The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1937-03-04
Lions Club
AdoptsAnother
Big Project
Will Sponsor Development
of Park at Beautiful
Kootenai Falls.
DANGER OF SITE
BEING PURCHASED

That the Libby Lions club will defi-
nitely undertake the development of
public park at the Kootenai falls site
was decided at the Monday night meet
ing of the club, held at the Model Cafe.
After a discussion led by Marshall
Murray and participated in by T. J.
Brindley, A M. Hoffman and L. c.
WEIGH, the club voted to sponsor the
plan as one of its major projects and
to take the necessary steps to obtain
lease to the grounds or some agreement
from the owners, the Great Northern
Railway company, whereby the site
can be preserved and developed for
the use Of the public.
In arguing in favor of the project,
Lion Murray stated that private in
terests had already made tentative ap-
plication to purchase the site for the
developing Of some commercial affair,
either a beer and dance hall or tourist
park and gas station. 1t was said that
to allow the beautiful site to be prosti-
tuted to such uses would be calamity.
1t was also brought out that the forest
service, which has given material aid
in the work so far done. could not take
up the developing of the project mas
much as the service is not permitted to
expend money on any undertaking not
on forest land 1t had been suggested
that the city be induced to take up this
work as part of its park activities, but
1t was brought out that the city cannot
expend money for such purposes out
side the city limits Consequently the
argument was advanced that the work
must Of necessity be undertaken by
some civic organization such as the
Lions club.
Plan Extensive Developments.
1t is now planned to take in quite a
large tract Of land, extending from the
brow Of the hill above the railroad
track mp 10 the old highway, and from
the westward point where the river ap-
proaches close to the highway eastward
to the intersection of the old highway
with the new one. It is hoped through
the years to develop this tract into a
beautiful public park Plans include
the clearing out of some of the brush
and down timber, and the building OF
rustic trails through the trees, winding
in and out among the timber to the
various vantage points. A trail will
probably be built through the dense
timber up to the old highway and along
it some distance in order that tourists,
and local people as well, can stroll up
there and enjoy the marvelously beau
tiful views of river, canyon and noun
tains there visible Supervisor Kehm
of the forest service has agreed to have
a map drawn of the tract with proposed
developments plated.
The purpose of the Lions in under
taking this project is chiefly to preserve
the site for the public and to keep it
from being commercialized. 1t is real
| lied that the site is one of the most
beautiful along highway No. 2 and that
if something like this is not done, soon
err or later it will be used for CONNER
cial purposes and its value as a scenic
asset destroyed. The club hopes that
other organizations will assist in the
work.
4 President Krall appointed the follow
ing committee to have charge Of this
project: A. M. Hoffman, chairman, Kar
Klehm, Marshall Murray and L. S
Welch.
Debate Team Argues
Another pleasant feature of the ev-
ening's entertainment was debate b,
the debate team Of the Libby higi
school, composed of Ruth Holiday ant
i Earl Lovick. Lion George Hayes, prin
/ cipal of the high school, first spoke 10
, the team and then announced he woul'
| have their coach, Miss Helen Wintor
J present the speakers. Miss WIntol
! spoke briefly, deploring the fact tina
debate seems to be losing out in tn
high schools of the nation, not man
! students taking much interest in ths
important phase of school work. Sh
: announced the topic for this years dis
/ cussion as Resolved, that all electri
0 utilities be governmentally owned an
t operated" Earl Lovick developed til
a affirmative arguments and Miss Hol
day the negative side of the questio
n Both young people spoke fluently ar
r advanced many good arguments
support of their side of the debate. 4
e the conclusion. of their talk, sho
n time was devoted to the quizzing of tt
: debaters by various Lions, some
whom seemed to want to take issl
v with the arguments advanced. Hoy
: ever, the team was glad to have tn
1t done as it gave them good practice.
Charter Member Honorcd.
One of the outstanding members
III the club. L. S. WEIGH, charter mer
Ie Der and a hard worker. was then no
v. ored by the presentation to him Of
ne master key. This is an honor conferr
IA on Lion for the obtaining of 10 NJ
members. The presentation was ma
by Lion George Hayes, in few pie;
he ing remarks
OH President Krall read letter from
nd Great Northern in which it was s
to the railway company considered
depot at Libby adequate for all bu