The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1945-01-04
Discusses Mdny
Problems
In Message
Governor Ford Outlines
Important Program as
Legislature Opens.
SAYS THERE'S DANGER
IN FEDERAL CONTROL
BY Harry L. Carlson

BY Harry L. Carlson
United Press Staff Correspondent
HELENA - W.H - Montana's Sc
state senators and 80 representa-
tives this week were delving into
the tremendous task OF enactinq
laws which will govern the immedi-
ate and postwar future of the state
after converting for their opening
session last Monday, New Years
Day.
After completing the first days
job of electing officers and per-
forming the routine business neces-
sary at the start of d legislative
session, members of both houses
heard the biennial message of Gov.
Sam c. Ford, in which he declared
that this 18th assembly lis the
most important legislative session
IN Montana's history"
Governor Warns
In his extensive outline of pro-
gramming Montanas immediate
and postwar economic future, Ford
warned the legislators of the con-
stantly increasing bureaucratic in
filtration into the functions of the
states and asserted that Montana
would not live and work under
domination by Washington.
This trend serves the needs Of
the people within limits, the gov
ernor said, but when it overreach-
es It's proper limits and seeks to
transcend and usurp state sover-
eighty, that is when the people Of
the state must resist" !,
Perhaps the most insidious and
sinister threat to Montana SOW
ereignty today is area development.
specifically the proposed Missouri
River Basin and the Columbia Riv-
er Basin development" Ford said.
he explained that. these planners
would not only nullify the inherent
right we have to our natural re-
sources but would superim-
pose q government Of decree and
directive on government of laws
If these planners were to have
their unrestrained way, laws that
might be enacted by this assembly
would, If they ran counter to the
plans Of the planners, be empty
gestures OF self-g government, Ford
said.
Five Needs Pointed Out
Ford listed five general categor-
les IN which the current legislative
assembly must concern itself in the
making and revamping Of state
laws
|. Continued effort in all Mon
tana's endeavor to the winning of
the war.
2. Preparation now for Montanas
postwar problems.
s. Adequate planning and provi-
sion for the future operation of
Montana's educational and custodi-
al institutions.
9. increased assistance to the
needy, aged, widows, orphans and
unemployed workers.
5. Improvement in the efficiency
OF state government administration
Dealing with Montanas postwar
era, Ford emphasized the 'awing''
Importance Of the huge problems of |
rehabilitation of the states $4,000
servlcemen and of reconversion and
reconstruction.
The keystone of the whole plan
for transition from a war basis To |
"a peacetime economy Is employ /
ment,' he said, adding that gov
eminent must take the initiative II
providing what he called INTERIM
employment" as servicemen return
to civilian life.
We cannot expect that private
industry and business can inmedl- /
ately absorb those thousands Of
men, he said. 1.-THE state govern
ment must cooperate with the fed
eral government in planning a pub /
lie works program which will I
cushion the shock during the BE-
Rod Of reconversion.
Should Provide Postwar Jobs
He added that every unit Of GOV
eminent down through the counties
cities and school districts should
cooperate in planning to provide
postwar jobs for Montana's return
ing servicemen.
Ford urged the legislature tol
grant the state planning board add
ed powers and an increased an
preparation, since this board, would |
be the logical agency to contact he
tween Washington and local gov
ernments' in planning for Mon
tana'ss postwar period Of recon
struction.
He asked for materially IN
creased appropriation" for the state /
water conservation board, which he
sad has prepared an extensive
postwar plan which lin the ex-
ecution will substantially enhance
Montana's economic advancement
and stability"
Dealing with ,Montana's postwar
opportunities for drawing tourists
and industry to the state, Ford
recommended that the legislature
appropriate 100000 year to the |
Continued on page A.