EDITORIALS
HIGH YIELD AND LOW PRICES ?
••
The experience that Brunswick coun
ty farmers went through 20 years ago
in the growing and selling of tobacco is
the best example we can cite in recom
mending the continuing of controls over
such production. When acreage and
yield rise sharply the second of two
successive years and the market price
drops over seven cents per pound, then
the time is ripe for some changes. That
is what took place in 1938-39.
If every farmer would see the light
and agree to voluntary reduction in the
volume planted, and would keep the
agreement, then the matter of voting
on quotas and having his acreage
checked to see that he abides by the
allotment, would not be necessary. But
farmers are people and there are peo
ple who yield only to command.
Accepting this assertion, we urgently
recommend that every tobacco grower
go to his voting place December 12 and
cast his ballot in favor of controls.
If two thirds of the voters approve
quotas, tobacco will be supported at 90
per cent of parity for the next three
years. If the vote fails, support ends.
Then it will be every farmer for him
self.
While we can’t forecast what would
happen, it is likely that poundage
would go up and prices down.
We can’t afford this. We have al
ready found by past experience. that
supply and demand can work to the
farmer’s disadvantage. The one must
be held in balance with the other if we
are to continue to grow tobacco at a
profit.
SPENDING GAINS MOMENTUM
Some weeks ago Secretary of Com
merce Luther Hodges told Americans,
they must spend more to keep the na
tion’s economy healthy. A little while
later, Mr. Hodges said industry should
produce more at less cost through more
intensive research if the country is to
keep pace with competition from
abroad.
Now Mr. Hodges, by his own fore
cast, seems to be getting his wish grati
fied : spending is on the uptrend.
He predicted the other day that sales
in November and December would be
about five per cent above that of the
same period last year. Included in the
five per cent increase is a decided in
crease in consumer buying-.
The Secretary said a part of the en
couraging picture results from a trade
exhibit in Lima, Peru, that cost $269,000
but brought sales of some $3.8 million.
To further boost business, Mr. Hod
ges said plans are in motion to establish
a Department of Commerce field office
in Honolulu, the first in this the 50th
state in the Union.
Be not concerned about spending, Mr.
Secretary. Americans, generally, barely
give their paychecks time to get warm
in the wallet. Their wants far outstrip
their means. Their chief worry is not
having enough to spend as they would
like.
LEADERS DIFFER ON GRAIN PROGRAM
The National Farmers Union and the
American Farm Bureau Federation are
at opposite ends on the merits of the
1961 feed grain program.
While the one asserts that the pro
gram has increased farm income and
reduced farm program costs, the other
charges that the program has increased
costs.
Mr. James G. Patton, president of
NFU, says the feed grain promotion
stepped up farm income some $500,000
and that, added to increased support
prices on some commodities, plus diver
sion payments, may boost the net in
come this year to $1 billion to the farm
er. Mr. Patton, however, was not speci
fic about how the costs were reduced.
Mr. Charles B. Shuman, president of
NFBF, declares that the program has
imposed a billion-dollar loss on Ameri
can people. It is his view that the De
partment of Agriculture claim of suc
cess for the program is nothing but pro
paganda. He said farmers used more
fertilizer on the acres they did plant in
corn and reaped a large yield while
many planted soybeans the support,
price of which was increased. As a re
sult, he said, there is a great surplus of
soybeans costing the people additional
millions.
The USDA contends that farmers
would have produced more corn with
out the feed grain program, so it holds
that the program succeeded as it was
intended. Mr. Shuman says this is a
wrong-way success story in the light of
a billion-dollar cost to reduce feed
grain supply by five per cent.
Just who is right in the matter is dif
ficult to ascertain. Regulations may
change or alter economic conditions,
generally, but farmers and manufac
turers alike will find ways to increase
yields and production regulations not
withstanding.
MR. SAM
The Christian Science Monitor
The second most powerful office in
the United States is vacant today. The
Speaker’s chair in the House of Repre
sentatives will be filled in due course.
But the place of Sam Rayburn will not
be filled—his place in the affections of
Americans and in the operation of con
gressional government.
This is so not merely because he serv
ed in Congress during more than one
fourth of the nation’s history. Nor be
cause his years as Speaker far exceeded
any other man’s. But because he was a
certin kind of man, the product of times
and conditions that will not be re
peated.
Mr. Rayburn’s father fought in the
Confederate Army. He grew up in a
Texas that was closer to the heroes of
the Alamo than to the oil millionaires.
He combined the South’s heritage of
courtly honor and public service with
the simple virtues of the West’s rug
The State Port Pilot
Published Every Wednesday
Southport, N. C.
JAMES M. HARPER, JR.fcd-to?
Sintered as second-class matter April 20, 1928
at the Post Office at Southport, N. C., and
other Post Offices, under the Act
of March 3, 1879.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
Brunswick and Adjoining Counties
and Service Men . $2.00 per year
Six Months ... $1.50
Elsewhere in United States — $3.00
Per Year;—6 Months _ $2.00
ged frontier. The author of the New
Frontier perceptively remarked, “They
don’t make them like that any more.”
Anyone wishing- to understand the
intangibles which make the American
system work could do no better-than
study Mr. Sam’s work in the House.
He followed Speakers who had been
called bosses. Technically he wielded
less power, although still having a de
cisive influence in the selection of com
mittees and in parliamentary maneu
vers.
But the secret of his power lay even
more in individual qualities—integrity,
fairness, knowledge, forbearance with
opponents, patience with youthful pu
pils in his legislative school, and the
resiliency to deal with changing times.
He seldom spoke, but when he did the
nation listened to good sense. His patri
otism and kindness (“I haven’t time to
hate anybody”) bridged party con
flicts.
Speaker Rayburn had a key role in
reconciling the South to much of the
New Deal and in persuading patriots
that isolationism was not enough.
Other congressional leaders must ex
press these qualities in their own in
dividual wrays. They cannot hope to fill
his niche; they ean only aspire to ren
der service equally great.
ONE WAY
We like the one about the Texas vil
lage that went big city and made its
streets one-way streets. Well, everybody
went out of town one day and they
were not able to get back in.
Many a life of the party is a wash
out at home.
“Sorry, Fellas! Maybe The Doctor Will See
You Next Time!”
r
M.D.
FlR&T
aia
Time and Tide
Continued From Page one
port harbor, when three ships coming in, two going out, plus
three dead ships headed for the lay-up basin, all were forced to
anchor here until the veil lifted.
Ten years ago this week our lead story had to do with the in
troduction of safety features in construction at Sunny Point. Saf
ety was—and still is—the watchword up there. The fund drive
was on for money with which to finance the renovation job at
Dosher Memorial Hospital, with $10,000 being the goal for local
matching funds. Trustees of the hospital were leading the way.
Chairman of the State Highway Commission and a group of
other officials of that organization had visited Southport and had
made a trip across the Cape Fear River to Carolina Beach—
roughly following one of the proposed routes for a ferry crossing.
There was a report that “hog rustlers” were at work in the
county; the the Holiday House that year was being held at the
Presbyterian Church Educational Building, back in the days when
that church was situated on Caswell Avenue.
A “Bald Head Island Wild Animal Hunt” was a front page
headline in our edition for December 12, 1956. The story ex
plaintd that the current crop of Hampshires—being increasingly
referred to as "Wild Boars ’—was not the first big game to in
habit the tropical island off Southport. There was a headline,
too, telling that king mackerel were still being caught in large
numbers off Southport.
There had been another fishing development here, red snapper
fishing, and a New Jersey boat and crew had brought in a big
catch of these beautiful fish during the preceeding week. James
C. Bowman, Southport attorney, had been elected president of
the Southeastern North Carolina Beach Association.
IMPORTANT VOTE
(Continued From Page One)
ing the decisions that affect us.
“I want to encourage all eligible
farmers in Brunswick County to
vote in the referenda, and let's
try to have 100 percent participa
tion.”
‘OLD-FASHIONED’
Continued From Page One
will include wreaths, trees,. angels,
card displays, edible decorations,
religious arrangements, gold or
silver arrangements, decorations
which would appeal to children,
tiered arrangements, kitchen ar
rangements, candles, living plants
and wrappings.
A cordial invitation is extend
ed to all who will come, and it
is hoped that out-of-town visitors
will find it convenient to attend.
MEMBERS OF PORTS
(Continued From Page One)
take care of expanding volume
of shipping, it is only proper that
Southport receive consideration
along with our other ports. It is
the purpose and the duty of this
committee to make recommenda
tions to the Ports Authority and
the Governor as to the ways in
which the very excellent natural
facilities of Southport can be de
veloped so as to best serve the
interests of North Carolina.
Of particular intertest to the
visiting members of the State
Ports Authority is the report of
the Rivers and Harbors engineers
released late in November and
recommending' the dredging of a
40-foot channel from the Cape
Fear River bar to a' natural, deep
water basin lying within the
’Southport harbor.
One factor to which prime con
sideration was given was the
prospect of super tankers being
able to come into Southport to
discharge cargo, whether by off
loading into petroleum barges or
by pumping into storage tanks
ashore there is no other port in
North Carolina which affords a
channel of 40-foot depth.
While they were in Southport
Chairman Latham and Cass heard
proposals for specific projects, in
cluding a small boat terminal.
While this has not been ruled as
a possibility, it was the thinking
of the two Ports Authority mem
bers that the broader possibilities
for development in the Southport
harbor will require more study
with the object of entering into
a development program on a long
range basis.
SUPERIOR COURT
Continued From Page 1
ment in the cases of Alice Mae
Gore, Mary Gore and Bryant vs
Davis.
The case of Sledge vs Miller
was tried, but final judgment had
not been handed down Tuesday
afternoon.
Divorces were granted in the
cases of Hollis vs Hollis and
Clemmons vs Clemmons and Can
non vs Cannon.
Any cases not reached this
week will be tried next week.
INJURED SEAMAN
Continued From Page 1
ditions with all engines perform
ing at peak effeciency.
The successful trial speed run
is the result of nine months of
work by the crew in an effort
AMBULANCE Ph. GL 7-6161
GILBERT'S FUNERAL SERVICE
GILBERT'S MUTUAL BURIAL ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 94 SOUTHPORT, N. C.
to show that she is capable of
performing as she should perform.
With her four 600-hp Cummins
engines, it is believed that the
303 has more power than many
cutters.
BUTLER ELECTED
Continued Prom Page 1
eluded awarding a contract for
painting and repair at the Bruns
wick County Boarding Home, and
this contract went to Cecil Hew
ett for $1,289.90.
Tax listers were appointed by
the board and they are as follow:
[ Northwest, E. W. Aycock; Town
Creek, Raymond Earp; Smithville,
Carl Ward; Lockwoods Polly,
Kenneth Hewett; Shallotte, J. B.
Ward, Jr.; and Waccamaw, Odell
Jenrette.
1
Not Exactly News
There are six members of the American Camellia Society in
Southport—and all of them are men. They include Dr. C. A.
Graham, Hulan Watts, C.' D. Pickerrell, Harry Sell, Hubert Liv
ingston and E. J. Prevatte , . . Nobody remembers five more
beautiful days than Friday through Tuesday here in Southport.
Saturday when we had a long- distance call from Martin Burt in
Clinton, Ohio, the first thing he esked about was the weather,
and we appreciated the question. It gave us a chance to bragg!
He owns property here and plans to move to Southport when
he retires.
We received a couple of interesting cards from overseas during
the past week. One was from Bill Houghton, now stationed in
France, and he had just visited Luxembourg. There was a “P.S.
Merry Xmas.” The other came from Joe Loughlin, who is visit
ing his daughter, Mrs. Don Williams, and her family in Hawaii,
and while that no longer is foreign country, it still seems far,
far away . . . Speaking of Bill Houghton’s P.S., this week we
received a check from Dan’ L. Walker, Long Beach city man
ager, and in addition to payment for services rendered it also bore
an early “Christmas Greeting.” This latter - in no way offended
us—so long as the original document got,, by Banker Prince
O’Brien.
On the way to Whiteville this morning we had one of the most
enjoyable radio sessions we have experienced recently. We were
listening to WMFD and the Eric Bruton Show when he played
a Jerry Gray recording of a medley of old tunes. Not only was
the stimulated nostalgia pleasant, but we were reminded that
Sgt. Jerry Gray wgs a Glenn Miller arranger during World War
II—and a little of that influence still is distinguishable. All in
all, it was good listening . . . The weather took a little turn for
the worse this morning, but there should still be some days for
good offshore fishing, just like Mrs. Hulan Watts said.
The gas war has spread *all the way to'The coast. Prices for
regular gasoline reached its lowest point in years here this week
when one station is selling it at 22.9. This battle is raging even
more bitterly out on U.S. 17 this morning where you can fili up
with one of the standard brand regulars for as low as 19.9-cents.
Five gallons of gasoline for a. dollar! It's been a day since that
has been possible . . . Speaking of Highway No. 17 reminds us
of the simulat&d speed trap in front of the residence of Patrol-,
man W. H. Morgan near Supply. The road on both sides of the
twin wires is marked with skidding tires.
Now that leaves are falling, mistletoe, the kissing greenery, is
more in evidence. It would be a hard matter to find it in greater
abundance than it grows in the Waocamaw River swamp . . . We
still have to see our first home Christmas decoration of the sea
son, but since this is only December 6, we suppose the situation
really is not desperate.
This week we are plugging a picture which will be shown next
Tuesday at the Amuzu here in Southport, and Manager B. L.
Furpless will not make a cent from it, no matter how well it
draws. The feature is “Perfect Furlough,” with Tony Curtis and
Janet Leigh, and the occasion will be the local theatre’s coopera
tion with the Will Rogers Memorial. All proceeds, not even de
ducting for operating expenses, will go to this cause . . . “Come
September” is the feature Thursday-Friday-Saturday at Holiday
Drive-Iin, Shallotte . . . Make plans to bring the kids to see the
Christmas parade in Southport Monday night. It may not be the
biggest one you ever see, but it is a beginning of something that
can grow.
Listing will begin the first
week in January.
The commissioners approved a
request that the State Highway
Commission take over and main
tain a newly constructed road
leading from V. S. Highway No.
17 to the entrance to Ocean Isle
Beach.
.... HE
SAVED FOR IT!
Would you like to own
your own business or
store—but you lack the
cash to get started? You
can have the cash soon
er than you think by
starting now to save,
regularly in this associ
ation. Our big dividends
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JUU
ASK ABOUT OUR HOME LOANS
Save It Steady...
Have It Ready!
Southport Savings & Loan Asso.
W. P. JORGENSEN, Sec’y.-Treas.
SOUTHPORT, N. C.
Hfefeh.
FINANCED BY SAVINGS AND LOAN