THE MARION PROGRESS
PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY BY THE
Mcdowell publishing co.
MARION, N. C. N
TELEPHONE 64
S. E. WHITTEN, Editor and Publisher
ELIZABETH WHITTEN, New. Editor
Entered at the Postoffice at Marion, N. C.,
as second class matter
SUBSCRIPTION RATE
One year $2.00
Strictly in Advance
jzrsss. -1—7
/North Carolina
MESS ASSOCIATION*)}
EDITORS AND EDITORIALS
Let's get this straight.
The editor of this newspaper has no occult
sources of information. All that he knows, he
reads in the newspapers. If he manages to
know more than any reader, about anything, it
is simply because his business requires him to
read more newspapers than the average read
er.
In all reading, about all subjects, it is high
ly important to understand that no newspaper
prints all the news. The best intentioned edi
tors can only print what he thinks is the most
important news. Most editors try to be fair in
their comment upon public matters but not all
of them. Make it your business to disregard
sources of information that you know are tar
nished by hatred, prejudice, self-interest and a
mental incapacity to see anything gut one side.
We have no illusions about editorial popu
larity. All that an editor has to do to be popu
lar is to pick a side, become radically partisan
and thus please his faction. It does not require
intelligence.
Frankly, we appreciate very much the gen
erous comment of readers who have been kind
enough to record their appreciation of our ef
forts to fill the rule of an editorial writer. We
liope that our articles will be interesting, even
to those who do not agree with what we think.
Moreover, the cardinal principle in our ap
proach to the job of writing is that those who
disagree with us may be right. Frankly, we do
not think they are, or we would be writing as
they think. We have to express our own views,
such as they are, and such as they may be.
Again, it is always well for all of us to re
member that there is so little absolute wisdom
in the world that none of us have very much in
telligence. It is a long road toward complete
knowledge and if any human being becomes
suddenly endowed with perfection, the rest of
us would not recognize tt.
In the course of life we sometimes realize
-that few things are as good or as bad as we
often imagine they are. The future will well
take care of itself and its problems. Our func
tions is to do what we consider is the wisest and
best thing to do today. We can safely leave to
unborn generations the problems that will con
front them.
LETS SAVE LIVES ON THE ROAD
Now that the summer vacation season is a
"bout over and you have escaped death on the
"highway, it might not be amiss to repeat again
-the old warning that carefui driving is what
"the nation needs if it is to reduce the horrible
cost of speed on our highways.
One hundred Americans a day is too high
a price to pay for modern transportation. It is
remarkable that the public is so apathetic to
the loss of life and that the injured are hardly
^noticed by the public. If some strange, un
known disease was taking a hundred victims
a. day in the United States, there would be a
hysterical reign of terror throughout the land.
Marion, like every other community, furn
ishes its quota of victims of the automobile
highway toll every year. With the best inten
sions we continue to permit drunken driviers
to operate cars and get off free when appre
hended. We like to think that we can violate
traffic regulations without having to pay the
penalty. It is time, however, that we lost this
foolish notion.
Rigid eriforcement of every traffic regula
tion, with stiff fines imposed for minor viola
lions, would do much to make the average au
tomobile driver safety conscious. Let's support
the work of the traffic policemen and give
them the satisfaction of knowing that we are
behind them when they arrest careless and
reckless drivers.
If the mind of man can devise a new form
of taxation there will always be some legisla
ture ready to try it out.
Buy what you need from the businesses in
Marion—this is a good rule for building . up
JMarion.
COLD WAR SLACKENS, SAYS TRUMAN
On the tenth anniversary of Germany's in
vasion of Poland, President Truman, re
sponding to a newspaperman's question, re
marked that the tension in the current war of
nerves had decidedly slackened and expressed
the hope that it would end, just like the shoot
ing war, in surrender.
We presume that the President has some in
formation upon which to base his belief that
the war of nerves is less intense and for the!
hope that the conflict between the democratic!
nations and Russia and her satellites will end
by the acceptance of Western democratic prin
ciples in international conduct.
There is evidence upon which one can con
clude that the Marshall Plan, the cooperation
of the Western nations of Europe and the At
lantic Pact have slowed down the Russian ef
fort to extend Communist influence. Whether
this pause means that the Communist leaders
have found the facts against them or are only
delaying while the Russian Government mar
shalls its resources for another step is un
known.
The breech between Russia and Yugoslavia
offers something of an opportunity to test the
resolution of the Russians. From the notes ex
changed between the two nations, it is clear
that Moscow does not want its satellites to be
lieve that the£ are entitled to any real equality
or independence. Marshal Tito has asserted
both principles with determination and, if he
gets by, there may be other satellite countries
to follow his leadership.
I
I
A NEED STATEWIDE
Discussing a problem of far-reaching impor-!
tance to its community, The Charlotte Obser
ver presents argument and explanation render
ing its editorial applicable in almost every
other city and town in North Carolina.
It is doubtful, The Observer says, that either
the State welfare authorities or public opinion
: will approve the Charlotte city government's
plan to deal, on a temporary basis, with the
i question of detention quarters for youthful de
linquents and the mentally ill. Because there is
now no place provided, the municipal author
ities propose to set apart (and keep apart)
suitable accomodations in the new addition to
the Charlotte police headquarters. With no im
plication that this plan meets the standards of
a permanent one, the Charlotte officials are
simply attempting to improve existing condi
tons, and in no small measure.
1 There are the plain provisions of the law
standing in the way of putting either the ment
ally ill or juvenile offenders in ordinary jails
or prisons. Aware of this, The Observer says
what the people of the State in general must
say for their own community; that the law has
been and is being violated, because there is not
yet sufficient provision for these groups of the
population in the State institutions already
built and in operation.
' There are comprehensive plans for better
ment, for mental patients, for betterment, in
both particulars, but meanwhile Charlotte and
other cities are to be commended for programs
! as godd as the Charlotte city officials have
'made possible.—Asheville Citizen.
.———. i
MEAT EATING HABITS OF AMERICANS j
SURVEYED
The meat eating habits of the American peo-j
pie were recently surveyed by a bureau of the
U. S. Agricultural Research Administration.
I The surveys were conducted in 68 American;
j cities in every part of the country, and were
j confined to housekeeping families of two or
more persons.
Total meat consumption for the average
I family came to 8.124 pounds a week. Some of
the families, of course, ate less, while others
| ate more.
j Greater consumption was in the case of beefj
i—the average was slightly more than 3.2
pounds a week. Pork was next on the list of fav
orites with 2.9 pounds.
Coming down to specific cuts of meat, pot
roasts apd other roasts appeared to lead in pop
ularity. Ground beef also won wide acceptance.
The greatest favorites in pork were ham, ba-|
con and chops.
This is a country of avid eaters. The average
family builds at least one meal a day, and of
ten more, around meat Current forecasts point
to an increase in meat production and the meat
supply. That is literally a healthy sign.—Ashe
ville Times.
CHANCE IS NEEDED
National "Employ The Physically Handi
capped Week," begins October 2 and will di
rect attention to the advisability of seeking to
give employment to those able to work but not
usually considered readily employable.
The special week has been authorized by
Congress to call attention; to the plight of the
physically-handicappedy^who need the oppor
tunity to be self-supporting. Many individuals,
suffering physical disabilities, are well able to
earn their living if they can find sympathetic
employers ready to give them a chance.
OUR DEMOCRACY byM«t
Constitution Ipay "September IT
On this day in \J8J, the constitution op the united states
WAS COMPLETED AND SIGNED,.. WITH FEW PRECEDENTS
^TO GUIDE THEM, NO PATTERN TO FOLLOW, THE DELEGATES
TO THE CONVENTION HAD SUCCEEDED IN FORMULATING A
DOCUMENT SO SOUND IN ITS BASIC CONSTRUCTION, Y£T
SO FLEXIBLE IN PRACTICE,THAT IT HAS SERVED OUR.COUNTRY
WELL FOR. MORE THAN ibO YEAR.S.
hi . li./.. ...hi. ,11 ..Ihitllri ilill* 1.1,.b/it.witiilfa'1 iii/'iHuiliiikiV.lUi'Jltbli.ilUiill
ALEXANDER HAMILTON SPEAK/NQ BEFORE THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Today, as throughout our. history, we must uphold
THE PHILOSOPHIES AND WAY OF LIFE SET FORTH IN
THE CONSTITUTION AS A SURE WAY TO MAINTAIN THE
DYNAMIC EVOLUTION OF OUR. DEMOCRACY,
Looking Backward
From The Progress Files
SEPTEMBER 6, 1917
School Notes
"The enrollment and attendance
at Greenlee have grown to such
proportions that another teacher
has become necessary Miss Iris
Ruth, of Marion, has been secur
ed as assistant with the lower grade
work.
"An entertainment and box sup
per was given at Siloam school Sat
urday night for the benefit of the
school. A neat sum was realized,
which will be used for school im
provements.
"A number of schools report
that buildings and grounds have
been improved, and several have put
in sanitary drinking fountains and
cups . . .
"The mill schools will open Mon
day, September 17."
"The high schools at Nebo, Mar
ion and Old Fort are schools re
ceiving aid from the State High
School Fund. No charge for tuition
will be made for students entering
the high school department in any
one of these schools ..."
SEPTEMBER 13, 1917
"The McDowell Hospital is ful
filing its mission nobly. The insti-j
tution has successfully cared for a
large number of patients since its!
opening less than five months ago.;
It is proving a great blessing to the i
people of this section. Several ex-1
perienced nurses are assisting Miss
Hoyle and everything is running
smoothly. Some serious operations
have been performed by Dr. Grif
fith of Asheville and Dr. G. S. j
Kirby of this place.
"Dr. M. F. Morphew, who has
been under treatment at the hos
pital for the past three weeks, was
discharged last week much improv
ed and he will leave this week for
West Virginia to visit his daugh
er " . j
"The fall term of McDowell Su
perior court will convene here next
Monday with Judge Garland S. Fer
guson presiding."
• SEPTEMBER 13, 19J.7
"Gus Martin has renewed ac
quaintance with a terrapin he play- ■
ed with long ago. When a lad he
branded a terrapin with the letter
M and the year 1887, and a few
days ago the self same terrapin
was found on his place in East Mar
ion, within less than 150 yards from
where he released it thirty years j
ago. It is the same size and shows
no marks of age."
"Miss Blanche Finley left Sun- j
day to open school Monday near.
Old Fort. |
"J. H. Lackey, of Petersburg, j
Va., visited relatives here during
the week.
"Miss Blanche McNeeley has ac-1
cepted a position in the Forestry i
i
Service at Lenoir.
"S. H. Yancey has returned to
Collins, Ga., after spending some
time here with relatives.
"Oak Dale school- is progressing
nicely with Miss Jessie Conley as
teacher. The attendance is splen
did.
"Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Cochran,
Miss Laura Merrill and Mrs. W. W.
Neal motored to Asheville yester
day.
"Mrs. J. F. Williams has been
quite successful in the cultivation
of strawberries and not only had a
fine crop in the spring but now has
a fall crop. She sent a sample of
well-matured berries to The Pro
gress office last Saturday.
"Dr. Clay McCall, of Rocky
Mount, visited relatives here last
week. Mr. McCall has been com
missioned a first lieutenant in the
medical reserve corps, United Stat
es army, and is now at Fort Ogle
thorpe under training.
Mrs. B. L. Short and family have
moved into one of Mr . Blanton's
new houses on Spring street. Pre
siding Elder Parker Holmes and fa
mily now occupy the house vacat
ed by Mrs. Short, on Fort street,
which was recently purchased for
the district parsonage.
"Laugh and the world laughs with
you. Hughie Mack will provide the
laught at the Grand' tonight.
"Don't miss the Chautauqua at
tractions at the court lioyse today.
"There will be services at the
Episcopal church next Sunday at 11
a. m., and 8 p. m. Bishop Horner,
of Asheville, will be present at the
evening service for confirmation.
All are invited to attend the ser
vices."
BUSINESS OUTLOOK
After about ten months of more
or less setbacks, business is show
ing signs of picking up again, with
a more than seasonal rise being re
ported. Production is increasing,
with resulting increases in retail
trade and employment. Most econo
mic experts discount the prospect
of another downturn in the busi
ness curve, expecting a gradual rise
in general activity.
William Henry Harrison, ninth
president of the U. S. served the
shortest term. He died 31 days af
ter his inauguration.
Smokey Says:
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TALL TALES
By ELIZABETH WHITTEN
a
Yesterday was a bad day. It was
one of those days when you can't
put your finger on anything that's
wrong, but altogether things just
don't move along like they should.
So .... it was all the more notice
able when there was one bright
spot in the gloor^ A woman who
dropped in to put a news story in
the paper probably didn't realize
that a casual remark she made was
more newsy to me than the story
she brought.
Just before leaving she said,
"yon know I like my work." For a
moment time stood still. Just one
fleeting instant I didn't even see
the stack of papers on the desk, nor
h°ar the phone ringing. It's the first
time I've heard anyone say that
since the depression. Orchids to
you dear school teacher. Maybe
that explains why you're one of the
best McDowell county ever had.
People who would like to make
liberal contributions to causes
but gifts to the unfortunate or in
any way use money to benefit man
kind, but just haven't the money
might find some compensation by
handing out a few sincere compli
ments. Perhaps they might even do
more that way than with the money,
An office worker talking with me
recently said there was one woman
patron she always looked forward
to serving.
"Sometimes when I've given her
only the service it's my duty to
give, she will make a special phone
call to thank me and it's helped me
through many a dreary day," the
worker said.
CONSERVATION
NEWS
By L. B. HAIRR
Every farmer should have a per
ennial hay crop, according to Elmer
McG;nnis of Old Fort, because it
protects the land and pays good di
vidends too.
Last fall Mr. McGinnis kept a re
cord of the expense in seeding an
acre of perennial hay on his farm.
He stated that it cost as much as
he paid for the land. Mr. McGinnis
has also kept a record of the hay
that he has harvested from this
acre this year. "To my surprise, Mr.
McGinnis states, I have harvested
more hay in dollars and cents value
from the acre this first year than
it cost to establish. Then, too, my
cow has grazed a lot on this; area."
G. W. Fender of Nebo Rt. 1,
states that he has found it to be
very important to use plenty of
fertilizer and prepare a good seed
bed when seeding permanent pas
ture. Mr. Fender seeded four acres
of new pasture last week.
"In its practical application, soil
conservation means adapting farm
ing to the soil."
TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS
The mileage death rate for the
nation's traffic accidents in the
first half of 1949 hit an all-time low
of 6.8, according to the National
Safety Council. This was the first
time in the history of such record
keeping that the half-year rate has
been less than seven deaths for
each 100.000,000 miles of vehicular
travel. At the end of seven months
of 1949, the 1940 death total was
16,540, still one per cent under the
16,700 count at the end of July,
1948.
Us# t.h* Want. Art* for ornflt.
GOING TO TRADE
OR BUY A NEW CAR?
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J. H. TATE, Agent
Office: 32 N. Madison
Phone 120-X
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