davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1943-09-02
Tree Is
Il Inches In
Diameter

What is said to be the largest
white pine tree in the Kootenai
forest is monarch of the forest
world in the Keller creek district.
Logging operations are being car
ried on in that vicinity by the J.
Neils Lumber company and prob
ably one Of these days this mon
arch of the woods will be laid low.
This fine specimen of white pine
timber (Pinus Strobus) is rs inches
in diameter at breast height, and
1899 feet in circumference. 1t is esti-
mated that there are fl2 feet of
merchantable saw logs in the tree.
While the height has not been
measured, it is believed that it
stands from lao to $50 feet high.
While this magnificent tree is the
king bee in the white pine world,
there is still larger tree standing
in the forest The larger tree is a
larch and stands in the Wolf creek
district. II is % inches in diameter
breast high and has circumference
Of 2496 feet Some have made the
statement that this is probably the
largest larch tree in the world
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1943-09-02
LIBBY MAN DIES AT GALEN

Clarence Nelson tIuffy) David
son, son of Mrs. Ida Davidson,
passed away in Galen, Mont, Aug.
81 Funeral services were held
Tuesday at 7 p. m. at the Gompf
chapel with the Rev. E. Roy Fort
officiating. Pallbearers were For
rest De Rosia, Walt johnson, George
Smith, James Harris, Jr., Clark
Hamer and Ray DunnWoodie. Blu
rial was made in the Libby ceme-
terry
Tuffy Davidson was born Novem-
Der 27, 1899, in Basin, Mont, and
came to Libby when he was 10
years old. He was active in athlet-
les in the Libby high school from
which he graduated in 1920. He
married the former Alice Mae Day
and they made their home in Libby
and Troy. He had been employed
by the Forestry service
Survivors include his wife, his
mother, one sister, Mrs. George Bry-
ant, and four brothers: George, Ed
ward, Elmer Tin the armed serv-
ices) and Wilbur Of Pasco, Wash.
His father proceeded him in death
in 1899,
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1943-09-02

Knew Prentiss Brown
OPA Head, When q
Young Man

Something in news item Jared
the brain cells of Fl. B. Wallace to
work recently-the cells that have
to do with memory-and he began
to wonder if he had not known in
years gone by the Prentiss NJ.
Brown who is now national Eead
of the Office of Price Administra-
ton. A letter of inquiry back to St.
Ignace, Mich, confirmed Mr. Wal
lace's recollection.
1t turns out that back in 1912 Wal
lace and young Brown plsyed to-
gether on the st. Ignace baseball
team. Wallace was catcher and
team manager and Brown was third
baseman. Wallace says Brown was
a lively, likable young man, good
player, and popular with his team
mates. He went by the nickname OF
Percy. In the years that have fol-
lowed Brown worked himself up to
where Is is as first congressman
from a Michigan district and now
head of the OPA.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1943-09-02
Tax Reports
Will Be Due
September IS

Many farmers will be among the
10 million Americans who are re-
CURED to file a declaration of es-
timated income for l943 and make
payment on that basis under the
pay as-you- go" plan which be-
came effective July /, this year.
September Is is the date for filing
declarations, except that farmers,
If they wish, may wait until De-
cember Is, since they receive the
bulk of their income in the fall.
Generally speaking, all single per-
sons earning more than S2,70O a
year from wages subject to with
holding and all married couples
earning more than $500 will be
required to file declarations. In
addition, individuals or couples with
an income of $500 or more from
sources other than wages are re-
quifed to file, if their total income
is such that they must pay an in.
come tax. Individuals who were
required to file an income tax re-
turn for 1912 and whose wages sub
lect to Withholding in 1943 will be
less must also file.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1943-09-02
More information
In RECORD To
Opening of School

School will open as announced
on Tuesday, Sept 7, with COM
plete faculty. Mrs. Berges will as
sumo the principalship in the jun
Tor high and Mrs. Emmons Hampton
will carry the arithmetic in that
department. Mrs. Doxtater will
teach the fourth grade, formerly as
signed to Grace Day.
All pupils who reach their sixth
birthday before Jan. |, 1914, will be
enrolled in the New Central audi
forum on Tuesday. Miss Westvelt,
Miss Wekauder and Miss Angela
Huchala will have charge. Parents
are invited to come with the be-
ginners and to help get the first
graders familiar with their new
surroundings.
Forrest D. Wilson, physical edu-
cation director, is here and an
nounces that he will give out equip
ment on Friday and Saturday of
this week. A semester charge of SO
cents in addition to the book fee
will be levied, giving each boy a
clean towel each day. Assignments
for courses in physical education
among the girls will be completed
during the first week. Mr.. Berges
has his schedule completed and is
ready to register all high school
students on Friday and Saturday
The regular laboratory fee of 81
will be charged all students who are
taking lab courses or who are issued
high school books or equipment.
Several families have asked for
girls who wish to work part or full
time. Students who wish places to
board or room will find several de-
sirable homes available.
The. buildings have all been put
in excellent condition and the new
sound conditioning in New Central
corridors has proved highly success
full. A few new teachers will be in
Libby the latter part of the week
looking for places to stay, soft there
are other Libby homes available,
the phone number is 30.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1943-09-02

The Geneva convention does not
specifically authorize representa-
tives of the International Red Cross
committee to visit camps in which
prisoners of war are informed. Ar
ticle 88 of the convention, however,
provides that the provisions of the
convention are not an obstacle to
the humanitarian activity which the
international committee of the Red
Cross may use for the protection of
prisoners of war, with the consent
of the interested belligerents. 1t is
customary for governments which
are parties to the convention or
which are applying its provisions,
to permit Representatives of the In
ternational Red Cross committee to
visit camps where prisoners are in
termed. Representative of the Swiss
government which protects Ameri-
can interests in Japan and Japan
ese-occupied territory have visited
a number of camps in Japan and
China and representatives of the
International Red Cross committee
have visited camps in Japan, China
and Formosa.
The Japanese government has not
yet permitted the representatives
of the Swiss government or the In
ternational Red Cross committee to
visit camps in the Philippine
Islands. This Government, how
ever, is continuing to press the
Japanese government through the
Swiss government and the Inter
national Red Cross committee with
a view to inducing that government
to give full effect to the provisions
of Article 86 of the Geneva CON
vention.
This Government has been fully
cognizant of the need of the Amer
leans in Japanese custody for essen
tial medicines and relief supplies
and, as described in the attached
statement of February |, 1943, in
formation has been received that
shipments made last summer of
American Red Cross relief supplies
have been distributed to American
nationals in the Far East. It is
planned to ship further relief sup
plies on the forthcoming second ex.
change voyage of the Gripsholm
and in the meantime every possible
effort is being made to develop 9TH
er channels by which regular ship
ments of medicine, supplementary
foodstuffs, clothing and mail may
be sent on a continuing basis to the
Far East for distribution to the
American nationals in Japanese
custody.
One Of the many channels of dis
tributlon which are being actively
explored is that of shipping such
items by Russian vessels to Vlad-
ivostok for transshipment to Amer
lean nationals in Japan and Japan
ese-occupied areas Both the. JAP
anese and Soviet governments have
indicated their agreement in prin-
ciple to the foregoing proposal, and
we are now engaged in working out
the details of shipment to the Soviet
Union, transshipment to Japan and
distribution there We are hopeful
that regular shipments via this
route may be made on a continuing
basis in the near future.
Sincerely yours,
CORDELL HULL.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1943-09-02
IS This A
Good |dedl
Young People Really Desire
RecreationaI Center

Teen-agers and minors in Libby
are bemoaning the fact that there
is nothing to do and no place to do
it here in Libby. They are clamor-
ing for a roller rink, a juke box
milk bar-dance place or recreation
room they can call their own.
That there is a delinquency prob
lem in Libby is not denied by think
ing citizens, but an adequate solu-
ton to the problem has not been
forthcoming The boys and girls
themselves are offering the idea Of
an enterprise strictly for juveniles
.. to be organized by them, run
by them, but with the backing and
guidance of parents and friends
1t has been suggested that there
are several vacant buildings in town
that would be suitable for such a
room. If the owner
couldn't see his way clear to do
nate the building, he could cooper
ate by making the rent nominal
sum. A juke box might be borrowed
or rented to provide music for dane
ing. People who have a ping pong
or table tennis set not in use could
be persuaded to donate same to
the cause. A billiard table or two
might be recruited
One enterprising citizen has
backed the idea and said he would
contribute S. a month toward such
a project and a plan could be
formed whereby the kids them
selves would solicit funds to start
and keep in operation this project
A plan has been suggested to run
the room along the same lines as the
y. S. @. units are run in larger
places. All adult helpers would be
volunteers and would donate one
evening a month"; more or less, de-
pending on the number cooperat-
ing) to chaperoning. The boys and
girls would be responsible for TAX
ing care of the building, for deco
rating the room and it would be en-
tirely their responsibility.
The kids are for the idea and it
is hoped they will be supported by
parents, friends and well-Wishcfs
alike.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1943-09-02
Libby Boys
Now Out Of
New Guinea
After Fighting on Tropic
Island Are Now
Resting In Australia.
SAYS ALL WELL BUT
ANXIOUS FOR WARS END

Here is another letter from Staff
Sergeant Kenneth Schooley who
has written and told at various
times of what Lincoln county boys
are doing in the southwest Pacific
He says the boys are still all we'll
After having been in the fighting IN
New Guinea, the men are now IN
Australia. Schooleys letter follows.
Australia, Aug Is, 1943
Editor and Friends of Libby:
Here. comes another short brief
from the men in this part of the
world. | can't remember just what
I sent the last time, but it makes no
difference, since regular sehed-
ule for letter writing just isn't my
idea of a pleasant pastlme. It IS
much nicer to write on the spur oil
the moment. Consequently, don't be
too surprised at the unconventional
things I may include along with the
news, such as it is.
The main thing is that your men
are in first class condition, and hap
Ply, so far as is possible under these
circumstances. We have any num-
Der of things to do, if we SO desire,
in direct contrast to the limited fa-
cilities of New Guinea, and are TAX
ing advantage of most of them.
However, it is imperative that We
go slow to start with, thereby get
ting used to those things we have
done without for SO long. We're we
to go all out, it would probably be
Just too much for the constitution,
and we would be flat on our backs
somewhere. The same thing will be
true when we return to the States,
because there is as much difference
between here and there as there is
between here and New Guinea. We
don't know when we will get home,
but are still hoping and praying il
will be very soon. | know you are
doing the same thing, which should
do some good.
Al Nelson is driving ambulance
again, and is glad to be back in the
old routine. Bob Becker and Dobie
Fuller are taking care of COM
pany of men, and like it a~great
deal, too. Dobie said the other day
that | should write to you more
often, and I'll try to do just that in
the future If possible, will include
messages. from the men directly, SO
you may Judge their attitudes by
what they write. Haven't seen Doug
Saunders since we got back, but
have heard that he is definitely
okey, and very busy.
Well friends, this is terribly
short, but hope to have much more
news for you in the near future.
We are thinking about you all the
time, and wish to thank you sim
cerely for your all out effort in
supporting your fighting men. Best
of luck and good wishes.
S/Sgt. KENNETH SCHOOLEY
Detachment Correspondent.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1943-09-02
3rd War
Bond Drive
Starts Sept. I
Montana's Portion Set
At $35, 1000; Lincoln
County's Quota $2O6, 200.
AVENGE MONTANA'S
GLORIOUS HELENA

The greatest drive ever made by
any government for the raising of
money will begin Thursday, Sept. q.
1t will be the Third War Loan drive
by the government of the United
States. The amount to be raised is
Is billion dollars. Montanas portion
of that has been set at 35 million
dollars, and Lincoln county's quota
is S206,20O
Avenge Montana's Glorious Helena
It is altogether fitting that
"Avenge Montana's Glorious Hell
ena" together with Back the At
tack" will be the slogan of the
Third War Loan drive in Montana.
The story of the Helena, Mon
tana's own fighting ship, is thrill
ing epic of the high courage and
valiant hearts of the men who
fought on her in the pre-dawn dark
ness of July 6 in the waters of Kula
Bay, inflicting one of the most
smashing defeats of the war on
the japanese navy.
The Helena's story is simply told.
Completed only five years ago, she
was one of the ships damaged IN
the Pearl Harbor attack. She was
repaired, commissioned and went
down with colors flying in the bat
tie of Kula Bay AS the Japs turned
to flee early in the battle her guns
sank two of the Jap's biggest
cruisers. Then she turned to attack
a Jap destroyer which also went
down before the deadly gunnery of
the Helena's fighting crew. Then
an enemy torpedo tore off her bow.
Her gun crews stuck to their guns
as the ship foundered. They sank
another Jap destroyer before the
great ship slid under the sea. Many
of Montana's sons were in her crew
of more than 300.
The Helena is still unbeaten. We
hear her guns again in the third
war loan drive. Her heroes gave,
in many cases, the last full measure
of sacrifice. In six minutes of bfaz-
ing battle they affected the whole
course of global war fulfilling the
great traditions of the American
navy from the day of John Paul
Jones to date.
We of Montana cannot do less.
We are not privileged to fight pre-
dawn battles on the far-flung seas
of the Solomons, but we can sup
port the heroic deeds Of these men
who did
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1943-09-02
Major Praises
Work of Local
Organization

Major James r. Barker was in
Libby August 4 to conduct an Incl
dent drill in connection with CT
william Defense His report, which
follows, was sent to j. A. Krall,
commander of local Civilian De-
tense:
|. An incident drill was held in
Libby at 7 p. m. on August 4 Ten
incidents were used, eight of which
were supplied by the local organ
ization.
2. The town Of, Libby is to be
congratulated for having such an
energetic, enthusiastic worker for
its commander as j. A. Krall. PROB
ably no other commander in the
state took such good advantage Of
the inspection as did Mr. Krali to
instill in his organization the i'm
portance and seriousness Of Civilian
Defense. -
3. The inspection showed that this
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1943-09-02
Hershey Gives
Order of Induction
Of Married Men

The selection of men needed for
the armed forces and the defer
ment of men required for agricul-
ture, war production and war sup
porting activities are much more
difficult than in the days when we
had ample men from which to
choose" said Major General Lewis
B. Hershey, Director of Selective
Service, in recent letter to local
boards. He said, Available men
will be called for induction in the
following order-D single men
without dependents-(2) single men
with collateral dependents - (3)
married men without children-(4)
men with children (nondeferrable
activities and occupation)-(5) men
with children"
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1943-09-02
Troy Soldier
Is First lincoln
County Casualty

TROY, Aug. 3I.-Word was
received Sunday, Aug. 20, by
Mr.. and Mrs. Fred Osborn, of
the death of their son, Charles
Arthur, who was killed in ac-
ton July %, in the southwest
Pacific.
Charles was born at OWyhee,
Ore, Nov. Is, 1918. He entered
the army March ~, 1941, and
was sent overseas in January,
1913.
He was member of the
Moose lodge at Troy.
So far as lis known this is
Lincoln county's first casualty
of this war.
The sympathy of the commu-
nifty Is extended to the be-
reavcd family.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1943-09-02
More Data
On Jap War
Prisoners

Much apprehension has naturally
been felt by relatives and friends
of American prisoners of war and
internees held by the Japanese
government. Therefore the follow
ing letter from Secretary of State
Hull to Congressman Mike Mans
field will hold much of interest to
many. The letter follows:
Washington, Aug 10, 1913.
My dear Mr. Mansfield
I have received your communi-
cation of July 81, 1943, urging that
representative of the International
Red Cross Committee be permitted
to enter camps in which Americans
are held by the japanese.
| can assure you that the sltua-
ton of Americans held by Japanese
has had and continues to have the
Departments close, sympathetic at
tention Upon the outbreak of war
between the United States and ia
pan, this Government promptly
communicated to the japanese gov
eminent its intention to observe the
Geneva Prisoners of War conven-
ton OF ivy ana 10 apply ITS pro-
visions to civilian internees, in so
far as they are adaptable to civil
ians, and informed the Japanese
government that it expected that
government to do likewise The
japanese government thereupon no
titled the government of the United
States that it likewise would apply
the provisions of the Geneva con-
vention not only to prisoners of war
but also to civilian internees, in Sc
far as they are adaptable to ci-
villains. Article 86 of the convention
provides in part that representatives
of the protecting power or its ac-
cepted delegates shall be permitted
to go to any place, without excep-
ton, where prisoners of war arc
interned.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1943-09-02
FARM HELP FROM LATIN
AMERICA

A total of 57,489 workers from
Mexico, Jamaica, and the Bahama
Islands have come to this country
for agricultural employment Mar
vim Jones, War Food Administrator
recently praised the ability Of these
workers and described their efforts
as being of utmost Importance to
the production of food and fiber for
war needs. Mexican nationals have
been employed in agriculture in II
western states. Jamaicans and Ba-
hamians have been employed large
ly in east coast states and in the
middle west. The workers have
come into this country to relieve
farm labor shortages in critical
areas. When the need for their
services has passed. they will be
returned to their home countries.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1943-09-02

Mrs. Charles Frazier, Whn before
her marriage was Miss Dorothy
Rasmussen, was honored at sur
prise shower Thursday evening,
August rs. at the home of Mrs
Chris Ramlo Assisting hostesses
were Mrs. Jessie Fagerberg, Miss
Mildred Buck, Miss Edith Baeth
and Miss Mary Mahoffey.
The guests played court whist
with high prize going to Irene
Measure and low to Ida Minde.
Alarm clocks rang at various inter-
walls during the evening, leading the
honored guest to her gifts. Re-
freshments were served at the close
Of the evening.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1943-09-02
Drops Bombs
Gathers Corn

When the B-24 Liberator Bomb
er, Lemon Drop" of the u. S
Army Ninth Air Force came back
from its mission Of bombing Ru-
manian oil refineries at Polesti. corn
stalks were clinging to its bomb bay
doors. The bombardier, Captain
Herbert Light, Ames, Ia, observed
why, back in Iowa you'd have to
fly Is feet off the ground to get
above the corn tops No risks in
volved in that. But when you're
heading for target in the Ru-
manlan oil and corn country, you w
got to tear along about six feet
off the ground to skim the corn
tops
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1943-09-02

organization had spent consider
able time on drills. The services
were very well organized. Especial
ly to be commended is the warden
service. Probably no other organ
ization in the state did as good a
job of reporting the incidents as the
wardens in this town. Practically
every member wore an armband,
which showed that he had been
properly trained and certified.
4. One of the deficiencies noted
was the control room was probably
too exposed to the public and was
used as an assembling point for too
many of the services. However,
this was discussed with the organ
ization at the time of the drill and
the decision has been left to the
local organization as to whether
or not it should be changed. A sam
pie control panel is being mailed
under separate cover to Mr.. Krall
S. Due to the strategic location Of
this town, the transcontinental
highway and railroad and the man
ufacturing facilities it is recon-
mended that everything possible
be done to maintain the efficient
organization.
Commander Krall wishes an
nouncement to be made that the
next general Civilian Defense
meeting will be held at the control
room September % at p. m. The
chief purpose will be to familarize
the warden organization with the
workings of the control panel. All
wardens and members of Civilian
Defense should make plans to at
tend this meeting
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1943-09-02
WILL ATTEND SCHOOL I'm NEW
YORK CITY

Miss Betty Ann Smithberger,
daughter of r. w. Smithberger, left
Wednesday for New York City
where she will enter the Katharine
Gibbs school in September. She
plans to spend three weeks en- route,
visiting her grandmother, Mrs. PITT,
in Huron, S. Oak, her aunt and
uncle, Mr.. and Mrs. Auchampach in
Ipswich, S. Oak; Mr.. and Mrs.
Nordstrom in Starbuck, Mimi, and
her aunt, Mrs. Grace SWale who
now lives in Minneapolis. Other
places Of interest she will visit are
Chicago, Cincinnati, and Washing
ton, D. c.
Miss Smithberger was graduated
from the St. Paul's School for Girls
in Walla Walla, Wash, and attended
the university of Idaho last year.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1943-09-02
WOMEN BOWLERS TO
ORGANIZE

There will be a women's bowl
ing meeting at the Play bowling al
leys September 8 at 8 o'clock The
purpose Of the meeting is to or
ganize teams and elect officers. All
women interested in bowling dur
ing the coming season should at
tend this meeting.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1943-09-02
TO HELPIfY0T GET TRUCK
TIRES

II you own a truck and have tire
rationing certificates but cannot To-
cate the proper tires within your
county, you may apply to the near
est Motor Transport District Office
Of the Office Of Defense Transpor-
tation for assistance. the ODT has
reported.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1943-09-02
Must Appear i'm Juvenile Court

The three Libby youths who, il IS
alleged, were caught stealing gas
from the Waylett station south If
town, have been cited to appear in
juvenile court on Sept. 10. TINS
action was taken by Judge Dean
King while in Libby last week.