Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-12-24
OREGON MOTHER OF AIRSHIPS

Oregon and Washington are to have one of the most
important parts in the winning Of the 1t is claimed
that control of the air will give the allies great ad
vantage that it will in all probability be the deciding ee
ment These two states alone have the spruce timber
without which the making of airships would be sally
handicapped Of other timber can be used, but
none SO far tried has the many good qualities OF the Ore
gon spruce 1t is Light which is an important thng IN
ynp where every ounce counts against the machine 1t
is strong springy yielding to pressure but resilient Hex
be and as perfect for the purpose as any kno"r
material Oregon fir called for it too is spruce,
comes next to it. There abundance of spruce avail
able and the spruce oggers and mmen have formed an
organization fifty of them and have pledged Their
entire output to the government and of course to the
allies Not only will this organization press the limit in
supplying all material needed but every small producer
will turn in his product and help swell the grand total
The only thing in the way of production is scarcity OF
labor and the government may overcome THIS IL neces
sary by selecting soldiers for the work Some have an
idea is foolish to employ soldiers at such work. but
they overlook the fact that those furnishing material OF
this kind just surely fighting the battles OF the
country though in the trenches They may in fact be
doing much more toward ending he even though en-
gagged in so peaceful pursuit.
1t not alone in the furnishing of airship timber how
ever that Oregon may take the lead. Besides timber
linen is badly needed and this Oregon alone is in position
to furnish 1t has been demonstrated that flax can be
grown here of the best quality and it is about the only
section of the United States where this can be success
fully done For this every farmer who can should
raise at least small field of flax This should be done
for tWo-fod purpose. By commencing IN small way
UnG IdTnPf can learn CIle UeoG VI
crop and preparing for the time when it is to be one OF
the valleys principal products and at the same time
he can be helping win the and also shorten its du1a
ton We predict that before the spring of 1918 has ar
rived the government will have awakened to the fact that
Oregon can supply her needs in this line and will take
steps to encourage flax culture.
Oregon "fies with her wings and she can furnish
the wings for the balance of the world if her farmers
take notion they want her to do it. machine for pull
ing flax has been perfected and this will do away with
the question of harvesting However should this fail to
prove success the Capital Journal is not afraid to
promise for Salem that should it be necessary hundreds
of Salem folks will volunteer few days work in the
fields when the harvest is ready.
Here is chance for the farmers of the valley to show
their prtrotism andrealy do as much toward winning
the war as though they risdng their lives in the
trenches of France The airshps he eyes of the
armies and when we blind the enemy by controlling the
air and at the same time increase the range of vision of
our own armies have done the most important service
possible,