The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1960-06-03
Rep. Leroy Andersen
Reports TO You From
The Nations capitoI

TIC UolIOu OoUIlOI
WASHINGTON, D. c. Success
for a major Montana project was
signalled this week as the House ap-
proved the Public Works Appropria
ton BIZ which included 81 Y million
for the start of construction of the
Big Horn (YellowtaiD Dam project
near Hardin. Construction of this
great multipurpose dam-the concen-
trated effort toward clearing OBJ
stacles to its consideration, asquisi-
ton of the damsite, and obtaining the
money-has been my major project
as a Congressman. Now, with con-
struction money sure to be approved
by Congress and the President, this
huge enterprise, which will ultimately
entail expenditures in excess of $1OO
million, can be commenced within
coming months. Thus will be consum-
mated the dreams begun more than
40 years ago by Hardin and Billings
planners. Next year a continuing APP
preparation of about SIG million will
be sought, and in the next six or
seven years, Congress will be asked
to approve the appropriation of addi-
tional amounts as required. AS is
true of all such projects, maximum
use will be made of local labor pos
sessing necessary skills, with payment
at the going area rate for such skills.
Funds expended for construction will
normally be recirculated in the local
area and throughout the state at the
ratio of six or seven times every dol
lar so spent. Thus, thousands of Mon
tana individuals and firms will share
in this much-needed development.
Many residents of the Billings
Hardin area have been seeking this
project over the years, but to my
mind no individual has given of his
time and energies in this connection
with more dedication and persistence
than Howard Bunston, Hardin-Bil-
lings attorney. Bunny" as he is af-
fectionately known, arrived in Big
Horn county AT years ago, fresh
from law school in Michigan. Three
decades ago, he began the first of
series of visits to Congress in behalf
Of this project. / think the people of
the Midland Empire owe Howard
Bunston tribute for the ultimate sue
cess of his hopes to develop this huge
project on the Big Horn River south
IF Hardin
School Bill-The House this week
by vote of 2O6 to 189.
S1.8 billion Democratic bill for fed
sral aid to education. AS finally
passed in the House, the measure
contains an anti-segregation amend
nent.s This amendment gained sup
port through an odd coalition of con-
sentative Republicans and ultra-lib- |
,ral Democrats-but for sharply de- |
lined and different reasons. The Re-
,ublicans voted for the amendment |
because they thought it would help |
zill the bill, and the ultra-liberals
yoted for it because it was thought |
federal aid should be denied to dis |
riots maintaining racially segregated
chools in defiance of Supreme Court |
'ulings. The COP strategy failed be-
,ause too many Republicans from
Urban areas or from congressional
districts facing rough Democratic OPP
,onents in November were thus
placed con the spot" Thus political |
necessity largely directed their re-
ultant vote. Quickly rejected was
move to include money for teachers |
,ay on the grounds that it was out of |
,rder because the debate was limited |
O aid for school construction.
More Taxcs-The tax writing
louise Ways and Means Committee
$ continuing the tax ON telephones,
and transportation tickets,
s well as other Korean wartime ex-
Use taxes on autos, liquor, and tobac-
o. have consistently been opposed
o these particular taxes, but OBJ
iously most members on this par
icular committee favor continuation
f this form of taxation on the Amer
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