Here we see Montana's leading Socialists of 1907. The Montana Federation of Labor convention ran from August 19 to August 24, with meetings taking place in the Electric Block on Sixth Avenue, where the local Worker's' Educational Club was located.

According to newspaper accounts of the convention, the main topic of discussion and activism was the ongoing strike of Montana telephone operators, who were almost exclusivley female. Their demands were for a ~20% pay increase and reduced working hours.

There was reportedly attempted intimidation of Helena merchants by union activists just preceeding the convention. The merchants were advised to physically remove telephones from their businesses, or face a boycott by union members. The merchants declined to comply.

Later during the convention, a resolution called for the boycotting of all Helena businesses who had a telephone, recommending that people instead order their needs, via catalogs, from other cities.

The Helena Independent reported that the delegates retired to the Capital Brewery after the above photo was taken.

The only person thus far identified in the photo is the third man from the right in the front row. He was Andrew D. Peugh (1854-1928).

The stacked bricks were from the paving of Park Avenue.