The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1944-12-29
A Legislative Program

We believe that there certain definite legislative
posas IN the interest of all of the people of the state wh
the people in all counties should call the attention of the
elected representatives These have been discussed by
gained groups in the state and we list them below:
l. That the Montana legislative assembly of 1915,
adopt and forward to the United States joint
memorial urging the congress to enact legislation for the
creation of Missouri Valley Authority proposed in the
bill introduced by Sen. James E. Murray.
1t is conviction that only by such regional plan of
development can pickering and jealousy between
ment agencies be eliminated and in the develop
ment of water be attained that only by the
adoption OF regional development plan full utiliza
ton of water for irrigation power navga-
on recreaonal facilities and for control of floods which
each bring disaster to the lower section of the Mis-
souri, valley be accomplished that only by the adoption
of Missouri Valley Authority the monopoly control
of state water be broken and
developed for the greatest benefit to the people of Mon
tana and the industrial development of the state be
sured that the establishment of Missouri Valley Author
y for the development of this great water resource with
out abdgment of the interests of other states within
the Missouri river basin will bring Montana pop
uation establishment of INDUSTRIES great oppor-
tunities for employment and fuller life for all of the
people of the state.
State Hospital
g. demand for thorough investigation by the
Montana legislative assembly 1916 of the State Hospital
for the Insane at Warm Springs that more medical care
better housing and food be provided by adequate appro
priations.
committee of the 1913 legislative assembly, in it's
report to the assembly, pictured conditions obtaining at
this state institution which constituted Indictment of
the ordinary humaneness of the citizens of the state
OF That Legislative assembly
the remedyng of the conditions found exist them
the failure of the to insist upon such provisions
places them in the position of considering the saving of
money important than the comfort and well
fare and indeed the lives of the unforunates confined
in the institution. This must not happen again
Old Age Pensions
g. The passage of legislation which will insure
aged citizens, security and comfort in the declining
of their lives
Montana was the first state to have an "Od Age
Pension law and now finds itself at the bottom of the
list of all states in the amount of pensions paid Our aged
citizens have earned security by their services to society
during their working years To grant this security is not
charity; it is the acknowledgment and payment of debt
owed by society.
Social Security
a. Action by the 1916 legislative assembly in the
form OF JOINT memorial to the congress for the speedy
enactment of the Wagner Murray Dinge bill, with its
broad provisions for social security
1t is contention that every citizen of this, the
richest country in the world should want for med
cal adequate housing and food Pending the
ment of federal legislation assuring this must be the
responsibility of the state to provide for it.
OccupationaI Diseases
5. That the 1915 legislative assembly, make all
cupaonal diseases such sicoss compensate under
the provisions under which the Industrial Accident Board
operates.
The totally inadequate compensation paid by the
Public Welfare to sufferers from scoss disgrace not
aeviated by the fact that with customary political Chi
canery the Anaconda Copper Mining Company through
its influence succeeded in placing the burden of
saton the general public instead of upon itself where
it obviously belonged.
Department of Labor
g. Legislation for the creation of separate depart
ment of labor with adequate appropriation for efficient
Montana at the bottom of the list of states provd
for protection of the interests of it's aboring people
The Liquor Monopoly
7. That the 1915 legislative assembly, make thor
ough investigation of the states liquor monopoly and
make such amendments to the law will provide greater
of businesske administration of this service to
The people of the state
Under Interpretation of the law by decision of
The majority of the to which Associate Justices Ada
and Erickson dissened the State Liquor Control Board
now IN effect functonng private business using
state funds. This condition is not conducive to admins
ration for the good of the general public.