The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1941-05-22
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION
SIX YEARS OLD

IMAM OLA IEAtLS l.
The start of the seventh year
of the federal rural electrifica-
ton program finds approx
mately two million American
farm families with central sta
ton electric service - nearly
three times as many as had it
in 1885 - the Department of
Agriculture reported today.
Since establishment of the
Rural Identification admins
tration on May II, 1885, REA-
financed power lines alone have
taken electricity to more than
half a million farms. During
the same period, private utlli-
ties, largely stimulated by the
REA program, have connected
about as many additional farms.
Harry Slattery, REA admins
traitor, pointed out that during
the past year, REA activities
have been directed intensively
toward measures to strengthen
national defense. "REA was in
strumental in getting electric
!ty to Camp Shelby, Mississippi,
largest army camp in the Unit
ed States. in record time and
at a substantial saving to the
government" he said.
"Other army camps have been
served less dramatically but no
less beneficially. Electricity has
been made available to hun
dredS of small factories and
mines producing essential de-
tense materials - ramrods,
gunpowder, airplane carburet-
ors, and cinnabar - to mention
four of more than 100 kinds of
Industrial establishments on
REA lines. Meanwhile, by con-
Meeting hundreds of thousands
of additional farms and by ad-
vising farmers in the selection
and operation of productive
electrical equipment, the REA
has helped to insure an ade-
quate supply of food and fiber
N the event of an all-our de-
tense effort which would draw
heavily on farm manpower.
"Of immediate importance,
rural electric power liner pro-
vide mechanical help and in
creased efficiency in producing
foods onwhich emphasis has
recently been placed. These
foods include poultry and eggs,
mix and its products, and pork.
Electric lines make possible ell
ectric chick breeders and hen
house lighting, reliable milk
coolers, and electric pig brood
ers."
During its six years of oper-
at on, the REA has allotted
S367,215,121 to 1924 borrowers in
as states and Alaska. These
funds provide for construction
of 354,090 miles of lines to
serve 1,168,272 farm families
and other rural consumers. BY
March 81. 1871, TIA of these
Midland Const. Co., Billings,
$31 ,O1O.8O.
Construction of steel and con-
crete bridge over Big Horn ri
yer. w: P. Roscoe, Billings,
STAG, O64.22
Paving 8 mile South Montana
street. Butte, Charles Shannon
Butte, SOL ,O29.12
Grading, draining, surfacine
4.3 niles of Bonner = OvandC
road. S. J. Groves and Sons
Billings, SOL ,029.12.
Constructing timber bridges
and stock passes on Bonner
Ovando road, Portland Bridge
Co., Portland Ore, $62, 1854.
Surfacing, oiling 26.5 miles
Grass Range-Malta road, Inland
Const. Co., Omaha, $105, 1853 a.
Surfacing. oiling 1913 miles of
Helena = Canyon creek road, L.
J. Birbeck, Twin Bridges, $685.
531.96.
Grading, draining "A miles
Scobey west road, Haynie-Van-
slow Const. Co., Circle, $18,2O5.-
80.
Grading, draining 4.3 miles
Boulder = Cardwell road, j. W.
Merz, Helena, $22, 791 SIS.
Grading, draining and placing
stock passes on A miles Avon
Helmville road. S. j. Groves and
Sons, SAL SAC. 93.
Cleaning and repainting of
Buckhouse bridge over Bitter
Root river near Missoula, L. C,
Shelton, Butte, $4,000.