The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1955-02-18
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
By GRETCHEN G. BILLINGS

/ pCopiC VI iucoiS SSncIdtlOUS, and
proceeded to hog tie future genera
tions from having anything to saw
about the Columbia Basin water.
"An opening wedge for Montana
Teapot Dome," one fellow classified
SD SO.
Obvious this session is that the
Company lobby has stuck their col
lective noses into legislation of
every kind whether it affects the
Company or not-they have become
"heady" and found their own work
so easy they have hired out for the
job of working for every vested
interest in Montana. With complete
control through the Republicans
and six Democrats the temptation
must have been more than the Com
pany could resist, to help all the
boys along. (Reardon and Lee of
Butte have not let the Company
control them on any votes).
The Montana Farm Bureau has
had man in the lobby at this session
of the legislature on a full-time
basis. Representative of the Farm
Bureau appeared against the 1866
school foundation program and the
tax equalization program as well as
in favor of the constitutional amend
ment that would have restricted the
right to vote on bond issues (the
later bill was killed..
4
The usual depression that perme-
ates the legislative assembly about
this stage of the game has set in.
In the house during the committee
Of the whole discussion on legisla-
5ion the representative mill around
talking to each other and keep such
a buzz going the chairman on the
'ostrum has difficulty hearing, be-
ng heard, or counting votes.
Feb. ID, Valentines Day was one
# the more difficult. Tom Haines
was in the chair. Some
me started trick Valentine around
he chambers. Most of them suspected
was trick and closed their eyes
T ducked to keep from being hit IN
he face by whatever it was they sus-
ected would fly out, and instead they
ot snapped on the thumb with
lousetrap-like contraption. cloud
aughter). Things finally reached the
ONT where Tom Haines got mixed up
n vote and raped the gavel and
lade all the representatives take
leir seats so an accurate count could
e taken.
The absolute control of the corpora
on lobbyists is in good part respon-
bic for the depression, of course.
Some foolish character said today
; would like to "tell them off"
| wondered what he would say?
They have the votes and it is merely
matter of maneuvering so the bills
e marshalled through in proper
amer, so Corette has time to be
lie to appear at the hearings and
'esn't have to run too fast between
meetings, so everyone has
5 cue properly learned and there is
chance of slip up.
Their lobbying teams are at work
ch morning before the first repre-
NATIVE or senator appears, but
at is beside the point. They have
votes and the job for them is like
ooting fish. 1t calls for careful at
ltion and the boys work hard at it,
t in the final analysis it is, really
cinch.
Then teams" in the legislative
lis are a small part of their pro-
I'M, however, because they work
days year through their en-
yes all over the state. They are not
democratic organization, and they
re little use for same.
And they do come to the legislature
h the votes.
The time to start doing something
Tut corporation control of the leg
ture is today, tomorrow and the
It day.
t is the voter who puts the nails
collins that hold bills of value
he Montana working man, farmer,
A, etc. The corporation boys
k together and laugh up their
ives at all the foolish voters that