davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1948-12-02
Can Ignorance
Ever Make For
Good Government?
Nv Charies D. Rowe

Mildred Oldenburg of Trego
takes exception to a statement made
in this column of November IL.
Her letter appears elsewhere IN the
Forum. She takes us to task for
having said: 4 have never been
able to comprehend how extending
the ballot to several millions OF
ignorant illiterate people can pos
siblv make for good government. -
She saws shame lies in the fact that
there are many ignorant, illiterate
people and she pleads for the eX-
tension of more democracy.
agree fully with our Forum
CORRESPONDENT when she contends
that large numbers of ignorant
people are a shame and a reproach
TO anv nation / not only condemn
such a deplorable condition but l
spent many hours of hard work
when member of the Legislature
attempting to provide a better school
law for Montana and thereby pro-
vide better education faCill ;
where they are now lacking
conceGe nothing to our cOrreSron-
de mt in our mutual regard for high
educational facilities for everyone.
However, if she objects to my
statement regarding extension Of
the ballot to millions of ignorant,
illiterate people, then and there we
would have to part company. If
she favors extending the franchise
to the ignorant, then she does not
fear ignorance in a democracy
This despite the fact that since the
founding of this goVernment-anc
even long before that time-thC
best thinkers have always insisted
that a high standard of widespread
~education is essential in demOc
racy if it is to remain strong an
just. If ignorance, illiteracy an
good government can travel safel
together, then we could import sew
eral million black Hottentots fror
darkest Africa, given them the fran
chise, and still feel safe that thei
judgment through the ballot woul
make for good governmen
cannot believe our correspon
Gent is objecting much to the rea
thought of my statement What sh
IS really pleading for is more op
portunity,. more educational facil
tiles, more democracy for everyone
And / heartily join with her in tina
pleading My statement that Gale,
forth her letter had to do with tn
need for preservation and exten
sion of civil rights" in America
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1948-12-02

Christ is the one unique Person
in human history. There was no
one before Him, and there has been
no one since Him, who was even
similar
His coming was prOphc5led some
1000 years before His birth; His
miraculous coming into the world
and His substitutionary death for
the sins of all mankind were clear
ly promised hundreds of years be-
fore the first Christmas.
Some of the minutest details of
His life-His virgin birth, His ma
tive town of Bethlehem, His be-
travail, the division of His clothing
beneath the cross, His cruciflxion,
His resurrectiOn-Were clearly fore
told centuries before He came into
the world
Surely, then, it was no mere man
that walked across the worlds horl-
ION 1900 years ago One of Christ's
most intimate companions knew
exactly what he was doing when he
fell at the feet of the Master and
exclaimed, my Lord and my Cod"
And to this day it is most imper-
alive for men to recognize in the
Christ-Child of Christmas God Him
self permitting Himself to become
man so that He might bring men
life and salvation. This thought is
fundamental to a proper and bene-
fetal celebration of Christmas.
Will YOU reflect upon this Chris
tan truth during these days of pre-
paration for Christmas? Our church
invites you to include its services
on your schedule of Christmas
activities.-ST JOHN LUTHERAN
Cpd adv |
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1948-12-02

and referred to the ignorant Negroes
of the South. That they are kept
in such ignorance is a monstrous
wrong. But the fact remains that
they ARE ignorant. The further
facts remains that there ARE mil
lions of them. That condition should
by all means be corrected. But
as long as they are ignorant and
illiterate should we give them the
ballot? My answer as an emphatic
No! Before they are given the high
privilege of the ballot, they should
be able to meet some educational
test.
/ still strongly hold 10 the con-
viction that extending the ballot to
millions of ignorant, illiterate people
cannot possibly make for good gov
eminent. Ignorance and good gov
eminent do not and cannot travel
together.
Additional assurance from reliable
authorities has been given during
the past week or two to the effect
that the Libby dam is a certainty
The only question is one of time
The assurance is that construction
will be under way within three OF
four years, perhaps sooner.
When that time arrives Libby
will be faced with a number OF
serious problems. Plans are now
Icing mace to cope with them. j. +
| tennessy, Jr., president of the Libby
! Chamber of Commerce, has APP
pointed a committee to study those
various problems The committee
is composed of Paul Church, chair
man; Harold Gompf, Libby mayor
and myself Some of the problems
to be studies will be as follows:
What can be done to provide the
expanded school facilities that {
sudden increase of population viii
require? Sundays newspapers stateC
that 1900 people were employed or
Hungry Horse dam this summer
that next summer there will be 400C
workers there. Amy similar inflow
of people here will most Seriosuly
tax school accommodations How
best can that load be met?
Another problem concerns tn,
, need for coming or building restric
tons. A heavy demand for wha
undoubtedly will be Temporary
housing might result in many un
slightly shackS being built within
the better residential districts. M
one would want that. Should ION
ing areas be established will
reasonable restrictions?
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1948-12-02
LUMBER PRODUCTION
AT NEW HIGH

Lumber production Tor the thITu
quarter of I948 reached the high
est peak for that period since the
time when such records were be
gun in 1886, according to the
Statistical department of the Ma
tional Lumber Manufacturers As
sociation.
Figures, released today, show
1898 billion board feet as the a
mount recorded, This is more than
was produced during the same three
months of 1912, the peak war year.
The total output for the first nine
months of 1913 now stands at APP
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1948-12-02

proximately % billion feet.
IF the present demand contln-
ues." R. A. Colgan, Jr. executive
vice president of the association,
said. I'VE shall exceed all produc-
ton records for the past 80 years.
The vice president added, with
production at this high level, there
is an increased demand for trees,
thus giving land owners an added
incentive to protect their woods and
forests. It also stimulates con
uing improvement of forest re
sources by causing owners Of both
large and small tracts to- manage
their holdings so as to yield con
tinuous tree crop
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1948-12-02
THEFORUM
Trego, Montana
November IA, 1913
Editor, Western News
Libby, Montana


November "A, l948
Editor, Western News
Libby, Montana
Sir:
Your editorial column of the
November 18th. issue ends, But /
have never been able to compre-
bend how extending the ballot 10
several millions of Ignorant, Hitter
ate people can possibly make Tor
good government. Can YOU!
It seems to me the burning ques-
ton is. why. in the richest most
advanced country in the world
should there still be millions OF
IGNORANT illiterate people as you
put it. Why. after all these years,
should the subject of universal fran
chise still be a matter for debate.
After all along with the millions
of dollars we are sending overseas,
we are also trying to export our
brand of democracy to people Of
various colors and creeds. And,
unfortunately, that there is a gap
between what we practice and what
we preach has not been lost upon
the weary and dlsinherlted OF the
earth.
Instead of preaching less democ-
racy, let's demand more democracy;
let's demand more education and
better education, to the end that
there be no millions of ignorant,
illiterate" Americans to whom we
deny the ballot on that or other
scores. Let's not be complacent
about the status quo but seek to
improve it. Sincerely,
Mildred Oldenburg
Montana labor news., 1948-07-22
STATE federation TO
HOLD CONVENTION
AUGUST II

The following is quoted from an Off
cial letter sent out by the office of the
Montana State Federation Of Labor to
all affiliated bodies.
This is to notify you that the 51st
convention of the Montana State Fed
GRAFTON of Labor vii be held in Car
renters' Hall. Great Falls. commencing
at ten o'clock am, Tuesday, August
II, 1913, and will continue in session
until the business of the convention
is completed. Credentials in duplicate
are enclosed, and officers of %organiza-
tions sending delegates are requested
to have same properly filled in and
countersigned.
The secretary Of each organization
should mail the duplicate credentials
In time to reach this office not later
than August 18th, but in case that is
not possible, the delegate should bring
it personally to the convention. This
will save time in making the appoint
leaving for the convention.
Convention headquarters will be
at the Northern Hotel. Great Falls,
Make your hotel reservations before
leaving for the convection.
unions must be in good standing
to be entitled to representation in the
convention. See that your union is In
good standing.
"Fraternally yours,
JAMES ID. GRAHAM,
President"
Montana labor news., 1948-07-22
BUTTE MUSICIANS PLAN
FREE Band CONCERTS
IN COMING Weeks

In carrying out a c~ontinent-wide re-
vival Of live music. the American Fed
GRAFTON of Musicians has appropriated
S1.73G.721.62 for free public music in
the United States and Canada
Butte Musicians will provide six
band concerts in the Butte area in
tho next few weeks with the dates and
place to be announced shortly.
This will be the second year Of the
biggest music appreciation undertake
ing in history. In 1947 the more than
700 locals of the Federation spent
$1.444.T00 in the same public service.
The money is appropriated from a
fund created by royalties paid IN rec
ords and transcriptions made by union
musicians. This arrangement was
terminated December 3, l947 by con-
gress. The Federation IS financing
the 1915 free musical performances
from a residue of that fund. the cost
Of administration being less than /
per cent.
Last year Butte Musicians spon-
sored concerts and other perform
ances at Sheridan. Whitehall. Dillon,
Butte. and the state hospital at Galen.
Money received from the A. F.. Of NJ.
was spent only on wages of musicians.
with the local union mourning an adj
ditional expense of about $3.50 and
members donated cars for Transports
ton.
Montana labor news., 1948-07-22

factions Of the Republican party be-
lieve we shall. In 1914. for example.
the Republican platform paid tribute
to the National Labor Relations Act.
the Wage and Hour law, the Social
Security act. and "all other federal
statutes designed to promote and pro-
tect the welfare Of American men and
women
No mention is made of those laws in
the 19iS platform. Instead we find
vague references to the rights and
obligations of working men and WON.
en-, some Boosting about the Taft
Hartley law, and a promise for con
tinuing study to improve ALDERMAN
agement relations'-along the Taft
Hartley pattern nc doubt.
There are some positive statements
in the platform. The foreign relations
plank is a victory for the enlightened
branch of the Republican party, If Mr..
Taber and his associates can be made
to live up to it. The housing plank,
although not quite clear. holds a prom
Use OF action which the S0th congress
failed to take. Generally speaking.
whatever promise of progress may be
held out by the 1913 Republican plat
form is belied by the atmosphere Of
the conventions first day-and by the
record of the S0th congress.
Twelve years ago in Philadelphia,
the late F.D.R. warned the American
people that they had a rendezvous
with destiny" That rendezvous Is
still with us, as both ey-President
Hoover and Senator Vandenberg
acknowledged two weeks ago.
The convention might well have
paid closer attention to Mr.. IIooyer's
warning, IF you produce nothing but
%improvised platitudes you will give
no hope And the Republican party
might also remember that it will give
no hope. either. if it reckons its prin-
cipal Job as that of bnrying the New
Deal and dancing on its grave.
Montana labor news., 1948-07-22
MEDICAL CARE
NOW III Effect
BRITAIN

London. Englands-A 1cradle-to-the-
grave social security system featur-
inr free medical and dental care for
,all Britons became effective through
out Great Britain recently.
Cornerstone OF the new system is
the National Health act which in ef.
feet lifts the burden Of worry over the
payment for high-cost medical care
from tho shoulders of all residents re-
gardless OF their economic or social
station. The benefits Of the act will
bo financed from payroll taxes and
direct government contributions.
simultaneously with the health sys-
TEN. 4 greatly improved national in.
suraice program. which consolidates
and expands previous piecemeal legis-
larlon, also went into effect. 1t car
'lies far broader social security than
exists in the United States.
The systep provides liberalized dis
ability benefits. death grants. cash
payments during sickness. injury or
unemployment maternity payments
and various other forms OF assistance.
Under the health program. doctors
fees. hospital bills. and drug costs will
bo borne by the government and paid
out Of the payroll taxes and govern
ment contributions TO the insurance
system fund. British citizens may
continue to pay private fees to phys
icians. II they so desire. but adequate
care Is assured everyone without the
necessity Of paying premium fees.
IN addition to the medical services
rendered by physicians, the program
will meet the costs Of spectacles, hear
inl aids, artificial limbs. and other
surgical devices required in the treat
ment of an illness.
Under the program, the government
HAS taken control and ownership OF
some b 500 hospitals, practically all in
Great Britain except for about 200 run
Us religious orders.
TO take advantage OF all this free
service. the British citizens need not
give up their freedom to choose their
own doctor The plan specifically
provides that patients will have their
free choice 81 physician or dentist.
over IS percent OF the nations doe
tors have agreed to participate under
the health program. and so far about
half the dentists have done Likewise.
Montana labor news., 1948-07-22

dollar spent on retail channels while
before the war their share was 20 3
cents.
Automobile dealers ana filling sta
tiuns rank next 70 food stores with
their l5.g-cent take ont Of each dol.
lar, but are still not up 10 their pre-
war share Of 212 cents. the depart
ment reported.
Eating and drinking places rank
next to food stores in charging their
prewa share OF the retail dollar.
They get 10l cents Of it now against
81 cents in 1870. But they've lost
ground from midwar 1914 when their
share was 1875 cents.
Liquor sellers are doing the same
now as in l340--getting Ia cents OF
the retail dollar, but that's a come
down, too, from the 2.l cents they
took in during 1914.
Mems clothing stores. having caught
up with the immediate needs OF the
millions Of returning veterans. now
get is cents OF the retail dollar, or
just slightly less than their l9cent
share In 1870.
Women's clothing and accessories
stores get a bigger share now than
they hid prewar-32 cents against an
even 3 cents in 1910. but they've
slipped a lot from &C cents in wartime
1914.
shoe stores now take in IL cents
Of each retail dollar against ia cents
in 1910. while general merchandise
(C~ontinued from Page OneD
Montana labor news., 1948-07-22
No Hope In COPS Dancing
On New Deals Grave

To millions OF Americans who fol-
lowed the Republican convention by
press. radio, and television, the open
ing day was a grave disappointment,
and it set an atmosphere from which
the convention never improved.
Craftsmanship was not the order Of
the day in Philadelphia on June %.
Instead. we were subjected to the de-
grading spectacle of a number of
prominent citizens, including a state
governor, the speaker Of the House
of Representatives. and a former
lady member of congress-, vultur-
ously attempting to pluck the flesh
from the memory and the admins
tration Of a man who had led our
nation out Of the worst economic cri-
sis in its history and through the
trials of its most terrible war, and
who had done more than anyone In
cans the rights of free men.
These rights, it should be noted.
were of a kind which brought tangi-
Bile advancement to the people Of this
country. They must be distinguished
from the rights advanced by the lead
ership of the S0th congress-the right
of an individual to advance himself
at the expense of his fellow men, and
the rights accorded to the already
over-privileged to entrench them
selves further to the disadvantage Of
tho plain people.
Surely, whatever We may think Of
the faults Of the New Deal, we shall
never forget its contributions to Il
way of life. Yet. apparently. some
Montana labor news., 1948-07-22
new REGIONAL lawyer
FOR Department
OF LABOR

San FranciScO.-Kenneth c. Robert
son, formerly special assistant to the
Secretary of Labor at Washington.
DC, in charge of Legislative matters,
has assumed his new duties as reg
ional attorney for the department and
will represent the various bureaus
and divisions of the U. S. Department
He will be located in San Francisco.
Mr.. Robertson succeeds Herman
Marx, who is being assigned to Wash
ington to do special legal work for
liam s. Tyson.
The new regional attorney is a ma
tive OF Utah, married and has two
children. He received his Bachelor
Of Arts degree at the University Of
Utah in 1881. his LIB at Georgetown
university law school in 1885 and his
id at Georgetown in 1898. He served
four years on the staff of the U. S.
Senate and has been connected with
the Department Of Labor since 1888.
In May. 1916 he was transferred
from his position as assistant solicitor
to the office of the secretary and
served as special assistant to the late
Secretary Lewis B. Schwellenbach
and Under Secretary David A. Morse.
recently elected director general of
the lnternationl Labor Organization.
Robertson served four years in the
Army Air Corps and left the service
in 1916 as a major.
Mr.. Marx has been affiliated with
the Department OF Labor since Sep
TENDER 1889. In October, 1947 he was
named regional attorney here to sue
coed Dorothy Williams, who resigned
because OF illness. He was acting re-
giOnal attorney from February 1947
until his appointment as regional at.
tOrney.
Montana labor news., 1948-07-22
CASCADE COUNTY TRADES & LABOR
COUNCIL Meeting MINUTES

meeting OF the executive board OF the
state Federation. He said the bust
campaign for national political candi-
dates during their work hours.
Bernal J. e. I.eary OF the Retail
Clerks reported progress for their
wage negotiations with the local mer-
chants.
james t. Murray reporting for the
Typos that they are about 10 begin
new wage negotiations.
Larry Price was elected delegate to
the state Federation convention by a
tCuntinucd IN png- FourD
Montana labor news., 1948-07-22

Fifty four precincts from the
county showed: Bonner $500.
Art Lamey 2,700. Left Erick-
son, 1897, in the Democratic
race for Governor. For Attor-
ney General Olsen held 5.022
to 1895 for Clarence llanley. and 500
for j. Il. Wine. Frank Murray led
sam Mitchell 5.616 to > $40.
State returns late yesterday after
noon. as compiled by Associated Press.
showed:
T.. S. Senate (.
James II. Murray FOR Demo nomina-
ton over DR.. Harry McGreeor, Great
Falls. 1860 to 11,3C5
For COP nomination, Tom ]. Davis
over Wellington d. Rankin, 25.477 to
1925.
For Congress
First District: Mike Mansfield, CD.)
unopposed. Judge Albert Angstman
over Ralph McGinnis, 1881 to 1910.
for Republican nomination.
Second District: Republican Wesley
.D'Ewart, unopposed. Willard Fraser
nominated on Demo ticket oyer Mrs.
Bernice Kingsbury. l2.237 10 1898.
Governorship .
Democratic. John ". Bonner. "a
I15g. Arthur Lamey. i7.l16. Left Erick-
son, 13.4G3. George Melton. BOB;
Vernon Hoven. 1855.
Republican: Governor Ford. 30, 466,
Leonard Young. S.605, Mike knclera,
1921.
Other State Posts
Other returns compiled BY Associat-
ed Press we're:
Lieut.. Governor: Paul Cannon. IL
lG7, Jack Toole, 1901. John +. Ken
needy, 1853, on Demo ticket.
Republican: Tom j. Burke, 1898.
w. e. Kelley. 6,05S; Sherman w
Smith, GOAT. Dean Chaffin. 5,924 and
John y. Gillian, 2,05l.
Secretary of state. Democratic
Frank Murray. 2G.717, to Mitchell's
25.96S.
Montana labor news., 1948-07-22
SHEEP SnEARERS
CONVENTION OPENED
LAST MONDAY

Members OF the Sheep Shearers In,
ion of North America, No. l. affilia
with the Amalgamated Meat Cutters
and Butcher Workmen OF North Amer
lea. opened a five-day convention here
Monday morning. Convention head
quarters have been established at the
Eagles hall on West Granite street.
Delegates from Montana. Idaho. Utah.
Wyoming. California. New Mexico and
several other states will be In attend
ance according to LaVOr Taylor OF
Butte, president Of the organization.
Present officers OF the organization,
in addition to President Taylor. are
Joe Potter. Butte. first vice president;
Oscar Hansen. Provo. Utah, second
vice president; Lane r. Potter. Sid
ney. three vice president; John Edg-
mand. Wallowa, Ore. fourth vice pres
ident: Walter Green. Menap, Idaho,
sixth vice president, and Glen Draper,
Ephraim, Utah. seventh vice presi-
dent.
Including among the delegates. rep
resenting j%ourneymen sheep shearers,
in attendance are:
Frank McCallum, Darrell Holibird.
Tony Ceilings, Horace Ceilings. Dan
Breake. William O.. Br0wnell, Frank
Mendes, Len Hustead, Vern Hustead,
Arthur Korpla, Ray Willis. California:
S. II. Tough and b. l.. Underwood,
Idaho. A. A. Evans, Montana, who is
also a past president; A. Hansen, Lon
Hansen, Clyde Buchanan, Clarence
Mower, Ed Blackham, William Alex
ander, Utah: ]. j. Bunnell and r. Oil
yer, Oregon. and Phil Sutton, Wyo-
ming.
Members Of the executive board Of
the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and
Butcher WOrkmen Of North America
scheduled for attendance were Patrick
Il. German, executive secretary-treas-
nrer OF Chicago and J. T. Lloyd. Den
yer. vice president Of the same Organi-
cation.
NJ. Il. Stranger, secretary-treasurer
and conciliator of the Sheep Shearers'
union of Stockton. Calf. will be one
of the convention speakers.
One Of the highlights Of the con
clave was the address by Sylvan T.
Pauley Of Deer Lodge, president Of the
National W%oolgrowers' association.
The address of welcome on Monday
morning was given by Mayor Barry
OLeary. Invocation was by Elder Ray
mond Haslam Of Lewistown, Idaho