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SQUIRRELS . westward h
The gray -squirrels are migrating
again from New England. Nobod;
has yet found out the real reasoi
why so many thousands, perhaps mil
lions, of these litlle animals go west
ward in the early winter. They havi
lately heen crossing the Hudson Riv
er over the bridges, on the ferr;
boats and some of them even swim
ming across.
The latest theory is that they an
driven out of their old homes by thi
smaller but more pugnacious rc<
squirrels. Farmers and hunters havi
been encouragedd to kill hawks, be
cause hawks kill game . kids; bu
hawks also are fond of baby re<
squirrels, and a possible explanuiioi
is that the red squirrels "nave multi
piicd. as the hawks have diminisnedc
in number, and there isn't room ir
the woods for bolli the rod and th<
gray squirrels.
It is just one of those interest
*"& uiuoirailllg LUG COIlstant
effort ol nature to maintair
the balance between all the various
forms of life.
at * a
TAXES . . . plain figures
I asked five intelligent people at
a social gathering the other night
if they knew how much they paid
in taxes to the Federal government
on each package of cigarettes. Nobody
knew the answer. The revenue
stamp on the cigarette pack simply
says "20 cigarettes" and does not
disclose the fact that the manufacturer
pays .iix cents for each stamp
and adds it to the price of the cigarettes.
I think it would be a very useful
law, if Congress could be induced to
enact it, to require that every tax
stamp tells the buyer of the taxed
article just how much tax he is paying.
We will never get real economy
in government until the "man in. the.
street" realizes that he, too, is paying
a share of the cost of the eov
crnment.
QUAI.ITV .**.**. . pll>8
One of the wealthiest men I know
is Herbert L. Sattorlee, brother-inlaw
of J. 1\ Morgan. Mr. Satterlee is
still using an automobile which was
built for hint in J91S. The 20-year-old
car has gone over 300,000,000 miles
and is capable of GO miles un hour
in a pinch. Mr. Sntterleee tried one
or two high-priced modern cars and
discarded them because they were
not as comfortable to ride in as the
old machine that he sticks to.
Wealthy people can afford to he
unfashionable. They can also afford
to buy the highest quality of goods
in the first place. I know one mil?.
ionaire who has worn the same overcoat
for 20 winters, but he payed
$300 for it when it was new. l have
spent more than that for a succession
of overcoats in the same period. In
the long run, it always pays to buy
the highest quality of any commodity,
if you can afford to tie up enough
of your capital in the initial purchase.
? ? * ?
FINGKRPJtlNTS . accurate
One of the reasons why there is
a popular prejudice against being
fingerprinted was disclosed the other
day when the Bureau of Criminal Investigation,
in Washington, reported
that several hundred former criminals
had been detected by a comparison
of the fingerprints, iaken when
they applied for jobs, with the fin"
gerprint records of convicted criminals*
on file in Washington. Many
business concerns and some munici
palities and states now require a fingerprint
record of every applicant for
a job, and send these records down to
the Department of Justice.
I liave long believed that the time
would come when everybody's fingerprints
would ne recorded in infancy
as a matter cf course, and kept
available for identification at any
time in later life. There is no good
reason why this should not be done
LONGEVITY ... but why!
An eminent scientist. Dr. William
Marias Malisoft, predicted the othei
day that scientific research wouk
find ways of lengthening human lift
until men might ordinarily live foi
possibly hundreds of years. In view
of'what has already been achieved ir
this direction, that docs not seem tc
me at all impossible.
Mere longevity, however, does noi
seem to me of any great value, either
to the invidual or to society, unless
some way is found at the same
time of utilizing intelligently the experience
which only the passage ol
years enables one to accumulate. I!
is interesting to imagine a world ir
which the majority of inhabitant;
were centenarians. It would, at least
be a world in which fewer futile so
cial experiments were undertaken.
SENATOR IS DEAD
Senator Thomas D. Schall, Repub
lican, of Minnesota, died Sunday in i
Washington hospital, the victim of ?
traffic accident.
An automobile struck him dowi
last Thursday as he was led acrosi
a highway near his home in Mary
land. His sturdy physique was unabli
to battle off the shock of a fractur
ed skull, internal injuries and a bro
v ken leg.
II Wa i
ji An
: GRAHAM FAVORS j
: EXTRA SESSION
'! STATE ASSEMBLY
l | Candidate For Governor Thinks
Legislature Should Again
Assemble.
1
SOCIAL SECURITY AND
LIQUOR, H3S REASONS
Lieutenant Governor Thinks Security
Legislation Imperative and
Says Liquor Laws Scrambled
At Present.
Charlotte. Lieut.-Governor A. H.
Graham, campaigning* for the governor's
chair, is on record for a special
session of the legislature 10 enact
a state alcoholic control measure,
social security legislation and
i repeal the sales tax on essential
I foods.
j '"It is my mature opinion that the
governor should call a special session
of the legislature for the purpose of
enacting security legislation which
will meet the federal requirements
and thus save for our working people
of North Carolina almost two million
dollars that will be paid by the
state Into the federal treasury during
the coming year," asserted Graham
In an address to the annual dinner
of the Carolina branch, associated
general contractors.
Turning to the question of liquor
control, the Lieut.-Governor described
the state's present laws as "scrambled."
"1 believe," he continued, "that
a majority of the members of the
present general -assembly* .if, called
Into special session, would support
a plan for setting up a state alcoholic
control authority which would
operate alcoholic control stores in
those counties -wherein a majority of
the voters had expressed themselves
as favoring this plan.
"And in. fairness the plan should j
provwe ror a division of profits on
an equitable basis between the state,
the county, and the city."
Graham expressed belief the sales
Lax should be removed from restaurant
and hotel meals and from essential
foods. He said increasing: state
revenue would warrant the removal
of the tax from these items.
Methodist Children's Home
Given $10,000 For Building
Win3ton-Saleni, Dec. 20.?The gift
of S10.000 by Mrs. L. E. Brown, of
Waxhaw, for the construction of a
community building: at the Methodist
Children's home here was announced
today following a meeting of the executive
committee of the board of directors
at the orphanage.
i encajnve plans lor construction
i have been approved by Mrs. Brown
and work is expected to get under
i way early in February. The building
will contain on the main floor a reading
and social recreation room, a
. kitchenette and stack room for books
- Beneath the main floor but on the
I ground will be a room providing for
. Boy Scout activities. The building
also will contain heating and plumb
ing equipment.
i
- JACKSON DINNKRS
I
. Itaieigh, Bee 20.?Jackson day dinr
r.e.-i to be held all over me state
r and nation on January i> will take
i the form of general Democratic ral>
lies and will not lie limitea to members
of Young Democratic clubs, alt
though the dinners will be staged un.
der the direction of officers of the
. Young Democratic organization.
. Senator J. W. Bailey announced
. last night that former Representative
f E. C. Brooks Jr., of Durham, had
I been designated by the national Dem,
ocratic committee as co-ordinator for
s North Carolina in the Jackson day
dinner arrangements.
BOY OF 19 GETS HIS
20th ROAD SENTENCE
Wilson.?Jirnmie Pittman, 19, will
- spend Christmas in a familiar spot.
i Sir.cc he was eight years old he
i has been arreste 23 times here, con
vieted and sentenced 19 times, and
1 now he faces 15 months "on the
3 roads."
Judge E. H. Crarvmer, trying Jimi
my for storebreaking, said the 60
day sentences with which Jimmy has
- known well ir. the last 11 years were
not long enough.
AUG
Independent Weekly New
'-i:
BOONE. WATAUGA boU
- . a ?
The Watauga Democrat i
the friendly associations it 1
twelve months. Our patrc
cess, and to them a heart-fi
heartv eood-fellowshin whi
whose closer friendship we
feeling, or passed a kindly
and looks forward lo many
enjoy a continuous spirit of
an abundance of all that wi
MOORE CMLDE
STRUCK BY AUTO
Seven-year-Old Rnone Girl Suffers
Serious Injury. In
Charlotte Hospital.
Little Miss Margaret Moore, seven-year-old
daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
F. C. Mooore of Boone, was seriously
injured in an automobile accident
near the Advent Church Friday afternoon.
Mr. Dell Richardson was driving
the automobile, and avers that
the child ran into the side of the
ear, inflicting serious facial injuries
ar.d breaking one leg above the knee.
The popular cliild was rushed to a
Charlotte Hospital where it is believed
a complete recovery can he
affected.
Understanding is that the accident
wag unavoidable.
WASHINGTON BLAMED
FOR RELIEF MUDDLE
Raleigh. ? Congressman Walter
Lambeth was applauded at a meeting
of Federal agencies in the state
when he asserted that the Federal
relief program in North Carolina is
"bogging down because of inflexible
conditions imposed by Washington.'
Urging that greater discretion be
placed in the hand3 of local administrators
of the various agencies, he
said, though he hailed from North
Carolina, he might be a congressman
"from Missouri" at the next session
unless some things are changed.
KNOX SEES SOCIALISM IN
ALL OF ROOSEVELT'S ACTS
Joliet, 111.. Dec. 20.?Col. Frank
Knox today charged the administration
with attempting to destroy private
enterprise in order to establish
a socialistic state.
A gathering of Republicans heard
the Chicago publisher assail the new
deal; then adopted a resolution indorsing
hini for their party's presidential
nomination.
"I think the new dealers have a
definite objective?the realization in
whole of the socialist dream," Col
nel Knox 3aid.
COLD WEATHER
A story, which gives an idea of the
intensity of the cold wave last week
comes from down the river. A man
crossed the river in a boat late. Friday
afternoon, and early Saturday
morning walked across on the ice at
the same place. And, that is respectfully
submitted as big-scale refrigeration,
speedily accomplished.
'? -kl - J SfikV'.-i
spaper?Established in the
NTY, NORTH CAROLINA, THUR5
% I .
X - i
. >1 -
iinds particular pleasure at this Cb
lias enjoyed with the people of thi;
ms have enabled us to enjoy an ii
sit appreciation is manifested for t
icli accompanied it. To our patro;
hope to accomplish?to everyone i
word?your county newspaper ex
more years of friendship. Duriri
happiness,, a full measure of succ
11 add to your comfort.
| Dependent Families
Are Causing Concern
i Raleigh.?Mrs. Thomas O' Merry,
state relief administrator, asserted j
j today in a prepared statement that
as a result of present work relief
! regulations and the scarcity of private
employment, the basic needs of
! 30,000 to 40.000 families and individuals
for whom no provision has been n
made will present a serious problem t
j in North Carolina. t
Informed that appeals would be <
| futile, neither Governor Ehringhaus t
' nor Mrs. OVBorry has requested further
relief funds from Lite federal f
government since the "dole" was sus- 1
pended December 7. i
Recognizing a widespread need for i
relief tu this state, Mrs. p'Bcrfy said
she and the governor have informed t
Washington of the serious situation. ;
However, the statement said, lie- <
fore tho final grant of $500,000 in <
federal relief funds was made for 1
| the purpose of liquidating the NC- t
l ERA, Governor Ehringhaus was re- c
quired to sign a certificate waiving 1
any further requests for funds.
SUBZERO sou ALL i
STRIKES WATAUGA :
Frigid Wave Brings Brief Halt i
to Heaviest Holiday Buying 1
in Years.
Watauga county came in for its
share of tile backwash of a genera!
storm which swept the nation last ]
week and took a toll of more than a
dozen lives. Friday morning the thcrmometer
reading at the weather station
at the College was five below (
zero, and snow and high winds accompanied
the severe freeze.
Saturday plumbers' crews were
busy throughout the day thawing and 1
repairing frozen pipes, and Christmas 1
shoppers in large numbers did not (
appear on the streets of Boone until I.
afternoon I'
The intense cold brought a slight i
lull in what is believed to be the >
heaviest holiday buying in. recent i
years, and will intensify the last-min- I
ute rush in the 'local shops. Stores
will be open both Monday and Tuesday
nights in an effort to fill the
wants of the late shoppers.
<
Only 87 persons out of 3,670 who i
have tobacco adjustment contracts !
in Columbus county have so far fail- <
ed to sign for the new program. This I
is a sign-up of 97 V4 per cent., re- i
ports the county agent. i
M0C]
Year EigfB&en Eighty-Eij
'DAY'
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t
iristmas tiuc ,.. .. .lowing r
s section ovinia i- past
icrcased measure1 i t suc.hoir
support, and lor the t
os, and friends, ar . those c
who has shown a iendly |}
tends season's gre.''.trigs, 1
ig the New Year may you c
:ess anct cojitenlnient, and
?
IEOLEX WILSON ;
SUCCUMBS SUNDAY!
\ C
'romineni Baptist Divine Fails!1
to ilaliy From Liong Period ; t
of Illness.
|]
Rev. Ij. A Wilson, aged 74. promt-1
tent resident of the Meat Camp secion,
and leading minister in the Bapist
Church, died at his home Sunlay,
after an illness of long duraion.
Funeral services were conducted j1
r6m the Meat Camp Baptist Church ! ;
Monday by the Rev. J. C. Canipe and j
nterment was in tire neighboring j
:emetery.
Survivors include the widow, and';
he following chiidreri: John; L.con
Lid, Grady and Sidney Wilson, Mes- j
fames I-rnney Greene, Carl Ragan,
Srover Winebarger and prill Ste-i'
air-residents of Watauga coun-!
y. One brother. Rev. L. C. Wilson.
>f Beaver Dam, survives, and one J
lalf brother, Frank Main, Damascus.
Mr. Wilson was the son of the late
^emuel Wilson, who died while doing
jervice in the Confederate army durng
the Civil War. He was born and
was reared in Watauga county, where
te entered the Baptist ministry more
than 44 years ago. He wa3 pastor of
most of the churches in the county,
and preached at intervals in adjoining
counties. He was an able and
consecrated preacher of the Gospel,
and occupied a high place in the esteem
of the people of this section. He
interspersed his ministerial duties
with agricultural work, and was a
leading force in his community, a
kind neighbor, and citizen of rare
worth to his county, state and nation.
CAROLINA STORES ARE
NOW DIXIE STORES
The signs in front of the old Caroina
Stores are now being changed to
read Dixie Stores here and twelve
>ther stores in this district. Mr. C.
I. Bcnfield, of Drexell, will continue
is active supervisor of all the stores
in this district which includes Leroir,
Morganton, Granite Falls. Blow
ng Rock, Boone, Shelby, Rutherfordton
and Valdese.
DEMOCRAT CLOSES MONDAY
The Democrat office closes Monday
ivening for a Christmas holiday, and
von't be reopened before Friday.
Since no other complete holidays are
>bservcd by the county paper during
Jie year, it is felt that there '.viU be
10 unfavorable reaction on account of
this suspension in service.
' i
\KT
ght
$1.50 PER YEAR
SEEK BIG AMOUNT
SCENIC PARKWAY
DURING NEW YEAR
Expectations Are That Six To
Seven Million To Go On
Road Next Year.
5EE FOUR HUNDRED MILES
BEING BUILT BY END 1936
Sxcccdingly Favorable Bids Causes
High Mileage to Result From
First Allotment. Mountain
Sections to Come.
Washington, Dec. 20.?The Naional
Park service said today' it expected
to spend $6,000,000 to $7,000,00
next year for new construction
.1 the Shenandoah-Gieat Smoky
-arkway.
The parkway was begun this year
ith an initial $0,000,000 outlay.
If the second installment on the
conic highway connecting the Virginia
and North Carolina national
mrks, builds as much as the first,
00 miles of the 500-mile parkway
rould be completed or in advanced
onstruction by the end of the 19367
fiscal year.
Park service officials, said with
he "exceedingly favorable bids subnilied
on the first links, 200 miles
if the narkwav will he built with the
initial allotment to the project.
They .added, however, Uiat contacts
for some of tlio "more diffilUlt
mountain top stretches arc yet
i? be let, especially in North Caroi.na,"
and probably will increase the
iverage cost.
Authorities were not inclined, to
je specific about sources of the new
noney. They arc prohibited from dismissing
matters subject to approval
>y the budget bureau.
"We are hopefu of getting the
noney," was the answer to the qucsion
of whether it was expected un!er
the new works program recently
liscussed by tlie President.
Construction started in North Carjiina
several months ago.
MRS. DICKSON DIES IN
WINSTONrSALEM FRIDAY
Prof. C M. Dickson, principal of
Bethel High School, was called to
Ashe county Saturday 011 account of
the death or a sister-in-law, Airs. W.
O Dickson, 35. which occurred in Winston-Salem
Friday from a recent illness.
Funeral services were to have been
conducted from the home and interment
at the family graveyard at Silas
Creek.
Mrs. Dickson was a daughter of
John Hlevins. and was reared in A she
county, where she was held in high
regard
She is survived by the husband ana
five children.
TRAVEL, RUSH
New York, Dec. 20.?Transportation
lines over most of the eastern
section ol tne nation were mobilizing
everything but the office rocking
chair today to handle what is anticipated
as the greatest Christmas travel
rush in years.
Railroads, steamship companies,
air lines and bus companies alike report
that every available piece of
equipment will he ir> use over the
peak of the holiday rush, expected
over this week-end.
Officials of transport lines of all
sorts estimate that business will be
better from 20 to 45 per cent, than
last year.
SAYS BONOS TO BE PAID
Washington. Dec. 20.?Speaker
Byrns said today that he believed
both Senate and House would dispose
of the cash bonus issue by February
1.
shortlv afterward Sirnatnr mrrnnc
(D-SC) predicted that the bill he. and
Senator Steiwer (R-Ore) have introduced
for cash payment of the bonus
in 1939 would pass at the coming
session of congress even if vetoed by
President Roosevelt.
Byrnes made his statement at the
White House after explaining the
provisions of his bill to Uie president.
He would not say whether he thought
the measure might meet a presidential
veto.
A flock of 235 Rhode Island Red
hens returned J. L. Houk of Morganton,
Route 2, Burke county, a net
profit of $580.00 above feed costs during
the past season.
. . .Sit