The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1963-05-10

million cost of the river development
at the public hearing held in Havre
His statement, although concise
was comprehensive analysis of what
proponents of the project see for the
future of the region as to power de-
velopment, attracting industry and
enhancing recreational opportunities
as a counter-move to the declining
economic condition of that part of
the state the past thirty years.
Speaking for MFU, Kenfield point
ed out that ''many thousands of our
members live along the Missouri
River and are engaged in agricultural
production on it's many watersheds"
who have a vital interest in improv-
ing this section of the Missouri.
Stating that ''there are several
reasons for recommending optimum
development" he said ''we recon-
mend a combination of dams that
would utilize most of the head of
the river between the upper end of
Fort Peck Reservoir and the tail
waters of Morony Dam (near Great
Falls) for optimum multipurpose de-
velopment including generation of
low-cost electricity, conservation of
water, control of floods, improved
management of the public lands and
development of recreation.
eve favor the preservation of
wild life and the natural beauties
of the area insofar as consistent
and possible within the feasibility
and scope of the total project. But,
we strongly feel human needs come
first.
Commenting specifically ON the
various reasons his organization sup
ports the proposed development, Ken
field outlined them thusly:
STATES ECONOMIC CONDITION
According to the Upper Midwest
Research and Development Council,
Montana had trade deficit in 1862
of $145, 100000 which means that
Montana imported the equivalent of
of products and goods exported to
other parts of the nation and the
world. r.Aa
"a study published recently by
Business Quarterly of Montana State
indicated the Treasure II
State had the slowest growing econ
omy of five states in the Rocky
Mountain region during the past
decade and far below the national !
average.
eleven Montana counties and
seven Indian reservations have been
declared depressed areas.
ssThe rate of unemployment, es-
,ecially in winter, is high.
SIN population growth the last 10
rears, Montana stands almost at the {
,ottom of the list of states-next to
"The number of adults in the 7
productive ages is shrinking as too
many young people attaining adult
hood leave the state because of
lack of job opportunities. The n
of the aging and the minor :,
dependents is growing. This places = =
heavy burdens on those of working
age. We need to enlarge the pro-
ductive group of our population as
we'll as broaden the base of the
Moreover, many of Montana's
aims counties and communities are
sing population to some of the g
ountain counties and the incorpor- u
ed centers, particularly to some of p
e county seats and federally-sup- 10
,rted cente1-s. The depleted counties w
st don't have enough business to OF
eet the needs of their people. tu
eve need more immediate job OPP pi
rtunities in the broad area of the Al
Dte that would be served by the Al
opposed Missouri River project and
ire longtime occupational oppor-
mites from diversification to in -
.ase the working population and r.
improve and stabilize personal in =.
ne. no
WEIR DEVELOPMENT
Montana is ONE of the high-cost bu
power states in the ma cal