Montana labor news., 1939-12-14

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Labor enclosing material on social
insurance. Filed.
=
Committee Reports
Written report was submitted by
the legislative committee recon-
mending that we file the communi-
cation of the Progressive Council and
urge all locals to affiliate with the
State Federation of Labor.
1t was further recommended that
a committee of three be appointed
to interview all locals and advise
them of the benefits derived of
affiliating with the Federation and
aid them by advising them of the
necessary requirements for affilia-
ton.
It was also recommended that
Brother Graham, president of the
Federation be invited to cooperate
with us by visiting the prospective
locals and explaining the functions
Of the Federation.
Written report was submitted by
the executive board recommending
that the Assembly go on record as
supporting the building of a home
for the aged and infirm by Cascade
county.
1t was recommended that the AS
sembly and Building Trades Coun-
Gil ask Congress to appropriate funds
for the state of Montana sufficient
to build this home and other prof.
ects requested in this state.
1t was further recommended that
the Assembly devise a program of
pressure to r~e-establish the prevail
ing union wage on WPA. On mo-
ton the report was adopted.
Vice President Nelson spoke of
the necessity Of getting more PWA
funds from the coming Congress and
urged full support to the committee.
President Steinmetz spoke in ia
vor of action to have petitions circu-
lated for presentation to congress-
men to appropriate funds for PWA.
It was moved and seconded that
a resolution be circulated in the state
and be presented our congressional
delegation to re-establish new funds
for the PWA. Motion carried.
Delegate Martin Of the Building
Trades Council stated he favored
addition to motion of executive com
mittee report urging unfavorable
action to construct a home for the
aged unless prevailing rates be paid.
After further discussion a motion
that the previous question be con-
sidered was made.
Motion then made by Lawrence
Nelson that report of the executive
board be referred to the executive
board Of the Building Trades and
the executive board of the Assembly.
Motion carried.
Delegate Hajek of the housing
committee stated he attended the
last meeting Of the city council and
stated that sufficient publicity had
been given this session and that no
report was necessary. He pointed
out that after union members had
left, several councilmen tried to
have the council take different &C.
ton on the Housing Authority than
that already taken.
He urged all members of all
unions attend further sessions of the
city council until the question of
housing had been settled.
President Steinmetz recommend
ed the housing committee to take
letters from organizations now on
Tile and get lists of sub-standard
homes, photographs and other ma
.erial to the city council.
1t was announced that bids on the
housing project would be opened on
December 20.
Several delegates spoke on the
procedure by which tenants would
De selected for the housing project
when completed.
At this time Walter Fowler of the
Department of Labor, Division of
and Hours, spoke. He stated
lie would speak briefly on the act
md left a copy of the speech he was
o make with President Steinmetz.
lie stated wage and hour legislation
las two purposes: shorter hours and
~ minimum wages stop the sweat ]
hop conditions and spread employ
nent by shorter hours.
He also stated that Congress can
My regulate wages in interstate
ommerce or commerce across state S
Agriculture, fishing and re- {
all establishments, executive or {
iona fide administrators are exempt.
lie also stated that many fines were
aid by employers for violations of &
he act. =
After his address Mr.. Fowler an /
wered questions of the delegates
approximately n hour.
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