IE, NORTH CAROLINA, THURSDAY, APRIL S, MM
No Local Depression
Someone said the other day that if one
was talking about the lots of the other
fellow's Job he called it a recession If, on
the other hand, he was talking about fall
ing to make a pay day himself, it was a
depression.
But whether one calls it a depression, a
recession, a dip or a readjustment, it's not
a happy situation for the Are million or
more who've lost their jobs. On the bright
er side, however, is the fact that more
people are employed than ever before.
Another happiness note is that Boone
and Watauga county have not yet exper
ienced the recession's foree to a very great
extent. The most noticeable effects are
sMn in the homecoming of a good many
of our young people who've beeb laid
off the production lines in the industrial
centers of the north.
But not being tied in to an overwhelm*
ing extent with the manufacturing enter
prise of the nation, allows us to coast along
for a while, without suffering from the
featiotvll situation. Anyway, that's the way
it happened the last time.
What has hampered business in Boone
and In the dotnty at large, during these
first few rod^ths of recessionary tenden
cies Is the leather. For a large part of
the winter, folks haven't been traveling
except when necessary, and retailers have
noted their absence In their cash tallies.
That's a temporary situation, however, and
the improved weather is fast making up for
the business losses during the storms.
. We read that travel business is supposed
to be good again this year, and most of
the folks hereabouts are confidently ex
pecting another good season, recession 'or
no recession.
State Cleanup Planned
The Keep North Carolina Beautiful Com
mittee waa In Raleigh Tueaday to talk over
cleanup and beautiflcatlon plana with Gov
ernor Hodges.
In brief, the committee'! miaaion Is to
look tor waya to make roadaidea and pub
lic places more attractive, and in other
waya to beautify the State.
And we've beard of no civic movement
wblck Is more commendable in our book
of worthwhile activities, and would be
among the first to agree that the plan
will pay handaome dividends to the State
if it balloons iitto a really appreciable
amount of cleanup and beautiflcatlon WfHt
being done.
Aci, incidentally, it isn't too early for
householders In Boone to begin making
their plana for the annual cleanup cam
paign to be waged here later on. Due to
the severity of the winter, "and the fact
that householders and business people by
necessity, saved all the work for spring,
the situation is worse than normal.
Fact la, th# city will never be clean as
it should be, until eaeh and every one of
us becomes conscious of the unsightly con
ditions which exist about the town, and
individually and collectively work day by
day in keeping our premises and vacant
lots cleaned up. Regardless of how much
the city does, or the sponsoring cleanup
organizations, a high degree of civic pride
is going to b? required to produce a really
clean town.
Of course, with the labor situation what
it is, many people will fine) it hard to fi
nance a thorough cleanup of their hold
ings, but it's a job that is well worth work
ing on. Not only for our own enjoyment
does cleanliness pay, but the greater div
idends will come from the traveling pub
lic, students and others who would like to
know Boone as the cleanest and most beau
tiful town in the State.
It can be just that. But it wid take
everybody to do it.
Toll Plan Killed
Representative Alexander brought us
some good news the other day, when he
called to say that Secretary of the Interior
Sea ton had killed the plan for the collec
tion of a toll on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The two Senatora from North Carolina
and the Carolina Congressional delegation,
had an aUe assist from Governor Hodges
and Chamber of Commerce groups from
the Parkway area, In theif- presentation of
the caae against toll leviea, and are due
the gratitude of the folks in this section for
their fruitful fight against the plan.
Importantly, Seaton expressed the hope
that his action would mean the end of
the toll notion which has been bobbing
up since 1940, and stated that If the plan
is revivfed again it would have to be taken
out of a "free?."
the Carolina Congressman and other*
from the State convinced Seaton, that the
plan to have twenty or more collection
stations on the Parkway would be tmprac
tical, and the Secretary added: 'Tolls on
the Parkway would not be conaistent with
practice on aome other fedefally-ownftd
roads on which no fees are charged."
We'd thought all along that the pressures
which had bailt up would not allow the
Park Service to go ahead with the toll plan,
but sincere as Seaton may be, In putting
the plan in deep freeze it can be thawed
Id later years when he's not around.
So we'd reiterate our contention that
the only thing- to do is to paaa the legisla
tion which would define policy in Forest
Service areas, and which would definitely
prohibit the Exacting of tolls on the Blue
Ridge Parkway. '
That's the only way to kill the iaaue for
an appreciable length of time, and we
think our Representativea, who'vft been so
much concerned about the matter, will not
let up in their efforta to enact Such legis
lation.
mm
mm
Bring Back Spelling Bees
fcvV
-A ?
(Greeiuboro Newt)
New* reports that several colleges nave
instituted courses in spelling bring home
the fact that Johnny can't read or spell
either.
Pot- a while in recent years spelling went
out of style at a high school course, but
there was a time when spelling bees were
big events. Rent B. Lassiter in Tlie Smith
field Herald recently recalled those days
when pupils in old-timey schools fell for
the competitive spelling bees in lieu of
athletic contests. She writes:
"Elementary students stood in line and
spelled orally and gave sentences with the
Correct use of the words. We had 'cutting
% down/ and ft was always a triumph when
One want to the head of the class. No other
prise was needed." < , \ Jjfc p ; ;
years folks spelled lor the pure
iglAg to felling matches at
Always one of the drawing
'oiks Day, held annually for
i Maasey SAool near Prtnc*
ton," Mrs. Lasslter remimscea, was a
spelling match. Old-timers harked back to
their school days, reviewed the 'Blue Back
Speller,' and vied again in spelliag down
the whote group."
In small towns, even after the adrtrit of
"picture shows," spelling bees were some
times scheduled at the "opera house." They
were considered a high form of entertain
ment, along with "Tom Thumb weddings,"
"womanles* weddings" and local talent
chows.
Those were simpler times, of course,
when people were obliged to furnish their
own entertainment. But it'? significant
that when young folks went in search
of fun thiir thoughts turned to spelling
bee*. This indicates that they regarded
themselves in qualified to enter? toey felt
sure of their education in this subject.
Would such self-confidence be justified
in today's youftg people? jpf V
1 Material, T<
Stretch's Sketches
By " STRETCH " ROLLINS
After Taxet, It's Hardly Enough To Laugh At
SPRING NOW HAS a built-in joy killer about
tlM time it'i due to get atarted food: Income tax _
time, April 18.
Beit thing to do, probably, /b make light of
the whole afiwr. Alter an,
it'* only money. And when it
comei to money, ?ome of o?
are very light, indeed
Besides, as a TV eommedian
said, there are other things
in Hfe besides money: poverty,
misery, hunger. . . .
But some people put the
$ mark on everything. It's
said an English grave marker
bears the following ia?<rip
tlon: "Sacred to the memory of Jonathan Thomp
son, a pioui Christian and affectionate husband.
His diaconeolate widow continues his grocery bus
iness at the old stand on Main Street with the
beat prices in town."
And in a Maryland cemetery: "Here lie* Jam
Smith, wife of Thom*a Smith, marble cutter. This
monument erected by her husband. Monuments
of thia same style are $280."
Proving that money can, after all, be a grave
matter.
BUT WE STILL HAVE TO PAY? Tully Blair,
president of Security Life * Trust Co., told a
Boone audience recently that the reason the in
come tafc people had reaaored t he square In the
corner of the 1040's with the printed notation,
"Do not write in thJa space," wa> because every
year from 1,000 to J, 000 returns were received
with something like the following scrawled across
the sacred space: "I'll write any dam place I
please!"
MIGHT BE A DIFFERENCE ? A questions and
answers feature of a magazine asks, "How much
does the average American give to hia church
each year?" '
I'd say It depends upon where you get your
figures ? from church records or the Income tat
returns.
ELVIS PRESLEY is probably the highest
priced aoldier in the history of the United States
Army. Last year the Pelvis reportedly Bade a
million bux after tasee. In his bracket (>1%)
that means be had to gross over tan million,
with nine million going to the government. This
year, THEY'RE paying HIM $71 per month. And
his keep.
WISH I'D SAID THAT, SO I WILL? A man
who hoarded hia money used to be known aa
a miser? these days he's a wizard.
STRAY THOUGHT? Did you ever notice that
about tlje only people who joke about money are
those who don't have any?
From Early Democrat Files
Sixty Heart Ago
April 1, ISM.
Capt. W. L. Bryan ia expecting to erect ?
building on the aita where hia at ore waa burned.
"A green Eaater makes ? fat grafveyard," la an
old aajring. If the praaent indications are to be
relied upon wa will net have one of that kind
next Sunday.
The telephone line from Foecoe to LinviUe 1a
nearing completion. Thia connection ia a very
important one, aa it (tree ua connections with
the E. T. A W. N. C. RaUroad.
On Tueaday night of thia week there waa a
considerable freeze and M ia thought that the
entire fruit crop has been killed. The graaa waa
alio much damai#d.
N. N. Cehrard la the only one ao far that wo
have heard expreaa a perfect willingneaa to volun
teer far the tpaniah war. Ha sayi he intonda
to start whea the first volunteers are called tor.
On laat Sunday there waa a Sunday School
organised at the Baptlat Church here and J.
C. Horton waa made Superintendent. Boone now
haa two flourishing Sunday Schools.
Meaarl Henry and T. H. Coffey c i Blowing
Rock, and Mr. T. T. Coffey of Boom, are pre
paring to open a livery stable at Blowing Rock
thia summer. The company haa ordered a nice
line of vehicles for aae at the stable, and will
go to aaaae point in Virginia for their horses
Near Princeton, N. C., the Mareaona had built
a church aad ware having eonaiderably con
gregational attending their ssnlaee. Mas raacal
burned down the houae a few alghta ago.
A move hi now oa foot to repair the Baptiat
Church to Boom. A paper la being circulated
far that purpoee. aad Mrs. T. J. Coffey haada the
Mat with *28. The object la to remodel the Mid
Hp and paint it wtthln aad without.
Wa ate In receipt of the lataat catalog of the
VUVeraity of North Carolina aad upon examina
tion of a* me we And the teaching force conaiata
of M instructors, 377 academic students; pro
fessional 143; aummer achool for teachers 189.
making a total enrollment of 000.
Thirty-Nine J ear* Ago t
Amiim. ? f
We will have an ktoda of fruit*, bananas,
orange*, grape fruit, lemon*, etc.. at the laat
df cat* week untfl further notice. Watauga
Supply Co.
Mr. W. B. Hodgaa of ShuBa Mill*, hat returned
to Clincho, Va., where ha will reeuaae I "
, ;rn brick lam for (he CMMUMM C#al
Lieut. David R. Shearer attended court here
laat Tuesday. Lieutenant Shearer has been in
charge of the construction of a million dollar
chemical plant at Kingsport, Tenn.
The brick are coming in and being unloaded
for the Watauga Motor Co.'s new garage. The
building will be rushed to completion just as
soon as all necessary materials eaa be had, so
say McGhee Brothers, contractor*.
Work on the state highway ia progressing nice
ly. The big fill near the cheese factory will
be completed within the next day or two and
then it will be easy sailing to the river, which
will make three miles of road east of Boone.
Under some restrictions a number of the
students of the Training School were allowed
to visit their homes during the past week end.
Professors Greene and Greer of the Training
School and Professors Smith Hagaman and W.
Y. Perry of this couuey, went to Hickory on
Monday to attend the District Mobile School con
ducted by the Baptist Church.
Mr. Luther Henley of Hsy, Wash., and Miss
Maggie Norrii of Meat Camp were mauled about
the first of March at the hfa of the groom
Congratulations to the happy pair as they are
both from the good old Tar Heel State.
Mr. R. M. Greene returned yesterday tram a
business trip to Johnson City.
Butler Thomas, a former student, visited the
school last Tuesday.
Fifteen Yeart Ago
April 1, ins. ?
At the annual ladies night meeting of the
Boone Merchants Association and Chamber of
Commerce $4,180 worth of war hoods were sold,
and new officers elected by the eommere* group.,
Mayor W. H. Gragg tells the Democrat Vednes
day morning that the eiy council has decided not
to issue any more beer and wine licenses la the
town of Boone after the expiration of the present
license* on April >0. . . .
Whipped on land and furiously bombarded
from the air. Marshal Rommel's weary Africa
army is planging toward Sfax tonight after being
? thrown out of Gabas and El Hamma, with the
conquering British eighth army in hot pursuit
and with American forces threatening hi* left
flank. ... <
Wiley 1. Mast, It, of Johnson City, Tenn, died
last TlMrsday morning at his boaM, after a
lingering illness N
Altar a critical Illness of two months, Henry
H. Norris, aged 54, died at Mountain Hone,
Tenn, Sunday morning. ' 5
KING STREET ??'!
By ROB RIVERS
i ?
A Season Of Ufe . . And Of Hope- Eternal
There's something about the s?fson of Um year when spring's
due, Easter's in sight and the earth is about to start her cycle
of Hmt fruitfulneas.
It** a time of the first faint stirrings of life in the damp cool
sod, of the greenftig of the first leaves of grass, and of life's
resurgence in seed and bulb and twig. Jj&.' ?' . ?
It's the lengthened day, the vanishing snow, and come rain
or shine, a different feeling in the breeses which, sweep down
from the mountain passes. - "
It's the first daffodils breaking through, an occasional dande
lion, and the earthw?rms coming within range of the timid
shovel strokes of the bright-eyed lad with the fish pole.
It's buds on the willows down by the creek, it's bright-colored
seed catalogs, and the dark creek-bottom earth racing from the
silvery sheen of the moleboard. QUI
It's sunshine and chill rain and wind, and occasional snow
flakes.
It's that something unseen which causes the birds, after glumly
waiting for crumbs all winter, to break Into early-morning song?
mellow and melodious.
It's daylight quittin' time and the accumulated chores around
the house following the freezes and the snowiomd rains.
It's an occasional boy and girl carving something on the bark pf
a tree and the rose-tinted view from the seat of a purring sports
car.
It'a a time of nature's lavish beginnings, of the rebirth of the
leaf, the blade and the blossom, and the promise of fruitful
fields, bright gardens and bulging granaries.
It's gay bonnets, bright frocks, homecomings and the Easter
parade.
It's Easter eggs, and bunnies, and the hunting of the colored
eggs, and their banging together to determine the winner. , . .
It's Holy Week and a backward look at an early-morning
visit to a borrowed sepulchre.
It'i the massive stone rolled away from the tomb, and the
place where had been lain the mutilated body of the Prince of
Peace.
It's the priceless ness of immortality, the promise of salvation,
and the burgeoning of the belief in the brotherhood of man and
in lov? one for another, as taught by the Great Teacher, the risen
Christ
'*>'? ' : ? ? ?
The Cireiu . . Big Top Gone
Thomas B. Moore, who shared our respect for the circus and
the folks who run it, wouldn't have believed the day would come
when the big top would be a thing of the past, in so far as dirty
canvas, towering tent poles and striped side walls are concerned.
. . , And we didn't think it would happen, but the Ringling
Brothefs-Barnum and Bailey Circus, boiled down of course, has
moved indoors with the bareback riders, the elephants, the trick
horses, the knowing bears and the men and women on the flying
trapeze. Those who've seen the opening in Charlotte, say the
thing's good, too, some ??? better than in the old days, and
the peanuts and popcorft 'art itlll available. . . . But some of those
wlto watched the unloading of the great circus trains a long time
ago, would never get used to the modernization of the circus
They'd miss the red lemonade, the crackerjacks, the bearded lady,
the fatwoman, the midget* and the giants. . . . And half the
fun was watching the erection of the acres of canvas, the driving
of the stakes, and the racous calls of ^he roustabouts as they
were driven to erect the tented city by showtime. . . . And the
old circus goer would miss the saw dust, the endless palaver of
the side shew barkers, the great lines of iron-bound cages, the
listless cats, and the steam piano. . . . And we'd maybe shed a
tear for the passing of the street parade, and the bandwagottt,
and the blue notes and the concert and the dancing girls. . . . But
we're happy in the knowledge that the disappearance of the blue
seats, and the biltowing canvas, and the miles of railroad cars,
didn't mean the end of the circus. ... It will continue to live on
no doubt, to delight other generations of youngsters in its
modernised uptown version, free from the clamor and the stink
and the enormity of the tented extravaganzas of other days.
Billy Arthur,
Good Teacher Defined
Because the newspapera had
much to say about the recent Mat
ing of North Carolina's dasaroom
teachers in AshevWe, I got to
thinking about them, too. Just what
constitutes a classroom teacher,
I wondered. And I decided he, she,
or they ? individually And collect
ively t- are expected to ha just
about every thlag eompreaaed
around bone and wrapped up in
skin.
It's necessary that they be mayor
and alderman, and lay down the
dasaroom law, a chief of police
to enforce R, and a Judge and
imy to impose the penalties.
It's desirable that they be both
psychologist and psychiatrist to
determine whether the unruly and
recalcitrant are, aa oftimes said.
wftpther they're Just naturally
moan little devils in the first
place. -
It's compulsory that they be a .
commissioner Of athletics, physical
education director and ptoygrynnd
supervisor, and wKh that both ref
eree and umpire. They should
alto have a sound knowledge of
judo for the purpoees of self -de
fense
To 4ectav all ?? cuta and
scratches, they've cot to knew first
ail And they must alee he ac
quainted with Or. Spock in order
to recognise tjmfUm of
mm mmmKM
They should be Mtt
n^BKaSn
room temperature just right (or 30
diverse metabolisms. They them
selves must keep in good health,
because they're not ixpected to
mis* a single day. Also, because
they usually cannot afford to pay
a substitute.
It's obligatory that they be toilet
trainers, expected that they dis
pense tissues to those who forget
their handkerchiefs or who natur
ally prefer their shirt cuffs.
In rural areas, classroom teach
ers should, be automobile mechan
ics, either knowing how to fix the
school bus or knowing enough ts
let ft done.
It's essential that they be ao
alysts and able to identify or ex
plain everything children find on
the way to school and bring into
the classroom.!
It's necessary that they be hortt
culturalists to keep it growing,
eihthyologiats to keep it swimming,
snd veterinarians to keep it liv?
tag
It's imperative that they know
enough about ornithology to Menta
lly an birds, and b* enough of aa
apiarist to anawer such question*
aa "where did I come from?" and
"who made me?"
It's obligatory that they be tra
vel agents and supervisors, book
lac trip* to the State Capitol and
the Morehaad Planetarium,
-a. And it's compulsory that they M
entertainers ltd party planner*
par (MelUoe* far Halloween,
Thanksgiving, Christmas, George
WaaMogtoa's birthday. May Da t
(Caatiaued, oa page six)