Newspapers / The Franklin Press and … / July 16, 1953, edition 1 / Page 2
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dk t ffltunklixt a?ii ?be JJigklanite JRaruttiatt Entered at Port Office, Franklin. N. C, u second diw ?(ML LXvni !!??? a Published every Thoraday by The ItuUtn Preaa At Franklin, North Carolina Telephone 34 weimar JONES Editor BOB a SLOAN -Boataeaa Manager SUBSCRIPTION RATES:' Out-of -County ? One Year $3.00 in Macon County ? One Year $2-50 Six Months $1.75 Three Months $1.00 Single Copy ? ? .10 JULY 16, 1953 The New Senator Governor Umstead has set tongues wagging by his appointment of A. A. Lennon as U. S. senator from North Carolina, to succeed the late Willis Smith. If Governor Scott, in his choice of Frank P. Graham, startled the state by picking a man so well known nobody had thought of him for sena tor, Governor Umstead, in his choice of Mr. Len non, has startled North Carolinians by picking a man the vast majority of them never heard of. Alton Asa Lennon is a 46-year old Wilmington lawyer. About his only political activities have been two terms in the state senate (in 1947 and in 1951) and as New Hanover County (Wilmington) manager for Mr. Umstead in his unsuccessful campaign for U. S. senator and his successful one for governor. From Murphy to Manteo, there is speculation as to why the governor should have picked a po litical unknown. Among the suggestions offered Umstead is playing smart politics. Maybe Len non will make a hit with the people of the state. If so, and if he looks like a winner next year, fine; if not, the anti-Scott forces can run some body else against W. Kerr Scott (assuming Mr. Scott is a candidate) Meanwhile, the governor has given himself two, instead of just one, chances ?of picking a winner. Governor Umstead was looking for somebody who had no political opposition ? and the only way to find him was to pick somebody nobody knows. Bolstering that argument is the- fact that Mr. Umstead still is far from a well man, and, put under terrrfte ? pressure by rival candidates and their friends, he chose the easy way out, some say, by favoring none of them, and thus angering none of them ? very much. The Governor's own explanation : "I think he is a fine man and will make a fine senator", and he described the appointee as "sound, safe, solid". The governor indicated that Mr. Len non's age, of only 46, was a factor in his choice, ex plaining: "I feel that a feeling has begun to de velop in the state that a comparatively young man, or a middle-aged man, should be appointed to the senate, so that he can begin to gain seniority . Three senators from North Carolina ? J. W. Bailey, J. Melville Broughton, and Willis Smith? have died in office since 1946 Many persons will applaud this, from the ap pointee himself: "There are varying degrees of liberalism and conservatism . . I will do what I think best for North Carolina and for the nation without regard" to the labels of "liberalism or conservatism". One of the few political writers in the state who knows Mr. Lennon, in a private conversation, de scribed him this way : "He is a fine fellow. He fs honest and intelligent. But he ain't senatorial timber." Whether that conclusion is correct or incorrect is for the people of North Carolina to decide, be cause Mr. Lennon has indicated he will be a candi date for election next year. (Under state law, his appointment is only until the next regular election.) If members of the present younger generation call you "sir", it's & sure sign, not that you're just getting old ? brothar, you ARE old. In Fairness To All Like most people in this school district, the ed itor of The Press has never met Mr. Ralph L Smith. There is no reason, therefore, for prejudice eith er in his favor or against him ; there is every reason for an open mind about him. Presumably he is a man of ability and character ; otherwise, the district committee and the county board of education and the county superintendent would not have chosen him as principal of the Franklin school. In fairness to Mr. Smith, this newspaper suggests that all of us should assume he is a fine choice, un til and unless he himself proves the contrary. . That also would be a sensible attitude ? in fair ness to the community's school children. Golden Opportunity More trouble in Soviet Russia: L. P. Beria, Rus sian secret police head and recently thought by many to be the most powerful man in Russia, has been fired from his posts as a member of the trio it has been believed was governing Russia since Stalin's death. Beria, as the long-time head of the secret police, has been more feared by more people than any other man behind the Iron Curtain. Now he is to be tried as a traitor. Thus somebody ? Malenkov, presumably ? grasps for complete power in Russia Some time soon he may gain it. Meanwhile, the West has its golden opportunity to divide Russia from its satellite's, and to encour age internal troubles. That opportunity will not last forever. A bold course by the United States and the UN today might save millions of lives tomorrow. Page Senator McCarthy News that federaj agencies last year bought 366 miles of red tape for use in tying up government documents for storage (ordinary string tears the documents) in normal times would offer a wonder ful opportunity for .puns about red tape. But we haven't been able to think of a single pun ? for the reason that our mind has been filled with wonder that Senator McCarthy hasn't started an investiga tion. Who was responsible for buying tape that was red? Others' Opinions HAVE YOU TRIED? (Daily News and Views) A friend once entered Judge Ben Lindsey's chambers on a hot July day to find the Jurist sipping a cup of steaftilng coffee. , "Why don't you drink something cooling, Judge?" he asked. "Have you ever tried chilled gin and ginger ale?" "No," was the reply, "but I've tried a lot of fellows who have." EXPERIMENT IN KIND-HEARTED BRIBERY (Anderson, S. C., Independent) We have heard of parents' using all kinds of methods to help raise the marks on children's report cards, including bribes, threats, rewards (in the old days) of a nickel a point, and even sessions in the woodshed with a razor strop or per haps locking in the closet. But a new method has popped up over in Knoxville, where a foster father provided in his will that his stepson shall get $100 a month in high school as long as he makes passing grades. Furthermore, the lad, who Is now a second year high school student, will get $10,000, less all monthly payments ^made to him. If and when he Is graduated from college. If the young fellow, according to the peculiar, but pretty smart at that, provisions of the will, flunks a subject and fails to make it up in summer school, the will cuts him promptly off from the monthly payments or any other share In the testate. / This thing of keeping up In one's grades looks to us like an easy way of making $100 a month. However, the mere making of passing marks Is sheer drudgery to some boys and girls, no matter what the Incentive is. ? We know some fathers and mothers here in Anderson who try to help their children along In their studies by offering money. On the other hand, there are thousands who get along fine, make good In their studies, and pass on to other things with no more stimulus than the desire to learn something and get ahead In this world. t OUR DEMOCRACY WM* BOfcN ffNKEKEKS In tmi* am of specialization, AMgwttwm ?xiu_ ukv TO ROLL V* their. Stce ves AM9 trv hands AAOUNO TVC MOO St . IT POCSN'T KCALlV MATTEL. MUCH what it is - ip rr nccos fijun?, they'll T*y. This idea ob tinkering has helped ?aakc us what we ARE. IT SUIt-DS QUALITIES OF INGENUITY AND ADAPTABILITY amp SELF-RELIANCE. iT CAN PEVELOI* SPECIAL APTITUDES, OCCASIONALLV STIMULATES INVENTIVE GENIUS- SOME OP AMERICA'S GREATEST INVESTORS HAVE BEEM'BORN TINKERER S." COURAGE IN A SMALL PACKAGE (Chicago Son -Times) By Chicago standards the Western suburb of Downers Grove, in Du Page County, is a little town ? but it isn't afraid to do big things Chicago (pop. 3,620,000) could learn a lesson in moral courage, freedom and adherence to high principles from Downers Grove (pop. 11,900). Take, for instance, the case of some of the higher-ups in our public schools. Instead of fighting for academic freedom they have cravenly appeased the know-nothing pressure groups which seek to restrict the knowledge, understanding and reas oning ability of public school pupils. Not so in Downers Grove. Before the pressure groups could even get a foot in the door of Downers Grove schools, one of the boards of education adopted the following resolution: "It is the unequivocal policy of the Board of Education of School District No. 58 that there shall be no curtailment of the presentation of facts pertaining to, or giving rise to, con troversial issues of state, national, or International importance, unless sueh presentation is otherwise curtailed by law; pro vided always, however, that the superintendent and all teach ing personnel shall exert their best and most sincere efforts to present such facts objectively and impartially." School District 58 is made up of the Downers Grove ele mentary schools. Shortly after the resolution, was adopted, the Board of Education of District 99. which oversees the Down ers Grove High School, approved the same code of conduct 'for that institution. Chicago's Board of Education would do well to adopt a similar charter of academic freedom. If the board were to lay down such a code, it is possible that the professional edu cators in the public school system would muster the courage needed to resist the know-nothings. THE HISTORY OF SPEED Speed has been an important factor in the world since time began. The history of man can be told in the story of his ef forts to do things faster , and better. Early man found the lever an aid to lifting. Then someone discovered the wheel and the pulley as aids in moving loads. Slow? Yes, but faster, better than before. Later primitive geniuses found ways to harness nature ? to couple the power of wind and water with the earlier tools ? and the first machines were born. This all led eventually to the internal combustion engine which made possible, among other things, today's vast parade of motor vehicles on the streets and highways of the world? truly a high level of speed and efficiency for business and pleasure. ' But as technology has stepped up the tempo, more are killed in the use of its inventions. Even when the cave man used the lever he had to develop a certain amount of skill and good judgment to keep |rom lnjurying himself. How much more skill and good judgment is needed to op erate safely the modern automobile! It takes only a simple pressure of the foot on the acceler ator to make a car shoot forward, faster and faster, 50, 60, 70, 80. Bigger and more powerful engines are being built for bet ter performances and fuel economy, and higher top speeds are a by-product. But the safe driver must know for himself how fast he should go. He must never drive faster than Is safe under ex isting conditions. When these are less than ideal, the driver must compensate by reducing his speed. Rain, snow, ice, a rough or winding road, a car that needs repair, heavy traffic, fatigue, headache, emotional disturbance? all are conditions that the driver should take into consideration. Speed too great for existing conditions is a contributing factor in one out of every three fatal motor vehicle accidents. The exercise of simple good judgment by every driver can remedy this situation, can keep us from abusing and destroy ing the advantages of the power and speed for which man has been striving since history began. Newt As It I To A Maconrte ? Br BOB *LOAN Governor William B. Umstoa d showed considerable political astuteness when he named Al ton A Lannon, 46 year old po litical unknown, to fill the va cancy caused by the death of Uulted States Senator Willis Smith. However, it would ap pear that Governor Umstead's first concern is to "Stop Ken Scott" from being U. S. Senator and not to fill the office with the most capable man he can find to serve the people of North Carolina. If Lennon, in his short time in office between now and next May catches fire with the people well and good, Gov. Umstead and the conser vative group which now domi nate North Carolina politics will stay with him. There- is also the consideration that Lennon's actions must be pleasing to this group. Here is where Umstead's political wisdom comes to the fore. If Lennon does not seem to be a popular vote getter and Kerr Scott decides to run, then the Governor and his followers can get behind some men, such as John Larkln or Prank Taylor, without their having incurred in public disfavor by recent of fice holding duties. ? ? ? Having been somewhat crit ical of President Eisenhower last week I welcome the oppor tunity to say that two of him actions this week causes me to think more of him as a leader than anything he has done since becoming President, and I believe that many Americans will feel the same way. His statement criticizing the posi tion of J. B. Mathews, chief of staff of the Senate Investigat ing committee and political crony of Senator Joe McCarthy was forthright and long over due. Mathews had recently Is sued a statement attacking the loyalty of the Protestant churches in America. Also It seemed to me that the Presi dent showed good .leadership In suggesting that we "toff er to ship to Russian Satellta countries, where there is considerable un- * rest today presumably caused by hunger and prlvatlonX food stuffs from our surplus s'Swss- -4 That was smart diplomacy. ? * ? ? Here and There . . . Tourist business seems to be good this year considering the detour on U. S. 23 and U. S. 441 .. . The swimming pool run by the Franklin Jaycees seems to be doing a thriving business . . . crops, particularly corn, throughout the county look ex tra good this year . . . June was one of the best hay months In many years and there was sure lots put away . . . the new . Goodrich store is very modern, i I think they will have air con- V dltioning, and appears to be \ Oantinaed m Page Three? \ Do You Remember? (Looking backward through the files ot The Press) 50 TEARS AGO THIS WEEK Mr. Harvey Vanhook, who has been away from Macon about 12 years, spending his time in Washington and the Klon dyke country, returned last Fri day. We learn that Mr. Van hook has been quite successful in business during his absence. Mr. H. G. Trotter has started the machinery in his new locust pin factory. The first big turnip has been received. Monday Mr. H. A. Pen land brought to our office a turnip that measured 24 Inches in circumference and weighed six pounds. 25 YEARS AGO We were mightly glad to see our friends, W. J. Jenkins, in The Press office last week. The editor and Mr. Jenkins ex changed olive branches of such size that they might be terftift^ trees. I Mr. Case, cannery operator, states that the principal parts of the Latin verb, "Can" are as follows: Can-u, can-we, can I, can-'em? According to one man who lives down on Cowee "the King's highway ain't gone nowhar yit." 1* YEARS AGO Macon County has sent 1,063 men to serve In the armed forces of the war since October 16, 1940, according to figures released this week by the local draft board. I At a meeting of the American \ , Legion post No. 108, John Waal Ilk, Jr., was elected commander for the ensuing year.
The Franklin Press and the Highlands Maconian (Franklin, N.C.)
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July 16, 1953, edition 1
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