davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-08-17
Elizabeth OneoI Nov
In the Waves

Miss Elizabeth Oneal of Libby,
who for the past few weeks has
been visiting her parents at Pom
eroy, Wash, left last week for New
York City where she will receive
her basic training in the WAVES
organization. At Lewiston, Idaho,
the American Legion presented Miss
Oneal with a lovely corsage and
the Civilian Defense League gave
her New Testament and box Of
candy. In Spokane she met seven
other WAVES with whom she
shared private compartment car
to New York City While ION watch"
during the night Miss Oneal greeted
a WAVE who boarded the train at
Livingston, Mont, and was sur
prised to find that the girl was her
old friend, Elizabeth Dwinelle.
While the train stopped for ten
minutes, Miss Oneal got off and
talked to the rest Of the Dwinelle
family, including Mary Jane.
Miss Oneal is believed to be the
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-08-17
Bronze Star Medal
Awarded to
Cpl. n. W. PIuid

EUREKA, Aug. 15.-Corporal
Harrel w. Pluid, Army Medical De-
partment, received the Bronze Star
Medal for heroic achievement in
connection with military operations
against the enemy at Biak Island.
During this period Corporal Pluid
was squad leader in a collecting
platoon which was in support of an
Infantry battalion. In the battle for
Mokmer Village, he lead his squad
through heavy fire to bring wound
ed from the front lines to aid sta
tons in the rear. His GOODNESS of
thought and judgment and his abil-
ity to choose routes between lanes
Of fire resulted in his squads evac-
uating more casualties from for
ward positions than any other one
squad, This was accomplished with
out further injuries to the wound
ed and without casualties among
his own men. Corporal Pluid's ut
ter disregard for his personal safety
and his unerring judgment and cool
ness under fire was an inspiration
to his men, ad was directly respon-
sible for the results obtained.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-08-17
Hold 47th
Annual Meet
OF A. F. |
Was Organized in
Montana in 1894; Some
Years No Convention.
SESSION USUALLY
LASTS FOUR DAYS

On Tuesday morning, Aug Is at
10 o'clock a, m, the gavel of presi-
dent James D. Graham opened the
47th convention of the Montana
State Federation of Labor in the
Silver Bow Ball Room Of the Finlen
Hotel in Butte.
This important war time conven-
ton marks the golden anniversary
Of the formation Of the Montana
State Federation OF Labor. The fed
Grafton was organized in 1894 but
has missed holding an annual con-
vention on several occasions since
that year for various reasons, al
though some special conventions
have also been called in past years.
A special golden anniversary SOU
venir booklet on the history of the
federation is being prepared for dis
tribution- at the Butte convention
Reports from about the state in
dictate that in spite of war time la
Dor shortages and travel restrictions,
a record attendance of delegates
will be in Butte for the conven-
ton. Several state councils of var
ious crafts held pre-convention SEES
sions on Sunday and Monday. Aug.
Is and H.
In the convention call sent out to
all affiliated organizations several
weeks ago by President Graham, the
need for post war planning for the
building of a greater labor struc-
ture' was stressed. Mr.. Graham
urged that all unions send a full
quota Of delegates to participate in
the deliberations Of the convention
which usually lasts four days.
Butte is widely known for its hos
pitality and a report from the con-
vention committee indicates that the
good reputation will be upheld
Present officers of the federation,
other than Mr.. Graham, are John
Driscoll of Butte, vice president and
the following executive board mem
bers, F. H HelterbTan. .Rillingsss 7.
P. Taylor, Bohemian; Frank Birming-
ham, Butte; S. H. IRWIN, Missoula,
Perry E. Melton, Kalispell; George
Yaeger, Great Falls and Joseph
Doran, Anaconda. A convention sec
rotary and several other convention
assistants are temporarily appoint
ed each year. The regular election of
officers is by referendum vote
among all affiliated unions every
two years. There is no election this
year.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-08-17
SGT. Adomson Cited
For Meritorious
Achievements

Staff Sergeant Robert <. Adam
son, Air Corps, by direction OF the
President was awarded the Bronze
Oak Leaf Cluster under General
Orders No. 50, for meritorious
achievement while participating IN
sustained operational flight missions
in the Southwest Pacific area from
December 80, 1913, to March /, 1874,
during which hostile contact was
probable and expected.
BY direction of the President, i'll
addition to the Air Medal awarded
to Staff Sergeant Adamson by the
Commanding General, Fifth Air
Force, under General Orders No. 10,
and in addition to the Bronze Oak
Leaf Cluster awarded to him bv the
Commanding General, Far East Air
Forces under Order No. 81, a sec
ond Oak Leaf Cluster was awarded
to him by the Commanding Cen
eral, Far East Air Forces, with the
following citation.
For meritorious achievement
while participating in sustained OPP
irrational flight missions in the
Southwest Pacific area from March,
3, 1914 to April n, 1914, during
which hostile contact was probable
and expected. These operations con-
sisted Of bombing missions against
enemy airdromes and installations
and attacks on enemy naval vessels
and shipping. The courage and de-
votion to duty displayed by Ser
geant Adamson during these flights
are worthy of commentator.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-08-17
WorIond Red Cross
Chapter Donates $50

Regular business was transacted
Monday evening by the South Lin
coin County Chapter of the Red
Cross. The Warland branch sent
$4,000 for the contents OK 30 Kit
bags, which they made.
1t is interesting to know what
the special Red Cross Christmas
package for prisoners Of war, which
is made up in the Red Cross pack
aging center at New York will con-
tain. 1t includes turkey, plum pud-
ding, sausages, butter, deviled ham,
Cheddar cheese, bouillon cubes, tea,
honey, strawberry jam, candy
mixed sailed nuts, fruit bars, dates
sliced pineapple, chewing gum,
playing cards, cigarettes, smoking
tobacco, a pipe, a game and wash
cloth.
Shipment will be made SO that
every American prisoner. Of war and
internee will receive such a pack
age by Christmas.
Transportation conditions in Eu-
rope are steadily deteriorating and
for this reason Christmas parcels
for European camps should DC
mailed now.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-08-17
.SchooIey Writes
About Abstraction
And Yonk Relations
Friday. July %. 1914

Friday, July ~, l944
Dear.F friends of Libby:
During the past two and hall
years, you have received many var
led impressions of the relations be-
tween the Australians and the
Yanks, beyond doubt, and it is abou,
time you were given the whole
story. Some of you probably be-
lieve that we do not get along well
at all, and others have the opinion
that there is absolutely no friction
between the two factions. You are
both right, and both wrong, in a
sense, and it is my hope that this
brief sketch of the relationship will
clear up your doubts.
When the Yank troops first land
ed in this country, we were met
with two reactions. Some of the
people were openly enthusiastic and
more than glad to see us come, while
others were belligerant, and con-
sidered us trespassers, rather than
having come over to help them out
of bad spot. OF course, the young
er women were only too anxious to
get acquainted, partly because of
the uniform and partly because we
were from the greatest nation on
earth. You can be sure our men
were not averse to that idea, either,
and that is where lot of the hard
feelings arose You can well under
stand the attitude of the Australian
men, at having their women mon
,opolized, and they were well with
in their rights. We would have done
the same thing had we been con-
fronted with the same situation. In
fact, some of the fellows back there,
from what we hear, are really put
out because our women are aSsociat-
ing with the men of other armies,
from various countries, and also be-
cause they date men from other
branches OF our ~oUn services. It liz
an age-old conflict and nothing can
be done to improve the situation,
SO far as relationship with said
women is concerned However, in
every other way, the Aussies have
come to practically adopt the Amer
lean servicemen, and it is d grand
feeling, to be welcomed into the
homes of the people here.
Shortly after we got over here,
and feeling against the Yanks was
at its strongest, many people won
dered what was going to happen
when the two armies had to fight to-
gether They needn't have wondered
about that at all. When you get to
the point of defending lives and
countries, you think nothing Of past
prejudices or petty personal feel
ings, and, are practically one unit,
regardless Of color or creed. With
the Australians, in New Guinea, we
never worried about whether we
would have the support SO sadly
needed, because those men were
right there with everything they had.
Continued on page s.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-08-17
M}!levy
!f61M}Q}!Ln
County Cut
Despite Larger Bond
Millage, Total Is
1888 Mills Less.
PLAN TO RETIRE ALL
BONDS IN 3 YEARS

| There's good news for Lincoln
county taxpayers in the action takcn
by the county commissioners lase
week in establishing the current tar
levy. The total county levy wa1
placed at $3.50 mills, which is 1.83
mills less than last year. That is part
Of the good news but 1t is no6alL
At the same time action was takeu
that will result in retiring all OF tina
county's bonded indebtedness in not
to exceed three years. After which
Lincoln county will be entirely out
of debt.
VIII Retire Bonds
Despite the fact that the levy was
cut 1888 mills below what it was
last year, the commissioners were
able to place an additional 5 mill
levy for the retiring Of bonds, maxi
| ing total in the bond retirement
levy of 81 mills. It was learned
that the large taxpayers Of the
county favored such action and il
was believed that it was good busi-
ness policy to wipe out the indebt-
edness when times are good and peo-
pie are all making money, and thus
be able to reduce very materially
the levy when times begin to tight
en- up as most people believe they
will at the end OF war.
The present Indebtedness of the
county is close to $60,0O000 This IS
made up Of $34, 1862 in court house
bonds outstanding and $24,000.00 in
Warland bridge bonds, and accrued
interest. The present levy of 81
mills would bring in approximately
100000 in taxes If all taxes we're
paid in full. However. that is never
done as there are always some de-
linquent taxes. Therefore, it will
probably require the third year 10
retire all the outstanding bonds UNI
der the present plan.
Interest Saved
Inasmuch as the court house
bonds would not mature until 1855
| and the bridge bonds not until 1859,
there will be quite substantial
sum in interest saved to the tax
payers of the county by this action
Of the commissioners, in retiring the
bonds at an earlier date.
All of which indicates that Lin
coin county is in very fine condi-
ton financially and will be in an
even better condition within three
years.
No Road Levy
Because of accumulated funds, the
commissioners have again found it
unnecessary to make levy for road
purposes this year. The levy as es-
tablished is as follows.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-08-17
MILITARY HAS SEVERE
SHORTAGES

Production has dropped off
slightly in the face Of increased
demands" from overseas, Gen.
BrchOn B. Somcrvcll, Of the
Army Service Forces, said in
citing some specific shortages
suffered in various military the
aters of war. Some examples
cited were-One General had to
call off 100 air missions because
Of lack OF the right type of
bombs; another General said he
had to abandon $500 heavy
trucks, which have to be re-
placed; rate Of fire for artillery
has more than doubled above
estimates, thus increasing de-
mands for new guns, replace
ment Innings and ammunition.
Heavy artillery rather than air
power broke deadlocks at An
zio, Casino and In Normandy,
General SOmervell said.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-08-17
DISTRICT VISITED BY HEAVY
RAINFALL,

The much needed rain for the
safety of our forests, as we'll as for
fulfillment Of domestic needs, came
August Is, with recording at the
Libby ranger station of a precipita-
ton of 1.02. Monday and Tuesday
recordings were .28 and ID inches
respectively.
The rain was general over this
district. The heaviest downfall was
in the Yak and Fortine areas, both
reporting 13 inches Troy had IL
inches and the Raven ranger station
SO inches.
Temperatures recorded for the
past week were.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-08-17
Says Was
Of Finest
Institutes

MISSOULA.-"It was one of the
finest Labor Institutes I've attend
ed in the past year. The level OF the
talks and discussions was on an
unusually high plane
Those statements were made by
John O. Connors, director of the
Workers Education Bureau of Amer
lea at the final session of the first
Montana Labor Institute which was
held at. Montana State University
Aug. 81 and S. Mr.. Connors came
from New York City to help direct
the institute.
The institute was conducted by
| the Montana State Federation of
Labor in cooperation with the Work
ers Education Bureau of America
and Montana State University. Rep
resentatives present considered
plans for continuing similar insti.-
tutes in the future.
One hundred thirty people regis
tered for the institute and $50 peo-
pie were in attendance. OF those in
attendance rs were representatives
of organized labor and farm groups
Representatives came from Ana
conda, Billings, Bonner, Butte, Col
umbia Falls, Great Falls, Havre,
Helena, Livingston, Somers and Mis-
soula.
The institute centered on Labor
Today and Tomorrow"
Featured speakers included c. j.
Simpson National Labor Bureau Sc
attic, Mrs. Mildred X. Stoltz edu-
cation director Montana Farmers
Union; Irwin r. Kuenzli secretary
of the American Federation of
Teachers; James A. Wilson labor
counselor international Labor Of
flee, Washington, p c.; Carl F.
Kraenzel, department of agricul-
tural economics, Montana State
College, Bozeman, Don Chapman,
president Of the Montana Farmers
Union; Charles Mclean, secretary
of Montana c. |. O.; Lieut.. Col H.
A. Shuder, director OF education,
United States Disciplinary Bar
racks, Fort Missoula, DR.. f. 0. Mel
by president of Montana State Uni
versity, r. B. Downs, veterans en-
ployment representative, Montana
division of the War Manpower
Commission; Henry Yaeger, direc-
tor Of the Montana State Labor Blu
reau, James D. Graham, president
of the Montana State Federation of
Labor; Melvin c. Wren, assistant
professor of history at Montana
State University, L. A. Campbell,
director Of information and educa-
ton, United States Forest Service,
regional office, Missoula, and Mr..
Connors.
Others participating in the pro-
gram were: S. H. IRWIN, Missoula;
Dean Walter A. Anderson, director
Of summer session at Montana State
University; the Rev Walter F. VOL
brecht, Missoula. Oakley Coffee,
Missoula, Tom Davis, past presi-
dent, Rotary International, Butte;
Joseph Kinsey Howard, author Of
"Montana-High, Wide, and Hand
some; Richard Donovan, Butte; Fl.
S. Bruce, Helena.
Perry S. Melton, Kalispell; the
Rev. ]. J. O'Connor, Butte, Charles
Gardner Butte; DR.. w. P. Clark,
professor Of classical languages at
Montana State University; Leverne
Hamilton, Missoula; E. A. Atkinson,
psychology professor at Montana
State University; Judge Jerry
Lynch, Butte, and Robert Weller,
Kalispell.
Members of the joint committee
on arrangements for the institute
were. S. H. Riven, chairman; Lucille
Spear, vice-chairman, and June
Burke, Roy Dubisch, Violet East
man, Ben Gates, Leverne Hamilton
Mark Hite, Mary McNelis, Perry S.
Melton, and Melvin c. Wren.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-08-17
HOMES CHANGE HANDS

Real Estate transactions during
the past week in which four Libby
homes changed hands, j A. Krall
handling the business, were the sale
Of the John FINLAND house to jim
Harris; the A. P. Staley house 10
Fred Fisher; the home of Mrs. FL
mer Clark to Frank Decker, and
the Ray DunWoody house to Ernest
Leir.
Theodore Kessel purchased the
lot next to the Fashion Cleaners
from Mrs. Grace E. Miller.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-08-17
Huffman Returns>
From Long Service
In Southwest Poetic

Pfc. James D. Huffman was in
Troy for a short time this week Wis
ting with relatives for the first time
since he joined the army over two
years ago. He recently returned 20
the states after having participated
in the campaign in New Guinea and
in other Pacific areas. He was in
the Southwest Pacific for nearly
two and half years.
Huffman is the son of Mrs. A. E.
Kessler of Troy. Mrs. Martin Swan
son is sister and County Commits
sioner Hoisington is an uncle.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-08-17
Grover Bowen, Libby
Man, Reported
Missing in Action

Notification has come to Libby
relatives that Grover c. Bowen If
Libby has been missing in action
since July IL. On that date Bowen
participated in an air raid over
Germany and the plane on which he
was one of the crew did not return
to its base He was navigator.
Bowen has a wife and baby here
and is a grandson of Mr. and Mrs
Ed Bitterman of this city.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-08-17

LIEUT.. GEN. LESLEY ].
M'NAIR-Gen. McNair, who was
reported killed on the front line
in Normandy July 27, is the high
est ranking officer to fall in battle
in the history of the United States
Army. Upon the streamlining of
the Army two years ago he was
placed in command of the Ground
Forces and directed the organiza-
ton and training Of an Army Of
100000 men. He was wounded
in action while inspecting the
American lines in Tunisia in
April, 1943. In the First World
War Gen. McNair served with the
First Division, AEF, and later At
general headquarters at Paris and
ChAumont-
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-08-17
DIES FROM WOUNDS

EUREKA--Word has been re-
ceived by Mrs. Jean Madara Of the
death Of her husband, Ind Lieuten-
ant James M. Mad3fa, in France
on June 20, 1914 from wounds.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-08-17

Mrs. Albert C. Kleffner, of Great
Falls, is here in Libby for a few
days visiting with Mr.. and Mrs.
John H. Appe1gren.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-08-17

Troy HIBh school DlStTIct II, z,
3, Is, % and 24) 220 mills.
County High School Tax, 1000
mills.
County High School Transporta-
ton, 200 mills.
Common School Levy, $50 mills.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-08-17
Libby Air
Man Raids
Truk Base

7th AAF HEADQUARTERS. CEN
TRIAL PACIFIC.-Staff Sgt Ken
meth B. Baeth, of Libby, Mont, %
year-old 7th AAF Liberator nose
gunner, was among the first bomb
er creWmen to make daylight tao
teal visit to the Wanted Jap
base at Truk.
1T was rough afternoon" he
recalled. THE Japs were an aggres-
sive bunch Of pilots who dropped
aerial PHOSPHORUS bombs before
coming down to attack us with their
guns and cannon. There must have
been q dozen Of them. sent several
bursts from the twin nose gsl1ak,s but
our right waist gunner was the
only crew member who knocked
one down.
Son of Mr.. and Mrs. George H.
Baeth, of Libby, and now on leave
at a 7th AAF rest camp in Hawaii,
the Libby High School graduate mas
completed ii missions. Most of these
have been against Truk, but his
aerial travels have also taken him
WtSlWdIu DIS Id dS lHG MdIldlldS,
and to Wake and Nauru.
Il think that of the IL missions,
the one against Truk airfield was
our most successful" he said. THAT
day we saw our entire bomb load
walk right across the base and
wind up by starting huge fires. In
fact, we could still see the smoke a
half hour out from the target"
Sgt. Baeth was employed by the
j. Neils Lbr Co, at the time of his
induction into the AAF in October,
1912.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-08-17

Rsls>dm U. VA Dsssrtnsnt Bureau Of Public RslaHos
MOTHER AND SON ARMY COMRADES-When Pvt Frank
Webster the AAF Training Command Radio School,
Falls strolled into the Service Club with lovely WAC
astounded when they learned that tho attractive
couple Ths youthful mother Sgt Frances
assigned the Aduant Generals Office Washington,
D. G. Their peacetime home il in Los Angeles, CAL
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-08-17

Since the above article was re-
ceived from the publicity depart
ment, Sergeant Baeth has written
relatives that he is again in active
service, and has more missions to
his credit, with hopes of complct-
ing enough of them soon, to earn
a leave to the States.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-08-17
first Libby Girl to enlist in the
WAVES.
If You Are Not Superstitious Read This
Strange Combination Of Dates and Figures

you don't read the following If
supeitous
delving and dates
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-08-17

World War World 81 and onehalf
End Of 1914 onehaf Of 1914 92
81 2, Sept. o'clock.
The Supreme Ruer-Take first letter of Of mems
CHRIST
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-08-17
School Districts

The various school districts of the
county made the following levies:
Evening star., 1944-07-08
Restrictions Lifted
To Allow insulation
|0f Homes With Brick

Home owners wishing to insulate
exterior walls OF existing frame or
stucco houses with brick in order
to cope with wartime fuel ration
ing were granted this opportunity
by the War Production Board re-
Gently. The announcement 1t was
no longer necessary to obtain WPB
permission for this type of home
improvement emphasized that prop
er insulation of the home was need
ed to conserve the Nations fuel
supply. 1t was on these grounds
that brick veneering OF existing
buildings was removed from the re-
stricted list.
The insulating value of brick
when applied as veneer to a
frame or stucco house has long
been recognized. One thickness q
brick. plus 1-inch air space be-
tween the brick veneer and the
original exterior wall makes this
a simple operation. The work can
be done easily by any bricklayer.
In addition to granting home
owners q new means of aiding in
the conservation Of fuel which has
not been open to them in wartime,
this latest relaxation of building re-
strictions by WPB permits thou
sands Of home owners also to i'm
prove the appearance of homes and
add to the value of property. Many
dollars in upkeep will be saved by
the application of brick veneer be-
cause it will no longer be necessary
to repaint the entire exterior very
few years. A further benefit de-
rived from this type of home i'm
provement lies in the reduction of
fire hazard and reduced fire in
Evening star., 1944-07-08
ID. {. Building Permits
Decline 10 S46,615

Building permits issued by the
District Of Columbia for the first
week In July totaled $46,6l5. This
low figure is in sharp contrast to the
81 l,164, IT'S listed for last week, caused
by the construction of several new
apartment developments in various
sections Of town.
The lowest building month since
February, 1885, was recorded in
Alexandria for the month of June,
according to A. r. Lash, building
inspector. Mr.. Lash said permits
for $23,027 were issued and OF these
only 5000 was for new construction.
The building inspector also said that
from present indications July is ex-
pected to show a large increase,
with the construction of a theater
and several residential projects in
prospect.
Arlington County building depart