davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-07-17
REPORT MADE
ON REA PROGRAM

WASHINGTON - The Rural Elec-
trification Administration opened its
sixth year of operation with an in
creased drive to bring electric light
and power to rural America when
congress voted to increase its appro-
priation from $40,000,000 to 100000
900. Secretary of Agriculture Henry
A. Wallace, speaking to the fifth an
nual staff conference Of the REA held
in Washington some time ago de-
scribed the electric co-operatives
started with the help of the Rural
liberalization Administration as a po-
tent force in quickening the spirit of
democracy and in preparing commun-
tiles to organize democratically to
carry on other activities still believed
to be beyond the sphere of local under
taking. "As community organizations
reflecting a community interest, the
REA co-operatives have in them pc.
tentia Influence of notable signifi-
canoe of reawakening of community
spirit" Mr.. Wallace declared.
Up to April 1, 1910, the Rural Elec-
LrlIlCdllOH Auliilioti dtioi hhu maui
2O-year allotments totaling s269,740,
600 to SOL borrowers making service
available to about $4,000 farmers and
other rural consumers.
"With me, cooperation is a reli-
gion," Senator Norris told the REA
staff conference. He forecast a bril-
liant future for the REA co-operatives
when they had repaid their loans and
had only maintenance and replace
ment charges to pay. Farmers in
Ohio, among the first to take advan-
tage of the REA program, have organ
lied 26 rural electric co-operatives III
the last years and are already sup
plying electric energy to 31,731 farms
in the state. Activity of the Co-ops
shook private utilities out of their
lethargy. Light and power rates were
set and farms connected which could
MT get power before. In 1885, only
1857 of the farms in Ohio were cleo
trified. Now, nearly 41qo have cleo
trio light and power.
Though many stock insurance COM
panies are at present engaged in a
smear" campaign against co-opera-
tives in general, the recent conven-
ton of the National Association of
Mutual Insurance Companies was told
by Mrs. Westray Boyce, chief of the
REA Insurance section, that insurance
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-07-17

firms have everything to gain from
the extension of REA co-operatives.
She estimated that annual premiums
which will be paid by REA borrowers
in the operation of the s269,000,OOO OF
electric systems will total $1,5S2,OOO.
Illustrating the savings made by the
Co-ops under the REA program, lO%o
cut in wholesale rates to member dis
tribution co-operatives, was recently
decided upon by the largest REA-h-
nanced system, the Chippewa falls,
Wis, plant of the Wisconsin Power
Co-operative. The IL member distri-
button co-operatiyes have nearly l1,OO0
members receiving or soon to receive
service. The generating plant, which
has been in operation two years, and
the distributing system were built
with $1,095, 900 in REA loans.
The latest innovation of the REA
is a mobile generating unit consisting
of two Dieselpowered generators
housed in a rubber-tired highway
trailer. II is hoped that such mobile
units will put cooperative distribut-
ing systems in a better bargaining
position to negotiate with private
power companies for reasonable rates.
Frequently in the past, power COM
panies have refused to quote reason
able wholesale rates, or any rates at
all, greatly delaying the development
of the co-operatiyes. The available
ity of these mobile generators gives
co-operatives the opportunity to get
their distribution system constructed
and in operation without waiting on
the outcome of protested rate nego-
Itiations.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-07-17
NO INCREASE IN
WORKING HOURS.
PRESIDENT SAYS

WASHINGTON (FP)i- President
Roosevelt is standing pat on his pol
icy of refusing to sanction lengthening
of hours in national defense indus
tries, he told a press conference here
July u.
The President read a long letter
from Philip B. Fleming, wage-hour
administrator Fleming strongly urged
against any frightening of hour. In
| light of the letter, the President said,
we will stand on our present policy.
Gas soldier" Fleming, colonel
in the army engineering corps, wrote,
"the nations defense is my primary
interest My assignment to the ad-
ministration of a labor law has in
no way lessened that interest.
Were there any defense need in
certain industries for abrogation of
the time and one half rule, nothing
could keep me from so reporting. In
my contacts with industry no such
need has yet been demonstrated to
me-"
Fleming cited the world war report
of the British munitions commission
and general order 10 issued by the
army's chief of ordinance in 1917.
The British report stated that from
experiments spread over 1871 months
a reduction in working hours of NUM-
lions workers was associated with an
increase of production.
1t was found that the 55 hour week
yielded an output 11% higher than a
&C hour week and only geo more than
a 45 u hour week.
The 1917 U. S. army order de-
clared, industrial history proves that
hours, fair working condi-
lions and a proper wage scale are
essential to high production. During
he war every attempt should be made
% conserve in every way possible all
If our achievements in the way of
social betterment.
But the pressing argument for
industrial safeguards In
he present emergency is that they
actually contribute to efficiency. To
valve them would be a shortsighted
policy, leading gradually but inevita-
,ly toward lowered production"
Today" Fleming said, maximum
production calls for maximum eff
.iency of the machine. Maximum eff
iciency of the machine is obtained
Usually by using relays of workers
n shifts short enough to make con-
family intense effort possible"
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-07-17
U. S HEADING FOR BULLET.
BUTTERFLIES, Diet, WRITER SAYS

SAC, 900, 100000 in 1892 Then the dol
lar was devalued by 408e, while prices
went down and the national income
rose-to $4,000, 100000 in 1884 and
$65, 900 100000 in 1886.
President Roosevelt in his 1886 cam.
paign talked Of a national income of
500, 0000 100000 Income did go up to
ST., 900, 100000 in 1887, but in 1888 it
slipped back to $4,000, 1000, 900, and in
1889, despite the rapid growth of war
business, it was slightly under $780,
0O0, 100000
The income of the U. S. in 1910
may go as high as 5,00O,000,0O0, but
the billions clipped off for defense
leave just that much less for people
to eat If you have one dollar you
can spend it for bullets or for butter
You can't buy dollars worth of both
with the same coin. The U. S. is
buying bullets wholesale and proposes
to buy many more in the near future.
If the American people used their
resources, machines and labor power
to the full, they could produce an in
come of more than $100,000,000, 900
a year But they ould do this only
by changing from private enterprise
to a planned economy.
With billions Of idle capital and mil
ions of idle workers under the pres
ant economic SYSTEM the national
income can be increased only by
spending larger and larger share of
he nations income for bullets, and
pushing a big section of the people
IN to diet Of BUTTERFLIES bread
when they can get that.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-07-17
By SCOTT NEARING

Two months ago defense advocates
were talking OF an extra $1,000 100000
for both army and navy. Today the
defense program calls for 100000,
900 and the President is proposing an
other $4,000, 100000, or $4,000, 900, 900
in ALL
This is just beginning-a 100000
100000 defense budget in country
with yearly income of $4,000, 000,-
900 or $4,000, 000, 000-a measly 1870.
Countries like Italy, Germany and
Japan, that really go in for defense,
spend from rs to 40% of their incomes
on armament. That would mean, for
the U. s., from s15,OOO,0O0 10000 to $685.
600, 100000 year.
Where are these billions coming
from? Out of the national income, of
course.
National incomes change-up and
down The produced income of the
U. S. was sS1 900 100000 in 1929 and
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-07-17
THIRD COOP
REFINERY NOW
I'm OPERATION

REGINA, Saskatchewan.-The new
CONGRATULATIONS cracking plant
and topping units of the Consumers
Cooperative Refineries are now oper-
ating at full capacity. But there will
be no official opening ceremonies be-
cause the country is at war.
So without fanfare or parades, the
third cooperative oil refinery in
America started operation as the con-
sumner co-operatives took another step
into production and processing the
goods they distribute. The other two
Coop refineries are the $S50,000 re-
finery and 20 mile pipe line at Phillips.
burg, Kansas, owned by co-operatives
affiliated with the Consumers Cooper
alive Association and the Farm Blu
reau Cooperative Refinery at Mt. Yer
non, Indiana, erected at a cost of
$330,000 and serving Indiana co-opera-
tives.
The Regina Coop Refinery was built
to supplement the Coop refinery
erected here five years ago by Con-
sumers Cooperative Refineries which
is no longer large enough to serve
the needs of the co1operatives in the
province. The original plant, "the
first Coop oil refinery in the world"
is being maintained as an auxiliary
or standby plant On the original
capital investment of $4,000 the Coop
refinery paid back patronage divi
dends amounting to $263,000 in five
years besides serving as a yardstick
to keep gas and oil prices down.
One hundred and twenty-five new
cooperative associations have been
in the province of Saskatch-
evan during the past year, B. N.
Arneson, commissioner of Co-opera-
ton and Markets told the annual Con-
ference of Cooperative Trading Asso-
meeting in Saskatoon June
25-26, according to the Saskatchewan
Cooperative Consumer. The confer
ence made plans for setting up Co
operative Mutual Benefit Society, con-
sidered the feasibility of cooperative
life insurance, and adopted bylaws
for a provincial section of the Coop
erative Union of Canada. It is hoped
that an office can be opened and a
permanent secretary hired to co-ordi-
nate publicity and education work in
The province.
The Credit Union Federation OF Sas-
meeting just in advance
IF the general Coop conference, heard
reports on the A credit unions now
n operation in the province. Twenty |
If these have been organized since
Tune 80, 1889. Another milestone in
Coop history in the province was
passed when women delegates met to
organize a Provincial Women's Coop
,rative Guild Council.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-07-17
WAGE-EARNERS IN WAR
MATERIALS INDUSTRIES

The U. S. Department of Labor re-
Gently reported that in May this year,
the number of wage earners in ship
building was $4,000; in aircraft 65,200;
in machine tools 62,400; in engines
100; in aluminium manufactures &c.
500; and in explosives 1000.
This represented an increase over
the average number employed in 1887,
of 23,5O0 in shipbuilding; 41,200 in
aircraft; 1920 in machine tools; A.
800 in engines; $500 in aluminium
manufactures and 1000 in explosives.
There are still at least 100000 en-
ployables unemployed.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-07-17
The WESTERN
HEMISPHERE
CARTEL

The recently proposed plan to set
up cartel of the Western hemis-
phere. to be controlled by the United
States, involves several important
factors.
The United States would have to
face the following farm SURPRISES:
In Argentina, 20,OOO,0O0 bu. of
wheat, 300,000,000 bus. of corn, 500,-
100000 lib. of beef; in Brazel, 100000
bales of cotton, 1,700,000,000 lbs. of
coffee; in Cuba, 100000 tons of
sugar; in Uruguay. 120,0O0,0OO lbs. of
beef; in Canada, 30O,OO0,OO0 bus. of
wheat, 100000 lbs. of pork and ba-
con. A good part of these SURPRISES
are the result of the European block
ade
Unless the United States could exer-
else some control over production in
these countries, it is probable that
their exportable SURPRISES would be
increased, and any losses incurred
would have to be paid out of our
federal treasury, upon which there
are already pretty heavy calls.
OF course, the people in the United
States could and would consume
large part of most of our farm sur
pluses, and part of those of Latin
America, if they had the purchasing
power, either through being paid more
money, or through reduction in the
cost of production, distribution and
exchange.
This is true also, as to most manu-
lectures.
A hemisphere cannot be prosperous
IN scarcity economy, any more thaIss
,an half a continent-such as the
United States.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-07-17
FARMERS 1899 GROSS
INCOME SO, 769, 900, 900
WASHINGTON.-

WASHINGTON.-(F PJ-Fd TmtTS III
SO, 769, 100000 from farm production
and government payments, it was re-
ported here by the bureau of agricul-
tural economics. The estimate in
cludes cash income from marketings,
government payments under conserva-
ton programs, and the value of farm
products retained for consumption on
the farms The 1899 total of $9,769,-
000,0 compares with s9,362000,0 900 in
1888. Total for 1897 was s10,569,00
900, and for 1886 the total was $685.
100000.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-07-17
STIMS0N, KNOX
CONFIRMED
BY SENATE

| WASHINGTON. - OPP = Appoint
ment of Frank Knox and Henry l.
Stimson to be secretary of navy and
secretary of war was confirmed by
the senate here on July and July TO-
Stimson was approved by vote of
Sc to % while Knox was confirmed
by a vote of &C to 16.
Opponents of the appointments were
outspoken in their criticism and en-
phasized that their opposition was
based on the fact that Knox and Slim
son were chosen for the posts because
of their views as interventionists.
The bulk of the fire centered on
Stimson, secretary of war in the cabi-
net of President Taft and secretary
of state in the cabinet of President
Herbert Hoover.
Much was made Of the fact, brought
out during the brief hearings, that
Stimson was approached by the Presi-
dent "a hours after delivering a speech
in which he urged the U. s. to open its
ports to British warships and mer-
chant ships Immediately.
Sen. Vandenberg (R., Mich) con-
tended that such action would con-
stitute an act of war and would i'm
mediately precipitate war between
the U. S. and Germany.
Sen. Rush Holt ID, West Val
amused the senate but failed to make
any impression by a lengthy recital
of Knox's speeches, made during the
course of the 1886 campaign when
Knox was the republican vice presi-
Dental nominee.
y Knox used bitter language in de-
scribing the President, charged that
he had betrayed his oath of office
that he was undermining American |
institutions of government, that he
was destroying the constitution and |
doing all those other things that re-
publicans charged during the 1886 |
Holt said he assumed the President
picked his secretary of navy because
lie was imam who told the truth
md had good judgment"
Voting against confirmation of Slim
ION were: Senators Bone d., Wash.),
3ulow 3D., S. d., Capper (R, Kans.),
Clark 3D., Idaho), Clark d., MOI,
)anaher (R., Conn.,, Gillette 3D., la,
Holman (R., Ore.). Holt d., West
Va, Johnson (R., Calif), Johnson
D., Colo), LaFollette prog, Wis.,,
4undeen (F-L., Mimi, McCarran d.,
lev.). Murray d., Mont), and Nye
r., N. d..
Also Senators Reed (R., Kans.),
smith Cd. S. c., Taft (R.. o.
Thomas (R., Idaho), Tobey (R., N.
ID, Townsend r., DELI, Tydings ID,
i'd, Vandenberg (R., Mich), Van
Juys 3D., md, Walsh d., Mass),
d., Mont.), and Wiley (R.,
Vis.).
Voting against Knox were Senators
bone ID, Wash.), Bulow ID, S. d.,
Japper (R., Kans.), Clark d., Idaho),
lark d., MOI, Gillette 3D., Ia, Holt
D., West Val, Johnson (R., Calif.),
.aFollette prog, Wis.,, Lundeen
FL, Mimi, McCarran ID, New,
I'VE (R., N. d., Reed (R., Kana),
ninth ID, S. c., Thomas (R., Idaho),
nd Van Mugs d., Ind.
Imperial Valley press., 1940-08-07
Cudahy Draws Fire
For Praisinq Nazi

LONDON, Aug. 7UP)-Several
newspapers criticized John Cudahy
United States ambassador to Bel
GUM, today for his statement that
soldiers of tine German army of oc-
cupation are behaving better than
American soldiers"
The Daily Express said that
''newsmen from the United States
heckle their envoy back from Bel
GUM"
The News Chronicle was more
critical.
1t is generally felt that on the
grounds OF good taste alone" it
said, this is hardly the time for
a foreign diplomat ostensibly in
England on a purely private visit
TO praise openly the German con-
duct OF their invasion of an inno-
cent neutral and by implication
make it appear that Britain was res
ponsible for the famine in Belgium.
AS one. blunt commentator put it.,
Who does Mr.. Cudahy think in
yaded Belgium-Britain?'
Imperial Valley press., 1940-08-07
Excess Profits Tax Proposal Ready
For Speedy Action by Congressman

$500 100000 in revenue on l9fo III
come. $500 100000 a year thereafter
and affect about 10000 corpora
tionS.
The excess profits tax is designed,
in effect, to recapture for the fed
eral treasury any abnormal earn
ings of manufacturers making the
arms to equip Americas military
and naval forces. 1t contains
provision. however, that the Vinson-
Trammell act placing a limitation
on the profits of airplane and war
ship manufacturers will be sus-
pended.
A formal report recommending
that these three featureS-the tax
the amortization provision and the
profit suspehsion--be written into
a bill was being drafted today by
the tax subcommittee headed by
Rep. Jere Cooper, d., Tenn.
After that report is presented,
probably tomorrow, Chairman Ro-
bert l.. Doughton, d., N. c., OF
the full committee will open public
hearings at 10 a. m. Friday. Secre-
tary of the Treasury Henry Nor
genthau, jr., will be the first wit
ness.
Imperial Valley press., 1940-08-07
State Labor Chief
Cannot Decide #
Contract Exists

LOS ANGELES. Aug. 7. (UP)-
The state labor commissioner is
without power to determine if an
employment contract exists between
parties settling differences before
him. a superior court opinion ruled
today.
Judge Emmett H. Wilson held that
the labor commissioner is Authorized
only to determine what amount OF
money may be due a person by an
other under a contract. Determlna-
ton of the existence and validity
of such a contract is the province
of the court. Judge Wilson ruled
The court handed down the opin-
ion in issuing a writ of mandate
to compel the labor commissioner
to dismiss proceedings brought by
the William Morris Agency Inc.
against Robert Rossen, an actor
The agency had appealed to the la
Tor commissioner for Judgment
against RoSSen.
Rossen served notices of rescis-
ion of the contract and challenged
the jurisdiction of the commissioner
to decide on the existence of the
contract.
Imperial Valley press., 1940-08-07
Japanese Threaten
Stiffer Demands
On French Colony
Continued from Page ID

tSOIltlIlucu lloii o6S ~
army bases in French Indo-China.
A government spokesman, Domei
said. told foreign press reporters
that rumors of such negotiations
were untrueD
The biggest question at Hanoi,
overshadowing the fate OF some
100000 worth of Chinese war
materials frozen" on Haiphong
docks. the Japanese informant
said. was whether the Japanese
mission would precipitate an i'm
mediate and final showdown with
the French.
The mission presently is headed
by Col. K. Sato, a member OF the
japanese Canton army and former
army spokesman at Tokyo, who be-
longs to the hard boiled, shaven
headed school of japanese military
men.
Any japanese adventure in the
French Indo-China would have to
be carried out by the Canton army,
it was said.
The informant said Sato was
trying TO obtain French cooperation
with a view to ending the Sino-
japanese war and that this effort
probably included requests for per-
mission TO transport japanese
troops from the coast of Indo
China to the frontier and to esta-
blish japanese supply base on the
coast.
At Hong Kong, persons arriving
from Shanghai reported that there
was considerable movement of jap
anese warships and transports off
the island of FormoSa and that
one group of 18 transports was
moving southwark
At Manila, naval circles reported
that large fleet of japanese war
ships had steamed southwark from
Formosa.
The informants had no infor-
nation whether the japanese ships
were sailing to French Indo-China,
but suggested the likelihood that
they might be destined for the
japanese inundated Caroline Is
lands.
Imperial Valley press., 1940-08-07
Move TO Revive
Dairy Industry
Underway Here
Continued from Page One)

tCOllClllueO IlOul rage OlltJ
and businessmen of the city
Leaders who discussed the pro-
gram Tuesday night received en-
thusiastic promise of aid from the
high school administration and
plans were outlined to purchase
calves from COWS which have pro-
duced an average of from 400 to
450 pounds of butterfat annually.
The calves would be transported
TO the project farm as soon as they
were able TO be moved and all
boys who took part in the project
would receive a share of the pro-
fits.
The project would serve as
training ground for future dairy
men, would increase the interest," of
young farmers in the industry and
would create a supply Of animals
for purchase by valley dairymen.
As the project becomes larger the
project leaders will be able 10 sell
dairy animals TO the Los Angeles
market, a market which annually
purchases 1900 animals, 10000 of
which are shipped 10 Los Angeles
from other states.
Additional meetings are sched-
uled during the summer, according
TO committee members. and it is
hoped the project may get under
way on Sept. 30. the date Ell Centre
IGN school begins the fall term.
Imperial Valley press., 1940-08-07
U. S. Approval Of
Power Contract
Due in Ten Days

Continued from Page -
all requirements within the next
four or five years" M. j. Dowd,
chief engineer, said.
The government will build. ope-
rate, and maintain all facilities TO
point of delivery for the regular
monthly charge.
The district will have the right
to connect with the Blaisdell line
for the purpose of transmitting its
own power over it. When Pilot
Knob or any other sources are
complete on the canal. the power
generated there may be carried over
the Blaisdell line to the valley,
eliminating the necessity of con-
structing new transmission lines to
connect with sources.
Growth of the district power de-
mand far exceeded all estimate,
directors said, SO the federal con-
tract was negotiated 10 save the
cost of the district making all the
additions at this time.
Imperial Valley press., 1940-08-07
Coordindted j. 5. Police Force To
Hunt Spies. Saboteurs, Planned by
State Representative at Capital

WASHINGTON, Aug. (UPl-
Governors and representatives of As
states returned home today to OBJ
tain enactment of a plan for COM
batting fifth column" activities
which embraces the coordinated eff
forts of pirtually every police officer
I'm the nation from the cop on the
beat 10 the federal secret operative.
The plan, drafted by the two
day conference of state and federal
officials, would set up machinery
for close cooperation between federal
and state law enforcement agencies
to fight espionage sabotage and
subversive propaganda. 1t will be
supmitted to congress, state legis-
latures and administrative agencies
for approval.
As the conferees met. the house
approved, by a poice vote, a bill
authorizin X agents of the Federal
Bureau of Investigation to tap
wires in hunting saboteurs, traitors
and violators of the neutrality laws
The measure now goes to the senate
Key of the federal-state program
is the integration of local and state
police. the FBI and army and navy
intelligence units into virtcally &
single system. Actual Investigations
would be handled by the FBI and
the military and napal intelligence.
but local and state police would
be developed into a giant field SER
vice for reporting information.
The recommendation follow:
/. Drafting of uniform feleral-
state legislation against all sub
versive activities with emphasis on
protection of industrial plants
against sabotage.
2. Tightening of federal laws
dealing with foreign agents.
3. Creation of a federal bureau of
foreign propaganda control.
4. Integration of federal-State po-