THE DEMOCRAT
u your be*t and moat econo
mical medium or advertising.
With more than 1,400 paid-up.
cash subscriptions. I your mas
?age goes to 13,000 people, on
the universally used basis of
five readers to each subacrlber.
VOL. LXI, NO. 27.
WATAUGA DEMOCRAT
An Independent Weekly Newspaper ? Established in the Year 1888
BOONE, WATAUGA COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1848.
FIVE CENTS A
BY
ROB RIVERS
CHRISTMAS passes on, leav
ing in its wake the wretched
looking Christmas trees, with bits
of tinsel and stuff still hanging
from the branches which grew
barer each day from the warmth
of the Yule log . . . about as sad
looking as the bird's nest from
which a trio of red-breasts peek
ed last spring. In most homes the
kiddies have stored enough
stuff, so that one may walk about
in comparative safety, without
the danger of taking a joy ride
on a roller skate, a scooter, or
the running gears of a Caterpil
lar truck . . . The Christmas day
fowl has gone through the sand
wich stage, and is about ready for
that culinary dish of mystery ?
hash; the gay wrappings have
been burned, and aside from the
indigestion which many suffer at
this gay season, and an occasion
al hangover, everybody is all
settled down to try to catch up
a few days work, and to start a
brand New Year, which most
everybody hopes will be better
than the last, . . . and a brand
new set of resolutions designed
to make the Christmas spirit
abide throughout the next twelve
months.
? ? ?
"WHITE CHRISTMAS" was
a bit mora than a tuatful dream
Iq iho mVWnh of this area,
Mr Xing Win tar plunked down
a full fledged snow on Friday
to fix the terrain for Santa's
immortal reindeer team . . .
Kiddies hail the fall of the
beautiful as an answer to a
rMMUh prtftr, while the old
sters shiver against the blast
and wish that Christmas might
have bean wiiu and sunny . . ?
The crowds of shoppers which
thronged the town Friday . . .
the slosh of the tires in the
slush, slinging the muddy snow
on the costumes of pedestrians
who wandered too close to the
line of traffic . . . the crusty
snow of Saturday afternoon, al
most bearing a man's weight
and cracking like pistol shots
when a fool went through . . .
the sound of tortured steel as
tire chains bile at the concrete
. . . the cheery "Merry Christ
mas" heard again and again as i
shoppers rubbed elbows in the
crowded stores . . . the (ilence
of the city on a closed Saturday
. . . the tang in the air on a
cloudless morning when the
Mercury has stooped near the
aero mark, and the fragrance
of the smoke drifting from a
chimney where the flames are
devouring the bits of pine
kindling.
? ? ?
MONT GLOVIER, Valle Crucis
orchardist, drops by to wish us a
happy holiday season, and leave
us a basket of his finest apples to
add a rosy touch to the fruit
basket . ... Mis thoughtfulness one
of the things which made Christ
mas merry . . . The fellow who
goes far out of his way on his
busy trip to town to hope the
holidays bring cheer to our door
... The old friends who call us
on the phone every Christmas
morning to fifcd out how every
thing's going ! . . and the many
folks who send us a card ... all
these things add up to happiness
and contentment . . . and we wish
the log on the hearth had the
staying qualities of a Johns
Mmville product . . . and be im
mune to the lazy lapping of the
insistent flame.
HELPING .THE MISSUS do
a Job of "arade -mothering"
down at the High School as the
kiddies stacked the books and
got reedy for a date with Santa
. . . Principal War fro?
room to room, looking in on all
As "parties" and having a
word with the parents . . ?
Thoroughly enjoyed the few
spent with the thirty
? i and their teachers.
and going away as usual mar
veling at the quality of the la
at learning . . . the W>
dsrstanding^of^tha^faculiy. and
(Continued on page 4)
RED CHRISTMAS FAIR
I
Disregarding the dispute between East and West sector govern
ments, Berlin had Us traditional Christmas fairs with ferris wheels,
carousels and colored flags. The most famous of these fairs is
that at the Lustgarten. shown here, now in the Soviet sector. The
bombed out Berlin dome furnishes a background for the gala event
with which Berlin is chasing grim winter reality.
Babson Sees Slight
Trade Dip In 1949
HONORED
cTTdER. GREENE
GREENE GIVEN
SCOUT AWARD
Mr. Clyde R. Greene, local
civic and business leader, was
awarded the Silver Beaver medal
for distinguished service to the
young boys of this community and
district by Old Hickory Council,!
Boy Scouts of America, at a
meeting held recently in Win
ston-Salem.
There were only three awards
given this year, and Mr. Greene
is the second Watauga man ever
to receive such -an honor from'
the Scout organization.
Gridders Guests
Commerce Group
?
At their meeting last week, the
Chamber of Commerce had as
special guests the Coaches and
stellar players on the champion
ship Appalachian football team,
and special recognition was given
Coach Duggins, who was ad
judged the "Coach of the yea^"
by the Southern sports writers
association. Coach Mi^com,
Coach Hoover and Coach Broome
were recognized as were John
Caskey, J. C. Honeycutt and
Herman Bryson, star grid per
formers.
Perry Greene, and R. D.
Hodges, Jr., of th^ Junior Cham
ber of Commerce spoke of the in
terest of their organization in a
cenntenial celebration next year,
and Watt H. Gregg and S. C. *g
gers were appointed to _ work
with other organizations. ?n an
effort to formulate specific re
commendations in this regard. I
R. D. Hodges, Jr. recommended
(Continued on page 9)
Soft Spots Seen in Economy
Of Nation in New Year by
Noted Economist; Individ
uals Urged To Get Out of
j Debt; No Immediate War
Seen. 4
By Rog*r W. Babson
1. Total volume of business for
1949 will be less than that of
1948. There surely will be many
soft spots.
G?n?ral Business
2. Most industries will show
smaller net profits. This means
that, in many cases dividends will
be less in 1949
3. Military preparedness will
be a new and powerful industry
which this country never here
tofore experienced in peace
times. It is destined to bolster
employment for some years
ahead, but not the standard-of
living.
4. Inventories quoted both at
their dollar values and in volume
will increase during 1949. Most
raw material piles and manu
factured goods will be in greater
supply during 1949.
Commodity Pricss
5. Some rationing or priorities
may be attempted in 1949. The
public will make demands for
price controls in the case of cer
tain products. Beware of install
ment purchases in 1949.
6. We expect the peak in whole
sale commodity prices has been
reached for this cycle. We, there
fore, advise going easy on in
ventories. 1949 is a time to get
out of debt and stay out of debt.
7. The retail price of some
goods, other than food products,
may be higher during 1949, but
we believe that the Cost-of-Liv
ing Index has turned downward.
8. Retail price changes lag af
ter wholesale price changcs This
explains why we expect many
retail prices on good quality
merchandise to hold up for awhile
after wholesale prices decline.
Farm Outlook
9. The total farm Income for
1949 should be less than that of
1948, due to lower prices for
wheat, corn, pork, poultry, eggs
and certain dairy products. Farm
ers ' should diversify more in
1949, get out of. debt, putting sur
plus money into savings and
prepare for real trouble some
day.
10. The supply of certain veg
etables and fruits should in
crease during 1949 The price of
these should fall off, barring
some weather, insect or blight
catastrophe.
11. Poultry and daily products
will also increase in volume dur
ing 1949, prices averaging less
than 1948 prices.
12. Farmers will continue to
work for extensions of subsidies.
(Continued on pags 4) "
WATAUGAK&iQ
GO TO POLLS
ON QUESTION
OF WINE, BEER
Election Board Calls Vote for
March 1 To Determine
Legal Fate of Malt and
Fermented Beverages; Reg
istration Period Designated
Acting on the petitition of the
required number of qualified
voters, the Watauga County
election Board, in special session
Tuesday morning, set aside the
first day of March, 1949, as a
special election day, for the pur
pose of approving or disapprov
ing the continued legal sale of
beer and wine in Watauga county.
! Petitions have -been circulated
for some time requesting the first
prohibition election held here
since 1933, and as soon as the
names could be checked to be
sure of their being registered
voters, election officials set the
election date, it is understood.
The official election call states
that the election shall be held at
the various polling places in tne
county,, and that as in the case
of general elections, none but
legally qualified voters may par
ticipate.
Registration books will be open
for three weeks, it is pointed out,
beginning Monday. February 8,
and will be at the various polling
on each Saturday during the
period.
Yuletide Quiet
Prevails in City
j Christmas was observed in a
isafe and sane manner by the
I folks of Boone, there being little
to distinguish the day from the
| usual Sabbath.
All the business places of the
jtown closed Saturday, after en
ijoying heavy trade by last
I minute shoppers on Friday and
it is believed that in most in
stances business finally reached
i about the proportions of last year,
jat least that seems to be the opin
ion among the retailers.
Merchants also kept their
establishments closed on Mon
day, though some caught up some
loose ends of business behind
locked doors, as they made ready
for the big task of inventorying
their stocks.
Frigid temperatures kept most
of the folks indoor* Saturday and
Sunday, and despite icy roads,
which prevailed a portion of the
time, the local ambulance service
reports no calls from automobile
accidents. No disorder, of coo
sequence were reported by
enforcement officers.
Bids Received on
Laundry Plant
Northrup and O'Brien, Win
ston-Salem architects, have ad
vertised for bids for the con
struction of a one hundred thou
sand dollar laundry *nd general
service building at Appalachian
State Teachers College, It has
been learned.
The building, which will be
two stories tall, will be made of
reinforced concrete, steel, *
brick and glass exterior. It will
measure 140 feet long by 80 fee*
wide, and will be built in con
temporary style
On the ground floor will be a
garage for servicing college ve
hicles and a machine shop. On
the second floor will be a laundry
repair shop* and (general storage
arm. . . ?
150,000 Appropriated
The 1947 State Legfalature ap
propriated IW^OO for th* pro^j
but K will ** .bout twice that
much, said Leet A. OTirienjen
ior partner in the architecture
firm. Bids must be racrived to
the president's office at the col
lege by Jan. M, he said
To Greensboro Ass
DELEGATION FROM TRUMAN
A delegation of citizens from Truman. Minn., population 1300,
called at the Whit* House recently to inrita tba President to attend
tb*.' town's golden jubilee celebration June 17-1S. Dale Rigle.
wearing glasses. who is mayor of Truman, is shown araeentlinj a
humidor of "non-campaign" cigars to Matthew Connelly, secretary
to President Truman.
Organization Slated
For Hospital Drive
HEADS UP, JIMMY
Two-year-old Jimmy Bieeele of
Brooklyn, N. Y.. U learning to
walk for the first time after being
stricken with polio. The football
helmet is for protection against
falls. Jimmy's treatment is made
possible by the March of Dimes.
Postal Receipts
Hit New Record
Postal receipts at the Boom
postoffice have hit a new high
during the year IMS. Postmaster
John E. Brown, Jr., states, add
inc that the income during the
year just closing will be perhaps
better than $10,000, running well
ahead of the former banner year
of IMS, when tte postal -take"
locally was $28,000.
Christmas volume this year
wis greater than ever before
both in the matter of greeting
cards, and parcel post, Monday,
December 20, being the busiest
day in the history of the Boone
office. One hundred thousand
Christmas cards were dispatched,
as against about lifiOQ a year ago.
1 '
?A*.'. ? *-?* v. . -.1. * '
Chairmen Are Named in Dif-|
ferent Townships To Solicit
Contributions for Health
Center; Meeting Is Held To
Pass on Equipment Bids.
The campaign to raise the sum|
of twenty thousand dollars for
the equipment of the Watauga
Hospital, will officially start on
January 1, it is learned from
Clyde R. Greene, chairman of the
campaign, who states that it is
the purpose of the committee to
successfully conclude the cam
paign by January IS.
Neighborhood co-chairmen have
been named in each township of
the county and will meet at the
Skyland Cafe Thursday evening
of this week at 6:30 to complete
details for the fund-raising cam
paign.
The names of the co-chairmen
follow :
Bald Mountain township: Wade
Norris, Glenn Howell.
Beaver Dam: Clyde Perry,
Spencer Warren.
Blowing Rock: J. H. Winkler,
Miss Ellen Coffey.
Blue Ridge: S. C. Ford, M. O,
Coffey.
Boone; G. K. Moose, Howard
Cottrell.
Brushy Fork: C. A. Clay, Mrs,
L. M. Hodges.
Cove Creek: Mrs. Mary Har
ris, Marion Thomas.
Elk: V. C. Cox, Stewart Sim
mons.
Laurel Creek: A. C. Mast, Ned
Glenn.
Meat Camp 1: C. G. Hodges
Howard Gragg.
Meat Camp 2: Will Barnes
James McNeil.
New River: Fred C rite her
Gradjr Farthing.
North Fork: John Potter, S. 6
South.
Shawneehaw: W C. Smith
Ruaaeil Farthing.
Stony Fork: A. G. Miller, W
S. Moretz.
Watauga: Howard Mast, C. F
Moor*.
To Order .
The special committee named
to secure bids on the needed
equipment for the hospital, met
Tuesday evening with Dr. J. R
Whittington of Winston-Salem
noted hospital consultant, far th?
purpose .of checking over the
^equipment lists, bids wwiwit
etc., looking la the sotual plsrini
(of canters for the needed supplies
Improved Postal Service To
Go Into Effect in February;
Marks Culmination of Lone
Efforts on Part Local Post
masters; Doughton Goes To
? Bat.
Highway poatoffice service be
tween Greensboro and Boom,
which has been sought by ths
community for a number of
years, is to become a reality
February 4, Postmaster John E.
Brown, Jr., was advised Tuesday.
The new postal service, which
operates exactly on the plan used
by railway postoffices, and which
will greatly improve the mall
service into Boone, was first
promoted by Wiley G. Hartzog,
during his term as postmaster.
His successor, Mr. Brown, shared
his interest in this project, and
has devoted much time and ef?
tort/ to its promotion, which had
the complete support of Congress
man Doughton.
The highway postoffice will
leave Greensboro, daily except
Sunday at 2 a. m.. and will be
routed by El kin. North Wilkes
boro, Laurel Springs, West Jeffer
son, arriving in Boone at 8 a. m.
The eastbound schedule will
leave Boone at 1:15 and axxiye ?t
Greensboro at 7:45 p. m. The pre
sent mail to Winston -Salem,
Salem, which has been leaving
Boone at 1 o'clock will leave at
3 p. m. when the new service is
inaugurated.
Postmaster Brown states that
the department now has the
highway mail coaches available,
and that they will be operated
by the regular railway mail ser
vice workers. Two postal workers
are assigned ,to each car, the mail
is "worked" en route, as on the
rails, and no stops are made, ex
cept for the purpose of deposit
ing or receiving additional mail.
The highway postoffices have
been received with favor in other
sections of the country, and have
been designed particularly to af
ford adequate postal facilities to
regions which have no rail lines.
March of Dimes
Termed Urgent
Next month's campaign for
funds for the infantile paralysis
foundation, comes in the nature
of an emergency effort, according
to a telegram received by Bob
Agle, local chairman of the
March of Dimes, from Basil O'
Connor, head of the national or
ganization.
With a prediction of other epi
demics of polio next year, ICr.
O'Connot says the January March
of Dimes must be the greatest
ever and net at least thirty mil
lion dollars if the obligations of
the foundation are to be met.
The text of the message is a*
follows:
"I am sending this wire to all
fund-raising chairmen because of
my duty to advise you of the ita
portance of the March of Dimes
drive. In 1948 alone it has cost
seventeen million dollars to car*
for infantile paralysis patients
Of this amount national heed
quarters sent to chapters six mil
lion, five hundred thousand dol
lars. Our epidemic emergency
aid fund at national headquarters
is now completely exhausted.
Many chapter treasuries have
been totally depleted. Make no
mistake about it? this is an emer
gency situation. If we are to
continue to help polk) victims
and be prepared for epidemics
next year and continue our re
search and educational programs,
the March at Dime* next January
must be the greatest ever and
net at least thirty million. With
out this sum we cannot fulfill our
pledges to patients and the pub
11a Please do everything to hdp.
Mr. Agle and his co-wbrtars
will institute an oggrwshr# cam
paign to raise Watauga's share of
the infr"ML* paralysis fund at
tfa* earliest possible date.