Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-07-19
Pessimism Plays No Part
( i'm Industrial Outlook of
State Press, Says Snelson

| but as regards specific instances re-
lated thereto.
II have in mind the development of
the oil industry and | wish to con-
graduate the press of Montana upon
the truthful and yet conservative man
ner in which the newspapers have
dealt with the incidents which have
| attended its discovery and its proven
| presence, and the care which has been
exercised in setting forth the facts,
both in the news and the advertising
columns.
No Space for Boomers"
Il believe I may say that as a re-
suit. the development of oil in Mon
tana is going forward on a sounder
basis than has been the case in many
fields where the wildcat promoter has
been given free swing through the
columns of newspapers. carried off
which too often has proved to be but
a bubble.
IF any of you may think that |
am giving undue emphasis to what the
Montana newspapers have done for
Montana and Montana people, I will
say for your information that it has
been recently called to my attention
that the press of Montana has been
seriously criticised by an individual
representing a group of eastern bank
ers and investors. who has charged to
u own Montana bankers and com
mercial clubs that the Montana news
papers had been derelict in not print
ing more of what he was pleased to
term sunshine" news and in placing
undue emphasis upon gloom, as relat-
ing to 1929 crop prospects. conditions
In the livestock and wool growing in
dustrles and in oil and mines develop
ment.
Il have resented the charge and
have responded to it upon behalf of
the Montana State Press association
because it has carried the inference
mat the Montana newspapers are not
alive to the best interests of their
state and their people. are incompetent
as n~ewspapermen and are unworthy of
the great trust reposed in them by the
public.
Il myself have actual knowledge
that some of the Montana banks, at
a time when the crop prospects of
1872 were looking very bright, but
when there was still time for disap-
pointment. were fearful that the press
of the state might become over op-
tlmistic and so expressed themselves.
| consider that ample evidence that We
have not been derelict in our duty.
Thinks investments Safe
II am not going to pursue this mat
ter further. | have no desire to Of
fend eastern bankers or investors who
manifested their confidence in
future of this state and the integ-
rlty and industry of IFS DeonIe hv
their money here. We vel
come them. We want more of them
They cannot come too fast and thew
cannot find a safer place for invest
Expressing the hope that the bank
ers and the newspapers should find
common ground to work upon for
he progress and development of Mon
Mr.. Snelson recommended that
4 Montana and an eastern banker be
invited to appear on the program of
the next annual convention.
Montana has no better friends than
is bankers" said he. Without them
we would not even stand still. we
would go backwards. Their advice
S good and their logic and wisdom
Keen. They are loyal to the state and
of its reputation abroad. They
,re energetic in the development of
is resources and none are more in
in the welfare Of its ppople /
The same is true of Montana news
Therefore | think we should
yet closer together" ,
Praises journalism School
Mr.. Snelson praised the Montana
of journalism and urged that