The people's voice., 1944-07-28

| NiACii W ~
and the Farmers Union.
Concerned primarily with postwar
planning for development of new in
dustries and business in the state and
nation, there appeared to be a prac-
tically unanimous conviction in the
minds of all who made statements to
the committee, that all industrial de-
velopment was contingent on an am
pie supply of cheap electrical power.
1t was stressed by nearly all of the
views submitted in statements to the
committee, that without abundant
cheap power available, no new indus
trial development which would pro-
vide unemployment opportunities for
returning soldiers and war workers;
that the development of our natural
resources depended first upon the de-
velopment of our hydro-electric power
resources.
Assistant Secretary Michael Straus
of the Department of the Interior was
particularly emphatic about power
needs in his description of essential
steps to be taken by the state and
national governments leading toward
greater Industrial development and
greater opportunities for employment
and better standard of living for
the people of the state and the nation.
Mr.. Straus called attention to the
vital Importance to the nation, of
maximum development of the Mis-
sodri River basin. He stated that the
basin encompassed one-sixth of the
land area of the nation, and that live
stock resources of the basin had been
reduced five hundred million by
drouth conditions at one time, and
the probable recurrenses of such con-
ditions could not be afforded by the
nation.
Following out Mr.. Straus testi-
mony, Mr.. Sloan, chief reclamation
engineer, speaking of the possibilities
for employment in the proposed irri-
cation development of the waters of
the basin, said the program would
provide 100000 man years of remun-
erative employment.
Clifford Steib secretary of the Kali
spell Chamber of Commerce presented
a statement of the views of that or
ganization as developed at meeting
held on the previous Saturday to dis
cuss possible postwar development
of industry in the western section of
the state Stressed in this report
and one made later in the hearing by
Mr. TrQn1ar Of fhn EuliCnall |
radio station and an influential mem
Der of the Chamber of Commerce of
the city, was the need for abundant, |
cheap power, recognized by the mem
bership of the organization.
Similar presentations were made to
the committee by AL Winkler Kali |
spell merchant and member of the
state highway commission.
The Montana Farmers Union and |
the Cascade Trades and Labor Assem-
bly,, in their statements, did not stop |
at the point of arguing for cheap |
power but went definitely on record |
as favoring development of the Mis-
souri, River Basin by one co-ordinated
plan with maximum use of all waters
for irrigation, electric power, flood
control and navigation. The state
ment Of the Montana Farmers Union
was presented by II. S. Bruce. The
statement of the Cascade County
Trades and Labor Assembly was pre-
sented by Bruce Steinmetz and a
statement for the Flathead labor or
was made by Perry Mel |
ton, editor of the Treasure State La |
Dor Journal and secretary of the Kali
spell Trades and Labor Council
Mike Lacey of Butte, state CIO
president stated to the committee
that his organization was in accord
with plans for the development of
new industries which would provide
for employment. Har-
Did Ridenour of the Flathead Farmers
Union, advocated base plan of in
creased agricultural development in
he postwar period to provide for
greater production and employment
The regional analyst of the bureau
II agricultural economics at Berkley,
stated that Montana had
ost 10000 of its population since the
var started, $4,000 being lost from
he farms. He stated that the Hun
cry Horse project when completed
would provide employment for one
thousand farm families, and urged in
.reased industrial development for
he state as a whole.
Judge Left Erickson, was the last
witness to appear before the commit
ee. In his verbal statement he adj
'ocated maximum development of our
water resources, and the organization
If small industries such as canning
,lants and similar enterprise located
where the materials are produced. He
with the committee for de-
allied statement to be submitted by
lin for the record.
The opportunity and necessity of in
ensive development of our forestry
esources with resultant employment