The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-04-13

Every pubic-spirited man in Mon
tana likes to see the best foot put for
ward for his state-that goes without
saying. There are sharp differences of
opinion, however, when it comes to the
question of expediting immigration or
of stimulating it briskly. Not many
years ago Montana was disposed to
grumble because it was not getting it's
share in the immigration that moved
westward from ST. Paul over the line of
the Northern Pacific. The ring officials
who then were masters of that railroad
gave the preference to Dakota first
and then to the state of Washington.
With the result that when the era of
hard times came Montana, from end to
end, presented conditions that were
gratifying contrast with those that
were universal in Montana's two Dor
dering states.
Montana's advantage in the years Of
stress was that her proportion of citi-
zens not self-supporting was small.
The pinching of hard times was felt, to
be sure, but with as little severity as
anywhere in this country; and the
quota of people who We're dependent.
disappointed and sorry they came"
was as nothing in Montana, when COM
pared with the experience through
which Dakota, for instance, and the
state of Washington passed To state
the case in a different form, the num-
Der of men who make Montana their
nd 70
from the state, because of disappointed
expectations, is very small indeed
Normal growth is the best growth.
Col. P. B. Montana, in his Independ-
ent correspondence, outlines scheme
for the benefit Of the Helena Business
Mems association. Among other
agencies we would have, say, six men
who are fairly we'll posted on the re-
sources of this matchless state. sta
tioning them on our eastern border
three on the Northern Pacific and three
on the Great Northern-with literature
of the right sort to distribute through
the coaches, answering all questions
courteously and conscientiously. This
would be necessary not to exceed two
months. Pay them a good salary, and if
transportation can not be secured for
them from the railroads, give them a
mileage book. Let each man travel
one hundred miles or as far as it might
be necessary, catching a train going
East to their headquarters and repeat
ing the trip daily. 1t would require
three men for each road, as there are
two trains daily, and they must have
time in which to rest"
The like of this plan has frequently
found advocacy by people who think
that Montana isn't filling up fast
enough. Its merits have often been dis
cussed; it is akin to the policy that has
been adopted by many cities or states,
in various sections of the United States.
1t is not the present purpose of the
Standard to discuss the scheme thus
outlined by the Independents CORE
spondent-doubtless it is as good in it's
way, as any Of the many stimulants to
increased population that have been
advocated The essential fact to keep in
mind is that Montana really is increas-
ing in population in a healthful and
gratifying ratio at the points where the
conditions warrant growth and furnish
a field for new corners. And it will be
found to be true that the communities
that are enjoying the larger measure of
prosperity are those where the smallest
concern IS felt in regard to the expedit-
ing of immigration
Take Butte, for instance-Maior Pro
B. Montana's letter suggests that
Butte and other cities should be asked
to cooperate There isn't a doubt
that with the advent of the year 1900
Butte will be entitled to rank as a
city of 10000 people 1t is throbbing,
thriving, thrifty city-not many equals
for it can be found. You will find it to
be Butte's sensible policy to warn out
siders against the risk of overstockng
the city with people rather than to
urge men to come there. Or take Ana
conda; it has doubled in population
within six years. The second CITY in
Montana to-day, it has not less than
| 10000 inhabitants and the assurances of
| future growth are beyond disputing.
Let Gen. P. B. Montana attempt to
show the busy people in these two cities
| that there is money for them in the in
crease of agricultural population, en-
| failing lower prices for produce and
| provisions, the answer will be an as
| sent to that proposition, with the added
remark: "thats true, but really we
haven't time to figure on the prospect
i've incidentals''
Undoubtedly Missoula has enjoyed an
increase of not less than 1900 in popu-
lation within the past eighteen months,
and that is very handsome growth
AS for the Bitter Root valley, the in
| crease in the number Of its farmers
and in the aggregate of it's products has
been phenomenal during the past three
or four years. There has been talk of
| dull times in the Flathead region, yet
1n nHi oil oh