davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1941-01-22
MR.. SPEAKER
BY BEN BUCKLEY

Two weeks of the legislators time
has already been consumed and moth
ing has been done. l am not sure
if that is good or bad. There are a
couple ways we can look at that One
is if they just go to the end of the
so days and then adjourn without do
ing anything that will be good, be-
cause then the people will know that
they are no worse off after the adj
journment than they were before. But
If it is going to wind up in a game
of freeze out so that reactionary bills
against the people can be passed after
the few progressives have been forced
to go home, then that will be bad.
Mr.. Speaker, some of the boys think
you are in checker tournament, that
you have made the first move and
that you are now waiting for results.
1 am trying to make an honest anal
ysis of you, Mr.. Speaker, but you are
SO tight with your information and
will let only crumb of your thoughts
fall here and there that can't be
sure which side of the checkerboard
you are going to move from. There
are members of both sides that swear
by you and members of both sides
that swear at you. II l were you |
wouldn't get too excited about NOV
ing. Take your time. After all check
ers is an interesting game and cor
rect move on the old checkerboard Of
life in this changing world Is very
vital to an individuals well-being. OF
course a prefix of Colonel on ones
name and that old southern drink Of
Mint Julep that Colonels enjoy are
pleasant just to anticipate. But pol
itics in the blood are sometimes hard
to purge and glass of beer will start
them jumping around like a flapper
doing the Big Apple,
| would like to have Rep. A. ]. Rass-
mussen kind of straighten me out on
the bill that Rep. Rasmussen intro
duced The bill provides that no pe-
litical party be given a place on the
ballot that advocates the overthrow
Of the state or national government
by force. First / would like to know
what the government is. Is it an in
dividual, minority group, or is it the
millions OF American men and women
of this country? Second, if the peo-
pie of the U. S. A. were strong enough
in the majority to overthrow the gov
eminent or change it's way of func-
tioning are they still the government?
II it is true that the people are the
government then Rep. Rassmussen's
bill is an un-American measure de-
signed to corrupt the form Of govern
ment we are now living under If it
is true that the small majority is the
government then our so-called democ-
racy is nothing but lie used for the
purpose Of fooling the people. l quote
Lincoln: Independence can be trusted
nowhere but with the people in mass"
Ibid. "The people Of the United States
are the rightful masters of both con-
gress and the courts, not to overthrow
the constitution but to overthrow the
men that pervert it."
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1941-01-22

H. s. Bruce, Editor Peoples Voice
Helena Montana.
Dear Editor:
In the Anaconda Copper Mining
Company's kept press on Monday, ap-
peared front page story charging
that Communist Front" was formed
in Helena for the purpose of influence
ing the Montana Legislature and pre-
venting the enactment of any legisla-
ton which may tend to unity and
strengthen Montana's efforts in the
national defense program, through
economic peace. By resolution this
group opposed any legislation which
may be offered to stamp out sabotage.
Anyone familiar with the red-baiting
of the Helena Independent, the Mon
tana Standard, the Helena Record
Herald, and other A. c. M. owned
papers will place little credence in
the charge that a meeting OF working
men, farmers, and old-age pensioners
preparing to present their case to the
Legislature is a meeting Of Com
munist Front" organization; it will
suffice to categorically deny that
charge as base lie.
However, since the writer addressed
the meeting as representative OF
the Montana State Industrial Union
Council, representing the CLIO locals
in Montana on the subject of labors'
part in the defense program, 1t has
been deemed advisable to answer the
charge that any CLIO union or individ-
ual member Of CLIO union is OBJ
structing the national defense program
or impeding any efforts to unity and
strengthen Montana's part in this pro-
gram.
No group in this country is contrib
uting more toward national defense
than the CLIO. Our workers in the air
plane factories, in the arsenals, in the
shipyards, in the mines, in the fields,
in the factories are loyal and eager
and willing. Many of our members
have already enlisted or volunteered
and others have been drafted and have
willingly gone to help make up the
vast defense army that this nation Is
building. Sidney Hillman, president
of the Amalgamated Clothing Work
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1941-01-22
HEARST BANS
ENTI0N OF film
FROM PAPERS
Silent Treatment Decreed
For Orson Wells New Pic
ture Based on Characteriza-
ton of Hearst.

An old mans fear of death has
touched off a major war on the film
industry
William Randolph Hearst's agents
saw rough preview of Orson Welles'
first picture, Citizen Kane. Result
was Hearst edict to ban all mention
of the distributor, RKO., in its news
paper chain. Further, Hearst is pre-
pairing for a general crusade against
the evils of motion pictures in gem
eral.
The story of Citizen Kane is that Of
a young man whose career bears a
remarkable resemblance to that Of
Hearst. After buying control of a
newspaper with mining stock inherited
form his mother, the young publisher
enters politics. Ultimate sequel to a
defeat in an important state election
is the publishers death, alone and
friendless.
Hearst will be 70 years old on April
20. For years he has been so terri
fled by the thought of death that he
has forbidden anyone to mention the
word in his presence.
1t is reported that the old publisher
of San Simeon has been enraged by
the Welles characterization of NOR
tai man who could readily be identi-
fled as Hearst.
Big question is whether R.K.O. will
knuckle down under the Hearst boy
colt and cancel the 100000 film. Last
reports are that the distributor is
standing fast. 1t is possible that R.K.
o. has foreseen the publicity value Of
the Hearst censorship and realizes
that it may stand to gain financially
from the boycott.
Citizen Kane was first shown here
in an R.KO. projection room. Among
those present were Miss Louella o.
Parsons, Hearst movie editor; Laur-
ence Mitchell, Hearst lawyer; and Os-
car Lawler, Hearst official. They
were all pretty Mortified.
Variety, the trade paper, reports
that Citizen Kane is scheduled for re-
lease at the Radio City Music Hall
in New York on February IA. R.K.O.
officials and spokesman for the Music
Hall declined to comment on this
statement.
But the R.K.O. publicity department
in New York insists that nobody is
thinking of withdrawing the film.
William Randolph Hearst Jr. told Fed
Grated Press that he doesn't know
thing about it," Lesser employees of
the Hearst newspapers hemmed and
hawed when asked about the boycott.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1941-01-22
Bills introduced
in the House

H. B. Is, by Stevens-relating to
administration Of old-age pensions.
H. B. 16, by Ahern-relating to sales
Of unredeemed property by county
commissioners. Townships and coun-
ties
H. B. II, by Toole-providing for
retirement list Of fish and game de-
partment employees Fish and game.
H. B. IS, by Bjorneby-providing for
lights on distractions in navigable
streams and lakes. Public safety.
H. B. 10, by Misunderstanding adj
mission of Alice Pulver to state sol
diers' home. Military affairs.
H. B. 20, by Allen-establish vot-
ing precincts in Indian agencies Priv
ileges and election.
H. B. 81, by MISUNDERSTANDING state
employees under unemployment COM
pensation act. Social security.
H. B. %. by MISUNDERSTANDING in
terest rates on county warrants. Banks
and banking.
H. B. 23, by Helding to
disposal of beer act funds. Revenue
and taxation.
H. B. "a, by Helding-reducing in
terest rates on city warrants. Banks
and banking.
H. B. 25, by Helding = amending
state liquor laws Public morals,
charities and reforms.
H. B. 26, by Helding-relating to old
age assistance. Social security.
H. B. 81, by Lynch-providing for
reapportionment of the house. Appor-
tionment and representation.
H. B. 20, by Tyler and others-cre-
ating state embalmers' board. Pub
lie health and sanitary affairs.
H. B. 29, by Dillavou and others
establishing state library extension
commission. Education.
H. B. 30, by Dillavou providing
course in physical education for pub
lie schools. Education.
H. B. 81, by Allen-providing three
day notice for obtaining marriage IL
censes. Public morals, charities and
reforms.
H. B. 80, by Nash and Toomey-re-
lating to supervisory powers of mayors
and councils. Affairs of cities.
H. ]. M. 3, by Oliver-seeking irri-
Continued on Page Four
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1941-01-22
STUDENTS OF
CARROLL COLLEGE
OBJECT TO WAR

ed. Note: The letter below is the
text. of a letter sent to Senator Wheel
er expressing the opinions of group
of Carroll College students. A copy
was given The Voice for publication
Carroll College,
Helena, Montana,
January 16, 1941
Dear Senator Wheeler:
Today, here at the college, a group
of students were discussing Americas
foreign policy and especially the bill
which would give aid to Britain, now
being considered in congress. We are
absolutely in sympathy with your posi-
ton; and we feel that you are rec
ognizing the situation for what 1t is
and are making clear-headed stand
for American peace.
We feel that the New Deal was and
is a prop for the Capitalistic system;
that it has attempted, by borrowing
money and giving it to the people, to
substitute for falling foreign mar
ket; that since the debt limit has
been reached the New Deal is using
the excuse of a war to create a Euro
pean market and give reason for adj
ditional taxing and borrowing. eve
incidentally don't think that we would
be fighting for democracy or for any
thing quite SO pretty as the prevailing
propaganda would have us believe.
AS for Germany's crossing the ocean
and attacking the United States-that
would be absolutely impossible, and
is blather concocted to brighten peo-
ple.)
We wondered If Mr.. Roosevelt had
considered what would happen after
this temporary market is gone, when
the American people are MIXED OF
every dollar to buy useless guns and
airplanes, when our national debt has
reached its limit, when, devoid OF all
props, the Capitalistic system must
fall.
And then we wondered IL Mr..
Roosevelt had thought of that, and
had decided to trade the lives OF a
few thousand young men for few
years continued existence of the Capt.
talistic economic system. But that
made us wonder if Mr.. Roosevelt had
had anything to say about it-whether
people who might suffer II the system
changed had had the voice In that
decision.
But, Senator, we would just as soon
not die from shrapnel in our stom-
achs; and we somehow do not feel
that we should die that decadent
economic system should be main
tanned. We see no reason for fight
ing to keep over half of our country
wealth in the hands of few Capt.
talists-to keep third of our popu-
lation starving, fourth Of our farm
ers without land, and millions Of un-
employed men living on borrowed
money and charity.
We feel that Mr.. Roosevelt Is sell
ing us down the river. We are square
ly behind you-and we hope that you
remember that it is WE who would
die in Europe.-G. +.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1941-01-22

SDy cOHVeIlHg Tor only an nOur
or so. This condition is begin
ming to cause many of the lib
erals with past legislative ex-
perience direct concern.
OF outstanding interest to the gen.
eral public of the state, is the intro
duction of bill by Representative
Toomey of Lewis and Clark county,
providing for the repeal of the primary
law and reverting back to the old con-
vention system of nomination Of can
didates; the halcyon days of unre-
stricted glory of the old machine pol
itician and his cohorts. Unless you
believe that your interests will be
best served by reverting to an out
NODDED system in the hands of crafty
scheming political arrangers, easily
controlled by the special interests Of
the state, you had better notify your
representative and senator to oppose
with all his influence, the progress of
House Bill No. So, introduced by
Toomey.
safety measure introduced by Rep
.resentative Helding of Missoula has
established some sort of record, hav-
ing been once killed and again re-
vived 1t provides for the require
ment of greater caution ON the part of
hunters who are prone to blaze away
at almost any moving object when
hunting, as a result of which IA lives
were lost according to Mr.. Helding,
during the last hunting season. 1t is
certainly a measure which deserves
earnest consideration by the assembly
as everyone must realize that hunter
might well forego the possibility of
getting a deer to the possibility OF
wiping out human life.
Representative Nelson of Golden
Valley county is sponsor of bill to
definitely OUTLAW" slot machines, pin
ball machines and other similar forms
of mechanical banditry.
Representative Rasmussen of Blaine
county has introduced a bill providing
for practical Punishment of minority
parties from ballots in Montana. Many
of the legislators may be expected to
oppose this measure on the grounds
that it infringes on the freedom OF po-
litical thought and expression guaran-
teed by the constitution of the United
States.
In the Senate
Slow, peaceful progress may be said
to characterize the deliberations Of the
state senate. During the past week,
a ripple on the placid surface was In
CONTINUED on Page Four)
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1941-01-22

III L1lC oCdCO.
The study reveals that the unpaid
taxes on Montana property amounted
to 27,000,000 as of June 30, 1889.
This is twice as large as the total
delinquencies in 1880, and four times
the delinquencies in 1920.
Three-fourths of Montana revenue
is obtained from the general property
tax, rather than income or corporation
and improvements made up 273 per-
cent Of the taxable value Of property.
This is Z percent increase over the
proportion borne by farmers in 1900. )
While farmers received in 1886 only
81 percent of the total net income,
they paid 1875 percent of the total
taxes. "NearIy fourth of the farm
ers' net incomes was paid out in taxes
compared with 3.2 percent for all en-
pIoyes. +. and 11.3 percent for all
business men," the study finds.
Not only were farmers carrying
more than their share of the taxes,
but poorer farms were assessed in
equitably and carried more than their
share of farm taxes "This situation"
states the study, helps to explain why
farm real estate tax delinquency has
reached such staggering proportions"
In 1886 the counties owned nearly
u million acres of farm land and 4 u
million acres more were subject to tax
deed This was more than sixtyfour
times the acreage owned in 1925. 1t
is estimated that the farm land owned
by county governments in 1910 has
increased to " million acres.
1t would appear that the small tax
oppressed farmers of the state have
right to expect relief from the inequit-
able tax burdens imposed on them,
by proper adjustment of the tax struc-
ture through legislation by the present
legislative session.
The Voice, as has been stated here
tofore, is not optimistic concerning the
probability Of any remedial legislation
for the protection of the under-privi-
legged groups of our population, from
this session of the assembly. 1t has
noted nothing in the actions of the
assembly to date which would indicate
that the appraisal made two weeks
ago by The Voice was wrong. 1t is
still ready and anxious to be proven
wrong.
We still contend that it is strongly
influenced if not dominated by the
great corporate interests, headed by
Continued on Page Four)
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1941-01-22
NOTICE

The regular annual meet
ing of the stockholders of
the Educational Cooperative
Publishing Company of Mon
tana will be held in Judge
Horsky's courtroom in the
Lewis and Clark county
courthouse in Helena, begin
ming at 10 o'clock, M, Sat-
urday, February 1.
We hope that all stock
holders will make a special
effort to attend this meeting.
1t is a matter of vital concern
to the officers and directors
to have the advice and coun-
sci of the stockholders. 1t
is YOUR organization. As
sist in its direction.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1941-01-22

Purpose Of Hopkins Trip
The purpose Of Hopkins visit to
Britain remains a closely guarded
secret, but there is a strong suspicion
here that it evolves on two things:
telling those running the British gov
eminent exactly what aid to expect
from this country under any and all
conditions, and, in return, extracting
nromise that when the time comes
tn discuss peace this country's voice
will be heard.
It is assumed that the United States
will not place Itself In a position of
oivinq about aid in defeating the
axis without some tangible assurance
that we will have something to say
about the kind of a world VIII ne
shaped about the peace conference
table. And we don't want world
shaped by indicative peace, no
matter who wins the war.
is It Nazi Propaganda?
In his address before the Chicago
Association of Commerce last week.
James S. Kemper, president OF the
Chamber of Commerce Of the United
States, made it plain that many OF the
big industrialists in this country rear
some form of closely regulated So
cialist economy" to emerge in Britain
il England is successful in defeating
Hitler. Hence, he advises that we go
slow in the. extent of aid that we give
Britain.
It will be recalled that during the
period Hitler was rising to power III
Germany, he got large part Oh ms
aid from big bankers and Industrial
lists, not only Of that country, but OF
England, France, and even the United
States. He did this by telling them
that they had the choice Of either sup
porting nazism or being engulfed by
communism. He insisted that there
was no other alternative open to them.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1941-01-22
Bills Introduced
In the Senate

S. J. NJ 4, by Wood of Carter-Re-
questing construction Of water con
servation project in the Little Missouri
valley Federal relations.
S. B. 6, by Wood of Carter-Prohib-
iting employment of aliens by state,
county or city offices. State boards
and offices.
S. B. 7, by Mahoney of Garfield
Requiring conspicuous lettering on
state-owned vehicles. State boards
and offices.
S. B. 8, by Ecton of Callahan act
to establish an advisory council for
the beekeeping industry State boards
and offices.
S. B. 9, by Ecton-To clarity exist
ing statutes concerning agriculture.
S. B. 10, by Mutt Of Richland and
others-permitting redemption Of real
property from tax sale and tax deeds
issued subsequent to February 7, 1899,
by payment of the original tax. Tax
alton.
S. B. IL, by the committee on sani-
ldI dllctli lCS otOl d6O VI
food in cold storage warehouses. SAM
tary affairs.
S. B. IL, by Taylor of Deer Lodge
and Kelley of Powell permitting dis
trict court judges in sixth and sew
enth class counties to determine num-
Der and salaries of assistant and dep
uty clerks of court.
S. J. M. 5, by Peterson Of Pondera
and others requesting presidential
order raising tariff rates on mustard
seed, mustard meal and mustard seed
OIL Federal relations.
S. J. NJ 6, by Peterson and others
requesting the agricultural marketing
service to establish federal standards
in grading commercial mustard seed.
Federal relations.
H. J. R. 2, by committee on employ
the house to hire an
additional assistant law clerk. Com
mittee on employment.
S. B. 10, by Woods-Providing that
county commissioners be elected by
electors Of their own district.
S. B. IA, by D'Ewart- providing the
attorney general be legal counsel to
Continued on Page Four)
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1941-01-22

So they supplied him with funds and
played his game.
Is the same kind of Hitler propa
ganda at work in this country now
to convince the American Industrial
lists that the defeat of the nazis will
merely bring on something which they
fear far more than nazism or fascism
socialism? 1t would seem so. 1t all
has mighty familiar ring. Hitler
has shown that he knows how to make
men of big business affairs his dupes
Looks Like Final Spasms
Last week we predicted that Mr.
Verne Marshall and his No Foreign
Wars Committee would not get very
far. Marshall has since driven the
nails into his coffin even faster than
we had expected.
If it is true, as has been charged
that wealthy friends Of the nazis pro
noting this committee, took In Mar
shall, a small-town Iowa editor, as
window dressing, they made serious
error of judgment AS Dale Kramer
in this weeks New Republic, says
Marshall has his head down and Is
swinging blindly - landing on his
friends as well as his foes.
Marshall entered the scene with ad-
vance notices Of being a successful
battler. The flight" he boasts OF
having engaged in back in Iowa now
appears to have been against people
not well able to defend themselves.
And they can hardly be said to have
been made in the public interest. One
of the most vicious campaigns he en-
gagged in was against use in the local
schools OF the textbooks of Professor
Harold Rugg of Columbia University,
the objections to the textbooks being
that they contained some mild refer
ences to evil housing conditions and
other social Ills that the powers-that.
Continued on Page Four)
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1941-01-22
REORGANIZATION PLAN

In line with recommendations by
Gov. Sam C. Ford in his message to
the 1871 legislative assembly that
state government be "stream-lined" to
eliminate duplication, indications such
legislation will be introduced were
made. In the senate chambers, mem
bers said bills would be submitted
providing for study of state govern
ment to the end possible duplication
of effort be abolished.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1941-01-22
REVENUE and TAXATION
committee SHOULD
STUDY FARM tax SURVEY
REIMBURSEMENT Of Tax Blu
datory If Small Farms
Farm Taxes Paid Out of "A
portions to Income in Cor
Payments by Owners of G
ms Appear Man
Be Maintained;
Reasonable Pro-
: lrison With Tax
| = Properties.
Jus honor of having

The state of Mississippi holds the ,us honor of having
the highest property delinquency of state in the Union
with Montana Treasure State having the next highest of
all This condition exposed by recent
the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station
which concluded that the primary for mounting tax de-
nquences heavy burden owncome farm lands
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1941-01-22

With the legislative machinery apparently staing with
of the members expressing feeling that mani
puaton going with deliberate attempt delay routine
action the bills already introduced with the purpose in
view to flood the session later with bills making it impossible
give the introduced study the lower house
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1941-01-22
TRESPASSINC AT THE CAPITAL

The Presidents 'lease-loan bill, designed to give about
material aid to Britain other nations resisting aggression
will pass congress with little modification after most
vicious fight, most observers predict
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1941-01-22
BILL FOR REPEAL OF
The PRIMARY Law IS
INTRODUCED IN HOUSE

Toomey, Corporation Lawyer and Repre-
sentative from Lewis and Clark County Pre-
sents Measure to Take Selection of Candi-
dates Out of Hands Of People and Place in
the Hands of Machine Politicians
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1941-01-22

ESoncmic Justics and Equality
Il the Real Safeguard of Do
mocracy. Lack of These Is
Challenge to the Intelligence
and Sincerity Of All.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1941-01-22

Democracy Cannot Endure Tn.
der Economic Systems Which
Cause Hunger, Cold, Poor
Housing and Unemployment to
Millions.