The people's voice., 1959-03-13
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
By GRETCHEN C. BILLINGS

Dam hearing. From an entirely preJu-
diced point of view, you understand,
I was very impressed by the pro-
ponents. There isn't much dynamic
and inspiring about attempts to hold
back progress.
One opponent said he was against
the dams because he thought we
ought to keep the water here in the
mountains where it originates -.
(O.
Then the good old Northern Pacific,
and | love them dearly, talked about
hazardous and circuitous conditions
if the valley is flooded. Where is
the daring spirit that put railroads
through this country at tremendous
effort in money, materials and men?
l do have one thing in common
with both opponents and proponents
who said. after IL years and many
public hearings, some decision must
be made about this matter. People
in the area are waiting they
are waiting to make many decisions
hinging on the outcome of develop
ment of the valley. Everything has
been said that can be said on the
matter. Hearings now are repetitious,
time is fleeting. If we are, in truth,
going to move forward, let's get
moving.
From Missoula l went to Billings
to the annual meeting of the Yellow
stone Electric Cooperative.
There was a 1880 am. breakfast
(who even has their eyes open at
1902 and the all-day meeting, in
cluding a ham and baked-bean lunch
for the over 1000 people who at
tended.
1t was the first time had made
one of these meetings, and was
amazed at the interest and also the
variety of the program that made
the day pass so quickly.
Of particular interest to me was
the Youth Electric Fair. 1t included
displays of projects, all connected
n some way with electricity, made
oy young people from IL years on
Up.
| watched a series of demonstra-
ions by young people, which ranged
rom the use of an electric fan to
some fantastic demonstration in cleo
,ronics that l didn't in any way
understand, and which completely
amazed me.
The first time 1 am home long
enough | am going to show Harry
low to clean some of these umpsteen
motors he has around here that he
S eternally connecting up to some
hing and having to have repaired.
his | learned from a 13-year-old
10Y.
Among the projects that fascinated
ne was something called Seattle
Her. With my ignorance hanging
ut mile, l asked a young man
that it meant, and he explained the
rocess to me. He said they put oil
n a tank, run it through a hose
overed with metal, under which the
ow walks and gets his body oiled
nd scratched at the same time. MY
eaction was ''I never did know cows
ad it so good".
There were a lot of lamps, these
ids had made, as we'll as brooders,
eat lamps, saws, compressors, lawn
lowers rigged up for electricity,
rill presses.
A favorite contention of mine Zone
t them, anyhow has always been
lat too many men don't know how
do some of the most elementary
llngs around home this does
t apply to most rural people, but
to a lot of urban. Such
rograms should be promoted furth-
:, think. Il don't want to get into
ny battle of the sexes. so realize,
ease, this situation doesn't Just
oply to men).
have also found in my travels
lat since the end of the legislature
lere IS active interest, at least
nong politically conscious people,
Id an increasing amount of con-
'rsation about the 1860 elections.
If my copy deadline wasn't on top
me, I'd recap a little of what |
I'VE heard, but that will have to
aIt fill apN+bo,, l.