davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Montana labor news., 1944-04-27
Silver Bow Unit to Form
Permanent Organization

Silver Bow County Unit of the Mon
tana Council for Progressive Political
Action will elect permanent officers and
plan a registration campaign at a meet
ing to be held at Miners Union hall next
Sunday afternoon, April 80, at 2 o'clock.
The need for more unified political
action was never so apparent as in the
coming political campaign. The anti
labor sentiment in the last session of the
Montana Legislature and in the present
session Of Congress, the inability or I'M
willingness of Congress to stabilize the
rising cost of living, while at the same
time freezing wages, should be clearly
indicative of the fact that u supposed
representatives are out Of touch with
those who toll for an existence.
The post wal program, if left to the
present legislators and members Of Con-
gress, will probably fall far short Of the
needs of our returned veterans. With
these thoughts in mind a tentative or
ganization had been formed for the pur-
pose Of s%crutinizing the records Of all
aspirants to political offices of policy
making nature. In short, the aim of
the Political Action Committee is to
"elect u friends and defeat u enc
mics"
A cordial invitation is extended to all
members Of organized labor and to every
progressive minded voter in Silver Bow
county to attend and participate in the
activities of the organization.
Montana labor news., 1944-04-27
WHO SAID ASALES
TAX WAS FAIR?
BY W. L. SNYDER

Figures released by Randolph Paul
general council to the Treasury, show
that a 1917 sales tax would hit the low
income group more than three times as
hard as it does the top income group.
Paul stated that a general 1Oaa sales
tax would approximate a 100 tax on
the income of a person earning less than
$500 a year; six per cent on an income
between $4,000 and $500 a year, and
only three per cent on an income above
$4,000.
The ultra-rich have gone back three
thousand years and dug up the barbar-
our general sales tax system. 1 quote
from Doctor Alfred D. Buehler. profess
sor of economies in the University Of
Vermont, in a book written by him and
published in 1882.
Dorctor Buehler says on page three of
his book: THE general sales tax EN- p
ployed by Spain after the beginning of
the fourteenth century, has received The
attention of students Of taxation for
many years. Starting in the early
Middle Ages in the communes. it was
introduced as a national tax in 1342. Ii
included virtually all articles and was
levied at first at the rate of II per
cent, then at five per cent, and later at
ten per cent, on all sales. The general
sales tax led to not a little difficulty,
but it was continued by the absolute
monarchs who we're at their wits ends
to find some method Of balancing the
Continued on Page Four
Montana labor news., 1944-04-27
Left ERICKSON
ADDRESSES SOUTH
SIDE DEMOCRATS

Left Erickson, associate Justice Of the
Montana Supreme Court and candidate
for Governor on the Democratic ticket,
spoke at a we1l-attended meeting of the
South Side Democratic club at Butte,
Thursday, April 20. In his remark
Judge Erickson cited the need for ag.
gressive, liberal leadership in Montana
for the postwar years. He called at.
tention to a few Of the more glarine
mistakes Of the present state admins
tration and to the complete failure 0.
the last legislature to enact any pro
gressive and forward-looking legislation
He attributed this failure Of the legis-
lature to enact progressive laws to tn
lack Of leadership from the head Of tn
party. He pointed out that one of tn
main planks in the platform of tn
present Governor when he was elected
was a complete cleanup at Warn
Springs and adequate support for tina
institution.
Judge Erickson briefly pointed out that
far from accomplishing that result, con-
ditions there are as d%eplorable today as
they were when the Governor took
office. He said that full responsibility
for that condition must rest with this
Montana labor news., 1944-04-27
Butte Youths at Marine
Base in California

Now at the Marine Corps Base. San
Diego, Calf, are Private Walter G..
Johnson, 1854 Garrison avenue; Private
Raymond L.. Osier, 419 East Galena, Pri-
vate Jack P. Seller, 37O1 Harrison, and
Private Gerald Holm, 1852 East Galena,
who completed their enlistment at state
headquarters station, Lewisohn building.
a short time ago.
The Butte men selected the Marine
corps as their branch of service at the
time Of their induction examination.
Private Johnson, who has been associated
in the operation Of Eddie's Lounge, was
born and reared in Butte. Mrs. johnson
and children, Walter Conrad, 9, and
Dorothy Diane, 5, will continue to live
here Private Osier has been employed
as a meatcutter at the Columbus Meat
Market. Mrs. Osier and Richard Ray
mond, 5, will continue to make their
home at 4l9 East Galena. His parents.
Mr.. and Mrs. Jack Osier, reside in Walk
erville.
Private Seller has been employed as a
w-arehouseman for the ACM. Mrs. Seller
and daughter, Aria Lee, 6, will also con-
tinue to make her home in Butte. Pri-
vate Holm's parents, Mr.. and Mrs. James
Holm, live at S52 East Galena. Private
Holm has been working in the a de-
partment Of the Great Northern rail-
way.
Montana labor news., 1944-04-27
Earl Simmons Here
on Cancellation Case

Earl Simmons, the United States gov
eminent c%onciliator. has been in Butte
the last week assisting in completing
wage negotiations with some of the
unions, especially the Clerks and Team
sters. In fact Mr.. Simmons stated that
he had an assignment to assist nearly
all Of the Transfers locals in the state.
Since Mr.. Simmons was appointed United
States consiliator a permanent office has
been established in Butte. This is rather
gratifying because this is the first time
since the Cancellation service was estab-
lished, thirty-one years ago, that there
has been a permanent office in Butte.
Montana labor news., 1944-04-27
WARD STOCKHOLDERS
CROSS
MISMANACEMENT

CHICAGO=FP)-A mass protest is
being organized by Montgomery Ward;
annual stockholders meeting here April
% by a group Of minority stockholders
who charge that the present strike OF
more than 1000 employees at the huge
Chicago mail order house is the result
Of gross company mismanagement and
defiance Of the U. S. government.
The strike was called April IL by Local
20, United Retail Wholesale & Dept.
Store Employees (CIO) to enforce a Ma
tional War Labor Board order directing
Wards to continue collective bargaining
with the union. More than 800 Of the
workers are out. Members of AFL tele-
phone, building service and teamsters
unions have refused to cross the picket
lines. This is the first authorized strike
by a CLIO local in Chicago in wartime.
The protesting stockholders group, led
by Atty. Frank w. McCulloch, has sent
out a statement to all stockholders re-
vealing the anti-labor record Of the COM
pany under Board Chairman Sewel Avery
and asking for proxy votes TO elect two
prominent Chicago citizens to the board
Of directors to remedy the situation.
Charging that the stockholders inter
ests are seriously threatened by manage
ment's anti-labor actions, the statement
asserts that management "G) has defied
the U. S. government and is fighting it,
instead Of expanding the energy in help
ing fight the nations enemies, % is the
s%pearhead Of a small group which las
attempted to destroy the authority Of
the wLB, 90 persists in discrimination
against racial and religious minorities in
its hiring policies"
you and I are also stockholders in a
much bigger c~oncern-the United States
of America" the statement declares.
and our interests as citizens in the
nations victory are also threatened by
the management's inexcusable defiance
Continued on Page Four)
Montana labor news., 1944-04-27
LEWIS DEMANDS IL
MILLION BACK PAY
FOR COAL MINERS

WASHINGTON-(FP)-Pres. John L.
Lewis of the United Mine Workers Cun-
affiliated demanded, April Is, that the
government direct the soft coal oper-
ators to distribute S18 million in retro
active portal-to-portal pay to their EN-
ployes.
Lewis statement recalled that the Ma
tional War Labor Board had approved
the union agreement with the operators
covering payment Of $40 per employee in
settlement Of back portal-to-portal pay
and that President Roosevelt had prom
ised the miners that if the WLB ap-
proved it, any adjustment would be ret
roactive.
The union agreement with the Illinois
Coal Operators association, covering the
$40 per miner payment was approved by
the WLB, oct. 26, 1943, and President
Roosevelt in his radio address of May
2, 1943, stated that if the WLB ap-
proved any adjustment Of wages 1T will
be made retroactive to April l."
Lewis said the retroactive pay is for
the period from April 1 to June 20, 1913,
and that it was understood by all par
ties that it would apply nationally and
was included in the UNIV agreement
with TOO of the operators signed, Dec.
II, 1913.
When the federal government took over
them of this money and cited instances
agreed between himself and Sec. Ickes
that the government would not be liable
for the S18 million payment.
Lewis statement said 1T was gener-
ally understood that a large number Of
operators We're in a mood to soak the
government through the pursuit of every
legal maneuver which would lead to gov
eminent payment for any and all forms
of damages"
Citing the conditions in the coal fields
where he said the miners are growing
FESTIVE, Lewis said miners know that
the operators are %endeavoring to defraud
the moi this money" and cited instances
in which he said the men have been
urged to remain IN their Jobs while the
district and international offices sought
a solution to the problem.
In a formal letter to Sec. Ickes. Lewis
charged that certain groups of southern
coal operators and the WLB are in con-
spiracy to continuously delay and void
payment Of this guaranteed back wage
claim; and
THAT the bitmuinous coal operators
have collected this approximate sum of
$18 million due the coal mine workers
from the public purse through the sale
of coal at advanced prices approved by
the Department Of Interior and the
OPA; and
That the coal operators are utilizing
this mine workers money as operating
cash Tor the industry in lieu of their
own corporate funds
Lewis told Ickes that the miners need
ed the money to buy food and to pay
taxes and closed by saying that surely
the administration you represent in this
time of world conflict and national peril
has greater things TO do than to con-
done the oppression Of the poor and
the outrageous robbery of the lowly and
the unfortunate
Montana labor news., 1944-04-27

state administration for the reason that
the Republican party had a clear ma
iority in both House and Senate and
no alibis are available to explain the
failure of the administration to do what
was promised. He briefly noted that in
spite of the Governors statement in
Omaha that Montana had a model SOL
diers' vote act which would assure to
servicemen a right to vote, that the
present act is so cumbersome and SO
involved that very few soldiers in foreign
service would have an opportunity to
vote. This statement was borne out in
a short talk by Adds McCrath, who told
in some detail of his investigation of
the act and its operation. Mr.. McGrath
in his statement said that in his opinion
the act would do more to assure that
Continued on Page Four
Montana labor news., 1944-04-27
JERRY O'CONNELL
EXPOSES FINANCIAL
OF POWER co.

Before an enthusiastic audience at
Butte Miners Union hall last Sunday
afternoon former Congressman Jerry j..
O'Connell exposed the unusual methods
employed by the Montana Power Com
pany to build up its alleged plant valu-
alton.
The Federal Power Commission had
ordered a hearing to show II why the
Montana Power Company accounting
system should not harmonic with the
requirements Of the government. There
will be a complete account of Mr..
O'Connells talk in this paper next
Thursday.
Montana labor news., 1944-04-27
ARMY MAJOR ORDERS
ORGANIZERS OFF
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

HONOLULU-(FP)-Maj. John D.
Hagen, provost marshal of Maui, appar-
emily doesn't consider Hawaii a constitu-
ent part of the U. S.
When the Init. Longshoremen's &
Warehousemen's Union (CIO) sent five
members from Honolulu to Maui to or
ganize longshoremen there, Hagen
ordered them off the island and threat
ened them with change in draft CLASH
fication. The nWU local sent a strong
letter of protest to 1t. Gen. Robert C..
Richardson, military governor of Hawaii,
and promptly sent more organizers to
Maui, including its secretary, Frederick
Gamahoahoa.
All the representatives expelled by
Hagen either we're former residents Of
Maui or had relatives there. Three are
American citizens of Japanese descent.
The letter, copies Of which went to
President Roosevelt, Sec. of War Henry
L. stimson and Sec. of the Interior Har-
old L. Ickes, said, referring to the ex-
pulsion order:
1T is obvious that Maj. Hagen has no
authority to issue any such ukases to
civilian workers. BY this Illegal assunp-
ton of authority he is in effect deny
ing workers their rights under an act
Of Congress which was approved b. his
commander-in-chief He is further Civ
ing aid and comfort to those persons who
would deny workers their legal right to
organize and bargain collectively with
their employers.
we are of course sending representa-
tives back to the island Of Maui. May
we have your assurance that your sub
ordinates in general and Mai. Hagen in
particular will not interfere with the
legitimate and legal activities CT thu
MWU?'
Montana labor news., 1944-04-27
DISTINGUISHED
VISITOR EXPLAINS
WORK OF THE OPA

Organized labor Of Butte was made
very much aware of the Importance of
price control in a speech by Glen r.
Atkinson, liaison officer for the Rail
road Labor Organization, in an address
before the Trades and Labor Council
last Tuesday night. Mr.. Atkinson held
the delegates attention for more than
an hour and the interest and enthusi-
assn which he aroused was evidenced by
the number Of questions asked after he
had concluded his talk.
The theme Of the address was, the
Importance of price control and the eff
forts of the government to maintain a
standard of sterilization in the cost of
living. Mr.. Atkinson warned that if no
brakes were placed on rising prices it
might mean the loss of our democratic
institutions. For example, he explained,
should there be an unbridled economy
where merchants and manufacturers
were allowed to stipulate their own prices
it would mean that only the rich could
buy and the poor would be left with little
or nothing. He pictured a condition in
Germany just after the first World war
where wives accompanied their husbands
to the factories each day. The employer
would pay the mornings wage at eight
o'clock or before the workmen had done
any work. The wives then would go to
the grocer, clothier or baker and buy
the goods she needed because if she
waited until noon or evening the price
would advance. In some cases where
prospective purchasers were standing in
line the price would advance before some
of them could get to the counter It
was a very graphic illustration Of the
need Of price control and the marvellous
work that the government is doing
Continued on Page Four
Montana labor news., 1944-04-27

The National Public Housing Confer
ence estimates that unless the average
rate of low-rent housing construction is
speeded up, slum jewellers in New York
City will not be removed until the year
2110.
BY that time, despite the lengthening
life span, few if any Of the present occu-
pants will be on hand to enjoy better
homes.
Montana labor news., 1944-04-27
BUSINESS WOULD CRIPPLE O. p. 4.
WANT PRICE CONTROL in THEIR OWN
INTERESTS NOT FOR PEOPLE OF AMERICA

WASHINGTON-FP)-Both big business and Amer
lean labor want the emergency price control act now pend
ing before Congress extended Neither wants the law to
expire on June 30. That would seem to solve the situa-
ton, only the industrialists add a qualifying "BUT'' to
their Endorsement.
Montana labor news., 1944-04-27
State Industrial Union
Council to Meet in
Missoula on Monday

The 9th annual state Industrial
Union Council Convention will
convene at Missoula at 10 o'clock
Monday morning, May 1, at the
Florence hotel. Delegates repre-
senting the Miners, Smeltermen,
Engineers, Oil Workers, Wood
Workers, Brewery Workers and
other unions will be in attendance.
The Ladies Auxiliary of the
CLIO are also holding a convention
at Missoula. Mary Orlich of Butte
is international president of the
auxiliaries.
Montana labor news., 1944-04-27

LABOR'S IN THE FTGHT-wITH
PAYDAY DOLLARS FOR WAR BONDS.
Montana labor news., 1944-04-27

HELP WIN THE wAR-INVEST IN
WAR BONDS EVERY PAYDAY.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-03-06
Lonergan to
Defender

New York. Mar. 6-lNS-Latest
developments in the strange trial
OF Wayne Lonergan assumed a
still stranger aspect today when 1t
was said that the 26-year old form
er RCAF cadet may be called 10
the defense Of his counsel. Edward
V. Broderick. who has been cited
fo- contempt of court.
This further twist. OF a defend
ant defending his defender. was
forecast n the event that the con-
tempt proceedings. scheduled for
Friday. center around the letter
written by Lonergan "renouncing'
the brewery millions OF his slain
wife. Patricia Burton Lonergan.
In the letter. Lonergan offered to
give up all rights to the fortune
for himself and his infant son II
his child was allowed TO be reared
by Lonerran's family in Canada.
The letter created a sensation
when the original. dated Feb. %.
turned up. The postmark read
Feb. 2s. only a few hours before
Broderick revealed its existence TO
the court. Broderic'; then said
the earlier date was a mistake
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-03-06
Pennsylvania Delegation
Believed to Favor Dewey

Harrisburg. Mar. Gins Re
publican leaders OF Pennsylvania
are supremacy confident today that
their party nominee for President
will carry the keystone state next
November while the Democrats
pin their hopes on President
Roosevelt retaining his popularity
Of 1886 and 1870.
The Republican delegation is
going to the Chicago convention
un%instructed. II is friendly TO Gov.
Thomas E. Dewey, Of New York,
ready TO vote for Gov. John VI
Bricker, Of Ohio, but u%nalterably
opposed to Wendell Willkie, the
1910 nominee.
The Democrats are desperately
in favor Of a fourth term noimna-
ton for Mr.. Roosevelt.
This. in brief. is the political
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-03-06
Forces May be Lntegruted

Washington, Mar. 6-AP-Inte-
grafton OF the nations armed forces
under a single supreme command
and staff in one department OF wal
Is the common aim OF a growing
number OF American military lead
ers and thinkers.
As OF today, the weight OF opinion
appears to favor post war action
on a complete overhaul OF mill
tary machinery. Some highly placed
officials believe the ratification
could be effected now. and add eff
f~iciency and speed to the conduct
of the war; but the majority is dis
posed to move more cautiously.
A major obstacle to those favor
ing immediate action is the fact
that while there is wide agreement
on the desirability OF some kind OF
streamlining, there is no agreement
on the pattern it should take.
Furthermore, men closely asso-
ciated With staff planning point out
that ranking officers whose operat-
ing experience contribute
the most valuable suggestions for
revision OF command and admins
trative functions-such men as the
joint chiefs Of staff, their principal
assistants. and perhaps the theater
commanders-are so pressed by the
immediate problems OF the war that
they al not give careful consider.
alton to proposed changes.
Proponents OF immediate action
10 consolidate the Army, Navy and
Air forces assert, however. that the
step would cause the least friction.
be achieved with minimum OF "poli-
ticking" and Jealousy, II taken now,
when there Is actual operating unity
in many important respects in the
combat zones and in the top staff in
Washington.
Staff studies have been IN prog
ress on the subject for some time,
and 1t may be that reports have
been made on both the Army and
Navy side. One OF this country's
outstanding military theorists,
Brig. Gen. John Macauley Palmer,
who is generally regarded as the
architect OF the National Defense
Act of 1920. has been quietly re
called from retirement and assigned
to special work by Gen. George c.
Marshall. The Chief OF staff Is a
close personal friend OF Palmer,
and 1t would be a safe guess that
the two men see pretty much eye
to eye on future military policy.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-03-06
Automobiles Promised
Shortly After Peace

New York, Mar. 6-INS-Lieut.
Gen. William S. Knudsen said to-
day that Americans will want IL
million new automobiles immedi-
ately after the war ends.
And what's more. they'll get
'em. the Army production boss and
former head OF General Motors as
serted.
After touring Long Island de-
Tense plants in support OF the cur
rent Red Cross fund drive, Knud-
sen declared:
There are 81 million Americans
now employed at home and abroad.
We have got TO keep something
like that number working after the
war and create opportunities for
work for the men coming home"
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-03-06
Says no
Profit Likely
From Building

Washington. Mar. 6-INS-Rep.
Engel (R) Mich, today attacked as
false today War Department claims
that the huge Pentagon Building
soon will pay for itself and charges
il is actually operating at a net
loss of $~3,l50,i5i annually.
Engel said he discovered after
investigation that at the end Of
80 years, total cost of the building
which houses the War Department
will be something Ike" ScS2,522,-
700-including loss.
At the same tine. he bitterly cri-
ticized the War Departments pub
lie relations division for issuing a
statement TO the effect that the
project will pay for itself within
a short time"
In the face OF the facts Of the
case, this certainly was inexcus-
able" Engel declared, adding that
"the officers responsible should be
relieved from duty TO prevent them
from sending out similar misinfor-
nation to the general public in the
future"
Contrary 70 original estimates
that the Pentagon's cost would be
at S1.25 per square feet a year,
Engel maintained IT is actually
costing $2.20. He pointed out that
In 1899 the government rented
office space in Washington at an
average OF "a cents per square
foot.
Earlier, Engel issued a state
ment holding that the Pentagon,
originally estimated at thirty i've
million dollars, has cost to date
about e%ighty-six million.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-03-06
Progress in
Area

Part which the Willow Run Com
munity Council has played In estab-
fishing recreation and health SER
vices in the Bomber area was out
lined in an address by DR.. Otto h.
Engelke before the Rotary Club
today.
With cooperation OF the Ypsilanti
Community Fund and representa-
lives from Ann Arbor and Detroit,
the agcnc started In 1912 and has
brought about valuable moves for
benefit OF Domher Plant workers as
well as other residents OF this VI
entity.
The nursing stan has been in
creased from one TO four. health
organization In the county has
been expanded to more adequately
meet increasing needs and a rec
reation program reaches into Oak
land. Macomb and Wayne as well
ns Washtenaw counties. the SPEAK
err said. lie paid high tribute 70
Spencer Gordon for his work az
executive secretary and expressed
appreciation TO the Ypsilanti Com
munity Fund and other agencies
as well as individuals who have as
sisted in the work.
President c. &. Wescott, in thank