The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1945-09-14

CetSAA WIZ u ctNA1 biiiO4tAot S$AAN-
International and petition drive.
established organiza-
tions, such as the CLIO, Building
and Construction Trades Coun-
ellis and other AFL groups, and
the National Farmers Union,
and through newly-formed citi-
zens committees for MVA in
the Missouri valley states, the
regional committee will see
that the MVA message reaches
valley.
The Regional Committee for MVA
together with leading ecoonmic and
agricultural experts, foresee a future
of scarcity and poverty in our region
If congress fails to establish Mis-
souri, Valley Authority. We do not
want that kind of future. Therefore
we are supporting the Murray-C Cochran
bill Is. 555) and call upon every trade
unionist, whether in or out of the
Missouri valley, to give this legislation
his unqualified backing.
We do not say that the Murray
MVA bill alone will mean full en-
ployment and greater economic OPP
portunity for the people of this region.
We do say, however, that full employ
ment is out of the question without
the enactment of such measure as
this providing unified, full develop
ment of the regions natural resources
and promising the ultimate solution
of tremendous problems of soil and
water. Just as the solution of these
problems and the development of the
land in the Tennessee Valley Author
ity provided jobs for thousands, so can
the MVA open the door to increased
A great storm has been raised over
an Owl writer's description of an
area including most of the Missouri
valley states as Americas wasteland.
Perhaps the writer did state his case
too strongly and without complete
grasp of the subject. Still there are
are any number of facts and statistics
available to back up any assertion
that the Missouri valley is an econom-
ically backward, economically declin-
ing region. Due to the great drouths
and dust storms of the 1930s and the
lack of irrigation, over $4,000 people
migrated from the upper valley from
1880 to 1910. In that same period,
personal income declined 1920, salaries
300, and manufacturing 300. Such
depressing economic facts, If I'M
changed, spell out one word for the
'uture-depressio
The Regional Committee for MVA
wants to see the end of these condi-
ions. 1t looks to future when the
generation and distribution of low-cost
)ower and the tapping of hte regions
'ich mineral resources, with CORE
spending stimulation of industry and
agriculture, will make of this river
yalley young valley, chock full of
lew-found strength.
This was the plan of the late -Presi-
lent Roosevelt when he proposed to
congress the establishment of such
in seven strategic locations
the nation We can see,
100, the great wisdom Of this proposal
when we realize that poverty in one
section Of the country has it's effect
On other sections of the country.
In it's attitude toward MVA, as in its
position on all other vital issues, or
a Tfznd Iah II
he welfare of all the people of the
country While MVA means more jobs
md stronger labor movement, in
the Murray-Cochran legis-
alton, labor will be supporting, too,
he Missouri valley farmer whose
rops are destroyed by recurrent
foods or drouth and who has not
lad the benefit of nearby markets
II of rural identification and use of
he electrical appliances that are nee
ssities in any home. In supporting
IVA, labor will be aiding too the
fissouri valley small businessman
whose business has failed to expand
through lacq of low-rate power and
ow-rate transportation. Labor, in
Importing this legislation, also will
ave in mind the ex-servicemen-
lany of them union membership
7ill be expecting and deserving jobs
nd those other ex-servicemen who
ook for the irrigation of arid lands
nd federal encouragement of family
ype farming, when they return from
he wars. All of this is akin to la
or's hopes for prosperous and Sc
ure future, for we know that pros
Gritty, like peace is indivisible. We
II must have it or none of us can
ave it.
With reference TO charges of OPP
osition to MVA by private power in
erests in Montana and elsewhere, the
ommittee has called on Attorney Gen
raj Tom Clark for an early and COM
lete investigation of widespread
umors that the power holding COM
Continued on Page Four)