The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-01-23
Matter Considered at Open.
!. ing Session of State
County Officials.
COMMITTEE is NAMED
TO CONSIDER MATTER
Missoula as Host to Conven'
ton Extends Welcome
to Visitors.

Immediate appeal to the federal gov
ernment for aid in solving the seed
grain difficulties of Montana is the
possible outcome of a conference short
~ to be held between Governor Sam v.
Stewart and committee of county
officials. appointed yesterday.
This was the first matter of impor-
tance coming before the annual con-
vention of the county officials of the
state. who opened their four day ses-
sion in the Missoula county courthouse
yesterday.
Discussion OF the seed situation fea-
tured both morning and afternoon ses-
sions and In order that active work
may be started at once, a committee of
five persons was selected from all the
county representatives to formulate
plans and ideas to be brought up dur
ing the conference with Governor
Stewart.
Government Must Help.
The consensus OF opinion among the
county delegates present was that the
proposition of providing seed grain for
the farmers was big problem. too ex-
tensive Tor adequate handling by either
the counties or the state. 1t was
thought that only through the assist
ance Of the government could the prob
lem be solved. and accordingly steps
are being made to communicate, II
necessary. with the federal government.
Discussions by various delegates.
speaking on behalf of their respective
counties. revealed the bigness of the
problem. and also the total inability of
the average farmer TO meet the seed
shortage.
Telegram Opens Discussion.
The question was brought to issue at
the morning session when Secretary
Kester read telegram received from
r. A. Newton, secretary of the Montana
Bankers association. which was as fol-
lows:
II have telegram from the manager
of the federal grain corporation, the
federal reserve bank and from Mime
apoiis bankers saying they are advised
that the counties In northern and in
eastern Montana are unable to finance
their grain seed needs and asking me
as to the advisability OF calling a
meeting at Helena or Great Falls to
discuss the advisability OF counties is
suing seed grain bonds. will you hold
Il caucus of the county commissioners
present from northern and eastern
counties early Wednesday to discuss
the matter fully and advise me? r. L..
Stallman Will arrive In Missoula Tues
day night with valuable information
and wishes to co-operate with you in
all ways. Action must be taken soon
II at ALL" f,Ssas ffts tS
Addresses IN Aftsrneon.
The session Tuesday afternoon was
devoted mainly TO addresses by state
Bank Examiner McGraw. f. o. sisson.
president of the State University. and
Dean Stone, president OF the Missoula
Chamber OF Commerce.
Dean Stone was the first Apeaker of
the afternoon and the subject of his
address was THE Ideal County Com
missioner" President Sisson spoke
from the position of a school man,
touching upon his experiences as a
school director and suggesting pos
sible plans tor = moro efficient admin
istration of educational funds.
Examiner Mc0rAw, who delivered the
principal addreas. offered the delegates
several suggesttors which win in all
probability be acted upon before ad-
journment. Mr.. McGraw maintained
that the clerk bf the court was bur-
dened with more than his share OF the
county's work. and advocated that b
part Of it be shifted to the assessors
office. Heretofore the work Of ex-
tending the tax roll has devolved upon
the clerk Of the court. and as this
phase of county administration seemed
logically part Of the duties OF the
county assessor, II was the opinion OF
Mr.. McGraw that the assessor should
look after u.
County csmmissiensrs.
Another suggestion brought out by
Mr. McGraw concerned the county
commissioners. He argued that the
commissioners should be elected te
serve the county At all times, and not
1T odd periods.
A regular s2lAry for the commits.
sioners 'wculd 4hen have to be provid.
ed and they ueuld devote their entirs
tine 70 the etfice. Mr.. McGrav
showed clearly the practicahility Of THU
lCo0tt0Uo1 . HNeo Ilvo3