The Fr "
????? Tw?*4?y A THw?*4?v
h Times
Your Award Winning County Newspaper
Thursday, March 20, 1969
LOCAL EDITORIAL COMMENT
Natural Gas Will Help
The question of natural gas for the
Louisburg area is not a glamorous
subject and except for those directly
involved in satisfying industrial pros
pects or agents for firms handling
competitive products, the subject fails
to create a great flow of interest.
Some thirty persons attended a
public hearing here last night which
was extremely brief as only three rose
to be heard on the subject. The others
expressed themselves only when called
on to stand in favor of a franchise
being granted for the area. All, except
one bottle gas supplier, stood in the
affirmative.
It was obvious from what was told
the group by Industrial Development
Director Ken Schubart and Commis
sion Chairman Harold Talton, that
such a franchise would be a real asset
to their agency in its bid for new
industry.
This was the only point made at
the meeting. However, two things
were noticably missing. One was the
advantage- if there be one- to the pri
vate citizen and homeowner. The
other point not brought out was why
the delay of over a year without any
definitive action by the town govern
- rnent.
It has been an open secret for some
time that town officials are fearful
that natural gas will cut into the
current electric fund. The fear is
somewhat justified with money al
ways being a subject of concern for
those intrusted with operating the
town.* The Council, appreciatively,
does not want to be placed in a
position of having to increase taxes o
offset ahy such loss. None of this,
however, was discussed at the public
meeting.
There is no certainty just what
actions the officials will take on the
matter but several of them have in
dicated that they favor granting the
franchise. The law required that such
a franchise be approved at two con
secutive regular monthly meetings.
This would place the final decision in
May. However, a committment by the
group in its April meeting could indi
cate the final outcome.
Even faced with the problem of a
loss of electric revenue-real or
imaginary --indications are that town
officials will take the progressive step
and grant a franchise for natural gas.
If they do, it will be in the best
tradition of a worthy government
body. They will have given the people
a choice.
From The Office Of
Congressman Fountain
Comments On Obscene Mail
Washington . . .Some of us
may not be aware of it, but
we have a problem in this
country which has just about
gotten out of control. By that
I mean the vast amounts of
pornography, the absolutely
filthy materials that are sent
through the (J. S. mails daily
- especially to our children.
A growing number of
people have written to me in
recent months about this pro
blem and its effect on our
young people.
Dome of the examples of
this kind of thing sent -
unasked for - to youngsters
in the Second District are
simply shocking and frighten
ing. Any decent-minded per
son would find il hard to
understand how any indivi
dual or organization could
attempt to victimize our
youngsters in this matter.
This filth is mailed by
name to people all over the
country. I don't know how
the names and addresses ate
gotten but the fact is that
they are.
We are all aware that the
Federal Courts, including es
pecially the Supreme Court,
have made it increasingly dif
ficult to prosecute these pur
veyers of obscenity. Time
after time, those charged with
such offenses have been set
free by the courts.
. Last year, however, the
Supreme Court upheld a New
York State law which was
aimed at keeping such filth
out of the hands of children.
Ir. fact, the Supreme Court
suggested that Congress might
want to enact some legisla
tion protecting minors from
such unsolicited assaults on
their emotions, their senses
and their judgment.
In line with that decision,
I am planning to join in ef
forts to try again to help stop '
the unrestricted mailing of
such pornography to children
by introducing appropriate le
gislation.
This bill would provide a
penalty of up to five years in
prison and a $5,000 fine for
those convicted' of using the
mails for the interstate ship
ment of pornography to any
one under 18. The penalty
would double for a second
conviction. I'd like to prevent
such filth from being sent
even to adults, but the
Courts, for the moment, have
tried our hands. Nonetheless,
we must keep on trying to
prevent its availability to any
one.
The types of harmful ma
terials to be prohibited from
such traffic are carefully de
fined so that no one would
have any doubt about wheth
er or not he could legally mail
them.
This bill wouftl not cure all
the ills of obscenity in our
society today but it would be
a start. It especially is aimed
at protecting those most in
need of protection by stating
clearly and carefully what our
adult society thinks is ob
scene in regard to our child
ren. They already see and
read more than they need to
right off the news and maga
zine stands, but it shouldn't
be forced upon mem mrougn
the mqils.
On the adult level, this is a
much more complicated pro
blem because there are a
variety of opinions as to what
is dirty and what is not, and
what is, legal or illegal. There
is plenty of room for agree
m e n t, however, when it
comes to the children.
Another feature of this bill
is a provision prohibiting the
Supreme Court or Federal
Appeals Courts from review
ing any decision made by a
lower court. The District
Courts as a rule are in a
position to know what the
community standards are in
their respective areas much
better than a court here in
Washington or hundreds of
miles across the country.
As I've said, this legisla
tion, if passed, will not solve
the entire problem of porno
graphy, which is now over a
billion dollars a year business.
But some of the material I
have seen which was sent
through the mail to our
people convim.es me that we
must use every legitimate and
legal means at our disposal to
crack down upon those who
would corrupt our children -
especially for profits.
I n my opinion, these
people are just as dangerous
to thl freedom and security
of this nation as are the riot
ers and arsonists and loot
en . Let's hope we can stop
this practice and punish se
verely those who feel they are
above the laws of our coun
try.
The FrajilijKn Times
Established 1870 - Published Tuesdays & Thursdays by
The Franklin Times. Inc.
Btckett Blvd. Did GY6 3283 Louisburg. N. C.
CLINT FULLER. Managing Editor ELIZABETH JOHNSON. Business Manager
NATIONAL EDITORIAL
Advertiilng Rates
Up?D Request
ASSOCIATION
1969
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
In North Carolina: Out of State
Oa*-Yaar, $4.64; Six Montha, $2.83 On* Year, $5.50; Six Months, $4.00
Threi Months, $2.06 Three Montha, $3.50
EnMnd u second daw mail matter and postage pud it the Pott Oflke at Loutsbuig, N. C. 27549.
'You'll not only pay for the missile but also for the delivery system'
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
Run The Schools Locally
Henderson, (N.C.) Daily Dispatch
It seems that no matter what local
school boards ? and by local is not
meant Henderson and Vance County
only but in general - do jay way of
submitting plans for operation of their
schools, they cannot please the bu
reaucrats of the Department of
Health, Education and Welfare. Some
fault is found with nearly every plan
that is submitted.
All of which raises anew the ques
tion as to why local boards are not
allowed to run their own schools.
They certainly know more about the
problems and benefits involved than
swivel chair occupants in a cozy,
luxurious office building in Washing
ton. They know little, and couldn't
care less, about city and county
schools, except that their primary
objective, as was admitted by a HEW
representative here not long ago, is
integration. That takes precedence
over the child's education, which we
are persuaded is as well know to the
colored people as to any others, and
equally as much resented.
When Congress appropriates money
for local school units, that money
should be apportioned to the many
units to be applied as seems best by
them.
Congressmen must be aware of
sentiment of their constituents, and
why they choose to ignore those
wishes is a question to which we have
seen no answer. Rep. Fountain of this
district has done more by way of
opposing HEW absurdities than any
one on Capitol Hill, so far as our
knowledge goes. Others may have a
similar attitude, but they do little or
nothing about it They are interested
in having their own pay raised.
Local people want the best possible
for their schools and could go far in
providing it if the heavy hand of
bureaucracy were held off. Whatever
local boards propose, some fault is
found with it. The new Nixon ad
ministration seems to be unconcerned.
And if the present pattern persists
until 1972 there just might be a new
shuffling of the cards. Certainly it is
needed.
Legislative Report
By Rep. James D. Speed
Raleigh - Many people a
croas the state and particular
ly in the three counties of our
16th House District are very
much iware of the outstand
ing service rendered by volun
teer emergency rescue organi
zations.
Members of these organi
zations such as rescue squads,
volunteer fire departments
and Civil
Air Patrol
units do
nate their
t ime, ef
{ o rt anc
t alent in
e x t ensivc
training at
Well as in
c a r r ying
out their
ml ssiont
of mercy
and other
duties.
SPttu
It li my feeling that the
organization* deserve greater
support and that the public Is
willing to provide this.
As a further Inducement
to this end. I have introduced
legislation which would per
mit income tax deductions
for financial contributions to
these organizations.
The bill was co-signed by
Reps. John Church, McMil
lian of Wake, Johnson of Ca
barrus and Lilley of Lenoir,
and we feel It has strong
backing.
Additional impetus has
been given the East Carolina
U n iversity medical school
program recently especially
by the governor's endorse
ment of establishing a sepa
rate medical school and be
ginning of planning now.
M any legislators Including
myself who favor this long
range plan met with East
Carolina officials for break
fast and a ttyrough briefing
on Tuesday.
I believe that a start can
and should be made by the
General Assembly on carrying
out this program with de
finite goals in mind.
Surveys show that the
need for more doctors and
other medical personnel is
more critical In Eastern North
Carolina than any other part
of the state. The plans in
clude giving special emphasis
to training of family-type
physicians and personnel who
will work in leas-populated
areas of our state.
I was very much In favor
of a bill enacted last week to
set a statewide schedule of
uniform fees for registers of
deeds in the various counties.
Under the uniform system
the fees are generally lower
than those which had been
charged in some counties.
However. I think this will be
accepted and the entire pro
cedure of recording papers
and documents in various
counties simplified. People
who are recording papers in
distant counties will know
exactly what fee will be
charged and will be able to
enclose a check for that a
mount in the first mailing. In
the past, it has been necessary
to carry on correspondence
over a long period of time in
order to determine the fee
schedule and correct proce
dure.
A bill which I introduced
some time ago providing for
regulation of the ingredients
and contents of soft drinks
was passed by both houses.
Regulation of the Ingredients
used by the bottlers will be
under supervision of the De
partment of Agriculture and I
think this Is In the Interest of
the consumer. The bottling
interest^ did not object to the
>ill
Governor Scott continue*
o receive strong backing
'rom members of the iegisla
lure for his efforts to control
ampus disorders and to pre
sent further trouble by stu
dents and agitators.
The feeling generally is in
line with the governor's insis
tence that disruption of the
sducation of those students
who conscientiously seek one
must not be permitted.
I believe that the gover
nor's firm stand very pro
bably eliminated the need for
legislative action to curb such
disruption as has been experi
enced on several of the cam
ji'COME
f T0
THINK
OF IT..."
r frank count
i
Folks around here hadn't never heard of Junipher Jones
until" last, year. Junipher lived here all his life... which la
considerable . . . but he hadn't never took na'part in nothing
until last year. The great "revelation", as Junipher calls it,
took place last fall wheh he seen Agnew on television.
Junipher said then that he liked the way Agnew wore his hair.
Junipher used to wear his in a pom-pe-do like Spiro. I say used
to . . . 'cause Junipher ain't had none to wear to speak of in
years.
But anyway . . . Junipher was so sold on Agnew's hair that
he decided to go Republican. He allowed that it was the
Democrats that wore the long hair and beards and he favored
the Republican style.
As time went on Junipher got the real treatment. He sent in
some money and got on the mailing list'and you'd a thought it
was Christinas when
he'd get a letter signed
by Mr. Nixon. He never
could be made to un- ?
derstand that it didnt
mean that Mr. Nixon
knew of Junipher per
sonally. Old Junipher
. . . who ain't the
b r i ghtest bald-headed
man in the county . . .
always thought he was ,
getting something no- \
body else got. ^
Well since last No
vember there aint been
a happier soul in the
country than Junipher.
And talk . . . man, can
he talk. When he got bit
by that Republican
bug, he really got bit.
I seen him the other
day and made the mistake or stopping to speak to mm.
"Junie", I said, "How's things? Long time no see. What'cha
been doing with yore-self?"
"Prank", he said, waving a Nixon-Agnew banner, 'T been
celebrating. Ever since November I been celebrating. Frank,
can you imagine where we'd be if that fellow Johnson was still
in the White House?"
"Well, 111 tell you, Frank", he said not giving me time to
explain my point of view. "We'd still be at war \n that
Vietnam, that's where".
"Well, yeah, Junie", I interrupted, "That's true, but "
"But, nothing, Frank", he blasted. "We'd still be paying
that surtax, too. And another thing, we'd be getting ready for
more taxes. We'd be planning to build more defense things". I
entered with another, "Yeah, but" but that's as far as I got.
"Frank, I'm here to tell you. We'd still be having riots on
them colleges and killing on them streets. You'd had to call
oul the national guard and the patrol and everybody else. It
might have been trouble right here in North Carolina
"We'd been having trouble in our schools and the money
would be cut off and the mail would still be late and folks
would be striking and we would have inflation", he continued.
"Yeah, but . . . listen Junipher . . . listen to me one minute
. . I got something to say "
"You have? What you want to say Frank? Is it important?
Dont you agree?"
We didn't say it. We just walked away muttering as how we
reckoned old Junipher was right. If we didn't have Nixon ....
this country shore would a gone to the dogs.
puses In recent days.
Many groups -? in fact,
hundreds - continue to ap
pear before the Appropria
tions committee to request
additional funds for expand
ing various state-supported
programs.
This, I think, clearly indi
cates that the General As
sembly will not be able to
even come cloae to granting
ill the requests that have
been made, not even with a
new tax program.
Individuals who spend
most of their time talking
about other people seldom
amount to anything.
Memories Of 1948...
THE COURIER-TRIBUNE. ASHEBORO. N. C.
THAT AUCTION of former
President Harry Truman's pri
vate railroad car (the one that
he "gave 'em Hell" from in
IMS) probably stirred memo
ries of his GOP opponent that
year too.
Fo: Tom Dewey, trains
probably held special meaning
in the gloomy reconstruction
of a losing poetical campaign.
Today, of course, no candi
date would consider such an
outmoded form of tranaporta
tion ? not when jets can put
them down - in a single day -in
New York City, Dm Moines,
Portland and Loa Angeles.
But twenty years ago, ambi
tious politicians wouldn't ha>
ard & race without plans to
barnstorm the huatinga by rail.
With wry humor, they recall
ed the front porch "cam
paign" nf Warren Harding
how quaint It all seemed In
those days of whistle - stops
at the nation's crossroads!
Armed with a single speech
to recite repetitloualy from one
town to the next, the candi
dates remained one step ahead
of next-day headlines, without
television, candidate* needed
"exposure" to the voters that
radio alone wouldn't provide.
It had a hidden blessing which
goes unstated: a hopeful poli
tician could pledge himself to
one course of action in one
region and then reverse him
self a hundred miles away.
If he was adroit enough, he
"misquoting" him when inevii
tably the conflicting state
ments caught up days later.
Truman's '48 theme was
"give 'em Hell." so often was
It shouted by partisans who
flocked to rail stations to hear
the incumbent president bawl
out a "io-nothing Congress.
Dewey's was more unfor
tunate. He delivered a more
sedate, statesmanlike message
from the train's last car ? us
ually a very ornate caboose, as
was Truman's.
Unfortunately, the New York
governor blew hi* cool one day.
the train suddenly lurched
backward into the crowd and
Dewey exploded. Among other
remarks, he called the engi
neer "craiy." Working men
everywhere railed an eyrhro^
at the immaculately . garbed
businessman ("a Wall Street
stooge ? weren't all Republi
cs??") abusing one of their
own. (People could have been
killed because of the engineer
?but the morning newspaper!
didn't mention that.)
His words hounded and
haunted Dewey for the dura
tion of his campaign which
Sound sluggishly V, disaster
November. . .perhaps be
cause of that Ill-fated railroad
Journey.
Old Harry's rail car will be
sold at auction Thursday,
bringing back memories of the
last coast-to-coast whixtle^stop
campaign Wonder what wss
on Tom Dewey's mind if be
read the story?