The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1924-04-11
LAND CONGRESS-
OUTLINES POLICIES
DELEGATES RECOMMEND PLANS
FOR STIMULATING LAND SET
ELEMENT AND iNCREAS-
ING PROSPERITY
ORGANIZATIONS ASKED TO HELP
New Water Right Code Advocated,
Similar to that OF Other States
Advise Publishing Accurate
information


Advise Publishing Accurate
Information
Recognizing that the prosperity o
the men and women, now on til
farms of Montana is the necessar
foundation of any successful lan'
movement, the Montana Land Settle
ment Congress which assembled a
Helena March 10-11, has formulated
plans and policies relating to the ma
tional and state agricultural situation
President Coolidge is quoted rs say
Ing, in a recent address: "The grea
food staples do not sell on a parity
with the products of industry. Theil
average price is little above the pre-
war level, while manufactures are
about 500 higher. The farmer is not
receiving his share" In view of this
fact, this Congress emphatically urges
upon the Congress Of the United
States that immediate steps be taken
to give agriculture, particularly in
wheat growing districts, the same de-
gree of price protection that is now
given industry under protective
tariff
Rcalvine that correct information
regnraino sci structure nd potential
ties sho'' IN u.s. sion o f4'"
stT e ~
and Il NJ
gress urges upon the proper state ana
federal agencies The wisdom OF as
sembling such information by coop
erative action of the United States
Department of Agriculture and the
Montana Expprir'ont S'rt'an along
which lines a start has been made in
northwestern Montana.
The Montana State College is com
mended in conducting and publishing
results of the farm experience survey.
as a result of which there is open TO
farmers operating under identical or
similar conditions dependable infor-
nation as to causes of failures and
principles of success. The extension
Of this work is urged to other locali-
ties. This is important in any move
to encourage land settlement, since 1t
charts out farm experience under
known conditions, for the warning and
guidance of those who are unfamiliar
with proven practices and experience.
1t would be Of vast help TO Montana
and other states of the northern great
plains area, if there could be eStah-
lished, through the cooperation OF
large land holders or other private
agencies with the state, demonstra-
tions and experiments IN land settle
ment. to work out for the guidance of
others the most satisfactory and Suc-
cessful forms of relationship between
owner and tenant, or owner and buy
er. In this manner certain principles
might be ascertained and made known,
which if put into general practice,
would make safer the progress from
tenancy to ownership.
Recognizing that an exceedingly i'm
portana part of Montana's agricultural
land is irrigable, and that one of the |
chief hindrances encountered in the |
development of our irrigable land is
our inadequate system of water right |
laws, the enactment of a water right |
code, similar to that found suitable in
other irrigation states is urged.
One of Montana's greatest natural
resources is its grazing lands; and the |
livestock industry-sheep and cattle
specially-should be encouraged. be-
cause it is now and always will he one
of the states leading industries. Some |
method of leasing those portions of the |
public domain that are suitable only
for grazing should he sanctioned by
national law and be applied to such
local districts as desire to lease such
lands on long term leases. to he adj
ministered by the U. s. Department
of Agriculture. A. close cooperation
among the various owners of grazing
lands, including federal and state
lands on long term leases at reason
able rentals, would result in most
profitable and satisfactory develop
ment of the great industry.
The bill pending in congress, pro-
viding for transfer of jurisdiction
over a portion of the Fort Keogh Mill
tary reservation, in Montana, from the
U. S. Department of Interior to the
of Agriculture for expert
ments in stock raising under range
conditions, and the growing of forage
crops in connection Herewith, is en-
iorsed.
The Congress advocates diversified
ton on Montana farms. together with
the need for farm consumption Of the
production of corn and for
age crops.
From the study of land settlement
systems of other states and their re-
suits, 1t does not seem probable that
Montana can wholly adopt the plan
If any of them. Present state finances
will not permit extensive state organ
cation, and additional burdens are not
o be considered. From their expert
,nces. however, the following recon-
appear to be necessary:
/. That some agency or agencies
must work to bring settlers to the
tate of Montana.
y. That some agency must be pre-
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