Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1934-09-06
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THE scRiBEs AND 4pHARIsEEsr

THE scRiBEs AND "PHARlsEEs
Ii vas the Herald's privilege las
week to attend the ~forty-ninth annua
convention OF the Montana Stat,
Press association in Miles City. Or
dinarily there would not be much
about a newspaper mems convention
that would be of interest to the
readers OF Brass Tacks, but so many
incidents connected with that meet
ing ere OF a general nature that we
feel inclined to the opinion that some
account of our experience will be
found readable.
Drouth-we have read enough
about drouth and depression the last
three years to fill volumes. We grow
weary OF its discussion, yet it Is a
subject on every tongue because
there is scarcely a human being who
in some manner is not touched by its
destructive influence. However, In
passing, may we only bring the con-
ISOLATION to our readers that Sheridan
county has Jared far better than 9TH
er regions only a few counties dist
ant. In a drive through Mckenzie
county south to Dickinson, thence
west along the Northern Pacific
through 'Giendive to Miles City, one
may get a true picture OF what
drouth really means. A sight such
as We have never seen, and hope
never to vision again. A desolate.
barren waste. Miles and miles of
devastated area that presents one OF
the most notwithstanding pictures one
can possibly imagine. Except for here
and there a stack OF Russian thistles,
cut and raked together by farmers In
a desperate effort to obtain sufficient
feed to keep alive a family milk COW
or two, not a semblance of feed. In
that entire distance we did not see a
single threshing machine at work,
nor straw stacks as an indication OF
the cutting Of any grain. Instead of
pastures and ranges dotted here and
there with thousands OF cattle, that
we have grown accustomed to see
this time of the year. occasionally |
there Is a stray herd Of a dozen head |
and n Immediately wonders what
they are finding to keep them alive.
Truly, a grim spectacle, that causes
to marvel at the fortitude OF q
people who can face such desolation
and still hang on, hopeful for al
brighter future.
Our first contact with the editorial
group was at the famous KemptOn |
Dude ranch two miles south OF Terry,
where a general mixer and buffet
dinner had been arranged for enter
tainment OF the guests the first ev-
ening. Not arriving until shortly al
ter dark, we did not have opportunity
to appreciate the beautiful setting OF
this palatial resort. We could OBJ
serve a large cOmmodius house set
among an abundance OF huge cotton
woods and nestled at the foot OF hills
from which numerous springs give
forth an abundant supply OF whole
water. both for drinking and
irrigation 1t Is a place well worth
taking the time of anyone driving
through that section OF the country
to visit. Mr.. and Mrs. Kempton are
interesting people. He, with a tinge
native Sioux blood, gives his at
to the management OF the
OF the same name in Terry,
while Mrs. Kempton, a Woodworking
native OF Sweden, and recognized as
one OF the best cooks in Montana,
busies herself through the summer
months at least with preparing sump
dinners for the dudes" at the
palatial ranch home. Besides a ban
quet-fit OF a king-a splendid pro-
gram Of entertainment was furnished
featuring Terry's Little German
and many other interesting
numbers With such entertainment.
such pleasant surroundings, it
was easy to understand why this
f0rty-ninth annual convention
had attracted more editors and their
wives than had any such meeting In
past ten years.
Not surprising among the guests
election being only two months
nHdy-WcI5 CeldLOT wheeler. MI.
Murray, his running mate, and also
Governor Frank Cooney. Although
not on the program, Senator Wheeler
was the first to be called on Friday.
An extemporaneous speaker of mark
ability and a charming personal
lty, he held the attention OF editors
of every political faith some thirty
forty minutes. I believe the pap
ars have somewhat misrepresented
Senator In referring to his lauda-
lion OF Huey Long. Knowing Long
lutte intimately. he did pay tribute
% the keen intellect OF the King
'ish, but he decried his demagognery
dictatorial policies. or course
could not stay away from his fav-
,red topic-remonitization OF silver
and predicted that he would event
Tally get his Bill through Congress. 4
lie plead for cooperation with the
President and the Administration Ia
he National Recovery program, say
ng that while it may not be perfect
n every detail, it is at least a pro-
sram Of action. I'VE do not know
What the future holds" said Wheeler.
but to guess with the President Is (
IS good as to guess with the bankers