The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1939-11-23
New Law
Helps Those
Out Of Work
Speaker Explains Workings
of Montana Unemployment
Compensation Legislation.
SINCE JULY | HAS
PAID OUT 100000

/
ton Commission of Montana has
paid out nearly 100000 in benefit
checks since the law went into eff
feet on the 1st of July and that
nearly three-uuarters of a billion
dollars have been paid out for a
similar purpose in the United States
since the first law was enacted sew
eral years ago, was a statement
made by J. Fl. Stewart of Helena
while speaking before the Lions
Club Monday night at the Presby-
terrain church parlors. Mr.. Stew
art is employed by the Unemp1oy-
ment Compensation Commission and
was in Libby on business and to
speak to the club. He gave many
interesting facts in regard to the
unemployment compensation law.
THE practice of setting up fund
from which to pay benefits to the
unemployed is not new thing"
said Mr.. Stewart. 1.-THE first at
tempt we know of to relieve the
stress of unemployment was in
Switzerland in the 18th century.
Nothing much more came from the
idea until in 1911 an unemploy-
ment compensation law was passed
in England. Such a plan has been
in effect there ever since. The first
similar law in the United States
was passed by Wisconsin in 1882.
The United States congress enacted
an unemployment law in 1885, and
two years later Montana took SIM
liar action"
MIR. Stewart went into consider
able detail in explaining the opera
tions OF the law and cleared up some
misunderstanding regarding 1t in
the minds of his audience. He said
the purpose Of the law Is two-fold--
to cushion the hardship the worker
faces during periods of unemploy-
Inent md ~ halptng- Of general
business during hard times by the
spending Of the money received by
the unemployed through their un-
employment benefits. AT thu close
of his remarks, Mr.. Stewart an.
swered number OF questions put to
him by the men OF the group.
President E. ]. Driear presided
at the meeting. He reported that
the bicycle rack had been complet-
ed and installed at the postoffice
building. He also said he would
get in touch with the safety com
mittee and have report for the
next meeting.
Marshall Murray reported regard
ing work for a new depot for Lib
by. He said the committee had no
yet done much but understood
prospects for new building her,
were very good.
Lion Veldman gave brief blu
interesting report on recent high
way matters.
Lion Joughin extended an in
vitation to the Lions to hold thei
annual party at his home again thi
year If they cared to do so. Hi.
invitation was unanimously &C
copied, and the party will probably
be held some time after the frs
of the year.
Fl. A. Hough recalled that it wa
about time for the club to give TIL,
annual banquet for the Libby foot
ball squad. President Driear an
nounced that Ii was planned to holt
the banquet after the holidays.
The club voted to again offe
prizes for the best decorated yart
during the Christmas holidays. TIL,
chair appointed a committee to hav,
charge of this work, consisting 0
James Christie, A. NJ. Richard, c
II v. Manion, George Wood and Dol
Orr, and to report at the mex
meeting
The matter of the clubs payin
part of the expenses of Libb.
delegation to the congressional hear
ing relative to sustained yield plan:
= to be held at Portland in Decem
Der, was brought up. Lion Kral
president of the Libby Commerce.
Club, said he understood the Com
mercial Club would pay third Q
, such expenses, that the sawmi
workers union would pay anothe
| third and that the remaining thir
, should be paid by the other civi
organizations Of the city. The clu
| favored such action and instructe
3 the board of directors to handle tn
: matter for the Lions.
A number of guests were pre-:
emit. III. Stewart of Helena, LAIR
Vidal of Kalispell, Forrest De Rosi
t and M. X. Kedzie of Libby.
! Fine Thanksgiving Program