Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
February 24, 1942
Supervisors Four Soil Conservation Groups Meet Here
Nine Counties Are Represented For Session on Monday
Supervisors of four soil conservation districts met at the CCC camp Monday for an educational program in connection with farm improvement work, with representatives from Bowie, Red River, Franklin, Morris, Camp, Hopkins, Wood, Rains and Titus Counties present.
Van C. Sparks, president of the Texas S.C.S. Supervisors' Association, was in charge of the meeting, and Earl B. Pate of the local district, extended the welcome to the visitors.
The program was an interesting one, with the speakers including several of the supervisors and a number of officials connected with other agricultural agencies.
It was pointed out that where an educational program had been conducted before beginning soil conservation work, the best results had been obtained and the operations were concluded more quickly.
In terracing of land, it was noted that better results were obtained when contract was given to private individuals instead of by use of county machinery for their construction. Eleven units are said to be in operation in Red River County, where the most terracing has been done, while Bowie County reported considerable interest is being shown in spite of many workers being drawn to the defense plant work.
Danger of improper terracing was emphasized, and farmers are urged to plan their terraces before constructing them. This year's AAA program will probably encourage more soil conservation work, it was stated, and there are many things the farmer can do now to improve his farm besides terracing and be eligible for the benefits during this year.
Educational work on soil conservation among the elementary students of the schools of the district is having as much effect as in the higher grades, according to a report given in this meeting.
The group was entertained at a luncheon in the mess hall at the CCC camp at noon.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
February 15, 1942
Change Announced In Pay Policy to Enrollees of CCC
Get More Cash; Save More And Send Less Home
The local office of the Agriculture Adjustment Administration has announced a change in managers, effective Monday, February 15th.
In a release issued Saturday, it was stated that William E. Gentry, administrative assistant of the local office for the past two or three years, has resigned his place with the AAA and has taken up new duties with the Extension Service as County Agent of Camp County, with offices in Pittsburg.
The release also announced the appointment of J.D. Blackwell of Linden as the new Mt. Pleasant manager. Mr. Blackwell began his work here Saturday, though his appointment was not effective until Monday.
For the past year Mr. Blackwell has been chief clerk in the Cass County AAA office.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
March 15, 1942
Only Four Civilian Conservation Corps Remain in Texas
Mt Pleasant Still Fortunate in Being One of the Four
Among the government agencies born of the depression to be completely transformed by the war is the Civilian Conservation Corps. Private employment and the army have been responsible for closing camp after camp in Texas until the state now has only four remaining camps. The Mt. Pleasant camp is one of these four.
The whole purpose of the program has been changed from aiding needy families and conservation of natural resources to training for defense industries, war production, and conservation work which is directly related to national war strength.
The CCC has a policy of continuous selection, and Texas is being called upon to fill a quota of 3,000. Boys who are 17 to 23-1/2 years old, of good character and unemployed, are eligible for six months enlistment and may reenroll for as long as 24 months. The local county welfare office accepts applications. The CCC does not want boys who are needed in war industrial or agricultural programs at home, for their selection would defeat the purposes of the present war program. The Selective Service classification of a boy does not affect his eligibility, although boys expecting to be called momentarily will not be accepted.
"The CCC is now a Victory Program," J. S. Murchison, director of CCC selection for Texas, stated. "All enrollees will be more intensely trained than ever before, and this service will turn to prepare these boys to cope effectively with the difficult work ahead."
