davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Montana labor news., 1947-11-27
Retail Prices Up 7 Per Cent In September

Washington, D. CA sensational Jump in retail prices Of
food products between mid-August and mid-September ws
the major factor boosting the consumers price index to = record
high, l64 percent above the 1855 level, the Bureau Of Labor
Statistics reported on the basis Of preliminary estimates.
The index as Of September 18th stood at 4 level IL percent
above a year ago, % percent over the prevailing prices recorded
for June 1916, and 66 percent greater than the level Of August
1899.
The price report came on the heels of another BIS release,
reported in an earlier issue Of the news service, showing that
weekly wages of American workers had dropped IS per week
over the two-year period since W Day. Thus, 4 further drop
was recorded in September as the cost-oflivins spurted up
once more.
Prices advanced in September for all major groups Of items,
BIS said. Final figures for foods Indicate that they increased
SO percent from mid.Ausust. Preliminary estimates show
up over one percent, and apparel, fuel and miscellaneous goods
and services increased somewhat less than one percent.
The rise Of 36 percent in food prices between mid-Ausust
and mid-September brought the food index for September 1947
to 2O3.5 percent Of the 1859 average; 40 percent higher
than June 1916 and 10 percent above the June 1920 peak.
Meats, dairy products and eggs were again the chief contrib
utors to The advance in the total food bill.
Cereal products rose l3 percent and beverages 20 percent.
Fruits and vegetables dropped 0s percent on the average, with
declines Of 81 percent for canned goods and O8 percent for
dried products. There was a slight increase for fresh fruits
and vegetables
Prices Of fats and oils dropped IL percent, although these
prices usually increase seasonally at this time Of year.
Rents in large cities advanced over 2 percent from August
to September A. rent increases allowed under the l947 housing
and rent act continued to be reported.
Montana labor news., 1947-11-27

ship to the general level OF wages In
manufacturing today" The new level
would increase the national wage bill
now by III. he estimated. and might
amount to 1et In the lumber industry.
an extreme. low-wage field.
AS a '%precaution against special
situations Schwellenbach said he
would propose giving in~dustry-labor-
public committees authority TO re-
duce the minimum wage for particular
industries from 75c to csc an hour
when necessary. A reduction below
Csc should not be permitted"
Several committee members tried to
trap the s~low-speaking cabinet mem
Der into saying he would sanction ex-
empting from the wage-hour act en-
ployers with labor contracts carrying
a minimum wage scale above the legal
level. but Schwellenbach stuck to his
viewpoint that the 40-hour week
should stay.
He added that exemption Of certain
agricultural processing In the area OF
production had become so broad that
the entire concept should be wiped
out OF the law and the workers should
be covered. He also spoke up for
tighter restrictions on child labor,
pointing out that now IAN employer
can avoid the child labor provisions
BY holding his goods and o shipping
them until 80 days after the employ
ment OF oppressive child labor"
Montana labor news., 1947-11-27
STEEL EMPLOYER ASKS
81 MINIMUM wage

Washington-FP-An employer who
spoke up for a 81 hourly minimum
wage instead of the 40c now provided
by the federal wage-hour law brought
a shock. to house labor subcommittee
members November 10. He was Pat
rick w. McDonough of Oakland, Cal,
president of the McDonough Steel Co.,
and a former boilermaker.
After telling the startled committee
that his plant is organized by the Init.
Bro. OF Boilermakers (AFL) and that
laborers there earn S1.23 an hour, Nc
Donough, among other things said:
Cant Rely on Good Conscience"
"A good standard Of living wages
will not be paid by some employers
unless i is made obligatory. The
business chiselers and the inhumane
are still with us, and the fact that
there are some with effrontery to ap-
pear here and to protest the enacting
Of this law, is ample proof that you
can't rely on the good conscience Of all
business.
Business people who oppose a 75c
hourly minimum are just too tough for
our economic system. and like other
malefactors Of our society, must be
curbed by law.
Il call to your attention the 60Tc
increase that congress voted to its
members and a proportionate amount
to their staff, many Of who are mem.
bers OF their respective families. ]
am not OF the opinion that congress.
men are overpaid. | mention this to
indicate clearly that everyone who
was in a position to get an increase
GOT while the getting was good"
Montana labor news., 1947-11-27

thoughts, political views, affiliations
and associations Of American citizens.
Committee Reports
Ira Siebrasse reported progress for
the Jackman committee.
Dick Lane reported for the City
Manager committee. He stated that
it will be necessary to have active
phone calls to bring out the vote.
Bernal J. c. Leary reported progress
for the Parking Meter committee.
James l.. Murray reporting for the
City Manager committee that four
radio broadcasts have been arranged
over KXLK and three over KFBB on
the special election.
Roll Call and Reports Of Delegates
On motion flowers were ordered
sent to funeral of Charles Hendrick-
son.
On motion the Assembly committee
on the City Firemen were ordered to
attend the council meeting ON Novem-
Der oath and urge that seniority be
observed in promotions in the Fire de-
partment.
Clyde Troutman reporting for the
Musicians recommended that the 2Oqt
amusement tax be repealed. On mo-
ton his recommendation was con-
Cured in and letters were ordered
written our congressional delegation
urging repeal.
Austin Thompson reported that
wholesale and transfer employees are
negotiating for wage increases Of 22h
cents an hour also that four hours
with pay be allowed on election day.
He stated that the Taft-Hartley law
in proving a big obstruction to present
wage negotiations.
Dick Lane reported on the county
wide meeting of the Farmers Union.
He stated that the polls will be open
from 8 to s December 1st when labor
should get out and defeat the City
Manager form Of government. Under
the City Manager form Of government
the commissioners and manager will
be elected at large and 1t would not be
long before control would be vested
in a restricted north side group.
Unfinished Business
On motion tr~easurer's bond was or
dered paid on $4,000.
Perry Melton reported that undoubt-
eddy there will be much increase in
organization activity at Kalispell and
Flathead County due to the work on
the Hungry Horse dam. He states
that their problems in Kalispell are
quite similar to ours in respect to
City Manager form OF government,
etc.
Announcements
Coop committee meeting every
Tuesday mite at the assembly office
at 1880 pm.
Your organization Is asked to take
action on the enclosed open letter to
VIM. Green as soon as possible:
Be sure to vote on the City Manager
form OF Government on Monday, De-
cember 1st. Polls open 500 am. to
500 pm.
Continued On Page Four)
Montana labor news., 1947-11-27
FARMERS UNION BACKS
TRuMAn'S PRICE
CONTROL PROPOSALS

Washington - FTP - The National
Farmers Union November Is called
for earliest possible" approval by
congress Of President Truman's anti
initiation message at the special SEES
sion.
Pres. James G.. Patton said the pro-
gram should be adopted within the
next two weeks warning that action
now to combat initiation lis the most
important single economic and legis-
lative issue before the country. Un-
less that action is taken the questions
involved in the longtime European
recovery program cannot be consid-
cred comprehensiyely and sensibly.'
vandenberg Praised
Patton conceded there Is little doubt
that the stop-gap aid program will be
approved and said too much praise
cannot be given TO such Republican
leaders as Sen. Arthur Vandenberg
(R, Mich.) and Rep. Charles. Eaton
(R. MD. Their wisdom has done
much to remove craftsmanship in this
matter"
In winding up. Patton said it be-
hooved other COP leaders ito adopt
the same elevated approach" and ito
~repudiate the inflationary proposals
just made by Sen. Robert A. Taft Or,
%, notably his suggestion that taxes
be decreased. Even the most conser-
vative students Of economics know
that such action would add fuel to the
fire OF rising living costs"
Montana labor news., 1947-11-27

and meat prices would put %pressures
on food next year that may set off
a chain reaction" and said the nation
needed new measures to combat in
flation. 1t was here he asked for
legislation to authorize the govern
ment Ito impose price ceilings on vital
commodities In short supply that bas-
ically affect the cost Of living"
These commodities were defined as
food, clothing. fuel and rent and he
also asked legislation to put ceilings
on items in short supply affecting In
dustrial production.
Selective Price Control
This does not mean" he said. that
price ceilings should be imposed on
all items within the classes | have
mentioned. For example. price cell
ings would not be necessary for staple
food and clothing items not in short
supply or for any delicacies or lux
uries. The SAINT principle OF selective
treatment would apply to industrial
items. This selective treatment OF a
relatively few danger spots is very
different from overall wartime price
controls"
Truman next observed that he be-
lieved the fair distribution OF such
commodities can be largely accom-
plished without consumer rationing.'
Then followed a suggestion that II
would be best to prepare against In
flation's disaster and III the govern
ment imposes price ceilings covering
a specific area Of production. it should
in all fairness have the authority, in
the same area. TO prevent wage In
creases which will make 1t impossible
to maintain the price ceilings. This
authority should be granted, although
| believe that there would be few oc.
casions for its use"
Sen. Joseph II. Ball Or, Mimi said
afterwards he had read the whole
program last week in the CLIO News
Apparently the President wants us
to liquidate freedom in America In
the name OF saving it abroad
Sen. William knowland tR. CALI
said he was for the foreign aid pro
gram, but "as for the rest-a con-.
trolled economy for the tS.-~l am
against it." and Sen. Ralph Flanders
Or. w declared the message put
a lot more in our laps than we can
hold He added hal the President
showed courage when he said we
have to have wage control il we have
price control"
With the lone exception Of Sen. W..
Lee O'Daniel Cd, Tex most Demo-
Gratis found the message met the sit
uation exactly.
Montana labor news., 1947-11-27

as written into the federal
wage-hour law, Schwellenbach
also urged a 75c hourly mini
mum wage on the group con-
sidering revision Of the act. He
recalled predictions by enemies
of premium overtime pay early
in the war that time-and-a-half would
hinder production" and said history
disproved them.
We have passed through the war
and reconversion period without sacri-
ficing this basic standard OF our labor
legislation" he said. With Il labor
force now over 10 million larger than
in wartime we certainly can achieve
full production without sacrificing IT,
SHOULD the time come when serious
unemployment again threatens our
economic structure. we shall be CRATE
full for having on the statute books
a law which will serve to prevent the
anomaly Of men walking the streets
begging for work while other workers
are being forced to work long and
burdensome hours
Arguing for a jump In the hourly
minimum wage to 15c at once, Schwel-
lenbach said the present 40c Is com
pletely outmoded,' and that even in
1888 it was not intended to be a final
goal. but rather a beginning in the
achievement OF a minimum standard
OF living for American workers
Nine years ago, he said the zoe
figure vas 625re OF the general level
Of wages in manufacturing AT that
time. A 75c minimum is 0 neces-
sary 10 maintain the same relation
Montana labor news., 1947-11-27
CASCADE COUNTY TRADES { LABOR ASSEMBLY,

Meeting Of November 81, 1947 was
called to order at 500 by President
Steinmetz.
Roll call Of officers showed all Of
ficers present.
The minutes Of the previous meet
ing were read and corrected and an
proved. Corrected that the Cascade
County Farmers Union co-sponsor,
Cyrus Warmer with the assembly in
Great Falls.
Communications
From the AFL copy of minority re-
port Of the special tax committee
authorized by the committee on WAYS
and means Of the U. S. house OF rep
resentatives.
The majority report proposals are
designed to benefit the wealthy tax
payers by relieving upper bracket in.
come and corporate profits Of taxation
at the federal level and placing In.
creased emphasis on excise taxes, pay.
roll taxes, amusement taxes, sales
taxes and cigarette taxes.
On motion referred to legislative
committee. President Steinmetz rec.
commended hat all organizations and
the assembly write their senators and
congressman that income tax exemp-
tons be increased for married couples
to $500 and 1900 for single persons,
dependents to remain at $500. On
motion concurred in by the assembly.
From the Community Chest asking
that two delegates be appointed to at
tend the Chest meeting on Tuesday,
November 25th at 500 pm in the
banquet room Of the Civic Center.
Austin Thompson and Walter David
son were appointed to represent the
assembly at the Community Chest
meeting.
On motion letters were ordered writ.
ten our congressman urging that the
contempt citations against the ten
Hollywood writer's and directors be
dropped and that a thorough debate be
assured on the right Of the un-Amer.
lean committee to investigate the
Montana labor news., 1947-11-27

aid, which he called a "vital'
prerequisite" to the long range
recovery program outlined by
Sec. George C. Marshall, got a
generally favorable reaction.
But the members of the house
and senate sat on their hands
in cold silence when the chief
executive mentioned the do
nestle danger of initiation and
suggested steps to combat it.
Truman warned congress that the
can no longer treat initiation
with spiraling prices and living costs
as some vague condition we may
encounter in the future. We already
have an alarming degree OF initiation.
And ever more alarming, It is grow
ing worse" he said in his character
istic. dry monotone.
Violent Disagreement
Although there was violent disagree
ment about just how far the rationing-
price control proposal was intended to
go, COP Floor Leader Charles Hal
leck Of Indiana assumed It was for a
full restoration Of OPA.
"Mr. Truman himself only a few
days ago described OPA as a resort
to what he called police state meth
DDS" Halleck declared. Now he
asks for it. 1t all indicates the con-
fusion that is rampant In the execu-
tive branch and the incompetence that
brought about present conditions"
On the other hand. Rep. Vito Mar
cantonio CALF, N.Y. said that the
failure OF the President to recommend
overall price control will keep the
cost Of living high, II not send it
higher
Truman warned that higher grain
Montana labor news., 1947-11-27

Fabian. publicity; Father Harrington
and Rev. F. +. Logee, churches. Mrs
Newman has reported that an excep-
tionally large number OF high school
students have entered the essay com
petition. The themes are due Decem.
Der l and are to be written on the
Cause and Diagnoses OF Tuberculo'
sis" Butte Boy Scouts are also con
tributing to the sale by the distribu.
ton OF posters and window displays.
Gov. Sam C. Ford noted opening
the sale by issuance Of a proclamation.
1t reads:
1.-The 41st annual Christmas seal
sale opens on November "a and con
tinues until Christmas. Again. it is
privilege to call the attention OF
the people Of the State OF Montana
to this event.
IN 1916 the mobile unit, sponsored
by the Montana tuberculosis associa-
ton and made possible by your gen.
erous support, Travelled throughout the
state and over 10000 X-rays were
taken.
"Of the money raised in this state,
95 percent remains here to be used
in Montana for local and statewide
tuberculosis control projects, and the
other five percent will be forwarded
to the National tuberculosis associa-
ton to support research and services
on a national scale.
Despite the advances Of modern
medicine. tuberculosis kills $4,000
persons each year and takes the lives
OF more people between Is and As
years Of age than any other disease.
II request the generosity again Of
the people Of Montana for the 1947
Christmas seal sale. l am certain
everyone will want to see the good
work Of the Montana tuberculosis as
ISOLATION continued"
Montana labor news., 1947-11-27
BRIT TO SPONSOR RADIO
NEWS BROADCAST

Cleveland-FP-The Bro. OF Rail-
road Trainmen (unaffiliated) will be-
come the second national labor union
to sponsor a countrywide newscast
program.
On November Is the BRIT will in
augurate a 52-week news analysis
program over the full ABC network.
presenting Dorothy Fuldheim. liberal
radio commentator who was dropped
from station WV here last summer.
The only other labor organization at
present sponsoring such a program is
the United Electrical Radio e. Machine
Workers (CIO) which presents Leland
Stowe each Wednesday from Wash
ington.
Montana labor news., 1947-11-27
CLARK Of GREAT
FALLS new HEAD OF
SmELTERMEn

John Clark, long time member OF
the Great Falls Smeltermen. has been
named president OF the International
Union Of Mine Mill 4 Smelter Work
ers as a result of the canvass OF the
October 6 referendum. the unions
%canvassing board announced last week.
Reid Robinson, Chicago. former in
ternational president who resigned
last year, was elected eastern vice
president by a margin OF 25.l29 to H.
34o votes for Homer Wilson OF Besse-
mer. Ala. Wesley J. Madill OF Gar
field. Utah. was elected western vice
president.
Montana labor news., 1947-11-27
COSTS up 1871
PER Gent over
1889

Washington = FP- So you want to
buy a house? What's stopping you?
There are coolies OF houses, and build.
ers are eager to take our order right
now!
The only catch. chum. is that fancy
price tag. Houses are for the very
rich. only the rich. The low cost
house is completely off the market
now and the medium range, that used
to run from $1,000 to $1,000 for the
average small family. has also dis
appeared.
U. S. builders now produce dwell
ings in a bracket range hat begins
at an yer $4,000. And that kind Of
money won't give you any extras such
as an electric kitchen and garbage
disposal unit thrown in.
Housing prices were at a record high
peak this October, having risen for
the fifth consecutive month according
to an industry-wide survey just made
by United Industrial Associates, Inc.
Even More inflated Than Ford
While beef steak is now in the stra-
tosphere above even the illegal black
market levels it reached under OPA.
and other foods are keeping it com
pany in the ethereal zone, home prices
are precisely $3.50 more inflated at
this time than our costly food.
The national figures show that hous-
ing prices have far outstripped every
other major item in the cost of living.
Latest BIS figures reveal that food
prices are $3.50 over pre-war u935-39
average. clothing is 500 up, and
intellectually has risen only 24T,
compared with a whacking 1870 for
housing.
While the average house over the
nation as a whole costs $11, 1875 today,
and the average buyer will still be
meeting monthly notes on 1t for year
in the future, when both prices and in
comes will have dropped considerably,
there still is no sign of anything con-
crete to correct the situation.
Conservative Republicans and the
real estate interests generally have
condemned the rather weak Taft-El-
lender-Wagne housing bill as social
istic," and the Truman administration
is more than reluctant to clamp a cell
ing on the industry in this prediction
year.
What to do about it? Simple. Get
yourself registered and then swing
that ballot as though it were a meat
axe on every reactionary up for public
office next fall.
Montana labor news., 1947-11-27

$ooO
citation president. Seals have
been mailed to residents who
have supported the program in
have supported the program in
the past. They will also be
available at booths in the bust
ness district beginning Deem
Der /. Eighty-five per cent of
the sale proceeds remains in Butte
for clinic work exclusively, Mrs. Ra-
billy explained. Ten percent is con-
tributed to the Montana tuberculosis
association for support OF the mobile
X-ray unit which travels the state and
five percent is sem to the national
association for tuberculosis research.
Last years seal sale financed 9,415
A-rays in the associations drive to-
ward yearly chest examinations of all
Silver Bow county residents. Accord
ing to the clinic fiscal report, Sc def.
mite cases OF tuberculosis were dag
nosed and 1879 patients were classed as
observation cases believed susceptible
to the disease. In addition 249 other
patholOgies were discovered through
the X-ray examinations. The pathO-
logical conditions included cancer Of
the lungs, which constitutes about 10
percent Of all cancer cases and can be
detected by X-ray. All operations Of
the clinic. including services of a
staff consisting Of an examining
physician, X-ray technician, follow-up
nurse and secretary, we're paid for
from Christmas seal funds and at no
expense to the individual patients.
Members Of the association execu-
tive board named by Mrs. Rahilly as
chairman Of seal sale committees in
clude Mrs. j. X. Newman, essay con-
test: Mrs. M. r. Leslie. booths; Mrs.
J. I. Finlen, window displays; Rev.
Father F. l.. Harrington and Carroll
Montana labor news., 1947-11-27
It's Up G0P Congress

Washington-FP-Authority to impose a sketchy rationing
on scarce consumer goods was requested of congress Novem-
Der II by President Truman along with the redistribution Of
wage controls to protect producers of such commodities.
Appearing personally before a joint session of the 8Oth con-
gress called into special session, Truman requested $579 million
as stop gap aid for Austria, Italy and France. This interim
Montana labor news., 1947-11-27
ACT MUST BE
PRESERVED, SAYS LBS.

Washington-FP-In 1898 when the wagehour act was
made law there were eight million unemployed while many
on the job were being worked so to 70 hours = week, and that
must not happen again, Labor Secretary Lewis Schwellenbach
told q house labor subcommittee November II.
Speaking in defense Of timeand-a-half pay after 40 hours
Montana labor news., 1947-11-27
CHRISTMAS SEAL drive OPENED path

Members of the Silver Bow Tuberculosis association formally,
launch the 1947 Christmas seal sale Monday for funds to Fl.
nance daily operations of Butte -X-rav program and free
chest clinic which has won ma Eito,,..- : . . one Of the
most successful and unique local pr~.- "oraiy ontrol
tuberculosis.
Montana labor news., 1947-11-27

1T il the business of the
old party politician to get
campaign contributions from
the rich and votes from the
poor on the ground that he
will protect one from the
other. Ameriger.
Montana labor news., 1947-11-27

An economy that relies fos
its stimulation On waste and
disaster i taking he read
to oblivion ~ surely ~ the
dinosaurs, those ereatwos
that were all bulk and no
brains Stuart Chase.
Evening star., 1947-08-03

Brazil. And finally we have Bra
zil, the only Portuguese speaking
and nom Hispanic country south
of the Rio Grande.
AS to peace, everybody knows
that the mere cessation of war
does not mean actual peace. 1t
seems that we are now enjoying
(and am not sure that enjoying
is the right termD a kind of truce.
Countries Have Many
Traits in Common
That said, we can safely admit
that the Latin American repub-
lies have many traits in common.
To begin with, there is their eco
Evening star., 1947-08-03

lea, like to be considered nation
apart. Then little Uruguay. a
South American version of Swift
zerland-a democratic republic
where political exiles from neigh
boring countries usually flock-is
a kind of tampon state danger
clsly sandWiched between ma
tionalistic Argentina and gigantic