The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1942-09-03
Urges Miners
To Remain
On Jobs
vA
Production of Metals Is
Highly Essential To
Winning of War.
SKILLED WORKERS MAY
BE DEFERRED

Because OF the great importance
OF Keeping up and increasing the
production OF essential metals. the
government is urging miners to re-
main at their usual jobs. This ha:
a local bearing, especially in re.
spect to mines in the Troy district
and an explanation of this matter
recently received by the local Sc
lective Service Board is timely. A
letter from the Helena headuuar-
tiers says:
The War ManpoWer Commission
has certified that certain mining ac-
tlvltles are essential to the support
Of the war effort. Montana State
Headquarters for Selective Service
today stated that local boards will
consider deferment of registrants
engaged in the mining of iron, COP
per, lead, zinc, aluminium, mercury,
manganese, chromium, molybde-
mum, tungsten, vanadum and SINH
lar ores and in the dressing of such
ores.
On account of the serious short
age of miners and other critical &C.
equations in copper, zinc, and man
ganese mines of the state, it is be-
lieved that every man engaged in
such work will have to be deferred
indefinitely.
In cases in which appeals are TAX
en- from the rulings of local boards.
registrants should continue their
work as usual and not Jump to con-
illusions that the cases will be de-
clded against the employer. Sc
lective Service policy is very def
nitely in favor of keeping necessary
men In essential activities.
1t was further announced TODAY
at Selective Service headquarters
that registrants classed in lila
and particularly those with wives
and children, should attempt to
place themselves in defense indus
tries, including the mining industry.
AS the war effort progresses and
non-essential activities are cur
tailed, many of those employed in
non-essential activities will become
available for more essential en-
ployment. Many registrants defer.
red by reason Of dependency should
now leave non-essential employment
and seek employment and training
IN essential activities. This volun-
tary movement from the non essen
tlal to essential activities will, in
large measure, accomplish direc-
ton Of manpower into activities
where needed 1t should be a grad
ual, orderly and economically sound
transfer from employment of non
essential activities to employment
In, or training for, essential activi-
ties.
Persons engaged in essential
activities shou3i not cease their
present employment until their
services are needed in some essen
tial activity. Each Individual should
now inquire into his own capabili-
ties and opportunities for employ
ment in war industry and should
exert himself in the securing of such
employment without awaiting spe-
clflc instructions from the Govern
ment.
The mining Of strategic minerals
IN Montana today offers an excel
lent opportunity for physically quail
flied men with dependents to enter
war industry, which so badly
needs more manpower. 1t will be
considered patriotic act for mar
ried registrant now engaged in
non-essential industry to seek en-
ployment in a vital mining activity.
Local Boards and the State Board
of Appeal, as well as State Head
quarters, will make every effort
to carry out the policies as above
outlined