(Dave Manning tribute, continued)
In the 1934 legislature the Hysham Water Users Project was tentatively approved and then rejected. First started in 1913, the loan grant in 1934 was for $175,000. The funds were to be administrated by the Progress Works Administration. The funds originally earmarked for the Hysham project went to Fort Peck.
Said an assessment of the project, "The annual assessment is too high in view of the short growing season in Montana, 105 days, and the type of crops grown in that land. It will not support the burden to landowners."
The Hysham Water Users project was then passed in later years.
In 1934 Dave Manning Construction was also the successful bidder for the Carterville Irrigation District Dam extending 900 feet of the Yellowstone River. The dam was built to insure sufficient water at all times to the acres of land at Carterville.
In the election of 1934, Dave Manning defeated A. Bloomstrand 470 to 227. In the primary voting, the county showed its Republican leanings as Bloomstrand got 315 and Manning 126 in the primary. But in the general the candidate Bloomstrand was no match for the Treasure County legislator with a state to build.
An extra session of the legislature was called in 1934. There was a heated argument over the "8 Hour Law". The law was passed saying that there was to be no labor of persons in stores longer than 8 hours a day. It was explained chain stores were especially bad about this and if they broke the law they should be reported.
Meanwhile back at the construction sites, Manning had been putting in a trestle bridge at Tullock Creek and then won the bid for construction of a road through Custer Battlefield National Cemetery.
He was appointed to the Treasure County Planning Board and the Treasure County Energy Relief Committee. Other members were F. M. Alexander, Ray Ward, W. A. Suskosky, A. J. Plumer, J. P. Gallagher and B. W. Hope.
In the 1935 legislature Dave Manning, second term Representative from Treasure County, was named to the most important committee of the early days of the session. He was named to the Employment Committee. He was also named to the Appropriations and to the Committee on State Boards and Offices.
Editor Isaac went to the legislature to cover it for his newspaper.
Said he, "On liquor law requiring purchasers to carry permits, it went to a committee with Rep. Manning of Treasure County presiding over . . . the committee head was especially appointed by the Speaker of the House. They couldn't have chosen a more appropriate member to preside during the question as Manning refrains from the use of liquor in any form."
Manning distinguished himself by introducing a bill that passed 90-1 that provided estates of less than $1500 go directly to the wife and child of a deceased, those less than $3000 to be summarily administered.
During the session of the legislature a House Bill was defeated that called for women to serve jury duty. There was much heated discussion on the bill.
The legislature of 1935 created a state highway patrol to cover the highways. Men were to be accepted from 25-55 and not more 55% of them from one political party. The pay was $125 to $160 per month. Control of the system was under the highway commission, equipping of motor patrol force with motorcycles and autos.
New laws made it an offense and a highway menace to drive without two well-focused lights at night, a proper driver's license, properly adjusted brakes and to pass a vehicle without warning.
Driver's licenses were 50 cents for each owner and driver of a car, 25 cents for each extra driver.
1937-38
The first state Rural Electrification Commission awarded Dave Manning the first letting of its kind in Montana. The letting was for construction of lines between Fairview and Savage, 92 miles for $90,157.
And there were water main jobs at Three Forks, a rural electrification line at Sidney and bridge projects at Chinook and Havre.
In 1938 Buffington Hall burned and the community's cherished meeting place, that had housed generations, was gone.
In the 1937 legislature Manning was appointed to a committee to undertake an investigation of the state board of equalization and its administration.
Manning, chairman of the Appropriations Committee, also announced the committee would make weekly reports to the House on the costs of the session so members would take action for a supplementary bill for funds if necessary. In past years no notice of expenditures were brought on the floor until funds were nearly exhausted and Manning believed the practice of weekly reports would help in cutting down expenses.
The total cost of the legislature in 1937 was $205,000, $724 per bill.
CONTINUED