The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1936-11-19
Lions Taking
Blind Census
Of County
Gather Data To Be Used In
Passage Of Law
To Assist
DISCUSS NEW
SCHOOL BUILDING

SCHOOL BUILDING
That careful survey of all blind
persons within the county is being
made under the auspiceS Of the Libby
Lions club was the statement made by
p, E. Chef at the regular Lions meet
ing held Monday night at Turner Tav-
ern. Mr.. Chef reported for the COM
mittee that has charge of this work
He said the survey is confined not only
to blind persons. Those who need
glasses but who are unable to purchase
them are also being contacted. Mr..
Chef said the survey is being assisted
by the doctors Of the county and by
County Superintendent of Schools
Staudacher
Clay Parker gave interesting in
formation regarding the Red Cross
membership drive now under way He
told how the dollar one gives for mem
bership is expended. Half of it re-
mains in the community and is spent
there. He also said that the district
representative, while here last week,
stated that $3.50 would be allotted to
Libby, for the purchase of glasses
where needed, for tonsil operations and
similar charitable work where parents
are unable to have the work done be-
cause of lack of funds. Mr.. Parker is
county chairman Of the Red Cross drive
this year.
Will Banquet Football Team
H. A. Hough of the athletic committee
suggested that it was time to give the
annual banquet to the football squad.
1t was decided to give the banquet on
Monday, Dec. IA, and upon the sug-
gestion of Lion George Hayes. it will be
given in the little gym at the high
school,
Marshall Murray reported that he
would draw an amendment to the by
laws, as requested, penalizing members
for non attendance but that he would
give notice he was opposed to it. C. S.
Byers called attention to the Com
mercial club meeting to be held Thurs
day evening, the 10Th.
Carlton Joughin then opened dis
cussion of the question of new build
ing for the Libby schools. He said he
had appeared at a meeting of the
school board and had argued in favor of
an annex to the present high school
building. His argument was based
largely on the contention that such an
annex would cost about $4,000. of
which $4,000 could be obtained from
the federal government. That would
make necessary a bond issue of $40
000 He believed the public would
vote such an amount but did not think
they would favor bonds of sufficient
amount to erect an entirely new grade
building, as some proposed.
Paul Church had also been present
at the board meeting and had argued
for new grade building. Lion Church
said he took that position largely be-
cause he had been requested to pre-
sent that side Of the argument, but
that he really believed that plan to be
the wiser one He said the grade build
ing is old and inadequate, that It is
badly overcrowded He believed new
building could be financed. But when
the final decision is made, he said, the
community ought to get heartily be-
hind the school board and support what
it recommends.
When called on Lion WEIGH stated
that his desires for long time had
been the Improvement Of the COM
munity. This had found qualification
in late years in a new city hall and
new court house. He said he even
would have liked to see a new library
and new Jail buildings on separate lots.
This desire for improvement of the city
impelled him to favor an entirely new
building although he admitted that
might not be wholly practical under
existing conditions.
Change in WPA Plans
M. d. Rowland remarked that under
late developments any new building
would have to be an annex to the high
school, He said word had just been re-
ceived that no new applications for
federal aid would be received. The
Libby school board had filed appli-
cation for such aid under plans for
high school annex and now such plans
would have to be gone through with if
federal aid is to be secured.
Prof. George Hayes gave some peril
nent information. He said of course the
thing desired is that which will best
serve the community and the needs of
the children. He quoted statistics that
propably surprised some Of his audi
ence. In planning for the future he
said certain facts should be borne in
mind. The increase in school attend
ance in late years has been much
larger in high school enrolment, he
said. This Is true all over the nation.
It is also true in Libby. Prof Hayes
remarked that there had been Of late
years marked increase in high school
enrolment in Libby while in the grades
the increase had only been nominal He
said both high school and grade build
ings were badly crowded.
After further discussion a motion by
Paul Church was carried to the eff
feet that the Lions favored taking
whatever steps are necessary to pro-
Continued on page a.