Hyder Weekly Herald

HYDER CITIZENS GIVE SPLENDID DISPLAY OF PATRIOTISM

Despite the heterogeneous and highly variegated character of the local population, only three out of the approximately two hundred citizens interviewed by a committee of three appointed by the Chamber of Commerce in connection with the observance of Preparedness Day, were found unwilling to endorse national preparedness. One of the three gave no reason for his attitude: and the remainder of the trio were apparently of the "conscientious objector" type. In view of the fact that a major portion of the population is of foreign birth, many of them from lands where hatred of militarism is almost universal. this must be considered a record scarcely excelled by any town in the Territory with a highly mixed population; and one of which Hyder may well be proud.

Owing to Preparedness Day coming in the heart of the short working season, when the bulk of the population is in the hills, the committee made no attempt at holding a demonstration, confining its activities to sounding out the sentiment for and against preparedness and enrolling under the "one day enlistment" plan, the leading feature of the celebrations held in the States, such as cared to sign the muster roll. With the three exceptions noted, every male town resident approached registered their names.

The committee consisting of E. D. Haddon, Merle F. Thomas and Fred Cameron, also made a trip up Salmon river valley for the same purpose. The committee was unable to reach a large percentage of those up the valley but, basing the estimate upon the average enrollment in the lower valley, it was determined that about 95 per cent of the population is in favor of preparedness. In accordance with the recent request of Colonel Hartrian, the estimate and other desired information relative to local activities was wired to the Signal Corps headquarters in Seattle.