Montana labor news., 1939-08-10
SENATE AND HOUSE
COMMITTEE
Organized to Initiate a Call for an
Extraordinary Session of the 26th
Legislative Assembly.

10 AnlLIdte a Tor an
Extraordinary Session of the goth
Legislative Assembly.
August 4, 1889.
Dear Fellow Legislator:
You are aware, of course, that
since the adjournment of the Goth
Legislative Assembly of the Public
Welfare Board has drastically re-
duced benefit payments for the aged,
blind, and needy children. At the
time this reduction was announced
by the welfare administration a
statement emanated from Helena ex-
planning that the reductions were
necessary inasmuch as the Legislature
did not appropriate sufficient
moneys to maintain the present bene-
fits for the aforementioned recipi-
ents.
1t was the opinion of many men,
bers of both the Senate and House
that these benefits would be continu-
ed at their previous level and that
there would be sufficient funds to
adequately operate the department
with the appropriations as finally
approved by the Senate and House,
basing this opinion on the informa-
ton furnished by the state account
ant, state board of equalization, and
also on the information contained
in the governors special message
sent to both Houses shortly before
the close of the session. It was not
our desire, and we do not believe ii
was yours, to approve any appropria-
tons that would necessitate the re-
auctions in benefit payments. The
gravity of the situation has been in
creased by the enactment of the
Woodrum Bill by Congress. Since
its passage drastic cuts have been
made in W. P. A. rolls and men and
women formerly employed at sec
urity wages have been discharged
and thrown back on direct relief.
This was a contingency that was I'M
anticipated at the time the legisla-
tive committee studied the Montana
relief conditions but it has operated
to further reduce benefit payments.
Therefore, we feel that some action
should be taken Immediately.
Since the adjournment Of the leg
islature, due to the unfortunate con-
ditions existing among welfare re-
cipients whose benefits have been
sharply reduced by the welfare
board, a statewide organization
known as the Montana Public We'll
fare Council has been formed. This
organization, consisting of ~fraternal,
labor, and other organizations and
individuals, is making an effort to
aid in the solution of this pressing
problem and has circulated petitions
requesting the governor to call a
special session to correct the situa-
ton which exists in the welfare de-
partment.
At a meeting of the Montana Pub
lie Welfare Council held in Helena
on July 9 the undersigned members
of the Senate and House wer in at
tendance and organized into a COM
mittee. We agreed to circulate a call
for an extraordinary session Of the
Twenty-sixth Legislative Assembly
among the members of both the Sen
ate and House for the special pur-
pose of appropriating sufficient rev.
enue to at least maintain previous
benefit payments and to raise suf-
ficient revenue to offset whatever
appropriations might be necessary,
with the further provision that the
members of both Houses would re-
turn their per diem vouchers to the
state treasury to be credited to the
welfare fund.
If you are in favor of this call I'M
der the conditions as outlined above,
kindly sign the enclosed letter to the
governor, or draft one suitable to
yourself, and mail it to the governor
as quickly as possible. When your
request is mailed to the governor
kindly sign and return the enclosed
postal card in order that the Com
mittee may list the number of mem
bers requesting a call for an extra
ordinary session under the conditions
as mentioned above and release the
names to the press.
Respectfully yours,
Senator G.. G. Davis, Rosebud;
Senator M. J.. Mulholland, Silver
Bow; Senator Thos. F, Murphy, Deer
Lodge; Representative Paul Cannon,
Silver Bow; Representative H. o.
Ekern, Sanders; Representative Thos.
C. Malice, Deer Lodge; Representa-
tive Mrs. R. T.. Martin, Fergus; Rep
resentative Thomas Murray, Deer
Lodge; Representative Frank Sulli-
van, Silver Bow.