The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1944-06-16

Tense plants of the nation. That pro
gram must include true water con
lservation, not insincere babblint
about "state rights; the rebuilding
and extension of our highways, will
particular attention to their use in the
future development of peoples avia
ton program; the complete electrifi
cation of our rural homes and farms
the production, generation, and devel
opment of public power; the expan
sion and improvement of our state in
situations and buildings; and def.
mite program to bring industry to
Montana by cooperating with the fed
eral government in its plans for re-
conversion, decentralization, and dis
position of government constructed
war plants To accomplish this we
insist that we must have a new peo-
pies governor and state legislature
to carry out vigorously, sincerely and
honestly. and without petty partisan
consideration such a program to make
Montana better place in which to
live.
6. We demand a liberalization of
our outmoded workmens compensa-
ton act to provide an increase in
the rate of payments to the injured
worker, or the dependents of those
killed in industry Such rates must
be based on wages, working condi-
lions, and the increased cost of living
of the present day, instead of those
existing in 1916 as is the case today
with slight exception. Occupational
diseases must be included under the
act as compensatory, not on the pres
ent welfare or relief idea, under which
the general taxpayer pays the bill of
the wealthy corporations for its liabil-
ity for the exploitation of the human
resources of our state. Plans l and 2
of the Workmen's Compensation Act
by which the employers and private
insurance companies either avoid pay
ment of compensation, or fight the
worker to the courts of last resort,
must be repealed. Compensation must
be paid during the tendency of any ac-
ton before the state Industrial acct
dent board or the courts, so that in
jured workers may not be forced to
starve during these delays, and event
1ally be driven to unfair settlement or
of his case. Compensation
delayed is compensation denied.
T. We urge the amendment of the
compensation laws to
provide payments for the worker I'M
employed because of sickness, or ill |
ness, and an increase in the number
If weeks during which payment is
made, and increased payments for the |
period of unemployment. We main
ain that the present reserve fund is |
lmple to provide for this liberaliza-
ion, and that it should be used for
he purpose for which it was collected
greater social security for the work
II and his family, whether it be in in
ustry, agriculture, or so-called do
nestle employment The coverage
hould be broadened to include the
armer and worker in agriculture, and
tate and federal employees, and all
persons in domestic employment
8. We call for the creation of a
eparate Department of Labor in our
tate government, with adequate APP
ropriations for, and complete person
ell to handle efficiently and capably
he great problems confronting labor
n this state. We must insist that full
nd adequate appropriations be made
or the effective and proper enforce
nent of our safety laws, and the en-
ctment of additional safety legisla-
ion to cover workers in all industries
lot now included.
8. We condemn the cruel and in