WATAUGA DEMOCRAT iil" An Independent Weekly IS etc*paper . . . Eighty-Second Year of Continuous Publication BOONE. WATAUGA COUNTY, WORTH CAROLINA, THURSDAY, JUNE 4,1970 10 CENTS 24 PAGES—3 SECTIONS SUNRISE—This demy early morning scene was captured by photographer John mnidn. on tbs University campus before the commencement crowds began to arrive. German-Bom Teacher Says “Too Much Land” iA German-born professor of biology at Appalachian state University believes that the cur rent alarm about over population in America la, in hla words, "just a little bit ridiculous,” Dr. F. G. Schroeder, an ex change professor here bom the Udversity of Gottingen in Germany, explained that when compared to Europe, the United States has too much land and too tew people. “That la why Americana are able to waste their land,” he i ■sateKT’dRanB HUGH HAGAMAN Will Receive Doctorate At Virginia U. Hugh Hagaman, aoo of Mr. and Mr*. Hear; Hagaman of Sugar Gram, will receive Ml Doctorate in education in exercises to be held Sunday, June 7, at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. He was a Dumd Fellow while at the university of Virginia and Ma field of specialization la aullorlaual Instruction, A graduate of Core Creek High School, he received Ma S. and l4 A. dagreea from Appalachian State Urtreratty am did graduate work at But Car olina University and Indiana University. Dr, Hagaman baa accepted « Mcletant professorship In tt* Mehnnj of Rflncattay university of North Carolina at Greens boro and wm be returning to North Carolina with Ms tunny tide summer. He Is married to the former Peggy Beeee of Beech Creek ant they have tour daughters. Hi served tour years In the Air Fores and taught In MooresvOle N. C. tor U years. ms ... . Germany, Dr. Schroeder pointed out, occupies about the same area as the two Carolina* and Georgia. But its population at 75 million is six times that at the three Southeastern states. "And the Netherlands,” he added, "has 12 million people living in an area about the else of North Carolina mountain region. It they threw away pro portionately as many beer cans as Americans do, Holland would be nothing but a trash can.” Schroeder does maintain that over population is a grave prob lem when viewed on a world wide scale, but he believes that if population control is enforced, "it should begin in Europe, China and India, not in America.” The real danger tor the United States, he indicates, is a poor distribution of population and the mass wasting of natural re sources. "There is so much pollution here in America that could be easily avoided,” Schroeder be lieves. “But all people have more freedom over here, especially in the use of their land. "And it is understandable that In a tree economy, the private industrialist will look at Us profit, not at what he is doing to the environment,” he said. The geobotanist points to tUs country’s forests as an example. "The forests in the IMted States are now at the point of devastation, lust as the forests were In Germany In about 1750, And when Germany was wholly out of timber, the government bad to begin forest manage ment," Pointing to a need for more strict environmental controls in America, he said, "People here are accustomed to doing what they really want with their property—it works well for a long time, but when the popu lation becomes more dense and - the intensity at the economy becomes greater, then it be comes dangerous." He stressed that the point of danger has been reached In Europe and in America, but ({Continued on page two)' DR. F.G.SCHROEDEK Based On $80 Million Valuation Watauga Tax Rate Set At $1 In New Budget ’■'■X Adoption Is Set For July 6th The Board of Corner Com. mtaalonera Monday night ar rived at a proposed budget tor tbs fiscal year ending June 30, 1071. And in placing the advertise, meat of the budget. Tax Sup. erviaor James C, Lyons said citizens may see the full break down at the budget by making a request at Ms office. The new budget Is figured on the basis at an estimated total property valuation of $80 million and reflects a decrease at 10 cents from $1,10 to $1) per $100 valuation. Final adoption at the county budget la set tor the first Mon. day In July. The advertised total valuation for the current fiscal year was only $69 million. But Lyons said “the development of farm land Into building lots,” the growth of resort areas, addi tion of summer homes and ex pansion of year-around homes and businesses account for the additional $11 million on which the proposed budget has bean based. He nld also tint theooui*y*» new method of letting taxpay ers either list personal pro perty, item by Item, or pay 10 per cent at their house value has meant much additional tax inoome. He Judged that between 85 and 98 per cei* at the people are using the percentage method rather than listing. When only the listing method was used, Lyons said, many people did not present an accurate picture at their personal holdings. The new way Is equal for all, he feels. The present commissioners are up for re-election in No vember to their second two year term. When they took office In 1968, the tax rate was $1^3 per $100 valuation, Lyons said. But the assessed ratio of taxation was 45 per cent. Last year, the commissioners reduced the per-hundred-dol lars rate to $M0 while setting up the ratio to 65 per cent, Lyons said state law required that per sonal and real property be taxed at the same assessed ratio. Formerly, personal property was taxed at 100 per cent, he said. The revaluation of real pro perty Is “about 50 per cent complete,’’ Lyons said. The contract calls lor It to be finished Jan. 1, 1971 and Lyons said the new figures will be posted to the oouiSy books after that time. O—ft—'ft "ft * BOOMTIMES AT SHULLS MILLS—View at the band mill and lumbar yards at tha Boone Forte Lumbar Co, at Shulli Mills, Right center la tha Robbing Hotel, Behind, to the rlghtof the lumber hacka, the L-shaped building la the offloe and hospital operated by Dr. R, H. Hardin, and McKinley Ayere, lived In the adjacent building. Lower center la the movie house, operated by Ira and McKinley Ayers, across the road la the site at Barber BUI Hodges’ shop; behind la the company comndaaary and supply house; to the right the poetoffice. Behind the mill Mr, 0, L, Coffey ereoted a number ct bousesforthe mill people. The lumber plant *■* established about 1916 and operated urtU all the Boone Folk timber owned by the company was cut and the lumber shipped out on the Linville River Railway which was built to Shulls Mills from UnvUle primarily tor that purpose, William S. WMtteg of Phila delphia was president of the company which employed several lundred people during the vast lumbering operation. The picture was loaned to the Democrat by Mrs. B. G. Teams of Boone, who says it was made in 1918, Mrs. Teams also Identified the build ings. Plans Being Made For Opening Horn In West The manager of Hern In the West, Boone's outdoor drama, Monday told the executive com mittee of the Southern Appa lachian Historical Association that the Daniel Boone Ampt theater Is being readied for the opening of the production late this month, Everetts Wldener told the luncheon meeting he plans to distribute more brochures In the area this week and he con firmed that tickets will again be sold by local motels in exchange per cent of those sales. Safer Place To Live From the stsnrtpolrd of ssfSty, It I* much better to be living In Watauga Count? than In moCt place# In the South Atlantic States. For the average local reaidant, life appears to be lace hazardou*. The chancea at becoming Involved in an aeddert—fetal or otherwise—are not as greet as they arc else where, according to government statistics. The local accident record is reflected, along with those of other communttiee across the country, In the latest vital statistics survey tor the U.S. Public Health Service. The surveys are made oo an annual basis. The findings are of particular Importance at ibis tlms because of the approach of the holiday season whh Its osoally Ugh toU, both on the highway and in tha homo. Tie report shows a total of 10 fetal accMarta in the year among residents of Wttauga County. And this Is only part of the toll, the National Srfety K sett mates that, tor every fetal 100 ottars of - The meeting la held aider the now plan at organisation tor the Democratic party In North Caro lina which also prOTideathet the Couidy Comretdion will be held In each oounty In the Side on Saturday Jure 20th, at which time party ^n«»«ia will be eleohod aid other biatneas traneaotad.