Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1941-12-12

state reorganization and economy does
not recommend any activity which
would place prison labor in COMPETE
ton with free organized labor" a
statement issued by the committee
states.
The statement. which covers also
the attitude of the committee relating
TO the adjustment Of the position OF
labor co-ordinator. was released by
Fred Bennion, secretary Of the state
committee, as follows:
THE statutes specifically provide
that the division Of labor within the
department of agriculture shall be
charged with the duty of enforcing
all the laws of Montana relating to
hours of labor. conditions Of labor
protection of employees, etc.
The report of the reorganization
committee on the division of labor
adopted Sept. 20, 194l. contain this
statement:
IAN important phase Of the work
of the labor division is assisting in
the peaceful settlement of controver-
sizes arising between employers and
employees. 1t is the policy of the labor
division to offer its services in such
disputes and not to use coercive
measures
AT its October meeting the COM
mittee recommended that the posi-
ton of labor co-ordinator in the high
way department and with the water
conservation board be discontinued
and that the department of agricul-
ture, labor and industry, which has
Co. 10 III -
settle labor disputes be called upon
for any work in this connection
No Use for Co-Ordinator
At the meeting of the committee
attention was called to the fact that
perhaps the legislative appropriation
of the labor division was insufficient
to take care of the extra amount of
travel involved in settling highway
labor disputes. The committee believes
that provision can be made to pay
travel expense of the commissioner OF
labor when engaged in labor activities
connected with the highway depart
ment. AS construction on water con-
servation projects is practically at a
StandStill, there is now no use fol
labor co-ordinator.
The committee feels that if the
highway department and water con-
servation board are permitted to have
their own labor co-ordinator, then 9TH
er departments and institutions en-
gagged in construction work involving
the employment of labor might dc
likewise, and that the possibility Of
developing a strong, effective labol
division or department within the state
government would be destroyed.
THE state prison report, adopted
Oct. 81, contained these statement:
and recommendations:
THAT the policy be adopted an6
the administration of the prison con.
Quoted on the basis that the prison
is not operated solely to mete Out
retribution, but instead toward the re.
Mobilization of first offenders and
some others who can be returned tt
society as useful citizens.
IAN absolute essential of gooc
prison program is employment for al
prisoners in place of devastating ano
degenerating idleness.
Montana statutes recognize this
principle and while section 1l573.l
R. c. M. prohibits the sale of prison.
made goods on the open market, the
next section in the law specifically
provides for the sale or exchange o.
goods produced in any penal or re.
formatory institution or any charitable
or custodial institution the major por-
ton of whose maintenance is contri'
buted by the state
1.-The report calls attention to the
fact that at present facilities for en-
ployment and rehabilitation of prison
ers outside the walls but within thu
custody of the prison is sufficient only
to employ a small number during most
of the year.
Deficiencies Cited
In discussing the report the COVER
nor pointed out that the Legislative
appropriations for state custodial in
! stitutions we're based on the costs Of
food and supplies during 1899 and l94(
and that the state would find it ex-
tremely difficult if not impossible tc