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VOL. LXVI Number 31
Published every Thursday by The Franklin Press
At Franklin, North Carolina
Telephone No. 24
Entered at Post Office, Franklin, N. C., as second class matter.
WEIMAR JONES Editor
BOB S. SLOAN ...... Business Manager
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About School Attendance
(GUEST EDITORIAL)
(EDITOR'S NOTE: The following article, by the Macon
County superintendent of public welfare, is one in a series
of guest editorials by publie officials.)
E want to take this opportunity, so kindly
given us bv Mr. Weimar Jones, to talk with all
the people of Macon County concerning school at
tendance.
As the Superintendent of Public Welfare in Ma
con County is the .school attendance officer, and as
the staff is small, we
want and need your help.
We believe that i( i.'- the
duty and" the privilege
of all of us to help with
this problem. We furth
er believe in the way of
life as practiced through
?out Christian lands: if
your neighbor is hun
gry, feed him ; if he is
cold, give him warmth ^
if he is in trouble, help
him. This simply means
that all of* us should be
interested in the people
around us. Find out if
there i.s something vou
can do to help a" child mks. f. h. potts
whose father is sick or
temporarily out of work. A little help may enable
this child to continue in school.
Several I'arcnt-Teachcr associations in the county
now have clothing; pools which fill a vital commun
ity need, but there is still work to be done by all
of us.
With our modern school buildings and our excel
lent teachers, we .should not permit a normal, well
' child to prow up in Macon County with less than a
high school education.
Two years ago the Welfare pepartment. with the
cooperation of the principals of the .schools; check
ed census cards in all school districts against at
tendance. During the summer home visits were
made to all families where attendance had. been
irregular. As a result of this case work, school at
tendance improved. j
This spring, we again made this check and are
now visiting the homes with the hope of improving
attendance even more.
Jn this connection, I should like to quote a state
ment made by Dr. Ellen Winston, State Commis
sioner of Public Welfare, Raleigh, North Carolina:
"Through legislation enacted by the 1945 General As
sembly, North Carolina finally achieved a long-sought
goal, namely, the gradual raising of the school-leaving
age from fourteen to sixteen. This extension of the com
pulsory attendance period was the result of the combined
efforts over a number of years of many groups and
agencies actively concerned with the welfare of North
Carolina's children.
"Under the Stale statutes an educational unit may
have a special school attendance officer who has respon
sibility for the enforcement of the compulsory attendance
law. In school districts without such officers, county
? vcr'<- rrd? it? of public wel'are retain the responsibil
ity, vested in them by a 1923 statute, for school attend
ance. Until such time as a State-supported program for
erforcing school attendance is provided, the county wel
fare departments will continue to work closely wtth school
authorities on the problem of getting all children into
school and of keeping children in regular attendance.
"The t>3sic problems involved in failure of children to
attend school are not solved solely by a law compelling
attendance. There must be facilities for meetin; the bas'c
needs of children who are out of school because of social
or individual maladjustments or economic need in the
family situation. Even with special enforcement personnel,
many problem situations will continue to require services
available through county welfare departments. In the
future, as in the past, the school authorities may look to
county welfare staffs for full cooperation in meeting the
needs of children out of school because of lack of ade
quate food or clothing, inadequate medical attention,
parental neglect, or other problems.
"No group is more cognizant than the social work
group in the State of the necessity of adequate educa
tional preparation of young people. The importance of
nkeh preparation in achieving and maintaining self
support in our hirhiy complex, modern life is increasingly
recognized. The social worker also recognizes the fact
that the school is a major preventive of juvenile de
linquency and other social ilk.
The detailed procedure for enforcing school attend
HNkM keen tasted Mr experience in many counties. If
taUewad ? fcf aebMj and public welfare officers,
it provides the framework for seeing that the children of
North Carolina are required to attend school regularly.
Yet the procedures are recognized as temporary with the
expectation that the time is almost here when all school
districts in North Carolina will have the benefit of espe
cially trained attendance officers, designated profession
ally throughout the United States as school social work
ers."
All of us want the best for Macon County. We
believe that children are our most valuable resource.
Then by working together, let us endeavor to make
school attendance for the 1951-52 school year the
best in our history.
Let us encourage this work by quoting from our
Great Teacher: "Verily, I say unto you, in as much
as ye did It not to one of the least of these, ye did
it not to me." ,
MRS, F. H. POTTS
Justice ? In 1951
In Brvson City last week a 15-year old boy was
sentenced to 25 to 30 years for killing his father.
Superior Court Judge R. C. Rudisill specified that
the sentence be served at Central Prison in Raleigh.
in a signed .statement admitting the slaying, the
boy explained that he feared his father would harm
his mother.
A psychiatrist's report, submitted by Solicitor
Thad D. Brvson, Jr., said the boy is afflicted with
a mental derangement. The Brvson City news story
said the report described the boy as a "dangerous
schizophrenic", but the psychiatrist who made tire
examination, Dr. M. J. Hornowski, in a letter to
The Asheville Citizen, wrote:
"Although Denver Shulder did kill his father, I
did not consider him to be dangerous to anyone
else, and at no time in my report was the phrase
"dangerous. schizophrenic" used. I felt, and still do,
that his chances for rehabilitation are excellent.
Denver Shuler was the product of a severely un
fortunate and traumatic home situation, and given
half a chance, I think he could become a very use
ful member of society. This will not come to pass
in the State Prison."
Whatever the truth about whether this boy i.s or
is not dangerous to society, these damning facts
stand out :
1. If this individual is sick, he should be in a hos
pital, not in prison.
2. Sick or well, a 15-year old boy is a mere child
? and children do not belong in prison.
3. The .surest way to turn a 15-year old into a
life-long criminal is to coop him up with older,
hardened. criminals at Central Prison.
The evidence .suggests that, of the two injustices
done, Denver Shuler's slaying of his father was the
lesser.
Mr. Archer's Letter
The letter from Mr. John M. Archer, Jr., is a wel
come contribution to this week's editorial page.
It is welcome, first of all, because The Press last
week made a mis-statement, and this newspaper
always i.s- glad to have errors of fact called to its
attention, so that correction can be made.
It is welcome! also, because it is pleasing to learn
that the Nantahala Power and Light company's
new home is to be ,set six feet back from the side
walk, and the space used for the planting of grass
and shrubbery. This will be a refreshing exception
to the somewhat drab sameness customarly in busi
ness areas ? one building after the other, all set
right tip to the edge of the sidewalk.
It is welcome, finally, because here is an instance
of a concern's being so conscious of the necessity
for a wider Main street that it voluntarily makes
provision for a possible future widening project.
There should have been a, Main street building
line before this structure was begun. Thanks to the
foresight of power company officials, it still is not.
too late to fix one, and get results within a com
paratively short time.
In the old days, a backward North Carolina was
accustomed to "thank God for South Carolina".
Today the South, often responsible for the elec
tion of demagogues, can thank God for Wisconsin.
At least, the South didn't send Joe McCarthy to
the United States Senate.
Our American Civilization
Being poverty stricken at church collection or
tax time. Always having money for movies or ball
games.
Being immature enough to think We can solve
such age-old problems as intemperance and racial
frictions overnight.
Driving ourselves at our work until our bodies
demand a vacation. Driving ourselves even harder
while on vacation.
Assuming that because America leads the world
in the production of things, it is qualified to lead
in every other realm.^j
Crusading to make more and more people, in
cluding 18-year olds, eligible to vote. Being indif
ferent to the ^act that half those already eligible
never bother Jo cast their ballots,
OUR DEMOCRACY ? r?
<=7%e PRicEy Freedom
BLOOD. SWEAT AND TEAKS, ETERNAL VIGILANCE,
NEVERr FLAGGING FAITH.
As AMERICANS THROUGH OUR HISTORY HAVE PAID THE" PRICE
TO GAIN AND MAINTAIN THE FREEDOM WE ENJOY,
SO WE MUST BE KEADY TO PAY HIGH TO HOLD IT.
Faced with a world-threat to our way of life, we
KNOW THAT, WHATEVER. THE COST, OUR. FREEDOM IS WORTH IT.
* Letters
V BACK OF BUILDING LINE
'Editor, The Press:
I have just read with interest the editorial, "A First Step,"
which appeared in the July 26 issue of The Franklin Press.
In the fourth paragraph of this editorial, it is stated ?
. . the Nantahala Power and Light Company had
started what probably will be the finest building on the
street, . . . and of course it is built on the old building
line, the edge of the present sidewalk."
For your information, the front line of this building is six
feet from the sidewalk and was placed there for two reasons:
First, in order to allow the planting of grass and shrubbery;
and second, with the idea that some day the town of Franklin
might want to increase the width of Main Street.
Very truly yours,
JOHN M. ARCHER, Jr.,
President,
Nantahala Power and Light Co.
Franklin, N. C.,
July 27, 1951.
* Others Opinions
NEW STil DIRECTOR
The fact that James W. Powell has been a member of the
State Bureau of Investigation ever since it was organized 13
years ago, plus his background, will inspire public confidence
that he is qualified for the important post of director, for
which he has been selected by Attorney General Harry Mc
Mullan.
A graduate of the Virginia Military Institute and a veteran
of 30 months of war service in which he attained the rank of
major, he was one of the four men selected as agents of the
SBI when it was formed in 1938 under the administration of
Governor Clyde R. Hoey.
He has the advantage of being thoroughly familiar with the
functions, responsibilities, and problems of the SBI, and the
public has reason to share the confidence of the Attorney Gen
eral that' he will prove a^worthy successor to Chief Walter F.
Anderson. ? Charlotte Observer.
RAISING A POINT
Justice in Buncombe, for all we know, may be wearing that
puzzled look which possesses a chijd when she is alternately
spanked and praised.
Consider the case of two lottery merchants.
Both are inveterate law brakers. One has appeared three
times in Police Court on lottery charges within a period of 60
days. When both of them faced Police Judge Sam Cathey re
cently he was duly severe. George Melton was given four
months in jail. George Dawson received two 90-day sentences.
In each case appeals were carried to Superior Court.
There, on Thursday, Judge George B. Patton said something
about the rackets which brought a whoop of joy In the editorial
rooms. He said something that this newspaper had been say
ing repeatedly. He said: "There is a general understanding
around this town that you can deal in most anything you want
and pay a little 'tax' (in court) and go on. That's wrong."
Indeed it is. But it's also bewildering. For in the next motion
His Honor continued prayer for judgment in both cases, order
ing the defendants to report later on and demonstrate that
they had quit the rackets. ,
No jail. No fine. Not even any "tax."
A point which this may raise, which is the point raised by
at least one previous term of Superior Court, is why Ashevllle
should go to the trouble and expense o 1 maintaining e Police
Court In the first place.? Abbeville Citizen.
Business
Making
News
? By BOS SLOAN
The recently launched clean
up campaign hers in Franklin
seems to ba more effective in
the Loganville section, than in
any oth^r area. We aren't just
speaking of the sudden demise
of Dianne (filth of a type), but
we have also noticed that the
old Hastings store building is
being torn down. This building
had long ago finished serving
as a useful and attractive addi
tion and we believe its removal
is a big help.
This end of the state has in
its midst a very good examp'e
of the old business adage that
you have to spend money to
make money.
When the North Carolina leg
islates first set aside a sum
of money (considerable less
than $100,000.00) to pro, mote the
Indian Pageant over at Chero
kee we feel sure that there
were those who shook their
heads and said " waste of
money". After asking around
here and in other towns we
find that this year that
throughout the area one of the
best tourist seasons is being en
joyed. The Pageant is reported
to be one of the main drawing
cards. Western North Carolina
has probably already been re
paid on the investment.
Locally we Believe we could
profit by ?this example that it
pays to offer the tourist some
thing. Either the merchants of
Franklin or the town itself
could get its money back by in
vesting money in the construc
tion of a good 18 hole golf
course and a swimming pool.
Neither project would be com
pletely self supporting but the
additional tourist dollars which
would be brought into circula
tion to pass through all our
hands would be a fine addition
to the monetary system here.
You can't get something for
nothing, and so long as we sit
around and only hope for a
good season wa will have only
a few tourists. We get those,
not through our elioris, but be
cause the Lord endowed this
area with beautiful scenery and
(Turn to Back Page 1st Section)
Do You
Remember?
(Looking backward through
the files of The Press)
50 *EARS AGO THIS WEEK
Franklin would make a move
in the right direction to set
apart a suitable plot of ground
within the corporate limits and
improve it for a public park.
Northing is more attractive nor
useful than such a park in a
progressive town.
The front porch of the Cun
ningham house is the favorite
resort during the hottest hours
of the day. It is the coolest
place in totvn.
Mr. Henry Slagle, of Cartooge
chaye, sent a bull rush to our
office this morning that mea
sured 6 feet 6 inches in length,
and is nearly three-fourths
of an inch in diameter.
25 YEARS AGO
The citizens of Franklin are
becoming indignant at the con
tinued filthy condition of Main
street. The town board, so it is
understood, claims that the use
of the hose on the street will
wear out the pavement. Scrub
bing kitchen tables will likewise
wear out the table, but no good
housekeeper will permit grease
to remain on her table indefi
nitely.
Current reports have it that
a large amount of liquor has
been stolen from the jail. Sher
iff Ingram denies that such is
the case while Chief Coffey
states that the jailer has re
ported 30 or 40 gallons missing.
The public craves light.
10 YEARS AGO
Ben W. Woodruff, vice-presi
dent of the board of directors
of the Franklin Chamber of
Commerce, has succeeded James
Averell as president, and L. H.
Page has been elected vice-pres
ident.
Miss Emma Lu Hurst, daugh
ter of Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Hurst,
Route 1, was chosen the health
iest 4-H girl in North Carolina
Wednesday when she won the
state-wide health contest being
held -In Raleigh the first part
of the Week.
William S. Johnson, publisher
and manager of The Franklin
Press and Highlands Maconlan,
was inducted into the army last
week, having enlisted In the air
corpe.