6
For 55 Years
Get Your Part
Of the money spent in
Franklin. An ad in The
Press will bring it in.
The Franklin Press has
been, serving the people
of Macon County.
PROGRESSIVE
LIBERAL
INDEPENDENT
VOL. LV, NO. 9
FRANKLIN, N. C. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1940
tlSO PER YEAR
jl anb
Dedication Program Given At
Frazier Community Center
NYA Project For Colored
People Is Spacious
Building
The community center for the
colored citizens of Macon county,
built under the National Youth
Administration, was dedicated last
Sunday afternoon with a capacity
audience including a large number
of white citizens filling the large
auditorium. A glowing fire of logs
in the huge stone fireplace heated
the entire building. Out-of-town
visitors included George M. Suggs,
district supervisor NYA and Mrs.
Suggs; and W. M. Turner, district
safety property officer and Mrs.
Turner, all of Asheville.
Frazier Community Center
Frazier Community Center is; the
name chosen for the building,, it
was announced,, in memory of the
late W. W. Frazier of Philadelphia,
a philanthropist and benefactor of
the southern Negro, who was the
original donor of the land upon
which the center is built. The lot
was deeded to the county by the
trustees of the Episcopal church in
Western North Carolina for the
purpose of establishing a recrea
tional center,
Ihe Kev. .frank Btoxnam ex-
pressed the hope that the sUr
rounding property, jgiven more than
50 years ago for the benefit of
the colored citizens of Macon
county, would now be put to good
use for their recreation and wel
fare.
H. R. Kemp, Jr., principal of
Chapel school, presided at the
meeting. In expressing apprecia
tion to the individuals and agencies
sharing in the accomplishment of
the project, the speaker called at
tention to the fact that this deui
cation was fittingly celebrated in
Interracial Month, referring to the
happy race relations in this com
munity. He cited the instance that
both white and Negro 'boys had
worked under NYA in the con
struction of the building for many
months wit hou .so-much as a cross
word or unkind act. .
Prof. Kemp called attention to
the spacious building constructed
of stone and chestnut logs, 30x70
feet, with auditoricm large enough
to seat large numbers as well as
for recreational purposes. Separate
rooms are provided in the rear for
a library and kitchen. Recognition
of the work of Mrs. Tames Ord-
way, county NYA supervisor and
her assistants was cited.
Address of Dedication ,
The Rev. J. H. Smith, pastor of
a large colored church in Sylva,
delivering the principal address of
dedication, made an eloquent ap
peal to his people to sustain their
Christian ideals in their educa
tional and recreational activities.
Mr. Suggs,- of the National Youth
Administration, m delivering the
key of the building-to Guy L.
Houk, for the county, referred to
the project as a demonstration of
democracy, where many citizens
and agencies cooperated in mak
ing the enterprise possible. Mr.
Houk, superintendent of educa
tion, accepted the building on be
half of the county and congratu
lated all upon the achievement. He
stated that the Chapel school for
Negroes, located on property ad
joining the community building, was
the third largest school in the
county, stressing the value of the
building for young and old alike,
for activities thai would otherwise
be impossible.
. Jeter Love, president of Chapel
school P.-T. A., sponsor of the
project, and Andrew Ray, chairman
of the committee for raising funds,
thanked all who had contributed,
collecting an additional offering of
$54 from the audience towards pay
ing a balance due on building ma
terial. During the. program many spirit
uals were sung by the glee club,
the audience singing the Negro na
tional hymn at the close.
Chas. Melichar Attends
Conference In Asheville
Charles Melichar, supervisor of
the Nantahala National Forest, at
tended a state-federal wildlife con
ference in Asheville yesterday
composed of federal and state game
and forest officials. The confer
ring groups, headed by J. C Kir
cher, of Atlanta, decided to con
tinue the state-federal wildlife
agreement of 1937, under which
"substantial progress" has been
made in bringing wildlife . back to
Western North Carolina.
t . - -
The department of commerce
estimates that the nation's income
for 1939 shows an increase of 7
per cent over the previous year.
M. E. Crusade
Creating Much Interest In
Franklin
The Methodist Church Loyalty
Crusade is creating much ; interest
among the Methodist people. The
pastor states that the attendance
last Sunday exceeded anything he
has witnessed in this church since
he begun his pastorate here. The
congregation was moved both to
laughter and tears by the sermon,
and the attention with. which the
message was received seemed to
indicate that those who heard it
would be persuaded to live better
lives.
Next Sunday the pastor will
preach on Spiritualism. He will
answer the question, "Can the Liv
ing Communicate With, the Dead ?"
Such a subject is seldom discuss
ed from a pulpit, and this discus
sion will be heard with much
eagerness Dy those who want to
know the real facts and under
stand what the Bible I teaches
about it. Such -an unusual sermon
should be welcomed, and many will
be present to hear it.
In connection with this subject
the oastor nas oromised to demon
J .gtrate the mystery of Spirit slate
writinK aiuj tne answering of
, aue.tions : seaie(l envelopes. This
demonstration will be given at the
young people's service - in the
church basement. The hour is 7:30,
and the service is open vto the
public
The pastor says that those who
are easily frightened or have weak
hearts are to come at their own
risk. .
Craft School To Be
Held In Franklin
A series I of lessons in handi
crafts will be given at the craft
center in Franklin which is located
over Reeves' Hardware store. This
school will open Monday, March
4at ,a bv and. will-dose Friday,
March & .
This project is sponsored by the
home demonstration clubs of Ma
con county, however, any person
who is interested may attend these
meetings.
Instructions will be given in
weaving. Three looms are now in
use each Thursday- when the regu
lar lessons are given by Mrs. Carl
Slagle and Mrs. Hunter Calloway.
New equipment has been pur
chased for the metal craft. Bask
etry and chair bottoming will also
be included for those who are in
terested,' Miss Anna Rowe, district hom&i
agent, will be in Franklin for th$i
last two days of the school.
Hillbillies" To Appear
At Macon Theatre
The "Colorado Hillbillies" are
coming to tne Macon ineaire
Tuesday, March 5, with an all
star cast direct from Ruby Val
ine's program and Republic Pic
tures, starring Gene Autry.
Starring this novelty bunch is
Lil' Abner Wilder, a lean, long,
lanky banjo playing comic, who will
amuse you with his barn yard imi
tations and rural collection of
jokes .and songs. He is supported
by an all-star cast. Pappy Hoag,
the fiddle playing "Old Man
Droopy Pants"; Geb, the featured
accordionist and his $1,000 accor
dion; Rufe Cline, hillbilly tenor
and his doghouse; the singing and
yodeling hillbilly girls, Fanny
Potts and Jenny Schafer, who are
really tops in holding up their end
of the . act. Last, but not least, is
Walt Shrum, manager of this
brainstormy backwoods symphony,
who .finds his hands quite , full to
keep them all at arms length.
Mrs. J. B. Collins
Injured In Fall
Mrs. J. B. Collins is reported to
be in a critical condition at her
home in the Iotla community, suf
fering from broken legs received
in a fall on Friday afternoon about
o clock.
She had been confined to her
bed for several months, but was
slightly improved and asked to get
up and walk around in another
room. Her legs gave way and in
the fall both thighs were broken.
Funds For Finnish
Relief Total $83.71
Mayor J. Frank Ray, chairman
of the Finnish Relief Fund in
Franklin reports that a total of
$83.71 hag been sent in to head
quarters. Mr. Ray expresses appre
ciation to all who responded to
this appeal, and states that he will
be glad to receive other contribu
tions to tfet fund.
STREET WORK
STARTS SOON
Public Square Will Be
k Paved, Much Other
Work Done
At a called meeting of the
mayor and aldermen held Monday
night several important matters in
connection with the street improve
ment program were discussed and
decided upon.
The following projects were
passed for immediate action:
il'ave the public square.
Finish curb and paving pn street
running from Main to Palmer be
tween jail and Bryant Furniture
company, i
Put rock on short street running
from Main to Palmer on town hill
toward depot;
Finish rock work on Bidwell,
Porter and llotla streets.
The matter of work to be done
by the town on Harrison avenue
in connection with the state high
way department was discussed and
it was decided to wait for a con
sultation with highway authorities
before making a decision.
; James Fowler, now a resident of
franklin, but formerly an engi
neer employed by the city of Knox
ville, Tenn, was appointed as engi
neer in charge of the street work,
Mr. Fowler is a graduate in engi
neering of the University of Ten
nessee, and has had much exper
ience in .street construction.
It is understood that work on
the street projects will be started
within the next few days.
St. Agnes Auxiliary
To Hold Rummage Sale
The Woman's Auxiliary of St.
Agnes' church will hold a rum
mage sale each afternoon next
week Monday through Friday
3 to 5 o'clock : each day, in the
curb market building on Main
Street. A variety of useful clothing
and shoes will be on sale.
As The World Turns
A Brief Survey of Current Events In State, Nation
and Abroad.
RUSSIAN GAINS
IN FINLAND
Late dispatches report heavy of
fensives of the reinforced Red
army as bending the second line
of defense approaching ViipurL
This territory has been evacuated
by civilians. The eastern line is
holding.
Portentous movements
ON WESTERN FRONT
Heavy artillery, increased air ac
tivity and the massing of German
troups indicate unusual movements
on the Belgian and Dutch . border.
Crossing of the border between
these neutral countries and Ger
many has been stopped, all Ger
man civilians oraerea noine. u is
rumored that the Siegfried Line is
being lengthened.
BRITAIN'S CONTRABAND
.
CONTROL
Britain has opened negotiations
to establish contraband control
bases On ' the Canadian west coast,
with a view of checking traffic
f rorri the U. S. and other Pacific
territories to Russia.
'
CANADIANS IN
FttNLAND
The first volunteers of Canada
have arrived in Finland.
A ROOSEVELT TO COMMAND
FINNISH VOLUNTEERS
The Finnish Aid commission in
London has announced that Major
Kermit Roosevelt, son of Presi
dent Theodore Roosevelt, will com
mand British volunteer forces in
Finland. Another son, Quentin, lost
his life fighting with the air forces
of the Allies in the World War.
"
SUMNER WELLES
MISSION
Assistant Secretary of State
Welles has interviewed Mussolini,
and today is scheduled to talk to
Hitler. He will return to Rome for
a second conference with Musso
lini besides visiting London and
Paris for diplomatic interviews.
The nature of the mission is re
ported to be fact-finding and ex
ploratory, with no direct proposal
towards a peace move.
MYRON C TAYLOR'S . : j
MISSION
Crossing on the same boat via
Gibraltar with Welles, Myron C
Taylor established himself in Rome
i President Roosevelt's "channel
MACON TO GET
NEW SCHOOLS
WPA Allots Funds For
Erection Of Two
Buildings
It has been announced by Con
gressman Weaver in Washington
that President Roosevelt has ap
proved two WPA School building
projects: in Macon county, one at
Otto and the other at West's
Mill.
The Otto allotment calls for $34,
032 and that at West's Mill for
$27,726.
As approved, the projects will in
clude construction of the buildings,
improvement of school grounds,
painting, installation of plumbing,
electrical and heating equipment
and sewage disposal facilities, and
other needed improvements.
The projects sponsored by the
county board of education, will be
launched as soon as funds are al
located by state WPA Director C.
C. McGinnis.
These projects are the first in
a program of school building for
the county which has been mapped
out by County Superintendent of
Schools Guy L. Houk and the board
of education. Mr. Houk states that
he will have a detailed statement
in regard to the proposed work
ready for publication next week.
Macon Shoe Shop
In New Location
The Macon Shoe Shop, which
has been located in the building
on the Munday Hotel lot, has pur
chased from Bob Houston the
shop formerly owned by Troy
Horn in the Ashear building and
has moved all equipment from the
Munday building to the Horn
stand. They state that they ap
preciate the business given them
at their old location and ask their
customers and friends to call on
them at their new place, where
they are better" prepared than ever
to serve the public.
of communication" with the Vati
can, in the interest or cooperative
peace efforts.
.
THE PRESIDENT'S
CRUISE
President Roosevelt, on - board
the cruiser Tuscaloosa escorted by
two destroyers, headed homeward
yesterday through the Caribbean,
his immediate destination unan
nounced. Panama Canal defense was
discussed with Panama's President
Boyd, concerning the vital matter
of canal defense. The doubling of
the present number of planes and
guns defending the canal wag stat
ed as necessary by President
Roosevelt.
'
HULL PROGRAM
EXTENDED
A victory for the administration
and Secretary Hull was scored last
Friday when the House voted, 216
to 168, to extend the reciprocal
trade treaties for ., three years.
LOAN TO FINNS
APPROVED
The House yesterday passed the
senate-approved bill for non-military
loans to Finland, China and
other nations, with a vote of 168
to 51. Uproarious but unsuccess
ful efforts were made to allow pur
chase of military needs with the
money.
,
HULL REPORTS ON
POST-WAR AIMS
Secretary of State Hull reports
that he has received favorable re
actions from neutral countries
through American diplomats that
organized steps be taken to pre
vent economic autarchy and regi
mentation in the reconstrcctiori of
world affairs after the war.
FLOODS IN CALIFORNIA
Many northern California towns
on the Sacramento River and its
tributaries are suffering from flood
and wind, while at least 3,500 per
sons have left their homes. A 75
mile gale yesterday swept the area
of San Francisco Bay with large
property damage. Two deaths are
reported.
$2,000,000 FOR N. C
ROAD REPAIRS
Governor Hoey yesterday allo
cated $2,000,000 from the highway
fund surplus to repair primary and
secondary roads, damaged by cold,
snow and rains,
Lions Club
Hears Interesting Talk On
Scout Work
At the regular semi-monthly din
ner meeting held Monday night at
Cagle's Cafe, the Franklin Lions
Club listened with great interest
and profit to a talk by the Rev.
Frank Bloxham concerning his
work with the local troop of Boy
Scouts for .the past six years.
Mr. Bloxham stated that he had
been given able assistance at var
ious times by interested citizens.
notably James Hauser,1 Dr. W. E.
Furr and some official of the for
est service, but that at the pres
ent time most of the parents and
the general public in Franklin
seemed to be showing little inter
est in the troop, which is one of
the best in the state.
The speaker called attention to
a story in a recent issue of a
daily newspaper which stated that
Alorganton had eight Eajde Scouts.
and claimed that no other towi of
equal size had that number. Mr.
Bloxham said that Franklin, a
much smaller town, had eight boys
who had attained Eagle rank and
would , soon have 13. He appealed
tor cooperation and assistance in
training the boys of the trooo.
and several members of the club
volunteered . to give instruction
along various lines.
Mr. Bloxham received his train
ing in Scout work in . England,
where the movement started, and
the Macon county boys under his
direction have made records that
are a credit to him, to themselves
and to the county.
Girl Scouts
Are Busy On
New Projects
By MRS. CHARLES MELICHAR
Several new projects are under
way in Franklin's four Girl Scout
and Brownie troops. A "Carevof
Books" project is being initiated
and a court of honor planned by
all troops.
Brownie girls,, under- Mrs. Tom
McCollum, having finished making
valentines; started this week mak
ing paper sail boats that really
sail. Mrs. John Wasilik's group
assisted by Mrs. Dick Jones mak
ing hand puppets. Mrs. Jones, ex
perienced in making and showing
puppets, started the girls on the
project by. displaying puppets' of
her own which created immediate
enthusiasm. The girls will be as
sisted in making a puppet stage by
Rev. I. L. Roberts.
The officers elected - by Mrs.
Wasilik's troop are : Barbara Stock
ton, patrol leader ; Louise Pender
grass, treasurer; Betty Horsley,
secretary and acting assistant patrol
leader; Mary Frances Page, re
porter; leaders for attendance con
test, Ida Mae Dowdle and Betty
Jane Waldroop.
Sarah Conley's. group in prepa
ration for their court of honor
have been working on a stunt that
is a deep mystery and that has
created much speculation not only
in the -other troops, but among the
parents. Elizabeth Wasilik has been
chief assistant in working out the
project. The officers elected, for
this troop are Sarah Frances; Cun
ningham, president; Carolyn Leach,
vice-president ; Carolyn Long, secretary-treasurer,
and Frances Furr,
assistant secretary.
Senior Girl Scouts, under Mrs.
Chas. Melichar, have been working
as a club on folk dancing. The
Highland Fling is being practised
at meetings and, will be used with
costumes' for various projects later.
Mrs. Ben McGlamery and Mrs., C
N. Dowdle are assisting this group
with plans for the immediate fu
ture. Recently elected officers are
president, Dot Sloan; vice-president,
Mary Evelyn Angel;, secretary-treasurer,
Jessie Barnard; as
sistant secretary-treasurer, Byrda
Nell Southards.
All Scouts are working on rank
and merit badges in preparation for
their court of honor, the date of
which will be announced soon, and
to which parents will be invited.
The "Care of Books" project by
the scouts is in appreciation of
the fine library given by Mrs.
Angie W. Cox to the town, and
which has been used and enjoyed
so much. The Girl Scouts ask for
the cooperation of the Boy Scouts
and other young people of the
town in backing the movement
The following girls . have been ap
pointed to demonstrate the proper
care of books in the school rooms:
Sally Lou Moore, Inez Crawford,
Ida Mae Dowdle, Elizabeth Wasi
lik, Louise Pendergrass, Betty
Horsley, Joann Bryson, Marion
Carr, Mary Frances Page, Betty
Jane Waldroop, Lillian Jones, Dor
othy Conley, Joanne Palmer and
Barbara Stockton.
WRECK KILLS
H.B.NJELYJ2
Highlands Man Fatally
Hurt When Truck
Overturns
H. Benson Neely, 62, of High
lands, who was injured Friday
night when the truck he was driv
ing left the highway and over
turned, died in Angel hospital Sun
day afternoon. The .accident oc
curred on the Highlands-Dillard
road.
Investigating officers said the
truck was traveling toward High
lands at a speed of about 30 miles
an hour when its left rear fender
was struck by a passing car which
failed to .stop. -The jolt forced the
truck-on the soft shoulder of the
road, Mr. Neely lost control of it,
and it turned over twice down a
20-foot embankment before landing
on" As wheels.
Albert Eugene Barnes, 29, also of
Highlands, who was riding in the
pick-up truck that Mr. Neely was
driving, suffered a fracture of the
left shoulder blade and a severe
chest injuryAlthough his condition
is serious, Angel hospital attaches
say that he is expected to recover.
A resident of the neighborhood,
a Mr. Williams, heard the crash
and summoned assistance, and the
injured men . were rushed to the
hospital.
Mr. Neely was born at Seneca,
S. C, June 9, 1877, the son of
William S. Neely and Nancy Pick
lesimer Neely. December 2, 1898,
he married Miss Mary Anne
Brooks, who Survives him. Surviv
ing also are three children, W. R.
Neely, West Virginia; Mrs. T. R.
Hunt, Franklin,, and Mrs. Sidney
McCarty, Jr., Highlands ; four
brothers, Louis, Preston, Stinson
and George Neely, all . of High
lands ; four sisters, Mrs. J. B.
Watkins and Mrs. Charles Me
Kinney, Highlands: Mrs. Oscar
Nix, Satolah, Ga., and Mrs. Wil
burn McCall, Greenville, S. C, and
seven grandchildren.
Mr. Neely was a member of
Highlands Methodist church and
the Junior Order United American
Mechanics.
Funeral services for Mr. Neely
were held at the Methodist church
in Highlands at 2 o'clock Monday
afternoon, with the Rev. J. S. Hig
gins, pastor, officiating. Mr. Hig-
gins was assisted by Rev. J. G.
eentield and Rev. R. B. DuPree.
Burial was in Highlands cemetery.
Pallbearers were Steve Potts. F.
A. Edwards, J. E. Hicks, T. M.
Keener, Barney Wilson and Mack
Pierson.
Honorary pallbearers were S. P.
Pierson, Virgil Ramey, Mack Ed
wards, Elmer McDowell, Sr.; S. E.
Potts, Mack Wilson. Zeke Shuler.
and W. P. Pierson.
Mrs. R. B. DuPree had chanre
of the music and the f lnwrra
were in charge of Mrs. Florence
McKinney and Mrs. Harry Holt.
Baptist Ministers To
Meet Here Monday
The Macon County Baptist Min
isterial conference will meet at
the Franklin Baptist church Mon
day, March 4, at 11 a. m.
Rev. C F. Rogers will lead in
a period of Bible study.
All Baptist preachers in Macon
county are urged to be present,
as there will be important busi-'
ness to discuss.
The ladies of the Franklin Bap
tist church will serve lunch.
Future Farmers Hold
Meeting At Sylva
By BERLIN WELCH
The Smoky Mountain Federation
Future Farmers' chapter met at
Sylva Wednesday, February 21, and
held its monthly meeting.
Delegates from Franklin Future
Farmers' Chapter were Wayne
Bradley, Roy Fouts, H. D. Corbin
and Harry Kinsland, with Mr.
Whitmire the adviser. Wayne
Bradley acted as adviser of the
Federation Chapter and Roy Fouts;
secretary.
They discussed and revised the
old Federation constitution and
made some additions. This discus
sion was led by Roy Fouts, lasted
for two and one-half hours.
They settled the date and place
of the tournament which is to DCs
at Sylva high school March 9.
Had music from Fine's Creek and
Bryson City Chapters string bands.
The Franklin Future Farmer
Chapter is planning to win the vic
tory at the tournament The pos-.
sible line up is, Roy Fouts, Ray
mond Culver, Claude Leathennan,
Frank Crisp, Wayne Bradley and
Cecil DuvalL