The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1942-12-10
Much Done In
First Year
Of War
Continued from Page y


Continued from Page u
waited by labor pirating and hoard
ing and discriminatory practices in
the hiring of Negroes, workers from
minority groups and women. In the
next year local shortages Will
merge into a national shortage
which will require not only adj
ditions to the labor supply from
women and older and younger peo-
pie, but extensive transfers from /
non-war industry and the most eff
ficient utilization of our present
labor force.
Our transportation facilities car
ried the greatest volume Of traffic
in history and both our railroads
and trucking systems set fine rec
ords. The next year will see even
greater burdens cast on them, with
little, If any, additional equipment
available. Rubber-borne transpor-
tation, truck, bus and private auto
mobiles, presents one of our gray
est problems, and stringent tire
conservation measures have been
undertaken to assure against a
breakdown which might vitality inn
pair our productive effort.
Food and fibre production reached
q record high in 1912 Food produc-
ton was IL per cent above l94l
and 40 per cent above the war year
lof 1918. A large proportion of this
production was in proteins and fats,
necessities in time Of War--meat,
milk, eggs, soybeans,
Increase or even maintenance OF
this high level will not be an easy
matter, shortages of labor and farm
machinery are inevitable, although
deferment of essential farm workers
and operators from military call
will ease the former. In the mean
time, the food needs Of Our armed
forces are mounting to such an ex-
tent that military and lendlease
buying will take 25 per cent Of our
farm output Shortages have de-
veloped in some products and will
develop in others. Yet an adequate
/; overall diet can be assured.
Great Things Accomplished
The part played by management.
labor and the farmers in our pro-
duction achievements cannot be
overestimated The doubts and hes
itancies which impeded conversion
of industry went overheard soon
after the beginning Of the year and
conversion was accomplished in
much less time than many had
feared. Labor voluntarily surren-
dered the right to strike, and its
leaders have Loyalty kept their
agreement Labor management COM
mittess in some 1900 plants have
given lis the basis for effective
. cooperation and for participation
by labor in the productive process.
Still, some unauthorized strikes re-
imam as do the lingering traces of
business as-usual in various corners
of the production effort
. The refashioning of our civilian
) economy has taken much effort.
Effective sterilization Of the civil
ian economy was delayed for many
months over disagreement an to
means and methods. BY March Is.
! 1912 the cost of living had risen
some Is per cent over the end Of
1888 But price regulation instituted
in April held down the increases in
prices subject TO control IA 6fin Of
: one per cent as of October Is Wage
sterilization, one Of the great ls#
sues Of the year, has reached tile
! stage of solution Growing ssqurf
] ages of rubber meat. sugar coffee
I and gasoline and fuel OH ia the east
,H H.
! these and some other commodities
to insure an orderly and far ass-
tribution Of our supplies The fsal
$ volume Of goods available 81 eia tIlan
: consumers has steadily gFemH
! smaller.
Everyone Assured Of Necessities
In the plenty Of peacptme NJ eai.
permit anyone 10 buy AS nsi H#
he wants because some Will ai
remain for those Wh0 eaMt
In the SCARCELY UT var lFgg1gs7 n
cannot stock up nHsi III a
S secure their share along RItN s
: richer HuIghBnfs. F8r it#
year efforts will hc diftgi#
wards guaranteeing THU
! OF civilian living % prevent
!. faltcring Of the civilian economy
will impair the war effort
The campaign of the home .ffans
: has had to be carried ON In many
i other sectors. Unprecedented sums
/. of money have been raised through
taxes and public financing. In the
first ten months Of 1912. over I'll
billion dollars was collected in tax
es, and over 33 billion dollars was
raised through the sale Of bonds
I. and other government obligations