Montana labor news., 1934-10-25
Murray Speaks
on Mining and
Water Projects
Urges Higher Tariff on Copper

In a recent political speech James
Z. Murray, Democratic Candidate for
the Short-term Senate seat had the
following to say regarding mining and
irrigation projects in Montana.
Deeply interested in the develop
ment of Montana's mining industry,
with which | have been connected both
directly and indirectly for many years,
l believe that the prospectors and the
small mine operators must be encour-
aged and protected; that silver must
be rehabilitated, not only for the bet
terment OF the nations monetary sys-
TEN but for the rejuvenation of Mon
tana's latent silver industry, aud that
a higher tariff be placed upon copper
for a fuller operation of the states
copper properties and relief for the
mine workers from competition with
cheap foreign labor.
Fully realizing the plight of the
farming and livestock industry and OF
the need Of placing it upon a basis of
permanency and reasonable profit
will support such measures as may be
proposed to bring substantial income
to the farmer, the stockman and the
laborer, as the real producers of all
wealth. An owner Of farm lands in
several counties l favor farmers or
CARNATIONS and will give aid to all fair
measures designed to bring higher crop
returns, as we'll as measures to refin-
ance the farmer on a longtime basis
at low interest rates, thereby giving
to the farmer that degree Of help al
ready extended to other lines of in
dustry.
q feel that one of the most import
ant and far reaching needs of this
State is Water Conservation, and that
it is the duty Of the National as well
as the State Government to aid in this
great work. Such a program adds to
the wealth of the Nation, and it is
therefore a Federal duty to extend aid
in this work. 1t will take years OF
careful planning and constructive ef-
fort to remedy conditions / nthis State
Montana has a great many quick run
off streams and rivers. This water
supply is ample to satisfy all needs Of
the farmers and stock-raisers of Mon
tana if properly conserved. The Ma
tional Government has advanced mil
lions of dollars for the aid OF distress
ed farmers which, of course, does moi
in any way cure the situation. The
establishment of reliable irrigation
would avoid the necessity Of this Fed
eral emergency relief. 1t is the mos
important problem that the State Of
Montana has today. This needed con
struction work, if intelligently plan
ned and completed, will improve liv-
ing conditions and raise the morale o.
both business men and farmers. Il
will provide for a more economic USE
of our grazing land and will bring
about a stable condition in our farm.
ing areas absolutely essential to the
future prosperity of our State. The
business men and citizens of this State
generally should be vitality interested
in such a program. There can be nc
real prosperity for Montana unless thC
farmer can be rescued from his pre-
sent plight and placed upon a sount
self-sustaining basis"
President Roosevelt realizes Mr.
Murray's wealth of information upor
these subjects and upon the occasion
of his recent trip through the stat,
called him into conference time afte.
time for advice relative to some o
the larger water conservation project
under consideration bv the Government