The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1960-10-21


/ Sarsfield placed emphasis on a bal
anced budget, less government spend
ing, and a ''critical re-examination of
our foreign aid programs :"
| Metcan laid primary blame for the
continued inflationary spiral under
the Eisenhower Administration to the
planned economy we've had the
last seven and one half years corner
stoned on the systematic lacking up
of interest rates by the Administra-
ton, and administered prices by
such basic industries as steel. auto,
electrical, etc. Another cause. said
the members of the House Ways and
Means Committee, has been the re-
luctance of the Federal Reserve to
release enough new money each year
to keep even or spur economic growth
commensurate with our increasing
population.
On foreign aid, Metcalf pointed out
that the "last vote | made as a MEM
Der of the House" was against a re-
quest by President Eisenhower ''for
$275 million military aid to NATO
countries" There is no doubt, he said,
that the program needs revamping,
and he would so do by ending mill
tary aid to other countries and would
instead, push for economic aid for
undeveloped countries such as the
Congo and "our friends of Latin
America
MINIMUM WAGE
All three expressed the thought
that it is not in the province of the
federal government to order "com-
pulsory unionization of agricultural
workers or any other workers. On
the minimum wage question there
was sharp disagreement between
Flare and Metcalf, with Sarsfield
opining that there is merit to having
a floor under workers wages.
Flare said the minimum wage is
''compulsion" and he's fearful of it.
He envisages the day when the
government could take over the
collective bargaining process and
from workers. Flare, as congress-
man and state legislator, consist
emily opposed minimum wage legis-
lation.
Metcalf said that unions, by and |
large. did not seek minimum wages |
for their members, because few union |
people receive less than the statutorily |
set minimums. He said that unions
seek to better the condition of "less
fortunate unorganized wor k e S"
through minimum wage legislation.
IN Montana, he pointed out, there
would be fewer than 500 union mem
,ers who would directly benefit from
/ $1.0O minimum wage.
Metcalf also called his audiences
attention to the equalization factor
! federal minimum wage has in MAX
ng Montana products more competi-
i've with those of low-paid southern
operations. Higher federal minimum
wages, he said, help to close the gap
n wage costs between the north and
he open shop southern states.
,O-OP TAXATION
The two Republican candidates
we're quite firm in their opinion that
oops which compete with private
should pay the same in
ONE and license taxes as their COM
editors. Flare said he is supporter !
f true co-ops", but s'it's not just
or co-ops to enter into competition
nd not pay the same taxes" as other
Businesses. Sarsfield said "co-ops t
hould be taxed the same as all other {
!. :"
Metcalf had divergent view. He
ecalled the longest hearings the
louise Ways and Means Committee
ad held Sin recent times" and. the
borough investigation of taxing prin- s
iples governing co-operatives, mu- I
lal insurance companies, etc. He also n
sferred TO a U. S. Supreme Court t
ecision wherein it was held that $
lutual insurance company SURPRISES s
hich were periodically rebated to
he policy holders are not taxable as il
ct income to the company. Farmer p
to a cooperative which o
Re rebated in less than long period t
r