Hungry Horse news., 1954-09-17
CompIdcent FIatheQd

Unfortunately the Flathead thinks of the Ana
conda Aluminium Co.. plant in the same light as il
viewed construction of Hungry Horse Dam.
1t was realized that the dam was construction
project that provided employment for $500
though 1000 jobs had been anticipated. Construc-
ton period 1948 to 1953 and cost $1O2 00O OOO
The new aluminium plant is costing from $780,
100000 to $60000000. Employment this fall reached
1900, and construction years 1858, 1854 and
1855.
1t was realized that Hungry Horse Dam was
essentially a construction project. Yet there was
more investment in new homes and businesses for
the dam, than is now taking place for the aluminium
plant. Factors of course in 1916 and 1947 were men
returning from the service and shipyards looking
for new places to establish homes and businesses.
However it appears that in its thinking the Flat
head has not been able to differ between dam
with its boom construction condition, and indus
trial plant that will provide steady jobs.
The new plant of course results from the dam.
What the Flathead is not taking into account is that
the plant operation will provide its 450 jobs summer
and winter, during heavy rains and deep snow.
1t is job insurance for the Flathead on big
scale.
We've heard businessmen comment that this
fall possibly is the peak time of aluminium plant
benefits with 800 construction jobs. We disagree
From an investment standpoint the Flathead
apparently hasn't as yet comprehended what 450-
job industrial plant will mean through the years
There certainly hasn't been the expansion of home
and business building would expect.
At the same time there is considerable tongue
wagging. Every few weeks We hear comment that
the plant is to be increased in sze Sometimes it is
supposed to be two potlines and then
there's to be a rolling mill added.
Common sense gives the answer that Anaconda
entering the aluminium production business for the
first time, isn't about to enlarge plant when the
company hasn't found out such basic answers to
actually how much it will cost to produce pound
of aluminium in the Flathead
Furthermore the labor picture this year-with
all parties at fault-hasnt been one that would en-
courage industry with its plant not yet built to
expand.
In addition the housing picture is a concern.
The new plant is to be in production within nine
months There is not yet available housing for key
men. There houses for sale and practically none
for rent.
We met public relations man from an eastern
chemical company at Sperry chalets this summer.
His company building $20,000,000 plant
in Michigan, and he telling of the great changes
the plant making to the one-time Michigan
lumber town.
The Flathead is getting nearly three times the
plant the chemical company is building in Michigan
We aren't realizing what 450 steady jobs mean, and
he fact that indirectly there are service and sup
,ly jobs for twice that number
Hungry Horse-a construction project and in it
ef comparatively bref-saw establishment of two
lew towns, housing and businesses.
There seems to be too much faint heartedness
ereabous, and not the enthusiastic free enterprise
pirit There has been some vision here and there
vhen it comes to Flathead reaction to the aluminium
liant, but to considerable extent we're more like
Id men content to live off nest eggs MR.