davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-02-19
'LAB0R-FARMER
COALITION

An important development in the
win-the-war legislative fight was the
announcement last week of a common
Legislative front being formed by the
AFL, CLIO, Railroad Brotherhoods and
the Farmers Union. 1t is to extend
to joint legislative committees on a
local as well as national scale. In
the announcement, Philip Murray,
president of the CLIO, said:
"In this present session of congress
an unholy alliance of poll-tax demo-
Gratis with the most reactionary wings
of the republican party has served no.
tice of its intention to ride roughshod
over any considerations of national
welfare, war policy, national unity and
health for war workers. They have
served notice of their intention to
sabotage rather than to support the
commander-in-chief of the United
States. They have served notice of
their intention to attack labor and to
reduce labor standards without regard
to the health, or productive efficiency
OF war workers.
This conspiracy will not go unchal-
lenged. CLIO unions have already
formulated a program of legislative
action to meet this threat. Every CLIO
union, every local, if it has
not already done so, must take active
steps to carry out that program.
Every local union in the CLIO must
have a legislative committee. Wher
ever possible, legislative committees
Of local CLIO unions should organize
and join with other CLIO locals in or
on congressional district
ines for purposes of basic contact
with our representative in congress.
"These local organizations must
every day throughout the
Continued on Page Four)
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-02-19
WATER GRAB
BILL KILLED
I'm Senate
SB II Short Lived in the
Senate; Unfavorable Report
Presented; Author Asks
Senate's Permission To
Withdraw Measure.

AS reported in the last weeks issue
of The Voice, Senate Bill n, which
would have deprived the state of con-
troll of most of the waters of the
state, met reverses in the senate by
being rereferred to the committee on
irrigation and water rights. This
committee, after holding a hearing,
brought in an unfavorable committee
report on Tuesday of this week.
The author of the measure, having
evidently become convinced mean
while, of the truth of the saying that
you can't fool all of the people all
of the time" took the unprecedented
procedure of asking the senate's per-
to withdraw the bill, and his
request was avidly granted.
Thus, somewhat ANONYMOUSLY end
ed, one crafty effort to deprive the
people of the state of one of their in
herent rights.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-02-19
DEHYDRATI0N COOP
PLANT INSTALLED

N. KANSAS CITY, Mo.-The first
lco-operative dehydration plant in the
u. S. has been given official sanction
by the fruit and vegetable branch of
the Agricultural Marketing Admins
Itration and is expected to be in oper-
alton on or about the first of March.
The plant will have a capacity of
10000 pounds of raw food products
"a day and will be operated in connec-
ton with the coop vegetable cannery
in Scottsbluff, Nebr., owned by 1885,
600 members of the Consumers Coop
erative Association.
"Your son in the armed services
somewhere on one of the many fronts
of the world theatre of war may soon
be eating potatoes dehydrated at the
Scottsbluff cannery," The Co-opera-
tive Consumer declared in announcing
the plans. "The entire output of the
dehydration plant will go to either
the armed services or the lend-lease
program" according to Howard A.
Cowden, president of the Consumers
Cooperative Association.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-02-19
latest FACTS
ABOUT farm
PARITY PRICES
From Farmers Union Newsletter

WASHINGTON-Congress will soon
debate again the proposal of Sen.
Thomas of Oklahoma, Rep. Pace (Ga.)
and Chairman Fulmer of the house
agricultural committee to change the
parity formula by including both the
cost of hired labor and a theoretical
value of the labor performed by farm
ers and unpaid family labor. Because
of the agitation by some farm organi-
cations for raising all farm prices by
this method, here is the latest infor-
nation on farm prices. For all of
but rose rapidly in the last half of
the year to 1850 during December.
OF major commodities being mar
keted in that month, Is were at par
ity or above, and II were below: Bur
ley tobacco lis; oranges 147; wool
40; lambs 1877; beef cattle 1856; tur
keys 1873; rice 1923; cottonseed 1913;
veal calves 1876; hogs 118; chickens
116; fluid milk III; butterfat 109;
peanuts for oil 1913; soybeans 107;
grapefruit LOG: cotton 1902; potatoes
100; dry edible beans SO; eggs 81;
apples 96; flaxseed 80; peanuts for
nuts SO; wheat ST. corn 81; sweet
potatoes 81; oats II; barley IS; hay
So; and rye so.
Parity expresses a buying power of
the farm dollar equal to what pre-
vailed during 1904 Thus, prices
received by farmers during December
average 1870 of the prices received
in the 1904 period, while prices
paid, including interest and taxes,
were only 1850 of the pre-World War
1 base. The first percentage divided
by the second gives the 1t5% of pre-
war parity mentioned above.
In figuring parity, only prices re-
ceived from cash marketings and
prices paid for cash purchases are
used Earnings made by farmers
away from their own farms, and even
cash benefits from federal programs, |
are therefore not included in the cal
culations. Similarly, no value is as
signed to the family living produced |
by the farm or furnished by the farm
lome Thus it can be seen that in |
figuring buying power it is altogether
tut of place to include a value for
abor performed for which there is
lot an actual cash payment.
In 1888, interest taxes and hired
abor costs were not included in the
PARITY formula because each were be-
ow the average level of other prices
,aid then by farmers. Their inclu-
ion would have lowered parity. Late
n the 1905 interest. and tax rates
ose, but farm labor remained dirt
Continued on Page Four)
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-02-19

The political effects of this are in
deed enormous Wheeler has inter-
ceded for these men facing trial for
sedition and has won his first round.
In the past sedition charges have been
used again labor representatives and
other progressives, but this time
many, notorious Tory sympathizers
were under indictment. 1t was alleged
in Washington that Wheeler wanted
to cover up the indictments for fear
some. information harmful to him
would appear, but this he quickly de-
MED One puzzling thing about the
whole matter was that Wheeler's
strongest opponent and most biting
critic in the whole maneuver was
Eugene Meyer, publisher of the extra
anti labor Washington
Post Meyer has ripped into Wheeler
on every occasion, and Wheeler has
fought savagely against Meyer claim
ing that because Meyer was defeated
by the senate for many jobs because
Of Wheeler's opposition Meyer is now
trying to get even.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-02-19
FLUCTUATING
MARKETS AT
terminals
Grain Market Tone Mixed
With Prices Unsettled;
Stormy Weather Cuts
Down Movement of Cash
Grains.

Trade reaction to changeable legis-
lative news kept grain markets I'M
settled during the week ended Feb
lruary II. Prices fluctuated within a
marrow range with wheat, corn, and
flax slightly higher for the week while
rye, oats, and barley turned fraction
Ially lower. Poor condition of country
roads tended to limit marketings and
arrivals of cash grain at Minneapolis
market were smaller all around than
the week before Producers while
holding off to some extent awaiting
further legislative developments as
they might affect grain prices showed
disposition to market grains at
around current levels.
WHEAT: Stocks of wheat in the
United States on January 1, 1913,
totaled 1,162,418,000 bushels A break
down of this inventory showed the
stocks in the following positions: on
farms, 494,662,00O bushels; country
elevators, including CCC wheat in
steel and wooden bins, 2S3,221, 900
bushels; in commercial storage, 245,-
100000 bushels; and on hand at mer-
chant mills (unduplicated) 139,385,00
bushels.
Some injury to winter wheat has
been reported from weather condi-
lions in recent weeks. In southwest
ern portions of the belt, volunteer
wheat in western Kansas shows rath
er heavy damage from dryness and
earlier cold weather. In Oklahoma,
winter wheat appears to have with
stood the cold without severe injury
but fall sown oats have been severely |
damaged. More or less heaving due |
to alternate thawing and freezing has |
occurred in eastern portions of the |
belt In northern sections, including |
northern and northwestern Great |
Continued on Page Four)
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-02-19

Reports heard on all sides indicate
that Senator Murray is attempting to
find some soft job for Joe Parker,
former head of the state WPA organ
ization. Parker is one of Murray's
close friends and is now out of job.
In recent times Murray has found
places for John w. Nelson, ex-news-
paper publisher and Bill Fowler an
other good stooge 1t would appear
that Murray would like to have Park
er appointed United States marshal,
CONTINUED on Page Four)
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-02-19
CIVIL SERVICE
OFFERS JOBS
TO GRADUATES

| In move to recruit graduates
Especially women, for professional
service in fedral offices, the U. S.
Civil Service Commission has an
lnounced a new Junior Professional
Assistant examination to be given at
Helena, Mr. ]. D. Cough, local secre-
tary reported
WAR demands for college-trained
persons have created unusual oppor-
tunities for women in government Of
fees" Mr. Cough said "and those
who have completed or are about to
complete a full 4-year college course
in any field are urged to take the
Junior Professional test and make
their qualifications available to ap-
pointing officers filling Civilian War
Service positions"
Applicants with courses of study in
public administration, business admin
istration, economics, economic geo.
graphy, library science, history, pub
lie welfare, statistics, and methemat-
les are especially sought
Junior Professional Assistants start
at $4,000 a year plus overtime com
pensation making the total salary
so, 433 year.
A new U. S. Civil Service examina-
ton for Trainee, Scientific and Tech
nical Aid was also announced.
Inexperienced persons who have had
at least one unit of high school phys
les, chemistry, mathematics, biology,
or general science are eligible to take
the test. In government laboratories
at Washington, ID. c., those selected
will be paid to learn mechanical and
scientific techniques necessary to the
work of agencies as the National Blu
reau of Standards, the Weather Blu
-eau, the National Institute of Public
Continued ON Page FOur)
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-02-19
GOVERNOR FORD
VET0ES The
BANKERS BILL
lib AZ Shows Too Much
Favoritism While Other
Groups Facing Greater
Hardships Receive No
Consideration.

A. legislative move, initiated by
some of the bankers of the state, orig
inally providing for reduction il
classification for taxation of moneys
and credits and shares of banks ant
moneyed capital from 80 per cent tc
7 per cent, but amended from pei
cent to Is per cent by the senate, the
amendment being concurred in by the
house, ended on Tuesday when the
bill was returned by the governor
without approval and with the follow
ing message explaining his reasons
for his action in disappearing the
measure:
February 16, 1913
The Speaker of the House,
House of Representatives
Helena, Montana.
Herewith | am returning House Bill
No. AZ, entitled,
IAN act to amend Section 2000.6
of the Revised Codes of Montana of
1885, providing a basis for imposi-
ton of taxes on moneys and cred
its, moneyed capital and bank
shares,
without my approval and with my OBJ
jections thereto.
If approved, this measure would re-
duce the percentage of true and full
value of moneyed capital and shares
of banks, for taxing purposes, from
thirty 800 per cent to fifteen (15)
per cent-a reduction of fifty per cent.
While | am persuaded that under
existing conditions, conditions over
which they have no control, the banks
are justified in seeking some relief
from the heavy tax burden, yet it
must be admitted that similar situa-
ion exists in many small businesses
md with individuals.
Hundreds of small businessmen,
dealers, service station
operators, and so on, have been forced
)ut Of business by reason of restric-
ions growing out of the war, while
hundreds of others are barely able to
lang on. Yet no reduction in their
axes or assessments has been pro-
'osed, and they will be required to
'ay taxes on the same basis as in
revious years, regardless of their I'M
Apply plight.
The law as it stands today with
aspect to the taxation of shares of
anks has been in existence for many |
ears, and while it may be perfectly |
rue that our entire tax structure |
hould be revised, it seems to me that |
ntil that shall have been accom-
lished we should not select any one
roup for the bestowal of relief.
Here is another side to the present
uestion which may not be over
,oked. The reduction proposed in
his measure would result in a saving
, the banks of the state of approx
lately s150,O00 a year. 1t is highly
Improbable that counties, cities, and
,hool districts will be able to reduce
leir expenditures during the emer
sncy. On the contrary, it is but
,asonable to expect that their ex-
snditures will be increased because
the ever-increasing cost of opera {
on. In consequence this s150,000
wed to the banks would of necessity
} made up from other sources, name
i, increased property taxes.
House Bill No. AZ presents funda (
entail question of taxation: Are the
inks, by using a uniform standard ]
measurement under the existing {
Continued on Page FOUR
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-02-19
MONTANA'S
House of Lords
BY C. ]. CARLSON

Montana's controlled Legislature
continued on its reactionary way kill
ing all measures which might by any
wild stretch of imagination be termed
progressive" The representative
of the Tory elements in Montana are
well-entrenched this session, and lead
ership among the liberal group is sad
| ly lacking.
One of the tragic mistakes of this
session was the selection of Repre-
sentative Horrigan of Granite county
tions committee. Horrigan has showed
himself to be completely subservient
to the interests controlling the legis-
lature, and in addition, he is totally
without humane qualities. Under his
savage attack, the appropriations for
all state institutions were mercilessly
slashed. His committee deducted
some $4,000 from the appropriation
for the Montana state hospital at
Warm Springs. Conditions at this in
improvement, but now, with the great
ly decreased appropriation, the in
mates will suffer more than ever.
Nor did the educational institutions
fail to feel Horrigan's knife. 1t is
rumored that Horrigan never finished
at the State university, and for that
reason he has harbored a grudge
against that institution for many
years. If that is the case it is easy
to understand why the appropriation
for education was so severely dealt
with Naturally, the Representatives
of the special interests in Montana
are opposed to education, for they fear
what Montana's future citizens and
voters might do when the truth is
Tom Stout, Lewistown dem
ocrat, must share the blame with
Horrigan for the huge cuts education
has suffered. Stout and Horrigan and
Jim Dougherty of Powell county APP
Darently so controlled the committee
hat no one else was able to do any
hing.
Typical of the cheap politics and |
ow-down connivery apparently prac-
iced by Horrigan and his gang was
heir cutting of the fund granted to
he governor for the operation of the |
executive mansion. This fund, al
'eady slashed to the bone, was cut |
wen further by these representatives
If the governors own party. Another
,ital function which the committe has
lone its best to hamper is the Teach
RS Retirement fund Here again,
he representatives of the teachers
nd labor were dealt a heavy blow.
n fact, the Teachers Retirement fund
vas so mis-represented by Horrigan
hat a newspaper story was issued
citing the matter straight and rebuk-
ng Horrigan for his misleading utter
noes.
One sidelight of the session demon
trates the complete control exercised
y the company lobbyists. Douglas
Iold, rural school supervisor, on the
taft of the state superintendent Of
ublic instructor, was aiding teachers
I presenting their arguments in favor
{ increased retirement funds. 1t is
eliably reported that Bill Rae, lobby
Continued on Page FOur)
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-02-19
ASSEMBLY CONTINUES \
ATTITUDE OF IGNORING
INTERESTS OF PUBLIC
Evidence of Control of Both Houses by
Reactionary Interests PiIing Up AS Ses-
sion's Close Draws Nearer; Majority Holds
Caucus; Overriding of Veto On Houses
Pet Measure Gets Negligible Support.

While apprehension is evident the part of the
jory membership of both houses that record of legislation
being made that not be considered by the people of the
state deserving of their approval the march of action kill
with any remedial social implications appears
impossible to stay Progressive members have the impression
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-02-19
WHAT'S WHAT
in WASHINGTON
CONTRIBUTED

Reports from Washington indicate
that both Representative Mansfield
and Representative O'Connor voted
against the extension of the Dies com
mittee. They are to be congratulated
on voting against the continuation OF
this infamous committee which in sew
eral years of activity has done nothing
to expose subversive activity of Japs,
nazis, fifth column saboteurs, or other
evils, but instead has spent is time
and our money tracking down liberals
and progressives in the national gov
eminent.
This paper will continue to bring its
readers the votes of Montana's con-
gressmen and senators on important
public issues, just as we examine the
records of those elected to the state
legislature Both Mansfield n d
O'Connor were elected to office by
farm-labor groups, and they must real
ize that they are under an abiding
to vote against reaction and
for progressive measures.
A surprising story has been I'M
folded in Washington lately, and little
has been heard about it in Montana.
Recently, the department of justice
indictments for sedition
against some thirty-three alleged nazi-
sympathizers. William Maloney, a
crack justice department officer, was
appointed to handle the indictments
After the grand jury had met and re
.urned indictments, Senator Wheeler
If Montana protested that force and
coercion had been used by the Ma
oney group and that the testimony
lad been colored by those who were
seeking to smear the isolationists be-
ore Pearl Harbor. Wheeler was
oined in this complaint by Senator
wye of North Dakota and Representa-
i've Hoffman of Michigan-the we'll
,nown labor batting redbaiter. Attor-
ley General Biddle- replied that as
ar as he was concerned the case
would continue and the indictments !
would stand.
Wheeler Immediately announced |
hat unless Maloney was discharged
nd another prosecutor put in charge /
% would personally see that con-
ressional investigation of the affair
yould be had. No one paid much at
sntion to this threat of Wheeler, but
e proved he was a man not to be
rifled with In the organization OF
ne new congress, Wheeler was named
member of the all important steer
lg committee. AS such he had him
elf placed on a number of new and
nportant committees, one of which,
le Judiciary committee, handles mat
srs relating to the justice depart
tent. Wheeler, as a member of the
ldiciary committee, was capable OF
} much potential trouble that last
eek Biddle removed Maloney as spe-
al prosecutor and replaced him with
John Royce "a complete victory
II Wheeler.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-02-19
TEACHERS Retirement
INCREASE PROPOSAL
REPUDIATt = ;;' s I s.; '..', USE
Members Willing To Grant Bankers Relief
From Taxes But Enthusiastically Turn
Down Proposal Which Would Have Pro-
vided For Small Increase in Retirement
Pay to Teachers of the State.

Running FORM the lower house of the Montana egs
aure refused the states appropriation for its share
the teachers retirement fund from 100000 to $3.50 600 to
the five per of their salaries paid by the teachers
against want in their old The
defeated by vote of "a to 49,
Evening star., 1943-05-24
VINO Finds Labor Shortage
In Nine More Communities

Nine communities have been
added to the War Manpower Com
mission list of areas where acute
labor shortages exist. and two have
been removed from that classical
ton, the VINO announced today.
OF the 278 areas now classified as
a guide to procurement agencies in
placing war contracts. AZ are areas
of acute labor shortage; 81 areas of
labor stringency or in which labor
shortage may be anticipated within
six months; sc are areas in which a
general labor shortage may be an
ticipated after six months and 70
are areas in which the labor supply
is adequate to meet all known de-
mands.
The new groupings affect only
HagerstoWn, Md, in this region.
HagerstoWn has been transferred
from the classification of labor
stringency to the one in which
general labor shortage may be an
ticipated after six months.
Washington, Baltimore, Elkton,
Md, and Hampton Roads, Va. are
included in areas of acute labor
shortage,
Evening star., 1943-05-24
Joseph {. Williams, 50,
To Be Buried Tomorrow

Joseph E. Williams, SO, for many
years proprietor of drugstore at
70l South Carolina avenue Sc. who
died Friday at Providence Hospital
will be buried in Glenwood Gene
terry tomorrow, after funeral services
at 2 pm. at Lees funeral home
Fourth street and Massachusetts
avenue NE.
Mr.. Williams, born in Frostburg
Nd, came here as child. He was
educated in the public schools and
graduated from a school of phar-
macy. In 1910 he established his
drugstore at Seventh street and
South Carolina avenue Sc, which
he operated until his death.
Mr.. Williams was Mason. men,
ber of Almas Temple. Martha Chap
ter of the Order of Eastern Star,
and Trinity Methodist Church,
whose pastor. Dr. Daniel Justice.
will conduct the services.
He is survived by brother, John
Williams of California.
Evening star., 1943-05-24
Ann Sothern Married
To Robert Ster|ino
Nv the Associated press

BY the Associated Press.
VENTURA, Calf, May 24-Screen
Actress Ann Sothern and Robert
Sterling, an actor before he entered
the Army Air Forces. were married
yesterday at the Community Church,
with only few friends and rela-
tives attending. The Rev. Theodore
Henderson officiated.
They used their real names, Har-
riet Lake Pryer, 81, and William j.
Hart, q. Her divorce from Roger
Pryor, band leader, recently became
final
Miss Sothern will return to her
studios today. Mr.. Sterling, recov-
ering from an appendectomy, will
remain in Hollywood a week before
reporting to his base at Phoenix,
AriZ.
Evening star., 1943-05-24
Frank Word Ewing Dies;
Former A. P. Writer Here

Frank Word Ewing. "a, former
Associated Press editorial employe
in washington, Denver and New
York, died yesterday in Dallas, Tex.
He had been in hospital there for
six days, after spending several
months in hospital near Amarillo
A native of Texas. Mr.. Ewing
graduated from the University of
Oklahoma in 1881. Ten years later
the university selected him as one
Of three graduates of the class of
81 to receive a Phi Beta Kappa
membership.
Mr.. Ewing worked for the Daily
Oklahoman in Oklahoma City after
graduation. After several years on
that paper and on the Oklahoma
City Times he shifted to the Asso-
clated Press bureau in Denver.
From there he came to Washing
ton where he covered the Senate
and several other important beats"
He became seriously i'll in 1898 and
left the news service for about a
year and on his return to work he
was transferred to the New York
bureau.
In January, 1912. he was trans
ferred back to Washington and
shortly afterward suffered a re-
lapSe