Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1931-02-05
President Sees A
BRIGHT Outlook For State

Based on the general policy of the
United States to enter foreign mar
kets to raise the standard of living
and consumption, Montana, with its
vast amount of undeveloped re-
sources, has a bright outlook and
should continue to grow and pros
per, DIR. Alfred Atkinson, president
of Montana State college, said in an
address delivered in Great Falls re-
Gently at the annual meeting of the
Chamber of Commerce.
In the opinion of DR.. Atkinson, the
sky is the limit in the development TO
tourist travel. He considers the pres
ent bill to authorize the issuance Of
gasoline anticipation warrants TO meet
federal aid moneys of the greatest
pieces of legislation put forward in
some time in Montana. With a COM
pleted system of trunk highways this
state will, he said, be in the class of
Switzerland and other scenic countries.
The college president declared that
Montana has many advantages over
Switzerland. The climate in this state
is far superior TO Europe and from
the standpoint of physical comfort
there is no comparison. He told OF the
Leat and dampness that II must en-
dure when viewing the scenery in
Switzerland and other foreign coun-
tries. Should this state develop its
highways and properly advertise its
many wonderlands the people who are
now going east for their summer ex-
cursions will turn westward, in his
opinion.
Economic Outlook
From an economic standpoint Mon
tana has a bright future, according to
the state college executive. During the
last 60 years the United States has
developed from a national worth OF 30
billion dollars to 500 billion dollars,
while Great Britain, during the same
period, has increased its worth from
40 to 90 billion, Germany from 80 to
80 billion and France from 33 to 60
billion.
In 1880 the per capita wealth OF the
United States was $3.50 as compared
with the present per capita wealth
of more than 81, 900. 1t is estimated
that the mineral wealth of the United
States in 1880 was $400, 900 900, Dir.
Atkinson said. New discoveries and
new processes have boosted that wealth
until in 1920 it was estimated to be
II times greater than in 1880. There
were more minerals produced IN the
world during the first 25 years Of the
Goth century than was produced during
the entire history of the world previous
to that time.
With this enormous increase OF pro-
duction the hope lies in raising the
standard of consumption in the rest OF
the world, he said. The country is
now in a period of depression, but 1t
has experienced depressions before.
The average duration OF depression
periods is l3 months and the longest
one recorded was 10 months. BY the
use of charts Mr.. Atkinson showed
the years in which these periods OF
decreased business occurred. The
breaking of the speculative market is
the beginning of such a period and
when people can feel business picking
up marks the turn Of the tide for the
better.
Sees Early Return
The present depression has run
about Is months and, if the fact that
money is loosening up, industries are
re-employing men and building pro-
grams are under way, can be used as
a criterion, the present period is near
ing its close. In the opinion of Mr..
Atkinson of the greatest factors
tending to show the end Of a period
of depression is when people stop talk
ing hard times. With the coming of