The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-04-11
Johnston
Discusses
Timely Topic
Guest Speaker at Joint Club
Meeting Delivers Fine
Address.
SOCIAL FEATURE
WAS ENJOYED

The third annual joint meeting OF
the civic clubs of Libby was held
Tuesday night in the Junior High
auditorium. The unanimous verdict was
that it was the best one yet held.
The address of the evening was by
Eric Johnston of Spokane. who proved
to his Libby audience that he is an
outstanding speaker. Mr.. Johnston has
the happy faculty of clothing what he
has to say with spirited words which
give expression to stimulating thought,
lending a keenness to his remarks that
holds the interested attention of his
hearers. He also tells a story well.
Is Wrong Conception.
There is a growing tendency these
days, said Mr.. Johnston in effect to
chatter about the conflict between COM
mon rights and property rights. That
is a wrong conception of this important
matter Common rights and property
rights are inextricably interviewer
They cannot be separated. History
teaches us that when despots rule and
when the common man has lost his
liberty he has also lost practically all
of his property. After developing this
thought Mr.. Johnston contended that
what is needed for a better and more
just society is spreading of the own
ership Of property among greater
number \ the mass Of the people.
The speaker also argued that it is a
mistake to consider all business men
rogues. He said a large majority of
them are honest and trustworthy and
are performing real service to society
OF course there are some rascals among
them but they are far in the minority,
he commended He contrasted the rugged
individualism of the men and women
who pioneered this country, built it up
and made the nation great, with the
mischief that is now being done through
relief by instilling the thought in the
minds of thousands that it is the duty
of the government to take care Of them
He is one of the chief relief workers
in Spokane, said they are taking care
of 1900 people in that city and knows
whereof he speaks.
Compliments Scenery.
Mr. johnson grew real eloquent in
his opening remarks in paying tribute
to the scenic grandeurs of this section.
He has travelled extensively in Asia
and Europe and said nature has given
this district scenery equal in grandeur
to anything to be seen elsewhere.
Thousands of people are spending
vast sums" said the speaker, to see
scenery no better than you people in
Libby can view from your back yard"
The program was short one, the
only other numbers being songs sung
by Mrs. Walter Neils and Mrs. j. X.
DWinelle, each singing group of three
numbers. The ladies are accomplished
vocalists and their singing was pleas
ing feature. They were accompanied on
the Steinway by Miss Inez Ratekin.
Following the program the audience
broke up into informal social groups
while excellent punch and waters were
served by the Junior Woman's club.
The committee in charge of this work
consisted of Mrs Frank Boyle, Mrs
Elmer WOLF and Miss Leone COPYRIGHT.
Carleton Joughin of the Lions club
presided during the program, announced
the numbers and introduced the speak
er. Mr.. Johnston was accompanied here
by Mrs. Johnston and while in the city
they were entertained by Mr. Joughin
at his home Mr., Johnston is prominent
in the business life Of Spokane, has
served as president of the Spokane
chamber of commerce and is member
of the board Of directors of the U. S.
chamber of commerce.
The Libby clubs joining in the meet
ing were the Libby Commercial club,
the Libby Lions club, the Libby
Woman's club and the Libby Junior
Woman's club.