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Show Missouri Community Solves Its Numerous Economic Problems ST. THOMAS. Mo.-The small community of St. Thomas, made up mostly of people of German ancestry, an-cestry, is not likely soon to forget the priest who not only ministered to its spiritual needs but helped to solve its economic problems. He is Father Arthur G. Behrman, who was recently transferred to the new parish in St. Louis after spending spend-ing four years In the 100-year-old settlement on the Osage river south of Jefferson City. When Father Behrman arrived in St. Thomas in November, 1946, he found that his parishioners had lost all their crops during the previous eight years when the Osage regularly reg-ularly overflowed Its banks. The prob.'em was how to stop the flooding flood-ing of the farm lands which was ruining the community's economy. Told by the farmer that the flooding flood-ing was due to water being drawn off the giant lake of the Ozarks through Bagnell dam at a time when the water level of the river was already high, he contacted officials of the Union Electric Company of St. Louis which operates the dam. Company officials offered their full cooperation. A survey was made and steps were taken to regulate the dam. The result: St. Thomas' farmers weren't flooded out the next year, and crops were the best in more than a decade. As an answer to the problem of unemployment in the community, the St. Thomas Association, Inc., which now acts as a sub-contractor for a St. Louis sporting goods firm was formed. The association employs em-ploys more than 60 persons who sew covers on baseballs for the St. Louis company. During 1950 the payroll was $40,000, the difference between prosperity and poverty for the small community. St. Thomas has set an example for other small towns in the midwest mid-west who wish to improve their economic situation. |