The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1942-11-20
Silicosis PAYMENTS Threatened

OlIlCOSIS df IICIIIO Ill cdCoiiON
During the last session legislature, the sum OF
$40 600 was appropriated for payments OF relief 10 vc
cosis from general welfare funds Some reet Tor he u
fortunate victims the disease had to be provided ana since
the actions session largely dictated by the p
cia interests the resulting legislation passed was mixture
of good and good in that relief was provided PAD
because the of paying the compensation was sted
onto the shoulders of the general taxpayer instead OF
the large mining interests the responsibility WHICH
everyone knows is theirs There is no dispute concerning
whether not s1coss is or IS not ah occupa'io"i
1t is admitted that it is
Members of organized labor and quite number of other
minded legislators for the bill which pro-
dd nanents to sicosis victims general welfare funds
They cannot criticized for this lnasmuch as hey coud
clearly see that was only way which relief for those
unforunates be secured The Anaconda Copper Min
ing Company calling the tune
We now have the recommendations of the reorganization
committee Influential member of which is Fred Bennion OF the
Montana Taxpayers Association guardian of the tax interests
of the privileged groups This committee makes the following
recommendations:
"That in the interests of equity and economy, the
law be amended provide for the discontnuance of
ents to suffering from scosis who patients
of the state tuberculosis santarium.
"That if sufficient appropriations are not made to
cover the the sicosis aid the law be
clarified allow proportionate monthly payments as
means of spreading assistance payments uniformly
throughout the year.
We do not know author of these two
which will be presented probable catspaw legislature
Our urmise is that Bennon wrote the recommendations
as thew are certainly entirely in line with the program OF
the Montana Taxpayers Association
The first recommendations would deprive the vlctm OF
anv compensation need of himself his family he
at Galen An opinion WrlCCen by
Ronner attorney general year, held that victims of the
disease receiving treatment in state institution or
not were entitled to the compensation The allround 1alI
ness cannot be disputed The victim cannot rehqus
all RESPONSIBILITIES requiring income when entering the
santarium for treatment
The second recommendation is more vicious and
nhuman in its implications, AS stated before the appro-
praon by the last session of the legislature was $40
600 Had payments to sicoss victims been held down TO
this amount would have meant less than $40 month to
each of them However, under provision of the present
law it was possible the State Board of Examiners to in
+he possible
parmen to pay $50 per month to each of the norunat
IF the recommendation made into the law by
the coming session the legislature will that the
amount of appropriation made will determine exactly the
- If The COMPENSATION made to each sufferer
nothing flexible about AS the victims increase in number
the compensation payments will decrease proporlonatey
And fortunately mistaken the majority OF mem
hers of the coming of the legislature not going
be greatly with the plight of the unfortunate ana
would ooshy naive to expect the assembly to consider
adeouate appropriations for such purposes.
Passage the present act providing for payments out OF
nubc welfare funds excusabe from the standpoint of
providing for the relief of the slcosls Vct
However, from other angle it was bad egislao anu
can be safely predicted that time will prove So we are
not disposed weep crocodile tears the uncaedor
placed the general taxpayer Inc ADDED cost VIII
not be felt by individual hardly at all But 1t IS unjust
taxation completely out of line with proper action AS
practically everyone but the Anaconda Copper Mining Com
pany admit should have been declared compensate
occupaona disease and the compensation placed IN he
hands of Industrial Accident Board with compuslon TOT
he mining interests against for the benefit OF It's
victims
labor must come before each the legislature with the
nroverba tin cup their hands, asking for appropriations
r. make POSSIBLE what finally the present rate
ridcuousy inadequate dole to the victims and their depend
ens And there much being optimistic in regard TO
If the pressure that can be exerted the legislative
bodv The majority of the members of the coming session
If he legislature are going feel that they tire
dob+ +o organized labor or the liberal progressves
tbn state IF YOU doubt statement look at the Silver
Row delegation We believe that forwardoong in
tegent labor votes swung away from IKE
Sneqe His defeat generally Identifies the character of
the DELEGATION that is coming from that county.
All progressive labor organizations and the Farmers Union
bold he planning NOW send their representatives to the
coming session speak with delegated authority the wishes
of their organized membership The small number OF real
liberals in the assembly need this backing The state needs
it. YOU NEED 1T.
Small Wonder
ed Note The editorial below is clipped from the
and here