The Powder River County examiner and the Broadus independent. [volume] (Broadus, Mont.) 1919-1935, 1921-12-30
(Miles City Daily Starr


Every section of the country is
struggling Through period Of de-
preston at the present time, but frcm
all I have been able to find out. Mon
tana is in better shape financially than
many Of the other states, this in spite
Of the recent bad years which it is
within reason to believe would have
checked some Of the others" declared
Congressman Carl W. Riddick. while a
guest in the city on Friday between
trains. on his way home to Lewistown
from Washington. d. G.
"The people of Montana have learned
to economize since this state had tc
pull through two hard years not ex-
perience By other states, so are now
really better off than many in the
east and middle west. The mercha nts
have found they must liquidate and
keep their stocks moving. SC took their
losses early, and most of them claim
they are now in better condition than
a year ago, when money was easier to
obtain.
Farmers and ranchers in the east
ern and middle western states are
heavily in debt, and some CT them have
mortgaged their land for $3.50 and
$6VV tu hSIc, WuAAC Ah NAousSu" s"S 50
debtedness Of the Individual Is much
less. which should be considered dis
tinct advantage as the Montana land
owners will be paid out first.
1.-TWO things needed are a reduc-
tion of freight rates and ms re credit
tor Montana producers. and the Mon.
tana congressman have secured gov
ernment loans Of over 100000 fol-
s,, no 1n0 ct NJ
pect tc. increase this amount by sew
eral more millions Of dollars in the
next GO DAYS, the money to be loaned
by the government through the ioca
banks to the stockmen and farmers
to enable them tc carry on.
"rhe interstate commerce commits
sion is making sweeping investigation
Of the railroad situation" the con
gressman continued, "and are under
stood to be planning making drastic
reductions Of rates. following closel!
on top Of the two previous reduction
made recentiy. Anther effort alon,
the right inc Is that which consider
helping the producers OF the northwes
find a market for grain and livestecE
"Twenty million dollars have beel
loaned to Russia to help that countr
return to normalcy. and increase 1t
purchasing power. America ts the ma
tural market for that country. and TO
every American dollar loaned. Russa
plans to send us two dollars in Rus
sian gold to buy foodstuffs and othe
necessities.
Montana farmers raised millions
bushels OF durum wheat this yea
but when the time for marketing al
rived, they found they must take lo'
price. An effort IL now being put fort
to finance purchasers Of this particuaa
commodity in Italy. which used thl
grain Tor macaroni. and ccnsiderabl
headway being made.
sThere is q strong feeling OF opt
mism in administratien circles
Washington centering around the pro,
poets for an early return TO prosperit
and an evening up OF the condition
resulting from early de0ation In SON
lines, and . later dedation In ether
There IL considerable enthusiasm oeiu
expressed over results gained TO d!
In the peace conference ana weshiul
ton 10 lllled with representatives fro
braetically every power on earth. q
spealing almost every language.
while II II perhaps too much