follow in cooperating
with employers to eliminate unfair
competition, sub ? standard safety
measures, working conditions, wage
scales, etc.
To better bring about these results
the Oregon-W Washington council of
the Lumber and Sawmill Workers,
mother organization of the district
councils in five states of Montana,
Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Cali
fornia, with headquarters in Seattle,
is now working on a further pro-
gram to present to the convention of
that body at Spokane in December.
Preliminary consideration of various
phases of the program will be given
by the other district council meet
ing before the Spokane convention.
Labelling of lumber and wood
products produced under fair labor
standards with the union label of
the United Brotherhood of Carpen-
tiers and Joiners of America of which
the Lumber and Sawmill Workers
Union is a branch, is to be the major
point in the program and the label
was reported by several delegates
as already being used in several
plants in Washington and Oregon.
Several delegates also stressed the
fact that the label is used, together
with manufacturers name on a
stamp to positively identify lumber
produced in the United States and
in a certain locality. 1t is expected
that this plan through cooperation
with employers will do much to
promote the purchase of lumber pro-
duced in the Northwest.
Among representatives at the con-
vention offering cooperation in the
program was James D.. Graham,
president of the Montana State Fed
Grafton of Labor, who stated that
the matter would be brought before
the coming conventions of the Idaho
and North and South Dakota State
Federation conventions and appro-
pirate action and publicity urged.
Also speaking in the support of the
plan were Charles o. Heximer, rep
resenting the Building and Construc-
ton Trades Council of Great Falls;
George W. Yeager, president of the
Montana Council of Carpenters; Paul
Elliott, representing the Missoula
Trades and Labor Council; Perry S.
Melton, secretary Of the K~alispell
Trades and Labor Council, also told
Of cooperation already gained at the
convention of the Montana State
Federation of Labor held at Living
ston in June, the original action be-
ing sponsored by the Columbia Falls
local union and concurred in by the
Kalispell council.
The Lumber and Sawmill Work
ers locals of Kalispell, Somers and
Columbia Falls are being highly com
plimented for the hospitality and
cooperation shown during the con
vention. The banquet held at Car
penters hall Saturday evening was
an outstanding success, over 300
guests being seated in the main hall.
Speakers at the banquet especially
stressed the obvious unity of the
labor movement in northwest Mon
tana, giving unstinting praise to
local leaders and to the people of
Flathead county in general for their
democratic attitude.
The banquet program was opened
by Toastmaster Zeph LaVoy, reading
a huge telegram containing admin
tons and advice from the lumber
and sawmill workers NEUROLOGICAL
godfather, Paul Bunyan. Follow
ing the invocation by Rev. H. B.
Ricketts,, saluting of the flag and
the singing of America, the follow
ing speakers were introduced: Otto
Schultz, and R. R. Ricketts, of Kalis-
pell; Kenneth Davis, Seattle; o. c..
Brasch, Spokane; c. A. Paddock,
Oregon; Doyle Pearson,
Everett, Wash; Charles Heximer
and George Yeager of Great Falls;
Norman Morgan, Tacoma, Wash.
Don Jordan, Columbia Falls; E. L.
Terlson, Lewiston, Idaho; Perry Mel
ton, Kalispell; Paul Elliott, Missoula;
Mrs. Harold Wyman, Kalispell; Jean