Montana labor news., 1939-07-20
news OF CASCADE
COUNTY ASSEMBLY


GREAT FALLS.-The regular or
der of business was suspended for
the consideration of the WPA situa-
ton.
President Steinmetz reported that
he and Brother Marley had attended
the statewide conference in Butte
on July 10 and read a resolution
which was adopted by the confer
ence which has been mailed to all
unions within the state for their
concurrence. President Steinmetz
further reported that he had been
selected as secretary of the confer
ence.
Delegate Davey of the Workers
Alliance reported that the provisions
of the new WPA bill would make it
possible to reduce wages from $40
to SIS per month.
Delegate Howard from the News
paper Guild read a news item from
the New York Times wherein the
Cascade County Trades and Labor
Assembly had been credited with
having Senator Murray and others
introduce a bill to restore WPA to
prevailing rate of wages.
After lengthy discussion the fol-
lowing motion was adopted: THAT
the Assembly select a committee of
seven to guide, direct, and counsel
with the Workers Alliance in con-
junction with already appointed
committees with power to act"
The following were appointed: Joe
Howard, Forrest O'Neil, Donald Rip
ley, Charles H%endrickson, Earl Bax-
ter, Joe Hajek, and Ed Kenison.
On motion that committee was
instructed to retire and prepare a
telegram to the President and bring
in recommendation to the Assembly.
The following are the recommenda-
tons of the committe: THAT the
Assembly appoint a guidance com
mittee to act with the Alliance and
to assist other unions in the WPA
controversy; that the Assembly pro-
vide for a flying squadron to o n
tact other unions for financial sup
port to carry on this program, and
that the Assembly give the striking
unions their full moral support, and
that a general mass meeting be held
on July 20 under the sponsorship of
the Assembly"
The following were appointed to
work on the WPA program: Joe
Hajek, Forrest O'Neil, Ted Frey,
Henry LeFebre.
Due to the fact that part Of the
committee would have to lose time,
the Assembly agreed to compensate
them for time lost.
The following telegram was sent
to President Roosevelt:
eve respectfully protest admins
tration support for new WPA regu-
lations destructive to nationwide
standards organized labor and adj
ministration refusal to aid restora-
ton of former wage, hour and other
provisions"
It is the wish of the Assembly that
all organizations as soon as possible
send a similar wire to President
Roosevelt.
The following communications
were received:
From Senator Wheeler, Senator
Murray and Congressman O'Connor,
all advising that they would seek
to restore the WPA to the prevail
ing wage standard. Placed on file.
From Lease & Leigland, contrac-
tors and builders, requesting the
Assembly to take part in the juris-
dictional dispute between the Car
penters and the Roofers Union. This
corrmunication was ordered turned
over to the Building Trades Council,
and Mr.. Lease so notified.
From the Northland Greyhound
Lines an acknowledgment of our
letter regarding the unfairness of
the Home Oil Company stating that
this matter would be taken up with
their Minneapolis office. Filed.
From the American Federation of
Labor enclosing six copies Of the
report of the executive council re-
garding the Fort Wayne Federal
Housing plan. These reports were
turned over to the housing commit
tee.
From the Congress of Industrial
Continued on Page a.