World War II Salvage for Victory Program

J.T. Manry donates printing press for the Salvage for Victory Program; Palin Dealing Library collection: 1997.031.077

During the second World War every man, woman, and child participated in many ways to help in the war efforts and to achieve victory. The following article from the Bossier Parish Salvage Program Chairman D. E. Burchett, appeared in the Planters Press, April 23, 1942, is one example of how the citizens of Bossier Parish contributed to the war efforts.  

“Having been selected by the Parish Chairman, Mr. J. H. Mercer, to head the department of Salvage For Victory, certain material that is now scattered throughout Bossier Parish, it now becomes my privilege along with my duty as an American citizen, to aid in whatever way possible, to see that every person has the opportunity to either donate all scrap as herein below designated or sell the same to the scrap dealer as you like. It does not make a great deal of difference whether you donate your scrap to your community church for its benefit or your favorite charity, the main duty is to get the material into the channels of trade and manufacture of new goods. Our Governor says there is enough scrap metal in Louisiana to construct eight Battle Ships, so whether this estimate is exact or not isn’t the point, our duty is to see that in this time of great need for this kind of material that it gets to the manufacturer.” 

“Much of the shortage in metal as well as other material may and can be averted if we and this means every citizen, only gather the scrap lying around and put it into new and useful material.” 

“This program is not a half-hearted effort to make a show or the fly-by-night program that will pass in a few days, this salvage program will be here as long as the emergency exists, which from all indications from our Government building program will last many months.” 

“Beginning on the 27th day of April and lasting one week, ending May 2nd, the people of Bossier Parish and especially the residents of the rural area, are asked to clean the back yard and barn lot of all metal and scrap rubber, place it in a safe place and see that some thief doesn’t carry it off before the right party comes around.” 

“Beginning on Saturday, May 2, there will be a system organized to pick up all scrap metal in every community, so if yours is not picked up the first week it will be the second week and so on, keeping all scrap going back to be reused” 

“All scrap metal (except tin cans); no use for tin cans yet, all rubber goods, old tires, tubes, and the like, all old rags, paper, (magazines and bound papers will be worth more tied in bundles), all other paper should be packed in boxes or containers to handle easily.” 

“This is our war as well as Uncle Sam’s, so let’s go folks, and get the job done.” 

In the following month Salvage Chairman, D. E. Burchett reported the Salvage for Victory Program was off to a great start with Plain Dealing High School contributing nearly 50 tons of scrap metal, Bossier Parish Highway trucks gathered nearly 40 tons of scrap, and Bossier Parish citizens had sold or promised to sell approximately 75 tons of scrap. 

Visit the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center to learn more about the history of Bossier Parish during World War II or any other time.

By: Amy Robertson