The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-02-01
kS Al SEVEEVllENEMsED IN MPORTIFnN MEN ASK CHANGE
Ravalli Growers Want New
Set of Laws and Removal
of NJ. L. Dean.

Hamilton, Jan. 31.-(Special.)- 1.-The
directors Of the Hamilton Chamber OF
Commerce met Tuesday evening In an
executive session. There was a good
deal OF business transacted, but the
Part that was of most interest was the
action. taken in the petition OF a num-
Der OF prominent fruit growers in the
county. The principal feature of the
petition was the request that 4 new set
Of laws applying to fruitgrowers be
drafted and their passage urged upon
the present legislature and that NJ. l..
Dean. the present horticulturist be re
nioycd from. his position.
The petition says in part:
we the undersigned fruit growers Of
Ravallt county, who were unable to at
tend the meeting of fruit growers held
on January goth at the chamber of
commerce building. believe that the
action Of that meeting was in no way
representative of the real sentiment Of
the fruit growers of Ravalli county.
I'VE believe that the resolution pre-
sented Mt that meeting calling for the
abolition OF the state board OF horti-
culture and the appointment of state
horticultural commissioner, which was
tabled. and II copy Of which with our
signatures is hereunto annexed, should
have been adopted.
And confidentially believing that
the great majority of the fruit growers
and residents OF Ravalli county are in
favor of the annexed petition. we re-
specially petition your honorable
body to cause the same to be circulate
ed for signatures. and that the same,
when signed. be forwarded to our rep.
resentatives in Helena. for appropriate
action.
I'VE also respectfully request that
copies of the same be forwarded to the
other fruit growing sections Of Mon
tana. and that their cooperation may
be secured.
Believing that the present state
horticultural laws, through constant
amendment have become vague and
involved, and that an entire new law
embodying the present law. with such
changes as experience has shown to be
necessary. would simplify procedure
and be of great benefit to the industry,
we respectfully request that your body
appoint committee OF five to draft
such new law and present same to our
members in the legislature, such COM
mittee to be composed OF representa-
tive fruit growers. '1,
Our experience has shown us: That
the Montana state board Of horticul-
ture is inefficient, self perpetuating
unresponsive to the popular will. cum
bersome and contrary to the present
tendency to do away with commissions
and lodge the power in the hands of
one man directly responsible to the
people,"
The board Of directors of the cham
Der of commerce after discussing the
needs OF the orchardists, voted that
the petition be granted and that the
petition for the abolition OF the state
board of horticulture and the appoint
ment Of state horticultural commits
oioHSi III no pace, Oe uuSneu ana as
many signatures as possible be Sc
cured. A committee was appointed to
draft new horticultural laws and to
present it at the present legislature.
The secretary was instructed to inves-
tigate and formulate plans for estab-
| fishing a special information bureau
for the assistance OF ranchers and
others, mot conducting business in
Hamilton. to aid in the sale of their
stock and produce. and the listing of
ranch property for sale.
1t was also voted to offer the use OF
the chamber of commerce and it's ia
cilities to the various organizations
and societies In the community. SO that
! inquiries could be answered at the
chamber of commerce and it could fill
the needs of the local town office for
such organizations. 1919.