The Glasgow courier., 1921-07-22

Jdpbil 10 lltI P'iiob'N't' NS
the clerks in the Tokyo office countir
not be blind to the fact that the i'm
migration policy they have followed
is responsible in no small degree for
the presence of these farmers whose
business is now threatened by freight
rates. Within the last decade the
railroads leading into Montana have
conducted advertising campaigns
which have attracted thousands of
people to take up land in Montana
on promises which were thoughtless,
to say the least. These farmers have
met succession of years unfavorable
to crops without precedent in the his
tory of the state. These years have
weeded out the incompetent and the
unfit and those who have survived
have founded type of farming which
with reasonable consideration at the
hands of the railroads in the matter
of freight rates, will enable them to
build permanent agriculture in Mon
tana. Continuation of the present
rates for the next few years will put
these men out of business.
Our Wheat Crops Pay for Land(?)
! WISI W Gail yOuI dICeHClOu W
some of the statements that have
copied from the advertising material
prepared by the railroads and by
commercial clubs of this state and cir
culated by the immigration offices of
the railroad companies. Here is one
Land may be purchased at figures
so low that one wheat crop on con-
siderably less than the entire farm
will more than meet the original
COST Here is another, Investigation
has proven that the hazard of farming
in Montana is at minimum. 1t is
probably as near sure crop country
as would physically be possible
"There is nothing just, in view of
the share railroads have played in
bringing farmers into the state, in
permitting them to base their freight
rates without considering the effect
they will have on Montana agricul-
ture.
Long and Short Haul.
I'm cooperation with the State Rail
road Commission, your State Depart
ment of Agriculture is now endeavor-
ing to organize all of the farm, live
stock and commercial organizations in
the state in the Intermediate Rate
Association for the purpose of fight
ing the present intention of the rail-
roads to secure reductions on coast to
coast freight shipments, leaving the
intermediate points to pay the present
high rates. The railroads have ap-
piled for twenty percent reduction
from coast to coast to meet water
competition. AS a specific illustra-
tion of what they will do to Montana,
let us take the case of wool which at
the present time pays rate from
coast terminals to Boston of $1.66R
hundred. They are asking for per-
mission to decrease this to $1.35 and
for permission to make the inter-
mediate rate which Montana would
pay, the cost of shipment from Mon
the coast to coast charge of $1.35. If,
therefore, it now costs $1.65 hum
dred to ship wool from Havre to Sc
attic, the freight rate from Havre to
Boston on wool would be $1.65 plus
the $l.35 coast to coast haul, or $500
hundred. In other words, wool
could be shipped from Seattle to Bos-
ton through Havre for $1.35 hun
dred, while wool shipped from Havre
to Boston would have to pay $500 a
hundred freight on haul less by
thousand miles. If the twenty percent
reduction on coast to coast shipments
means loss to the railroads, this
loss will have to be borne by Montana
shippers, which is unfair. If on the
other hand, this reduction means no
loss, then the railroads admit that the
existing rates are too high and they
must grant similar reductions all
along the line. In the past, under
river and harbors bills, the national
government has expended funds to
improve waterways whose existence
then is used as an excuse and basis
for unfair discrimination against
shippers in this intermediate terri
tory. 1t is to fight such steps on the
part of the railroads that the Inter
mediate Rate Association is being
formed and we can assure you that we
will overlook no step that can be TAX
en- to protect in this matter the in
terests of the intermediate buyers"
President Peterson paid splendid
tribute to the farm women, which
was warmly applauded, in introduc-
"
onstration work.
Miss Turley, of the BOzeman College.
Miss Turley spoke briefly of the
character of her work, saying in sub
stance that its purpose was to make
the woman's share of farm work
lighter, more efficient and to make
homes better and more attractive
The domestic arts came in for atten-
ton, and she stressed attention to nu-
triton, home equipment and the re-
creational features of farm life; she
urged that all enter the work in the
interest of health, happiness and eff
ficiency. Her remarks received close
attention and We're frequently APP
plauded.
J. c. Taylor Speaks.
In introducing j. c. Taylor, State
leader of County agents, President
Peterson said. that among all the
trials of the past few years the farm
krs all have remembered the visits 10
the county agent, as the brightest of
the few bright spots in their lives. His
reference to the work of County Agent
Stebbins, brought hearty round of
applause from the listal-
erS.
Mr.. Taylor said only few words,
congratul%ing the farmers on their
splendid organization, saying that in
spite of obstacles the Valley county
bureau was the largest in the state
except one.
He Hrged all to continue to help IN