The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-05-04
WNU Service, Union Trust Building
WASHINGTON, %. C.

Washington, D. c.
Out in Falls Church, Virginia. a.
little way from Washington, there
lives q friend Of mine who was
brought up on a farm. Last year,
some new neighbors moved IN next
door = city folks. you could tell by
looking at them, but full OF pep and
vinegar and very patriotic. They
started out to make a victory gar
den.
My friend could tell by the way
they handled their hoes that before
long, they'd be asking him for ad-
vice.
He's a good neighbor, but he isn't
nosey. So he just waited.
Well. it wasn't long before the
man next door came up, leaned
over the fence, and said. How is
it your garden is coming along SO
good and mine ain't?'
My friend smiled, and then he
pitched in and told him some OF the
facts of plant life.
II isn't going to- benefit my friend
even il his neighbours garden is
record breaker but he's q typical
Americans and he's doing what we
all used u do back in the old days
when Nfgghbor depended on neigh
Dor : giving helping hand when It
is needed. ~
Last week, sat down across the
desk from big, black-haired fel-
low, who looks lot younger than
he is in years and wisdom. His name
is DR.. Ralph W. Phillips.
When l talked with him, he had
Just returned from giving a little
neighborly advice over the back
fence to our Chinese neighbors. He S
in charge OF genetics Investigations
lfor the Department OF Agriculture
and he was loaned to the State de-
partment, along with some q other
experts, to go over to China Cat the
invitation Of the Chinese) to look
around and see what ought to be
done to improve their stock.
For you and me and most Ameri-
cans, even those who don't know
any more about farm than to think
shorts are just underwear. COW
that doesn't give milk wouldn't be
much OF critter. But believe 1t or
not, one Of the results which 1t Is
hoped DR.. Phillips trip will achieve
is to explain to the Chinese why
cows have udders.
rst-Hond Facts
The Chinese know many things
which we don't know, but Phillips
has put between the covers of q
book now being printed in China, 9
lot OF things that the Chinese never
knew before. He got his facts firs'
hand, travelling over most of the un-
/ occupied parts Of China with the
Chinese Minister OF Agriculture anc
a good interpreter, and collatee
them against his own expert knowl
edge OF animal husbandry. But a:
he said to me, If you know anything
about a COW, sheep or horse
| you don't need an interpreter to tel
| you what's the matter with it.
It was hot day in Washington
when I interviewed DR.. Phillips ane
he had his coat and vest of.
I'm a shirtsleeve diplomat" HI
said to me.
When ! learned a little more 0
the details Of his particular job,
realized that it was one In which
| you had to take of your coat ant
roll up your sleeves. Among othe
things, he rode several hundre.
mAes over what the Chinese laugh
in9y call roads, in ancient auto
mobiles, and good many miles OF
/ the Back Of very tough Monaghan
pony.\
This friendly, easy-going shirt
sleeve scientist typifies new orde
- he is part OF a new, honest effor
Gas one member OF the State depar'
ment said to me) ITO establish
relationship OF people to people
rather lnan relationship OF Qlpl(
mat to diplomat, or government t
government.
DR.. Phillips witnessed the effec!
Of the great migration OF tn
Chinese government followed by II
universities, Its people, its indu!
tries. This great movement, el
forced by the japanese occupation
opened up vast territory in wester
and northwestern China about whic
very little was known and wit
which the rulers OF China heretofor
have been very little concerned. Fl
the sake OF this discussion, Chin
can be roughly divided into tu
quite different agricultural domain
In the crowded eastern province