davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-03-12
O'BRIEN removal
Demanded BY
UNION DELEGATES

At a meeting held in the Butte
Miners Union hall Sunday, March 7,
attended by delegates from the vari-
GUS ALL and CLIO unions, the follow
ing action was taken.
Motion carried to the effect that
each delegate recommend to his local
union that they petition their Inter
national Union headquarters to de-
mand the war labor board to remove
James O'Brien, as commissioner of
the nonferrous metals commission be-
cause of his opposition to labor in
the recent nonferrous metals commits
sion directive order.
This action was taken after series
of meetings, there being no dispute
existing between the AFL and CLIO
unions, but O'Brien's removal is de-
manded because of his actions on the
nonferrous metals commission dfrec-
tive, which plainly show that he is
not true representative of labor.
A mass meeting will be called in
Anaconda, Butte and Great Falls in
the near future to acquaint all work
ers involved with the true facts.
JOINT AFL-CIO COMMITTEE.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-03-12
Thirteen CREDIT
'C0-0PS PAY
DIVIDENDS

At the annual meetings of the 10
production credit association that de-
clared dividends, most of the mem
bers decided to convert their dividend
checks into War Savings Bonds and
Stamps Four associations declared
dividends this year for the first time.
They were the Riverhead Production
Credit Association located on Long
Island. the Baker Klamath Falls, and
the Northwest Livestock Production
Credit Association, all located in Ore
gon.
To the Riverhead association went
the honor of being the first of these
credit co-operatiyes in the eastern
states to pay a dividend on its stock.
The associations which paid dividends
again this year are the Wyoming
Production Credit Association t
Casper, Wyoming, the Bozeman asso-
citation in Montana, the Alliance, and
North Platte associations in Nebraska,
the Albuquerque Production Credit
Association in New Mexico, and the
Nevada, Utah, and Montana
Livestock Production Credit associa-
TONS All these associations had pre-
viously built up the substantial re-
CURED reserves against possible fu-
ture losses. In addition, number
Of other associations located in vari-
Gus parts of the country were in such
financial condition that they could
have paid dividends, but decided to
use their earnings to increase their
reserves against possible future losses
even though they had established the
required reservs. Dividends paid by
he associations varied from to 5
per cent. Dividends were paid at the
same rate on the non-yoting stock
Continued on Page Four)
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-03-12
GOVT. NEEDS
Marketing
SPECIALISTS

Agricultural marketing specialists
in many commodities are sought for
civilian war service, the Civil Service
Commission announced Appointments
will be made in foreign countries, as
well as throughout the United States,
and in Washington, d. c.
Salaries range as high as $4,000 a
year, but most of the appointments
to be made will pay from $4,000 to
$4,000 year. Overtime on the basis
of 2196 of the first $4,000 will be paid
in cases where the aggregate COM
Persons are needed to work with
marketing problems as affected by
lend-lease, food distribution, and other
war activities in such fields as. cot
ton, dairy products, fats and oils,
feeds, fruits and vegetables, grains,
livestock, meats, poultry and eggs,
tobacco, and wool. Persons with edu-
cation and experience in other fields
may be used, and applicants should
indicate such fields on the application
In general, applicants for the junior
grade $4,000 a year, must have had
8 years of experience, college train
ing, or a combination of the two, in
agricultural products.
Qualifying experience may have been
gained while employed in marketing,
scientific, government, or educational
The minimum require
ments for the higher grades are pro-
greater. For many of
the positions some background of
farming experience is required. Abil-
ity to speak, write, or read any for
eign language should be mentioned in
the application.
Applications will be accepted at the
Civil Service Commission, Washing
ton, D. c., until further notice, but
qualified persons are urged to apply
There are no age limits
and no written examination will be
given. Complete information and APP
plications may be obtained at first
and second-class post offices, from
civil service regional offices, and from
the Commission at Washington, D. G.
Persons using their highest skills
in war work are not encouraged to
apply.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-03-12
COMPENSATION
FUND ample TO
MEET CLAIMS
Sufficient Funds On Hand
In the Workmen's Compen-
sation Fund To Meet Heavy
Demands Caused by the
Bearcreek Mine Disaster.

The state WOrkmen'S compensation
fund is well able to meet all the COM
pensation obligations arising out of
the Bearcreek disaster without any
impairment of the fund, according to
J. Burke Clements, chairman of the
Industrial Accident Board.
The Montana Coal and Iron COM
pany, employers of the IA men who
died at the Smith Coal Mine in Bear
creek, carried it's workmens compen-
sation with the state of Montana, and
the fund.- which is technically known
as the Industrical Accident Fund has
cash and investments of $1,400,000 in
the reserve fund. This is the highest
figure the fund has ever reached.
]. Burke Clements, chairman of the
board has issued the following state
ment regarding the compensation for
the victims of the Bearcreek disaster.
'The Industrial Accident Fund is
able to meet each and every financial
obligation arising out of the Bear
creek disaster. Of the total fund of
81, 100000 we have on hand 100000 in
cash, the bulk of the balance is in
United States, government bonds. 4
close estimate of the amount of COM
pensation and funeral expenses which
will finally be paid ON account of the
Bearcreek disaster is $454,900. This
estimate may be increased, as we are
not sure what our obligation is in
several cases. In any event, we do
not expect it to go over the half mil
lion mark. The payments will be
made without impairing the state
fund.
''This disaster, l believe, ranks sew
enth in size in mining disaster in the
United States since 1900. The fam
lilies of those who have been killed
need have no fear but what all the
payments will be met promptly. The
compensation is paid to the widows
on the monthly basis and the pay
ments begin four weeks from the date
Of the happening.
"The funeral allowance in death
cases has been $4,000 but the 28th
legislative assembly passed law in
this amount to $4,000. The
bill was in Governor Ford's hands on
the day of the disaster and since it |
provided that it becomes effective
upon approval of the executive, Gov
srnor Ford signed it on that day after
learning of the accident, so that the
widows of those who were lost in the
mine might get the benefit of the new
law.
1.-THE total amounts of compensa- |
ion to be paid widows of those killed |
varies from $4,000 minimum to $S,40O |
maximum in each case. Compensa-
Continued on Page Four
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-03-12
JOBS OPEN in
CIVIL SERVICE

The United States Civil Service
Commission announces number of
openings in the government service.
Particularly desired at this time are
applicants in the following positions:
Trainee, traffic controller (airway
and airport), $500 per annum.
Skilled trades in both Panama Ca
at salaries ranging up to S1.62 per
hour.
acknowledgements at an initial sal
airy of $1,000 per annum are needed
for employment in the Helena trade
school Anyone sixteen years of age
or older may apply for this position
and if accepted, will be appointed i'm
mediately to take this mechanical
training. After completion of a 90-day
training period, employees will be
transferred to various sub-depots of
the United States Army Air Corps
throughout the northwest. Rapid
promotion is available in this. field.
All of the above quoted salaries
are subject to approximately Fl per
cent increase due to overtime regu-
lations now in effect
Persons already engaged in war
work which employees equal or greater
skill should not apply.
Interested applicants are urged to
write Wallace c. Sharples, Special
Representative, United States Civil
Service Commission, Placer Hotel,
Helena, Montana.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-03-12
PROGRAM
FAVORS THE
BIG FARMERS

The next few months may see the
planting of delayed action bombs of
initiation that will explode after the
war Reliance upon higher prices,
bounties and Undetermined admins
tration of unrelated forms of farm
credit will increase profits for the
commercialized farms. (But it will
not step up production on most of the
five million undercapitalized farms
(out of total of six million farms)
whose average gross cash income,
even in 1912, was little over $1,000 a
piece. These farms could produce
only about one-third the farm prod
ucts this past year but under a single
Food Production Administration, they
could in 1913 have increased their pro-
duction by one-third and in 1914 an
other third, according to careful esti-
mates.)
Under the present program, the
economic advantage which CONNER
cialized agriculture has enjoyed I'M
der AAA will be increased, the "trac-
toring off the land" of working farm
families will be speeded up and 1,500,-
900 farm boys and men returning from
the war and from war production in
dustries will find fewer opportunities
to re-enter agriculture except as la
borers or tenants in chain-farming
operations.
Hope is that farmers, wage-earners,
business men and religious groups
will see the danger in trying to use
prices as chief tool in getting abund
ant production of food for war, victory
and a decent peace. prices are out
the window" Donald Nelson said
more than year ago when American
industry was beginning final CONVEX
sion to an about war basis.
Abundant food production, as NFU
has been saying for a long time, re-
quires integrated action to get all the
tools and weapons the farmers need;
credit, machinery, manpower, fertil-
izer, feed, seed, crop insurance, parity
floors, and supervision. II requires
that the government get out of Wash
ington, out of the swivel chairs and
"go down the road" to the farmers,
each and every one and,
when necessary, pushing credit, sows,
cows, sheep, machinery, fertilizer, and
other needed items on those who can
use them most productivity. 1t means
seeing tn at farm manpower is
matched with productive land in eff
cient units, relocating some expert
enced farm families, throwing too
small units together, breaking up UNI
economically large units. 1t means
fighting for the working farmers up
at the top, seeing to it that he and |
his co-operatives get the critical ma
terials and machinery they need and |
fair treatment in the sale and distri- |
button of their products
Such a program has been discarded |
for the time being. Wickard is trying |
to do the job and leave the various
agencies of the department as they |
have been, unconverted to unified
basis.-F u. Newsletter.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-03-12
Austin-W adswOrth
Bill Is Blueprint
For Dictatorship

When a president of an employers
association testifies in favor of bill
to weaken unions he shouldn't pose as
an impartial person. But that's ex-
actly what ex-Sen. Edward R. Burke
of Nebraska did in giving his testi-
mony in favor of the Austin-Wads-
worth national war service bill.
He is president of the Southern
Coal Producers Association, which
represents $3.50 of the bituminous coal
producers in the country, principally
those in the Southern Appalachian
region. On March 10th negotiations
start for a new contract for these
workers. all of whom are under closed
shop agreements with the United
Mine Workers.
Mr.. Burke seconded the testimony
of Rep. Wadsworth, who supported an
amendment to the bill by Senator
Austin. designed to destroy the closed
shop by permitting non-union men as
signed to closed shop factories to
work there without abiding by the
terms of the employers contract with
the union.
The bill would give the President
power to draft labor of men and wom-
en- through selective service machin-
cry for agricultural and industrial
work deemed essential to the war eff
fort. 1t is getting better known as
the "Slave Labor BILL" because it
would bring people to involuntary
servitude for private employers.
Numerous witnesses have been
called on the bill, and hearings will
go on till the end of March, it is ex-
pected. The Workers Defense League
has requested that time be allotted
for it's national secretary, Morris Mil
gram, to be heard in opposition to
this measure. Since the bill is a blue
print for fascist control of labor, it is
certain that vigorous opposition to the
bill will be heard.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-03-12
SWEDEN'S LIVING
STANDARD HIGHEST

NEW YORK.-'In Europe the one
country that has the highest standard
of living, Sweden, is the country that
has more non-profit enterprises srch
as co-operatiyes and public ownership
than any other democratic country >
Harry W. Ladder, director of the
League for Industrial Democracy de-
clared in a nationwide broadcast,
"Wake Up America" over the Blue
network, February IA. Il believe that
under such non-profit system we
would find that the common people
were obtaining far higher standards
than under an insecure competitive
system" DR.. Ladder said.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-03-12

priating money for state boards
and offices was adopted and
the brief ceremonies in connec-
ton with adjournment sine die
were signaled by the rap of
the gavel by the presiding Off
GERS in both the lower house
and the senate.
Some increases were granted state
institutions over the amounts first
fixed as appropriations by the lower
house. However, many members felt
that the appropriations for the higher
educational institutions as finally
agreed upon by the two houses were
too low. The same was true of the
appropriations for the water conser-
walton board and several of the other
agencies. An increase was made over
the appropriation two years ago for
the state hospital at Warm Springs,
however, it is generally conceded that
the appropriation made is still not
large enough to assure competent and
adequate care and comfort of the I'M
fortunates there.
Except for t h e small increase
granted after a bitter and prolonged
fight, to the teachers retirement fund
and sop for labor in the form of
a small increase in burial expense
allowance for victims of industrial ac-
cidents, and provisions for supplying
artificial limbs to those losing their
limbs in industrial accidents, labor
mdae no gains during the session, de-
spite the efforts made by the presi-
dents of both the ALL and CLIO and
other legislative representatives of
the major organized labor bodies
That organized labor was able to
block efforts made to pass Senate
Bill ISL, vicious anti-labor bill in
troduced by Arnold, may be consid-
cred a real victory for labor.
Farm Legislation
lib 232 which passed both houses
was of direct interest to the farmers
clarifying the requirements in regard
to licensing trucks used by farmers
for hauling their own products to mar
ket. 1t provides that the farmers are
not required to obtain an MIRO Ii
cense to do that.
The measure exempting the fees
collected by the state grain division
for inspecting and grading grains
from the provisions of HB 10 passed
bv the previous session requiring all
fees collected to be turned in to the
general fund of the state, passed both
houses with no opposition except from
the Montana Taxpayers Association
and its stooges in the lower house,
and the bill is now in the hands OF
the governor, and action by him is
CONTINUED on Page Four)
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-03-12
SOUTH IS FOOD
BOTTLENECk
FOR PRODUCTION

The senate committee on agricul-
ture, headed by Senator Cotton Ed
Smith of South Carolina, was in
formed that greatest bottleneck in
food production is in the south H.
l.. Mitchell, secretary of the Southern
Tenant Farmers Union, whose head
quarters are in Memphis, Tenn, urged
the committee to mobilize sharecrop-
pers from the south to help meet farm
labor needs in other sections.
He informed the committee that
this organization had co-oprated with
the war manpower commission and
the Farm Security Administration in
1000 cotton pickers to
Arizona during November and Deem
Der and that he knew someone blum
dered when the army was ordered
recently to send soldiers into Arizona
to pick cotton, inasmuch as over half
of his unions members sent to Ari-
IONA had been returned home by the
government. He charged that a few
growers had attempted to us the
army to break down standards set up
by the government for farm labor.
Mitchell said that 500 members of
the Southern Tenant Farmers Union
had recently been sent to Florida to
help harvest vegetables and that they
wre Woodworking honest churchgoing
folk and resented the implication that
they were the type of people de-
scribed by l.. l.. Chandler, Farm Blu
reau spokesman from Miami who on
February % told the committee that
workers brought in by the govern
ment to supply farm labor needs in
1ulged in gambling, drinking and or
gies in the fields.
"The fundamental reason for farm
Continued on Page Four)
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-03-12

Facing practically impossible situation the officials of the
penentary the Boulder institution for the feeble minded
and the state hospital for the insane at Warm Springs will
be compelled before the board examn-
and authorization to exceed the def
cheney appropriations made by the legislature the
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-03-12
WRIGHT TO
SPEAK ON
COOP PROGRAM
Frank Lloyd Wright To Tell
OF "Broadacres City" in
Coop Radio Broadcast;
Julie Hayden Stars in "Here
Is Tomorrow"

NEW YORK.-Frank Lloyd Wright,
world famous architect, will be the
chief speaker in the radio program,
Houses of Tomorrow" Sunday after
noon, March IA, the fifth of a series
of nationwide radio broadcasts en-
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-03-12

~JlOHS lOI IHe REMAINDER Oh the
/ present fiscal year.
Each of the institutions had been
compelled to ask for a deficiency APP
preparation to meet advancing costs
of labor and supplies, and despite the
recommendations of the special in
vestigating committee appointed to
| investigate he State Hospital
Warm Springs published in full in
this issue of The Peoples Voice. the
| Legislature reduced the sum asked for
by about $4,000. Deficiency appro-
priations asked by the other insti-
tutions met the same fate. Presum-
ably the leaders of the lower house,
under the influence of the Montana
Taxpayers Association, anxious to
establish a record of economy, gave
no heed to the possible consequences
entailed by their actions. AS a re-
suit of their reactionary policy, the
situation may conceivably develop to
the point where a special session of
the legislature might have to be called
to deal with the conditions and should
this become necessary, the RESPONSE
bility for it would rest squarely on
the shoulders of the hopelessly reac-
tionary and not too intelligent leader
ship in the lower house and particu-
larly in the appropriations commit
tee, headed by Wrong Way" Horri-
gan.
Rising Costs
The 1871 session of the legislature
could hardly be blamed for failing to
make appropriations sufficiently large,
not being able to foresee the country
becoming involved in the World War
during the biennium, with the ineyita-
BILE rise in food, other necessities, and
labor costs; nor could the heads of
the institutions foresee those contin-
gencies.
These excuses cannot be made for
the recently ended legislature. The
appropriations committee apparently
did not apply ordinary business judg-
ment in its consideration of the re-
quests of the state institution heads.
The costs of necessities in the way of
food and clothing for the inmates
have advanced about 40 per cent dur
ing the past year Before fixing the
sums, it was certainly the duty of
the committee to make some investi-
cation concerning every feature in
with the conduct of the
doing less than that
would indicate clearly their disregard
Of good business procedure in their
effort to please the clients of the
Montana Taxpayers Association.
The figures showing comparative
costs in 1941 and 1912, of many of the
staple commodities purchased by the
state for the state institutions were
secured from the state purchasing
agent. Similar comparative costs
could have been obtained by the ap-
committee of the house.
4 it did secure such figures and still
insisted on reducing appropriations,
heir lack of business judgment or
heir lack of concern for their fellow
men, is clearly enough indicated by
he story contained in the tabulation
If comparative costs. The tabulation
ollows:
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-03-12
CORRECTION

CORRECTION
We, as representatives of labor,
who have watched every move of men
in the 1913 legislative session, were
very much disappointed in an article
written by Mr.. c. ]. Carlson on page
one, column 6, addition of March 5,
1943, of The Peoples Voice wherein
he states:
Organized labor in Montana
learned bitter lesson in this ses-
sion. They did not have one labor
man upon who mthey could count
CONTINUED on Page Four
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-03-12

With increases the amounts appropriated by the
house approved by conference committees but generally
falling below the requirements estimated by the senate finance
committee, the three day hagglng appropr
both ended late last Sunday afternoon when
of the conference committee the bill
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-03-12

unite and they must take steps to
elect their own members to legislative
posts. Until that is done, the same
old story will be unfolded year after
year. Progressive legislation will die
aborning because it first saw the
light of day in an unfriendly atmos-
phere.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-03-12
LEGISLATURE LEAVES
State Institutions
IN SERIOUS CONDITION

Failure to Appropriate Sufficient Funds
Threat To Efficient Conduct of Peniten-
tiary, State Hospital at Warm Springs and
The Boulder Institution; Requested Def
cheney Appropriations Cut for Each.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-03-12
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
ADJ0V 80. =. e late Sunday:
COmPROmISL FUNDS

Many Of the Increases in Appropriations
For State Services Made by the Senate,
Reduced by Action Of Conference Commit
tees Appointed; Three Additional Days
Spent Haggling; Many Members Disguised.
Evening star., 1943-11-10
Biggest Job Your Advertising Ever Faced!

Between peace and rehabilitation 10 million service
men must be absorbed into industry.
This means holding the total number of jobs at close
to today high levels. with millions of women work.
ers, workers over age and under age making way.
Somehow, sometime-our national debt-the price
of victory-must be liquidated
Somehow-we must find way back to our own free
unregimented way of living and working.
There is route, and only one route to all three
That is BUYING POWER-on a larger scale than
ever before.
If we can find way to build this enormous buying
power, jobs will make themselves; debt be lqu-
dated and RECOMMENDATION can be thing of the past
Charles E. Wilson, former president of the General
Electric Company, IF ye don't give the
American people their brthright some other system
will attempt the job.
Your advertising holds a key to buying power .
building sales; it builds jobs jobs build buying pouer
and-more jobs.
Can it build buying power on this gigantic scale?
Today for the first time in history Wage Garner
families-the biggest part of America-are buying in
proportion to their numbers Today they constitute
two-thirds of the market for consumer goods. They
have the biggest share in backlog of war savings