The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1925-02-18


tables and other products of the soil.
in the world, and let this exhibit be
accompanied by Montana's story as
told by Harry r. Cunningham"
Governor Erickson commended
the spirit of cooperation, as mani
Tested at this convention, for the ben
eft of the association members and
their patrons. Success in Montana
will depend largely upon cooperation
and coordination in production and
distribution, he said.
Urges Conservative Course
| In a forecast of improved business
and industry this year, Chancellor
M. A. BrannOn quoted from eastern
bankers in urging that initiation be
guarded against, and that a course
be steered toward steady progression,
so that later, a disastrous retrogres-
sion will not occur. Reports show
that the steel mills have orders book
ed requiring practically a maximum
plant capacity through the year, he
said, and a recent index of values
places agricultural products on a
comparative ratio with 400 other
classes, for the first time since 1920.
Montana people have paid off their
debts and are renewing their credit,
said the chancellor.
Economy in distribution as an
eliminatOr Ct waste was urged by
Chancellor Brannon.
Life Insurance Increases
Harry R. Cunningham, vice-presi-
dent of the Montana Life Insurance
company, spoke briefly. As an ad-
ditional and quite recent indication
Of Montana's' recovery, he cited the
fact that Montana led all the other
states in increased life insurance writ
ten in January of this year, compared
with the same month last year. Mon
tana's increase was 20 per cent. New
life insurance written is the most
reliable of all indexes showing the
trend of conditions, said Mr.. Cum
bingham.
Wheat
At the afternoon session. State
Treasurer w. E. Harmon spoke on
"$2 Wheat" The existing conditions
in grain probably will not be repeated
in many years, he said, and next year,
the same old marketing problems will
have to be dealt with.
For a long run, said Mr.. Harmon,
the present is probably as good as
any time in the past for a young
man to start farming.
The recent drop in the price of
wheat was fortunate, in Mr.. Har-
mons opinion, because it probably
will make the farmers do some think
: ing, and thus head off what other.
wise would be a largely increased
wheat acreage this year.
State Badly an the Red"
/ Adverting to the state govern.
ment's finances, Mr.. Harmon said
that the situation was about this.
The state has contracted to pay out
= $3.50 for every IS Of revenue in sight;
! and yet, taxes are high, and keer
mounting, and against this, prices fol
farm products remain low. The state
Legislators avow, in the face of ali
: this, that they cannot drop out .
: single bureau, and neither could they
think of reducing their own per diem
said Mr.. Harmon. The state is nov
~overdrawn s~4,OOO.OOO, and other in.
: debtedness runs the total up to So
> OOO, 900.
st. Lawrence Waterway
, A. A. Frankie, Of Lewistown, re
viewed the history of the movement
: starting Is years ago, for a deer
: waterway from the Atlantic, via tn,
/ st. Lawrence river, to the Grea
I Lakes. It was revived in 1918 b,
an organization of 10 states, incIud
ing Montana. In 1920 a commits
sion of engineers reported to con
: gress, that public sentiment wa
strong for the undertaking. Canadl
was invited to join in the revived
! movement, but the dominion was no
then ready. In 1923, however, Can
ada allied herself with the proposition
with the result that a joint commits
sion of engineers was formed, an.
a report is expected soon, said Nh
Frankie. A majority Of the new
congress has been found favorable t
the project.
, Would Shift Industrial Axis