Newspapers / The Franklin Press and … / Oct. 18, 1934, edition 1 / Page 10
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PAGE TEN THE FRANKLIN PRESS and T HE HIGHLANDS MACON IAN THURSDAY, OCT. 18, 1934 MELLON OR TVA? (Continued from Page One) TVA jobs, but the development of new industry has been successfully encouraged. The beneficient effects have been so outstanding that many com munities are clamoring for TVA projects. One of our neighbors, Cherokee county, is doing its uttermost to induce TVA to build a $13,000,000 dam on the Hiawassee river. Asheville is en couraging entry of the TVA into its territory. Yet many people of Macon, Swain and Graham counties are being hoodwinked into the idea that should TVA come into these counties it would bankrupt all of us. We challenge anyone to show a single instance where TVA has damaged the present or future prospects of any community to a greater extent than it has improved them. Should TVA come into Macon county, we venture the opinion it would, as William Jen nings Bryan once said, "blossom as the rose." It might even do that if TVA does not enter the field, but there is noFavery bright prospect of such a come-to-pass unless the influence of the TVA is exerted so as to persuade the Mellon interests to develop their holdings rather than let them stay idle. Concerning this question of taxes, let us point out just how much taxes the Nantahala Power and Light Company pays Macon county. The company's listed valuations in this county, as of April 1, are shown on the county tax books as follows : Franklin township $ 85,000 Millishoal township 90,000 Cowee township 8,629 Nantahala township 160,629 TOTAL $344,258 The company's total tax bill from Macon county for 1934-35, including special district tax es in Franklin township, amounts to $3,655.09. The municipal power plant and distribution system which the Nantahala Power and Light company bought last year from the Town of Franklin for approximately $288,000, is Hsted at a total of $175,000. The company endeavored to have this greatly reduced last spring, but the county commissioners held they were not author ized to do so. It would be fine if the power company should proceed with the "development of the Nantahala or Needmore projects and increase its valuation in this county, but we have no assurance that it will do so any time in the near future. Neither have we any assurance that it would have the effect of reducing taxes to the extent some peo ple are attempting to lead the public to believe. There is one thing certain, TVA electricity rates are appreciably lower than those charged by the Nantahala Power and Light company. We venture that on the basis of present consump tion of electricity in this county, TVA rates would save consumers far more than the loss in county taxes. Furthermore, the TVA, a social an.! economic planning agency as well as a develop er of hydro-electric power, would do a great deal to attract new industry and to raise the general standard of living. Certainly it would not allow a hardship to be worked upon any community. We do not know the immediate purpose of the TVA in buying the Fontana basin tract. Neither do we know whether the TVA has ne gotiated with the Nantahala Power company concerning this power basin, or discussed with the Nantahala company its plans for future de velopment, plans which of course will have bear ing on the TVA program in the lower reaches of the Tennessee valley. Before any of us should criticize the TVA for its action in the Fontana case we should first find out what, if any, discussions have taken place regarding the matter, and what was the purpose of the TVA. We have a sneaking suspicion as to what the result will be earlier development of this and other power projects in this country, per haps by the Nantahala Power company itself, than we might have expected had the TVA never been created. And, too, we can look forward with hope to the day when electricity rates will be based on actual costs of production and distribution. help wondering why the campaign to obtain sig natures to the petitions was hatched up in such secrecy and sprung so suddenly. And one won ders, too, who is paying the bill for the campaign. If it were merely a private matter, we would say nothing about it. But the public is vitally con cerned and it has a right to know who, where, what, why and wherefore. Although the petitions are politely phrased and, in the wind-up, state "we do not send this petition with any intention of expressing dis favor with the policies of the TVA," they, never theless, do criticize the TVA and," in effect, say "We don't like the looks of you keep away." How else can this paragraph from the Frank lin petition be interpreted: "We look with disfavor upon any action of our government, or its agents, that would in any way hamper or discourage the company from carrying out its plans to completion." Who knows but that the plans of this com pany are to hold some of their power sites merely to maintain their throttle grip on this entire sec tion, without any intention whatsoever of de velopment in the next generation ? Yet those who signed the petitions, if they knew what they were doing, said give the Mellon folks carte blanc to do as they please, when they please. We are confident they did not realize it at the time, but many Democrats yes, Democratic candidates for office, who are sworn to support their party stepped into a pretty mess when they signed a TVA petition. They virtually said they did not approve of TVA, one of the shining gems in the crown of achievements of the present Democratic national administration. Won't their Republican opponents have fun out of this? The political significance is inescapable. There is one bright spot in the whole picture. Any political significance is purely local, although the instigators of the petitions doubtless felt that it would be more far reaching. The TVA is one government organization which is influenced lit tle, if at all, by politics. In one sense it is a gov ernment agency ; in another it is an entity of it self.. It is an "authority," which means that it is created by the government, has capital sup plied by the government ahd possesses the right of eminent domain ; but, once created, it can func tion without further reliance upon the govern ment. TVA officials doubtless will courteously hear the bearers of the petitions when they go to Knoxville, read them, file them away and proceed with their original plans. After looking into this situation one cannot TVA REQUESTED TO STAY OUT (Continued from Page One) certained from where the money was to oome. Although it requested informa tion concerning the movement from Mr. Conley, The Press-Maconian received none from that source. The petitions carry the inference that the Nantahala Ppwer and Light company plans early development of proposed hydro-electric dams and power plants in the Fontana basin in Swain and Graham counties, the Needmore and Nantahala projects in Macon county. No Projects Assured The Nantahala Power and Light company, however, has mad no announcement when it would start work on these projects. The petitions are addressed to Dr. Arthur E. Morgan, chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority; Franklin D. Roosevelt, president of the United States; and Harold S. lckes, secretary of the Interior. It is understood that a delegation of residents of Macon, Swain and Graham counties is planning to go to Knoxville in a few days to pre sent the petitions to Dr. Morgan. How It Started The petitions were prompted by purchases by the TVA of two small pieces of property in Graham coun ty which lie in the Fontana basin, one from G C. Loyd containing 1,500 square feet and the other a tract of 12.6 acres- from W. C. Welch. The parcels are on the Lit tle Tennessee river and about four and a half miles apart. Tne pur chases were made in August, it was reported, by an agent of the TVA. It is also reported that a TVA agent has obtained an option on a small tract of land in the northern end of this county lying in the flood area of the proposed Needmore dam. Highlands THE MARTIN CLOSES Recent guests at The Martin included Miss G. B. Davies and Miss G. Harris, of the University of Cincinnati; Mr. and Mrs. Pel ham Lockwood and Misses Mable and Frances Lawrence, of Atlanta. The Martin closed on October 14. Mrs. M. McA. Martin has returned to Florida for the winter. J. C. Bittjeman, who has been in Highlands all summer, returned to Jacksonville, Fla Tuesday. Among those from Highlands at tending the baseball game in Ashe ville Sunday were Fred and Dew ey Hopper, Gene Potts, Herbert and Luther Rice, Mrs. Mary Rice, Char lie Paul, Steve Potts. Jack Potts, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Reese, Mr. and Mrs. Joe "Reese, Roy Potts, Charlie Potts, George Wilson, Wal ter Bryson, Mr. Brown, Charlie McKinney. Mr. and Mrs. L. G. Apply and family left Highlands Tuesday for Coral Gables. Fla., after spending several months here. A number of young folks en joyed a delightful party given by Miss Louise Watkins at her home here on Saturday evening. ' The party was in honor of the birth day of Prof. Bill Lippincott, of Gemson College. Louis Edwards, Gemson College student, spent last week-end with his parents here. J. M. Bruner, of Westminster, S. G, was in Highlands recently. Mr. and Mrs. N. T. Ragland hare returned to their home in Miami after spending several days here. Mrs. C. A Sesson left for Atlan ta Wednesday after spending sever al days at her cottage here. Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Cook of Highlands, Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Jones, of Franklin, and Mrs. Mill ing, of Greenwood, S. G, left for Chicago Wednesday to spend a week at the fair. Mrs. McAlister, Miss Natalie Hammond, Mr. Newsom and Mr. Fowler, of Atlanta, spent the past week-end at the Central House. Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Hodgson at tended the University of North Carolina-Georgia football game in Athens last Saturday. Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Cobb went to Greenville. S. G, Tuesday. Classified Advertisements West's Mill Mrs. Vinnie Carter and Miss Pallie Allen, of Bryson City, spent last week-end here visiting Mrs. W. S. Allen, and Mr. and Mrs. Elbert Allen. Edwin Sheffield, small son of W. C. Sheffield, has returned home after spending four months in De troit, Mich., visiting his sisters, Mrs. Terrel Bryson and Mrs. Grady Reno. Carl Sorrels, of Oklahoma, arrived here last week for a visit with his uncle, Mr. A. L. McClean. and Mrs. McClean. Rebecca Ray, of Woodrow. N. G, is spending two weeks here visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Ray. Mrs. J L West, Sr., spent a week in Bryson City visiting her daughter, Mrs. V. A. Browning, and Mr. Browning recently. Mrs. Florence Gibbs, who under went an operation at Angel hos pital last week, was reported to be getting along nicely. Miss Vonnie West, who is teach ing school at Highlands, spent the week-end with her mother. Mrs. J. L. West, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. Carroll Gibson and children, of Bryson City, were visit ing Mr. Gibson's mother, Mrs. B. R. Gibson, here last Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Oxford and four children, of Atlanta, Ga., spent Saturday night here visiting Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Matlock. Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Shepherd announce the birth of a daughter. Mrs. Hebron Mason, of Moultrie, Ga.. is spending some time here visiting relatives and friends. FOR SALE Two used Heatrolas, good as new. One large, one me dium size. Will sell right. BRY ANT FURNITURE. CO. 018-1 tc LAST CATTLE SALE of season at Franklin stock pens will be held Wednesday, Oct. 24. Good prices in prospect. See BOB PATTON or BOB DAVIS. 018 ltc FOR SALE Six-room house on White Oak street near Angel Hos pital. Has large lot with good gar den. Easy terms to right party. See MRS. W. H. SELLERS. 011-4tp Nl LUMBER FOR SALE Boards or framing. Air dried three months. See or write 1. T. PEEK, Peek's Hotel, Franklin, N. C. 04 3tp 018 HELP KIDNEYS TF your kidneys (unction badly back, with attacks ol dizziness, burning, scanty or too frequent urination, getting up at night, swollen feet and ankles, rheumatic pains . . . use Doan's Pills. Doan's are especially for poorly functioning kidneys. Millions of boxes are used every year. They are recommended the country over. Atk your neighbor! DOAN'S PIUS FRANKLIN SHOE SHOP SAYS: WE ARE STILL MENDING SHOES When you get sore And doubled down As never before, We'll stop your frown. Troy Horn. FRANKLIN SHOE SHOP Opposite Courthouse "We Buy and Sell" Box 212 Troy F. Horn i
The Franklin Press and the Highlands Maconian (Franklin, N.C.)
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Oct. 18, 1934, edition 1
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