The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1945-12-28

Grafton of Teachers.
Violin gave as his reason for
not permitting the meeting to
be held in the school building,
that "Mr. Lands visit was of a
promotional nature and there
fore Objectionable to the tax
payers. Actually, of course,
it is fairly obvious to any un-
prejudiced person that VOL
Inns refusal was prompted by
antipathy towards the teachers
union.
Since there is a Flathead Teachers
Union, it may be that Mr.. Violin has
not heard the last of the result Of
his prejudice which made it necessary
for the meeting to be held in the
High School Auditorium in Whitefish
where apparently there is a superin-
tendent not afraid of having the teach
ers and public Corrupted" by union
speaker of national prominence.
Mr. Violin, whose action in this in
stance indicates that he is typical of
the pin-headed, reactionary, salary
conscious class of teachers" is a
prominent and active member of the
Montana Education Association which
a labor paper in the state dubs a
company union. He is a member OF
10 90 a.
ton and also a member of its legis-
lative committee. The fact that he is
a member Of the legislative committee
Of that organization has special sig
nificance in view of his attitude to-
ward the Teachers IEaion as shown by
MS discourtesy toward Mr. Landis
While the Montana Education Assoc
citation, may or may not be justly
labeled company union; it is quite
obvious that its policies and program
and action are dominated by a group
Of superintendent Of city schools and
other officials, and about the only
benefit the ordinary teacher derives
from the organization is the 'privi
lege" of paying dues in it. Certainly
if the NJ e. A. had sent a speaker
to Kalispell to give an address, even
a "promotionap' one for the M. E. A.,
t may safely be assumed that Violin
would have placed the facilities of
he Flathead High School completely
1t the disposal of the visitor. And his
of the taxpayers would
lot have been the least bit disturbed.
That the Montana Education Asso-
iation is not deeply concerned with
he treatment of the ordinary teacher
members of the organization has been
learly evident in the apparently total
ack of interest displayed by the or
animation officials in the case of
Toilet Eastman, who was refused a
ontract without any reason assigned
" the Helena school board after
eaching in the Helena high school
or seven years and recognized as a
thoroughly qualified and efficient
eacher, highly respected by students
nd parents alike. This arbitrary and
apparently unwarranted injustice per-
,etrated against Miss Eastman who
vas and has for some years paid dues
nto the NJ. E. A. organization, caused,
10 far as can be discerned, not a rip
lie of interest among the officials of
hat organization
Miss Eastman's treatment by the
Helena school board has brought ma
ional attention. kilograms from edu-
ational organizations and teachers
nions from all sections of the country
ave been received by her. All of
hese kilograms and letters were along
he same lines as a letter received by
er this week, printed in full blow:
Detroit, Mich, Dec. 8, 1915
Hiss Violet Eastman
). o. Box 2S4
Ielena, Montana
lear Miss Eastman:
Members of our Michigan Fedora
on of Teachers have been keenly in
crested in the efforts you and your
Importers there in Montana are max
lg to establish teachers rights to
Sercise their citizenship without fear
reprisal. We trust you are success
IL in establishing acceptance of this
rinciple in your state. Teachers new
r will gain the respect or influence
ley should have as educators or as
tizens unless they participate freely
nd actively in civic affairs
Fraternally yours,
ARTHUR A. ELDER, Pres.
Michigan Federation of Teachers.