Watauga democrat
An Independent Weekly Newspaper ? Established in the Year I 888 STTSSk i?
VOL. LX, NO. 27. ? BOONE, WATAUG^ COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 1948. FIVE CENTS A COPY -
KING STREET
BY
ROB RIVERS
SLIGHT SNOWFALL covered
the landscape Christmas morning
. . . just enough to make the
kiddies hopeful, while several
inches . fell in the vicinity of
Charlotte . . . eleven cars go off
highway on 421 west during the
morning . . . motorists buy up all
the available tire chains ... in
an hour they didn't need 'em . . .
business section deserted Thurs
day folks stay by own firesides
in quiet observance of the holy
day.
? ? ?
FIRECRAKERS not nearly
so prevalent as formerly . . .
folks could actually go to sleep
moat any lima. Had wondind
why folks la tha South burn ad
ih > powder on Christmas. They
don't do it in other sections.
Stale magazine says In the
Olden days the people in sparse -
, ty settled regions, shot off
their muskets Christmas morn
ing to wish their neighbors
across the hill a happy day ...
neighbors answered the greet
ing . . . and pretty soon the
hills resounded as if the battle
of Manassas was on rehearsal.
? ? *
THE GAY WRAPPINGS have
been gathered up, bits of ribbon
and colored string, tags and
stickers without number, have
been brushed away as the do
mestic scene takes on a degree of
normalcy . . . colored lights and
gay Christmas tree look tired and
out of place the day following . . J
like the row of "dead soldiers"
the morning after . . . hemlocks,
pines and cedars awaiting the
garbage collector, bits of decora
tions still clinging to their with
ered branches . . . children weary
of gifts as other days come . . .
oldsters snap back into the
groove of serious living.
? ? ? e
MERCHANTS busily engag
ed in taking inventories of
stocks, and reporting dollar
tales far ahead of those last
year . . . but not necessarily the
number of individual transac
tions . . . prices are higher . . .
accumulation of work following
holiday vacation makes one
wonder if the respite was
worth it ih the long run . . .
children eagerly turning back
to school . . . bills taking the
place of greeting cards in the
mailbox ? ? ? talking with other
business men about Christmas
and finding that most all of us
stayed right at home.
NEW YEAR'S DAY, in many!
parts of the world a gayer event
than Christmas and which is
widely celebrated in the east and
western parts of the United]
States, brings little merriment to'
the folks hereabouts, already
weary, many of them, with the
activities of Christmas week . . .
Numbers of merchants use Demo
crat, however, to extend the
greetings of the season, but New
Year's eve parties on any general
scale are not held here as of
yore . . . Most folks about as busy
looking back over the past year
as they are in getting a bead on
the new . . . economists try to
tell what's going to happen . . .
political seers calculate what will
or will not happen in the election
if Henry doesn't run . . . Another
brand new year is here, bringing
with it a definite challenge to
every individual and business
firm ... To many 1948 is another
opportunity for service to one's
family, community and fellow
man ... to others it carries no
other meaning than twelve
months in which to work . . .
others live only for the election.
The following lines from the pen
of Horatio Nelson Powers is
apropos:
? ? ?
A flower unblown, a book un
I? ll J
A taw with fruit unharrested;
A path untrod. a house wfibM
IWIIll
LmAc yet the bMrt'i dirine p?r
A landscape vhoM wide border
lies
In silent shade 'neeth silent
ifcirii
A wondrous fountain yet un
tealedj
A casket with its gifts conceal -
!
I This is the year that for you
! mmmUm
ti Id
rj^HE difference between 1947 and 1948 um be measured in I be
imperceptible tick of a clock, in the cUsp of a bend or in a
cbonu of Auld Lang Syne+lt is^be sum of the pas ^ gathered in a
moment, and perhaps a swift vision of the future.
When the Neti Year pauses on that pinnacle of time to draw its
first breath, the distance which separates our dreams/from their ful
fillment appears to be but a short step. Yet, in the same instant, we
glance back at the past lying across a gulf too wide for crossing.
We find ourselves on a pivot of eternity.
The real significance of the New Year lias in the fact that it
marks a rebirth of the will to acbiave, and of ambition tend hope
over the world and among the world's peoples.
? ?
We dedicate that renewal of strength to^ all of you, as we, the
publishers, wish you a most sincere ?
HAPPY NEW Y EAR
No Depression in 1948, Says
Babson In New Year Forecast
1948 IN A NUTSHELL
BUSINESS: Watch out after
November 2, 1948.
COMMODITIES: Wholesale
price peak in sight.
TAXES: Pergonal jncome
taxes will be somewhat lower.
LABOR: Wageworkers to use
Taft-Hartley Bill as check on
labor leaders.
HEAL ESTATE: Increased
suburban building.
POLITICS: Election year
propaganda.
STOCKS: A year for switch
ing. ?
BONDS: Low-coupon rate,
By ROGER W. BABSON.
long-term bonds will be lower.
1. 1948 will be, more or less, of
a duplicate of 1947. Certairlly
there will be no "depression" as
so many pessimists are talking
about, b(it fundamental condi
tions will become increasingly
less favorable. Watch out after
November 2, 1948.
General Butinett
2. The above paragraph ap
plies mostly to gross business.
Certain industries will show
smaller net profits. This means
that, in some cases, dividends
may be less in 1948. Remember
some things may be allocated or
rationed again in 1948.
3. The reconversion from war
to peace has been entirely com
pleted; war surpluses are pretty
well disposed of; and 1948 will
even show a resumption of mili
tary purchases.
4. Inventories, quoted both at
their price values and their
volumes, will increase during
1948. Both raw material piles and
[manufactured goods will be in
greater supply during 1948.
Commodity Price*
5. Notwithstanding the above
paragraph, some allocations or
priorities may be reinstated in
1948. The public is sick of high
prices and will make demands
for some price controls in the
case of certain products in short
supply.
6. The retail price of some
goods, other than food products,
will be higher during 1948 as the
final turn has not yet.been reach
ed for all types of goods.
7. We expect to see the peak
in wholesale commodity prices
sometime during 1048. We, there
fore, advise going easy on in
ventories, especially on borrow
ed money.
8. Retail price changes will
lag after wholesale price change*.
This explains why we expect re
tail prices on good quality
merchandise to hold up for
awhile after wholesale prices be
gin to decline. But 1948 will be
a year of war preparations.
Farm Outlook
J. Ttye total farm income for
1948 should approximately equal
phat of 1B47; but we forecast
lower prices for wheat, com, and
cartain other products. Farmers
WINS FAME
Sgt. Paul Siegel, Brooklyn, N. Y.
a member of the U. S. occupation
"orces in Vienna, ''Austria, who
las won fame as the composer of
loth light and serious music. His
atest symphony, "Between Two
Worlds" had its world premiere
and was well received in Vienna,
home of music. I
should certainly diversify more
in 1948, get out of debt, put
money into improvements, and
prepare for real trouble someday.
ip. The supply of certain vege
tables, fruits, and fish products
should increase during 1948 and
the price of these should fall off
barring some weather, insect, or
blight catastrophes.
11. Meat will be in shorted
supply in 1948 than in 1947.
Should the current propaganda
to "eat less and have a better
figure" gain popularity, upward
pressure on meat prices would
be greatly reduced.
12. Farmers will try to get both
1948 Presidential candidates to
promise further subsidies.
The above four farm forecasts
assume normal weather which
we do not attempt to predict.
Low** Tun
13. -The Federal debt will be
decreased during 1948.
14. No personal taxes will be
increased during IMS and there
will be some i eductions, ? per
haps 5 to 10% in the upper
brackets and the entire elimina
tion of those in the lowest
bracket. < .
15. We forecast that the new
tax bill will enable a man to
share his income tax equally
with his wife without sharing
his income or property.
It. The S?% tax limit on long
term gains will remain unchang
? Retail Sales
17. Goods on counters will be
of better grade in 1948. even if
retail prices hold up.
18. There will be many ' mark
down sales" of goods of inferior
quality and curbs on installment
buying may return.
19. The dollar value of all re
tail sales in 1948 should at least
equal 1947.
20. The unit value of retail
^17. Tu" be IeSS in 1948 than in
1947, there will be fewer custo
mer purchases in most stores, al
though each customer may visit
more stores to 'V.op around."
Foreign Trade
21. Our foreign trade will be
less in 1948 than in 1947. We shall
help Europe; but it will be on a
more economical and efficient
scale.
22. More foreign loans will be
made during 1948; but many of
these will be direct to business
concerns rather thaiv to political
governments.
23. There will be considerable
competition from other countries
m legitimate foreign trade where
the credit is good Qther cQun
tries will not compete with us in
our 'charities"; but they cer
.a!n^ compete for all pro
ntable business.
24. Throughout 1948 war talk
and uprisings will continue; but
"??8 w? War 111 wiU Start in
i?48. war preparations will ac
eelerate. ,
Labor Outlook
25 1948 will see an average
hourley wage rise of 5 to 7%
Lower income taxes should in
bUZing poWer' but this
r^l. ^ 1 ?ttaet by further
rises in the cost of living.
26 There need be no more un
employment in 1948 than in 1947;
^JnemPl?yment Insurance"
will be taken advantage of by
imny unprincipled people.
27. Wageworker? wiU grad
Bin y T that Taft-Hartley
? . a checkrein only on
their labor leaders, but not on
hi?0\I?ember"hiP Hence, the
bitter hatred against this bill will
gradually subside. The bill i,
an "SEC" tor labor lead
ers who need it today as much as
banker" needed
SEC which was started ten yemr,
28. Any labor legislation dur
m : iwa WIU K
Taft-Hartley BUI and to raise
minimum wages.
' The inflation era which we
h?ve forecast for several year.
** *tage
SSE * 1Ma- be
no nckletm printing of currency
SO lS borrowing in 1948
S2 J ^iLr* ? pubUc ????
( Continued on page $)
TO MAP PLANS
AT DINNER FOR
MARCH MMES
"h airman Agle Arranges Din
ner Party to Inaugurate
Campaign for Funds With
Which to Fight Infantile
Paralysis; Starts January 15
The annual March of Dimes,
spearhead of the fight against
infantile paralysis, will be held
throughout the nation January
15 to 30, it was announced here
today by Mr. R. E. Agle, 1948
March of Dimes chairman for
Watauga county.
The cost of fighting polio has
skyrocketed," Mr. Agle said, in
pointing out that rising prices
and mounting polio incidence
have placed a tremendous burden
on the resources of the National
Foundation for Infantile Paraly
sis, which this year celebrates
the* tenth anniversary of its
founding by Franklin D. Roose
velt.
Mr. Agle's March of Dimes
committee is setting up the
machinery that will make the
1948 appeal a record demonstra
tion of this area's active interest
in helping the stricken children
of American along the road to
health. A special events commit
tee, headed by Howard Cottrell
is arranging to make the two
weeks of the fund-raising drive
an entertaining and instructive
lesson in public-spirited citizen
ship.
Mr. Agle has appointed the
committee for Boone and Wa
tauga to help him in his fight
against polio, the crippling
desease. Mr. James Farthing,
Northwestern Bank, will serve as
treasurer. Mrs. Gary Cox, will
have charge _of mailing; Mrs.
Milton Greer, the county building
and special gifts; Mrs. Francis
Teams Greene, tag day; A. E.
Hamby, advertising materials;
Rev. Sam Moss, public relations;
Mrs. Bert Ellis, publicity; Howard
Cottrell, dances and sports events;
Dr. Robert King, schools and
churches; Gill Phillips, coin col
lector; W. W. Chester, Grady
Tugman and R. D. Hodges, Jr.,
business houses gifts; Miss Ellen
Coffey, Blowing Rock; W. C.
Leach, Valle Crucis; Roeer
W h i t e n e r. Appalachian State
Teachers College.
Mr. Agle is having a dinner
meeting Thursday, January 1, at
7 p. m. at the Daniel Boone Hotel,
to discuss plans for this im
portant fight.
XMAS IS QUIET!
EVENT IN CITY
Populace Content With Release
From Uiual Duties; Salei
Were at High Levels.
Christmas week passed off un
usually quietly in the community,
much of the quietude being duel
perhaps to the newly-enacted law
banning the possession and use of
firecrackers in the State. At any
rate most folks stayed right at
home, there was little visiting and
relatively few to fall in the hands
of the law during the holidays.
Merchants, other businessmen,
and their staffs, took from two
days up to a week, away from
their daily tasks, and felt satis
fied with the respite from the
daily grind.
A survey of the business dis
trict reveals heavy trading during
he last of the shopping season,
with dollar totals running well
ahead of 1946. Total receipts, in
many instances, however, were
revealed to have come from con
siderably fewer transactions.
Theatre at Weldon,
Burns, Owned by Sams
The Levon Theatre, Weldon,
N. C., owned by the Sams enter
prises, who also own the Boone
*how houses, was completely de
stroyed by fire Friday. No esti
mate was forthcoming on the loss
of the theatre, which had only re
cently been acquired by Mr. Sams.
Two firemen were reported as
being killed, during the conflagra
tion, as a wall to the doomed
building toppled.
The value of wheat is almost
entirely dependent upon its mil
ling and baking quality, which
can be determined accurately
only through milling and baking
G. O. P. LEADERS
Joseph W. Martin, Jr., (R. Mass.)
speaker of the house, and Charles
A.. Halleck, (R. Ind.) leader of the
house, as they visited with Pres
dent Truman on inflation and
Kindred matters.
BARTER GROUP
TO PLAY HERE
Shakesperian Play to be Staged
By Famous Players At
Collage Monday
On January 5 Appalachian
State Teachers college will see
the nationally famous Barter
Players of the State Theatre of
Virginia present Shakespeare's
well-known comedy, "Twelfth
Night." The play will be given
by one of the three repertory
companies of the theatre which
will tour every state in the
Union this season.
Information says that this is
the first time in the history of
Boone that a full-cast perform
ance of Shakespeare has been
presented here, and an overflow
audience is expected to attend.
Taking the leads in the per
formance will be Hay Boyle as
Orsino and Gerry Jedd as Maria.
These two young people were
selected for Barter by Miss Helen
Hayes, the winner of the 1947
Barter Award. Boyle has per
formed at the Pittsburgh Play
house, the Woodstock Playhouse,
the Kilbuck Players and the
Cherry Lane Theatre in New
York. Miss Jedd was a dramatic
school classmate of Ray Boyle
and they were in stock together.
The Barter Theatre began
more than fifteen years ago, and
has progressed under the direc
torship of its founder, Robert
Porterfield, to its present place as
the only state-subsidized theatre
in the United States. Among its
amous sons and daughters are
such personalities as Gregory
Peck, Hume Cronyn, Jeffrey
Lynn, Patricia Neal and Kath
arine Raht.
Last year Barter played 353
engagement and trouped approxi
mately 25,000 miles in nine states.
This season is its most ambitious
effort to bring the theatre to the
people. Three companies will
troupe every state in the Union
to introduce the idea of decen
tralized theatre to the country at
large, in the hope that other
states will follow Virginia's ex
ample.
The curtain on the performance
at Appalachian will go up
promptly at eight o'clock on the
evening of January 5.
Funeral Held Sunday
For T. M. Watson, 73
i
Lenoir, N. C., Dec. 29. ? Grave
side rites for Thomas M. Watson,
73, of Lenoir Route 3, who died
at his home this morning, were
held at the Watson cemetery in
Deep Gap, Watauga county. Of
ficiating at the services was the
Rev. Marshall Watson of Boone,
and Rev. Roscoe Greene of Deep
Gaf>. * .
Mr. Watson was born in Wa
'auga county In December 1874,
the son of the late Mr. and Mrs.
Allen Watson.
Surviving are his wife, Mrs.
Flora Watson, two daughters, Mrs
Snow Shirley and Mrs. Lona Mes
sick, and three sons, Wilson, Glen
and Dudley Watson of Deep Gap,
twenty grandchildren and one
great-grandchild.
MARCH OF DIMES POINTER
Watauga County has one child
on whom is being spent $2,500 a
year for treatments following an
a '.tack of infantile paralysis. The
quota for the entire county has
been set at only $1,675.00. Send
your contribution to Mr. James
Farthing, treasurer at the North*
western Bank.
BURLEY SALES
TO BE RESUMED
HERE MONDAY
Tobacco Receipts Grow Heav
ier as Christmas Holidays
Are Ended; Weed is Drawn
From Wide Area to Floors
Of Local Warehouses.
The first auctions for the post*
holiday season will be held on the
"loors of Mountain Burley Ware
house no. 1 next Monday morning
and word from the warehouse
men is to the effect that the high
o rices reached during the earlier
oeriod of the sales on the local
market will be sustained as the
market goes into its final round
of sales.
Receipts of tobacco, as usual,
were relatively low during Christ
mas week, but are rapidly pick
ing up, now that the holidays are
over. It is anticipateed that full
sales will occur next week, with
continued heavy flows of weed
to the market.
It is pointed out that there is
always plenty of room to unload
on one of the three big floors c.
the Boone market. Tobacco ma
be piqued on the baskets ct an,
time, and can be promptly sold
or the k^gh dollar.
It is said that considerably more
than half the tobacco in the belt
las been sold, but that many fine
?rops remain, and the local mar
ket expects to approach the six
-nillion pound mark when the fi
lal sales are held.
The pre-Christmas sales drew
obaceo from more sections than
aver before, it is pointed out. In
North Carolina, loads came from
the following counties: Watauga,
Ashe, Alleghany, Avery, Mitchell,
Yancey, Madison, Buncombe, Ru
therford, Caldwell and Wilkes.
Quantities of burley came from
four counties in Virginia and four
in Tennessee, while one load was
weighed in from the vicinity of
Charleston, W. Va.
TAX LISTING TO
start: FIRST
Real and Perional Property Mutt
Be Acrount'd For As Of
Ownership January 1.
Listing of real and personal
property for taxation starts on
January 1, and Paul A. Coffey,
county Tax Supervisor, publishes
in this edition of the Democrat,
the names of the various list tak
ers together with the schedules
they have arranged.
Mr. Coffey points out that this
year the Crop Reporting Service
cites the new law which require*
farmers to not only list a census
of their crops and stock during
the year 1947, but to make esti
mates of their anticipated pro
duction during 1948.
The tax official also asks that
the people from the various^ town
ships, should see their own list
iakers and refrain from appear
ing at the courthouse. Each lister
has the needed records, and his
work can't be handled at the tax
office. The full cooperation of the
people will be appreciated.
Democrat Offers Two
Outstanding Feature*
The Democrat is offering its
readers two outstanding and
'imely features today, "The Chro
nolpgy of the Year 1947," and
Roger Babson's annual forecast
of things to come in the world of
business, finance and politics.
The chronology lists all the
happenings of note during the old
year, and is Invaluable as a scrap
book piece for future reference.
Roger Babson, the nation's lead
ing statistician, and an econo
mist of recognized ability, has
the capacity for giving a fairly
dependable forecast of conditions
in the following year. This fea
ture is bought by the Democrat,
so that its readers may have the
Babsor. viewpoint just as quick
jy as it may be secured from the
metropolitan press.
SICK MAI* BAGS DEEH
Valencia, Pa. ? William rum,
58, is a confirmed deer hunter
who isn't going to let a little
thins like illness keep him from
bi|giii| a deer. Preparing for a
trip to the hospital, Fum sighted
[a buck from his back porch.
Rushing into the house to gat
his gun he took one shot and
felled the deer. Than he. went
back to his packing for the
hospital trip.