The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-03-19
REPORT BY C.LO.LECISLATIVE
REPRESENTATIVES

bills because five sections In which
weekly payments are referred to
called for amendment.
This was opposed by all the large
interests, the ACM included who ar
gued from the standpoint of increased
cost to them using such extreme cases
as death benefits which would raise
the death claim payments by $1,000
and total permanent disability pay
ments by $4,000. The heaviest OPP
ponent, however, was lumber man
with interests in Washington, Idaho
and Montana He supplied compari-
sons of payments in the three states
which showed Montana the highest. A
senate committee member was heard
to remark beforehand that they were
going to have open season on labor
in the afternoon. They did too. 1t
must be added here that the Anacon-
da smeltermen provided us with able
assistance
Early in the session a group term
ing themselves the Associated Con-
tractors was in Helena with a pro-
posal to cancel the eight-hour law for
the duration and six months there
after because there was a bridge to
be built between Miles City and Glen
dive and it was contended that iron
workers could not be induced to come
to the state under the eight-hour laws.
1t was alleged that they wanted to
work by the hour and be paid ac-
cordingly. This proposition, however,
would not square with the state con-
stitution which was amended in 1896
to include all industries, works and
occupations under the eight hour day
more than that, to bar the legisla-
ture from increasing the hours be-
yond that so defined.
Our union took an active part in so
amending the constitution. We did
all labor a good turn at that time,
as Is proven now. The only tamper
ing that could be done was to amend
the general eight-hour statute (Sec-
ton 3079) to permit overtime when
life or property are in imminent dan
GER. This was done by House Bill
1OS, copy Of which was mailed to our
legislative committee, likewise the |
council. The same proviso has been |
in our miners 8-hour statute (3071) |
since early in the century, so that |
change in the general statute will do
no harm.
House Bill IL attempted to change |
the child labor laws to permit chill |
dren under sixteen years of age to
be employed in certain classifications
of farm work. 1t was beat.
The unemployment compensation
act was bounced around considerable
and ended up with some slight amend
ing, but of no Importance IS. B. 203).
This had to be watched very closely
that, If adoptd would have created
greater obstacles for anyone attempt
ing to collect benefits, Merle Greene,
representing the Lewistown Employ
ers' Association, tried to sneak an
amendment in committee which pro
posed to shift one per cent of the
employers burden to the workers.
This was upset by all labor lobbyists
by work on the house committee.
This particular idea never came out
of committee, fortunately too, because
II it ever got to the bankers relief
gang on the floor, they would surely
make it part of the law. If this hap
pened, it would mean another $3.50 to
$500 per month out of every miners
pay check. The chairman of this
house committee, Don Arson of
Beaverhead county, very fair-minded
man in that capacity. kept labor in
formed on all of the attempted black
porch" affairs.
When House Bill 203 passed the
house, it had to be trailed through
the senate, whose social security com
mittee chairman was the exact OPP
posite of the house. Mr.. Greene with
his one per cent proposition got a
private hearing without any notice to
abor lobbyists. This was challenged
and another hearing set for the next
lay at which the committee was
urged to leave the law alone; it was
1No CiOus3h do II was. HIS DIT any |
ate, is what finally happened.
Then, too, small interests by Senate 2
Bill 17S tried to institute what is |
ermed merit rating into the unem-
)loyment compensation law This
would have meant that occupations
With brief record of small employ
nent variation would pay less than
he now 81 per cent rate and those
With history of greater variations,
anger percentage In all, if enacted,
t would have resulted in a decrease
n the rate at which the emergency I
eserve is now being built Large
employers on a big scale,
ave no support because they have !
ouncil who can look 1000 days ahead u
n some respects. This bill was beat
Much deceptive publicity was given
senate Bill 181 by Arnold, the So
allied anti-picketing bill. Its real in d
ent was union breaking as it would Il
revent the closed shop. Comment,
rom report to the union legislative u
ommittee under date of February IS,
3 herewith reproduced; it covers the d
ituation: u
A lengthy hearing Tuesday eve Il
ing on Senate Bill 181 by Arnold II
Benedict Arnold copy of which you II
lready have and which sought to put o
MONS under state regulations, was d
TENDED. Only one proponent of the
leasure turned out. His name is w.
'. Gail, head of the Associated Indus =
les and representing the National
ctIirers' Association The large