The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1942-03-12

TOT the essential operation of the
about war program is rapidly be-
coming one of the most serious of
our national problems.
Drastic direction of man power
by any agency, or group of agen-
cies IS quite apt to fail in the full
satisfaction of the American peo-
pie who have been, in times of
peace, privileged to use their own
judgment. America at war places
an entirely different responsibility
upon American citizens. One of
the factors which seems hardest for
all to realize is that the citizens
private interests can no longer be
considered paramount. or to any
degree beyond the actual necessity
for the maintenance of the indi-
vidual. The winning of the war will
depend entirely upon the willing
ness and the ability of the Ameri-
can people to temporarily sacri-
flee the privileges of citizenship.
for the continuance of which we
have justified our entrance into
the war
Must Be Worlds Bread Basket
War destroys the primary rudi-
ments of our every day lives to
such an extent that the demand
upon America is not purely confined
to being the arsenal of the United
Nations. but of the bread basket
of the world. that in the final adj
iustment in the peace which. is sure
~ to come. food is quite apt to be
the dominant factor.
Much has been said recently by
leaders of our political organiza-
ton relative to the need for pro-
duction of the farm and the neees-
sity of the retaining of all citizens
on the farm for the ultimate con
tribution to this great food basket
Naturally. this production, as we'll
as our munitions, is absolutely es-
sential, but likewise, our armed
forces must be composed of the
best men our nation can produce.
These men are distributed through
out industry as we'll as the farms
and industry and the farm must
find new sources of help, which to
date, have not been tapped, and
which they are reluctant to tap.
The recent publications in local
papers relative to farm labor is
causing untold confusion in our To-
cal draft Boards. upon whom the
burden Of classifying the man pow
er of the nation rests. These men
are conscientious, capable citizens
who donate their time and abilities
IN the interests of our national well
fare. Surely no group in America
Is contributing as much toward the
winning of the war as are the thou
sands Of local draft boards scat
tered IN every community of the
nation Every citizen should ac-
quaint himself with the draft board.
its functloning, its obligations, and
the service which 1t renders. If
this will be done. many of the
difficult problems, which often
cause severe misunderstanding in
communities, will be eliminated.
Must Have Fighting Man
The final evaluation Of all of this
discussion gets back to one funda-
mental activity and responsibility
of the draft board which is the Sc
curing Of qualified man power for
our armed forces The war situa-
ton now demands that every Amer
lean physically fit shall assume his
equal responsibility in the combat
services; consequently, the follow
ing release, which was released
February Il, 1912, by Brigadier-
General Lewis B. Hershey, Director
Of Selective Service, must be the
governing factor in the conduct Of
the affairs of the draft board, and
likewise it must be the governing
factor for air citizens whose sons
and employees are part of this
American man power:
Emphasizing that no group or
class deferment from military serv-
ice can be made except by Congress,
Brig. Gen. Lewis B. Hershey, Di-
rector of Selective Service, told
press conference this morning that
three basic facts must be kept in
mind in interpreting any statement
concerning the operation of Selec-
tive Service.
These he said, are.
|. No group or class exemption,
or deferment, can be made in ad-
dition to those exemptions specifi-
cally stated in@the Act.
2. A deferment because of occu-
patton can be granted only to an
individual by his own local board
and all deferments are provisional,
subject to withdrawal, and given
only to serve the National inter-
est-not the registrants interest.
3. Three things must be proven
by an individual seeking defer
ment by his local board. (a) That
the particular business, industry
or profession in which he is en-
gagged is necessary in the war pro-
gram or for national health, safety
or interest, (b) that the work, he,
personally, is doing is essential to
its functioning, and (c) that there
is no supply from which replace
ment can be secured.
Local Board Grants Deferments
"A particular fact to keep in mind
when interpreting any memoran-
dunn concerning deferments is is
sued by National Selective Service
headquarters, or any announce
ments by other agencies. group