READ!!
ROGER BABSON'S
Ifews Dispatches in this is
sue of the Franklin Times.
VOMJMN LXXn
riMEf
CO-OPPERATE
If Ix>uiNl>urK'x Businrss IntereMa
would ( o-operate with the hYank
liu Times we would h?ve it mdt
BlKKer and Hotter Tnwn.
FRIDAY, KKHIU'ARY 21, 1941
(Kight I'ages )
NI MBKH a
EUROPEAN
WAR NEWS
Shanghai, Thursday, Feb. 20.
? Britain's sensational military
moves in Singapore and elsewhere
in Southeast Asia are .part of a
joint Britiish-Amerlcan plan to
"strangle Japan" and will be
oountered with "appropriate mea
sures'^ Japanese spokesmen said
today. ? ? ?? ? ' ; ? ' ?'
In broad outline, as the Jap
anese saw the rapidly-unfolding
Far East picture,. the "Anglo
American bloc" Is seeking to achi
eve these ends;
Their Alms
1. To "gain the initiative" in
Bast Asia and stifle Japan's plan
to create a "Greater Bast Asia
co-prosperity sphere" before it
makes more headway.
2. To bolster the Chinese Na
tionalist government in Chung
king so that* it will intensify its
"war of resistance" against Jap
an and keep that country so
thoroughly engaged in China that
no activity can be attempted else
where.
3. To "sabotage" negotiations
iu Moscow (or a Russo-Japanese i
accord. These negotiations, the
Japanese admit, will be influenc
ed unfavorably by developments !
adverse to Japan in Chins and!
Soutihwest Asia.
London, Thursday, Feb. 20.- -
Brltuln may seek to transfer for
midable land and air forces Into
Greece before Adolf Hitler can i
consolidate his Balkan diplomacy;
and move to force the Greeks Into I
a dictated peace with Italy, it was \
Intimated In British quarters last i
night. "?
Determined to keep their fool- j
hold in the Balkans, the British
were reported in informed Brit- 1
Ifh quarters to be' preparing to!
fight It out against the Germans
<>n Greek territory if necessary. , j
A canvass of Balkan envoys re- 1
vealed growing belief that ft may '
be a month or six weeks before
Germany's Balkan army eccupies
Bulgaria and moves against'
Greece.
In the meantime, it was sug
gested, Hitler's army aud air
forces now established tn ltuma
n1a may be used as a club ror
political pressure agalnsb Greece.
Bulgaria and Turkey, seeking fur-'
ther concessions to the Axis.
If this pause occurs. It was i
pointed out, Britain will be able;
to transfer from the African front
? substantial ? forces. ? troops and '
planes to Greece, as well as Sup
plies and equipment.
Britain, It Is rnmored, contem
plated sending several army divi
sions to Greece some time back,
but It Is known that, since the
outbreak of the Italo-Greek war
last October 28, Wie Athens gov
ernment opposed any such large
, scale British forces fearful that
It might precipitate an Immediate
German attack from the north.
Opposed Troops
Jugoslavia likewise opposed any
British forces in Greece, fearing
thab it would mean the opening
op of a new Balkan war front
and that German forces would
strike down bhrough Jugoslavia,
which Is the only feasible direct
route to Greece.
Balkan diplomat* in London
said they believed Hitler's next
move would be to increase and
speed-up German aid to Italy in
the form of more German planes,
troops, staff officers and technici
ans and elaborate German cooper
ation in "reorganising" the .Ita
lian armed forces.
Belief appeared to be growing
In London that Greece and Bri
tain together were preparing to
burn the Greek peninsula into a
battleground If Hitler attempts
to occupy the country and drive
the BrlMsh off the European con
tinent.
There was no Indication, how
ever, of what measures Britain
was prepared to take to keep
-.Greece in the war or whether re
inforcements of British troops, re
V leased from the North African
front by the shattering of Mar
shal Rodolfo Graaianl's Italian
army in Libya, would be shifted
to Greece.
The Italians don't) seem to have
a look-in on the Albanian front ?
maybe because the Greeks have
taken all the peaka.
PROGRAM AT THE
LOUISBURO THEATRE
The following is the program
at the Loulsburg Theatre, begin
ning Saturday. Feb. 18th:
Saturday ? Double Feature ?
Roy Rogers and "Gabby" Hayes
In "Robin Hood of The Pecos"
and Dennis O'Keefe In "Bowery
Boy." Also Chapter 5 "Myster
ious Dr. Satan."
Sunday-Monday ? Melvyn Doug
las and Rosellnd Russell In "This |
Thing Called Lot?." .
Tuesday ? Frank Morgan and
Jnne Prelsser In "The Wild Man
of Borneo."
Wednesday ? Jane Wither* and
Buddy Rogers In "Golden Hoofs."
Thursday-Friday ? Randolph
8cott. Robert Tonng, Virginia
Ollmore, John Carradine and Slim
gummerrtUe la "Western Union."
FRANKLIN RED CROSS
PRODUCTION WORK
I
Dr, A. Paul Bagby. general
chairman ot the Franklin County
Red Cross chapter announced thiB
week that' the local chapter had
set ? the" wU<mUu in motion .to ?0:
into Ked Cross production work.
Mrs. Robert W. Smiltjwick of!
I.ouisburg has accepted i'hu chair
manship of county production ac
tivity. This production work con
sists of the making "of clothing,
sweaters, bandages ei<\. for use in
wur torn countries. A sowing;
loom, where ladles may volunteer;
a few hours services a week is
now belli): sought by Dr Bagby.
When the sewing room is located J
explained Dr. Bagby, the national 1
Rod Cross will supply some ma
terials. t<he local chapter will pur
chase other materials, from which
:u-ac war time necessities can bei
made. _
ill spealdnp of IN Cross ac
ivities Dr. Bagby said that he
lad received a leWer from the
latlonal headuuartors stating that,
the local unit had made the great-:
est' increase In membership or
any chapter in th6 stale and pro
jubly in the country as well. This,
?aid Dr. Bagby. "Speaks well of
the cooperative and helpful spirit
of Franktin County people."
AnoMicr achievement of the
ked Cross is the enrolling of all '
white schools in the county, with
the exception of one. In the
hmior Ked Cross movement.
The Franklin County-Louisburg
Chapter, American Red Cross em
braces all of Franklin County with
tlir exception of the towns ? ef
I ranklintou and Younfcsville.
Three Fires
Louisburg had three (ire Mini ma
for the three days ? Sunduy, Mon
day and Ipeaday, neither of which
resulted in much actual loss.
The first on Sunday was at t>he
home of Mra. A. B Allen, when
It "was the top of the kitchen on
fire. The fire department answer
ed promptly and pub out the fire.
The loss was estimated at about
$16 to $20. A dog is credited
with saving this home. Mr. E.
I'. Thomas, of the FRANKLIN
TIMES force, was delivering a
small dog he had given Mrs. Al
len, when he discovered tihe fire
and turned In the alarm.
The second alarm was on Mon
day and came from the home of
Mr. George T. Meade, on Elm
Street. The arrival of the fire de
partment found that t/wo electric
wires 'were shortcircuitlng in the
yard while the wind was blowing
strongly. No damage was sustain
ed on t>his alarm.
The third on Tuesday was from
the South side of town where a
house on Kenmore Avenue, b'ack
of Cash's Store, occupied by
Esther Wiggins, was completely
destroyed. The total loss was
esMmaied at around $300.00. It
is understood the building he
longed to the Colonial Pim-ev. ?
o
MRS. BURT HOHTKHH ?
Mrs. 8. P. Burt) was hostess to
the Current Literature Club on
Tuesday afternoon. Fab. 18, at
the home of Mrs. Q. M. Beam.
The subject for the program was
"Block Booka," and the first) pa
per was by Mrs. T. C. Amlck on
"Wood Block Printing in China."
The second paper was given by
Mrs. Malcolm McKlnne on "Block
Books In' Europe."
After the program, the hostess
invited her guests into the dining
room where a delicious tihree
course dinner was served. Mem
bers present were: Mrs. Malcolm
McKlnne, Mrs. Walter Patten,
Miss Mary Yarborough, Mrs. I. D.
Moon, Mrs. T. C. Amlck, Mra. R.
H. Weleh, Mrs. C. M. Watklns,
Mrs. L. F. Kent. Mrs. M. S. Davis,
Miss Loulla Jarman, Mrs. V. R.
Kilby, Mrs. *A. Paul Bagby and
Mrs. Burt.
Warren County low Income
farm families are now turning
out an average ot 36 to 40 mat
tresses each day under the Fed
eral-State mattress making pro
gram for disposing of surplus
cotton.
o
FOR FIRST CLASS PRINTING
SUBSCRIBE TODAY I
RECEIVES ELECTRICITY
PURCHASE PROPOSITION
The Board of Town COmmls-i
siouers meti In special session Fri- '
day night to receive a proposition j
for the purchase of electric cur-j
rent at wholesale, from the Caro
lina Power & Light Co.
The Carolina Power & Light
Co. was represented by Messrs.
R. H. Reynolds, ? . ? .v McPher
>on and ? . ? . toyman, ^rtio pre- '
nented the town with figures
showing the cost to the town for i
the year 1940 bo produce a KWH
of current was 1.49 and proposed
to sell the town current which
figured on the 1940 production or,
usage, for 1.33. This rate .we
understand varies upon t-hej
amount used monthly.
In the town OleTk's office it
was figured tha.t the 1.49 includ
ed items t'hat would have to be
Tfltalimd under-the wtiotpsale pur
chase plan thai would cause the
1.33 rate to be raised to 1 ."5 2 on
an equally estimated basis. There
is also a cpst of four one-hund
reths of a cent per KWH to be
added for tra?*miR?i?u. TUn
would, bring the rale, as" figured
in the town Clerk's offices * to
1.66 at the consumers socket. It
was explained that- neither of
these items included any costs for
new or replaced machinery.
The Board took Mie offer under
advisement and will give it fur
ther study.
Louisburg ?
College News
I>r. Patten Preside. Over
Chapel Program
Dr. Walter Patten. President of
i.ouisburg College spoke to . title
student body In the college au
ditorium Tuesday. Feb. 11 at
10:30 o'clock on "Surplus Con
tingency Reserve," bringing be
fore the group the vital import
ance of building up a reserve of
courage, strength, endurance, and
contingency. In closing Dr. Pat
ten said. "It lakes our best1, every
moment, every hour. In every re
sponsibility in that which we
have to do "
Students Attend MethodlM
Conference Movement
Three student's from Louisburg,
College attended the Methodist
Student Conference Movement
the College Piute Methodist
Church on February 6. 7 and 8.
They were as follows: Troy liar
rett, of Fayetteville, Dorothy
Watson, of Rowland, and Jane,
Sanderlln. of lClizabechtown. On
February 7 from 9:00 to 9:30
the devotional period was under
the guidance of the students from
I-ouisburg College. Troy Barrett
.was the speaker for (>he group
1 lie 11101110 of ids ? program ?way
"The Church Universal in a
World of Force." Many students
attended from the different col
leges throughout' the state to en
Joy this wholesome program. The
purpose of the Methodist Student
Conference - Movement ? to?primar
ily to stress the Importance of the
Church in the world today.
International Relations Club
Klect* Officers
The International Relations
Club of Louisburg College elected
new officers for the spring semes
ter on Wednesday, February 12.
The new officers are as follows:
President, Sam Tuten. of Fdward.
N. C.; Vice-Pr#ldent. Wallace
Chandler, of Mount Gllead, N. C. ;
and Secretary and Treasurer.
Louise Mason, of Atlantic, N. C.
The club program consisted of
round table discussions lead by
two leaders with opposing views
on the subject. Students act as
leaders as well as participants in
the discussions. These meetings
are held twige each month under
the sponsorship of Professor V.
R. Kilby, Head of the History De
partment.
Phi Theta Kappa Pledge*
Nine Studentii
The^Uamma Upsllon Chapter of
Phi Theta Kappa, national hon
orary scholarship fraternity of
Louisburg College on Feb. 12,
honored the nine highest raMng
students with membership In the
fraternity. A formal lnltlaUon
ceremony and pledge service was
held at 7:30 o'clock In .the even
ing In the faculty parlor, with
Dr. T. C. Amick, sponsor, being In
charge, and Hiss Catherine Olllls,
president of ttie organization pre
siding.
New studenta honored with
membership are: Oene Thompson,
Frankllnton; Virginia Spivey,
Louisburg; Evelyn Lowe, Fay
ettevllle; Irene Vaughan, 1 Rich
Square; Sara Davia, Louisburg;
Edward Smith, Fayetteville; Oeo.
Lumpkin, Raleigh; Willla Gup
ton, Holllater; and Ruth Braswell,
Princeton.
Honorary members of the fra
ternity that were present at the
initiation service were: Mrs. T. C.
Amlck; Dr. and Mrs. Walter Pat
ten; Miss Lula May Stipe, Dean
of Women; Mr. Ceorge M. Oliver,
Acting Dean of Men; and Mr.
James Byerly. Guests were Mr.
and Mrs. V. R. JCilby.
Officers of the club are: Cath
erine GUlls, president, Raleigh;
May Davis, vice-president, /"Louis
burg; Stanley Patten, .treasurer,
Louisburg; Ruby Gray Masaen
burg, corresponding secretary,
Louisburg; and Mildred Carter,
recording secretary, Louisburg.
Dr. Bagby Speaks To Studenta
Dr. A. Paul Bagby, pastor of
the Louisburg Baptist Church
spoke ttf Mie student body of
Louisburg College Feb. 14th, at
10:30 o'clock In the college audi
torium on, "What Manner of Per
sons Are We To Be?" Dr. Bagby
brought before the student body
tihe vital Importance of realising
Fortify Guam
And Samoa
Washington, Keb. 19. ? Xh? i
House today approved a bill au
thorizing expansion of naval air
Imses.at Guam and Samua.. astride. ;
the Western Pacitif sea lanes toj
Japan, after Admiral Harold R.
Stark, Chief of Naval Operations, t
said bluntly that if Japan tookj
offense, it would be uume.riued
meddling in United States affairs, j
The measure, railing for $24.r>.
.28,600 of improvements on'
strategic bases iu the Pacific, t he
Atlantic and in continental United
States, was pasMi'ii 1>y voice vote,
with Representative Vito Marcan
tonio, A-L.. New York, the lone I
dissenfier.
The vote was taken after less
than two hour- of debate undl
while t'ile administration main
tained :i ' watchful wailrnp" pol
icy toward the explosive Kar Eas
lern situation. rt
Simultaneously Admiral Kich-|
Iswbu ro Nomura :~t ttr new Japan- 1
eae ambassador, said at> his first
capital press c.Aifereiiee that he j
does not believe there will be a
war between the United States
and Japan bub he admitted that
relations "are not nuite so good"
ax he had bellevr-d on leaving
Z ? ? ? ? - " -
KPSOM -BKKKATS
FRANKMNTON
Franklin I < hi. Pen. 1!* ? Kpsoin
HlgtKSchool hoys dj'li'utfd I lie
FranKlinton quintet here lonight i
by a 27-12 score. Kpsom got
llio lead early In the game and
held It.
Although Kranklinton made,
numerous substitutions. they wen:
unable to stop the Kpsom boys.
Score at the half was- 12-6 for
Kpsom. in. u. i mm with 9 points j
led In scoring for Kpsom. Mc
Daniei with 8 led Kranklinton.
The "Eaves duo" showed up best'
on defense for Kpsom.
Frankllnton girls edged a one
point lead during the last ten sec
onds of play and won over the
Kpsom lassies by a 21-20 score.
o
KKANKMNTON
The following bill affecting
Franklin County was passed by
the House this week:
HB 283. ( Franklinton--Frank
I in County)
"To Authorise the Governing
Bddy of the Town of Frankllnton
to Cance) all Paving Assessments
Against all Churches and Church
Property in Said Town." (Would
do as ttUe indicates.) Introduced
by Kearney. February 13.
THr "bill passed second and
third readings ltl House, February
13, and sent to Senate CoilHpittee
on Finance.
our opportunity here at college
and urged that we do something
about it."
UidverNlty Student* Speak
The International Relation!
Club of Louisburg College held its
second meeting of the new lStnes
ter on Friday, Feb. 14, at 7:00
o'clock in tihe evening. with Joe
Felmet, student at the University
of North Carolina, as guest speak
er. Mr. Felmet spoke to tihe club
members on. "The Social and Re
ligious Aspects of Pacifism." * In
his closing remarks he definitely
stated his belief that pacifism
would overcome armed resistance.
Following the speech Wie meeting
was concluded with an open fo
rum.
Mr. Felmet is a junior at the
University 'of North Carolina and
Is a member of the paciflmist or
ganisation at i the University.
College Honors Birthday Guests
Louisburg College held its
monthly birthday dinner party In
honor of the following guests:
Or. T. C. Amick, Professor of
Mathematics: Mr. W. I .Shope,
Professor of Agricultural Educa
tion; Misa Alice Cablll, Secretary
o President Patten; Margaret
3aaaell, West Helena, Arkansas;
dazel Gentry, Red Springs; Mar
tha Bass, Goldsboro; Eleaine
Rand, Rlchlands; Nina Kirkpat
rick, Pembroke; Juanit* Redict,
(Continued oil Pag* Four)
TP ASSIST IN FARM \KP~j"
HOME SHORT tXHTRSK
MR. O. F. McCHARY
District Agricultural Agent (or
the Northwestern District, hag as
sisted the Extension Service of
Franklin County in planning an
other Farm and Home Short
Course {??? ilxf t>*t unk tin County
Farmers. Dr. PaMen, President !
of I.ouishurg rollout', has kindly
offered the use of the facilities, of !
the College for .a Short Course ;
Program Wednesday and Thurs- ;
day, March 12 anj) 13. Farm
men and women are invited to:
enroll and participate in the
planned two-day program to lie]
announced later
D a y O f
Compassion
* I
(SPECIAL)- Morjf :,W?ii nineteen!
hundred Methodist churches ? in
North Carolina will participate ill [
Methodism's nation-wide observ-J
amy of Day of Compassion on]
March 2. Special surinonw audi
services will emphasize the ex
traordinary world situation It
is oxpected that North Carolina
churches will contribute $41.000 ,
oil this day as their tliare lq ohe
million Uullm cam pa inn lu ruliyvu,
human suffering in wpr-stricken
areas and 'for special work at
home.
One-half of the amount will be
uud ? toy ? overseas relief lu En- 1
rope and China. Assistance to t?hej
Mother Church in ? Britain ? will I
take one quarter of a million dol
lars. The remaining fourth niiKI
lion will be used in meeting the]
religious needs of yout-h in train
ing under the Selective Service1'
Act.
The million dollar emergency
fund is being raised under the
leadership of the Council of Bish
ops. and its use will be carefully
guarded by the Emergency Com
mission, of which Bishop Edwin
Holt Hughes, Washington, D. C.,
is chairman. Plans have Just
been -sompleted for Bishop Hugh
es to fffteak at Centenary Metho
dist CnVrch, Winston-Salem, on
the Day of Compassion.
Favorable reports are being re
ceived indicating plans are al?
ready under way for this obser
vance in many North Carolina
churches, according to a statement
by Bishop Clare Purcell, Char
lotte, in charge of Methodism in
MiIb state.
OBSERVANCE OF THE
WORLD DAY OK PRAYER
In common with women in SO
other countries around tihe globe,
the women of Loulsburg will -hold
an observance of Jjie World Day
of Prayer on next Friday, Feb
ruary the 28th. For ower 26 years
the first Friday in Lent has been
set' aside by groups In increasing
numbers as a day 'In which to
devote tome time to prayer and
meditation for the spread of the
true Christian Qospel.
To encircle t>he globe. It takes
40 hours, with services at dawn
in the Fiji Islands to the closing
moments at Alaska, comprising
more than 10,000 separate serv
ices in 1640. The same text^ trans
lated Into the languages of all
the participating countries, Is
used, thus giving an indentlcal
concept of a worldwide brother
hood. For 1941, the theme for the
services is "Thy Kingdom Come."
The hour and place will be an
nounced through the several
churches of Loulsburg next Sun
day. And every one who feels the
weight of the sorrow now oppress
ing the world and is seekiqg guid
ance in tihe solution of tills univ
ersal problem is urged to
participate.- An opportunity to
contribute toward a fund for the
four objects selected by the spon
soring organization ? the National
Committee of Church Women ?
will be given. These objects In
clude Migrants, missions tor the
American Indians, Christian Lit
erature. and Hlght Christian Col
leges in the Orient.
o
At the beginning of 1941, there
were two bales of coMon in the
world for every bale likely to be
used during the year, estimates
the U. 8. Department of Afticul
fwe. <* I
Mr. E. L. Green
Dead
t 1
One of Youngsville's Most
Prominent ("Itl/en* Passes ,
"Mr. Edgar tr. Green, one of :
'rankllD County's influential and
ubstantial citizens died at bis
ionic about) four miles west of
ifoungsvllle FHday night follow
ng a long period of failing health.
Mrr-(irocn wurf -71 years of age
ind besides his wife is survived
by three children, Mrs. M. A. Stal
llngs, of Bunn; Jt. P. and Dr. E.
V. Green, of Youngsville, and two
sisters, Misses Alma and Bessie
Elrrrn, of YoiingBvHtei-^
Mr. Green was a prominent^and
valuable citizen, not only to his
own community, but the county as
well. He served the County as a
member of the Board of Educa
tion for arouud?fifteen years, re
signing In AprlF 1938 oh account
of his falling health. During this
time he Tiad a prominent paro In
the building of Franklin's pres
ent progressive school system. His
opinions were generally sought '
and largely valuable In most pub
lic questions Involving his home
community and his County.
Tn his death Ybung?vill?,~
Franklin County and the State
loses a valuable citizen.
Funeral services were hetd from
the home on Sunday afternoon
at 2 o'cloc k conducted by Rev. E.
M. Carter, pastor of the Christian
Church ut Youngsville and inter- j
went wan made in the Youngs- 1
vllle Cemetery.
Ttie floral LriljiUt' was especial
ly large ami beiutifttl speaking :
the wide popularity of the de
ceased and the esteem in which
ho was held by his large number
of friends.
Large numbers of relatives and
friends of the family were pres
i 1(1 at both sci VUmv to pay a last
sad iribute.
The bereaved ramlty has the
duo|ic?t aympathy of u large. uunu
her. -
*IRK .1. S. MOKKIS
Frankllnton. ? Mrs. J. S. Morris
died at her home in Franklln
rtoir at 5:30 a m. Tuesday. ~~
Funeral* services -were held at
tlie home 011 Wednesday at
p. ni., wit>h barial In Fairview
Cemetery. The Kev. S. E. Mercer, |
pastor of the -Methodist Church'
here, and Jack Gross of Wake)
Forest College officiated.
Mrs. Morris was horn here on
May 16, 1875, a daughter ot ine
late E. W and Sarah Williams
Morris. She was married to J. S.
Morris on January 19, 1898. He
survives, with three children. Fred
Green Morris and Mrs. J. D. Speed
of Raleigh and Miss Sarah Alice
Morris of Frankllnton: a grand
daughter, Frances Speed of Ral
eigh; three sisters, Mrs. T. W.
Whedbce of Frankllnton and Miss
Minnie Morris and Mrs. M. A.
Hugglns of Raleigh; and a broth
er, R. W. Morris of Birmingham,
Ala.
Mrs. Morris joined the Baptist'
Church here at the age of 16.
and was organist nearly 40 years.
Recorder's
Court
A small docket was before
Judge Hobgood in Franklin Re
corder's Court on Tuesday and
was disposed of as follows:
The State took a nolle pros In
the case of reckless driving, hit'
and run against M. V. Sander
ford, Jr.
William A. (Dock) Tant was
found not guilty of reckless driv
ing.
James Lancaster was found not
guilty of reckless driving.
Willie J. Edwardi was found
guilty of operating automobile in
toxicated, and given 90 days on
roads, suspended upon payment
of $50 fine and costs and not to
operate a motor vehicle on public
roa>ft of N. C. for 12 months.
Appeal.
Romas Lucus plead guilty to
motor vehicle violation, judgment
suspended upon payment of costs.
Haywood Wadrick, possession
ot material make whiskey, de
fendant requests a jury trial.
The following cases were con
tinued;
OUle Hunt, possession of still
and material.
James Lee Miller, abandonment
and non support.
Ernest Hayes, assault on fe
male. ? |
FIDDLERS'
CONVENTION
The FRANKLIN TIMES U re
quested to state that the Four
teenth Annual Fiddlers' Conven
tion of Norilna High School will
be held at 8 o'clock on the even
ing of February 21, 1941. Come
out for a night of entertainment-.
o
Argentina ia continuing to fur
nish American tables with large
quantities of cheese to replace the
imports of Italian varieties cut off
since the cloeing of the Mediter
ranean.
IV
WAKE r
CHEER-DP
Babson Says, "Forget
1029 And Make Hay"
(By IMMiKB W. BABSON)
Babson Park,
Florida, Febru
tbat readers of
my column ? and
this includes
some of my Re
publican friends
? would quit
writing me about
"Good Old
1929". Ninety
per cent of our
buslne s 8 m e n,
bankers, and In
BABSON vestors can make
better record
in 11)41 if tbey first will take ?
damp cloth and wipe 1929 from
the blackboard of memory. Nine
ty per cent of our employees, too,
can add to their welfare this year
if they will quit hankering for the
"Grand Old Times," Let us de
bit it k the myth Chat the 1929 efa
was an economic heaven on earth,
instead of just the opposite. That
bedtime ?M?ry is dangerous fiction
because the fake glamour of 1929
still tempts some of us to under
rate the expanding possibilities of
1941 and to ovei discount its po
tential opportunities. It is well
to be realists, and today that
mean to he optimists.
Kit* VAN WINKIJi
IN REVERSE
Suppose that some of these peo
ple who are neglecting 1!H1 in
futile yearning for the "Good Old
Days" could get their wish and
wake up back in 192!t. Their . first
fee ling would be thaw t tie country , ,
had been blamed by a bombing
raid. Hundreds of miles of today's
sle^k highways woutd be reduced
to their original rocks or rutted
mud. livery 192!< automobile ? to
anybody accustomed to the ap
pearance and performance of to
days models ? would be a bunch
of junk. . Nobody of today could
tolerate the ancient radios and
phonographs.
Ill t lie agricultural regions, a
Kip Van Winkle who fell asleep
in 1941 and awoke in 1929 would
be aghast i^t* the loss of light
weight combines and tractors for
The smaller farms. He would see
farm equipment stripped of Its
rubber tires. stores everywhere
would be bare of today's beauti
ful new fabrics. Manufacturers ln^
dozens of lines would be handi
capped by lack of modern plastic*
and plywoods. Engineers' talents
would be blighted wlthoiit today's
alloys.
TODAY'S UNSURPASSED
RICHES
Tha trouble Is that) when we
think of the "flood Old Days." we
8ee them through a rosy mist that
blurs reality. We asnume t'hat we
could go back to the free-and-easy
ways and the get-rich-qulckness
of the 20's, and still have the new
inventions, the modern comforts
and the other novel riches which
we now enjoy. It is human na
ture to glamourize the past and
grumble at tihe present. Every
body, therefore, who is (ailing
short of his best efforts today be
cause of a vague, nostalgic long
ing to be back in 192V, may well
take stock of current progress.
What glory of 1929, for In
stance, would compensate os (or
erasing the network of air trans
port routes, grounding our planes,
and thereby slowing up traffic in
paasengers, mails, and express?
The modern, compact, mechanis
ed and insulated home make* the
oldtime cumbersome residence
seem like a barn. Where is the
woman today who willingly would
surrender 1941 heating equip
ment, washing machines, and re
frigerators? Who wanta to give
up air conditioning and stream
line trains Be sensible about
present conditions.
CURB FOB GROUCHES
Any man or woman in business
today who is gloomy and discon
tented because of Illusions about
former years is falling to (ace the
facts. It Is all too true that
here-and-there somebody person
ally may not* be so well off ? but
that Is life. The country as a
whole has achieved a progress
that cannot be matched In all his
tory. Population growth alone has
given business concerns nine mil
lion new customers since 1929.
Electric power production has ris
en to all-time highs. Taller charts
are now needed to plot the (resh
peaks being reared in ontput of
petroleum, steel, and machine
tools. Technology was never so
trinriiphant and we aee 1929 com
pletely dwarfed by today's advan
ces In Invention and discovery.
Hence, I say that the forgetMng
of 1929 Is the first step In the go
getting of 1941. Now la t>he 'time
to "make hay."
When we become realists and
admit these trutha. how many
people ? including Republicans ?
would really want to go back to
the conditions o( a decade ago?
(Continued on Pace Bight)