The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1951-02-23

ly eXpressive-by personal appear
ances and by the written word. Leg
islators have been heard IT, explode
quite openly over democratic ex-
pressions via the mail box and shanks
mare. Coercion? Is that the word?
Well that could be one way out, but
it occurs to me that son eplace it
says government of the people, by
the people and for the people-an old
expression, but still good.
Another financially sound idea
found in my travels today is the
bill introduced for the Commissioner
of Agriculture asking for a revolv-
ing fund for his department.
There are many services required
by the department for which they
are reimbursed. These services are
paid for out of the department
budget, but when the reimburse
emnts come through they go into the
general fund.
The Commissioner is asking au-
thority to take 1000 dollars from his
budget for this revolving fund. He can
then pay for services and return
reimbursements to that fund. The
fund would gradually grow to the
point where the demands of the de-
partment could be met and many
more services rendered.
AS things presently stand farmers
bo,yo 70 bo Japia1 thn do
partment of Agriculture is set up to
take care of because there are no
finances to cover them.
AS a safeguard the commissioner
suggests that after the fund has
reached 5000 dollars the surplus
revert to the general fund.
This would require no additional
funds, the original money would be
taken from the regular budget.
The Commissioner believes he could
use a larger sum to better perform
the duties possible in the depart
ment, but being an extremely reason
able and undeniably fair man, trying
to give the best service to farmers
as designated to his office under
the law he is striving to put his
proposition on a beginning level that
will not brighten house appropria-
tons committee members.
Remember, this will not cost the
state any money, it will result in
extra service to the farmer.
1t may be too late by now for the
farm readers to do anything about
this for this session but it isn't too
late to remember the services you
have been denied if this does not get
favorable action in the house.
Representative Esp and Scofield
are referred to as the Gold Dust
Twins during the legislative ses-
sion. I hadn't heard it before, but
they say it is tag acquired after
having been inseparable companions
during their years of serving in the
house. L
30
1t should be- about time for the
grandfather'se clock in the parlor to
strike II. That is, if | had a grand
fathers clock, 1t would be.
And as | sit down to write | feel
as if l have in the past 80 hours
witnessed something rather spectacu
lar. ~I
Before closing time Tuesday even
ing farmers started coming into
the office. They had been informed
by their legislative representatives
that HB388 had passed the house and
was in grave danger of passing the
senate. They all wanted to know
What's the scorer"
Expecting delegation their legis-
islative representatives had rented the
Antler's theater with a seating ca
pacity of about 400 to discuss the
serious problem facing them. How
ever expectation" were exceeded.
In an entirely voluntary and unprec-
edented move Coop people came to
see for themselves whats the score"
Some came from as far away. as
500 miles.
They were packed in the. aisles.
They were crowded on the stage. Z
They didn't like HB388. So they
talked it over.
Thew coi11d coo the sha dnw of