The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-01-03
THE FARMER AND THE CHAMBER

There was an interesting caller at The Muscular office
yesterday afternoon, who came to talk over some questions
which were on his mind and which had given him consider
able concern. We appreciate the compliment which he
implied when he prefaced his little talk by saying: Il
don't know any other friend with whom l can talk over
these things and know you will listen to Them
This man is a farmer. He owns a good many hundred
acres of land within a few miles of Missoula. He is deeply
interested in what goes on, especially in the efforts Of the
native land is an European country which has been FORE
most in establishing intimate relations between the govern
ment and the man who tls the soil; he has studied the
plans OF his old-country government.
Here is the first suggestion which this farmer friend of
ours made: If the chamber of commerce wants really to
help the farmers of this part of the state, which is the surest
way to make the city grow, let the members take up the
question of passing a law which will enable the state to loan
money to the farmers at reasonable rates, so they can in
crease their irrigation works and make it possible tor more
people to live on the land.
Here is the second suggestions: A recent report of the
geological survey announced the discovery Of phosphate
beds, a few miles north of Garrison, a short distance from
Phiipsburg and a little way from Elliston-al easily &C
cessible. In the mother-country OF our farmer friend, the
phosphate rock has been made the salvation of the farmers.
In that country, where the soil was exhausted when the
phosphate application was begun, the farmers now raise
greater crops than the soil Of Montana yields. 1t would be
the greatest boon for this country + the p%hosphates could be
developed now. 1t is a fine field for the chamber Of COM
These were the two topics which our visitor suggested
and we found them interesting. ne spoke with authority
for he has seen the practical operation OF each OF the two
plans which he mentioned; he has seen each in effect in his
native land; he knows how greatly they have benefited the
farmers and, through the farmers, the entire country.
1t may seem a wide range between farm-loans and phos-
pilates, but they are really closet related. The farm loan
will become more certain as a security and, therefore, the
more readily obtained, if the productiveness Of the soil is
increased. The development Of the farms, the increase Of
the production and the addition Of new farmers to the local
population-these are all questions which directly concern
the chambers Of commerce in this region.
We understand that there is to be a bill introduced at the
coming session of the legislature, to enact a law making it
possible for the state to loan its moneys on sound farm Sc
curity at a low rate of interest. 1t would be a good thing
if the Missoula Chamber of Commerce would investigate
this plan which is successful in other states and other
nations.
The matter of phosphate development is a timely sug-
gestion; it is directly within the scope OF the endeavors, OF
the chamber of commerce. 1t is just such questions as this
which afford the opportunity for the chamber OF commerce
to be of practical benefit to all western Montana. 1t
strikes us that there is sound sense in the dual suggestion
of our farmer friend.