The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1942-04-23

What degree of respect should be
paid the flag of our country?
Seems silly to ask such ques-
ton, doesn't it? But again that
very thing is being discussed. Many
good citizens aare asking why do
not men and women give the cor
rect salutes when the nations flag
is carried at the head of parade2
One provoked woman writes a
snappy item for the Brier Patch
this week.
Saturday and again Monday the
total indifference of the public to
the passing of the flag was evident.
Only one or two people stood at
attention when the flag passed by.
| do not believe this is because
of a lack of respect or of interest
rather | believe it is because
1T hasn't been done" Men just
haven't been accustomed to doffing
their hats at such times, they say
they would feel silly to do SO when
they would be the only ones doing
so in a large group. That it is not
due to lack of respect was proven
Monday when a national anthem
was played. Then every hat came
off. 1t was the accepted thing to
do. But our good American patriots
should learn that proper respect
for the flag also requires that 1t be
saluted when it passes at the head
OF a parade.
Perhaps we need more young lads
like the Libby boy who some time
ago knocked the hat off the head
of a man when the flag went by.
The hat was replaced and promptly
Knocked off again This was done
three times Finally the man said,
Whats going on here, what are
you I'D to-" Don't you know
enough to take off your hat when
the flag goes by. said the pugna-
cious youth
Highly complimentary remarks
are coming to our ears regarding
the program presented at the music
festival Saturday night. The young
musicians showed much improve
ment and the work of the massed
bands and choruses were especially
worthy of note.
The attendance was not what
could have been expected. What is
the explanation? Maybe it is this
this man wanted to 60 but
surmised the auditorium would be
filled to capacity Stayed away SO
as to give parents opportunity to
hear their children perform and
have comfortable seat at the same
time Had we. known there would
be vacant seats, we would have
been there. surely Just another
example of the need of larger
auditorium in Libby but now
that probably means after the
Na4
parents should be pals with
their children said Police Chief
Jack Robertson of Las Cruces. N,
M. IF the head of every family
could work as an officer at night
for about six weeks, he would see
surprising goings-on." He was
speaking of crime among the young
sters of his city.
This be PAL stuff isn't given
the Importance it once was. It's
rather difficult for a parent to be
a pal with an adolescent the
parent may think he's pal but the
child often thinks otherwise. The
parents ought to be understanding
and good fellows but pals-that's
very different proposal.
The one big trouble today witt
parents and their offspring and the
tendency to crime is lack Of parenta
discipline and the letting the
youngsters do exactly whatever they
wish. A child has child's mine
and judgment. The idea that he 81
she can be turned loose at nigh
to run around at will and frequen
questionable dance halls and booze
joints, coming home at all hours o
the morning is crime on the par
of the parent. When children arr
given such unlimited license, thu
wonder is not that there is juvenile
crime but that there is not more D
it. And when the parents have
no more sense than the children
the case is hopeless.
1t wasn't very cheerful GROVE
that gathered Monday morning tt
bid goodbye to the SO young mei
who were leaving for army service
There were tears on the cheeks 0
more than one mother and som,
fathers were equally saddened w
send our young men out TO fight L
protect our liberties and they vii
fight as Americans have Away
fought. We are proud of them AM
their young manhood And we keel
asking ourselves how many Of then
will not return?
One of the disadvantages Of
free press was pointed out by Archi
bald Mac Leish, director Of the of
flee of facts and figures, Will
speaking before the American So
ciety of Newspaper Editors las
week.