Job creation in the Flathead

Unemployment figures in Columbia Falls were headline news 61 years ago. There was an office of the State Unemployment Service in Columbia Falls. Dave Lake was in charge of the office, which served area between Columbia Falls, Hungry Horse, Martin City, Coram, West Glacier and Essex.

Total of 713 men filed for unemployment compensation at the local office. It was reported this compared with 565 the previous year. Area had a labor shortage the preceding summer. Benefits for the winter of 1949-50 were $20 a week for 18 weeks, instead of $18 per week for 16 weeks. Increase was described as more liberal.

Flathead County population had increased to 33,000 from 24,000 since World War II. Meanwhile, Flathead countywide industrialization committee was being organized. Purpose was to combat winter unemployment in the Flathead. Organized labor was credited as first to suggest the meeting.

Representing Columbia Falls were Mayor John O'Connell, James Connole, president, and Cal Crouch, secretary, Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce, and Postmaster Dudley Greene.

Mayor O'Connell felt providing Flathead with better winter jobs could best be achieved by better use of timber, most obvious resource. Better timber roads, including west side road up the Flathead River's north fork, were needed.

Recreation as a winter recreation was encouraged by Les Scott, Whitefish Chamber of Commerce. He noted Whitefish was giving 12 months emphasis to winter sport development.

Attending from Kalispell were T.J. Landry, Chamber of Commerce president; Clifton Merritt, state employment office manager; Howard Hammer, chamber industrial development committee; and Bob Erickson.

State Sen. G.M. Moss, Whitefish, stressed the need of a sensible tax structure. He remarked it cost more to run Flathead County in 1949 than it cost to run the entire state of Montana in 1889.

Carl Rydberg, secretary, Building Trades committee, was temporary chairman. Other Labor representatives were Ralph Laurich, president, building trades council; and Steve Plummer, secretary of the operating engineers.

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News.