Montana labor news., 1944-02-17
MONTANALABO NEWS OBSERVES 20 YEARS
OF SERVICE TO COMMUNITY AND STATE

This issue of the Montana Labor News constitutes a
record of continuous publication for twenty years. IL was
Just 20 years ago that a group OF progresslye-mlnded
union men of the city of Butte, seeing the need for a labor
paper that would feaIlessly carry the true word OF union
ism to the reading public, decided on a weekly publication
that has ever since been known as the Montana LABOR
News.
Other labor papers had been published III Butte, one OF
them being the Butte Socialist. 1t was printed on HalTl-
son avenue. Later the Butte Bulletin was started III the
Methodist church at the corner OF Idaho ana Galeha
streets This building is now occupied by the Daly-Shea
undertaking establishment. The Bulletin had a short but
stormy career. During the first World War II was a par
ticipant in many dramatic incidents. 1t was beleYed at
that time that certain corporations were DESTROYS OF smash
mo any paDpr that leaned toward the working men and
they organized an insidious campaign to destroy 1t. Loyal
union men fought to continue operations but the opposl-
ton of the corporations and unfortunate developments
inside proved toe strong and the building OF the Old
Methodist church and the machinery OF the Butte Bulleth
were ~liquidated in a mortgage.
Some time after the demise of the Butte Daily Bulletin
a group of men including Jack Driscol., vice president OF
the Montana State Federation of Labor; elem Burkhard,
then secretary of the Silver Bow Trades and Labor Coun-
ell: Charles GiIdea, Charles Whitley, Frank CleaVes,
John Mclean and others organized a committee Tor tle
purpose of starting the present Montana Labor News as a
weekly newspaper devoted to the interests OF organized
labor.
The Montana Labor News was first edited by Charles
Gildea then by Frank Cleaves, a member OF the Bute
Tvpographical Unicn. After his death the press commit
tee of the Trades and Labor Council appointed the lale
Walter Shea as editor. Mr.. Shea had had considerable
experience in newspaper work and was a frequent con-
tributor to national magazines. ~
After Walter Shea resigned the late Rev. Charles Sebold
Of the Congregational church was appointed editor After
tba Rev. Sebold's death Clarence b. BleWett CT tine BUS
Drivers Union. the present editor of the Montana Labor
News was elevated to that position.
The Montana Labor News as the mouthplece for the 0H-
ven Row. Trades and Labor Council follows the policy 81
the Council in supporting all union organizations @t@ 4% mf Poa
inc the American Federation of Labor, the V!O' pe haH-
road Brotberhoods and maffiliated organizations because
it feels that matters pertaining to am. union oIgailzaq ion
is Of benefit to all organized labor in its fight against the
vested interests for its rightful place in this great COM
monwealth of the United States Of America. i,
It is hoped that this policy and its service to organized
labor has been of benefit and its editor, Clarence b.. Blew
EFT assures all members Of organized labor that the fght
for a more perfect organization Of union men and women
viii he his chief ain through the columns OF tine
Labor News. 1t is his desire to publish the real news pc
hind the work of organized labor which is largely sup
pressed in the columns of the corporation-oWned daily
newspapers of our nation. e Ao
ME Montana Labor News is printed at the plant OF the
Butte Independent Printers, which has a long ana OUT
standing reputation for catering to the printing needs OIL
the community and especially to the unions and other pro-
oresSive groups.