J.' ?
FOR BEST RESULTS
advertiser* invariably use the column*
the Democrat. With iti full paid circulation,
Intensely covering the local shopping area,
it ia the beat advertising medium available.
VOLUME LXXIV?NO. 2?
?.?nr
DEMOC
An Independent Weekly Netwpaper . . . Seventy-Fourth Year of Continuous Publication
BOONE, WATAUGA COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1N1
PRICE ? CENTS
TEN PAGES? TWO SECTIONS
CHRISTMAS SHOPPERS. ? On the street parking was hard to find
in Boone as shoppers continued to come to town Saturday for their
Christmas buying. Storei were busy, window shopping was brisk, and
the traffic was heavy right up to closing time Saturday night.
STATISTICIAN, ECONOMIST MAKES PREDICTION
Babson Hopeful Of Good Business In '62;
Sees No Nuclear War Or Disarmament
By ROGER W. BABSON
1. I am hopeful (or 1962; it
should be a better year for my
readers than 1981. Industrial pro
duction will exceed that of 1961.
2. There will be neither a nuclear
war nor total disarmament in 1962.
Considerable progress may be
made toward a ban on atomic
weapons.
3. Some thirty stocks may reach
an average of 1000 during 1962,
although these will not necessarily
be the thirty Dow-Jones stocks.
4. Retail trade will make new
records during 1962. Increased
newspaper advertising, especially
in colors, will be a great boon to
merchandising.
9. Commodity prices will act
erratic during 1962. Agricultural
prices will be held up by legslia
tion, but many metals will sell for
less.
6. The official cost-of-living fig
ure will rise slightly in 1962, but
there may be a scandal in Wash
ington over how this figure is
calculated or adjusted. The real
increase in the cost-of-living will
be due to increased wages de
manded.
7. The only certain shortages
during 1662 will be in land suitable
for parking places and waterfront
property readily accessible to build
ing lots; also for automobile
"graveyards" near cities which
have been zoned.
I. The building of shelters will
look silly before the end of 1962.
Certainly the Federal Government
will not underwrite the building
of private shelters for individual
families.
9. Good real estate must rise in
price as the population increases.
Elementary mathematics deter
mines the price of suburban real
estate. This is notwithstanding the
claim of the "space companies"
which are said to be interested
in selling rights on the moon.
There probably are crazied specu
lations. *
10. While the land on which your
house now stands should increase
in value during 1962, the building
itself depreciates from the moment
when it is first occupied. A pos
sible exception would be certain
very attractive ranch houses paint
ed in color.
11. Automobile production will
be the most important statistical
indicator durnig 1962. This applies
to both the number of automobiles
and their sales value. We now have
no reliable figures for the latter.
12. We will gradually approach
an average of two cars for every
family. The life of automobiles
should gradually increase. The *r
centage of automobiles annually
destroyed will decrease in 1962.
13. Automobiles and gasoline
will be, increasingly, sources for
raising money by taxation. These
means will be extended to include
an additional assessment on the
manufacturers of automobiles.
Farm Income Picture For 1962
Said To Be About S ame As 1 960
Farm income in 1902 is expect
ed to be about the same as in
1961.
Two extension farm management
specialists at N. C. State College,
R. L. Johnstone and W. L. Turner,
made this prediction after taking
a look at the factors that will
likely effect farm income next
year.
"There are two major factors
that will likely have a depressing
influence on income," Johnstone
and Turner said.
Car Tags On
Sale Tuesday
Automobile license plates will
go on sale at the Chamber of Com
merce office January 2, at 9 a. m.
and will be on sale Mondays
inrougn r riaays irom w a. ra. 10 *
p. m., and Saturday! from 9 a. m.
to 12 noon.
Mr. Herman W. Wilcox, Cham
ber of Commerce Preaident offer*
the following suggestions to motor
iata in the tntereat for faster and
more efficient service:
1. Remove renewal card from
envelope.
2. Write name of^ your county
in apace provided on front of card.
2. Sign inaurance declaration on
reverse aide.
4. Have correct amount of caab
(no checks accepted), including
$1 driver training fea.
5. When you receive your re
newal card, read the Instruction*,
encloaed.
The local license bureau sold
more than 7,000 licenae* last year.
The amall fee allowed goea to the
Chamber of Commerce, alio the
Notary fa* lor transfer of titlaa,
r
Lower prices are expected (or
several of the livestock and live
stock products. Production costs
are expected to continue upward.
On the plus side is higher prices
for several major commodities re
sulting from higher price supports.
Also, consumer demand and ex
ports apparently will continue
atrong.
"It is difficult to foresee any
improvement in farm Income dur
ing 1862," Johnstone and Turner
said, "since farmers generally had
a favorable production year in
1961 and prices for several major
commodities were relatively
strong."
Looking beyond 1962, the farm
management specialists say two ma
jor factors bear close watching.
One is farm price legislation; the
other is the European Common
Market.
"Should a widespread feeling de
velop that the current government
effort to lupport farm prices if
too expensive, there may be some
legislative resistance," Johnstone
and Turner predicted.
This could mean lower prices
for several major commodities,
such as feed grains. If this oc
curs, production could also ex
pand because of less control.
The development of the Euro
pean Common Market may bring
greater competition for several
U. S. farm commodities.
"Economic pressures under
which agriculture operates are
likely to remain for the next fivt
years," the specialists predict. "To
tal net farm Income will likely
remain relatively stable while na
tional income increases in com
ing years."
14. Taxes, ai a whole, will con
tinue to increase in 1962 for every
family. Business net taxes, how
ever, will decrease in 1962, through
the granting of depreciation re
funds which can be done by Execu
tive order. The manufacturer may
greatly increase his deductions for
past investments and new ma
chinery, plant, and equipment.
Douglas Dillon feels that such tax
reductions will increase the pur
chase of new equipment, develop
greater efficiency, and result in a
net Improvement in the employ
ment situation. This is good news
for^962.
19. Speculation in real estate
and securities will be active dur
ing 1962; but good children will
gradually be recognized as the best
investment. Young people will be
married earlier and will want to
have large families.
16. Public education will gradu
ally be recognized during the years
ahead. Schoolhouses will be built
as places to "park the kids" while
the parents are at work. New
schoolhouses will be built so as
not to be over one story high,
with lots of sunshine.
17. Owing to the lack of airport
facilities and to inadequate equip
ment, there will be increasing air
plane accidents during 1962.
18. With all the above changes,
plus increased public improve
ments and longer vacation periods,
famiiles must save somehow and
cut somewhere. I think it will be
gin in 1962 with clothing. This will
gradually become cheaper and
more attention will be paid to
color.
19. The time is approaching when
the weaving ol' cloth will be greatly
curtailed. Clothes will be made
like paper. Plastic coats are al
ready on the market. These are
produced by feeding the cello
phane Into a machine .which cuts
to desired sizes and bonds (not
sews) the material into beautifully
finished goods of different colors.
20. We will hear more about
automation during 1962. But the
cost of building automatic factories
is so great that the change is com
ing slowly. Even electronics has
been overemphasized.
(Continued on page four, Sec. B)
Tobacco Economy Is Expected To
Set New Records In Coming Year
Washington. ? The nation'* to
bacco economy should set new rec
ords again in 1082, the industry's
330th anniversary year, topping
the records set in 1061, reports
George V. Allen, president of The
Tobacco Institute, Inc.
In a year-end review and out
look, Allen said:
"There appears to be little ques
tion that in the next 12 mouths
we shall see new records, topping
those set In 1001, for income to
tobacco growers, for output of
most manufactured products, and
for contributions to other segments
of the national economy, including
excise and other tax payments to
all level* of government."
AUen cited these 1M1 record*:
? Two billion pounds of tobacco
were grown by tobacco farmer*,
who received about $1.8 billion for
their crop* during the year. High
er quality leaf brought better
price* than ever to the farmer*.
? Export! of U. S. cigarette* to
taled 2 2.3 billion, up 10 percent
from 1M0.
? Cigarette tale* in the U. S.
reached 903 billion cigarette*, II
billion more than I960. Consum
ers spent about $7 billion for cig
arette* in 1M1, up $400 million.
? About 44 percent of what con
sumer* paid for cigarette* wa* lor
federal, state and local taxes. On
cigarette* alone, taxea were $3.1
billion, up from $2.0 billion In
1960.
U?e of clears, cigarillot and
smoking tobacco also showed gains.
Allen recalled that 1962 will be
the 350th anniversary of the to
bacco industry in the U. 8. In
1612 Virginia colonist John Rolf*
harvested his first crop of tobacco
in Jamestown, which was then on
the brink of economic collapse.
"When skipped to England, It as
sured as English-speaking future
for America, for the success *f
Jamestown was assured," he said.
(Continued oa paga six)
mt.i
BRIEF SURVEY IS MADE
Boone Holiday Business
May Be Best In History
Say Trade Was
AsGood, Better
Than In 1960
Holiday business (long the
street was exceptionally good, and
there is general opinion in the
town to the effect that never has
trade been so brisk as was the
case the last few days before
Christmas.
Department Stores, variety
stores, hardware stores, toy shops,
markets and every sort of retail
establishments experienced heavy
traffic, while the streets were
crowded with automobiles. Park
ing was rlmost impossible, and
despite the heavy buying by the
merchants for the holiday trade, in
some instances stocks were deplet
ed during the last minute rush.
Many of the stores observed even
ing hours, and large crowds came
after supper to see the decorations
and to enioy a leisurely shopping
trip.
Due to the Democrats late pub
lication hour thia week, it waa im
possible to get a comprehensive
survey of the business district but
a few merchants spoke out on the
holiday trade:
D. L. Wilcox, Boone Tire it
Bargain Store: "Up from last
year."
Fred Church, Church's Store:
"An increase over any previous
December."
Russell D. Hodges, Farmers
Hardware It Supply Co.: "Business
as good, and perhaps better than
last year."
John B. Robinson, Crest Store:
"Up at least 20% over last Decem
ber."
W. W. Cheater, Belk's: "Business
good during all the fall period."
0. K. Richardson, Boone Drug
Co.: "Certainly as good as any
year, perhaps even the best."
Joe McClung, W. W. Mac Co.:
"Even better than we anticipated."
Howard Williams. Walker Jew
elry Co.: "Strong finish offaet a
lata start. Certainly aa good as last
year, perhaps better."
Postal Take
Sets Record
The Boone poatoffice handled
the largest volume of mail prior
to Chriatmaa in^ta history, accord
ing to Postmaster Ralph H. Be
sheara.
Stamp aalea ahowed an increaae
of more than '8 per cent over last
December, the official aaid, while
during the month more than 200,
000 letters and car da were can
celled.
Good weather enabled star route
and highway post office opera
tiona to remain on schedule, it waa
pointed out.
Postmaater Besheara expressed
to the Democrat hia appreciation
for the cooperation and conaidera
tion of the public during the ruah
aeaaon at the poatoffice.
Rites Held For
Greer Infant
Larry Grant Greer, 3 month#
old, son of Mr. and Mr*. Kenneth
Grant Greer, 1000 East King
Street, Boone, died last Saturday
at Watauga Hospital.
Funeral services were held Mon
day afternoon at 2 o'clock at the
Howard's Creek Baptist Church by
Rev. Glenn South and Rev. Ray
mond Hendrix and burial was in
the Miller cemetery.
In addition to the parents, the
grandparents survive: Mr. and
Mr*. Roacoe Greer, Mr. and Mr*.
Ralph Canter, Boons.
INDOOR TABLE WINNER? MR3. JOE CRAWFORD
? Photo* by riowera' Photo Shop
WINDOW WINNER? MR. AND MRS. WILLIARD TRIVETTE
Yule Decoration Winners Are
Chosen By Junior Clubwomen
The winner* in the 1M1 Christ
ma? Decoration Contest for Boone
and surrounding area are announc
ed by the Junior Woman'* Club,
the sponsoring organization.
Winners in each division are list
ed in this order: first, second,
third, fourth.
Indoor table ? Mrs. Joe Craw
ford, Glenbrae; Mrs. Roy Isley,
112 Orchard Street
Window? Mr. and Mrs. Williard
Trivette, 303 Crest Drive; James
Wilcox, Oak Street.
Door? Mrs. H. M. Wilson, 117
Woodland Drive; Fred Mast, 414
East King; Mr*. Bill Bingham, 214
Pine Street.
Outside Tree?Joe Crawford,
Glenbrae; Community Tree at
Todd's Esao Station, decorted by
the Gardnerettes Garden Club.
Mantel? Mr*. Herman Egger*,
>12 Crest Drive; Mr*. Joe Craw
ford, Glenbrae; Mrs. Frank Payne,
221 Cherry Drive; Mr*. Joe Hart
ley, Linville Hoad.
Outside? Bill Dixoa, 104 High
land Circle; Bruce Higgins, 119
Horn in the West Drive; Mrs. W.
W. Williams, Blue Ridge Avenue.
Due to the large number of en
tries in the children* division, four
classes were set up, according to
age.
Age M? Joe Hartley, first; Sh?
ed the contest, and to the local
clubf who donated prixea and fur
nished Judges. Clubs are listed
with the division sponsored by
each:
Appalachian Garden Club, man
tels; Gardnerettes Garden Club,
children; Rhododendron Garden
Club, tables; Blue Ridge Garden
Club, outside; Garden Council, out
door trees; Business snd Profess
ional Woman's Club, doors; Home
Life Department of the Worth
while Woman's Clob, windows.
ron Blair and Billy Dixon, tie (or
second; Jetf Hartley and Bryan
Wilton, tie (or third.
Age HO? Dee Wilson, first; Ro
bert Melton and Gray Wilson, tie
(or second; Andy High, third; Beth
Dixon and Sandra Kirk, honorable
mention.
Age 11-18 ? Linda Dixon, (irst;
Palmer Blair, second.
High School Age ? Patty Sue
Spencer, first
The club wishes to express ap
preciation to all thoae who enter
Ski Slope To 1
Open Jan. 10
Construction delay* have caused 1
? brief postponement of the open- i
Ing of Blowing Rock Ski Lodge. I
President M. E. Thalhcimer uid ]
the ski area's two runs should be
open by January 10. 1982, provid
ed construction work continues <
favorably and weather conditions
allow snow to be made.
Mr. Thalheimer said grading at
the ski lile has been completed, a i
. ffdsaKg J
large lake which will provide wat
>r for inow-inaklnf la full, and the
ikl reaort'i lodge building ia near*
ly complete.
Snow-making equipment and the
two lifts can be Installed ia ? few
daya, he aaid.
Blowing Rock Ski Lodge U to* *?'.
cated just off US 121, 3Mi mile*
north of Blowing Rock and SVfc
miles front flooi