Montana labor news., 1945-02-01


A telegram from Glr James Graham
president of the Montana State Fedora
ton Of Labor stating there is a move
to introduce a sales tax bill in the Legis-
lature was received and the council in
structed the secretary to wire Senator
Muuhonand to oppose it.
A letter of appreciation was received
from the CoIigan family MI John Coli
gan. business agent Of the Cooks and
Walters union died recently and the
council sent its condolences to the family
A letter and a long resolution was re-
ceived from the Yellowstone Trades and
Labor Council concerning the Pierce
Packing Company and condemning this
firm for suing the Carpenters Union. It
may be remembered that the carpenters
picketed this plant and the butchers
went out in sympathy. The secretary
was instructed to write to the Yellow
stone Trades and Labor Council for more
information and a copy Of the resolution
passed by the Metals Trades Council Of
Billings.
A communication was received from
Chester Bowles national administrator
of OPA, acknowledging a request by the
unions to consider their recommendation
in the appointment Of state director
for Montana. This office is now vacant
since the resignation of Mr.. Peterson.
The unions had recommended Hugh
OKeefe
The legislative committee recommend
ed that no endorsements be made for
the office of Silver Bow county commits
sioner. The report was accepted.
Again the question of the proposal to
increase hunting and fishing licenses
was brought up, but after considerable
discussion it was decided to wait for a
report from the legislative committee.
Some time ago a request was made
from Great Falls for the Silver Bow
/ Trades and Labor Council to declare
| Montgomery Ward unfair on account OF
4 its obstinate attitude toward the govern
ment. The letter was referred to the
clerks and the clerks have written tC
the international union for an opinion.
It was reported that a bill had been in
troduced in the present session of tht
Legislature to set up a commission o
/ three persons who would have the powe
to recommend persons for district judge
ships. The council took the stand tina
! if this commission were created it woul'
curtail the privilege Of the citizen to vot
for Judges. The council instructed tn
secretary to inquire further into tn
! measure.
The Machinists' delegates reporte
that in respect to establishing a trade
school in Silver Bow county that ther
had been a meeting in Helena Of MI
Yeager, state apprentice Commissioners
James O'Brien, Butte Nfachnists' Uniol
and others to try to get a clear pictur
of what it is all about. There will
further reports on this subject.
A high compliment was paid to Wi
liam Palmer, chairman of the entertain
ment committee and to all the other
especially to the women who so gracious
ly gave their time in preparing the sane
wiches and making arrangements.
b was announced that the party probab
exceeded any other affair of its kin
staged by the Trades Council.
The Trades Council went on record
sponsor the Independent School Tick
and decided to hold its nominatir
mass meeting on the 18th day Of Febr7
i, ary l945.
- Chairman Crawford called upon Rlcl
ard Donovan to make talk. Mr. DON
Il van has filed for the office Of mayo
Mr.. Donovan recalled his excellent wo
4. on Jne SCHOOL Dodlu anu dA'S AS4ii'4iN
the delegates of his various activities
the organized labor movement. He sa
10 he had been secretary of the But
Building Trades Council, secretary OF t
Carpenters Union and president Of t
State Council Of Carpenters. He e
% planned that there were three truste
= to be elected this spring The terms
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