CIRCULATION
Laat Week
2656 '
Net Paid
* ftanklin
*>???& Jtoramian
PRICE
10 Cents
71st Year ? No. 10
Franklin, N. C., Thursday, March 8, 1956
Sixteen Pages
SIDEWALKS FOR THE NEW Franklin High gymnasium sent the Macon Board of Education
outside after its business meeting Monday monTng. The board is shown talking over the project
with contractor Wiley Clark (kneeling) ? <L to R) Chairman I rwin Patton, Supt. Holland McSwain,
George Gibson, and C. C. Sutton.
Franklin And Clyde Erwin
To Clash Tomorrow Night
Franklin High's spanking new
gymnasium is expected to be
packed to capacity tomorrow
(Friday i night when teams
from Clyde Erwin High School
in Buncombe County come over
the Balsams to help the local
lads and lassies mark the debut
of W. N. C.'s latest sports pal
ace.
This will be Franklin's first
home basketball game in two
seasons. Since the old gymnas
ium burned in March. 1953, the
Panthers and Pantherettes have
been practicing outdoors and
playing scheduled games on op
ponents' courts.
Three Games Set
For basketball-starved fans,
three games are on tap tomor
row night, At 6:30, the Jaycee
boys' teams will play; at 7:30,
the varsity girls; and at 8:30,
the varsity boys.
A former Franklin principal,
Ralph L. Smith, is principal of
the Buncombe school.
With the proceeds of the game
already spent, two men have
stepped forward and offered to
officiate free at the ball game.
They are "Dutch" Kinley, of
Bryson City, and R. A. (Art)
Byrd, former coach and now
principal at Union School.
To Play Murphy
Friday week (16th>, the new
gymnasium will again throw
open its doors to fans for a
clash between Franklin and
Murphy. The girls will play at
7:30 and the boys at 8:30, ac
cording to Coach Howard Barn
well.
Coach Barnwell said he is
hoping to schedule still another
game later in the month, but
has nothing definite to an
nounce this week.
Installing Seats
Meanwhile, as the belated
first game of the now defunct
'55-56 season approaches, the
gymnasium echoes a flurry Of
activity. The last of the tile
work is going in the locker
rooms. With the assistance of
students, about 1,800 bleacher
seats are being installed for the
opening night crowd.
Late News
and
Briefs
CONCERT BAND READY
The Franklin' High School
Concert Band is now ready to
present programs at civic clubs,
P. T A meetings, and for other
non-profit organizations, T. A.
Orr, band director, announced
this week.
The band will be glad to play
SEE NO. 1, PAGE 8
?
Already Spenl
Gat? receipts from Franklin
High's upcoming basketball
games tomorrow (Friday) night
and on the 16th are already
spent, according to Principal
Harry C. Corbin.
They'll be channeled equally
to pay for the sidewalks around
the new gymnasium and to cut
the $2,000 debt of the school
athletic association.
School officials estimate that
sidewalk construction, which is
now under way, is going to
cost $1,350. Contractor Wiley
Clark is pushing the - job to
completion.
Mr. Corbin said it is his un
derstanding that the money be
ing advanced by the school for
the sidewalks is to be repaid
by the county next year. There
are no funds available in this
year's school budget to pay for
the walks, according to Supt.
Holland McSwain.
SIIOPE GETS
PRESIDENCY
Elected To Head Local
N. C. E. A.; Group Will
Help Out Students
Z. Weaver Shope, principal of
Cullasaja School, is the new
president of the Macon unit of
the N. C. Education Association.
He succeeds Mrs. Dora Lee
Carpenter.
The county unit elected '56
officers in session Monday af
ternoon in the high school cafe
teria. Others are W. G. Craw
ford, vice-president, and Mrs.
Joyce J. Cagle, secretary-treas
urer.
Committee reports also fea
tured the program.
The organization voted to as
sist the Future Teachers Club
of Franklin High in sending
members to the N. C. E. A. con
vention in Asheville later this
month.
A professional fee was dis
SEE NO. 2, PAGE 8
Franklin High Footballers
Being Honored Here Tonight
About 50 Franklin High Pan
thers and cheerleaders will be
feted tonight (Thursday) by the
Rotary Club. ?
Guest speaker for the annual
football banquet is Dr. Quinn
Constantz, associate professor
of health and physical educa
tion at Western Carolina Col
lege, Cullowhee.
Gene Wike, of Asheville, own
er of the Sports Mart, will be
master of ceremonies.
Arrangements are being han
dled by a committee composed
of Holland McSwain, W. W.
(Bill i Sloan. Steve Bundy, and
Howard Barnwell.
The meal will be served at
6:30.
ZONES FOR FRANKLIN'S development program were out
lined at a meeting Friday night. Working on the roninj were
(seated) Holland McSwain and Mrs. Prelo Dryman; (standing ?
L to R) Mrs. E. S. Purdnm. Verlon Swa.fford, chamber of com
merce president, Mrs. A. R. Iligdon, and Bob S. Sloan. A map
?f the zones may be seen on Page 5 of this Issue.
Board Plans
Buildings
For Summer
The Macon Board of Educa
tion plans to give the go-ahead
on construction of lunchrooms
at Cowee and Otto and two
classrooms at Cullasaja Just as
soon as schools close this
spring.
In session Monday morning,
the three-member board report
ed that architect Lindsey Gud
ger is now revising plans for
the buildings to cut construc
tion costs.
Original estimates for the
lunchrooms ran from $35-$40,
000. Supt. Holland McSwain said
the ordered revisions are ex
pected to chop the estimates to
$25 -$30,000.
As a single project, the two
classrooms at Cullasaja will cost
$15-$20,000, he said.
Macon's estimated $152,000 al
location from the state bond
program will be used to finance
construction, the superinten
dent added.
The architect is expected to
have the revised plans ready
within the next few weeks, Mr.
McSwain said, and if they meet
with the approval of the board,
bids for construction will be
asked.
Mrs. Crawford
Elected O. E. S.
Worthy Matron
Mrs. Katherine Crawford is
the new worthy matron and
her husband, W. G. Crawford,
the worthy patron of Nequassa
Chapter 43, Order of the East
ern Star.
Election of '56 officers fea
tured a meeting of the chapter
last Thursday night. Mrs. Cath
erine Henry is the out-going
matron.
At tne chapter's regular
meeting next Thursday night
( 15th i at the Masonic Temple,
the new leaders are to be in
stalled by Mrs. Hilda S. Halli
burton, of Canton, worthy
grand matron. Set to begin at
8 o'clock, this will be an open
meeting for friends and rela
tives of O. E. S. members.
Other new officers include
Mrs. Emma Jane Phillips, asso
ciate matron ; W. L. Harper, as
sociate patron; Mrs. Nobia G.
Murray, secretary; Mrs. Alice
C. Ray, treasurer; Mrs. Eula D.
Carpenter, conductress; Mrs.
Ruby M. Harper, associate con
ductress; Miss Lassie Kelly,
marshall; Mrs. Louise C. Dar
nell, organist; Mrs. Lucille H.
Phillips, Adah; Mrs. Evelyn S.
West, Ruth; Mrs. Merle P. Dry
man, Esther; Mrs. Roberta S.
Hall, Martha; Mrs. Jessie D.
Horsley, Electa; Mrs. Thelma N.
Harmon, warder; and James L.
Hauser, sentinel.
New Age-Group
For Vaccine
Is Announced
Dr. Guy V. Gooding announc
ed this week that Salk anti
polio vaccine will be available
for all school children through
the age of 15 on April 5.
On this date, the district
health officer said the county
health department plans to
start vaccinating between 600
and 700 students.
Previously, the vaccine has
been available only for first and
second graders.
As a matter of policy, Dr.
Gooding said parents will be I
asked to give signed permission ;
for the health department to t
administer the vaccine. Special i
blanks will be made available.
Vaccine also will be available |
through private physicians, Dr. ,
Gooding added. t
Miss Moody Appointed ?
Vice-President Of 1
College Student Body
Miss Julia Moody, daughter t
of Mr. and Mrs. Truman Moody,
of Franklin, has been appoint
ed vice-president of the student f
body ol Western Carolina Col- s
lege, Cullowhee (
She was appointed by the r
college senate to fill the vacan- s
cy left when the former vice- c
president was found to be in- t
eligible. a
Miss Moody is also chairman
of the standards committee and r
will fill both offices through \
the spring quarter. She is a \
junior, an honor studentf, and s
on the staff of the school
paper. t
OTTO FARMER
GETS G. 0. P.
CHAIRMANSHIP
McChire Elected Head
Of Party. Here; Reece
Is New Vice-Chairman
Macon Republicans, In con
vention Saturday at the court
house, elected Bryant McClure,
Otto farmer, chairman of the
county party organization.
He succeeds George W. Reece,
of Franklin, who has held the
post for 10 years. Mr. Reece
was elected vice-chairman.
The office of secretary-treas
urer went to Ray Swafford, of
Franklin.
E. J. Carpenter served as tem
porary chairman of the conven
Mr. McClure
tion, which drew about 75 per
sons. '
Two Franklin men, J. c. Crisp
and A. R. Higdon, were named
state committeemen. Elmo Rog
ers and L. B. Welch are alter
nates.
The following were named as
precinct chairmen: W. P. Bry
ant, Franklin; Garland Shep
herd, Millshoal; Bill Higdon, El
lijay; Ernest Dills, Sugarfork;
Harvey Talley, Highlands:
Frank Green, Flats; Ralph Hen
son, Smithbridge; P. T. Kell.
Cartoogechaye; Dallas Roland.
Nantahala No. 1; John Wishon,
Nantahala No. 2; Pink Martin,
Burningtown; and Ralph Brad
ley, Cowee.
Swimming Pool At Lod^e
Being Opened For Public
A public swimming pool for
residents and visitors found
new hope this week with an an
nouncement by Frank B Dun
can and T. W Angel, Jr.. of
plans to reopen the old pool at
the Franklin Lodge and Golf
Course.
Work already is under way
and the lodge owners plan to .
have the pool ready for use by
May 1. i
Mr. Duncan said the pool will !
be rehiodeled with a marbleized
plaster finish and trimmed in
tile An approved filtering sys- '
tem will be installed, along with i
new water lines to the pool and 1
to the lodge and cabins. (
Plans also call for renovating ]
the locker rooms, building a
playground for children, and
putting the tennis courts back
in shape, he said
Mr. Duncan said the over
all program will cost about
$20,000.
Contract for the pool work
has been awarded Pool Con
struction Company, of Asheville.
Family memberships and sea
son tickets, in addition to daily
admissions, will be announced
later.
Up until last year, the pool
was operated for three sum
ners by the Franklin Jaycees.
Vlaintenance costs forced the
jrganization to drop it as a
project.
RAY'S RETIREMENT ?
Has Some 'Fixing Up' To Do
John B Ray pitched a shovel
ull of dirt into the driveway
ind surveyed his progress with
hf- efficient eye of an engi
leer.
"Thought you were supposed
o be retired." yelled The Press
eporter. pulling his car into
he drive.
"He's on my payroll now,"
.nswered his daughter. Mrs.
Inn (John "Speck") Murray
"Haven't seen a pay check
et." observed the man with
he shovel.
Been A Week
It's been a week now since ^
Ir. Ray officially severed as- .
ociation with the Aluminum I
torporation of America through I
etirement Behind him stand "
ome 38 years' service with the
orporation, more than 26 of
hem with Nantahala Power
nd Light Company.
Ahead of him are "fixing up
round the house" (he likes p
/orking outdoors i, some visiting r
Ith relatives, and a special
ightseeing trip to Florida.
"And he still has to work ?
hrough the list I have pre
Mr. Ray
iared for him," his daughter
eminded.
On Ground Floor
After attending Oklahoma A
md M, Mr. Ray joined Alcoa as
SEE NO. 3. PAGE 8
I
Governor Won't Be
Here [Long Pause]
Board Finds
Water Topic
Water kept coming before the
Franklin Board of Aldermen in
a variety of ways Tuesday
night.
i (1) Muddy Water ? Because
of complaints of rusty water,
an analysis of water from the
town's No. 5 well (near the tab
ernacle) was obtained. The re
sults were read to the board
by Town Clerk C. O. Ramsey.
In brief, the report showed the
water to have a heavy concen
tration of iron bacteria, which
has. been causing the dirty
water condition. It was sug
gested that the well be clean
ed and sterilized and an iron
stabilizer be used to kill the
iron bacteria. Water Supt. Her
man Childers reported he al
ready has sterilized the well
and started treatment. He said
he has noted improvement.
(2> Pool Water ? A request
for water to fill the pool at the
Franklin Lodge and Golf Course
was approved by the board, on
condition that water is avail
able. In the event of a water
shortage this summer, other
customers would be served be
fore the pool.
(3 1 Water Revenues ? A com
mittee composed of J. L. West,
Jr.. J. C. Jacobs, and Frank
.Martin was appointed by Mayor
W. c Burrell to prepare a study
on the town's water revenue
situation for presentation at the
next meeting.
(4) Rain Water ? It, poured
at intervals during the meet
ing. ?
A committee made up of Mr.
Martin, Sam Gibson, and Prelo
Dryman was appointed to study
bids and select the best for
furniture for the town confer
ence room.
IOTLA SETS MEETING
A meeting of the Iotla Rural
Community Development Or
ganization is set for Monday at
7:30 p. m. at the Iotla School,
it has been announced.
Who, What, When,
Where, And Why Of
Mixup Is Explained
Governor Luther H. Hodges
will not speak in Franklin to
morrow (Friday).
And it's not that Governor
Hodges had to cancel his en
gagement here? he didn't have
one!
It seems everybody knew the
Governor was coming ? except
the Governor.
Just how and why the mis
understanding occurred nobody
seems to know. Here, though, as
well as it can be pieced to
gether, is the sequence of
events that had led up to the
point of making arrangements
for the Governor's entertain
ment while here, the choice of
a local leader to introduce him
to the thk-ong at the courthouse
Friday morning, etc.
In Fayetteville. id days ago,
The Press' news editor. J. P.
Brady, heard that Governor
Hodges was going to deliver a
series of speeches in Western
North Carolina this spring.
Will he come to Franklin?
was the first question that oc
curred to the newspaperman.
On his return to Franklin, he
started making inquiries.
He struck pay dirt in Sam
Gibson,, president of the county
Young Democrats Club. Mr.
Gibson had been in Raleigh
over the week-end for the Jef
ferson-Jackson dinner. He said
the governor told him he would
visit here on the 9th.
To make it official, Frank I.
Murray was called. He confirm
ed it as chairman of the county
Democratic executive commit
tee:
"He'll speak here the 9th .
at 10 o'clock."
On the basis of all this. The
Press last week published the
story, illustrating it with the
Governor's photograph.
This week, efforts to obtain
more details were unavailing.
Mr Gibson repeated that he
understood from the Governor
that he was coming to Frank
lin. But he knew no details.
Mr. Murray knew nothing else.
And questions addressed to
other leaders here drew a blank.
A sixth newspaper sense,
working subconsciously a little
like conscience, suggested all
was not well; there was too lit
tle known about anything that
important: something was
wrong
So Tuesday afternoon the
newspaper telephoned Governor
Hodges.
The newsman making the call
opened the conversation by tell
ink the Governor people here
were pleased he was coming to
Franklin.
There was a perceptible pause
at the other end of the line
Then:
"Well, i hope I can get to
SEE NO. 5, PAGE 8
C.Of.S TO RALEIGH
Clyde N. West left yesterday
(Wednesday i for Raleigh, where
he will attend a meeting today
for the State Democratic Exe
cutive Committee. Mr. West has
been a member of the commit
tee for a number of years.
The Weather
Th' wtt k's tern ix> rat ii'-s and rarifall. a*
f eord?-d in Franklin hy Man-*on Stiles.
IT. S. w?-ather ob^ervr* in Highlands hv
Tudor N. Hall and W. l'. Newton. TV A
observer ; and at th?* Coweta Hydrohojric
1 41 bora to i ? v.
FRANKLIN
Temperatures
High Low Rain
51 29
Wed . . Feb
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
29
58
61
53
66
72
17
.19
33
30
46
.28
.03
Wed . Feb
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wed Feb
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Uonday
fuesday
75 41
HIGHLANDS
Temperatures
High Low Rain
29 40 18
46 17
49 30 .36
43 30
52 27 .33
58 26
62 44 trace
COWEETA
Temperatures
High Low Rain
29 52 29
58
61
57
63
70
70
18
38
33
29
24
40
81
.45
09
.04