The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1945-10-12


nese cities are deprived of news
<papers.
The Montana Labor News
published in Butte, in its last
weeks issue called attention to
the circumstance that no news
papers published in Portland,
Seattle, Spokane, Salt Lake
City, Great Falls or Denver
were obtainable there, and re-
marks: "The conclusion is obvious
that by some tremendous pressure of
some large, sinister reptile that pub
fishers in other cities are restrained
from marketing papers here"
A plea addressed to the general pub.
lie to bring pressure to bear on the
publishers Of the newspapers has been
forwarded to the Voice by the Mis-
soula Typographical Union and is
printed herewith:
DO YOU WANT A NEWSPAPER?
To the Public:
In Missoula, Helena, Butte and Ana
conda, today and for the last several
days the public has had no newspapers
from their home cities. The publish
ers of these newspapers, as is we'll
known to the general public, is a
wealthy concern. The printers who
work for this company have asked for
10 per cent increase in pay. Any
thinking person of whatever station
in life knows that this is a mere frac-
ton of the increased cost of living.
But, rather than grant this increase to
the men who are instrumental in print
ing the paper the publishing company
has seen fit to discontinue pubIica-
ton. Apparently the publishers who
own and control the newspapers In
Missoula, Helena, Butte and Anacon-
da, as well as other daily papers in
Montana feel that they have no moral
obligation to serve the public; that
while they control the factors which
give news to the people, if they see
fit to discontinue publication the pub
lie can sweat for news of foreign.
local or statewide happenings, until
they see fit to give it to them. But
there is little doubt in anyone's mind,
who is informed ON the situation, that
II another Independent publication en-.
tered this field, but that the wealthy
owner OF the aforementioned papers
would willingly pay double the in
crease which the printers are now ask
ing to get them back on the Jobs from
which they are now locked out, in or
der to stifle any competition.
From the above it is readily ascer-
-ained that the public is the sufferer
along with the workers. The loss in
revenue to the publishers is a small
natter to wealthy corporation de-
.ermined to discipline it's employees.
The loss of income and revenue to the
merchant and advertiser seems to be
If even less concern to the corpora
ion. 1t is up to the public to demand
hat the company who controls these
newspapers either publish their medi-
inns of news or turn them over to
someone who will. Each and every
citizen of the communities affected
should make it their direct RESPONSE
Dility to demand this public service
rom the publishers. The sooner this
S done, the sooner local newspapers
will appear on the streets and in the
ZONES.
The printers Of Missoula, Helena,
Butte and Anaconda, have no issue
With the reading public and advertis-
RS and will welcome the opportunity
o serve them. All they ask is the
light to a fair and decent living while
DING so. A 10 per cent increase in
wages is not unfair at this time. ANY
erson who has given any thought to
he prices they are now paying for the
ecessities of life will agree on this.
70 it is up to the public merchants.
ach and every one to write or phone
he publishers demanding their news
apers in no uncertain terms.
Publicity committee,
Missoula Typographical Union.