The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1937-12-30
Thinks 1888
Will Briino
Prosperity
Prospects Excellent That
Montana Will Enjoy Big
Share of Treasure.
SEE GOOD YEAR FOR
MAJOR INDUSTRIES

HELENA, Dec. 30. - Muntana's
prospects for 1888 are excellent! As
1887 YEARLY slides into the limbo
of years, people of the Treasure state
turn their faces to another mile
stone of life with revived hope, new
courage and confidence that the
worst has happened" Things are
sure to be better.
And while 1887 brought itsLshare
OF troubles, of disasters and losses
it also brought its share of pleas
ures, OF successes, and joys and OF
progress.
The fertile soil Of Montana valleys
and plains, nurtured by the skillful
hands of Montana's farmers, pro-
duced tidy bit of wealth for all
residents. Agricultural crops for
the year were worth $50, 636, 900, ac-
cording to Jay G. Diamond, federal
crop statistician. This is 8.6 per
cent more than the 1886 value of all
agriculture.
But 1888 promises to do better by
Montana Estimates of winter wheat
yield for the coming season is for a
harvest one-fifth larger than the av-
erage for the past five years. These
estimates, based upon scientific
measurements OF soil moisture, have
in the past proved uncannily ac-
curate. They indicate an acreage
yield of 12.7 bushels, compared to
five year average OF 10 bushels.
While northeast and central Mon
tana were hard hit by drouth, early
summer rains in southeast Montana
greatly improved range conditions.
There has been steady replenishment
of livestock herds over the entire
area this fall and winter and with
favorable conditions now prevailing,
stockmen look forward to 1888 with
reasonable assurance of q prosper
GUS year-the best in a decade.
Mining Industry
Montana's mining industry
reached post-depression peak in
1887, the proceeds of the metals
mines tax, and the payrolls of Butte,
Anaconda and Great Falls reveal.
With continued demand for metals
in the War-torn old world countries,
with a great housing program
launched by the federal govern
ment, with farm identification prof.
ects utilizing huge quantities of cop
per goods, the mining industry
faces 1888 with every prospect of
profitable and extensive operations.
The lumber industry, too, will
benefit by the housing upsurge, as
will cement, building material and
allied industries When agriculture,
mining and industry are on sound
and active basis, all other lines of
endeavor prosper, and the merchant,
the professional man and the work
er can take pleasure from the favor
able position of the states basic en-
terprlses.
Many Economies
The year 1887 witnessed many
economies in state and local gov
ernments and 1888 finds a much
sounder finance structure for cities,
counties, school districts and the
state This has been achieved in
spite of the heavy, permanent obi
cations incurred to provide social
security for the masses of citizens
During the year Governor Roy E.
Ayers has made many systematic
economies in various departments
of state government. The Montana
liquor control board has rigidly eli
minated operating waists and over
head; the highway department per
sonnet has been trimmed to meet
lower income, many state depart
ments have effected large savings
These economies should show to full
est advantage during 1888.
Tax Efficiency
Greater efficiency in tax collect
ing bodies has resulted in large
increase in revenues from licenses
profit and income taxes, and similar
sources, and decrease in the bur
den formerly carried by rea
property.
Splendid progress has been made
by the state water. conservation
board in bringing water to aric
acres. Several large projects art
to be completed in 1888. Rura
identification is being brought to i;
substantial number of Montana farm
homes, and the work continues int
the new year.
Listed as the top project for 193
promotion is the vast Yellowston,
basin development, an epoch under
taking that has been fostered joint
ly and studied by the water boart
and the u. S. army engineers dur
ing 1887. Surveys of this are hal
complete and 1888 may see thi
one hundred million dollar under
taking well on the way to establish
ment as an official government
venture
With the income from dude ranch
es and tourabts growing yearly; wit
the droutH years behind them, Gil
liens canflook with confidence tc
wards the achievement of the Amer
can ideals of living in the comm
years and sure advance towar
the goal in 1888.