The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-03-30
Favor Work
On Railroad
By Jdps

SAYS MEN ARE LOYAL;
CAUSE NO TROUBLE
That many people have a mis-
understanding regarding the attitude
OF American-born Japanese was a
statement made by two men who
visited Libby last week and who
called on a number of Libby bust
ness establishments and on others.
They were MURRAY E. Stebbins of
Havre, of the War Relocation Au-
thority, and V. c. Hawkins OF White
fish, division roadmaster of the
Great Northern.
The visit of the two men followed
actions Of local police officers in
requiring that a crew of Japanese
section workers be removed from
the city. The feeling was so bitter
against the Japs in certain quarters
that both Sheriff Banev and Chief
OF Police Bryant had deemed it wise
to request Station Agent Boyes to
have the men moved out OF the city,
in order to remove any chances Of
what might develop into serious
trouble. Their request was complied
with by the railroad but both Steb-
bins and Hawkins think local peo-
pie should have no objections to
employment of the American-born
Japanese.
No Acts Of Sabotage
There are thousands of japanese
employed in u. S. defense indus
tries" said Stebbins, land there has
never been single act of sabotage
committed by them All of these
employees have been carefully
screened before being placed in any
position where they could cause
damage They are given the most
careful examination by the F. B. I.
and other government agencies and
there can be no question about their
loyalty. The Jap boys in the local
gang have been employed on the
railroad since in November. 1912,
and we have never had the slightest
trouble with them. Most Of them
are young fellows. they were born
in America, have never been to ia
pan, are not in sympathy with the
japanese militaristic idea, and they
are just as loyal Americans as any
one. These boys do not drink or
gamble and there will be no trouble
from them in that respect
"As you know, when the war
came, thousands OF Japanese were
moved out of the West coast coun
try" continued Stebbins. 'They had
to leave businesses and homes and
farms. MANY of them lost heavily.
Many of them lost nearly everything
they had. Yet despite this there has
been very little if any complaint
because Of that action. Many of the
japanese who have been thus re-
moved have remarked that of course
it was bad for them but that it was a
sacrifice that war brought on and
if the safety of the nation re-
CURED that they be removed from
the coast, they had no complaint to
make.
No Love For Japan
Il mention these things said
Stebbins. merely to try to correct
an erroneous impression many have
in respect to the American-born
Japanese. | have three boys serving
in the South Pacific and you can
readily see that have no sympathy
with the imperial japanese govern
ment.'
Mr.. Hawkins was also thoroughly
convinced that there is no danger
from Japanese employment. He said
in response to questions when he
and Stebbins stepped into the West
ern News office:
eThe first thing I should like to
say is that the G. N. is just as much
concerned as anyone - probably
more so-in seeing that no possible
chance is given for anyone to do
anything that would sabotage oper-
alton of the railroad. Furthermore,
I should like to have it understood
that the Great Northern is very
averse to doing anything that would
stir up resentment in any of the
communities along our line. We
have to do business with all you
people and we want our associations
to be pleasant.
"There are some other things !
should like to mention" continued
Hawkins. 81 have been in close con-
tact with these boys ever since they
came into railroad work. To my
personal knowledge they are buy
ing heavily of war bonds. Twenty
five of them have already volun-
teered and are now serving loyalty
in the armed forces of the United
States. Some Of them are in Italy.
These boys who are now helping to
maintain the railroad are well edu-
Gated, some of them are university
graduates and they are high type
of workman"
Work by Japs Necessary
Gould you have properly main
tanned the railroad without employ
ing the Japanese Hankins was
asked.
Absolutely not" he instantly re-
piled. white labor was not avail