(Dave Manning tribute, continued)
His construction firm was putting four jetties above the Myers bridge to protect the approach. The Myers bridge tipped and it was leveled by the construction firm.
Rural Electrification was just coming into the state, a part of the Roosevelt adminstration project. Although Treasure County was slated to be part of the electrical power program, it was felt by many (including Dave Manning) that this part of the country needed heavier power lines in order to eventually carry heavy loads for irrigation pumps.
There were no funds. And so Dave Manning drew on his own funds to make three trips to Washington, D.C. His plea for far-reaching power turned the tables for Treasure County and heavier lines were ordered.
John Grierson, former Mid-Yellowstone Electric Manager, said he could not recall if Dave had ever actually been paid for the trips to Washington. Although payment had been promised, when funds were available.
TRAFFIC LAWS
The 1933 legislature also passed laws to bring their traffic up to date. It was voted by law that arm signals were to be used to signal right and left turns, and for stopping any vehicle.
It was also stated that a driver of a vehicle must sound a horn if intending to overtake and pass a car in front. "If our people will learn to observe the regulations it will save many rear end collisions, side swipes and bent fenders, to say nothing of the added protection to life and limb that it will afford," said the legislature.
The legislature also passed a law that said no one may ride on the outside of a car.
Cars overtaking another at night must dim their lights. Another section forbid anyone under the influence of intoxicating liquor from walking, riding a horse or driving a team of horses on the highway. So far that year there had been 11 pedestrians killed on the highway and 6 of them were under the influence.
As a result of the 1932 elections Treasure County became a part of the 13th Judicial District instead of the 13th Judicial District. Treasure County is still in the Billings District to which it was assigned in 1932.
The first action taken by the House in the 1933 legislature of which Dave Manning was a new member, was the passage of a legislative expense bill carrying an appropriation of $150,000 which, according to the chairman of appropriations committee, should last the legislature throughout the session.
Both eastern Montana legislators bitterly opposed a bill presented by the legislative delegation from Beaverhead County. The bill would have abolished the two eastern normal school units at Billings and Havre . . . Eastern Montana College and Northern Montana College.
A bill was introduced into the legislature to tax chain stores in the state of Montana. The committee reported it favorably before sending it to the House.
Said Editor Orville Isaac, "The tax . . . would force the chain store organizations to contribute to the state's revenues, with one-half the money going into the state school equalization fund, the other half into a general fund. On first thought it may seem these stores will bring down prices . . . but it will also bring down the price on what the farmer or other producer has to sell." Several delegates were sent to Helena to help defeat a bill to merge Rosebud and Treasure County.
It was reported there were four persons in Treasure County who filed individual income taxes in 1932. There were 8,526 in the state of Montana.
In November of 1933 Governor Cooney called a special legislative session which Rep. Dave Manning attended.
During this time the name of the Hysham Echo was changed to the Midland Empire Farmer.
Dave Manning was appointed to an all-important water board in the 1933 special legislative session. Manning and two other men were to bring in the first legislative recommendations on the water conservation act. The act provided for the setting up of state machinery for the expenditure of five million dollars from the federal govenment. It would embody the creation of a state water conservation board; prescribe its powers and duties and provide for the construction, operation and maintenance of a system of works for the conservation, development, storage, distribution and utilization of water within the state.
CONTINUED