fBfTitoVlfted fa Mi ahd published for 49 gntn by the bt? Robert C Rims. Sr.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
Patauga County: On* year, *2 60. six month*. $1 30; tour months, $1.00; Outside Wstauga
* ?- '^W1- ^ 91191 ** mwrthf' ?m I
ICE TO SUBSCRIBERS? In requesting change of addrMi. it b impeita* to mention the OLD,
7] ?t the postoffice it Boom, N. C., H second class mail matter, nntor the act of Congress of
of gift fo?eiMWt Mint the opinio* of tha people, the very first objective ahould In to
that right, tad were it left to me tp decide whether we ahould have a government without news
-?, er W..KHH without government, I ahould tot hesitate a moment to choose the Utter. But
?Id mean that every man ahould metv* these papers and to eapable of reading them."? Thomas
BOONE, NORTH CAROLINA, THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1953
Roadside Parks Popular Spots
Highway Commission Chairman A. H.
Graham, getting ready (or the widespread
Uie of the State's twenty roadside parks,
takes occasion to remind thoae who use
these conveniences to leave the facilities
Clean and neat so they may offer the full
Art enjoyment to other*.
Covered metal garbage cans have been
provided at the park areas so that refuse
may be disposed of, "and these should be
?sad
Some vandalism and destruction of prop*
erty was apparent last summer, and Mr.
Graham Voices the hope that this disre
gard of public property wont be manifest
this year. He says the parks are for th?
Convenience and pleasure of everyone, not
just for a few careless Individuals.
Each park Is located in a wooded grove
and has protected drinking water supply,
test rooms, picnic tables, benches and,
out door fireplace*.
All the roadside parka are by lit to cer
tain standards. No park is larger than
three acres. Each must be located within
two to live miles from the limifs of a city
or town. As a safety measure, the entire
roadside park area must be opened to view
from the highway, with ho. low branch
trees or tall ihrubs to block vision. As ??
rule, there is a grassed strip separating the /
highway from the park driveway and
parking lot.
In Watauga parks are located on 421 be
tween Boone and Deep Gap and on 221
west of Blowing Rock.
Local picnic groups, as well as tourists. /
use these parka throughout the summer
and fall fall months, and many meetings
of public concern are held on these prem
ises. They are greatly enjoyed by the
people.
Green Stamp Bill Triggers War
The bill introduced by Representative
Vogler of Mecklenburg, which would im
pose restrictive conditions on the use of
the well-known Green Stamps in the ?
?tores of the State, set off fireworks be
fore House Judiciary Committee 1 the last
#f the week.
And the attorneys representing Sperry
6c Hutchinson firm, from whiok theHttle.
stamps get their name, are not alone in
tenting protest against the legislative pro
posal. Ibe people who buy the groceries
and stuff and regularly stick these little
glue-backed pictures in the books don't
Ike the notion of the movement. In Boone,
fc\ at least one store the end of the Week,
Customers kept busy signing letters to be '
sent to the Assemblymen asking that they
have a care for the little tokens and for the
folks who like to get 'em when they reach
the cashier's counter.
The bill would require that each stamp
bear a cash value, maybe a quarter cent
Or so, fend that they would be redeemable
for money as well as for docks, percolat
ors and th* like. It would also be required
that the stamps be available to all mer
chants, and require that the money from
unredeemed stamps "go to the University of
ftorth Carolina in escheats.
The S & H folks claim that the objec
tives of the Vogler bill are to drive the
trading stamps out of the State, and de
clare that for every merchant against them,
there are 10 customers in favor. They see
a trend toward "the outlawing of compe
titive activities." They further state that
' four Of the five section* would make it Im
possible for trading stamp plans to func
tion. Proponents of the bill claim that
prices are raised to take care of the stamp
costs and that the custome* is no better off.
? We find that around Boone, the people
like the Green Stamp plan, that is, the
customers, and we learn from the )\pusv
wives that the merchandise they are re
ceiving in exchange for the stamp books is
quite satisfactory.
We'd add our protest to those who'd
want to complicate and hamper the stamp
plan. Havihg grown up in a day before
money became necessary, on any extended
scale, when white gravy was popular and
when most of the provender came from
the garden spots, we learned to appreciate
thy things the Ar buckle coffee signature-)
bought, and later on cigarette coupons, and
the peanuts with a nickel in an occasional
package were mighty popular with the
youngsters.
We are dead agin' tampering with the
trade coupons. Many merchants have
found in the green stamps a stimulus to
business, customers find them handy in
buying some of the things they've failed
to get before, and everybody should be
fairly happy with the arrangement.
Straws In The Legislative WW
The Senate Finance Committee conduct
ed itself a itraw poll the other day to find
Out how the committeemen stood on some
of the controversial tax proposals? most
Of which have been a bit hard for the Leg
fc la tors to pass on.
For whatever it is worth, the straw vote
indicated that the committee, or a majority,
trere in favor of the tobaoco tax, and
against a tax on feed, fertilizer and insect
dust. |
The group lined up against an across
tfie board increase in the sales tax levy,
against > sales tax on food, and against
An income tax raise.
The solons seem to be against the Gov
ernor's soda pop tax, against the proposed
direct tax otf newspaper and radio adver
tising, against the removal of the $15 sales
lax limit ot) a single article, and for ft
liquor tax increase. ^
There was a unanimous vote for a tax
to cooperatives, against a tax on building
materials, and for a tax on luxury items.
The committee also appeared to be tn
favor of exempting farm machinery from
the sales tax, permit limited deduction of
Federal income taxes on State income
an expanded public service ? or for that
rtMtter if pnsrtnt services are to continue,
but everybody Wants his or her enterprise,
quite Aatttrally, to be favored. The object
of course, should be, as Congressman
Dough ton said in one of his classic utter
ances, to "get the most feathers with the
fewest squawks from the goose."
However, with the improved outlook for
personal income this year, maybe the As
sembly will be able to work out the Stats
budget money a trifle more easily, than
seemed the caae at the start of the session.
Borrowed Comment
? . ? J
What It A Mature Person ?
(GoMaboro New*- Art**)
How would foa define the word* "mature per
?on?" How mugr mature people do yon know?
Mr*. Eleanor Rootevelt, a greet world figure
of our time, looking bade on three aeore year*
and tan of life In her book "It Seem* To l*e,"
ghrw (M* definition.
"A mature peraon," aha reflect*, "la one who
doe* not think only in abaolatea, who i* able to he
objective eren when deeply itirred emotionally,
who hit learned that there I* both good and bad
<* all K?p)e and in .11 thin*, and ??? walk.
Sftbly tnd deal* charitably with ?fe eircum
atancee nf life, knowing that hi thi* world no one
t*?*4mowii?. and therefore all of a* need both
ieee end efcerMy
' 2" .,
tsm
HERE'S HOPEV
' By Paul Berdanier
m
Stretch's Sketches
By "STRETCH" ROLLI1SS
The Fable(?) of the Lady and the Lamp Shade
ONCE UPON A TIME, there wai ? lad, who
lived in a raull town. We will call her Mr*.
Thrifty (as pseudo a nym as
you'll find in any man'i col
umn.)
It wm ? progressive little
town, with nice stores^ a col
lege, and a new factory. The
Chamber of Commerce and
the Merchants Association
were quite active, never ceas
ing in their efforts to make It
an even better town.
And they urged the resi
dents, through the local newt
paper tad radio station, to
"trade at home," which, as everyone knowi, ii a
good thing to do.
Now, there came a day whten Mrs. Thrifty
Seeded a lamp ihade. Not a large lamp shade.
Just a small shade for a small lamp.
So, en her next trip downtown, (he went to
her favorite lamp shade dealer, confident that
She would find just what she wanted.
But he dldnt have It. Not a small otie.
He had large lamp shades.
He even had small lamps, complete with shades.
He had many, many other nice things In his
More.
But no small lamp shade.
He was very sorry, of coarse, that he didn't
have what his customer wanted. But truth to tell,
he wasnt terribly put out over missing a sale of,
say, 30c or so.
But wait.
Mr*. Thrifty went to all the other lamp ihade
dealer! in town, hut she didn't find a small lamp
ahade. It was the lame story. Lot* of other nice
things, but no smaU lamp shade.
And Mrs. Thrifty wanted that lamp shade. Now,
quite naturally, more than ever.
So the first day they could both let away, Mr.
ami Mrs. Thrifty' took* trip to a larger town
about fifty miles away.
They bought a limp shade. A small one.
No trouble.
First store they tried had it.
The lamp shade off (heir minds, they decided
to shop around a little. After all, no use driving
fifty mile* and beck 4uat for a lamp ahade. That
would be silly.
They'd been thinking of getting a new sofa
for the living room, end they found the very one
in another store.
So they bought it
Easter waa coming up soon, and there was a
darling outfit in a shop window. Mrs. Thrifty
vowed if they hid her tile, (he was going to buy
tt. \ ' *
They did and she did.
She even pel waded her husband to buy a new
suit, too. And a sport coat, as well.
They alao picked up a few other odds and ends,
"as long as they were there," and by the time
they atarted home, they had spent I sizeable
sum of money.
Now of course, they coqld have found Just
about all of these things in the stores back home.
Except a small lamp ahade.
A 39c sale missed'
Think again. ,
From Early Democrat Files
Sixty Yeart Ago
Ah* 11, ims.
W. R Lovill of Satherlmd ?u la town this
week.
The mail carrier on the route from Boone
to Stony Fork failed to make his trip on Mon
day. Owing to the swollen condition of New
River he Was unable to cross.
The rain on Saturday night and at Say Sun
day was unosually copious and all the streams
were over their banks.
We understand that the VsUe Crock Academy
has secured the services of a very accomplished
lady musician who will afford instruction in both
instrumental and vocal music.
On Saturday the 30th ult. while Mr. Fog Brown
of Globe was plowing in his field he was at
tacked with- bilious colic, and died on Sanday
from its effects. He formerly lived at Sands.
The Rebellion in Cuba is bectxniag more ser
ious every day and the insurgents are increas
ing. We are with Cuba in this fight and We
hope she will secure her independence from
Spain.
Thirty-Nine Yeart Ago
April IS. Ml*.
Bora to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lovill a baby boy.
A baby girl has come to brighten the hene
of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Winkler.
John Whaley, who is Ita Jail charged with horse
stealing, will he given a preliminary hearing Ih
Boone Saturday.
Reverends D. P. Waters and Joe Grew Sre
conducting a revival meeting at Hopewell Church.
Mr. I. M. Cook, who has be?n in the mercan
tile business at VlrfU for quite * while, has
Dr. J. H. Hodges of Cranberry hu obtained
fifty thousand mountain trout and had them
placed la the amtew of Boone's Fork, this county.
The mow storm, which was general over the
country, did not miss Watauga. It began falling
Friday and continued until Sunday night, and
on Monday morning the earth was covered to a
depth of 10 to 12 inches.
There is renewed rumor of an electric ear
line frorti Lenoir to Boone. Joy! That would be
a boon indeed. We hope the dream of yean may
be realised.
Blowing Rock.? The recent storm of wind,
rain, sleet and anow lasted SO hours and pot oar
electric light plants eat of commission, sent the
spring birds down the south side of the ridge
and pat a step to the vigorous gardening wsrte
that had begun all over town.
Fifteen Yean Ago
April 11. 1MO.
A crowd, estimated at some three thousand,
from Watauga aad surrounding counties gathered
in Boone today to take part In the dedicatory
Mtttclses Tor the new Boone PostofTice, in which
Postmaster General James A. Farley was the
principal figure
Funeral astvieas were conducted from the lata
residence Sunday afternoon for James W. Bryan,
SO. Who succMabed Friday. The immediate cause
of his death was paralyaU. ... He came to
Boone 41 year* ago where ha opened a jewelry
and watchmaking business He had hseu Mayor.
Justice of the Peace, and was tin first game
? . ?
UN MMUMMn Oi CM HOWIUUI BUKJf Wire*
house met Thw^day to declare a 10 far
cent dividend oa the first year's operation of
triNir STREET 'H
?IIS V p 1 -|OT HOB Wf?
GUIDANCE NEEDED ALONG THE BO AD
The commercial man was wanting to know how to get to the
man's store, and was being directed by the gum-chewing wait
ress at the hamburger counted by 4ne roaring strip of concrete.
. . "You go straight down this highway about three-quarters,
and turn right. In about a mile you'll cross Stinky Creek, where
the fellow was killed in the car wreck a while back. Go on
about a mile, and you'll come to a big house on the right hand
side of the road, alongside a red barn. That's where Bill Swin
son lives. There'll be a heap of ducks around there, no doubt.
Bilkallus was fond of ducks. . . , But anyway go on another mile,
turn left down Turkey Creek, and you'll find a meadow with a
lot of cows in it They belong to Olie Olsen, but don't pay no<
'tention to them, just keep going till you come to the white
churchhouseon the slope in the poplars, that's where I 'tend,
and at the next fogies of the road youll find your man's place of
business. But say, the man I'm talkin' about don't have no
store, just a gas pump there by his barn, where he gets oil for
his farm tractor. . . . Guess you'd better inquire," to which the
weary traveler weakly replied: "I thought that was what I was
doing!" and walked sadly away.
* i
NOT NIGH AS MUCH AS A PASSEL
The question came op in the Democrat's composing
room the other day as to how many were a few or
several, as the case might be. . . . Webster says a few is
"normany, of snail number," and that several is "an
indefinite number, more than two, but not very many."
. . . One time when the late James W. Bryan, {Sod rest
him, and the writer were cutting some quids of chewing
atop a big rock on Middle Fork, when. the trout had
quit biting, and we were tired, hungry, and dreading the
i walk back home, we asked the pioneer Jeweler about
this. He said that the dictionary had always been
wrong on this? that a few was five or less, and that
several Was seven or more, that this logic was clearly m
written by the ancients. Be that as it may, we've never
had trouble with passe I, which means Just "mulligans"
of something, or with oodles which denotes a'plenty,
or with scads, which has a faint suggestions of near
y scarcity, but the one we've heard of late years which
must, for a fact, be the most is "endless ends."
THE BABBLING BROOK ... A CATCHALL
Much hu been said in song and story about the laughing
brooks, and the rippling waters and the limpid streams, but in
Boone the branches have become veritable catchalls for every
manner of rubbish and refuse one could imagine. The north
tributary to Boone Creek, which runs against the west wall of
the Democrat building, and whose bed we h^d paved with con
crete to promote cleanliness has been a focal spot for tourists
for many years. They often linger in the shade while their
youngsters play in the cool waters. . . . But now the stream is
invariably plugged with paper cartons, automobile tires" (three
as this is written), pieces of timber, gin bottles, beer cans, oil,
cans, automobile batteries and what have you. . . . Folks have
to be continually forking this junk out of the little stream so
that ft won't overflow wheh big rains come, and personally we
have many times hired a man to fix the little creek sq's it could
sing on down the valley. ... A little boy likes to throw rocks
in the creek, it's just something one does, but why fplks should .
load a tiny watercourse with every type of junk is beyond our
understanding. It should be stopped! v
?* t
DON'T DO AWAY WITH HER
These smart cracks which are lithographed on card
boards and sold to many small businesses, carrying
slogans of service, reasons for not extending credit
and other things, provide some interest at times. Saw
one 1>ehind a lunch counter the other day, which
brought a smile, even if a little wry. It said: "If ydur
wife can't cook, don't divorce her; keep her for a pet
and eat here!"
Washington Report
By BILL WHITLEY
ATTACKS. Within the part few
weeks. Democrats have opened a
barrage of attacks on the Republi
can Administration which may
lead to big issues in next year's
elections. Taxes, foreign policy
and farm policies have been the
main lines of attack.
NEW APPROACH. In the new,
volley of attacks that have been
unleashed by the Democrats, thet-e
is a sharp departure from what
has been a general hesitancy to in
clude President Eisenhower in
criticism *f the Republican Ad
ministration. The Democratic lead
ership until now has avoided mak
ing direct 'attacks on Eisenhower
for fear hia popularity would cause
a political backfire.
As a result of his tremendous
popularity, attacks have been
leveled at his advisers and cabinet
officers Instead of the President
himself.
SPOT. Recent developments in
foreign affairs, however, have
made it necessary for the Presi
dent to be criticised directly. This
is true because of the fact the
President himself formulates and
carries out the foreign policy of
the Republican Administration.
When it comes to this phase of
the Administration, none of his
subordinates can take the load off
the President.
FORMOSA The heated eoutro
versy around the explosive For
tnosa issue has opened a flood of
criticism of Eisenhower for his in
RESULT. So fair, the attacks on
EMaliowrr and hb Form own
poMcy h mm been damaging to the
Republican Party. The Democrats'
deep concern over Fwnw and
peace have shaken them into real
izing that the President'! views are
not sacred. If the criticism sticks,
then th^ President will be open to
? whole new avalanche of criti
cism in the field of domestic af
fairs. The trigger is primed to
turn the gun* in the face of Ike
himself. The groundwork for such
strategy already has been laid in
the bitter criticism of cabinet of
ficers and others for present tax
and farm policies. It would be a
simple matter to turn sour public
opinion in these matters directly
toward Eisenhower.
BACKFIRE? T7je harder that
the President must hnrdle is to
keep the United States out of war
over Formosa, and at the same
time, keep the islands from falling
into the hands of the Communists.
If this can be done, then the Presi
dent's popularity would soar to
even new heights and all future
Democratic criticism would pro
bably fall flat.
7,000 Miles Away,
Soldier Wants Mail
I am stationed hi Guam, which
is a small island seven thousand
miles southwest of California, and
I like to get plenty of mail. I would
like to hear from friends and
neigh bore
I am ftyp son of Mr and lb*.
Wesley P> wnell of Beech Creek,
My address is:
Dexter C. Preaneil
SA 4tt 41 It
Wavy K8 (CHB-l)
c-o Fleet Poatofflce
8m Franeiaeo, California.
I jfifcrd
Airlines show reduced need of
United States aid.