Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-07-20
PRESS GROWTH
IN MONTANA IS
TOLD EDITORS
Snelson Relates Part
Newspapers Play in
Development Of State.
First Printing Press
Brought in 90 Years
Ago on Mules Back.

M~issoula. July 19.-The progress OF
journalism in Montana and the part
it has employed in the development
Of the state were explained by L. 3.
Snelson. editor of the Billings Ga
zette and retiring president OF the Mon
tana State Press association. in vel
coming the National Editorial %associ-
ton to Montana. in an address
delivered here Wednesday at the
opening convention session Of the
national organization. Mr.. Snelson
dealt with the industrial and scenic
resources of the state. He said, in
part:
Nearly two score men before me
have held the office of president of
the Montana State Press association.
One has been elected since the expira-
ten of my term. only Yesterday; All
of them have been noble. well met
fellows. deserving Of the confidence
their brother workers have reposed
in them. To many Of them have
come great moments and splendid rec
ignition from their colleagues and con-
temporaries, They have been received
by presidents, greeted by governors.
commended by their %neighbors. | am
the least worthy Of them all.
But to no one of them. nor to any
group Of them. has ever come such a
distinguished honor as that which it
is today my privilcge-to enjoy, in well
coming to the Treasure state. upon
behalf of the newspaper men and wom-
Ell Of the commonwealth. the mem
bers of the National Editorial asso-
citation.
The poor words which come to me
seem inadequate for the purpose to
which ] would put them. as / strive
10 convey to your mind even q meager
idea Of the indomitable spirit which
actuated those hardy men and women
who laid the foundations of Montana
fourth estate. which today greets you
and presses upon you. for your pleas
ure and enjoyment. all Of the good
things which abound in the country it
has helped to build.
so Years Of, Development
Only q little more than 60 years
ago. through this beautiful valley where
0 today sit with the comforts and
conveniences of a modern city all about
0 a pack mule wound its way. Upon
its back was strapped 4 printing press.
II came from Idaho and. at that par
ticular time. it followed the course of
empire eastward. Wild beasts and
wilder men ave way before it. Raging
torrents and mountain slides could de-
lay but could not stop. the onward
march of the vanguard of civilization.
Thus came TO Montana the habili-
ments of one of the first painting of
fees in the territry.
The press of Montana has carried
messages Of progress and advancement
in farming methods. which have trans
formed semi-arid grazing lands into
fertile and productive fields. 1t has
preached the gospel of irrigation
through long and discouraging and I'M
responsive years. until there arc today
a million acres of farm land either
under water or included in projects
which water soon will be avail
able for irrigation purposes.
Thus far on your tour you have
traversed some 700 miles Of the trails
of the state and you have seen some
of the things which those whom
have the honor here to represent have
in molding from the raw ma
You have seen the great plains
and the prairie in their transitory stage
from range to farm. You have seen
rivers diverted onto thirsty ground.
which the blessed water has changed
garden spots from sage brush and
alkali flats. You have seen one of
our parks. many of our mines. several
of our modern schools and colleges.
hundreds of our beautiful homes. and
YOU have met thousands Of our wide |
awake. progressive. hospitable citizens.
Tells Of FIathead Lake
You have yet AS much, or more. to
see. A great lake. second in size only
to the Great Lakes of America. lies
a days journey of you. Across
it are the forests of the Flathead. the
of a great lumber industry, and
all about are the homes of pioneers
who have snatched this Eden from
Tho wilderness. Beyond. the towering.
peaks Of Glacier park
pierce heavens blue dome and beckon.
in silent majesty. an invitation To tho
weary traveller that here can he find
rest and recreation in a country that
will always be primeval. although in the
very center of civilization.
Never was such n country as Mon
tana. Montana. the land of the shin
ing mountains. Montana, the beauti- /
full.
And the press of this great Treas
ure state. which today Says welcome
to it's fellow workers from afar. has
had a hand in the s~tupendous
development which has come to us.
We take pride in what we have accom-.
we offer it for your pleasure.
ana We ask yon if it is not good. We
view the future in proud confidence
that the wonderful progress of the past
will be outstripped by the wonderful
growth that is to come.
I'VE want you TO see all that we