The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1942-12-03
Pomona
Grange Meets
In Libby
Speaker Says This Will
Be Known as the Decade
Of the American Farmer
NUMEROUS BUREAUS
WASTE MANPOWER

Lincoln IOunly POMONA met Ill
Libby Nov. 28, with the Kootenai
Valley Grange as hosts. Because of
the transportation difficulties and
work in the Christmas trees, the at
tendance was not as large as usual.
The new regalia was worn by the
Officers for the first time. 1t was
purchased before the state conven-
ton so that the members of the
fifth degree team might use it in
giving the work at convention.
Brother Weydemeyer gave an ex-
cellent report of the state meeting.
Brother Weydemeyer made the
following remarks about the pres
ent fight for food for the civilians.
armed forces and our allies.
1T seems to me that the next 10
years can be called the Decade of
the American Farmer. No other
large group of people will be of
greater Importance to the world.
We will be called upon to produce
food to supply an increased do
mestic consumption, provide for our
armed forces in this country and
overseas, help feed the armies and
industrial workers OF allied nations,
and feed the hungry millions in the
devastated areas of Europe, Asia
and Africa. In addition we must
provide larger supplies of fibre
products and vegetable oils. We
find that two million farmers have
been drained from cur farnns by
high industrial wages and the man.
power needs of our armed forces.
An alarming number of flocks and
herds have been sold. Supplies of
machinery, tools and fertilizer have
been curtailed Shortage of rub
Der and fuel may make it. hard to
carry out this increased farm pro-
duction, while ceiling prices on our
products will not permit us to pay
the high wages necessary to secure
workers. The odds are against us.
Although the farmers are work
ing long, hard hours without hope
of proportionate income, they will
continue to do their best to help win
the war and the peace. This is not
problem of the farmer alone
1t is a National Problem. In this job
of feeding hungry millions, Amer
lea faces not only problem, but
great opportunity for service. If
we fail in this National effort mil
lions Of people may go hungry
hundreds of thousands may suffer
tragic death by starvation, or the
torments of malnutrition, deform-
ity and disease We must divide
our manpoWer and resources to
meet not only the requirements of
our armed forces, but production OF
foods and fibre, and our admins
trative personnel. The 40 hour week
will be no social gain--if by saving
tive cause thousands to waste
away and perish Our boosted
American way of life, for which
our boys are dying, will be but a
bitter mockery if it requires so
many millions of people to fill its
over-crowded, over-manned boards,
bureaus, commissions and alpha
betical agencies that We=do not have
enough manpower left to produce
the food for which men, women and
children are crying.
1.-THE much discussed manpower
problem can not be solved merely
by distributing men among the
different fields of vital production.
The distribution must be based on
the maximum physical power of
men to produce"
The legislative committee present
ed resolution calling for Grange
cooperative, ever working toward
the establishment in every state.
Brother Rice asked that hand
be given the Tobacco Valley Grange
for the excellent work they did at
the state meeting.
Sister Beebe gave. very inter-
esting report of the National
Grange. Master Weydemeyer ex-
pressed the thanks of the members
for the report.
A resolution asking that men in
the armed services be carried in
good standing for the duration by