The Skyland Post
Published IiTvery Thursday By
SKYLAND PUBLISHING COMPANY
West Jefferson, N. C.
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 1943
Entered as Second-Class Matter at
the Post Office, West Jefferson, N. C.
ED M. ANDERSON
MRS. ED M. ANDERSON
Publisher
Editor
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NATIONAL EDITORIAL
ASSOCIATION
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Representative
Newspaper Advertising Service
Chicago San Francisco
New York
Our School Problems
The roads, like schools, should be built
with the present as well as the future needs
in mind. Our population is increasing, con
ditions and methods of teaching are also
changing. For these reasons it is important
to get an overall long-range picture of the
needs before action is taken. Tins is parti
cularly true when funds are limited and
the best possible use must be made of ev
ery dollar.
Printed elsewhere in this paper toda\
is a report of a group of State officials,
made after they had surveyed the school
needs of the county. Their viewpoint is
well wmth study. It is unbiased and their
suggestions are made purely from a praC-1
tical educational viewpoint. Citizens, who
are interested in the county are asked to
read the report with care.
---( >Oo
Aii Age Of Travel
The present is known as an age of trav
el. No distance is too far. And since tHe
mode of travel has cut down the traveling
time we are not too far away from even
the once remote provinces of the world.
It is amazing that in this age of travel,
there are some sections of Ashe county in
which the travel conditions have scarcely
been improved in the last ten years or even
a longer period.
It is true that some of these roads are
rot so widely travelled; but at the same
time if they were wider and less rugged
they would be travelled more. Perhaps the
mail carriers in this county can best testify
as to some of these conditions. They travel
these roads daily and "for better or worse."
which happens to be worse in many in
stances.
In addition to improved secondary roads
this county also needs some real outlets
into its two bordering states, Tennessee
and Virginia.
When we compare this county with
others- we find it superior in many ways
except r ads. Now is the time to do some
thing about these.
rime For Optimism
Lew Ilahn, pivsident of ihe National
Retail Dry Goods Association, recently
wrote, “We have just lived through an
amazing period. No retailer ever before
saw such conditions and no man now alive
is likely to experience anything approach
ing them in the future. We have had the
seven fat years. The only limitation on in
creasing volume was the ability to secure
merchandise to sell . . . Even while we en
joyed these remarkable conditions, it must
have been quite clear such conditions
could not last forever. We knew a read
justment was coming. Now it is here.
“It is a time for optimism — not pes
simism! . . . We face the opportunity to
build a great and enduring prosperity up
on a foundation much more sound than
the necessity created by a great war.”
What has happened in retailing —.as
in all other lines—is that scarcity of goods
has pretty well been replaced by a wide
abundance. The customer, quite naturally,
is looking for the best quality, the lowest
price, the most attractive displays, the
most courteous and helpful service. In our
competitive economy, the retailer who
does the best job will get the business. The
retailer who cannot or will not adjust his
thinking to changing times will fail.
Here is a challenge to all retailers, chain
and independent, large and small. Econom
ic conditions in this country largely de
pend on how much money crosses retail
counters — mass distribution makes mass
production possible. Opportunity always
beckons to the good merchant.
-0O0
Koa<l To The North
This year will see marked progress in
one of the most significant highway pro
jects in the North American continent—
the Trans-Canada Highway stretching its
4.1200 miles from Halifax in the east to
Vancouver on the Pacific Coast.
This highway has had an uncertain
and somewhat stormy legislative history.
Advocated over 35 years ago, the last link
in the road was opened for traffic in a
157-mile stretch in Ontario six years ago.
Today the traveler can motor from coast
to coast on the Trans-Canada, although
parts of his journey will not be on the lat
est type of improved highway construction.
The road is significant, however, for
Canada in linking East and West and draw
ing the eight provinces through which it
passes closer together in the motor age.
Canadian officials are conscious of the
benefits of an all-weather improved high
way from coast to coast in terms of bring
ing into the Dominion tourist dollars.
The World At W ork
Anyone concerned, as who is not- with
the problems of earning a living, will fol
low the business of the Ninth Session of
the Economic and Social Council with avid
interest. It began July 5- in Geneva. Swit
zerland. The heavy agenda of 52 separate
subjects includes items that range from
the supply of DDT for controlling malaria
to the problem of slavery and the progress
of the U. N. Appeal for Children.
But uppermost in everyone's mind in
preparation of the United Nations to sus
tain and build a prosperous economy in
the world. On the success of that effort, the
happiness of many depend. Yet how little
j space is accorded to it in most newspapers.
Tools for building a prosperous world
have been readied over the past few years.
! Now comes a detailed plan from the Uni
] ted Nations on how these tools can be put
I to work. Essentially, it specifies the kind
I and quantity of resources needed for their
I effective operation.
The plan falls into two phases. The first
1 covers technical assistance for economic
i development such as U. N. and the Spe
| cialized Agencies are organized to provide
1 if the funds are made available. This
! would include recruitment of experts, sup
ply of experimental stations, training of
native personnel and the like. This phase
' contemplates a total expenditure of $86
million in two years.
The other phase is far more ambitious,
rather ambiguous, but of terrific import to
the daily life of all peoplos. It is a pro
gram for raising an estimated $17 billion
a year over the next four years to finance
the improvement made practical through
the technical efficiency developed in the
first phase of the plan.
A major part of this colossal sum. Sec
retary General Lie insists, would come
from domestic investors in the backward
countries under the spur of various fiscal
devices. But at least $4 billion a war
, ,-n i <■
ill the highly developed countries. Incen
tives and security for such investment are
proposed.
An idea of the role these investments
can play in economic development is giv
| cm “Dams for flood control, irrigation and
power can increase food ’Supply and pro
vide electric power for villages and in
dustries. Processing in refrigeration plants
can save perishable products and expand
food production. Expanded production of
textiles, home equipment and farm tools
and machinery can make jobs for surplus
farm populations and raise living stand
ards.”
When U. S. A. President Truman spoke
of -‘a bold new program” in his inaugural
address last January, much speculation
was aroused. The boldness of this response
of the United Nations to the challenge
may leave one breathless. Yet, it may be
asked whether anything less bold will suf
fice to keep the wheels of industry and ag
riculture turning, and to inspire the masses
of men everywhere with '.ope and confi
dence in freedom.
This Week
In
Washington
i >
While the Amman Medical
association in national conventionj
and otherwise contiiuing to bom
hard the administration's nation
al health insurance program as
socialized medicine administra
tion leaders in chane of the pro
gram took a new tack before
house and senate committees by
asserting that the national health
insurance program would pre
vent. not cause, socialized or state
medicine.
And the testimony ot J. Don
ald Kingslev. assistait federal se
curity ado, istrator speaking for
Oscar Ewing, the idministrator,
who is ill. at least gives you
something to think ihout in mull
ing over this mush - debated
subject. Here’s wiat Kinglsev
told the committee;.
The problems confronting the
people insofar as the medical
hill is concerned :re not medi
cal problems, hut economic
problems; that the first is the
manpower or doctor shortage
and the hospital or facility
shortage: second, the man
power and facility distribution,
in that hospitals and doctors are
not distributed where thev are
needed and. third, that another
economic question is one of
inadequate medical purchasing
power.
iiv umtuuu lilt1 ciocxor is no
his part »f the j >b of preven
tive anri curative medicine mag
nificic-ntly and the results they
achieve :n these areas where
they are given a chance are proof
of that, but a common financial
problem underlies, which is not
the problem of the doctor, but
fsr the economist and the states
m#r.
The that; that national health
insurance is expected to euro, ac
cordin' to Kingsley, is the fact
that today a substantial propor
tion of our population must de
■■■ nd upon public or private char
;ty or go without the type of
medical care that m idem medi
cine knows how to provide.
And here are some statistics.
Tne federal government is today
providing medical care for some
114 million citizens; government
o.vn.s and operates three-fourths
of all hospital beds, government,
already employs directly thous-j
anls of American doctors and:
nays fees to many hundreds morel
'lie taxpayers’ money finances
full medical care for all mem
bers of the armed forces and
their dependents and for all dis
abled veterans.
It provides hospital care for
needy veterans, for merchant
seamen and complete care for
tulsorcular. mental and other
chronic patients. It pays the cost
■f limited medical care for those
■n public relief rolls. It gjvcs
members of the congress free
i medical .service and free hospital
si. ! doctor service in yover.u
n:< hospitals s:a h ;,s rhe naval'
' ."1 :,a! Rethosda. M l.. amj
l^a.o - f;. i ■ :■ i-1:ital in Wash.:n v
ton.
In addition the taxpayers c
rv f!'" lead on that vast field of
medical service such as public!
hod. h. lor all this the taxpayers
a:-" paving millions urs.n nvlh
»f dollars.
/)n” °f tho top business exocu-l
lives. Charles FI V'ilson. of Gen-1
eraI K’"ctr'c. sees no dradle de
pression ahead, not more than a
l-I per cent decline all asm" to.
lm*' ,,.v (h" -second quarter of;
with the high lev.'! ,,f pig:-;
aga:n reached by the end of 19:51. i
Til's a bright picture painted)
by Mr. Wii.-on. But government
economist-; and some
"f congress are taki
cs. Even today tho\
off the full f nip!o\
B’-fti and its prov
storm? the economy
m.ore. a new lid!
The thought behind this
members!
no (*hanc*-j
arc dusting
men! act of
ions for bo!
and what's
in the offing.
new
'd-oposed plan is that if unem-)
ploy ment goes as high as five'
million it's dangerous and some-!
tlung should hi' ready, so a dras-l
*'c plan will bo attempted with'
government playing a leading
role. The proposed plan of ex-1
pension is backed by Senators
.Murray. Montana: Pepper. Flor-'
| ici:>: Kilgore. West Virginia: Ke-I
j fauver. Tennessee; Humphrev,1
j Minnesota; McMahon. Connect!-'*
cut: Sparkman, Alabama; Thom-!
'as. Utah and many congressmen.I
Some weeks ago we wrote'
about lack of responsibility in'
this congress and gave the back-1
ing and filling and final killing
on the Rankin veterans’ pension!
bill as an example. Now comes a!
new veterans bill and the house!
whooped it through by a vote of!
3<).r> to 27. It is expected to cost,
about 65 billions over the next!
; 50 years or better than a billion'
- a year. What makes one sort of
FISHING
Out in Missouri several years
lit". I knew two little girls. One
had a nappy, sunny nature,
■she was affectionate, demonstra
tive. and her parents were very
proud of her. And certainly with
reason. The other little g:rl was
quiet, tat :turn. shy. She even
looked somewhat unhappy most
tf the time. You could see a youth
fnl gleam of envy as she watched
her sister win her way with ev
eryone.
I noticed that when the fa
ther suggested that the two little
girls g.> out with him, that the
second little girl hesiated. hung
back. So the father and the hap
py little girl went off together
and she stayed at home and
amused herself with her dolls.
"We wish Ellio wouldn't be
like that," said the mother; "she
will never be as happv as Bec
ky."
The other day V. Verlin Morris.
Bartvdle, Ohio, told me a story
that brought to my mind those
two little girls in Missouri:
"I have two little girls.” he
said, "one seven, the other four.
Two years ago the - Tier girl be
came ill at various times. The
doctor checked and found noth
mg wrong with her physically.
But she continued to be ill, ran
a temperature frequently of 102 j
decrees.
* "The two children were of dif
ferent types, the younger one
far more responsive than the old
er one. and I think both my wife
and I paid more attention to the
little one. But one day when the
little one was asleep. I read stor
I ies to the oider one. acted out the
I parts, made her laugh and enjoy
them. Soon she climbed on my
j lap and became affectionate.
Suddenly she said. Daddy. I like
you.'
"This opened my eyes: the
chud was hungry for affection
and attention. Instantly I made a
i pledge that never again should
that child feel that she was of no
importance in our home. Thank
ful that what I had learned had
| come early in her life. She stop
ped being fretful, stopped run
ning a temperature. Today both
my little girls have a happy at
titude. both have smiling faces."
I don't know what has happen
ed to the little girl back in Mis
souri. but I hope that her par
ents. ton. learned early in her
life what Mr. Morris learned.
DOWN SOUTH
Director of Research
Southern States Industrial Council
Uy TIIURMAX SENSING
One might wonder sometimes
if til.- Cmigrc-s of the United
States, much less the people in
general. understand the funda
n.tal issue at stake in the pre
sent situation concerning the
mining of cua! in tilts country.
The issue which underlies all
ther phases of the depute ts
whether or not the people of this
nation shall ho protected from
monopoly in whatever form if
rears its ugly head. The present
industry wide labor m mopoly in
the mining of c>al. dictated ovei
by Joltn L. Lewis, is just as bad
a monopoly as any industrial
monopoly that ever existed ir
tins country, if not worse.
If the people of the United
States are to be protected from
monopolies — and unquestionab
ly such protection is fundamental
to the preservation of our form
of government — then there
should lie no discrimination ir
tiie type of monopolies from
which they are to be protected
It is the responsibility of the Con
gress of the United States t<
make certain that this protection
is granted. It is the further re
sponsibility of the people of the
United States to demand that the
Congress take such actisn.
One of the underlying ills o!
Great Britain in its present ser
ious economic plight is that the
people of that nation have noi
had operating in their behalf in
cringe are the demands of vet
eran’s groups.
iiiistrlal anti-tru.-t laws such as
have been in effect in the Uni-'
te<! States for beter th.an half al
I century. For eight weeks this
I -S'princ; I made a first hand study
of the current economic situation ;
I in Great Britain, and one of the1
things that impressed itself upon i
me was the fact that the indus- i
1 trial monopolies and cartels that
haw- been allowed to exist in
Gn at 1 ’chain have hr an;Id a lot
of tin !r present troubles upon
them.* Ives. It Is of course true
that the cures proposed by the |
j socialists for these troubles are!
. much w use than the disease, but
even so much of the current de
I struct ion of the industrial sys
; ton: of Britain could have been
I avoided by adequate laws against
monopolies.
This question of a labor mon
opoly in the coal mining indus
try of the United States is much
i broader in its implications than
just the coal mining industry.
Tiie people of the United States
need protection from all monopo
lies. In this particlular case, if
there should happen to be collu
sion or even a meeting of minds
between the mine operators and
the labor union leaders concern
ing the desirability of such a
monopoly from their respective
viewpoints that only makes it
that much more necessary to pro
vide such protection for the peo
ple. There is one certain result
of such a monopoly — it increas
es the cost of producing coal.
There is only one way in which
Timely Hints
Dry, sunny summer wcathi r <1
the t:me many housew.ws
■house for washing blankets and
bedspreads. When doing tins j< b,
textile specialists suggest care in
brushing up the nap or fluffy
surface of cotton chenille spreads
and wool blankets.
The nap on chenille spreads
may be fluffed by shaking them
occasionally as they dry on the
lino and rubbing briskly with the
hand or a soft brush. Give them
a final rub after they are dry.
Never use a stiff brush because
it ;s likely to pull out some of
the chenille.
To raise the nap on wool blan
kets. however, a clean, stiff whisk
broom is recommended, but the
brushing must be done after the
blanket is thoroughly dry. Wool
is weak when wet and must be
handled carefully. Whien. dry,
brushing will not damage the
blanket, and fluffing the surface
will add much to its warmth.
More than 274.000 farm fau^j
lies were influenced by s. :W.
phase of the Extension Service
program in 1948.
INSTALLATION OF
OFFICERS IS HELD
(Continued from page.1 1)
uniform, gave assistance in ten
veterans’ cases.
The Legion also awarded one
oratorical speaking contest award,
ten spelling medals, medals to
two burglars, sent two boys to
boy’s state, decorated graves
with 111 flags anti conducted 33
military funerals.
Other accomplishments of the
post were a float in tobacco fes
tival parade, donations to Red
Cross and Infanile Paralysis ar.J
went over the 1949 members! r l
quota by securing 106 members.
After the business meeting of
the post, "Meet North Carolina”
and Memorial Day service and
parade movies were shown to the
post and American Legion Au
xiliary members.
such increased cost is handled —
it is passed on to the public.
If the amount of coal that can
be mined in the United States
can be dictated by one labor un
ion - - and Mr. Lewis is now
demonstrating that under our
present laws the word "if” should
be dropped — then another labor
unii'ii can dictate the amount of
steel that can be manufactured
or the number of pairs of shoes
that can be made or the number
of pounds of butter that can be
produced or the production of
anything else that comes to mind.
Continuation of such conditions
will inevitably lead to the co’r-0
plete destruction of the freedom
which underlies our whole philo
sophy of government and under
which we have made all our pro
gress.
For the safety of the nation
and the preservation of a form of
government that guarantees its
people the right to “life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness,” we
must have laws to protect us
from monopoly in labor just as
we are now' protected by law
from monopoly in industry. We
cannot condone one and condemn
the other; they are equally bad.