Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-01-01
WE NEED UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF

and drainage projects and other undertakings.
These appropriations were made III line with the
Hoover plan to provide employment tor the
thousands of men out Of work and thus relieve
the unemployment problem.
Out of these appropriations Montana has
been allotted $1,671 $50 for emergency highway
construction It is now said that the state nlgii-
way commission will, on January "A, let con-
strnction contracts totaling 81 815 900, provided
no DELAYS are encountered in getting the allotted
funds from the federal government and III rails
ing funds by the state to match the federal APP
portionment.
AS stated above, this appropriation has been
made at this time largely to alleviate the unem-
ployment problem The money will not be
wasted, Of course, but will be put to good use.
Tt is being expended III somewhat larger
amounts than it otherwise would be at this time
because OF the crying need for work. 1t is an
unemployment relief project.
That incites us to remark that Lincoln
county is In need of some OF that relief. we
have been wont to boast in a mild way that we
have been unusually fortunate during the pres
ent serious economic depression that while
conditions here were far from being what they
should be and that while labor was scarce and
hours short and wages reduced yet conditions
here have not been bad when compared with
other sections.
All that, undoubtedly is true, but there is
real need here for help and we hope the powers
that be-Wi1ich, in this instance are the state.
highway commission and forest and federal Of
ficials-win not overlook the need Of scattering
little of that unemployment relief money III
Lincoln county.
Figures are published elsewhere in this
issue in a news story, that show that Lincoln
county has not Jared at all badly in highway
construction allOtments. However, huge sums
are to be expended within the coming few
months and we feel we believe with justice,
that another fine appropriation is no more than
our due Especially is this true when one con-
siders theNimportance Of the main highway
through this section.
The Iilsby-State Line highway is one of the
most important highways in the state. 1t is one
Of the chief outlets for travel going west and for
those coming into the state from the west 1t Is
part Of the important Roosevelt highway and
Of u. S. highway No. @ III addition, it traverses
one of the most scenic portions OF the North
west and will be visited by thousands OF tour
lists in the years to come 1t should be completed
as soon as the work can possibly be done.
There is another consideration that lends
serious Importance to this highway and con
sideration that probably should weigh as heavily
in its favor as any other factor That is its
great strategic Importance to the Y. ) forest
service in time Of serious forest fires.
One Of the greatest resources Of this dis
trict is its magnificent forests They now pro
vide employment and income to a great terri
tory and will do 50 for years if properly handled
and protected All Of this is of course, fully
realized by the forest service, that fine organl
cation that $50 efficiently administering tho
great forest resources Of the nation. In addition
to the money value tied up i'll the forests there
is that other one of such great Importance thu
recreational and aesthetic feature that is yearl,
providing health and enjoyment to rapidly in
creasing numbers. The forests are one OF on
greatest resources and must be preserved.
Unfortunately this district has been visite
by disastrous forest fires in years past. Tn
doubtedly there will be more fires in the year
to come. Whenever a serious forest flr
threatens great areas in this district, the Lib
by-State Line highway becomes of vital import
ance to the forest service Over that highwa
have been rushed truck loads of men from Spt
kane to combat the red menace, and over thu
same highway more truck loads Of provision
pud equipment have followed This highway
an arteriAl highway in any important battle wit
the forest fire demon. This is one more of ii
many good reasons why this important higl
way should be completed as soon as possible.
An appropriation for further constructio