The Glacier reporter. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1953-current, 1953-11-20
observations
FROM TIE SIDELINES
ByT. A. Busey

weather ID SOIlclNlHS everyone
talks about, but nothing can be
done about it. Anyway, we have
had a wonderful fall, with con.
ditions ideal for completion of
the harvest, getting the livestock
marketed in good condition, and
last but not least the oil men
have been able to continue their
seismographing and drilling op.
erations with no more interior.
ence from the weather than in
midsummer. The only trouble,
some of the pessimists remark,
is that the dry weather may be
an adverse influence on growing
conditions next year. But last fall
was much the same as the pres
ent season, and then this spring
we got an over-supply of mois-
ture, with the greatest rainfall
average in many years, with a
good crop grown and harvested
during the year. With satisfac-
tory crop conditions and a good
harvesting season, with prospects
excellent for next year, there will
be plenty of things to be thank
full for next Thursday, the ma
tons annual day for giving
thanks to an all-bountiful Provi-
dence for blessings of the year.
And speaking of next year,
there are plenty of indications
that this area may experience a
rapid development of its extern
sive resources in the next twelve
months. Extensive seismograph-
ing has been under way in this
immediate locality for several
months and indications are that
actual drilling operations for oil
and gas along the mountain front
will take place during the COM
ing year. Actual drilling opera
tons along the boarder, in the
Del Bonita sector, have proven
most successful this year. with
one big producer completed on
the Canadian side, and current
operations indicating other wells
in that area will prove the exist
ence of big oil pool at depths
deeper than have been hereto
fore explored.
During 1854 many new loca-
tons for deep tests by the major
companies seems almost certain.
The test being made by Portland
and San Francisco capitalists 20
miles due north of Browning on
the Douglas ranch has great pos
slbilities for opening a new field.
The test is being drilled as a
tight hole" and no information
is being given out, but it is known
that drilling has been under way
now for several weeks, and it is
not unlikely that the test will
be completed within the next few
weeks.
If and when oil and gas produc-
ton should be developed in the
west area of the reservation, the
economic position of Browning
would be greatly improved, and
many vision a rapid growth of
the town and surrounding terri.
tory.
More and better roads will
eventually play an important part
in the development of Browning,
and this program, too, is getting
well under way.
The effect of removal of the
prohibition of the sale of liquor
on the reservation is moot ques.
ton as yet, but many people
think this, too, will be boost to
the economic status of the town.
Many people who now 60 to ad-
Joining towns to secure their sup
ply of liquor will find market
at home, and thus the tendency
will be to spend the money in the
local market places, rather than
In places where no restrictions
are imposed.
The all-important tourist bust
ness during the summer months
can and no doubt will be further
exploited as time passes, and the
revenue from this source will be
increased.
This newspaper hopes to do its
small part in helping to bring
about these improved conditions,
and in time hopes to provide the
community with a newspaper SER
vice in keeping with the import
ance and growth of the area it
IS attempting to serve.
Rumors of big things in the
making are getting so common
that they are not worth too much,
but one of them has to do with
pending negotiations that may
bring into the local picture one
Of the biggest oil development
and economic planning concerns
In the southwest. It is known that
representatives of this multi.mil.
lion dollar concern have been
here recently attempting to make