The Daily Missoulian., 1914-08-28
CHAMBER TO MAKE.
A COUNTY
SURVEY
? AuUAv
COMPREHENSIVE COMPILATION
or 'RqsouRcEs iuNDERTAk-
EN- BY COMMERCIAL BODY

j.
hot air. with cold hard facts.
| Instead of inflated. optimistic gem
eralities the organization hereafter
twill meet interested inquiries with ac-
curate, dependable truths.
| 1t will do this through compre-
hensive industrial survey, to be- ex-
tended through an indefinite period of
years until it has covered every phase
of the community's life. The chamber
of commerce will be made reposi-
tory of vital facts about western Mon
/ tana from which possible immigrants.
interested capitalists or investigators
may draw at WILL
The change is revolutionary. Since
the west brought the chamber of COM
merce to its modern position in com
munity life, the name has been asso-
ciated with brightly colored booklets,
showing impossibly beautiful scenery,
preposterorsly happy citizens and an
nouncing !, dubious facts" with ut
most assurance. 1t has come almost to
be an axiom with the critical that
whatever chamber of commerce says
of it's own community is 80 per cent
hope.
Facts, not Hopes.
That belief will no longer be true In
Missoula's case. Facts, whether good
or not, will be the stock in trade of
the organization which attends to the
city's foreign reputation.
The ways and means committee of
the chamber OF commerce is already at
work upon the survey. Under the di-
rection of F. A. Silcox, it's chairman,
the committee will attack the sur
vey from two points, timber resources
and agricultural possibilities.
Eve are not going to attempt too
much" said Mr.. Silcox Yesterday
This survey will extend over a good
many years. We will consider diff
ferent phases in the order of their
immediate Importance until our data
is complete.
Two Immediate Needs.
''It is the belief of the committee
that western Montanas immediate
needs are for accurate data on timber
and agriculture. So far as numbering
is concerned we feel that development
has gone as far as possible, but there
are many by-products which should
be used, Ties, for instance, could be
treated here, and there are opportun-
tiles for the manufacture of paper
pulp.
Now, we don't intend to 60 to the
railroads and say that Missoula liz a
fine city for a tie plant. We wouldn't
get anywhere at that rate. When we
go we will go armed with figures We
will be able to tell the railroad people
just how much timber is available.
what the expenses of a tie treating
plant in matters of wages. overhead
expense, freight and SO forth would
be. We will be in a position to an
swer any questions they ask us. SINH
larly we will be able to treat with
people interested in paper pulp.
Dairyine First.
"Our survey of agricultural possibil-
tiles will at present concern itself
largely with dairying. There, we feel
the need for development is greatest
right now. In this connection the
county agent whose appointment is
not unlikely will be able to aid us. His
expert knowledge and the co-opera-
tion of the agricultural college will
make our observation and our data re-
liable
In all of our surveys we will rely,
of course upon expert agencies. The
| committee will but direct and as
semble. The surveying will be done by
men we'll qualified to render expert
service. The forest service, for in
stance. will help in the timber survey,
and the facts in the possession of pri-
vate timber owners and state Off
cials will be used. When we come to
take UP mineral resources the univer-
sity will help us. In that way our ma
terial will be guaranteed.
Other Great Fields.
In the end the survey will not con-
Germ itself wholly with material mat
ters. AS the country develops and
life becomes more complex human
problems will be dealt with in sci
entific manner. The Chicago vice
commission merely applied the prin-
ciple of this industrial survey to a
social problem The betterment of
rural life the improvement of city sur
roundings-all such things will be dis
eussed in time. Matters which we
consider Immediately more vital will
be considered first however.
I'VE have corresponded with the
United States Chamber of Commerce,
and with Maryland, where an exten-
sive industrial survey along some lines
has been made. From these sources
we have received valuable sugges-
tions.
Immediate results can not be ex-
pected. for such a task is of infinite
length. But the plan is, l feel, of
great Importance. When it has been
developed a little the chamber Of com
merce survey should be very valuable
to all Missoula people,"