Montana labor news., 1947-08-28
A LABOR DAY MESSAGE

of our farmers during the great depression. which re-
suited directly from the lack of purchasing power among
working people in the cities. demonstrated the m'ei.
relationship between the wellbeing OF the FARMER ana
the ~well-being Of labor. 1t is regrettable that some
farmers have forgotten this Internationally.
II the Taft-Hartley Act remains on the statue DOCKS
employers will have many tools ready to hand win
which to hammer down the wages OF labor. Lower
wages spell reduced purchasing power and reduced
purchasing power for labor inevitably spells economic
disaster for the farmer once conditions return to
normal.
Congressman from the rural districts have therefore
done their constituents a grave disservice by passing
the Taft-Hartley Act. Anti-labOr propaganda dissent
mated among the farmers by Big Business during the
past few years has played an important part In this
picture. Now 1t is up to labor to get busy and bring
the truth to the farmers, so that they will join with
us in the fight to repeal a statute which potentially
is as disastrous for farmers as for workers.
II the Taft-Hartley Act remains law, it will by the
very nature OF its provisions drive American workers
more and more into the political field. Up to now,
American labor has been reluctant to emulate the work
ers of other nations by moving on from the economic
to the political arena. Throughout its long existence
the American Federation OF Labor has maintained itself
as q strictly non-partisan movement. The passage OF
the Taft-Hartley Act, with its oppressive provisions, in
evitably raises the question as to whether. in order to
protect the future Of American wage-earners, this basic
position must not now be altered.
During the coming months we must do more than
ever before to get American labors story across to all
the people OF our nation. 1t is a great story. Had 1t
not been for the American labor movement. Its building
Of our nation, its fight for free public schools, its strug-
gle for higher wages, shorter hours and civilized work
ing conditions. its vital contributions to victory in two
world wars, our country would not now occupy its pre-
eminent position and our people would not now enjoy
q standard OF living unapproched by any other people
in all history.
Let us be quite candid. We have done more In
recent years to inform the public veal than we did In
years long past. Nevertheless, what we have done has
been far from enough. Nothing will more effectively
safeguard the w%el-being OF all Of us who must work In
order to live than a wellconceived constantly function
ing, comprehensive program Of education of the Amer
lean people as a whole relative to labor's constructive
and beneficial policies, principles and detectives.
The ~antilabor fabrications Of Big Business and the
faithful servants OF Big Business in newspaper offices
and legislative halls must be exposed. Antilabor prop
uganda must be combated and its effects overcome.
The time has come for organized labor to take the
offensive in this sphere. We can and must do an efec-
tive educational job among all sections of our popula-
ton. And II we do, we may look forward with much
confidence to the repeal Of the Taft-Hartley Act.