davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1942-10-09
By SCOTT NEARING

Taxes are occupying the attention
of congress and of the country at
large. Federal expenditures per
month are now about 10 times as
great as they were three years ago.
In part at least, this huge increase
must be met by higher taxes.
If federal taxes for 1913 are to be
increased by 400 or 5000 over those
of 1910, some group in the country
must do some tall paying. The ques-
ton is: Which group shall it be?
Tax experts agree that taxes should
be distributed over community in
proportion to the ability of individuals
to pay, but there is no agreement as
to how this ability should be meas
ured.
President Roosevelts proposal that
incomes be limited to $500 per week
for the duration was based on the
idea that it is possible to fix a top
income, beyond which the government
can take 1000.
The idea has not met with favor
among the top income recipients in
congress and out through the country.
They want to hold onto their big in
comes and let the little man do the
paying. There are four ways to ac-
complish this result:
l. Increase the taxes on theater
tickets, tobacco, alcohol, automobiles
and other items of general expense.
2. Lower the income tax exemption
rate so that all single persons with
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1942-10-09
UNION COLLECTS
$4,000 In
libel SUIT

NEW YORK (FP) - Newspaper
publishers who print Westbrook Peg
ler's poison felt more than slightly un
easy September % when Local 8, Init
Bro of Electrical Workers (AFL), col
lected $4,000 in a libel suit against
The Mt. Vernon Daily Argus The
suit was based on Pegler-like col
umn by James McMullin, columnist
for the Mcclure Newspaper Syndi-
cate, which the Argus printed.
The publisher came across in an
out-of-court settlement of the unions
S850,000 libel suit field two years ago,
and on September % printed an apol-
ogy in the paper. Suit is still pend
ing against the Mcclure syndicate and
against McMullin, who were not par
ties to the settlement.
The column charged that an I'M
named North Carolina youth with
little experience had paid an unnamed
official of Local stiff price for
the privilege Of getting a profitable
job at the New York Worlds Fair.
In addition McMullin accused union
officials of "feathering their nests"
from initiation fees of out-of-town
workers.
Settlement came eight months after
a state court of appeals decision hold
ing that unions, as organizations, may
sue for libel even though no specific
officer or member is mentioned by
name in the libelous statement. The
court also ruled that union officials
Continued on Page Three)
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1942-10-09
MURRAY ASKS
FOR AID FOR
SMALL BUSINESS

WASHINGTON. - In a letter ad
dressed to all federal departments ant
agencies, Sen. James e. Murray, chair
man of the special senate small bust
ness committee, has requested de
tailed information concerning eacf
agency's activities in connection will
the problems of small business.
The letter calls attention to the fact
| that the small business committee is
engaged in an extensive series OF
hearings on the problems of small
business enterprises during the wal
and in the post war period. In order
to take constructive action, the com
mittee needs complete information
concerning present activities of gov
eminent agencies and suggestions
from agency heads.
1.-THE committee has been receiving
continuous and undated complaints, y
said Senator Murray, that small bust.
ness does not have adequate repre-.
sentation in the administrative agen-
cies and that many of these agencies,
through lack Of understanding or ar
bitrary action, seem to overlook the
fact that the future of free enter
prise in America is based upon the
maintenance of small business. We
have received even stronger com
plants that some federal agencies fail
to realize that the resources, man
power and brain-power of small enter
prise is essential to the effective pros
ecution of the war. am hopeful that
this survey will help bring out the
actual facts"
Within the next two weeks the fed
eral agencies are requested to furnish
information covering the following
points:
l. What is your conception of your
agency's responsibilities with regard
to the problems of small enterprise
during the war and In the post war
period?
g. What special studies mas your
agency undertaken, or is planning to
on the problems of small
business?
8. Has any special division, section
or unit been established In your
agency to handle the problems of
small business? II so, what are its
achievements to date and what are
its future plans? If not, is your
agency contemplating the establish
ment of any special set-up to handle
the problems Of small business?
4. Do you regard new legislation or
new delegation of executive power as
necessary to the improvement or ex-
tension of your agency's activities
with regard to small business?
The other members of the senate
small business committee are SEN
ltors Maloney, Connecticut; Ellender,
Louisiana; Mead, New York; Stewart,
Tennessee; Capper, Kansas, and Taft,
ohio.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1942-10-09
OKLAHOMA
JUDGE SHOWS
PREJUDICE

Hearings on the Oklahoma criminal
syndicalism prosecutions in Oklahoma
| City early in September were marked
by refusal of one of the three justices
of the state criminal court Of appeals
to hear arguments at all, though he
said he would participate in the deci
sion. He absented himself from the
court for two days.
The remaining members of the 3.
man court refused to postpone the
hearing for "a hours to permit par
ticipation of Congressman Vito Mar
cantonio, one of the defense counsel,
who had to be in Washington on the
day of the argument to vote for the
Ramsey Soldier Vote Bill
The Oklahoma criminal syndicalism
cases were begun in 1910 with raids
on private homes and a bookstore.
All the evidence presented consisted
of the so-called communist" books
seized in these raids. Four persons
have been convicted on this evidence,
and sentenced to ten years imprison-
ment and $4,000 fine. Eight more
still await trial. All are now free on
bail provided through the Internation-
al Labor Defense, which is conduct
ing the defense. The four convicted
defendants are Robert and Ina Wood,
Eli Jaffe, and Alan Shaw.
Traditionally opposed to criminal
syndicalism laws, trade unions
throughout the country have pro-
tested these prosecutions. These I'M
ions include important bodies in both
the AFL and CLIO, among them the
Cascade County Trades and Labor
Assembly at Great Falls, Montana.
Unions are now being asked to send
resolutions and communications to
Mac @. Williamson, attorney general
of the state of Oklahoma, asking the
state to CONFESS error" and drop its
to sustain the convictions of
the lower court. Oklahoma was re-
Gently the fount of the cooked up
grass roots" attack on organized Ia
Dor and the 40-hour week, and the
time to lick the Oklahoma reaction
aries who are attempting to divide the
people is NOW.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1942-10-09
LEGION LOSES SUIT
TO BAR COMMUNISTS

ALBANY, N. Y.-FP)-The Amer
lean Legions suit to keep the Com
munist party off the New York state
ballot November was dismissed Sep
TENDER 26 by Supreme Court Justice
Francis Bergan, who held that the
Legions objections to the party's
nominating petitions had not been
filed within the 3-day legal limit.
Unless the Legion succeeds in an
appeal, and it had not indicated by
September % that 1t would take such
course, the names of Israel Amter,
candidate for governor, and Benjamin
A. Davis and Elizabeth GurIey Flynn,
representatives at large candidates,
will be on the ballot under the Com
munist emblem.
Communist spokesman charged that
the Legion conducted, with the aid of
local police and newspapers, a cam
paign of intimidation against many of
the $4,000 signers of the party's petit
lions.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1942-10-09
CONSUMERS INFORMATION
BUREAU ESTABLISHED
Anaconda Unions Sponsor Organization
For Consumers Information and For
Information in Regard To Labor and
Laws of Interest To 1t.

ANACONDA.-Th The Workers Serv
ice program has two projects in Ana
conda for the convenience of the pub
lie, sponsored by the Anaconda un
ions, which are open at the dispose
of all Anaconda citizens. The Mil
and Smeltermen's Union, through
John ]. Morris, chairman of the Press
use the services freely.
The first service is the Consumers
Information Center, which has been
in operation since May Is. This bu-
reau gives all information on foods,
clothing, household goods, and many
other subjects pertaining to nutrition,
meal planning, and how to dress the
family economically. This bureau has
more than 20 booklets and pamphlets
sent out by the government for the
information of consumers These
booklets and other information are
given free to any and all who call
for them. Included are charts with
the latest information on rent control,
available to all interested parties.
The other project is Labor Infor-
nation desk to give detailed informa-
tion on labor unions, the Social Sc
curity System, Unemployment Insur-
ance, the Wage-Hour Law, the Labor
Relations Act, and the State Compen-
sation and Silicosis acts.
Offices for this bureau are at the
large hall of the Mill and Shelter
mems Union. This office is open
from 9 o'clock until o'clock on Mon
day to Friday, inclusive. The Con-
sumers' Information Center is in
charge of Mrs. Mary Green, and the
Labor Information desk is handled by
James McManaman.
The Consumers Bureau is spon-
sored by the Consumers League Of
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1942-10-09
farm LABOR
SITUATION ACUTE
I'm MONTANA
Governor Asks President to
Make Selective Service
"Selective" and Not Just
Draft of Manpower; Asks
Help to Harvest Crops.

The farm labor program appeared
to be reaching climax this week
Montanans have repeatedly insisted
that the way in which the Selective
Service Act was draining Montana 8
farms of farm hands and workmen
was inevitably destined to result In
farm losses. This week as farmers
attempted to harvest bumper crops it
was evident that there was just no
labor to be had
Governor Ford, acting ON frantic
requests from farmers and ranchers,
sent two kilograms; one to the presi-
dent and the other to Secretary of
War Stimson. In his telegram to the
president the governor stated that
it was absolutely necessary that the
president take action now to over
come the red tape and inertia that
was preventing the importation of
beet workers and other farm laborers
In appealing to Stimson the governor
sought the use of 1000 soldiers as
harvest hands to see to 1t that the
entire crop was not a failure.
1t was stated that under the policy
of drafting all available farm help,
what could have been bumper crop
In excess of the Department of Agri-
culture quota, was going to be but
mere trifle compared with what really
could be accomplished.
Copotor Whaalar demanded
CONTINUED on Page Four
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1942-10-09

bUnlted klngdOm ana Australia
will establish an international
wheat pool and all production
of wheat will be controlled by
this central agency.
The agreement uses the following
language in the preamble: 1.-THE bene-
fits Of abundant world supplies of
wheat cannot be assured to consum-
ers unless there is substantial de-
crease in uneconomic incentives to
high-cost production, a lowering Of
barriers to world trade and the charg-
ing of prices to consumers not sub
stantially higher than the price of
wheat in international trade. Con-
sumers should have the opportunity
and means of increasing their pur-
chases of wheat from areas which are
equipped to produce 1t economically.
This depends on the lowering of tariff
barriers"
The agreement specifically states
that control over all wheat production
and export shall be placed In the
hands of the contracting committee.
This agreement was signed by the
state department and was not sub
mitted to the United States senate fol
as is provided by the
United States Constitution. 1t is gen.
orally agreed that had the senate
been asked to review the agreement
1t would never have passed.
1t was pointed out in Washington
that under the agreement areas such
as Montana and North Dakota where
the cost of production of wheat is ex-
tremely high, it would no longer be
permitted for farmers to raise wheat.
In the past American wheat produc-
ton has been subsidized by a high
tariff which has kept out foreign
wheat which can be produced under
cheap labor conditions more econom-
cally than American wheat.
The import of this agreement, ac-
,ording to the state department, is
hat the wheat used In America will
De produced in other countries where
Continued on Page Four)
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1942-10-09
independents
in RACE FOR
LEGISLATURE

That a large number of Yellowstone
county residents we're not too well
satisfied with the legislative candidate
material on the democratic ticket in
the primaries is evidenced by the fact
that Charles S. Horton, prominent and
liberal farmer from Custer was nomi-
mated by his name being written in on
the ballot, by sufficiently large num-
Der of voters
In Fergus county, Mrs. r. T. Mar
tin, one Of the outstanding members
Of the last two sessions of the house,
has filed as an independent candidate
for reelection. The reactionary ele-
ments in the county succeeded in a
campaign to defeat her for nominal
ton in the primaries, but from re-
ports received, Mrs. Martin will be
reelected to the office which she has
filled with distinction for two terms.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1942-10-09
CANDIDATES
RECOMMENDED
BY THE VOICE"

Listed below are candidates for the
Senate and House whom The Voice
regards as sincere and conscientious
able and courageous, most of them
with records as independent liberals
established in service in previous SEES
sions, and eminently deserving of the
support of their constituents:
SENATE:
Herbert ght-Fergus county.
Ernest Burns-Flathead.
Forrest Observation-Disclosures
F. E. Baker-LIncoln.
Lars Angvick-SherIdan.
M. J. MuIhoIIand-SiIver Bow.
William Ruffcorn-vaIey.
HOUSE,:
ole Gunderson and Ralph Parker
Cascade.
Armand w. Tonn-Custer.
j. D. Bourassa-DanIels.
Glenn Coutts-Dawson.
Joe vanek and Mrs. r. T. Martin
Fergus.
Robert J. Dunn-GaIlatin.
William NeIson-GoIden Valley.
Carl A. Ahlgreen-Lake.
David F. James-Liberty.
Martin ]. Beck-McCone.
Walter Banka-Pondera.
led. Note: MIR. Banka's opponent,
Earl Crawford, has also been highly
recommended by liberals In Pondera
county.)
Paul Cannon and Sam SplegeI-SiI-
yer Bow.
Charles S. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The Voice does not represent that
the above named are the only indie
pendent liberals nominated. There
are many candidates about whom The
Voice has no authoritative informa-
ton. 1t does know that the ones
listed can be depended upon to work
and vote for the peoples interests and
cannot be influenced to do otherwise.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1942-10-09

depreciation n d depletion
charges (Which are another
way of avoiding taxes), rose
from 200 million dollars in the
second quarter Of 1889 to one
billion dollars in the compare
BILE quarter of 1912.
"At the same time capital OUTLAWS
charged to current expenses rose
from 200 million dollars in the second
quarter of 1899 to 800 million in the
like quarter of 1912 :. Corporations
have been charging off much larger
reserves for various so-called contin-
gencies. Also the government has
permitted them to charge off capital
expenditures at very rapid rate.
"In order to judge how corporations
as a whole have Jared, it is therefore
necessary to add up the interests and
dividends, corporate savings, and 9th
er business reserves as well as capital
OUTLAWS charged to current expenses.
These items totalled 2.6 billions in
the second quarter of 1889 and At
billions in the same period of 1912
a jump of 81%."
The greed with which the big cor
porations have profiteered at the ex-
pense Of the war effort has led Poor's
Investment Advisory Service, a bust
ness outfit, to warn its readers:
Corporate profits before taxes this
year will be nearly four times what
they were in 1889 Gan increase of
10000. 1t is imperative, if we are to
win this fight against initiation, that
these profits be cut deeply and dras-
tically."
OF the steel industry, Barron's, lead
ing financial weekly, says: although
net earnings this year will be sub
stantially lower than in 1941, the in
dustry is in fact enjoying much better
earnings than it did in peace
time"
Operating profits, Ira says, will be
1870 to 20%o higher than 1941, which |
was record year. Some industries, |
such as coal, are also increasing their
net profits. Coal net earnings, after
all taxes were paid, rose 71qo in the
first half of 1912 and The Wall Street |
Journal said this type of improve
ment will continue"
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1942-10-09
Veal THY SEE SOAK THE-POOR TAX
AS The ONLY WAY OUT FOR SELVES

$40 per week, and all married persons
with s1S to $25 per week must pay,
say 1000 of their net income In taxes.
8. Impose a tax of 5 to 1917 on all
personal income above S12 per week
for single persons. This is called the
Victory Tax. The income tax is levied
on net income, with deductions of var
ious kinds permitted. The Victory
Tax would allow for no deductions.
Such tax, begun at s12 per week,
would reach an estimated AZ million
people in 1943.
4. Enact a general sales tax of
around SO, with possible exemption
of bread, milk and few other prime
essentials. This tax would affect all
consumers.
Taxes are never popular. Congress
men quite naturally hesitate to adopt
measures that will put the financial
burdens of the war on the great ma
jority of their constituents. On the
other hand, the government needs
money, and since the administration
has no intention of conscripting
wealth, the new revenue measures
must dig deep into the incomes of the
rich or the poor.
Necessity knows no law save that
of survival. AS war costs increase,
the well-to-do and their representa-
tives in congress must either lay the
financial burden on the working
masses or carry it themselves. Such
dilemma allows the well-to-do but
one solution soak the poor!
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1942-10-09
MR.. DUPONT CAN THANK
WAR DEPARTMENT

WASHINGTON (FP) = Prosecu.
ton of E. l. DUPONT de Nemours &
Co., Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey,
American Cyanimid G Chemical Corp.
and Is other companies and SIS of
their officials, have been dropped I'M
til after the war, Atty. Gen. Francis
Biddle said October l. They were in
dicted June 26 for illegal restraints of
trade in making and selling various
chemicals necessary to the war. Bid
die said he acted on the request of
the war department.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1942-10-09
ON THE
CAPITALS CUFF
By VIRGINIA GARDNER

The farm bloc boys who have
shocked the nation as they blocked
the anti-inflation legislation In one
clever maneuyer after another are
Rooseyelt-haters all.
In the final stages Of the senate dis
pute over the various amendments to
the Brown-Wagner bill, and as the
senators entered the stage of making
long demagogic speeches and insert
ing letters in the record-always let.
ters from mothers of boys in the serv.
ice-it became apparent that their de-
sire to embarrass the administration
was their closest tie.
Certainly their claim to represent
farmers was In most cases spurious,
unless 1t was the landed gentry Of
Wall Street.
Their anti-labor bias was a bond,
but not in every case, for there was
Sen. Robert M. LaFollette Jr. prog,
Wis.,, who made it plain he was not
in favor of "pilIorying labor"
"Ive restrained myself for months"
Senator LaFollette said in his speech
which despite his shaking finger at
the gallery had an apologize cast
but now it is my patriotic duty to
say what is In my mind and heart
regarding this war effort.
1.-THE No. 1 problem Of the farm and
industry, manpower shortage, is not
the only muddle of the war effort"
- toll oh
morale" to say gloomily that people
aren't in the same frame of mind they
were in the last war-they realize
when the war is over there'll be UNI
shirted hell to pay" He sighed be-
cause on Labor day farmers were
milking cows, not on time and half,
but straight time, and getting no
credit for it."
In general no love of labor marked
the senators who voted 48a3 for the
amendment offered by Sen. Elmer
Thomas 3D., Okla.) rewriting the par
ity formula to include "all farm labor
COSTS" as had the amendment voted
by the house.
AS the afternoon wore on one of
them computed the overtime of de-
Tense worker in his home district and
arrived at the conclusion he made
$40 week.
Sen. Theodore G. Bilbo 3D., Miss.),
who advocated sending all negroes
back to Liberia a couple of years ago,
changed his line. He wants them,
CONTINUED on Page Four
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1942-10-09
PRESIDENT TOURS
The COUNTRY,
MORALE HIGH

| WASHINGTON (FP) - Presiden
Roosevelt returned to Washington
October 1 after a two-weeks tour il
which he felt the pulse of the coun
try and found it extremely healthy
A tremendous win-the-war spirit over
the country, communicated by the
President to reporters in the first pub
| lie announcement of the trip, was seen
by labor representatives here as a
! good omen for his future dealings
with congress-
After seeing workers at first hand
In arsenals and shipyards, oil fields
and airplane factories, the President
returned to the point Of the nations
lowest morale, Washington, in great
spirits.
Dramatically enough his return CO.
incided with the announced deadline
he had set for action on his anti-in-
flation bill The bill, considerably the
worse for wear, was passed by the
senate the previous evening and was
expected to pass the house shortly.
Unless it receives further initiation
airy dressing-up by the house, the bill
as administered by the President can
fulfill its original purpose, to prevent
any further rise of living costs. With
the assurance of an excellent war
morale on the part of the American
people as whole, he can now inter-
pref their win-the-war edicl despite
the Vaccinations of the farm bloc in
congress, labor representative pointed
out.
Everywhere he went, the President
revealed, he found management and
labor working together to increase
production. Production as a whole
he found gratifying.