Montana labor news., 1939-07-13
WpA WaIkOui Spreads;
100000 Out; Go
Joins Fight
Continued from Page y

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Administrator F. c. Harrington also
issued a summons to all state WPA
administrators to meet with him the
same day in Chicago.
In New York, where about 10000
building trades workers are on
strike, Local WPA Administrator
Brehon B. Somervell tried to break
the walkout by threatening to prose-
cute the strikers on felony charges
under provisions of the new bill.
The threat, which fell through after
a conference with Asst. Dist. Atty.
John T. Cahill, came after equip
ment operators employed by pri-
vate contractors on WPA projects
walked out and Locals 282 and 816,
init. Bro. of Transfers, Chauffeurs,
Stablemen and Helpers, refused to
deliver to the struck projects.
In Rochester 80 strikers were fired
from WPA for picketing and seek
ing to make other workers walk out
in sympathy. Most of the nations
big cities are affected by the strike:
$500 are out in Chicago; 1000 in
San Francisco; 2,119 in Newark; and
10000 in Philadelphia voted to walk
out July 20.
Mayor Angelo Rossi of San Fran
cisco wired the U. S. Conference OF
Mayors that San Francisco con-
tributed its money with the under
standing that the prevailing wage
would be paid. It was expected that
relief would be provided WPA
strikers in California.
In Boston work on a $4,000, 00O
city subway project was hampered
by a walkout of hosting engineers,
Other New England WPA workers
were slow in answering the call as
they maintained traditional Yankee
conservatism.
First reports from Wisconsin
showed more than 10000 workers
out. Others were expected to fol-
low. In Missouri the situation was
further complicated by the layoff
of 5000 workers as part Of the ma
tional reduction of people on WPA
rolls. Workers, though refraining
from strike action up to July 10,
tied up production throughout the
state repeatedly to hold meetings to
discuss and protest the situation,
which was especially desperate be-
cause the state is short of relief
funds.
Harrington said in Washington
that the issues of the strike could
not be debated" Admitting that he
favored the 130-hour work month,
he ordered state administrators to
drop all strikers who failed to re-
turn to work by July II.
In Detroit $4,000 members of the
CLOS United Automobile Workers
working on WPA projects voted to
join the walkout July II. From
Ohio 1000 were reported out in
Toledo and $4,000 in Cleveland.
Strike leader, Pres. George Meany
of the New York State Federation
of Labor and Pres. Thomas Murray
of the New York Building and Con-
struction Council announced that
local unions would pay strike bene-
fits.
Their announcement followed q
visit with Mayor F. H.. LaGuardia
to ask his aid. Earlier they had
termed fascist the statement OF
Welfare Commissioner William Hold
son who announced strikers would
be denied home relief.
Pres. David LASER of the Work
ers Alliance joined the fight and,
meeting in a conference with Har-
rington in Washington, urged that
the demands of the building trades
workers be granted.
"The present situation" declared
Meany in New York, sis n which
vitality affects all workers, not mere
ly those in the building trades. The
adoption of the Woodrum bill would
swiftly destroy the standards of all
American workmen. It would mean
a running broad Jump in the direc-
ton of fascism."