PACE TWO
THE FRANKLIN PftESS md THE HIGHLANDS MACON IAN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER it
NEWS RFFI Front Line bterviews - by A. B. Chapm
(lit pfybltutite JftHara
Published every Thursday by The Franklin Press
At .Franklin, North Carolina
Telephone No. 24
VOL. L
Number 40
BLACKBURN W. JOHNSON EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
Entered at the- Post Office, Franklin, N. G, as second class matter
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A Fine Opportunity for Macon County Farmers
ONLY a cursory examination of the facts reveals that
something is wrong with agricultural conditions in
Macon County. While farm outputs have been increas
ing so rapidly in bther sections of the country as to ne
cessitate drastic measures for crop control, exactly the
reverse has been taking place in this county. Not only
have we suffered from the general decline in prices paid
for agricultural products, but we also have experienced an
alarming decrease in production. A glance at govern
ment statistics is convincing :
Cattle, one of our chief sources of income, decreased
28 per cent from 1920 to 1930, or from 8,982 to 6,476,
according to the U. S. Census reports for those years.
During the same period, hogs dropped about 50 per cent
in number, or from 8,582 to 4,275.
More recent figures show an increase in cattle since,,
the last federal census, but a still further decrease in
hogs. The 1936 tax books for Macon county list 4,083
milk cows and 4,097 other cattle, a total of 8,180; but
the number of hogs carried on the books is only 3,406,
considerably less than half the number reported for 1920
and not nearly enough to supply the county's own pork
needs. No wonder that carload after carload of fat meat
is shipped into Franklin !
But figures don't tell the story half so convincingly
as the farmer himself. Talk to almost any dirt farmer
in Macon county and he will admit that he is a sick man.
What is the trouble? It is easy to find one of the
principal causes; Macon County farmers are not produc
ing enough. Then comes the question: Why aren't they
growing more? Almost any farmer will answer that in
a trice. It is simply because he can't sell what he already
has. We believe most of the farmers of the county and
those acquainted with their situation will agree that their
greatest handicap is the lacX or marketing facilities.
An outlet for farm products must be provided in this
county before the farmer can recover from his present'
predicament. Some years ago an effort was made
through the organization of a local Farmers Federation,
but the organization failed. It failed, however, riot be
cause of the basic plan of cooperative marketing and
buying by farmers; but because of lack of experience,
insufficient capital and mismanagement. Cooperative or
ganizations have stood the test of time in other sections
of the country and proved a Godsend to member-farmers.
The right kind of cooperative organization, with the right
kind of support, can do the same thing for the farmers
of Macon County.
Such an organization The Farmers Federation, Inc.,
which operates in seven Western North Carolina coun
ties is now offering its services and facilities to the
farmers of Macon County. This organization, with head
quarters in Ashevilie and 13 warehouses throughout its
territory, was established in 1920 and since then has en
joyed a steady growth. It has survived the money
madness of the twenties, the bank failures and depres
sion of the thirties. It has had its ups and downs and
suffered . growing pains ; but, under the able leadership
of James G. K. McClure, Jr., president and general man
ager, it has wide recognition and established an enviable
financial standing. And, what is more important, it has
a loyal, enthusiastic membership members who in ad
dition to selling their produce to good advantage, have
been drawing dividends on their stock for the past three
years.
The Farmers Federation, Inc., has a staff of ex
perienced marketing agents, and has established connec
tions with buyers that no individual farmer or local co
operative could hope to gain. In addition to its ware
houses, the federation also operates egg and poultry mar
kets, sending surplus poultry and eggs to northern mar
kets; a poultry dressing plant at Ashevilie; three hatch
eries; four sweet potato curing houses, a cannery for
handling surplus truck; and a department for handling
forest products.
Macon County farmers can get in on the ground floor
of this organization and enjoy the fruits of its experience,
facilities and contacts. It is a fine opportunity, one
which this newspaper is more than glad to recommend to
its farmer-readers. We feel that we would be derelict in
our duty if we failed to do all in our power to encourage
such a means of improving farm life and increasing farm
incomes in, Macen County.
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FOR, A MONUMENTAL GRAB 0
We Are Grateful
THE Press-Maconian closed a successful circulation cam
paign Saturday night and . this newspaper now can
boast of the largest paid circulation it has enjoyed since
pre-depression times. In fact, we believe that the out
come of this campaign is a good indication that the de
pression is well nigh over.
The publisher, in his gratification over the results
of the subscription drive, wishes to take this opportun
ity to express his sincere appreciation to all Who helped
to make it successful the contestants, the campaign
manager, Mr. D. M. Bain ; and, last but by no means
least, the subscribers, new and old, without whose support
this newspaper could not function.
Seven loyal workers remained in the field throughout
the campaign and we are thankful to each and every one
of them. They manifested a fine spirit of sportsman
ship from beginning to end. We only wish that all could
have been first prize winners.
Mr. Bain, a native of North Carolina, won the re
spect and friendship of the office staff and campaign
workers alike right at the outset. After 12 years ex
perience in this particular field of newspaper work, add
ed to pevious experience as a newspaper reporter and
publicity man, he can qualify as few can as an able
campaign director. He dealt fairly and squarely with
every contestant, and his official reports of the cam
paign, now open for inspection by any interested person,
are a fine example of his efficiency and integrity.
Of course, we are greatly pleased over our increased
circulation an addition of more than 500 new subscrib
ers; but we do not take full credit for this. One of the
principal reasons, we believe, for the fine support in this
campaign is an increasing realization by the public of the
need for a good county newspaper, and that no county
can have such an organ without the loyal support of its
residents. We shall strive to make this newspaper worthy
of such support, and with the continued cooperation of
our readers we are optimistic of continued success.
From the Files
of
THE PRESS
TEN YEARS AGO
Joe Ashear bought the Morrison
school on the Georgia road.
Teachers were not allowed tp
have school-night dates.
Gilmer Crawford was clerking at
Sloan Bros.
Joe Moore was attending Mercer.
THIRTY YEARS AGO
Attorney George A. Jones spent
several days in Raleigh.
George Redding, Atlanta, was
visiting his sister, Mrs. F. L. SHer.
Rev. W. L. Bradley baptised 33
in Watauga creek.
Mrs. F. S. Johnston and daugh
ter, Lynn, spent several days in
Forsyth, Ga.
Muse's Corner
Major Carmack
ENTHUSIASTIC over the beauty of the mountains, the
fine climate and Macon County's prospects of an in
creasing popularity as a summer resort, Major J. Frank
Carmack, retired army officer of Tampa, Fla., has leased
the Franklin golf course, swimming pool and Camp Nik
wasi for three years.
Major Carmack, with his wife, came here in early June
and frankly stated that he didn't know whether he would
stay or not. "I'm going to look the place over first," he
remarked. He took a good look and he stayed. He be
came acquainted with folks and entered into the commun
ity life. It was his idea and his initiative behind the re
cent all-day jamboree held at the golf course.
A man of ablity and constructive motives, Major Car
mack will make a first rate citizen.
He plans to spend the fall and winter in Arkansas and
Florida and, we venture, when he returns in the spring
he will bring some folks from both states back with him.
With the support we feel sure the people of Franklin
will give him, Major Carmack can make the golf course
a major attraction to draw people here during the vaca
tion months.
Hail, Major, and success! We'll be Jooking for you
next spring.
Faith In Music and
Our Matter
1 have just been up in the court
house room
To end all my sorrow and vanish
my gloom;
It isn't very often we hear such a
treat, 1
To listen to music , that cannot be
beat.
Many different classes from far
and near,
Which nothing outclasses, we were
grateful to hear;
So if any of you. mortals, who
happiness endure,
Failed to be present, you missed
something, sure. .
No name in person will I mention
right now,
But to show you I am willing, tp
their honor I bow,
And J trust for good reasons and
seasons to come
That we will be blessed with their
spiritual hum.
For in that land where these
classes shall meet,
We hope to all gather, with the
beautiful and sweet,
And hear the great welcome that
never shall end
In that City with our Master, our
Savior, and our Friend.
Troy F. Horn.
She Major, did you get that
scar during an engagement?
Major Nothe first week of. our
honeymoon.