The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1941-06-26
Submits Report
On District Meet

b
was taken up with reports from
those who had attended the annual
convention held recently at Many
Glaciers Hotel in the park. Those
attending from Libby were Mr..
and Mrs. M D. Rowland, Mr.. Row
land being the newly elected presi-
dent of the Libby club; Mr.. and
Mrs. Jack Swarens, Mr.. Swarens
! holding the office of deputy dis
] trict governor; Paul Church, Louis
Fetterly. Sandy Fraser and Mar
shall Murray
! Bill Jameson of Billings, an at
torney was elected as the new dis
trict governor
A number of prominent men
were at the convention including
Karl M. Sorrick of Jackson, Mich,
president of Lions International,
and DR.. Art Spanky of Alberta, in
ternational director of the organiza-
ton. In reporting on the conven-
ton, Mr.. Swarens said 80 Lions
were present from Alberta. Usual
ly there are about 100 Canadian
Lions in attendance but the gov
eminent would only permit 30 to
leave this year.
Because of his office as deputy
district governor, Mr.. Swarens was
privileged to sit ia at many of the
important meetings and came in
close contact with the workings and
activities of the large convention.
Mr.. sSWarens was also called on to
give the response to the welcoming
address. He spoke on the value
of true friendship and during his
remarks he read little poem
written by Mrs. Swarens. 1t was:
Quality of Friendship
True friendship has an essence all
its own,
A borrowed bit of heaven it must
be,
Based on sincerity and mutual love
And sharing not alone the mirth
and glee
OF lighter moments, nor alone of
grief
God is a friend, in manner far
beyond
Our humble efforts. But our lot on
edTth
Is bettered far if we may under
stand
The ever-present beauty and true
worth
Contained in friendship.
Such is my belief
An outstanding address was Civ
en- at the convention by man from
Salt Lake City, who was member
of the u. S. consulate in Paris at
the time that city and France were
conquered by the Germans. This
man had unusual opportunities to
watch the advance of the Germans
and their taking over of the city.
He was there for some time after
Paris fell and talked with German
officers at various times. They told
him that they had planned the
present war for years and that they
expected to fight it through to a
finish.
The speaker said that both Britain
and France were asleep prior to
the Nazi attack on them, which ac-
counted for the early crumbling of
the French defense He said the
report heard in some quarters to
the effect that the French soldiers
fought poorly is not true; that they
fought like demons and put up a
stubborn defense, but that they
were not properly equipped and
were completely surprised by the
new method of warfare. He said
Britain and France were asleep and
that the United States is still asleep
apparently unaware of what con-
fronts her.
A committee was appointed at
this meeting to look into the prof.
ect Of having the word, Libby"
painted on some large roof for the
guidance of air pilots. The need
for such a sign was suggested by
X. A. Klehm The difficulty in US
ing a roof is that in time the roof
is repained and the sign is thus de-
stroyed The committee named by
President Rowland consisted of Bill
Farris, chairman, Karl Klehm and
Paul Church.