Celebrating History: Government offers aid to farmers

By Emily Mayer

The issue getting the most press in the Aug. 17, 1918 edition of The Havre Plaindealer was the aid to farmers from the federal government. The rules of how to secure the aid were listed, that efforts were being made to hasten the speed of getting the seed grains to farmers, praise from the editor of the Plaindealer for the aid program, and a form for farmers to fill out to receive the aid. Of course, the operative word here is “aid,” which was in the form of a loan to farmers. For regular readers, please keep this in mind as time progresses.

Of course, the success of crops at home meant nourishing food for our boys fighting “over there.” Other war-related news included a large article of a fourth Liberty Loan drive that was being organized, set for Sept. 28; a bill to extend draft regulations that was in the works and local draft boards were preparing for its passing; that allotments for soldiers’ dependents had been increased; the government was developing rehabilitation programs for disabled veterans; and little boxes at the top of each side of the newspaper had a list of items to eat that used less sugar than others, such as eating canned fruit, dried fruit, fruit butters and fresh fruit instead of jam, jelly, preserves and sweet pickles which used more sugar. Speaking of sugar, it was reported that the sugar beet web worm was not yet a “menace” in the area. And the two following articles also had to do with the war effort here on the home front:

THRESHING SHIPMENTS TO BE GIVEN PREFERENCE

According to a notice sent out by Food Administrator E. C. Carruth of Hill county, the food administration has urged that shipment of repairs and parts for threshing outfits be given preference by express companies for the present harvest season. Realizing that each day of idleness by a threshing outfit means a serious loss in the harvest, the food administration has taken every possible precaution to see that troubles are corrected promptly. Express company heads have expressed their willingness to give machine parts for threshermen preferred shipment in the coming month.

ALLOW MORE FLOUR DURING HARVESTING

The food administration in Montana has issued a notice that farmers, during the period of fall lowing and harvesting, will be allowed extra quantities of flour. During the harvesting season, according to Food Administrator E. C. Carruth of Hill county, farmers may purchase wheat flour on the basis of twelve pounds per month for each harvest hand or thresherman.

After the threshing season and during the period of fall plowing, the farmer may get wheat flour from the miller, elevator or licensed grain buyer in exchange for his own wheat or by the milling of his own wheat, on the basis of eight pounds per month for each member of his family. He may purchase flour on this basis until October 1. Notice to such effect has been sent to all millers, elevator men and grain buyers of the state.

One headline that caused me to look twice was one that stated “WAR EMERGENCY SMUT CAMPAIGN.” It had to do with a disease that affects cereal grains, and Montana ag stations were working with county agents to see if the disease was in their area and if so, how bad.

It was also election season, and the newspapers in the previous few weeks had been inundated with news of candidates and their gatherings. I haven’t written anything about it simply because we today have our own political climate to contend with, but there are a couple of news issues of note. Someone from Havre was running for Congress, and here is the article that appeared in the Plaindealer:

LINEBARGER RETURNS AFTER CAMPAIGN TRIP

Republican Candidate Tours Southern Part of State

R. G. Linebarger of Havre, who is a candidate for the republican nomination for congress, returned the early part of the week from a campaign trip through the Yellowstone valley, where he resided for many years, very much encouraged over his prospects.

Few men have a wider acquaintance or a better general knowledge of the state than he, which should serve him well in the campaign.

A list of those running for office were included on the editorial page, and an announcement that the Non-Partisan League was going to meet in Havre on Aug. 26.

The Society column has returned! This is my favorite part of the Plaindealer, as in these pages and the “Of Local Interest” section really show what’s going on in Havre and Hill County. Here is one war-related paragraph and a social gathering entry:

Word has been received that Mrs. J. C. Benson is on her way from California to visit Havre friends. Captain Benson is still in Japan with the railroad contingent.

Eastern Star Holds Special Session

Thursday evening the local lodge of the Eastern Star held a special session, at which Miss Alice Skylstead and C. B. Wilson and his daughter Miss Anna Wilson were initiated into the order. The session was held at this time to permit Miss Skylstead to join before the left to attend the University at Berkley, Cal. Mr. and Mrs. Skylstead are charter members of the local chapter and the other members of the lodge were anxious to welcome their daughter into membership before Mrs. Skylstead should leave with her children for California for the school year. Miss Wilson is a close friend of Miss Skylstead’s and she also expects to go away to school this year, but just where has not been announced.