The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1946-01-31
OTHERS ARE EN-
VIOUS OF LIBBY

and the public. A labor speaker
had been unable to come
Compliments Local Men
Mr., Hodgeman spoke in humor-
Gus vein for several minutes anC
then swung into an interesting dis
cussion of forest and lumber prob
lens. He said this district hao
once been considered an unusually
hazardous one for the lumber opera
tor. This was because of high
freight rates, small size of trees
slow growth, difficult terrain for
logging, ETC. But despite these
handicaps this has become known
as one of the outstanding lumber
communities in the Western Pine
area. This has been due to the
outstanding leadership and vision of
the j. Nelis Lumber company, Mr..
Hodgeman said He paid high COM
pliments to George Neils as a high
ly efficient logging operator and to
K. A. Klehm as an aggressive lead
-er in forest administration and
management.
Present trends show, said Hodge
man. that size of tree, size of plank
and nature of the species are not
to bear such great Importance in
the future The emphasis in the
future will be on wood fibre, he
said, not size or species of tree.
This will be to the advantage of
this district.
Puts Bee" on Local People
Mr.. Hodgeman spoke at length
but lack of space prohibits detailed
reporting of his remarks. In clos
ing he said, Il will put the bee right
on you people" He said we do not
want RECOMMENDATION but our own
state laws need improving and be-
ing made to better fit modern con-
ditions. Chambers of Commerce
have a great deal of influence with
lawmakers" said Mr. Hodgeman.
He suggested that laws be so chang
ed as to permit sustained yield
handling of state forest lands. Fur
thermore, tax delinquent lands
should be taken over by the state
he said, and incorporated into state
forest holdings when advisable. He
suggested as project for the Cham
Der that it take up the work of
securing revision of Montana laws
in line with advanced practices in
forest management.
Mr.. Klehm remarked that as yet
there-has- been-no- detailed plan
worked out to cover the local situa-
ton. That is to come later and
is something that everyone in the
district should be vitality interested !
in.
Now Favor Forest Management
In his opening remarks Mr.. Camp /
bell said Every government agency /
needs competition and we get I
plenty of it," He went ON to pic /
Lure the development of Montana I
from the time of the appearance of I
the first mountain men or fur trap
oers, through that of the growth |!
and development of the great cattle, +
horse and sheep ranches. down to
he coming of the homesteaders and
he beginning of trouble. The grief
and problems of those days are
giving way to bsighter
lines, he said, through wise prog
ANS of water conservation, soil
and better tillage and
grazing practices. He said the
tate has a water conservation prog
am, well under way that aims
o provide and sell irrigation water
o the rancher as a commodity,
lot as lien against the land"
These new ideas make necessary
protection and as a re-
ult all of Montana is now becom-
ng greatly interested in forest
{
He spoke at length of the Won 7
erful opportunities before Mon {
ana; that thousands of people are q
boxing this way, some for bust '
ess chances, many of them COM
lg to enjoy the great out of doors LC
f this favored state t
The products coming from the h
orests will play an increasing
art in the coming development. b
S an example he said there is a
IAN in Spokane who uses Montana Y
bruce in making violins and also
ne in Standpoint. People are COM
lg here for recreation-for hunt d
lg, fishing, for vacationing, and a
e are not ready for them, he said. n
here must be an extensive enlarg- t
ent of facilities for their care. 7
Changed Thinking a
In closing Mr. Campbell said he r.
ished to leave one central thought
it'll his audience. The atomic age
going to- change our way of think :
6 in many particulars, he remark
l. This will force us to re-exam-
e many of our existing ideas and
actices and it is vital that out of
e new view there shall emerge
at which is best dor all mankind.
AT the opening of the meeting
r. Agather remarked that he is
metimes asked what is the pur-
'se of Chamber of Commerce.
= said he considered that one of
e greatest needs for such an or
nization is to provide a discus
IN group to consider and take
ton on any and all problems af-
citing the development and bet
-ment of the community He said