The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1952-02-08


this report the farmer-labor
meeting held Helena Sunday at which time various labor
representatives reached general the
cessy of presenting occupatona dseaseworkmen
pensation initiative to the voters of the state.
The Voice since its beginning thirteen years has
sistenty taken position that occupaona disease just
much byproduct of unsafe conditions industry
twisted body broken leg blinded eye. AS indus
hazards contended afflicted with such
diseases should be the way other types
bes in the of the lawshould under the provi
sions of the Workmen's Compensation Act
Further have pointed again that pres
handling of those unable work because of occupaona
ament is not only an injustice to them but that placing the
burden their existence the generally instead
of the Gripping industry is also miscarriage of
justice.
the goal to be be desredt only topgap those already
afflicted Our goal has been the elimination the
sanitary conditions that permit these hazards
Labor unions backed by liberal people, repeated
" presented bills to the legislature protect industrial
from occupatona hazards and to correct the neques
in present laws Legislature after legislature has failed to dis
charge its responsibility either workers the taxpayers
We have dispaired whether anything really worthwhile
this field would ever be Forthcoming from the legislature To
with the failure of each succeeding legislative body enact
corrective legislation the has become increasingly ap
The issue would have be placed quare before the
people by way of the initiative route.
Some months back having repeated
ue OF the legislature the Progressive Party had drafted AM
initiative proposal remedy this ongstanding
and to make other major improvements in the compen
sation laws.
While concerned the that had unduly
patient in presenting its to the legislature and had pro-
too considering an initiative to this
editor the the Progressive Party While
convinced that the initiative process be by
one it has been our considered opinion that for anv partisan
take unilateray would only its failure
the polls and would most likely set back remedial legislation
for number of to We well Others
ed officials of the Progressive Party opposition
being made partisan issue Securing sgnaories to the mi
tiative petition proceeded.
More recently apparently realizing the job securing uf
fcient gner greater than the of that party
party officials repeatedly appealed to labor to take the
posa off their hands Possibly something major import
been accomplished by the Progressive Party.
Except for the Rip Van Wrinkle attitude labor
might be than stepfather Worknens
Compensation laws.
The baby which has been left abors doorstep in
the least RADICAL isn't
legislation already the books in York Michigan Cali
forna number of other is good
and represents long toward rghtng injustice has
been with Montana since territorial days. !
But to live past infancy, this initiative having been aban
doned by its partisan parent adopted labor farmer
support must from here out be considered
sponsbily of united laborfarmer movement In state
such Montana labor alone successfully pilot type
of initiative into law The Of independent farmers and
other people absolute necessity That support not be
degree if this initiative does not
remain strictly non partisan. "
To make political medicine of continued misery of men
the suffering Of wives and children nothing short of
the most sadsc political opportunism. We