211 it l^igljlan^ JHacoman
Price 6 Out*
VOI* LXVI? NO. 10
FRANKLIN, N. C, THURSDAY. MARCH 8, 1951
TUN PAGES
Franklin Ruled Out Of Cage Tourney
Seek New Location For Cowee Mountain Road
STUDYINGROUTE
(IP COON CRE1
mm? begin
Would Mean Strai^hter,
Shorter Drive On
Macon Side
The State Highway commis
sion is' making surveys with a
view to building a new road, in
a new location, on this side of
Cowee mountain, L. Dale'
Thrash, tenth division highway
commissioner, announced this
week.
The tentative plan calls for
the road to go straight up Coon
Creek valley, Instead of making
the long curve at the foot of
the mountain, as at present, W.
M. Corklll, division engineer,
told The Press by telephone yes
terday.
This route, if it proves prac
tical, would eliminate many
curves and would shorten the
distance by one-half to three
quarters of a mile, Mr. Corklll
explained.
uoing east on me present
road, the motorist turns sharp
ly to the right at the foot of
the mountain and follows a
winding course along the south
side of the ridge. The proposed
new route would take him up
the valley oh the north side of
that ridge. The new road would
join the present one Just this
side of Cowee Oap.
The engineering party, which
went to work here Monday, is
making a traverse, (or tracing
out) the present road, from
which a plot will be made, the
division engineer explained. On
a basis of that plot, other pos
sible routes will be studied, and
the next step is expected to be
a survey of the Coon Creek
route. The engineers will not
know, of course, Mr. Corkill ex
plained, whether a road up
Coon Creek is feasible until the
survey is made. It might prove
too steep, he added.
In discussing the situation,
Mr. Corkill said the commission
may seem to the public to be
moving slowly, but he empha
sized that the engineers are go
ing to take enough time In
making their plans to be sure
the best route is chosen.
Macon Folk
Give Polio
Fund $2075
, Macon Cqunty raised $2,075
for this year's March of Dimes,
J. H. Stockton, 1951 infantile
paralysis campaign chairman,
announced Tuesday.
In announcing the final fig
ure, Mr. Stockton expressed re
gret that this county did not
attain its goal of $3,000, but
remarked that he realized there
have been many drives this
year, and voiced "deep appre
ciation" for the "splendid sup
port" given the campaign.
He expressed thanks both to
the general public for the con
tributions, and to workers in
the campaign, including many
organizations that conducted
polio benefits.
Of the total raised, $92.25 was
collected in the mother's march
conducted last Friday night,
while approximately $100 came
from the coin collectors.
The Highlands community
raised $238.39. O. P. Summer,
Highlands chairman, broke this
total down as follows: Schools,
$83.73; business houses, $86;
theatre collections, $43; and the
coin collectors, approximately
$25.
SUNDAY SERVICES
Sunday services at Franklin
Methodist circuit churches have
been announced-by the Rev. C.
L Grant. Services will be con
. ducted at the Louisa church at
10 ?. m? Snow Hill at 11 a. m?
and ttw lotto church it 7 p. m
Bryson Submits Names
Of Five Men Nominat3d
For Board Of Education
Per). C. Tom Bryson has sub
mitted the names of the five
men nominated in last Spring's
Democratic primary for ap
pointment to the Macon Coun
ty board of education.
The list was turned over last
week to the house committee
responsible for preparing the
omnibus boards of education
bill, Mr. Bryson told The Press
by telephone this week.
The five are Bob Sloan, of
Franklin, Walter Gibson, of
Franklin township, T. T. Love,
of Nantahala, J. C. Sorrells, of
Cowee, and Charles W. Nolen,
of Cartoogechaye. Mr. Sloan
and Mr. Oibson are the only
members of the present board
who were renominated in the
primary. ?.
Under the state law, members
Nearly 2,000
At Symphony
*51 Concerts
The North Carolina Little
Symphony, appearing here for
Its sixth consecutive season,
played to audiences totaling
nearly 2,000 last Thursday
Approximately 1,500 children,
from schools throughout the
county, packed the Friendship
Tabernacle at X p. m. for the
childretftt' mattTHf.-aad between
300 and 400 attended the eve
ning concert at the Methodist
church here. For the first time
In the history of Symphony
concerts here, every seat was
taken, and many persons stood
until Intermission time, when
the ushers placed chairs along
the aisles and at the rear of
the auditorium.
Meanwhile, it was announced
this week that, after the or
chestra fee of $750 for the two
performances and all expenses
were paid, the local Symphony
organization has $78.67 left
over? a neat-egg for next sea
son. The announcement was
made by Mrs. Betty L. Alex
ander, secretary to Treasurer J.
H. Stockton.
Plans for next season will be
announced later.
Franklin is one of about 15
small North Carolina towns
which have had the Symphony
each of its six years, Dr. Ben
jamin F. Swalin, director, com
mented before the orchestra
left here Monday. Most of the
other 14 are considerably larg
er than Franklin, he added.
Dr. and Mrs. Swalin and the
25 members of the orchestra
spent the week-end in Frank
lin ? Thursday, Friday, Saturday
and Sunday nights.
At the Thursday evening con
cert, the Rev. A. Rufus Morgan
oresented Dr. Swalin and the
orchestra, and Miss Laura M.
Tones, this year's membership
campaign chairman, expressed
appreciation for the public's
support, and for generous as
sistance. She specifically thank
SEE NO. 1, PAGE 6
Joint Meetings
Of Farm Folk In County
Announced By Agents
Joint meetings with farmers
and (arm women In Macon
County communities for the
coming week have been an
nounced by the county farm
and home demonstration agents.
A feature of the meetings
will be the showing of a motion
picture and both men and
women are urged to attend the
meeting in their community.
This week's meetings are as
'ollows: Today (Thursday)
Mack Wilson's home at 7:30
p. m.; Friday, Lacy Harper's
home at 7:S0 p. m.; Monday,
Liberty Baptist church at 7:30
p. m.; Tuesday, Cowee school
at 7:30 p. m.; Wednesday,
Clark's Chapel Methodist church
at 7:10 p. m.; Thursday, Otto
Mhool M T:M p> m.
of county boards of education
are nominated in the Democrat
c primary, but are officially
appointed by the general as
sembly. Usually, the 100 boards
are appointed in a single omni
bus boards of education bill.
Mr. Bryson had announced,
both prior to the prima' y and
Just be ore he left lor Raleigh,
that he would name to the
board those persons nominated
in the primary.
He does not know, Mr. Bry
son said, Just when the omni
bus bill will come up for pass
age. It originates in a house
committee, is passed by the
house, and then goes to the
senate for passage.
Board members take office
the first Monday in April for
a two-year term.
CLUB TO PLANT
DOGWOOD TREES
Garden Group To Work
On Town Approaches;
Elects Officers
The Franklin Garden club
Monday voted to adopt as a
project the planting of dog
woods along the .main highway
approaches to Franklin, and
elected officers for the com
ing year.
* The new officers. are:
Mrs. John Wasitlk, Jr., presi
dent; Mrs. C. N. Dowdle, vice
president; Mrs. J. Ward Long,
secretary; and Mrs. Ben P.
Grant, treasurer.
The dogwood planting project
was presented by Mrs. W. A.
Rogers, the new beautification
committee chairman.
Pointing out that the dog
wood is the state flower. Mrs.
Rogers recommended that the
trees be planted on each side
of main highways leading into
Franklin. It was decided to
make a survey of the town, and
start on those highways , where
the need sedhis greatest. The
planting will be taken as far
out along the highway as pos
sible. The club ^appropriated
$100 to start the work.
The club will urge individuals,
Inside and outside the city
limits, to plant dogwoods along
the fronts of their properties,
and expressed the hope that
organizations will join in the
project.
H. L. Bryant has offered to
donate a considerable number
of young trees for the project.
The' club went on record as
protesting against automobile
graveyards along the highway
approach in East Franklin. It
was brought out in the discus
sion that, since the club's rep
SEE NO. 2, PAGE 6
LONG IS NAMED
TO POST OFFICE
Chosen, On Pairty Heads'
Say, To Serve While
Meadows Is Gone
E. W. Long has been recom
mended by Rep. Monroe M.
Redden for appointment as act
ing postmaster at Franklin. The
recommendation was made to
the fl'st assistant postmaster
general, and the actual appoint
ment is considered a mere form
ality, a congressman's recom
mendation usually being follow
ed in such appointments.
In making the announcement,
Mr. Redden told The Press by
telephone that he ' chose Mr.
Long on the recommendation of
the Macon County Democratic
executive committee.
Mr. Long will succeed Post
master Zeb Meadows, who has
been ordered back to active duty
with the navy. Mr. Meadows,
a lieutenant (J. g.) in the re
serve, plans to serve through
March 22, and will leave Frank
lin two days later to report at
Key West, Fla., March 26, in
compile nee with his navy orders.
Mr. Long, presently serving as
Town of Franklin clerk, treas
urer, and tax collector, is being
named acting postmaster, to
serve until Mr. Meadows' release
from active navy duty.
This will be the second time
Mr. Long has moved from the
town office to the post office.
On the retirement of T. W.
Porter as postmaster, May 31 J
1949, Mr. Long resigned as
town cl6rk, a position he had
held for eight years, to accept
appointment as acting post
master. He served a year to the
SEE NO. 4, PAGE 6
Legislature
Enacts Two
Macon Bills
Two local bills affecting Ma
con County, introduced earlier
by Senator R. S. Jones, have
been ratified during the past
week, and are now law.
One permits the Macon Coun
ty board of education to sell
school property no longer need
ed for school purposes at private
sales to religious groups or
municipal corporations. The
measure provides that such
sales must have the approval
of the board of county com
missioners.
The movement for the bill was
inaugurated by the people of
Highlands, and the measure
was requested by the board of
education. Highlands people
wish that town to buy the pres
ent school for use as a munici
pal park and community center.
SEE NO. 3, PAGE 6
? r rank I in / rns rhofv
THE TRUCK pictured above, according to Chief of Police C. D. Baird, was
on its way last Wednesday morning to have its brakes repaired but failed to
make it any further than the side yard of the old Leach home. The driver, Wade
Holbrooks, jumped from the vehicle about half way down Bidwell street, the
chief said, and the truck crossed East Main, plowed through the hedge sur
rounding the Leach home, and smashed against a tree. The truck, owned by
Grady Duvall, was a total loss.
A Nasty Situation
(EDITORIAL)
Much could be said abort the situation that finds Franklin
ru ed ont of the state b isketball play-offs, just four davs be
fore *ihe tournament Much could be said, and none of it would
make pleasant reading.
At the beginning of the reason the school here paid a S3D
fee to the state athelet'c association, and submitted Tor ap
proval the nam-s of its pi' ye s and the required data about
them. No quest:on was raisei about the eligibility of the
p:ayers, and the fee was a-^epted. Now the head of that asso
ciation has ruled that Franklin i.-i ineligible.
If this man has the authority to rule arbitrarily on el:srib:litv,
shou'd he not have the responsibility of making Investigations
at the beginning of the season? If he does not have that re
sponsibility, the system is wrong. It he does, he has failed
quite as signally as the Franklin school.
There is question, too. as to the sportsmanship of Hender
sonville. The coach of that school aho was submitted a list of
Franklin's players, and passed on them. Then, after being de
feated by Franklin, Hendersonvllle makes a checl^hei* of birth
certificates,
Try as we may, however, we cannot escape the realization
that there Is fault here at home.
Either Jack Norton knew he was 20 years o'd, and covered
up h-s real age, or his birth certificate is In error. Whichever
one of those things happened, it Is inexcusable.
And where did the Hendersonvllle coach get the tip as to
what Jack Norton's birth certificate says? And why did the
source of that Information wait till the last minutf? If that is
sportsmanship, we want none of it.
Finally, if age is a major element of eligibility, and if b'rth
certi i cites are the criteria for age, why weren't players' birth
certificates checked here at the beginning of the season? That
question takes on added significance In the light of the fact
that the question of Jack Norton's age has been raised moi*
than once during this school year.
The most unpleasant phase of the whole situation is the tact
that the other boys on the squad ? boys who are not 20, boys
who have met the requirements, boys who have played their
hearts out all season for a chance at this honor ? are being
made to suffer, cruelly and unjustly. Punishment is being in
flicted on them either because the system is wrong or because
somebody blundered, or because of both.
In fairness to those boys, and to other boys In other years.
It Is not enough merely to say "too bad!"
The whole high school athletic situation in North Carolina,
and the country, needs airing.
TOWN ELECTION
SET FOR MAY f
The Franklin board of alder
men at its monthly meeting
Monday night ordered the may
or and town attorney to set up
election machinery for the com
ing May 8 election in which a
mayor and six aldermen will be
chosen for two-year terms.
The board also passed a mo
tion to charge all establishments
in Franklin that have been re
ceiving free water a .minimum
fee until meters can be in
stalled,
in a motion made by E. J.
Whitmlre, John Moore was
named registrar and Lyman C.
Higdon and James Palmer were
appointed to serve as Judges
in the town election. The mo
tion ordered the mayor and the
town attorney to put the elec
tion machinery in action.
The motion to charge a mini
mum fee for water also was
made by Mr. Whitmlre. It was
pointed out to board members
that a number of churches and
the Masonic lodge in Franklin
receive water free of charge.
The board agreed that "all con
sumers of water be charged a
minimum fee until meters can
SEE NO. 6, PAGE 6
List Workers
In '51 Drive
Of Red Cross
The Rev. C. E. Murray, chair
man oX the 1951 Macon County
Red Cross drive, announced this
week that workers have been
contacted throughout the coun
ty to assist in the drive and
help the county reach its $2,836 ,
quota as soon as possible.
Pointing out that this year's
quota Is approximately 38 per
cent more than last year's, the
chairman said the chapter
would have little trouble reach
ing the larger goal if everyone
contributed in proportion to the
increase. Last year's quota was
$2,044.
The chapter's slogan in the
campaign this year is "every
housewife a member". Mr. Mur
ray emphasized the importance
of every housewife's contribut
ing a dollar or more.
The Korean war has added a
great deal to the responsibility
of the Red Cross, he said. "Not
only is there a danger from
disasters and floods but the war
has entered into the picture, * 1
and there Is by far more need
this year than last."
Persons in the county who
have volunteered to assist the
chapter in county-wide collec
tions are as follows:
Verlon Swafford, William
Xatenbrink, J. L. West, Sam
3ibson, R. R. Gains, Mrs. Hope
?atton, Franklin Business sec
tion.
Mrs. Myrtle Keener, Mashbum i
branch. '
Mrs. Wiley Clark, Bethel.
Mrs. Gordon Olbson, Culla
aja I
Mrs. Marion Bryson, Salem.
Mrs. Tillery Henderson and !
tfrs. Charles Houston, Pine I
3rove.
Lacy Harper, Gold Mine. t
Mrs. Mattle Keener, Walnut <
:reek. (
Mrs. Ruby Young and Mrs.
Pete Moses, Ellljay. '
Harry Corbln, Hlgdonvllle. >
Fred Corbln, Crisp branch. i
Mrs. Don Smith, Airport road.
Mrs. Joe Setser, Cartooge- <
chaye. I
Miss Roberta Enloe, Wayah 1
road. ]
Mrs. Homer Greene, Carson's ]
Chapel.
Andrew Ray, Negro section. 1
Mrs. Georgia Young, Moun- i
tain Grove.
Mrs. Ed. Henson, Otto.
Mri. J a van Grey, Hickory 1
BR NO. 7, PAGE 8
JACK NORTON
OVER-AGE, SAYS
ATHLETIC BODY
Local Team Ineligible
To Compete In State
P!ay-Offs At Duke
The Franklin High basketball
team Tuesday was ruled inelig
ible to enter the championship
tournament in Durham.
The sports machine nt the
school collapsed with the an
nouncement that the local thin
clads had been disqualified
from the play-offs for the AA
championship at Duke univer
sity because of an over-age
plaver.
The Panthers were scheduled
to meet the Kinston Red Devils
In the Duke gym Friday after
noon. The locals rolled over
Hendersonvllle, 44 to 42, last
week to take the fourth divis
ion title and berth in the state
tournament.
The athlete given "thumbs
down" by the North Carolina
High School Athletic association
is Jack Norton, Franklin's high
scoring pivot ace, who was top
scorer in the recent Smoky
Mountain basketball tournament
and received the outstanding
player award.
The locals were asked to
withdraw from the tournament
following an investigation which
association officials said proved
Norton was over-age.
According to R. O. Sutton,
Franklin principal, the disqual
ification notice was received
Tuesday morning by telephone.
L. J. Perry, N. C. H. S A. A.
secretary, explained that the as
sociation found Norton was over
19 years old, and therefore in
eligible for high school athlet
ics. The entire team was ruled
out of state tournament play
because of the association's
findings.
Hendersonvllle and Hickory
High school will meet for a
playoff to determine which team
will represent the division In
the state tournament.
Coach Milburn Atkins, who
has led the local cagers on
their spectacular rise, said all
of the high school athletes had
been cleared as far as their
eligibility at the beginning of
the season. A $30 fee was paid
at the beginning of the year to
the association, the coach said,
and it was understood that all
of the athletes were investi
gated and cleared in regard to
eligibility.
The association ruling also
threw Into jeopardy the school's
right to keep the Smoky Moun
tain conference runnerup tio
phy In football, since Norton
played end with the squad. Also
hanging in balance is the has
ketball team's claim to the
Smoky Mountain con'erence
basketball tournament crown.
Mr. Sutton said the question
of Norton's age arose February
28, two days after Franklin beat
Nantahala High for the con
ference crown. At that time, in
the county school superinten
dent's office, he said, Carl D.
Moses, principal and coach at
Nantahala, pointed out that
Norton was over-age and pre
seted a certified copy of Nor
m's birth certificate as proof.
Locally, Norton's age Is still
el big question because of an
error in filing the certificate.
The certificate shows that he
was born April 2, 1930, making
him 20 years old. However, the
date of filing on the certificate
Is May 17, 1931, more than 13
months after the date of birth.
K law, passed in 1913, requires
that birth certificates be filed
within five days after the birth
9f a child.
The lanky basketball star,
when asked his age, said his
mother says he is only 19 year*
aid.
The Ineligibility or the team
came almost on the eve of the
basketballers departure for
Djike. university to enter the
play-offs. The locals outfought
Hickory High and Henderaoa
rille In the division 4 play-off*,
last week In Spin dale for the ?
chance to enter the state tilt.
"Naturally, this Is a hard one
to take." Coach Atkins aaM.
"but the boy* have played
an mo. i, paqi ?