The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-03-12
MONTANA'S
House of Lords
By C. ]. CARLSON

| In last weeks issue this column
spoke of the lack of labor representa-
ton in this session of the states legis-
lative assembly. With several thous-
and members in the state of Montana,
| it would seem that organized labor
should have elected several loyal and
steadfast members to the legislature.
Unfortunately, this was not the case.
Labor failed to elect its friends and
members to office, and this year they
suffered from that failure. This col
umn, however, was in error when it
remarked that labor was entirely
without representation. Representa-
tive Healy of Silver Bow is a member
of the Miners union and his voting
record was of the best. The same is
true of Senator Mulholland, also of
Butte, and to both of them we offer
our apologies for not having men
toned them
significant, that out of a total mem
bership of 80 in the house and Sc in
the senae, labor members amounted
to one in each house. 1t is thus no
wonder that workmen's compensation
bills, pension laws, teachers retire
ment appropriations and other vital
labor bills were defeated. Until the
members of organized labor in Mon
tana elect progressives from their
own membership, they cannot expect
to win the program they need. This
is in no way a criticism of the labor
lobby The presidents Of both union
organizations worked hard and did a
good job. Nevertheless, they were
handicapped by an insufficient num-
Der of representatives and senators
who were on their side.
Members of the session are now
going into their home counties and |
giving talks on the achievements" of |
the legislature. Progressives should |
ask these men how they voted on the |
bankers relief bill, the workmns com
pnsation bill, the various appropria-
ton bills Ask them why they were
so willing to deny to the inmates of
the state hospital at Warm Springs |
a proper appropriation, and ask them
why they were so willing to follow the |
of the Anaconda company's |
paid lobbyists. This session was ac-
tually harmful to the people of the
state, and no amount of "soft-soaping"
from the members can change that
The last hectic days of the legisla-
ture told the real story. The house,
under the leadership Of a company
dominated appropriations committee,
refused to concur in senate amend
ments to increase appropriations for
vital state functions such as welfare,
insane hospital, etc. Conference COM
mittees were appointed, and valiant
tights were made for the states in
stitutions. All this was to no avail.
The word was passed up and down
he corridors that the Anaconda COM
Dany was opposed to any increases,
and despite popular pressure the COM
Danys will was obeyed
Another story showing the domina
ion of Montana politics by the inter
ssts was unfolded this week. For six
years e. A. "Shorty" Dye has been a
member of the state board of equali-
.ation, the state tax control body
Appointed by Governor Ayers, Dyes
OBJ was to see that taxes were equal
zed'' throughout the state. This
month his term was up and Governor
FORD did not reappoint him. This
week it was announced that Mr. Dye
vas now the new editor of the Helena
one of the company-con-
rolled papers in Helena. Evidently,
lis work on the board of equalization
lad pleased his superiors very much,
md to show their appreciation they
appointed him editor of one of their
eading papers.
Thus has it always been. In return
or blind support of the interests,
hey agree to take care of their fol-
overs, and if they keep their word
hat is done. 1t is interesting to note
low many of these lame-ducks have
,een placed in recent years. 1t is
lso interesting to note how the COM
press screams about
resident Roosevelt's appointment of
lame-ducks to import
mt posts, when they, the company,
ave been doing that very same thing
or years.
The answer to the problem is sim
lie. Farm and labor groups must