Newspapers / The Franklin Times (Louisburg, … / July 3, 1969, edition 1 / Page 4
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The Fr CvWitKM ????? A Tfcw<?4?y n Times Your Award Winning County Newspaper Thursday, July 3, 1969 LOCAL EDITORIAL COMMENT No Official Scorer Baseball, it is often said, is a game of statistics. Avid fans would be lost without the record book and great effort goes into crediting the playejrs with how many times they have a chance to hit the ball and, often regretably, how many time they miss ed it. You can get a record book at almost any news stand. Keeping up with politicans isn't quite that easy. There are records and there are their reports of their record. Sometimes, finding their batting aver age is so difficult for the average fan, it is better left alone. There is, of course, no official scorer. It's a shame. Checking the book on some would be a very interesting pasttime right now. It would undoubt edly add a great deal to the under standing--if not the enjoyment -of the game. If it h*l fell our lot-heaven for bid-to score recent events affecting Franklin County, there would have been many a trip back to the rule book, which should include- although, we're sure it doesn't -pre-election promises and statements. We'd score, for example, the County Commissioners with a hit in their actions with the new budget. Not a homer, you understand, but a healthy single. Only time will tell whether or not the base runners can get home with what the Board gave them to run on. On the other hand, in the matter of zoning to protect the people's interest in certain invest ments of the people's money, we'd be compelled to strike the whole bunch out and chalk up at least five errors. We'd credit the Franklin delegation in the General Assembly with a triple in voting against the retroactive pay raise for themselves. It'd be a homer, if any of them refuse to take it, now that it's been passed. We'd even add a run or two batted in. On the other hand, honesty would demand that we strike out that bunch, too, for the way they handled the. annexation issue. They do have their trouble with curve balls. No errors here, though, because even though they juggled the ball for quite a spell, they did finally make the play. The Louisburg Town Council could be given a time at bat for hanging in there against the high, hard ones in the annexation doubleheader and a run or two scored because of it, but a true official scorer could not, in good conscience, give them a hit. It wasn't that kind of a play. They might, however, raise their batting average with the new budget, if they, ever straighten out that electric bill short stop. Well, with those examples, it is not difficult to understand why we'd pro bably never make an official scorer. We just don't understand the game. But, all in all. Franklin has the makings of a pretty good team. A little weak here and there, but a few trades and intelligent use of the draft in the days ahead could make us a real contender. And who knows, we might win a pennant. After all, when you're in the cellar, there's only one way to go. Fresh Breath Of Air For the past several years, the Franklinton City School Board has been threatened, harrassed, conferred with and investigated by federal ag ents of the Justice Department and the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. The Franklin County Schools suffered the same until they were taken to court. It is, perhaps, too late for it to ease much of Franklin's jwin but therais an interesting little $M^of??ajbAq|ng on right now in Washington: Conflicting reports say that the Nixon administration is about to re lease a statement softening school desegregation guidelines while on the other hand, other reports are saying the present Johnson style orders will stand. / In the past few days, there have been -reports of such a statement being reylewed, revised, readied and with drawn. The tugging seems to be going on between HEW Secretary Robert Finch and the conservatives closer to the President. ' ' Finch lost a battle last week to the American Medical Society and Sena tor Everette Dirksen when he failed to get his man named chief health officer of the country. The Secretary has been talking loud and big about keep ing the guidelines as they are in recent days but still the rumor persists that the President will soften them. Franklin, with the exception of a few grades in the Franklinton system, has already totally integrated its schools. Any decision by the present administration at this late date can not undo the things which have sub jected most of our children to a hectic year. However, knowing what it's all about. Franklin parents can hope that parents in other areas may be spared the turmoil of sudden and total mix ing of the races. The fact that the President might differ from his HEW Secretary in this matter is a hopeful sign. One would be hard put to recognize a difference, if indeed one exists, between the Nixon HEW Secretary and the Johnson HEW Secretary. And any school board can readily tell you that the same old Johnson crowd is running things un der the so-called new administration. Fifteen years after the Supreme Court school desegregation ruling, the daily newspapers vividly tell-if any one is willing to look -that it is not working. The country is in far worse shape today-and so are the blacks and whites- than it was when this monu mental decision was rendered. Some where, some blacks might be getting a better education and someday it may show. Up to now, however, it all looks like a long bad dream. The Nixon administration and no other is going to turn back the clock. And maybe there are large numbers of people who would not want it to. But, any semblance of reason injected into the school desegregation dictates, is like a fresh breath-of air. It may not save a drowning man, but it sure does give hope to others. The Fra^in Times EaUblbhad 1870 - Publlahad Tuaadayi It Thurwfcya By The Franklin Times. Int Blckett Bhrd. Dial QY?-3283 Lout4xi(f. N. C. CLINT FULLER, M<n*(ing Editor ASSOCIATION 1969 ELIZABETH JOHNSON. BuilnM* Manager NATIONAL EDITORIAL AdvartMnf Rata* Upon Requeat SUBSCRIPTION RATES In North Carolina: Out of State: On* Yaw, $4.64; Six Montha, *2.83 On* Yaar. *6.50; SI* Montha, $4 00 This* Montha, $2.06 Thraa Montha, >3.50 Sywd - -oonddmt mail mat/to and pofta?e paid at the rotl Office at Lou tabu ri. N. C. 2754*. 3lf As we join together to celebrate this Fourth of July, let us remember that, abpve all, this is a day to show wour gratitude to our forefathers for their great fortitude 1and vision in establishing this great nation upon the foundations of freedom, and their steadfastness in up holding that freedom. ? ( Let us affirm our faith in the principles for which they stood and pledge anew, dedicating ourselves un swervingly to the ideal that liberty may ever endure. Fountain Hits School Guidelines * By Congressman L. H. Fountain Washington, D. C. - Those of us still concerned about quality education and our public school system are still waiting for some definite sign of a new and, hopefully, more favorable policy by the Nixon Admini stration in connection with school desegre gation. Well, President Nixon and Secretary Finch and Company have now been in office almost. "Six months; and notwithstanding news stories and messages I have received from one source after another about planned guideline changes, no significant changes have been made in the Howe-Gardner-Cohen "financially forced integration" approach. V- - All we've been getting are a variety of contradictory statements from Secretary Finch and others in the Administration. In fact, except for a. few new faces and top level officials in HEW, the same "old crowd" and substantially the same "visitatibn teams" are still running things. Although there are limits to what a minority of us in Congress can do to force proper action by the Executive, unless things do change and change quickly with a more reasonable and common sense approach, whatever plan may be unfolded will become knowh as the Nixon-Finch plan for "forced integration." I have left no stone unturned in my own efforts to give HEW a full picture of our problems in the Second District and the many factors which of necessity ought and must be taken into account in any school desegregation plan, whether court ordered or ordered through the power of the Federal Washington, D. C. - Are there any veterans of the first crossing of the Rhine River over the famed bridge at Remagen in this area? That's the question which Congressman L. H. Fountain has beefi asked by one of his fellow-members of the House of Representa tives, Rep. Ken Hechler of West Virginia. Congressman Hechler is the author of the best-selling war book, "The Bridge at Re magen", which has been made into a full -length movie and will be released this summer by United Artists. "This was one of the most heroic epi sodes In American military history", stated Congressman Fountain. "It turned the tide of the war in Europe and saved many American lives. When the movie come* to the area. I think we should honor those who took part in the Remagen Bridge crossing. I hope that any men who were involved in the Rhine crossing at Remagen will write me c/o House Office Building. Washington, D. C. 20515." The motion picture based on Congress man Hechler's book is a David L. Wolper production starring Robert Vaughn, George Segai, Ben Gazzara, Bradford Dillman and E. G. Marshall. It was filmed in Czecholovakka because the original Rhine River bridge at Remagen collapsed just ten days after the American 9th Armored Division made its surprise crossing on March 7, 1945. Con gressman Hechler, who Is technical adviaer for the film, managed to get out of Czechos lovakia just 12 hours before the Russian Invasion last August, but the call and film crew fled to the Austrian border. Hie film was completed near Rome, Italy. "Apparent ly, this la a film the Russians couldnt stop," Congressman Fountain commented. purse. It is true that HEW officials here in Washington have been most patient and considerate in listening to me. One such meeting with local school officials lasted three hours. Other high ranking officials close to the President have also given me a hearing. I appreciate such consideration, but in the final analysis it's responsible and reasonable action that we are seeking and .still waiting for. I read recently that Attorney General Mitchell and Secretary Finch are planning to work with the Federal Courts and that revisions in guidelines will soon be out. Last week when the surtax extension and invest ment credit repeal legislation was being considered in the House, and when votes were needed, there were headline news stories, and rumors flying throughout the House, to the effect that either Secretary Finch, or that Secretary Finch and Attorney Geqeral Mitchell would jointly announce new and more moderate guidelines. The police statements or guidelines described to me can be strict or moderate, depending upon how they are interpreted and admini ctoroH Secretary Finch's first recommendation for the position of Assistant to HEW for Health and Scientific Affairs was turned down by the President. His pride has been wounded. In his own words, "In losing one battle, your hand is strengthened for ano ther." In fact, in the June 29 edition of 'The Washington Post" (Incidentally the day before the scheduled vote on the surtax extension). Secretary Finch is quoted as having said, "There is not going to be any give at all in the 1969-70 deadlines" for total desegregation -? "not at the present time." The President's rejection of the Knowles appointment has also prompted opposition from liberal forces in both political parties, and talk about new school integration guide lines has also prompted counter pressures from groups obviously more concerned with total "forced integration" of schools than a climate for quality education. Consequently, until such revisions as the one to be made are announced, or at least until some full statement is made by Secre tary Finch, we have no way of knowing what to expect; but on the basis of what I am told by others in high places, I am still hoptful for a moderation approach. If it does not come soon, even if it comes, I'm fearful it will come too late. In fact, it's already too late for many of our school systems. Let me add, however, that regardless of any action the Nixon Administration may take on school integration guidelines, some of the Federal Courts, Including North Caro lina ones, have gone completely beserk on the subject, demanding complete and total Integration now, or beginning with the 69-70 school year. Federal Courts have both the power and the right to be reasonable. They should have the necessary wisdom and un derstanding. but they havent shown It. The Nixon Administration, through HEW and the office of the Attorney General, can properly Influence the Federal Courts in this area. If they dont, and If the courts them selves dont toon see the light, there will not be much that either the courts, the Congress, or the President can do to bring educational order out of chaos. COME TO THINK OF IT..." by frank count "Youngin". I said. "I been around a long time. I been a heap of places and I seen a heap of things. I ain't got a whole lot of education -book learning, that is-but I learned a heap of things. "I learned a lot from people. Mostly 1 learned from watching people and remembering. Watching people ain't no good unless you remember what you seen. "I remember when the Fourth of July was a big day. J remember when folks would gather from miles around to picnic and visit and talk. Folks did a heap of talking. How you been, they'd ask. And how old are the young ins. now and always they'd say -whether they meant it or not-you're looking good. That's 'cause folks themselves was good. If you're good, youll look good. Don't for get that. ever. "I remember there used to be parades. Everybody would try to get into the march. Them that didn't would run along behind. Then there was bands. Always there was bands. They didn't play so good, but they was loud and folks didn't care. It won't the music so much as the songs they played. ' They played patriotic songs. The songs told about men who h?d lived for their ( country. Some told about men who had died for their i country, too. The songs always said something about America I and you could hum along-if you could carry a tune -and every 3 now and then you'd think a cold wind had blowed. Your skin [ would sorta shiver on some of the high notes. "Then there was speeches. I never cared too much for them, though. But, then remembering, there was a whole lot to be said even for the speeches. Nearbout everybody make a speech. If you had a title, you could set on the platform. If you set on the platform you was introduced. And if you was introduced, you made a speech. "Most times the speaker was a politican of some sort. He blowed a lot and now and then he'd have to stop and wipe sweat, but by the time they finished most folks was charged up with patriotism. And that won't too hard to do 'cause most folks was patriots to begin with. "I remember they talked about freedom and liberty a whole lot. Younginlike, I didnt understand all they was saying but I could tell when they was telling the good stuff. The old women would cry. The men would have to blow their noses -whether or not they had a cold. And the youngins, we just got quiet. Even the giggling-girts stopped giggling. "Some of them would quote some dead American that had said something that had stuck over ^he years. Like Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death or maybe something like sacrificing and honor. Some of the words sounded right good. "They waved the flag a lot back then, too, I remember. The neighbors didn't say nothing if you hung the flag in your front yard like they do now. Showing the flag won't no big thing back then. Just about everybody done it. Folks was proud to do it, I remember. "Slackers won't thought much of in them days like they are now. A man that wouldn't go fight for his country won't nothing. It wouldn't do him no good to stay home. Wont no girl anywhere thatll have anything to do with him. Grown folks would whisper when he walked by. Even the dogs barked at him. Some of them even bit him- even though I suspect -they didn't know he was a slacker. "Things shore have changed, Youngin", I said. "Things ain't like they used to be. The Fourth of July is just another day now and 1 reckon your generation is gonna be loser for it. Shucks, stores don't even close no more for the Fourth; folks don't visit and don't many even bother to picnic. There ain't no fireworks no more and even the politican done stopped making speeches. Guess that's because it's so hot in July. "But whatever the reason things have changed, I'm made sorry that they have. But, I reckon I ain't as bad off as some. I can still remember. Some folks ain't even got that." 'Give Or Ye Shall Receive'
The Franklin Times (Louisburg, N.C.)
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July 3, 1969, edition 1
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