The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-04-09
The M. E. A.

Probably many the teaching profession in the state
take the attitude that their organization the Montana Educa
ton Association is their business and that It's conduct
the Of no other group Some will contend that the
problems teaching profession beyond the compre
general public With both of these disagree
believe in the absolute neces-
sity organization by groups national life Under our
competitive it the only safeguard Tor the interests
of minority Under different economy the purposes
of the organization would probably be to strengthen and
the contribution of the group the national interests
be sure probably of the protested purposes
Education Association to contribute to better
efficient educational methods However, in general
the procedures of the MA follows closely the pattern of the
Education Association which in the recent past has
demonstrated its close working partnership with the United
States Chamber of Commerce. and of the principal
of the tenet of the USCC is of its antagonsm toward
labor for its presumption seeking TAR return Tor us
services.
So we find the in position of working for
adequate for services rendered by the teachers of the
stae publication maintains discreet silence
that subject Some of the leaders the MA have stated that
they object teachers forming sort of union
but do not them to form union affiliated in manner
with the national labor organizations They would much pre-
the teachers of the state sarve their Ivory tower
join organization which might be of
advantage them In this attitude, the MEA be
said to be following the lead OF the USCC and the National
Manufacturers the Montana Taxpayers Asso
ciaton the Associated Industries and other similar oganiza
tons
During of the legislature the teachers of
the state sought appropriation for their Teachers Retire
ment Fund It was bitterly fought particularly
$4,000 required bring the needs of the fund for retire
demands point where adequate retirement
allowance could be paid In this effort according
assembly who the need and justice of the
request representative of the Montana Educational Asso
citation took only slight and at the best hahearted in
terest.
the interest taken by the teachers of the state
particularly the members Federation of Teachers the
the Montana Education Associa
compelled perhaps discuss the action of the egis
258 the appropriang for the
teachers retirement fund.
The Journal publishes roll call published
by The Voice during the session. but preaces it with state
the effect of making its publication
useless the standpoint of giving the teachers under
standing of what the roll call indicates
The Journal says "When the committee of the whole
report motion to segregate and roll call be had
called for which resulted in victory of 4442 The roll
call the motion segregae is printed. WE, HOWEVER,
WARN YOU THAT 1T WOULD NOT BE FAIR TO ACCEPT
THIS VOTE AS STRICTLY FOR AND AGAINST THE
TEACHERS RETIREMENT" Capitals ours.)
Apparently fearful that of the stoopigeons of the
interests among who voted mo- the motion
should inquire why they voted against
segregate, Mr. Moe follows the roll call with
suggested which be used by them Certainly this
very conderate of him and will doubt cement his friend
ship with the reaconary But just how the
of the teachers of the state quite beyond
With statement made in discussion of the 28th legs
ave assembly Moe heartily agree when he
eve teachers) else blame but ourselves for
made With the type of leadership
the expressions the Journal the teachers of the
may hope bettermen in their economic status until
the majority exercises its democratic rights and dictates the
policies of MEA unions affiliated with other
the small group of reaconary principals and supernend
directing policies will then die and the
will have little for mourning
death.