The Fra^Mih Times
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Your Award Winning County Newspaper
LOCAL EDITORIAL COMMENT
Worth A Try
In nearby Person County, an uni
dentified white man has challenged
the rural churches to funds to build a
recreation area for the young people.
Within eight hours of the challenge,
some people had already begun clear
ing land for the project. It is too early
to appraise the total effect of the
challenge but to date it looks like a
going thing.
Person has been plagued in recent
weeks with racial disorders and this is
apparently the reason for now doing
more for its young people.
Franklin, fortunately, has not thus
far been faced with such disorders and
hopefully, never will be. However, this
type of thing is not needed to warn
citizens that there are needs in this
county.
In recent weeks, there have been a
disturbing number of reports of
distressing nature concerning, for the
most part, young adult and teen-age
boys. Hqw much of this might have
been avoided by a total community
effort directed at giving them some
thing constructive to do, is unknown.
But, we'll never know until we try.
The problem concerns white and
Negro youths alike. One white youth
and one Negro youth have been killed
in single car accidents on Franklin
highways in recent weeks. Three
young men were arrested for throwing
bottles through church windows.
Another has been charged with felon
ious assault in a knifing incident at
school. Three others were charged
with breaking and entering a cabin.
Two more ran away from home.
Another killed himself and still anoth
. er was drowned.
All this is the course of only a
couple of months in this one small
county. Certainly, it should be enough
to make us think.
With many young people being
what they are today, older people
might not satisfy their needs with
adequate recreation and social facili
ties but it .seems time somebody gave
it a try..
One central elaborate facility is
perhaps not the answer. The answer
could lie in each community and
particularly those offering nothing at
all for their young people.
The challenge to the churches
might be somewhat unfair here.
Churches here and, we suspect in
Person as well, are interested in the
young and in most instances are doing
what they can to help. However, the
church could be the starting point for
anyone interested in moving ahead in
this area.
Most communities are tied together
through their churches and a joint
effort might be a good thing.
Young people are going to be
together today just as young people
have always done. No effort, however
well intended, is going to reach them
all. But, if only a few are reached; if
only a few are given meaningful direc
tion; if only one is kept out of
trouble, it will be worth the effort any
of us might put forth.
It's worth thinking about. Is it
worth giving a try?
Little Harder To Take
There have been a number of
people who have said-some jokingly,
some not--that it will be a blessing
when the General Assembly finally
adjourns. Already, this year's session
has been the longest in history.
It has accomplished much, some of
which-depending on where you stand
- has been good. And, as in past years,
some, regardless of where the old foot
is placed, apparently will serve very
little purpose.
Taxpayers have been hit with a
two-cent gasoline tax which goes into
effect next week; a two-cent tax on
cigarettes and a one-cent tax on soft
drinks, both expected to gain final
approval today. The additional re
venue is needed, so they say, to
finance all the goodies promised Tar
heels for the next two years.
There have been other actions aim
ed at making for a better life. Several
colleges, left out two years ago, were
brought up to date and made univer
sities. The usual number of laws de
signed to help highway safety were
enacted and bring with them hope
that the slaughter on our highways
might lessen and the minimum wage
coverage was broadened, among other
things.
Now comes the frosting on an
otherwise fallen pje crust. The honor
ables, who cannot by law raise their
pay but who have regularly increased
their allowances, are tinkering with
the idea of awarding themselves a $5
retroactive increase for this session.
The current pay is $15 per day and
the present allowance is $20 per day,
six days a week, present or not. And,
except for the Wake delegation, very
few are present after Friday noon
although all are paid for Saturday.
They are also paid for Mondays when
the session doesn't start until Monday
night. Some reports reveal that law
makers are paying from $50 to $65
per week for rooms in the plush hotels
and motels and these bills are running
about $1500 to date in this session.
At $35 per day, however, six days per
week and with the session now in its
" 23rd week, legislators have drawn
$4830 to date.
Needless to say, there are a number
of North Carolinans living an entire
year on far less.
These lawmakers knew what the
pay would be when they sought the
office and while it is true that mingl
ing in the upper crust of lobbyists and
legislative hangers-on and with infla
tion hitting even the most honorable
of the honorables, the waning days are
not the time to vote a flat $715
tax free bonanza to themselves.
Taxing gas, cigarettes and soft
drinks for necessities, we can live
with, however difficult it may be.
Using the money for such last-minute
shannigans as an increase in allow
ances is a bit harder to take.
The FraqJ^in Times
Eatabllahed 1870 ? Publtahed Tuaadaya L Thurafeya by
I
The Franklin Times. Inc.
Bkkett Blvd. Dial QY8-3283 Louiiburj. N. C.
CLINT FULLER. Manajlng Editor
ASSOCIATION
11
ELIZABETH JOHNSON, Bualncaa Manafer
NATIONAL EDITORIAL
Advertiatng Rate*
Upon Requaat
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
In North Carolina: Out of State:
One Yaw. *4.64 ; Six Month*. $2.83 Ona Yaar, $6.60; Six Montha, $4.00
Thraa Montha, $2.00 Three Montha, $3.60
Enltnd m wcond cUumaU matter nd po?tase paM at the Pott Office at Louteburg. N. C. 21549.
Welfare
(Continued from Page 1)
adequately represents the wide gamut,
of services offered by the Agency.
Mrs. York describes some actual
instances in what she terms a "typical
day in the welfare office". They make
some interesting reading and, hope
fully, could lead to some a clearer
understanding of what goes on in the
Department of Social Services:
Telephone: Sheriffs office called
wants a caseworker to accompany a
woman to the State Hospital as thp
family refuses to go.
Four Juvenile Court petitions re
ceived with regard to recent breakins -
caseworker has to visit home before
hearings which is set by the Judge and
in most instances submit a written
social history to the court.
Man comes in partically in tears as
his child needs to go to the hospital
and he has no means with which to
send her.
Woman calls refusing at first to give
her name, stating that three children
are being neglected, parents leave them
alone at night, drink and carouse, do
not feed them properly, they are
hungery and have no clothes to wear.
Eventually children were removed
from the home and placed in a licens
ed foster care. This foster home was
licensed by the agency.
Letter received stating daughter is
emotionally ill, fearful for her life,
"what can I do, who do I see".
Tearful mother carrying a mon
goloid child comes in with "I have
come to the end of my rope please
help me."
Seventy-five year old woman whose
daughter turned her out wants some
where to go or someone to care. Who
is going to help her?
Man and wife are desperate as
daughter 13 is expecting a baby. They
said, "This happens to other people
but we never thought it could happen
to us. What can we do?"
Briglii young couple comes in with
"we want to adopt a little boy, we
can't have children of our own".
Woman tells caseworker that De
partment of Public Health sent her
over, her husband has T.B. and has to
go to the TB Sanatorium.
Telephone rings: child has 'been
abandoned. "Ill bring it right over".
"I sincerely hope that by changing
the name of the agency to the Depart
ment of Social Services people will be
motivated to learn more about services
which poor and rich alike. Our goal is
not only to improve our image but
continue to sharpen our effectiveness
as a helping profession, " Mrs. York
commented in conclusion.
Hearing
(Continued from Page 1)
those who are proposing this bill". He
added, "I have the information in my
files and they are wide open for
anyone to see."
In his prepared statement, Rep.
Speed which he says is written "in
order to prevent being misquoted", he
said he had considered the annexation
matter at "great length" and said that
requests by Franklinton and Louisburg
"Have been overshadowed by opposi
tion from the people who would be
most affected ..."
"1 am not here to support or
oppose the bill". Speed said, "I came
to hear the views of the opponents and
proponents who are appearing before
this Committee."
The statement says that Rep. Speed
"Asked the Chairman not to consider
the bill . ... . but later wrote him a
letter stating that I would leave the
matter to his Committee and Rep.
Church".
"I was surprised to learn from The
Franklin Times that this Indicated a
reversal on my part in the matter,"
Speed said. The Times reported earlier
this week that Rep. John Church said
that Speed's action "indicated a rever
sal on the part of Speed in the
matter".
Speed also states In his prepared
release that "I have at no time tried to
influence any member of this Com
mittee nor have I at any time told
Senator Griffin or Representative
Church that I would. oppose or sup
port the bill-nor have I told anyone
specifically that I would do either."
Saying "Mr. Chairman, members of
the Committee, the case is in your
hands." Rep. Speed concluded his
prepared statement with, "If this bill
passes this Committee, I reserve the
right to take such action as I deem
practical when it appears on the House
floor."
Rep. Church read a letter he had
written to the Louisburg Town Coun
cil which stated his position that it was
a Franklin county matter and he
would support the bill if Rep. Speed
and Senator Griffin did. In doting
remarks. Church told the Committee.
"I would remind you that Senator
Griffin Urn to loultbun."
GRANDFIELD, OKLA., NEWS:
"Although probably the major share
of blame for the breakdown in our
court system can be placed squarely
on the legal profession and social
do-gooders, much of it can also be
blamed on citizens who fail to accept
their responsibilities when called to
jury duty and testifying in coOrt."
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
To the Editor:
This is In reaponae to a
letter written by Mr*. Roae
W. Marshall of Greenaboro,
North Carolina printed In the
June 17 edition of The
Franklin Times with my ex
ceptions thereto. I also found
your editorial comment of
June 12 intaaqesting as well as
thought provoking. I might
add that moat of your edi
torial comments are that way.
Aa a Franklin County na
tive and now living in a coun
ty that has auffered along
with Franklin County from
lack of highway Improvement '
funds aa well as political ap
pointments I am aware that
we have not been receiving
our fair share.
However, I do not believe
by any stretch of the Imagina
tion could It be said that this
is due to our not being ade
quately represented by our
legislators.
It Is my opinion that both
Representatives Church and
Speed have worked hard and
have ably represented our dis
trict. Further (or as long as I
can remember we have had
capable legislators.
Unfortunately our coun
ties are not as big as the
county In which Mrs. Mar*
hall lives and is without Its
voting power; therefore, we
just don't count. I would bet
that Guilford County has had
its share of the "goodiaa".
Maybe someday if we hol
ler loud enough, the Mate
administrations might even
And ua on the map or some
state official might even drive
on N C. 5<.
Yours very truly,
Lin wood T. Peoples
162 Lynn Haven Avenue
Hendenon, N. C.
The House tax writers
have tentatively agreed on a
restriction to gradually do
away with the privilege of
wealthy donnora to write off
their whole income agalnat
charitable donatlona. Many
tax revisions an expected to
be made.
I stopped by to see a old friend the other day. Rob Blind. I
know that's a unusual name, but that's what he's been called
for as long as' I knowed him. Hi* real name is Genevieve. I
guess that's why they call him Rob.
I
Rob runs a small store down at Slop Creek and I used to
trade with him. My folks didn't think you could get
something-teat any place but Rob's. He did have a pretty good
supply ana ne
was cheap. I
don't mean old
Rob was cheap.
His stuff was.
I hadn't been
in them parts for
quite some time
so I thought I'd
stop in and see If
he still was selling
Bracers and Black
Cows. 1 found
him sitting betide
the stove. Didn't
make no dif
ference it was
nin?t v Hpotpm
outside. Old Rob had a little Tire in the heater. He used to My
it kept the chill off. He's right. It was sure keeping the chill off
when I was there.
"Hello Rob", I said. "Remember me? How long hat It
been? You're looking good." (That wont exactly right. He
looked like death would be an improvement, but I wanted to
make him feel good.)
"Yeah, you're old man Count's boy .... what 's-his-name.
Yeah, I remember you. Where you been son?"
"We moved to town, Rob. Been living in town for a long
time but it's bad on a fellow, Rob. Town aint got the
advantages you got out here. No, sir. Prices are out of the
world, Rob. You wouldn't believe it. Things is higher 'n a
kite".
"Well, you knowe<J better. 1 told your pa you wouldn't
never amount to nothing. You always wanted to go to town.
Go to town, that's all you use to say. You thought if you
could get to town, you'd be in heaven. I ain't never seen a boy
want to get to town so bad. Glad you got there. Glad you
dont like it. Serves you right. Hope you got to stay."
"I reckon I got to stay for awhile longer, Rob. I got to eat.
And besides the little woman wont move and I cant afford
what It takes to leave hef there and move myself. How about a
nice cold Bracer, Rob. Got any in the ice box?"
"Ain't got no Bracers. They don't make them anymore.
Got a big orange if you want one.'*
"Well, alright. Give me a big orange. How much are they,
Rob? Still a nickel?" 1
"Man you have been gone. They're 15 cents now and fixing
to go up. There's a tax on them now. They aint passed it yet
but I'm gonna start collecting tomorrow so's I can get ahead of
the game. I always try to stay ahead when I can, boy".
"Well, I guess things and prices change, Rob. Give me a
pack of cigarettes while you're up. How much are they? A
quarter?"
"Not exactly, son. You know there's a tax on them now,
too. I got to get forty cents today. I already added the tax to
them."
"But, Rob that's agin the law. You cant collect tax on
stuff before the tax is put on. Cigarettes dont co <t you but
twenty cents. How come you got to double your money?"
"Overhead, son. Got to keep coal in the stove. Got to keep
the place spruced up. Got to pay the government. Aint you
city folks paying no tax, son?" J.
"Well, yeah, Rob, we're paying all we can. But it aint no
use of you merchants trying to rob folks. Forty cents tor
cigarettes aint fair, but give me a pack of hump-backs."
"Git 'em yourself, son. I done set back down."
"I hate to ask you this Rob, but you reckon you could git
up long enough to sell me enough gas to git back to town?"
"I declare, boy. You aint changed one bit In all these yean.
All I uae to do was jump up and wait on you. You always the
worrieataome. customer I had. I always did hate to see yon
coining up the road. How much gai you want?**
"Might as well fill It up, Rob. How much la K a gallon?" I
shouldn't a asked.
"Forty-five cents a gallon and If you make any complaint, |
aint gonna pump the pump. There's taxes, you know."
? ?
Yaa, sir. I know. I drove off thinking that sure aa you're
bom things done changed at Rob's. NO Bncers. No BUck
Cows. Just big orangaa. There aint nothing for a nickel no
more. Aint It sad?
YELLOW SPRINGS. OHIO,
NEWS: "l? proper respect of one man
for the other the ingredient that it
lacking in today's society, and which
leads to so many tragic, apparently
unless, valueless confrontations? It's a
great thing when people jump up and
down about 'the way things are' and
get concerned enough to have meet
ings, demonstrations, etc. to try to
change the things they think are
wrong. But things get done only \tfien
people on the opposing sides of a
controversy tone down enough to
discover ways to' -work with one
another."