Newspapers / The Pilot (Southern Pines, … / May 14, 1964, edition 1 / Page 2
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THE PILOT—Southern Pines, North Carolina THURSDAY, MAY 14, IS ILOT North Carolina re contemplated. We will try to keep this a good Iney for all concerned. Wherever there seems to the public good we will try to do it. And we will May 23, 1941. of the school Jby the lof such Ity that llengthy le right iclusion fing of the districts’ re- Sents, teachers, bond issue Lble wealth would result in 11 system than either of the pould have alone. Lwould be a better school fbuld be possible if the ad- leen and West End districts It into the consolidation—as In advocated by many resi- Ithe four areas—remains to id school officials at South end Pinehurst are going to ■ that very point, if the new lave wide acceptance, eminded that the proposed Southern Pines and Pine- ^ves two independent tive units, while the |st End schools are in fern which includes all Demonstrations And The Community ^ , orderly demonstrations that staged by Negroes at the Sun- iatre here followed many months attempt by the Good Neighbor bil to persuade the ownership of this fre to alter its racial segregation Tcy. That is, the dem(onstrations were Aot begun until it seemed to Negro leaders that the goal could hot be reach- Jed by discussions alone. In the background was this fact: other theatres of the same ownership, at sever al locations over the state, had opened their doors to Negroes, after active d^ monstrations had been conducted. It is easy to see why local Negroes felt they [lad to try/ this method, when others had f The Pilot commends the quality of the dignified demoi^trations conducted here and points such a protest is de serving of asTHrch or more response by the theatre oiraership as the response evoked by protests—some of which, we Animal Displays Can Be Dangerous On several occasions. The Pilot has expressed its disapproval of the public display of wild animals except under carefully controlled circumstances in professionally managed zoos and parks. - On those occasions, we were thinking of deer, wildcats, foxes, raccoons, squir rels and other animals who are caged, often in deplorably inadequate, if not downright cruel, accomodations at ser vice stations, rural stores or other esta blishments. ed. Performing animals, such as the chim panzee which was displayed in the busi ness section here last week in connection with promotion of a commercial product, are in another category—but the fact that a child was bitten on the hand by the chimpanzee and that the animal also escaped from its keeper and ran more than a block through the downtown area before it was captured, brings into [question whether such displays, outdoors a congested location, should be allow- An added hazard was the fact that the chimpanzee involved in the Southern Pines incident was a big animal, estimat ed at 50 to 70 pounds in weight, and cer tainly could have been a formidable threat to children or even adults while loose and under pursuit, and so presum ably frightened and on edge, in the business section. It seems in order for the Town Council to adopt an ordinance, if one does not exist, that would control the public dis play of animals on private as well as public property, in line with the council’s obligation to protect the public health and safety. The ordinance should also specify that the animal should have decent, humane care. The chimpanzee in question was housed, between performances, in a steel box standing directly in the sun, although shade was available nearby; so hot was it that the top of the box was burning to the touch. Saving Young Drivers Frohi Themselves |arents of 15 and 16 year olds in the school are finding that the most Important factor in planning activities for the summer is the schedule of driver training classes, to be held in three ses sions in Jxme, July and August, with yoimgsters assigned to one of the three sessions. State law now requires that teen-age applicants for driver licenses take a training course, and enrollment here has therefore risen 160 per cent as compared to the voluntary training of the previous year. The courses are arranged so that most families can work out a schedule for sum mer vacation or other activities to con veniently include one of the training sessions. We note with interest, too, that the students due to take these courses are taking the matter seriously and, for the most part, are not resenting this bite out of their summer vacation play or work time. Rather, they appear to be antici pating the course with some pride and pleasure. Attitude, in our opinion, is 90 per cent of the problem in recklessness by young 'rivers. If the training courses to be ^ven here can instill in young ^nliaT dead- the Let’s Make It A ‘Knockout’ By Moore County In The ‘Third Round’—^Take Oral Vaccine On Sunday, May 17 hool District Merger other schools in Moore County. What we have in prospect is the con struction of two large consolidated high schools—one for Southern Pines-Pine- hurst and one for Aberdeen-West End within a few miles of each other. Wheth er this is economical and practical, whether this would mean a stronger pro gram in both the schools, whether this would be for the best interests of the youngsters in all the area, over a period of years into the future—^those are the vit.'il questions. The Pinehurst and Southern Pines school boards have at least taken a stand and laid a proposition on the line, subject to full debate and analysis. It will have to stand or fall on its own merits or de fects. Also, we hope, it will rouse from an apparent state of apathy the many school patrons who have never thought seriously about the future of their school sy.stems. There is a standard last sentence to such an editorial as this—and a good one it is: let the needs and aspirations and potential achievements of this area’s young people be the sole guide to the kind of schools we provide for them. W-O' m are told, were not as orderly—at other theatres of the chain. Southern Pines has so far met the responsibility that falls on the entire community when racial demonstrations take place: the maintenance of order and the prevention of violence. This respon sibility is shared throughout the com munity, it seems to us: by the theatre management which is morally obligated to meet dignity with dignity and peace with peace; by the police who must be alert to control provoking incidents that might lead to violence; and by the public which should recognize that in making their protest the Negroes are within their rights, whether or not the white observer agrees with the purpose of the demon stration. We are proud of the way Southern Pines has met the theatre situation and feel that if all concerned continue in the same spirit, a satisfactory conclusion eventually will be reached. TO HELP CITIZENS ACT RESPONSIBLy The Free Press In A Democracy Following axe excerpls from an address delivered by Thomas J. Lassiter, editor of the semi-weekly Smithfield Herald, at Duke University's International Student Day last month. Any discussion of the role of the press in a democratic society must begin with elementary con sideration of the citizen’s respon sibility in self-government. The citizen has basic political rights safeguarded by the Con stitution—^freedom of expression, the right to assemble peaceably, the right of petition, the right to vote. It is his responsibility to use these rights intelligently. He cannot act responsibly unless he knows what goes on in society and government. The right of the people to know also must be safeguarded as a basic right in a democracy. The press stands as guardian of the right of the people to know. Its true role in a dem^o- cratic society is to help the citi zen fulfill his responsibility in self-government. .'The press fills this role not only by reporting facts about social and political affairs, but also by serving as critic of society and government. Misundersitood rights of other drivers, a giant stride will have been taken in the prevention of those most tragic of traffic accidents, in which are snuffed out young people’s lives that have scarcely begun. Understanding The Editor We commend to readers the discussion on this page, by a fellow Tar Heel editor, of the role of the press in a democratic society. We are in agreement with its conclusions and reprint these excerpts from an address made by the editor be cause it hits squarely on the head several nails we sometimes also take a swipe at. Every editor is brought up short, oc casionally, by conversations or letters or hearsay that show misconceptions of a newspaper’s policy and function. An editor’s most cherished asset is a reader’s confidence—the knowledge that no news item, no editorial, no emphasis of news display or headline, is handled in a petty, flippant or contemptuous spirit, but rather is measured against a consistent set of values deserving of re spect, if not always agreement. Discussions like the one on this page may help readers understand what makes most editors tick. Sometimes the responsibility of the press to report and criticize is misunderstood. The newspapers, contrary to a prevailing view, publish much information that could be classed as “good news.” Their columns carry an abundance of news about the successes of people and institutions. But newspapers that fulfill their responsibility are un der moral compulsion to publish “bad news” as well as good news, and the bad news sometimes re flects adversely upon the reputa tion of citizens. Why, some readers ask, do you newspaper editors print so much news about the bad things peo ple do? Why, they ask, do you hurt people? The purpose of publishing news about the mistakes of public of ficials or the wrongdoings of plain citizens who violate laws is not to punish the wayward. A re sponsible press is no penal insti tution. Nor does it seek to sell papers by preying upon the curi osity of readers about the sins of others. It seeks only to give citi zens the inform.ation they need for intelligent self-government. A citizen cannot use his vote and in fluence effectively unless he is aware of the evil as well as the good in society. Fads Not Enoiiigh Facts are not enough to under gird intelligent self-government. Facts need evaluation. Readers who insist that newspapers should be “boosters”—^that is, praisers only—^rather than critics overlook the vitality that democ racy receives from criticism. To play the role of responsible critic is to place an estimate on life’s values; to discriminate be tween what seems to be good and what seems to be evil; to make significant comment on the man ners, customs, attitudes and ac tions of the people; to analyze and pass judgment on the poli cies and practices of government. The strong editorial page is a page of criticism. It interprets the news and stimulates thought about the social and political is sues—sometimes by taking un popular positions and prodding the conscience of the community. The responsible editorial page does not flinch from a fight against injustice — racial, reli gious, economic, social, political injustice. It exposes fraud and hypocrisy, and it sounds the toc sin when democratic freedom is threatened. Exchange of Ideas Only people who understand the news and think through the issues critically will use their rights of citizenship intelligently. Sober thought and understanding come only through a free ex change of ideas. The press cannot fulfill its role in a democratic so ciety unless it expresses ideas in an atmosphere of freedom. . . Curb freedom of the press and you curb fundamental rights of the people. Freedom of the press is not the property of the news papers. It belongs to the people. When the Constitution guaran tees freedom of the press, it does not confer a special privilege up on newspaper owners and editors. I happen to be an editor of a newspaper. But I have no consti tutional rights or privileges as editor that the people in other vocational positions do not have as citizens. Right to Know The editor has the right to know what goes on in democratic government. He has the right to ferret out the facts about public affairs. The citizen has the same right. . . The reporter and his newspaper accept the responsibility to give the people the information they need to guide them in responsible exercise of citizenship. When newspapers cover state legislatures and their committees. IMMORTAL? The people I respect most behave as if they were immortal and as if society was eternal. Both assump tions are false: both of them must be accepted as true if we are to go on eating and working and loving, and are to keep open a few breathing holes for the hu man spirit. -E. M. FORSTER Grains of Sand Political Mysteries Every two years at Carthage thi question is brought up of whq shall be chosen to go to the state Democratic convention at RaleighV Here’s how It went last Satur day: there is the chairman, im-j pressive of voice and stance. He looks out over the audience of dedicated Democrats and asks:’ “Who is to represent Moore County at the State Convention?” Silence. He rephrases the ques tion: “How shall we choose these important delegates?” Again no answer. The chairman drops his voice down a few notes and sug gests “shall we-er-do as we al ways do and elect every Demo crat who is in good standing?” “AYE!” shouts the crowd. Does anybody say: “What’s ‘good standing’?” or “Who says who’s in good standing?” Good ness, of course not! What an idea! Ask Charles There came the time at the Democratic convention at Car thage Saturday when people were being appointed to serve on a lot of different Democratic party coimnittees. There was tius executive committee, the legislsn. tive committee, the this-that-and- the-other committee; people were nom.inated to serve On each and approved with resounding “ayesf’. Then Charles MacLeod was nom-, inated to serve on one and all bf| a sudden refused the honor. Consternation. Why, for heav en’s , sake? “Well,” said Charles, “I alreadj/ servipd long enough. Anyway, guess I served. I never did knov what the duties of the committee were. And neither did anybody else. I don’t believe anybody knows.” Cheers from the crowd. Don't they say the Democra'.s make the most sense and have tl.e most fun at their conventions? Typically at Carthage, Hon.-ani- Beloved Cliff Blue and his fLie speech and Charles McLeod ar.d his committee got the mcst cheers. Congress and its committees, courts, and all kinds of public agencies from coimty courthouses to Capitol Hill in Washington, their reporters are acting in be half of citizens who have demo cratic responsibilities to perform and cannot perform them without information. Citizen's Servant The editorial as well as the news story is the citizen’s ser vant, even when it expresses opinion contrary to that held by the citizen. Not only does the edi torial stimulate thought and help the citizen clarify his own partic ular view; when an editor ex presses opinions on social and po litical issues, he is exercising the right of free expression that be longs to the citizen. Evray exer cise of free expression, whether by press or people, strengthens the citizen’s right of free expres sion. Freedom of the press can be lost by failure of newspapers to exercise it, and citizens can lose freedom of speech by keeping sUent on public issues. Official censorship is not the only threat to ireedom of expression. . . Fortunately, there is self-criti cism in American journalism. At national, regional, and state levels, editors often come togeth er to discuss ways of improving their news reports and strength ening their editorial pages. They criticize one another’s work in round-table conferences. Recharged Many an editor has attended press institutes or editorial con ferences year after year, return ing to his post charged and re-i charged with a sense of respon sibility that is reflected in the news and editorial columns of his paper. . . There is room for more and deeper soul-searching in the ranks of American journalism. The press should never become com placent. Nor should the press, im perfect as it may be, surrender to its critics who would welcome censorship as a check against newspaper irresponsibility. In a free society, censorship cannot be the answer to abuses of freedom of the press. Censor ship nullifies freedom—^freedom, of citizens as well as freedom of newspapers. It leads to evil far worse than the evil it seeks to correct. Greatest Heritage When there is temptation to put shackles on the press, this we should remember: The greatest heritage we have in America is freedom to express what we know and think. That freedom is what really distinguishes our sys tem from systems of communism and fascism, in which the press and other agencies of information are under government censorship and in which there is utter disre gard of the right of the people to know. Explaining Beauty Says J. Donald Adams, of the Times Book Review: “Few intel lectual operations are capable of being more tiresome than a de tailed explanation or analysis of why something is beautiful.” The great poets might be able to explain beauty, for surely it is the heart and soul of great poetry. Yet not even the poets themselves could tell you what it is or why it is, what possessed Bums to write; “O my luve’s like a red, red rose 'That’s newly sprung in June; O my luve’s like the melodie 'That’s sweetly played in tone.” Or Poe: “Helen, thy beauty is to me Like those Nicean barks of yore That gently, o’er a perfumed sea. The weary wayward wanderer bore To his own native shore.” And Shakespeare: “Shall I compare thee to a Sum mer’s day?” ' Is it the picture? Is it the sing ing of the words? Is it the an guish of passing time, or passing love, or the passing of beauty it self? Goodness knows, goodness knows. Tarbaby Ain't Sayin* Nothin' A ^ood deal of speculation has been going on in street comer and barbershop groups as to where Cliff Blue, Moore County’s candidate for the position of Lieutenant Governor, stands on the governor’s race. Somebody came right out and asked him the other day: “Cliff, who d'o you favor for Governor?’’ “Well, now, repUed Cliff, “here’s the way I see it. All three of these gentlemen have their fine qualities, but I figure I’d better not start to say which one I think is going to win. You know, if I guessed wrong, I’d have a mighty cold four years up there in Raleigh.” THE PILOT Published Every Thursday by THE PILOT, Incorporated Southern Phies, North Carolina 1941—JAMES BOYD—1944 Katharine Boyd Editor C. Benedict Associate Editor Dan S. Ray C. G. Council Bessie C. Smith Mary Scott Newton Gloria Fisher Gen. Mgr. Advertising Advertising Business Business Mary Evelyn de Nissoff Society Composing Romn Dixie B. Ray, Michael Valen, Thomaj Mattocks, J. E. Pate, Sr., Charles Weatherspoon, Clyde Phippf. f Subscription Rates Moore County One Year $4.00 Outside Moore County One Year $5.00 JSecond-class Postage paid at Southern Pines, N. C. ber National Editorial Assn, and N. C. Press Assn.
The Pilot (Southern Pines, N.C.)
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May 14, 1964, edition 1
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