The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1921-01-13
MESSAGE
TO LEGISLATURE
Outlines Marketing Plans and Urges
Changes, and Demands
Economy
Continued from last week.
Attacks Freight Rate

u6CduSc IL COnCtIHS the quSSllOH vi
food production, and / would therefore
recommend that the railroad commits
sion be given power in times OF emer-
gency to compel the railroads to lower
their rates during such period. and
thus protect the cattle industry as we'll
as conserve the food supply OF the
nation.
Cooperative Associations
In view OF the fact that W. are en-
tering upon an era which will witness
a great stimulation in farmers COOP
erative societies, and FOR the reason
that i'm many instances the farmers
organizing these societies have had no
previous experience in accounting sys-
TENS or the adoption of certain rules
fundamental to the conduct of a bust
ness, / would suggest that upon the
request of a farmers organization, the
state provide for it an experienced &C
countapt, to assist in introducing a
proper accounting system n TO make
such suggestions as would be valuable
10 IL in the conduct of its affairs, ana
that this service be rendered at a very
reasonable cost. Assistance OF this
nature would serve to keep many OF
these organizations from being involv-
ed in financial difficulties, and in many
instances would a v them from heavy
loss.
Increased Credit to Western St0ckmen
The great industry west Of the river
is the livestock industry. n of its
great obstacles in the past has been
the difficulty of procuring credit. The
limited reserve of the banks has rend-
- 49,. snnar.hIa nf oAptnU with thu
situation, and in times of financial
stress, an account of the character OF
the paper, eastern money lenders call
their loans, and untold hardships nave
been worked upon the small ranchman
until today in some sections the situa-
ton is almost tragic. II occurs to me
that with proper legislation there
might be organized mutual associa-
lions for the purpose of increasing and
stabilizing their credit facilities.
In days gone by, with a plethora OF
money in the east, completion among
Tended resulted in unwise loans and
the easy procuring of credit at times
tempted the local ranchman to venture
| bey ond his depth, and the suave, per-
suasiye speech of cattle statesmen or
ten times lured the ranchman to pur-
chases of cattle that were bound TO
result in loss. IT is apparent thai
through the influence Of mutual assoc
Citations. because of a mutual interest
created, greater wisdom would be en-
( ployed in the purchase OF cattle n
more careful selection made in the
individual loans, greater attention
paid to the and feed facilit-
les and to shelter necessary for the
cattle. The fundamental thought ~
to take care of the average sized farm-
er. and II would seem that IL a SYSTEM
of this nature or some similar plan
could be devised, Ii would tend To
stabilize the industry and place it upon
q sounder basis, by Offering to thu
money lender a higher class OF invest
mcnt not only because of the increased
security but because the business
would be handled and directed upo
La more intelligent basis, and the papc
would have the atmosphere OF conseI
vatism and soundness.
I suggest that you call into confer
ence representative stockmen from til
west. and local and eastern banker
After a thorough discussion OF n
subject in the light Of the experien
of these men, you may be able
evolve some reasonable plan that w
be Of material assistance TO the
dustry.
Coed Roads
To dwell at length upon the imp{
lance of good roads, especially in
agricultural state, would be super1
GUS. The value of good roads from
~xocI~4trt and thatr in
ence upon the life Of the state in
ing wider opportunities to the indi1
ual are immeasurable. In TINS So
where 1t is imperative that agricul
al products be hauled long distan
good roads are a necessity, and
must not overlook the fact that RI
we'll built and suitably maintained
not to be considered as an expense
are to be viewed from the standI
of an investment. The highways
of the same relative Importance I'd
state today as were the railroads
ty years ago. There can be no {
ment as 10 the wisdom OF adopt
comprehensive building program
, fully takes into consideration the
ent and future of the state. The
building program of older and
thickly populated states are ev9
toward a system of hard-su1
roads. However we must sqJ
meet and face the program OF
building in South Dakota acct
to the conditions with which
confronted.
1t is not possible that a state
wide area and a comparatively
population can o forward
or do things in as big a way
/ older state that has many tim
wealth and a much larger pop
/ Some of the older and larger
have enacted special laws IN
/ to automobile taxes, taking the
income from that source, cap
| it, and issuing bonds IN acc
1 herewith, the annual revens
! the automobile fund being use
the interest carrying charge
. create a sinking fl ID. In
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