Montana labor news., 1944-08-17
LABOR Jubilee CONVENTION HERE
PRODUCTION RECORD
OF MONTANA
IS ASTONISHING

IL ASlUNlShiNG
A story of Montana's agricultural in
dustrial commercial, and financial ac-
tivities from 1890 to 1914 is told in a
67-page bulletin, "Montana's Produc-
ton" recently made ready for distribu-
ton by Montana State University.
The bulletin was prepared by Dr. Roy
J. w. Ely, Department Of Economics and
Sociology at the University. Using charts
and explanatory comments, DR.. Ely
showed that Montana has not yet lost
her capacity to turn the products Of
field, mine and forest into the channels
CT trade. He indicated that the state
also has the power to bear its reason
able share of production in the post
war era.
one of the features of the bulletin is
an index of physical production in agri-
culture, mining, and numbering in the
state. This index shows that physical
production in these industries rose from
an index of lO7 in 1889 to l48 in 1912
and l94S.
Some of the other facts about Mon
tanas production, commerce, and fl
nance are
The 35,675, 900 chalked up as agri-
cultural income for the state in l943
exclusive of government payments rep
resents an an-time high It also repre-
sents an increase of nearly s5O,OOOO0O
above 1912 and over Sl39, 100000 above
1910. Average cash income per farm in
Montana, including government pay
ments, in 1943 exceeded $6,OOO in 1910
it was only $4,000
Farm crops whose value was material
ly greater in 1943 than in 1912 included
barley spring wheat tame hay, alfalfa
seed, flax seed, seed peas, sweet clover
seed, canning peas, dry beans and po-
tatoes. From wheat alone Montana
farmers took in over S92OOOOOO in 1943
Cash income from cattle and calves
sheep and lambs, hogs and wool totaled
nearly s85. 100000 in l943 as compared
with about $4,000 600 in 1912
From poultry and dairy products the
farmers Of Montana realized a large cash
income. Chickens and eggs brought in
over S9,OOOOOO in l943 as against $780,
600 in 1912. From approximately $4,000
head of milk COWS farmers obtained an
estimated 76O.OOOOOO pounds of milk
that meant a cash income Of $l45OOOO0
last year, and $4,000 900 the year be-
fore.
During the present war the production
of gold, lead, silver and zinc has dropped
noticeably, whereas production Of cop
per- coal, petroleum and natural gas has
gained steadily.
Average annual production OF copper
amounted to 274,6s6,OOO pounds over the
four year period from 1910 to l943, in
elusive.
From 1888 to 1912, inclusive lumber
production increased from 223,259OO0
board feet to 4SS ,OO9,G board feet.
Value in 1888 amounted to nearly s4,
$4,000 as compared with Sl2,OOOOOO in
1912.
Federal income taxes collected in
Montana umped from $40 959, $40 in 1912
to S28,OS9,67O in 1943. In the same
time state income taxes rose from $685.
800 to 81, ,28s, $40
Loans and discounts in all banks
dropped from S5e,S75,OOO in 1912 to $45,-
$50 900 in 1943, whereas bank invest
ments rose from $116,2l9,OOO to $5l78,-
600 600 in the same period Of time. Bank
deposits reached $4,000, 900 in l943 as
with $216,69OOOO in 1912.
The bulletin also revealed that Mon
tana is becoming more newspaper mind !
ed. Eleven of the is daily newspapers Of
the state reported a total circulation of
over 117OOO in i943. Lowest circulation (
from 1880 to 1943 was in 1882 when the |
same papers had circulation Of only !
rs, ,48O. Between 1880 and 1910 the cir
culation of Montana dailies increased |
25 per cent, whereas the increase in
population was only Al per cent.
Wage earners have shared in the in ]
come of the state. Total wages received |
by the 775OO employees who come under
the unemployment compensation laws |
amounted to sl37,2OO,OOO in l943 as
to S9O,3OO,0OO received by co.
800 workers in 1889. Between 1889 and /
l943 the number of covered employees
13 per cent total wages So
Der cent. and average yearly wages, "a
Der cent Registered unemployment in /
L943 was almost at the zero mark.