davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Montana labor news., 1945-01-04
POLL SHOWS SOCIAL
SECURITY RISING
in PUBLIC INTEREST

NEW YORK-(FP) More people than
ever before are interested in social Sc
cuity. but not because they fear a post
war depression an election post mortem
by Fortune magazines survey of public
opinion disclosed December %. The sur
vey was conducted by the firm of Elmo
Roper, which came closest among politi-
cal experts to predicting November Z re-
suits.
Exploring public attitudes toward some
administration domestic programs, the
survey found only two important shifts
in the popular rating of major issues:
the growing interest in social security
and a drop in interest in the future
treatment of unions.
Unemployment prevention ana Amer
ica's future part in world affairs retain
first and second place as they were
rat ted in a March survey Social security
is a stronger issue among Roosevelt sup
porters, while Dewey followers still put
the future treatment Of unions third on
their list Of issues, the survey showed.
Compared to sos per cent of the peo-
pie pollad six months ago who said they
expect a widespread depression within 10
years after the war 48.9 per cent now
said they expect a depression and 4O9
per cent said a depression can be avoid
ed. A further breakdown of the figures
showed that among Roosevelt supporters
387 per cent expect a depression and
sos per cent don't, while among Dewey
supporters, 621 per cent consider de-
preston inevitable and only BOA per
cent consider one avoidable.
More people have faith in Congress as
a possible peacemaker since the cleo
tions the survey found Asked to name
their choice between a peace planned by
and his cabinet and one
planned by the newly elected Congress,
53.2 per cent picked Roosevelt, 365 per
cent picked Congress and 10.3 per cent
didn't know. In the survey for June,
l943, when the isolationist contingent in
was considerably stronger, only
279 per cent preferred to take a chance.
on a Congress-planned peace" Fortune
But the peace is likely to be "a major
political ISSUE" Fortune said, pointing
to a strong preference Of the Dewey fol-
lowers for Congress as the peacemaker.
On future U. S. relations with our Al
lies, the poll found that nearly half the
people think we will get along better
with Russia in the future than we have
in the past Nearly IS per cent think
our relations with Great Britain Will be
about the same" or better"
Montana labor news., 1945-01-04
MURRAY ASKS
WORKERS
TO VOTEC. 0.

NEW YORK CFP)-C. I. o. President
Philip Murray sent personal letter TO
each Of $4,000 Western Unoin employees
December % urging them to vote for
the American Communications associa-
ton in the forthcoming NLRB election.
Murray described the AGA leadership as
sound, constructive, intelligent and en-
'ergetic."
The election will be held among nearly
10000 telegraph employees in 5000 COM
munities throughout the U. S. during
the week Of January to 10. They will
choose between the AGA and AFL
Murray advised the Western Union en-
ploye stO examine the records of the
opposing unions with extreme care" and
warned against diversion by false is
sues" AGA, he said, has provided real
leadership for employees in every section
of the communications industry and has
a noteworthy record Of accomplishment
in bringing real economic benefits to
those employees"
Montana labor news., 1945-01-04
iva HELPS THE
PEOPLE; BRINGS
In MORE MONEY

WAcHTNCTON- 1rp1 Tho -ra7noe-
soe vallev Antbori+,, hro,oh4 az oo,.
eminent r,oro ,,,o,eg t1o,, eyor ,afo,o i,
1q44 ana 81 the came time gaya yost GEO
,o,,,io h,oofit. ~ r,i1lir,,. - a,,,...ao,,.
a special report filed with Congress- said
December 27.
rvA said ineraased ,,o,,n,o,,ts ,,ade
instead of forn,or nriyata nronort,, 80
far tbe civ stotes ana l9e oo',nties nov, now,
,,,ao,. t,o A,,thor,t,, ,i,o,,,o5 -. -, ~,
Montana labor news., 1945-01-04
PRES. LACEY ATTENDS
LEGISLATIVE MEETING

Mike Lacey, president of the Montana
State Industrial Union Council recently
returned from Washington, D. c., where
he attended a conference of CIO dele
gates from 80 states The meeting was
called by John Borphy, director of the
Industrial Union Council department Of
the CLIO. The purpose was to devise
a unifrom program on the approach &c
and handling of the state legislative
problems.
Lee Pressman, general CLIO counsel
gave a comprehensive report on the
progress Of labor and anti-labor legisla-
tion. During the past few years some
states have enacted laws such as COM
pulsory Incorporation of unions, licens-
ing of Union officials, prohibition OF
closed shop, checkoff and other normal
Union practices including the right to
picket, and weakening OF state anti-in-
junction laws President Lacey reports
the As state legislatures will meet in 1945
and much anti-labor legislation is ex-
pected.
At the conference an interchange sys-
tenn was worked out with the national
ICU department Of the CIO To act as
a clearing house on all legislation af-
fecting labor This procedure will put
the CLIO on par with such advanced
organizations as the Railroad Brother
hoods.
Montana labor news., 1945-01-04
u. S. ARMY SEXES
WARD PLANTS
In SEVEN CITIES

NEW YORK (AP) Acting on pres
idential order, the Army took over Mont
gomery Ward and company plants and
stores in Detroit, Chicago, Jamaica, N.
Y, St. Paul, Denver, Portland Ore, and
san Rafael, Calf, December % to force
company compliance with National War
Labor Board directives.
In Detroit, scene of a three-week
strike by members of United Retail
Wholesale and Department Store En-
ployes (CIO), union pic1ets cheered and
shouted, "Hurray, here comes Uncle
Sam as soldiers in battle dress marched
into four Ward stores and posted seizure
notices
Detroit strike leaders promptly issued
a statement instructing workers to re
turn to their jobs and cooperate with
the Army. I'VE ask no special favors
from the government but are seeking
full cooperation in order to have full
enforcement by the U. S. government of
its own directves for the Just demands
of our members" the union said.
A disturbance in Wards Dearborn
Mich, store the day before which re-
suited in estimated $4,000 damages to
company property was ascribed by the
Union to "strikebreakers from Chicago,
Toledo and Columbus imported by Ward
to create a riot"
The morning Of the Army seizure
found the strike spread to Ward stores
in Chicago, with almost 5000 workers
out, and Kansas City, where 1900 struck
and picket lines were formed around the
plant. In both places workers returned
to their Jobs on Union instructions after
President Roosevelt ordered the Army
to take over No disturbance were re-
ported in any of the seven cities where
Army representatives marched into Ward
plants, mail order houses and stores and
posted seizure noticse.
In all cities Union official went into
conference with Army representatives
with indications that the War Depart
ment would place into effect provisions
of the WLB orders, which Ward manage
ment had defied
Full support to the government was
pledged by international President Sam
uel Wolchok in a formal statement. I'VE
expect and demand that the government
operating agents will put into compli-
ance the directive orders Of the WLB
which the company refused to do he
said. 1--WE hope that the government
agents will as soon as possible give the
workers in the plants their delayed
Christmas present by granting them the
retroactive back pay to which they are
entitled and which amounts to nearly
So million
"The Union expects the Army to con-
tinue to operate the Montgomery Ward
units until the present management or
some future management is willing and
prepared to accept the decisions Of the
WIiB"
Wolchok said the Army move places
a real responsibility upon the board of
director who represent the owners and
who have permitted Sewell Avery to mis-
manage the company as he has" He
called on Ward workers to give their
"whole-hearted cooperation" to Army
appointed officers
Montana labor news., 1945-01-04
GREEK SITUATION IS CONDEMNED
AMERICANS SAY LIBERATED
PEOPLES SHOULD HAVE OWN GOVERNMENTS

NEW Y0RK.-(FP) Outrage at the present attempt
of the British government to fasten once more upon the
Greek people by force Of regime to which they are
opposed" was expressed by more than SO well-known
Americans December 80
Montana labor news., 1945-01-04
TRUTH CRUSHED
TO EARTH

/ Thomas R. Marshall, who was vice
president of the United States during
The terms of President woodrow Wilson,
said what this country needs is a
good five-cent cigar He might also
have added, What it needs more is a
good unbiased newspaper" This does
not mean that there are no unbiased
newspapers, because there are, but they
are so few that they are in a hopeless
minority 1t is fortunate that the news
papers no longer WELD the influence over
the opinions Of their readers that they
did in the years when they We're more
honest in their writings.
Now that the entire recording indus
4 try is under contract with the American
Federation of Musicians the newspapers
still persist in their distortions and mis-
/ representations of the fact IN the first
place they mislead the public placing
an the blame for the record fight on
President Petrillo making it appear that
he has misled the Federation members
into something they did not desire, when
as a matter Of fact our members know
that the two-year-old fight is the direct
result OF their own demands expressed
through numerous conventions and that
whatever President Petrilo has done is
as a result of instructions from his or
ganization
In an editorial in prominent New
D. ,ffl q
/ in reference to the money to be re-
ceived as royalties from the record COM
panies, M PeUillo has the right to do
whatever he wants with this money; the
only restraints on its use will be- self
imposed ones" This is an absolute mis-
representation which could not be the
result Of ignorance but is made with
wilful intent since the actual facts are
conveniently available to newspapers.
The President of the Federation has no
authority to do what ne pleases with any
money Of the organization. Much has
been made Of the fact that under the
bylaws the president has the authority
to annul and SET aside certain Of our
laws. Our bylaws have no doubt been
gone over with a fine-tooth comb by our
journalist critics but never once have
they called attention to the laws which
the president may not annul or create,
Notwithstanding this exception is con-
tained in the very sentence which gives
him his authority In this sentence,
after stating that in case Of emergen-
cy" he may annul and set aside laws,
rules or regulations, it reads. Except
such which treat with the finance Of
the organization By constantly ignor-
ing this part of the sentence, when call
ing attention to the powers of the presi-
dent Of the Federation, the newspapers
are guilty Of both dishonest journalism
and unfairness to their readers. This
law. incidentally, was in effect before
President Petrillo was even member
of the Federation. The modification
which excepts matters treating with the
finances was passed in 1898 on the rec
CONTINUED on Page Four
Montana labor news., 1945-01-04
WPB PLANS ON LONG
WAR in EUROPE

PHILADELPHIA -(FP) The end Of
the war in Europe is still nowhere in
sight 50 far as the War Production Board
is concerned, Chairman J. A. Krug said
here December 26, forecasting expanded
war production.
AS. proof of WPB's preparations for
long war, Krug said new factories,
costing about $2OO,O00,OO will be built
in l945 to fill urgent army demands for
trench mortars. Since the factories can
not go into production before August,
1945, if the war is over by then a good
deal of money will be lost, but if the
war is still not won, "as it probably
won't be-" the new plants will save
many American soldiers lives, he point
ed out.
WPB never has predicted when the
war will be over, Krug said, asserting
that war production had been adversely
affected by over-optimistic statements
by the wise boys in Washington" New,
heavy U. S. production demands are
bound to arise as a result Of the German
winter offensive, he said and huge guam
titles Of ammunition and materials will
be needed to counter the German drive.
Aaircraft output increased between 4
per cent and per cent in the preceding
week and even greater increases in navy
fighter plane production are due, he
said. Merchant shipping will be ex-
panded by 100000 tons in 1945 Sum
ming up the nations war output for the
last three years, Krug said monthly pro-
duction has increased from $5O0OOO0 900
to $500 100000 and predicted the COM
ing year would see the 1914 figure
topped.
Montana labor news., 1945-01-04
BUS DRIVERS UNION
ELECTS OFFICERS

At the annual election of the Bus
Drivers Union held at the last meeting
in December the following men were
placed in office:
Harry Mustard, president; John Wick
ers, vice president; Newell Evans, secre-
tary; Wilbur Hoar, treasurer; d. Minca-
relli, conductor; Wally Fitz, warden H.
Mustard, correspondent; W. Akin, Larry
Granath, r. williams, grievance COM
mittee; John Vickers and Clarence
Blewett, delegates to the Trades and La
Dor Council.
Montana labor news., 1945-01-04
SANTA CLAUS IN
UNION PANTS

SEATTLE CFP) Nearly 1000 homes
we're filled with the voices of Uncle
Sans boys at Christmastime, thanks to
Joint Council of Teamsters No. %, In
ternational Brotherhood of Teamsters
(AFI).
The voices came on records made at
Fort Lawrence through which thousands
of soldiers pass en- route to the various
fighting ronts in the South Pacific Each
record was made, cut, packed sealed,
stamped, addressed and mailed by the
council. Included in each package was
a signed letter by Council President Dave
Beck and a special Christmas card signed
BY the soldier who made the recording.
Montana labor news., 1945-01-04
STEEL TO
PAY S., 900
TO 1897 VICTIMS

CLEVELAND - FP) - Tom Girdler
head of Republic Steel Corp, who once
boasted he would never sign a contract
with the C. I. o., will have to pay out
more than 100000 in damages to a
sturdy crew of men and women who pio-
neered for unionism back in the days
when the company was spending mil
lions on armed thugs, tear-gas bombs
and strikebreakers.
Defeated in the courts, the company
agreed December 20 to pay the money in
settlement of 1872 damage suits brought
by Republic unionists,
The test case was filed by John Solan-
les, United Steelworkers &c. I. o. mem
Der who was beaten so badly in 1887 by
persons proved in court to be hired thugs
and ex-convicts that he suffered perma-
nent brain injuries The payments will
also cover families of those who died in
the picket line in the Chicago Memorial
day massacre Of 1897
Recalling the events behind the dam
age suits. Editor Ted Cox of the Cleve-
land Union Leader, official c. 7 o. news
paper, wrote: on a dark night in 1897
the paid sluggers, gunner and eX-crim-
inals hired by the Republic Steel Corp.
to smash the C. l. o. steel union waylaid
lsteelworkers in the dark recesses Of the
flats They beat them numerically
"They attacked the union soup kitchen
where hungry wives and tired strike pick
cts obtained rations for their babies.
The gangsters wrecked the place, cutting
of sacks of food, beating women holding
the midnight vigil and dunking them in
huge tubs of dirty dishwater
Five thousand Clevelanders angrily
milled up and down Broadway that
night bitter at the recollection of how
fellow steelworkers had been killed in
Chicago, -AIassillon and other
steel centers in the nion-breaking ac-
tions Of Tom M. Girdler. Republic Steel
boss. But the thugs did their work, and
the next morning scores of workers lay
in the hospital, horribly beaten and cut.
THAT was seven years ago Today the
hired gangsters are buns Republic
workers have their union soidly organ
lied under a signed contract and
the company must pay more than $780,
OOO in damages to workers who had been
beaten and to Che families Of those who
were killed"
Steelworkers District Director William
IF. Donovan called the settlement a vic
tory for the union But, he added 1T
does not represent full justice No
amount of money can compensate for
the permanent injuries suffered by those
who still live, and no number of millions
of dollars can compensate the families
of those who died on the picket line
fighting against industrial dictatorship
and for industrial democracy"
Montana labor news., 1945-01-04
TRANSFERS INSTALL
NEW OFFICERS

The Transfers Union at their last
meeting installed the following Officers
for the ensuing year:
Lee Vercammen, president.
Kenneth Davis, vice president
W. J. Mcintosh, secretary
L. H. Bradley, recording secretary.
Trustees, Arthur Speraw, Art Razor
and Frank Birmingham.
Delegates to Building Trades Council,
George Brown, Lee Vercammen and
Frank Birmingham.
Montana labor news., 1945-01-04
O'Connor New Publicity
Director for
Oil Workers Union

FORT WORTH, Texas (FP) Harvey
OConnor, Chicago correspondent tol
Federated Fress, has been named pub
licity director of the Oil Workers inter
national Union, only CIo internationa
with headquarters in the South. The
union will begin publication of the In
ternational Oil Worker about February l
o'Connor is director of the American
Labor Planning Service, which services
nearly 100 members among AfL and
CIO papers interested in labor planning
for 100000 jobs and lasting peace.
Montana labor news., 1945-01-04

America which operate on a rotalitarian
basis"
In many school systems rules and reg
ulations are handed down arbitrarily
from a dictator at the top. teachers are
held down by a rule of fear, and ad-
Iministrators too often are appointed by
political ability rather than by profes-
sional ability. Such conditions in the
public schools smack entirely too much
Of the fascist and Na1 methods Of
Europe IN many schools, teachers are
practically compelled by their superiors
to join non-union organizations not Of
their own choosing. In many schools
also, principals and superintendents
bring pressure on teachers to join non
union organizations or try to prevent
teachers from joining unions In Amer
ican industry, such dictatorial practices
are subject to prosecution, fine and I'M
prisonment under the Wagner Labor Re
lations Act. 1t is a primary responsible
ity Of the public schools to abolish these
highly unethical and undemocratic prac-
tices. In a blistering editorial protest
ing the pressure Which is placed upon
teachers to join non-union organizations,
the Mobile, Ala, Labor Journal recently
declared:
IF teachers in our public schools
are held in such bondage, how in
Gods name can they within any de-
gree Of sincerity, teach their stu
dents about the glories that free men
enjoy under a democratic form Of
government"
The schools must demonstrate democ-
racy as we'll as talk about it and pass
resolutions about it. Teachers cannot be
expected to teach democracy and live in
an atmosphere OF dictatorship.
It is the position of the labor move
ment that teachers will never be able TO
establish democratic schools until they
organize into unions which are not con-
trolled by the employer and which have
the support Of the millions Of members
in the labor movement. Teachers Of the
nation are among the lowest paid skilled
workers because they have never organ
lied in really effective organizations to
protect their rights. In fact that more
than half Of the teachers of the nation
receive less than 81 500 and thousands
of them receive less than half that
amount should be all the evidence any
one needs of the ineffectiveness of non
union teachers organizations The labor
believes that one of the first
of the teachers is to Or
ganize to protect their civil rights, to
provide better schools, and to demon
5trate the democratic process.
In February 1912, the Kansas City
Journal stated in an editorial when the
local teachers formed a union:
why shouldn't Kansas City teach
ers join a union if they want to?
when teachers are buffeted
about from pillar to post and their
security is imperiled. there is no in
centive for competent men and
women to make a career of teaching.
The schools lose them to other pro
fessions.
When such conditions prevail, the
taxpayer is not getting .his moneys
worth in educational results"
In closing, 1 would like to quote from
one of the worlds greatest educators Dr..
John Dewey, regarding the responsible
ty Of the teachers to organize to pro
CONTINUED on Page Four
Montana labor news., 1945-01-04

Congressmen, mayors, artists, scien-
lists. labor leaders, writer's and radio
commentators signed the statement
which was initiated by Rep John M.
Coffee D.-Wash) and issued by the
Greek American Committee for National
Unity
Tt is bitter pill, impossible to swal-
low" they said, TO have one member Of
the United Nations battle the sick and
starving heroes of another ally with
bombs, machine guns and artillery far
better expended upon the common
enemy of all the Allies. The British
government cannot win victory with
guns in Greece. The bloodshed there
prolongs the bloodshed everywhere and
warps the framework Of the United Ma
tions.
we warmly support the policy enun-
ciated by our State department in back
ing the liberated peoples of Europe in
their insistence on democratic self gov
ernment We ask our government to
implement Americas active interest in
Greek independence until the tragic
crisis which is fraught with danger for
the common cause of the United Ma
tions is resolved in the interests Of
Greek democracy and allied unity"
Among the labor leaders signing the
statement were President John Green.
Industrial Union of Marine & shipbuild-
ing Workers (CIO). President Reid
Robinson, international Union Of Mine,
Mill & smelter Workers (CIO); P1asi-
dent Mike Obermier, Local 6, Hotel &
Restaurant Employees International Al
lance (AFL); President Emil Rieve,
Textile Workers Union (CIO) President
Michael j. Quill, Transport Workers
Union (CIO) President Joseph Selly,
American Communications Association
eCIO), and President Abram Flaxer.
State, County & Municipal Workers
(CIO).
Montana labor news., 1945-01-04
WORKERS RuY WAR RoNDs

NEW YORK (FP) Members Of local
100, Transport Workers Union (CIO)
have pledged to buy $5OOOOO worth Of
war bonds in the Sixth War Loan drive
to pay for various types Of equipment
for the Army and Navy,
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1945-12-22
Lead Output
Up a Little

Lead production Tin terms of re-
coverable metaD from domestic
mines was 29,816 short tons in
October, 1915, an increase of 286
tons over the September output,
according to preliminary estimates
of the Bureau of Mines.
The lead output of the combined
western states increased 294 tons in
October although a comparison of
the average daily production figures
for September (453 tons) and Oc-
tober (448 tons) indicates a slight
decrease Although Idaho's produc-
ton increased 200 tons, the output
continued to be considerably below
the 6, 236-ton per month average of
the first six months of 1915. In
Arizona, the lead output continued
at approximately the same daily
rate as in September. Small de-
creases in production were reported
from California, Colorado, and Ne
vada. Correspondence slight in
creases were recorded in the lead
output of Montana, New Mexico,
Utah, and Washington. Oregon pro
duced tons in September, but none
was reported for that state for
October.
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1945-12-22
Three Given u. S.
0il-Cus Leases

Three federal oil and gas leases
covering acreage in northern Mon
tana have been issued by the gen
eral land office, according to notice
received by T. F. CORDIALLY, register
of the Great Falls land office.
To Dewey F. Whitaker of Great
Falls went $50 acres in section 8,
township 25 north, range IL east
This is in Chouteau county on the
Sherrard dome, where the Ohio Oil
company drilled two gas wells
several years ago.
To Allen F. Billiard of Porter
vile, Calf, went 2541 acres in sec
tions 5, 6. Z, s and 9, township "a
north, range 81 east, and in sections
81 and 81, township IS north, range
81 east, in Phillips county. This is
on the northwest flank of Bowdoin
dome
To John H. Joers of Great Falls
went 120 acres in section l, town
ship % north, range 16 east, in
Chouteau county.