Montana labor news., 1948-10-21
WILL CONTINUE TO BATTLE
FOR LOW COST HOMES IN THE
NEXT SESSION OF CONGRESS

one OF the worst crimes OF the past
session of Congress. Senator Murray
maintains. was failure to pass real
housing bill, and the substitution of
bill backed by the powerful and Law
ishly financed real estate lobby.
rs soon as the next Congress con-
yencs. Murray proposes to renew his
fight ior immediate passage OF real
low-co,i housing and slum clearance
bill. 10 make possible the rapid con-
s,ruotion oi decent houses and apart
men, buildings at reasonable cost
The present shortage OF reasonably
priced housing for war veterans and
iow income families is one of the most
serious problems confronting the coun-
try the senator points out.
HAD AMPLE OPPORTUNITY
Millions of people who are hav-
ing difficulty finding homes At any
price, and in keeping any kind of
roof over thei rheads, will agree
with Montana's senator.
In both the regular session and spe-
cial session. Murray recalled, Con
gre, had ample opportunity to act for
the people instead OF Tor the real estate
lohby. Bu, the reactionary Republican
leadership made sure that low-cost
MURRAY SAYS:
In the last Congress, we Demo-
Gratis offered an income tax amend
ment providing an exemption of
$4,000 for all small business con-
Germs which would use the money
to modernize or expand their plants.
THAT amendment was shouted
down by the Republican controlled
Congress-"
housing and slum clearance were climi-
mated. and that the too-high profits OF
the real estate sharks were guaranteed
The housing problem can be solved
Senator Murray pointed out "only il
the people elect men to the Senate ant
House who are pledged to make rea
housing program effective Immediately
In Thick of Fight
NJ one knows this situation better
than Murray. for he was in the thick
OF the housing bill fight. which was one
of the most extraordinary contests ir
the history oi Congress, and had dis
graceful ending.
In regular sessions. men like Murra,
twice put through the Senate goot
housing measure despite all the lobb,
could do. The bill, however. nevcr
came 10 a vote in the House, becaus,
there il was held up in the banking
committee, headed by an ultra-reac
tionary Republican, Congressman Jess
Wolcott Of Michigan.
President Truman called Congress
back into special session this summer
and put the housing problem at tn
top OF the list for action Again tn
real estate lobby got busy.
A Shocking Performance
The lobby was surprised and shocke'
when the Senate banking committee ap
proved the decent housing bill the Sen
ate had adopted at the regular session
As a result. it seemed sure to pass tn
Senate again.
Then, however, Senator Taft Of Ohio
Republican policy leader in the Senate
swung his influence against the measur
and it was defeated by narrow margin
| Taft did this although he had assiste
/ in drafting this decent bill and ha
proudly attached his name to it. Blu
when the lobby put the screws" to Tai
/ he abandoned his own Child" 1t wa
a shocking performance!
In the House, Wolcott and his Re
publican-controlled committee also hel
up the decent housing bill
In the closing days Of the specis
session. fake housing bill was write
by COP leaders, rushed through bot
House and Senate, and became law owe
President Truman's protest
The fake measure does nothing t
Give veterans and lOw-incOme familie