Frank Thompson article, continued 



^ We met with Mr. Boyd Rasmussen, Administrator of the Bureau of Land Management; multiple 

 xand use was the topic. We also met with Mr. Edward P. Cliff, Chief of Forest Service and 

 Mr. Alfred L. Edwards, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Department of Agriculture on mul- 

 tiple use of forest lands and wilderness area designations. 



Mr. Charles W. McDougal, Assistant U. S. Department of Agriculture, a friendly former 

 County Agent, was a real pleasant fellow to visit with. Our topics were Conservation Educa- 

 tion through the Extension Service, programs of rural zoning, urbanization, and basic con- 

 servation as It affects extension work. 



Another Montanan we ran Into was George McCarthy, Office of Economic Opportunity. We 

 asked him If there were any programs administered by his office whereby we may be able to 

 hire office help for districts. After some discussion, he assured us that If the proper 

 procedure was followed we could secure some help through his office. 



More funds for additional technicians was the chief topic which we discussed with Mr, 

 Kenneth Grant, Associate Administrator of the Soil Conservation Service. He was well aware 

 of our problem and assured us that they at the National level were doing everything possible 

 at this time to obtain more funds. 



In my opinion our trip was a success. We probably were there at the very worst time 

 possible because of the gold situation, the Vietnam War and other social and political 

 problems that seemed to make the situation very tense. We would all like to see some 

 follow-up in years to come and to continue this practice of personal contact whereby we 

 could show real results and progress. 



lilmer Luni 



In evaluating the results of our trip, we might ask "How much did we accomplish in 

 Washington and was there some way we could have made our efforts more effective?" 



I feel that we did accomplish a great deal while we were in Washington. Ve didn't 

 come as paid lobbyists. The very fact that a group of active ranchers *K)uld take time 

 out of their busy schedule to present to our legislators the case of conservation that 

 effects everyone carries a lot of weight. As we presented to them our stand that conser- 

 vation does have priorities in agricultural appropriations, these statements were well 

 received and we were promised that they would be presented to the Committee and the 

 House when appropriations are being considered. Ourvlislts to other agency offices, I 

 believe, will also bear fruit. Work of this kind is often of an intangible nature, but 

 the good will we create and showing them the fact that conservation has our devoted in- 

 terest and support will produce results as time goes on. 



Another thing I want to mention is that every legislator we talked to was for us. 

 This was fine, and we tried to give them material they could use to help our cause when 

 they could. However, I believe It was Mr. Whltten who suggested that we should present 

 our case to those who do not have a full understanding of what conservation means to our 

 State and our Nation, or to those who feel that other agencies or departments should have 

 priority of funds over conservation work. It would have been very interesting to have 

 made some contacts with those who favor a cut in conservation funds and to hear their 

 side of the story. In presenting our side of the story to them, we might have been able 

 to sow some seeds that would have helped our cause. 



^ Our whole trip had been very well planned, thanks to the work of Peter Jackson and 

 Ave Llnford. Pete, as our leader in making the contacts, did an outstanding job; and 

 everything moved right along and on schedule. I'm sure that as long as conservation is 

 in the hands of capable, dedicated men such as these, we are going to move forward and 

 accomplish our goals. I'm glad I can have some part in this good work, and am thankful 

 to have been asked to be a part of this delegation. 



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