He became known as a man and a legislator who could "get things done" because he was willing to compromise while working for the good of the state. He was a man who could listen to others and . . . in the final heat of political battle . . . get them to listen to him. And he taught patience. Gov. Stan Stephens said in Hysham that Dave was his mentor and he had learned patience and to work with others from him.
As Dave was working, he became friends and co-workers with men such as Mike Mansfield, Lee Metcalf and every governor of the State of Montana from 1932 until his retirement.
Soon realizing the wonder and glory that rural electrification could bring to Montana, Dave Manning early became involved in the fight to bring power to the rural areas of the state. Dave could see, not only power for rural homes, but power for irrigation projects as well.
At his own expense in 1932, Dave Manning went to Washington, D.C. to convince officials of the needs of Treasure County, Montana for rural electrification. He ended up, that year, going to the Capital two more times at his own expense . . . the second trip to get the construction suitable for heavier power. While fighting for the beginning, Dave could see fifty years into the future and what would be needed in rural Montana. Through the efforts of Dave Manning and members of the local REA board at that time (along with John Grierson), Treasure County had electric power. Many people still living in the county can tell of the thrill the night the "lights were turned on" for the first time. And work was soon begun on irrigation projects to make this the verdant valley what [sic] it has become.
The large projects are always remembered, but people never forget the small things that make a man, either. Dave Manning knew everyone in the county and he worked hard at being that man's representative. There were no personal problems that Dave did not work with when he could . . . there were no requests he ignored . . . there were no telephone calls he turned down and forgot about . . . he was truly a man of the people. And the more important he became across the state and even in Washington, D.C., the more he remained a representative from a small county.
There are so many projects that Dave Manning worked on, little known to people now. Manning Construction installed the water system at Custer Battlefield in 1932. The Hysham High Line Irrigation District was making plans for 6,000 acres to be irrigated with Dave Manning helping all he could, in 1932. The project is now the Hysham Water Users. And there were many more.
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