The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1960-04-01
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
By GRETCHEN G.. BILLINGS

and low freight rates? Not 10 men
ton availability TO the other indus
| trial markets?
! How much new industry would we
have to attract to compensate in the
overall economy of the state for the
reduction in income to the wage
Garner?
How many new wage earners
would we have TO have to keep the
income of the state at IT'S present
level?
How would we finance the gov
emmental facilities necessary to
maintain high standards of eduea-
ton, community services, etc?
With a cheap labor force would
industry lower prices? Are textile
prices lower because of the low cost
of production in the South?
Where has the profit dollar gone?
How long would it be before the
"better business climate advocates.
would be coming back and telling us
we must again lower our wages to
attract the re-investmen of the dol
lars we have already produced? The
profits that historically Montana has
sent to other areas?
Would the next step be to bring
wages down to a competitive level
with Southern Rhodesia?
Are low wage citizens able to make
the best contribution to community?
Is the small business man in Mon
tana enchanted with the ''better bust
ness climate" propaganda? Would he
benefit from lower wages? Would he
benefit by the ratio of additional
low wage citizens-business or
tax-wise-that would be necessary to
make up for the present purchasing
power, high tax-contribution and
higher standards of living of work
ing people we have here now?
We have problems. We need some
Industrial development. But politi-
sians. Notwithstanding the results
that would attain from those seek
ng your political favor by use of
The sleek phrase 'tbetter business eli
nate" could we'll bode little good
'or the working or small business
nan in Montana.
What we need to know is how do
hese candidates plan to promote a
,etter business climate? How are
hey going to attract industry? How
ire they going to broaden the tax
vase? We must demand specifics, not
,latitudes.
We come to the point of utter
lonsense when a politician tells us
BUSINESS associations are trying to
vercome the action that killed the.
better business climate resolution"
n the last legislature. The resolu-
ion said nothing, just as these poll
icians are saying nothing now. 1t
J the ultimate in Righteousness to
xpect Montana people to bow and
Grape before the politicians who
ound the empty shell labeled "bet-
pr business climate.
Mr.. Sowerwine would promote a
better business climate" by reducing
ages.
How will a "better business eli
late' be promoted by the politicians
no expound this fascinating and
reamed-for goal in Montana?
Lower wages? A sales tax? Lower
nd fewer unemployment compensa-
ON payments?
The 1859 Legislature recognized
lat the "better business climate
solution meant nothing that it
'uld turn out to be a veritable pam
'ra's box. When the legislature ig-
'red the pandora's box, the politi-
ans who were promoting it, tucked
in their pockets, and took it home.
was a glittering and attractive box
the outside. They had offered it
a legislature that was suspicious
what was inside and turned their
es from the glitter. Now the poll
.ians have polished it up and are
lding it before the eyes of the
ople.
We better find out what is in the
x before we accept it.