The people's voice., 1959-09-25

in Montana goes into it's 9th week.
the question is being raised as to
the future of the workers in the
mining industry in this state. The an
swer seems to be more and more linn
tied employment opportunities as the
outcome of less and less underground
mining.
Beginning with the time of the cut
back from a six to a five day work
week after election in 1856, the moves
have pointed to gradual mayhem
of the Montana portion of the Ana
conda body.
The lay-offs in 1888 lasted un-
til many miners had drifted out of
Butte and/or the state, after which
there was a gradual increase in the
work force. but to only small por-
tion of the former strength. 1t has
been said Anaconda would hire more
men if they were available, but this
has also been contradicted.
The sale of their statewide news
paper holdings was another move that
indicated a further retrenchment
from the Montana scene by ACM.
Now the strike presently in process
seems to be as much of Anaconda
Company making as of the Union.
The company reluctance-in fact alb
solute indifference-to talking about
a settlement, coupled with informa-
ton from New York investment
houses adds credence to the idea that
operations here will con-
tribute less and less to the economy.
One investment house report put
out early in 1859 may have been a
when it said that when the
Salvador mines in Chile started to
contribute earnings to the company
late in 1859 at costs substantially
lower than the older properties, the
older properties would gradually be
replaced.
The report also said it was antici-
oated strikes in Chill could probably
De prevented; that if strikes were
avoided in the United States copper
prices could be under temporary pres
sure toward the end of the year; that
f there were strikes in the United |
States copper prices might rise, and
f protracted, the loss of production
.ould mean a shortage of supplies
md higher prices for some time.
Anaconda, rated in early 1859 as
me of the most attractive invest
nents in the mining industry, pros
'ers and will grow fat over the backs
# striking miners and low paid Chill
an labor, in a trend that forbodes
ess and less contribution to the Mon
ana economy. j.
But take heart, dear citizens. AS
he state loses it's employment op-
via private enterprise
economy the government moves in
nd makes a military target out of
s. For years we have been in the
olitical and economic stranglehold
f corporate financial enterprises,
nd now we add to that the economic
of the federal govern
lent through the vast and unproduc-
We military.
The Governor announced this week
nat the Defense Department will
pend $50 million dollars on military
in Montana in the next
vo years. Depressed areas in Mon
ma are clamoring for military es- t
for their economic stabi-
zation.
To what end?
Above and beyond the economic '
is the strain this type
economy puts on our attitudes +
ward peace. Should peace break t
it tomorrow where would Great Falls :
I'D Glasgow be? If Great Falls and :
lasgow were asked to vote on Q
sarmament t h a would remove S
e air bases from their communities I
hat would they think about first? i
We are told the continued arms C
ce can only lead to war and the L
ID of the human specie. We have =
en told war is unthinkable by the I
ry people who should know, includ-
g General Douglas Macarthur, Gen
al Omar Bradley, and none other
an General Dwight D. Eisenhower
1QEE o+ L III