The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-03-03

Hamilton. March Especial
county mass meeting here today. called
for the purpose Of organizing county
farm bureau. the following telegram
was ordered sent to Secretary of Agri-
culture b. +. Houston
Complying with your request
for the CO. operation of the farmers
of Ravalli county through a farm
bureau organization to stimulate
production and conserve food. the
executive committee takes pleasure
in informing you that a strong or
ganization was perfected here to-
day. We are all back of you and
pledge our hearty and organized
support.
tSigned). wv. y. HARLAN.
President
An executive committee, headed by
w. b. Harlan Of Como as president Of
the county organization, was elected
and definite and constructive pro-
gram was made out In general terms
Tor organization work
viii Increase Productivity.
The 900 farmers who attended feel
that the organization. which Is fostercd
by the agricultural department OF the
government. will FIN long felt need,
and will, through methods OF co opera
tion involved be the instrument in
making the fertile Bitter Root valley
one of the most prosperous OF the
northwest, and at the same time make
possible more thorough operation
vartfh hn uIt i.,xc t,~
efficiently to aid the nation In war
time food needs.
In speaking of the spirit and the re-
suit OF the meeting. u. ". Lott. as
sistant state leader OF county agents,
said:
Officers Chosen for Year.
Il do not believe that there has ever
been q larger county wide meeting in
Montana than the one here today"
Mr.. Lott has been assisting In organl-
zation work during the past two weeks
and has helped farmers OF several
counties In forming similar organixa-
tions.
Officers Tor the coming year In TIA
yalli county were elected as follows:
President, W. b. Harlan, Como; vice
president. y. A. johnson. Hamilton;
secretary. j.. NJ. Ehrhsrt, Stevensvillc;
treasurer. y. b. LiddeiI. Stevcnsvilic.
Plan Of Organization.
While the organization Of a farmers
bureau is simple. II is comprehensive
| and highly efficient. The executive
committee In the central point which
promotes the various projects by means
| OF local community committees. Each
| member Of the executive committee has
charge Of activities in particular di-
rcctions. Vice President II. A. john
son will head the work relative to fruit
growing; Secretary L. M. Ehrhart.
general farm crops: Treasurer b. p.
f.iddcli. poultry; Albert Groff. corvsl-
lis. livestock; J. G. Howe, Stevensyiile.
dairying; Katherine Drayton, Hamil-
/ ton. club work; Mrs. n. A. Johnson.
| Hamilton. woman's work; w. Il. Pol
1 linger. Como, rodents and Insects; o.
NJ. Gerer. Hamilton, marketing and
rural credits.
/ . Assists Existing Organizations.
i ''Thc farm bureau idea. which origi-
mated in New York four years ago.
said l.. NJ. Wilson OF Boxeman. state
leader Of county agents. In an address
At the meeting. does not contemplate
i ,icompetition with existing organizations
! but II should be Of assistance to them
The aim 10 . uniform organization
throughout the nation. which will aid
all farmers in solving local problems
as wefi AZ keep the department Of agri
culture in touch with all rural condi.
tions."
A constructive plan of work Was ths
closing matter Tor discussion. Rodenl
control. stand Of crops. wood tick con
troll and other important matters vii
be taken up at Q special meeting OF tn
executive committee which has beeI
called In Hamilton for neat Thursda.
at which community committees vii
be named.
Monday the matter OF the organiza
tion will be laid before the count
board Of supervisors In an effort I
gain their support. Inasmuch as tn
bureau Idea has met with such favo
and has gained such q general i'm
petus and ~ It q urged BY the M
tional administrator. IL b believed tf
supervisors. win lena their co-opera
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