Montana labor news., 1945-06-21
BUTTE MINER AIRS
VIEWS ON MISSOURI
VALLEY AUTHORITY

see in it long step towards proper de-
velopment of rich natural resources to
create industries and jobs.
The MVA, if passed, will not only
benefit the states comprising the Mis-
souri, valley, but will help the entire
nation. As Senator Murray, sponsor of
this legislation stated, I quote: Such a
development would strengthen the ma
ton. both for peace and national de-
tense, just as the development Of the
Tennessee valley has done. Though the
bill is concerned with only the basin of
the Missouri, it is truly national in char
acter because the development Of that
region and its increased prosperity, will
add to the national strength ana pros
perity." End quote.
This measure, as are all measures in
tended to serve the needs of the people,
has received considerable opposition
from the intrenched interests. A large
majority of the daily newspapers have
studiously neglected to give their readers
a full, true picture of the gains to be
realized from the MVA, while others
have merely refrained from giving this
measure even scant publicity. Only the
labor publications in the state, such as
the Peoples Voice of Helena, have in
formed the Montana readers of the or
ganization of a Montana IvA associa-
tion which is composed Of people we'll
known for their work to better the
state, Is it possible that the daily news
papers do not consider such a movement
worthy Of mention?
While the spokesmen for the opposi-
ton of this legislation have given no
sound criticism, they are resorting to
the stale, old, monotonOus argument of
states rights. This cry is similar to that
which was raised against the Tennessee
valley Authority before it was estab-
lished. In the areas serviced by the
iva the governors of seven states have
stated emphatically that no encroach-
ment has taken place by this develop
ment upon their states rights. On the
contrary, some Of these governors are
loud in their praise of benefits derived
by the people there This assurance
from these governors who have always
been foremost in guarding "state rights"
should be sufficient to quiet these alleged
fears.
The iva is required by law to en-
deavor to do its work in cooperation
with state and local agencies at all times
In the proposed ATVA legislation, these
safeguards are also included.
The opposition against this measure
Is attempting to confuse the issue by
demanding that instead of one single
unified agency making the decisions
within this organization, the power to
make these decisions be placed in the
hands OF several widely divergent agen-
cies. This, in all probability. done with
the idea in mind that should this bill
be passed, it would only result in con-
fusion and end with the economic
royalists' once again reaping the bene-
fits intended for all Organized workers
and the farmer fell that by the estab-
lishment of one authority, with full
authority to develop and preserve peo-
pies interests this plan viii function
for the many and not the privileged few.
IN their efforts TO kill this legislation,
the forces Of opposition will resort to
their old, traditional policy Of divide
and conquer Rumors are already free
ly circulated among industrial workers
to the effect that the farmers are op-
posed to MVA, while the truth is that
all farmers conventions thus far have
gone on record as favoring this legisla-
ton 1 trust that the people will not
be fooled or misled in this instance
Here at last is plan providing benefits
for us all. Every effort on the part Of
all farm labor and progressive forces is
needed TO achieve IL.
want to conclude by saying that
speak as member Of the CIO. which Is