davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1945-09-28
THE WAGE ISSUE

stream Of progress. Fifty years ago
when the railroad unions began Il
press for safety appliance legislation
the carriers fought obstinately agains
any Improvements in existing railroad
devices. Railroad lobbyists opposed
the Locomotive Inspection act, the
Ash Pan act, legislation providing fol
federal inspection of tracks, signaling
apparatus, safety appliances, and train
dispatching facilities. They fought bit
terly against the automatic coupler
and the power brake, and to this day
many of the carriers are reluctant tc
install up-to-date safety equipment
such as automatic block signals, inter
lockings, automatic train controls, and
improved ABB type air brake. Many
disastrous railroad wrecks of recent
years can be laid to the foolish, penny
pinching practices of a short-sighted
railroad management. Neither econ
omy nor safety has been promoted by
such a policy. (See, for example, ar
ticle by Ruth and Edward Brecher
''These Railroad Wrecks" in Harpers
Magazine, June 1944.)
This backward attitude toward rail
road employees came to the fore dur
ing the war period just concluded AS
everyone knows, railroad workers sur
passed all previous transportation rec
ords in the critical interval between
the attack on Pearl Harbor and VI
Day, during which 100000 fewer en-
ployees than in the days of World War
handled twice as much freight and
passenger traffic with about one-third
less equipment Generally unknown,
however, are the trying circumstances
under which this transportation job
was performed.
Operating employees very often
worked two eight-hour shifts, seven
days week, for weeks at a time The
average work-week on the rails was
ly. 1t was attended by increased haz-
ards of operating trains at maximum
loads and high speeds, all of which
was reflected in mounting accidents
to employees. Some of the discount
ture of railroad employment was inev-
liable in wartime; much of it could
have been avoided by farsighted man
agement. Inadequatehousing and eat
ing facilities at their away-from-home
terminals was constant complaint
of road trainmen, many of whom re-
ported "cold Indifference" on the part
of railway management to their pro-
tests against these intolerable condi-
lions. This matter is we1l-documented
in recent publication of the Brother
hood of Railroad Trainmen, entitled
CONTINUED ON Page Two)
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1945-09-28

inal project" Construction of such
dam ION a hazardous foundation" the
committee said, would ieopardize five
large cities, hundreds of millions or
billions of dollars worth of property
and thousands of lives"
The Truman committees investiga-
ton, the MVA resolutions said, ire
vealed shocking mismanagement and
maladministration by army engineers
in wartime construction projects"
Other charges, it said, have ben made
against "army engineers administra-
ton of the Pan-American highway
project, the Canol project, Alcan high
way project and other war work"
In addition, it said, floods have in
creased in height on many points of
the Missouri and other rivers under
army engineers administration" And
"hydroelectric power potentialities of
rivers under army engineers jurisdic-
and wasted"
The committee opposes 1t said, use
of "war-minded agency trained to
ignore costs to meet emergency stu
atoms, for administration Of civilian,
peace-time projects"
Six members were designated to
present MVA's side Of the case at
hearings of the irrigation committees
subcommittee on the Murray MVA bill
at Washington this week. They are
Left Erickson of Helena, Mont, chair
man of the regional committee for
MVA; John E. Wetzig of Kansas City,
Mo, treasurer; John H. Becker Jr.,
of Omaha, executive secretary; James
Davis, of st. Louis. representing the
clio, and Glenn Talbot of jamestown,
N D., president of the North Dakota
Farmers Union.
The group also contemplated estab-
lishment of an office in Washington
to handle legislative matters until con-
gressional action on the Murray bill is
taken. The office probably will be
set up this week
The campaign for one million petit
lions favoring the Murray bill is prog
ressing satisfactorily, Mr.. Erickson
said. He reported receipt of sigma
lures from each of the 10 basin states.
James G. Patton of Denver, Colo,
Continued on Page Four)
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1945-09-28

uIiidii OOllS, puOiloiSio.
Reasons for the Bureau of Rec
Ilamation's reversal of judg-
ment" in accepting plans for
the Garrison dam in North Da-
kota.
In addition the committee called
upon the senate irrigation subcommit
tee: 1. To include in its record all
testimony and reports on the army
engineers received by the Truman
committee which investigated war
contracts. 2. To include in its record
testimony of Bureau of Reclamation
engineers on the proposed Garrison
and Gayins Point dams prior to the
two agencies shameless merger to
avoid an MVA." 3. ITO conduct such
further Investigations on army engi-
neers' past performances as bears on
their competence to administer great
valley project"
Another resolution asked Secretary
of Interior Ickes to put an end to
official publicity releases" of the Blu
reau of Reclamation "derogatory to
an authority" and to stop official par
ticipation of bureau personnel In ac-
tiyities of anti-authority organizations,
"such as the National Reclamation
Association"
uncle Sans Billion Dollar Baby"
is an anti-TVA book, the committee
said. 1t charged that the book is moth
ing more than a rewrite-and in some
places not even rewrite-of straight
private public utility propaganda book
let's"
The committee said 1t wants the
senate to determine whether the pub
fishers acted in collision with pri-
vate power interests to perpetrate a
hoax on the public" and whether the
publishers received financial contri-
buttons or large orders for publication
from private power interests"
The Garrison dam, said the execu-
tive committee, was once officially
condemned by the Bureau of Reclama-
ton. Now, the committee said, the
bureau has accepted the project with
considerable enlargement"
"a reputable engineer" said the
committee, "once described the foun-
dalton for the proposed Garrison dam
as highly dangerous for even the orig
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1945-09-28

board and that more petitions
will be filed.
The board agreed to consider the
petitions at meeting within the next
two weeks and to notify the commit
tee of the decision reached. Mr..
Graham called the boards attention
to the advantages of settlement out
of court of Miss Eastmans case which
has attracted statewide attention be-
cause Of the boards unfair refusal to
give Miss Eastman any reason for its
failure to renew her contract after
seven years of eminently satisfactory
work as a teacher in the Helena high
school,
Public sentiment in Helena reflects
dissatisfaction with the school boards
actions. The general opinion is that
political prejudice on the part of the
majority of the board, influenced the
refusal of the board to renew Miss
Eastman's contract. The majority of
the board members are known as
"stand-pat' republicans, and Miss
Eastman entered the political field
last year as a candidate for state SUI
perintendent of public instruction on
the democratic ticket, polling over
10000 votes and giving her republican
opponent a close race for election.
Some of the members of the COM
mittee which presented the petitions
to the school board, gathered the i'm
preston that the chairman of the
board "Odd Job Man" Floyd Young
was almost suggesting to the board
that it refuse to accept and consider
the petitions, an action which would
have been consistent enough with pre-
vious actions of the board in refusing
the public any Information of why it
refused to re-employ Miss Eastman.
"Odd Job Man" Floyd Young has
earned his soubriquet by acting as
acturial expert for the state employees
retirement board at 5000 month and
doing the same work for the teach
er's retirement board at $100 per
month and with 5000 per month every
fifth year, while being regularly en-
ployed by the Western Life Insurance
Company doing acturial work.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1945-09-28
INITIATION
is threat
TO FARMERS

Farmers should guard their saving
against initiation just as zealously a
they would guard their hen-house
from thieves.
Initiation can make farmers hard
earned money disappear just as sure
ly as a chicken thief can carry ava,
his hens. In fact, initiation is IA
more vicious thief since the farmer
can't see it until it's too late to stop it
Farm families are in far better fl
nancial conditions than they have ever
been, the OPA official pointed out
and they have more to lose if price
controls are removed too quickly and
prices get out of hand as they did aft
er the last war.
By January 1, 1915, farmers bank
deposits amounted to an estimated
| $7,969,000, and their total financial as
sets including currency, deposits and
war bonds, totaled nearly II billion
dollars. This compares with bank de
posits of only five billion dollars on
January 1, 1940
To protect these savings farmers
must help keep prices in check. The
higher prices go, the less their saw
ings and currency will buy.
Prices farmers paid went up II per
cent in the two years after the 1918
armistice. If prices of thing farmers
buy should be allowed to increase at
the same rate during the next two
years, their SIT billion assets would
decrease in value by $3.50 million
To put it another way, if a farmer
has money saved for $1,000 tractor
and initiation cuases the price to adj
vance II per cent before the machine
is available, he would need 1904 more
to get his tractor The tractor would
cost $1,404.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1945-09-28
BY LowNDEs MAURY

Before resigning to re-enter his ma
tural calling, selling insurance, the
Hon. John ]. Holmes, for several
terms State Auditor, has issued the
Both (1945) annual report of the in.
surance business in the state for 1914
This gives figures of premiums re
ceived and losses paid for life and fire
companies running back to, and in
GLIDING, 1920. Over his official sigma
ture, as advance propaganda, or adver
tisement of his coming more profit
able work, Mr.. Holmes, at state ex
|pense, prints pages of fulsome stuff
and nonsense that may convince one
or more dt is addressed to the gov
ernor), that the insurance business is
not a pernicious, Improbable drain on
our entire state economy-returnine
les value for the price paid than any
other commodity sold in Montana.
To quote from the State Auditors
ballyhoo Che is noted as an after
dinner jester), this is his funniest
story yet:
"In considering the forward march
of the insurance business in Mon
tana, we are not unmindful of the
persons to whom full credit is due.
The Montana agent, in whom sur
wives the Old West traditions of
honesty, sincerity and above-board
dealing, has established a code of
ethics that tends to discourage the
racketeer, an dhas gained the con-
fidence of the buying public. In
surance selling is becoming more
and more a profession, requiring in
tensive training, brains and business
acumen to meet the individual in
surance problem. The Montana
agent has established his ability; he
is equal to the task. We must also
give unstinted praise to the field
man whose tireless efforts have kept
the insurance business rolling in our
state, and to the high-minded Off
Gals of the companies who have
given the Insurance Department
their fullest cooperation"
Fire companies increased their
total premium volume 4439o."
Life companies continued their
upgrade premium volume"
Casualty companies also in
creased their premium volume, up
13.2495 from the previous year."
There are feature pictures in John
ME Holmes comic supplement" to
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1945-09-28
HUMPHREY BUCKS
The SENATE'S
SHARPEST
BY JACK WILSON
minneapolis Tribune Staff Correspon-
dent in Minneapolis Tribune.)

dent in Minneapolis Tr1bune.)
WASHINGTON. = Bucking couple
of the senates sharpest inquisitors,
Mayor Hubert H. Humphrey won
smiles and applause Wednesday and
emerged from a subcommittee hear
ing with his testimony in behalf of
the Missouri Valley authority plan un-
| shaken.
Arguing that the proposed MVA
would give the Missouri valley and adj
jacent areas a chancekto develop their
resources fully, Humphrey told the
committee Its time to stop treating
the midwest like a colony in an en-
pire, just a place that produces raw
materials and buys manufactured
goods.
Our only hope for increased job
opportunities and economic develop
ment rests in establishment of new in
dustry that can operate at a profit
and serve prosperous people"
Not Looking for Gar Job
Then Sen. John H. Overton, 3D.,
La.), chairman of the subcommittee
and firm opponent Of MVA, inter-
jected that the plan was magnificent
ly Utopian," and added: Suppose we
made you the czar of the MVA, what
would you do to carry out the pro-
gram?"
Senator" said Humphrey with
smile, II didn't expect to get that APP
pointment when | came down here.
There isn't going to be any czar in
MVA, but if there were one, I'd rather
have him in the midwest than in Wash
ington."
Sen. Hugh Butler, (R., Nebr.), who
also has been critical of MVA, insist
ed on knowing how Humphrey be-
lieved the proposed authority should
function.
I'm not prepared to set up the
whole MVA administrative system off
hand" Humphrey replied, "but if you
want to offer me the job, I'll guaran-
tee I can do it," He grinned, Over
ton and Butler grinned, and spectators
Then Overton cited several editori-
CONTINUED on Page Four)
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1945-09-28

In 1914, for losses paid to
Montana people for fires
was .................................. 733,92911
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1945-09-28

Recently-publicized warnings to la
Dor to avoid industrial strife, however
well-intentioned, would be more to the
point if directed against react1onarJ
employers now taking advantage OF
the reconversion period to conduct 6
many-sided offensive against their EN-
ployees, both organized and morgan
lied
Widespread layoffs, drastic cuts in
take-home pay, sabotage and wreckine
of price control and economic stabiliz
alton, opposition to unemployment in
surance legislation and other meas
ures to take care of the human aspects
of reconversion,y and a demagogic
loud, clamor for compulsory arbitra
ton and other labor-shackling devices
embodied in proposed laws of the Ball
Burton-Hatch type-these are the real
threats to domestic stability.
AS usual the most brazen provoca-
ton has come from the static-minded,
profit-hungry railroad industry, which
has countered it's operating employees
legitimate request for a long-overdue
wage increase and modernization of
working conditions with a 29-point
program to bring back the intolerable
conditions of more than so years ago.
Included in this none-too-subtle effort
to turn back the clock of labor-man-
agement relations are proposals to
eliminate regular working hours of
yard crews, wipe out jurisdictional
and seniority rights established over
many years, limit the time for the
prosecution of grievances, tsacrifice
safety by economizing on the size of
crews, abolish the present mileage
basis of payment for road men, and
generally revamp the entire railway
structure so as to reduce the take
home pay of the employees.
All this is projected at a time when
the nations leading economists are be-
ginning to think in terms of raising
the purchasing power of the American
people by at least so per cent, on the
average, in order to permit our war
expanded economy to provide full en-
ployment and function smoothly and
efficiently during the postwar period
But those familiar with railroad in
dustry practices over the years are
not surprised by the current anti-labor
policy of the carriers. Railway man
agement has invariably bucked the
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1945-09-28
ONCE MORE OFFICIAL BALLOTINg
OF THE INSURANCE RACKET

the official records of this worst cor
poration manhandled colony" of the
Northwest Territory.
The fire insurance companies, with
out dollar invested in Montana op-
Grated with an income of premiums,
four hundred per cent about losses
paid to our people.
FIRE INSURANCE
In 1914, the intake of pre-
miums on fire policies
was .-.......-.--.......-..........sS,1Se,3 1896
In 1914, for losses paid to
Montana people for fires
was .................................. 733,92s.11
Net expense to customers
above return was .......-.$2, 452, 464.25
ODD LOTS
Rarer forms of the insurance graft
are listed in the comic supplement as
Extended Coverage, Tornado, Sprink-
Ter Leakage, Riot, Earthquake, Hail.
Motor Vehicle, Ocean Marine, Inland
Navigation, Aircraft, "All others" for
'philanthropies"
In 1914, the intake of pre-
miums on policies was..$3, 137, 1850
In 1914, for losses paid on
such policies was .......... 2,043,356.81
Net expense to customers
above return was .....$1, 093,821.79
COLLISIONS
Jurors, especially women, are warned
by secret canvassers, that if decent
verdicts are returned in collision cases,
companies insuring against damage for
auto collision will leave the state.
1t would save money to us if all of
them would go and stay forever. But
a few verdicts will not bring us such
good luck. OF this business:
In 1914, the intake of pre-
miums on policies was$ S95,6471
In 1914, for losses paid on
policies was ----.........--.---..... 254, 471.93
Net expense to customers
above return was....--....-..... S741, 175.19
This is small by comparison, but
the profit is fair-about 300 per cent.
TRAFFIC IN occUPATIoNAL
CASUALTIES
Any master operating under plan
q, lie, Workman's Compensation In
from private companies, in
stead of from the State Fund, should
be boycotted. A few strikes against
such would stop this racket Labor is
Continued ON Page Three)
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1945-09-28

Editors Note The following is
an advance copy of an editorial on
"The Wage Issue" by A. F. Whitney,
president, Brotherhood of Railroad
Trainmen, which will appear in the
October 1915 issue of The Railroad
Trainman:
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1945-09-28

signed by than 900 of Helena schools
evening the Helena school board by
representing the Helena Trades and Labor Assem-
The committee for which James D. Graham president of
Federation of Labor spokesman stated that
had already been mailed the secretary of the
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1945-09-28
PETITIONS TG ~; ::::;.;., LIBRA, ~
VIOLET EASTMAN FILED
With HELENA BOARD

Helena Citizens Sign Petitions Asking
School Board to Either Re-employ Miss
Eastman as Teacher in the High School or
Arrange for Public Meeting and State Their
Reasons for Refusal to Renew Her Contract.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1945-09-28

OMAHA, Nebr-Private power companies, the army
gneers of Reclamation targets of resou
ton barrages laid down by the executive committee of the Re-
gional Committee for MVA, at its last meeting.
committee asked for senate investigation Of L. Pub
LEGATION of book "Unce Sans Billion Dollar Baby by G. P
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1945-09-28
REGIONAL Committee
FOR MVA ASKS Senate
TO INVESTIGATE BOOK

Wants to Know Who Financed Publication
By G.. p Putnam Sons of Book Uncle
Sans Billion Dollar Baby Attacking River
Authorities; Also Reclamation Bureaus
Reversal of Opinion ON Dam.
The Union County journal. [volume] (Marysville, Ohio) 1875-1951, 1945-05-31
SEWER RENTALS
ARE NOW DUE

Sewer rentals are due June /.
The office of the Board of Public
Affairs in the city building will be
open to receive them from Friday,
June l to Friday June Is, inclu-
Sive, from 900 am. to II m. and
from 100 pm. to 500 pm.
Payers of sewer rentals must
bring their cards with them.
The Union County journal. [volume] (Marysville, Ohio) 1875-1951, 1945-05-31

Lois Ann, Mr.. and Mrs. Albert
Geer and son, Charles, the host
and hostess, their daughter, Ann
cite and sons, Ned and David.
During the afternoon, their son,
Pvt. William B. RauSch, of Fort
Mcclellan, Ala, called by phone,
which added much to the enjoy
ment of the occasion.
Pvt. Rausch left Sunday night
for San Deigo, to resume his dut-
les.
The Union County journal. [volume] (Marysville, Ohio) 1875-1951, 1945-05-31
ST. JOHNS COMMENCEMENT
Is SLATED FRIDAY

Commencement exercises for
eight boys and girls will be held at
the st. Johns school, at $50 pm,
Friday. The graduation address
will be given by the Rev. August
Gerken, pastor of st. Johns
church.
Members of the class are Ed
ward Blumenschein, Anna Mae
RauSch, William Scheiderer, Lu-
cile Nicol, Carol Rausch, Marvin
Vollrath, Ruth Nicol and Tavern
RauSch.
The program will include the
salutatoTy by Carroll RauSch, class
oration by Ruth Nicol, valedictory
by Lucille Nicol.
The Union County journal. [volume] (Marysville, Ohio) 1875-1951, 1945-05-31

Huntington, w. Va, and 1t. Will
lam Huffman and son, Bobby,
were Tuesday dinner guests of MIR.
and Mrs. F. T. Gaumer and sons,
Billy and Tommy, w. Seventh st.
1t. Huffman is on leave from the
Philippine Islands.
Mr.. and Mrs. James +. Bell and
son, Stephen, will return to their
home in Louisville, KY, after
spending a few days with Mrs.
Bells parents, RI. and Mrs. p. T.
Engard, N. Maple st.
The Union County journal. [volume] (Marysville, Ohio) 1875-1951, 1945-05-31
VISITS WITH SAILOR

Mr.. and Mrs. F, A. SabinS and
daughter, Lois, Mr.. and Mrs. Carl
SabinS and daughter, Sharon, Mr..
Ross Jewell, all of New Dover;
Mr.. and Mrs. Woodrow Thompson
and children, Gretta and Gary, w.
Seventh St, and Mr.. and Mrs.
Wray SabinS, of Columbus, visited
with S 1/c (AOM) Ivan E. Sabins,
in Columbus, Friday afternoon.
Seaman Sabins was being trans
ferred from Norman, Okla. to
QuonSet Point, r. |.
The Union County journal. [volume] (Marysville, Ohio) 1875-1951, 1945-05-31
WALTHER LEAGUE

Approximately 65 members ot
the st. Johns Walther League anC
guests attended the candle light.
ing service Monday evening ir
the school auditorium. This was q
joint party by both junior anC
senior league. The program open.
ed with the singing of the Walthel
League song. A welcome speech
was extended by junior president
Leroy Schwartzkopf, to the entire
group and invited guests which
were: Lucille Nicol, Anna Mae
Rausch, Bill Scheiderer, Carroll
RauSch and Ewald Blumenschein
A response was given by Bill
Scheiderer. Senior president, Le-
roy Vollrath, welcomed the juniors
which are graduating to the SEN
ior society, and a response was
given by Lloyd RauSch.
The Rev. August Gerkin and
president, Leroy Vollrath, then
performed candle lighting cere-
mony, commemorating the SIND
birthday of the International
Walther League. The choir music
was sung by Robert Vollrath,
Lester Nicol, Robert Jordon, Helen
Nicol, Marie Nicol and Lillian
Blumenschein, under the direction
of Mr. w. j. Wolff. The recitation
was led by Doris Scheiderer,
Christian Service Secretary, fol-
lowed by a film called Youth for
Christ" which showed the league
program in action, also views of
the Lutheran Youth building which
is the Walther League headquart-
ers in Chicago. Refreshments were
served by a committee of Lester
Nicol, Marie Nicol, Doris Scheider-
er and other willing helpers.
III III III
ANNIVERSARY DINNER
Mr.. and Mrs, Asa Organ, Elwood
ave-, celebrated their forty-eighth
wedding anniversary Sunday.
The Union County journal. [volume] (Marysville, Ohio) 1875-1951, 1945-05-31
st. JOHNS LUTHERAN PICNIC
TO BE HELD SUNDAY

The st. Johns Lutheran school
picnic will be held Sunday. The
serving will start at 11:30 am,
Cafeteria style. The menu will be
chicken and noodles, baked beans,
sandwiches, vegetable salad, fruit
salad, ice, cake, coffee and choco-
late milk.
The Union County journal. [volume] (Marysville, Ohio) 1875-1951, 1945-05-31

Mrs. William G. Massey and
sons, Billy and Tommy, of Akron,
are spending a few weeks with the
formers parents, Mr.. and Mrs. B.
J. Southland, West Fifth ST., while
Mr.. Massey is on a business trip
to Salt Lake City, Utah.