Remember When?

Sanders County Independent Ledger

January 7, 1942

From 80 Years Ago

Red Cross Appeal

An Appeal to the People of Sanders County

Our War Fund quota is $1,100 for the county. We have collected about $500.00. Our workers have done their duty faithfully. Now it is up to everyone to do his utmost to reach this quota for that is the one sure way of helping our boys fight this war. Don’t sit home by the fire and say, “why don’t they do this and why don’t they do that?” Do your bit at home and the boys at the front and in the camps will do theirs.

Contributions may be sent to Glenn Larson or Mrs. L. R. Crane of Thompson Falls, or any one of the chairmen throughout the county.

Following is a telegram received from Norman H. Davis, Chairman.

“The bombing of Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Manila, the invasion of the Philippines, the submarine attacks in the Atlantic and Pacific have dramatically brought home to us the cruelties of this war. Wherever our heroic soldiers, sailors and airmen are so valiantly defending our soil there also you will find the flag of the Red Cross unfurled alongside the stars and stripes. Red Cross men are on every front. Funds are urgently needed to keep intact these front lines of mercy. The enemy respects neither holidays nor weekends. The Red Cross war fund should be pushed to rapid our subscriptions. Partnership in this time of need gives all the people an opportunity to participate. The Red Cross is a people’s partnership in a time of need. It is patriotism in action to give to the Red Cross. Miseries of war cannot be measured by quotas and mathematical yardsticks nor personal conveniences. The president, the American people, and our fighting men expect much of us. Although your chapter has reached suggested minimum quota, you are urged to continue the campaign until everyone has had an opportunity to contribute. An avalanche of giving now will help the Red Cross deliver the goods.”

No Weather Reports

It has been cold, very cold. In fact, Thompson Falls and the western part of Montana have experienced the coldest for the past ten days in three or four years.

The wood and fuel consumed is tremendous, and light wooden buildings, not built for real cold, are extremely difficult to heat.

We asked the Forest Service for an official weather report but they advised that no weather reports were now permitted unless ten days old. No large city paper now publishes weather reports and radios no longer mention the weather. You would think it was Florida.

How a weather report published in a small county weakly could possibly inform or aid the enemy is beyond our comprehension. However, it is our duty to comply with government regulations, even though locally they might not apply, still rules laid down must be nationwide in scope.

Sunday’s Sermon

It’s great to be alive in times like these. The best way to feel secure is to be doing something. We are doing big things. We are masters of the events of history. The rise and fall of civilization is up to us. Every day brings a change in the pattern of living. With the changing patterns and new events will come changes in personality, some good, some bad. “New occasions teach new duties” and these stirring times will make new persons of some of us. There will come sorrows and headaches as our young men go and maybe heartbreaks as they return no more. But sorrow and heartaches come soon or late whether in peace or war, and much as we deplore and condemn war, we cannot let it overwhelm us. This is no time for defeatism in national life, certainly it is no time for defeatism in our personal life. Every day brings new opportunities to serve. To serve is to live. We are making a brave new world. So, thumbs up! Let’s be doing it!

State Survey Asked to Determine Ability to Handle Evacuees

A survey of Montana housing facilities to handle an expected influx of evacuees from Pacific coast cities has been ordered by Tom D. Caverly, coordinator for the Montana defense commission.

In a circular letter to all county defense commissions, Caverly asked that reports be filed with him, listing accommodation available at hotels, boarding houses, dude ranches, private homes and other types of temporary or semi-permanent quarters. Another form listing apartments, tourist camps, auto camps, auto courts, furnished houses and similar accommodations also want to be filled out and returned.

The survey, Caverly said, largely was precautionary to compile information in advance of requests from other state defense commissions. He said, however, it was likely Montana would be asked to care for persons who left their own homes on the coast because of the danger of air raids.

“In addition,” he wrote the county commissions, “attention should be given to caring for children and aged evacuated persons in private homes.” He suggested this last be handled through women’s clubs or similar organizations.