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Entered at Post Office. Franklin. N. C.. as second class matter
Published every Thursday by The Franklin Press
Franklin. N. C. Telephone 24
WKMAR JONES Editor
BOB 8. SLOAN Business Manager
J. P. BRADY i . . ' . . News Editor
ICSS BETTY LOU POUTS Office Manager
CARL P. CABE u . Mechanical Superintendent
FRANK A. STARRETTE Shop Superintendent
DAVID H. SUTTON Stereotyper
CHARLES E. WHITTINGTON Pressman
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
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NOVEMBER 25, 1953
Toward A Police State
One tiling made dear l>y ihe Harry Dexter White
c,ase is that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has
the hidden power to convert this country into a
police state.
t
I
J. Edgar Hoover's testimony in the White case
shows that his bureau can build up or mar the rec
ord and actions of am government or government
official, and it can. do iliat w ithout showing its hand
or coming from behind the scenes.
The American people have supposed that such
things were to be found only in Russia and other
benighted countries of the Old World. Yet J. Edgar
Hoover's own testimony at Washington proves that
merely bv "reports", never made public, can make
or break any administration, while at the same
time casting credit or discredit on any chosen pub
lic official, even inside the doors of the White
House.
J. Edgar Hoovef's testimony showed one thing
further: That whereas the F. B. I. was set up chief
ly to reduce crime and watch criminals, it has be
come a political bureau, wielding powerful secret
political influence.
Attorney General Brownell's efforts to impute
treason to ex-President Truman and to the dead
Chief Justice Vinson have jerked the cover off the
F. B. I., and revealed its possibilities as a political
organ having dangerous inclinations and powers.
These illuminations of dark places must have
shocked American people. It remains to be seen
whether that shock will be translated into curbs on
a growing police state.
Thanksgiving, 1953
Thanksgiving' is the (lav of turkey and cranberry
sauce. It is the day of big football games. It is the
day of family gatherings, and of gay home-comings
by young people away at school.
It is all of those? and it should be all of them.
But when we Consider the great good fortune
that has been America's in the .past, and when we
look alnmt us and take into account the great dan
gers that threaten this country, from within as well
as from without, it might not be amiss to make
this Thanksgiving .something in addition, to those
traditional surface observances ? to make it what
the name signifies.
For surely Americans have abundant reason to
be thankful, for the freedom and the honesty and
the courage and the faith of those Americans who
came before us, and surelv there is reason, plus, in
today's world, for humble but determined rededica
tion to those qualities.. which give meaning to this
distinctively American holiday, and. indeed, make
the observance of Thanksgiving possible.
Strangely Familiar
Partisanship and personalities are heavily involv
ed in the Harry Dexter White controversy. That
makes it hard for the average man to appraise the
situation, coolly and objectively.
But surely we should be able to consider, without
emotion or prejudice, specific proposals for meet
ing the situation.
Attorney (ieneral Herbert Brownell, Jr.. has rec
ommended that Congress pass two new laws.
One would permit the government to grant im
munitv to witnesses in exchange for testimony that
would help trap higher-ups in conspiracies to over
throw the government.
The wisdom of such a law, it seems to us, is
highly doubtful; but certainly there are strong
arguments in its favor. Furthermore, such a prac
tice is not something new to American courts: it
often has been done in the past, often is done today.
Mr. Brownell's second recommendation is that
Congress legalize the use of evidence obtained by
wire-tapping. That ?? something new to American
court*. Wire-tapping is forbidden by law in many
states, and the U. S. Supreme Court repeatedly has
refused to sanction the use in federal courts of evi
dence so obtained. Incidentally, it is not pleasant
to contemplate the attorney general's argument for
such a law. He* said the government has failed to
obtain some convictions because it could not in
troduce evidence it had obtained by wire-tapping:
that is to say, the government's law enforcement
agencies trap law-breakers by methods forbidden"
by law!
Wire-tapping not only would be new to American
courts ? it is something alein to every American
tradition. i
Once wire-tapping is legalized in this country,
an American, when he picks up his telephone, will
never know when an F. B. I. agent or a state police
agent or the policeman down the street is listening
in on his conversation. He will never know when
some innocent or jesting remark will be miscon
strued, and he will find himself under surveillance,
if not actually under arrest, He will never know
when a recorder has been hidden in his livjngroom
or diningroom or bedroom, to take down his every
word, his every sigh even, almost his every thought.
He will never feel entirely free to speak his mind,
even in his own home . . .
Does all that sound strangely familiar? Of course
it does! It is a description everybody knows ? a de
scription of the fear that grips men in Soviet Rus
sia today.
Life's Like That
All of us like to be liked. Most of us want it so
badly we try too hard to get liking; as a result, we
stop being our naturally likable selves. That is, try
ing to be liked is not likely to make us likable ?
often quite the reverse. And usually we have to live
a long time before we discover that the secret of
being liked is ? liking. A lot of us, in fact, have
become so old before we learn that lesson that, by
that time, we are likely to be indifferent about
whether we are liked or disliked. Unfortunate! But
life's like that ...
Others' Opinions
MODERN MUST
(Christian Science Monitor)
Today's refresher courses in geography are a must ? they
come via the first pages of your newspaper.
THE EDIBLE LOOK
(The Richmond Times-Dispatch)
They practical, we suppose, but somehow we know we
could "rover wear one of those plastic rain lids on our hat
without feeling like a dish of leftover pudding in the icebox.
WHY NOT?
(U. S. Coast Guard Magazine)
"For example," said/ the teacher to her memory-training
class, "let us suppose you want to remember the name of the
poet Bobby Burns. Get a mental picture of a policeman in
flames. Get the idea? ? Bobby Burns."
"I get the idea," replied a bright boy. "But how is one to
know it doesn't represent Robert Browning?"
PRACTICAL DIFFICULTY
(Miami Daily News)
Some Midwest cattlemen reportedly want to sell the Eisen
hower administration on a solution to the problem of depressed
prices soimewhat like the Wallace "little pig killing" program of
the 1930's.
The Republicans would have to do a lot of unwinding.
They've been balming the Democrats for killing those little
pigs for the last 20 years.
AFFIRMATIVE APPROACH
(Raleigh News and Observer)
\
Several weeks ago the Roman Catholics of Raleigh invited
the people of Raleigh to attend a series of meetings which are
now being held at Cathedral School, for the purpose of ac
quainting Protestants with the purposes and faith of the
Roman Catholic Church. The First Presbyterian Church is now
having a series Of services on Protestantism, to which the
Roman Catholics of the city have been invited.
It is not likely that either series of services will draw a very
large attendance from members of other faiths, but each series
has the virtue of an affirmative approach.
ISN'T IT AMAZING?
(Cleveland (County l Times)
Only last Sunday, on the financial page of the Charlotte
Observer ? staunchly, staidly, safely reactionary ? we read a
prominently featured article proclaiming that the "old theory
about inflation no longer applies to the United States."
We've got to do some rigorous rethinking about Inflation ? you
and I. We've got to re-examine the classical economic theory
that inflation impoverishes widows, pensioners, and others who
live on fixed incomes; that it steals from families who depend
on salaries; that It makes life harder for wage earners.
"The theory had its roots in a property-less society. It ap
plied to countries in which the rich were very rich indeed and
the poor an overwhelming majority. ... It does not apply to
the United States of America, 1953."
Isn't It amazing! In only one short year, the Republican
sages have learned how devastingly Ignorant they were even
as late as November 1952!
FOG CLEANER
(Durham Morning Herald)
Only the . most Incorrigible Anglophile, who would not change
one thing about Britain, would hope that Mrs. Jane Garner's
Invention (ails to work. After 27 years of work on her machine,
Mrs. Darner Is ready for the Ministry of Supply to test her
"fogga," a "vacuum cleaner" for foggy air.
The machine sucks foggy air into one ena and blows it out
the other defogged. The clear air from the machine creates,
according to the inventor, "a cushion of pure air . . . whicti
lifts the fog higher and higher until it dissolves."
Mrs. Darner's long and persistent work, whether it succeeds
or not, refutes any opinions about a prevailing British com
placency. Here is one woman not satisfied with England's pea
soup atmosphere, but determined to do something about it. If
It works in England, it .wouldn't be a bad idea to bring some
of the "air vacuum cleaners" to this country. Ther: r:-s many
places where and many times when it could be used to ad
vantage. . ?
TROOP EDUCATION
(New York Times*
Dr. John A. Hannah, president of Michigan State College,
who is on leave to serve as Assistant Secretary of Defense, has
announced a- general shake-up in the program of "informa
tion and education" for troops.
He proposes that the instruction be simplified and that
greater stress be laid on the basic tenets of Americanism. This
plan has the enthusiastic endorsement of President Eisenhower.
The efforts of Dr. Hannah should be warmly welcomed in
this country and he should have ample support to resist any
opposition that may arise from inerita in the service branches.
It is no secret that the citizenship training that has been
given in the armed services has been far from effective. Under
these conditions it is actually surprising and gratifying that
the successes of enemy propaganda among our troops have
been so meager.
Dr. Hannah's most recent statement put its chief emphasis
upon a revision of the subject-matter to be used. The shake
up, however, needs to go much deeper than that. It must be
recognized by those in authority throughout the services, just
as it is recognized by Dr. Hannah, that teaching of any sort
is never better than the teacher. What Is required is a new
approach that will make troop education something more than
a dreary -duty to the officers who carry out the sessions and
something more than "sack time" to the men who listen. There
Is need, obviously, to pick the Instructors on the basis of real
teaching ability, something that has been done only too in
frequently.
Similarly, tl^T armed services can make substantial improve
ment in the use of a variety of media for teaching. Some of
the "Indoctrination" films, for example, that were used during
the war were excellently done and had a sharp Impact. This
field can be widened and It offers a constant opportunity for
better instruction. Other visual aids can be used as well, along
with group participation, organized projects and other teach
ing techniques.
It is because of this need and this opportunity that an emi
nent educator has been put in the post that he occupies. His
skill can be put to use In a field in which he Is really expert.
He needs strong encouragement both in the services and out
side them, based on an understanding of what needs to be
done and a confidence that It can be accomplished.
"COMMUNISTS SEE RED", says a headline.
Which means, we presume, that the Soviets now
have invented the lookingglass !
STRICTLY
PERSONAL
By WEIMAR JONES
CHAPEL- HILL.? So they could
see news actually being made,
I took a group of my journal
ism students to Raleigh recent
ly to attend one of Governor
W. B. Umstead's periodic press
conferences.
While the students were tak
ing notes on what the governor
said, I was watching Mr. Um
stead at work.
Everybody knows, of course,
that he was critically ill with
a heart affection early this
year, and ordinarily recov
ery from such an illness is
slow. Many persons, I among
them, have wondered if Mr.
Umstead's health permits him
properly to discharge the duties
of the big job of being gover
nor of North Carolina; if he
has the physical stamina such
a grueling position requires, and
if his physical condition is a
brake on his mind ? for physical
weakness often does slow up
mental processes.
How good his physical health
is I do not know, but that press
conference gave me the impres
sion of a mind that works like
a steel trap.
After the students and I were
ushered in and introduced, the
professional reporters filed Into
the Governor's big office and
were seated, all of us facing the
big, flat-top desk behind which
the Governor sat.
Mr. Umstead probably is a
man of medium size, but his
extreme thinness makes him
appear small. The thinness also
accentuates the lines in his
face. His hair is thinning.
After a moment or two of
light, preliminary conversation,
his posture and tone said as
plainly as words could have:
"Now let's get down to busi
ness".
He made some observations
on two topics, and then threw
himself open to questions by
announcing, "now the floor is
yours". That business of throw
ing yourself open to questions ?
to any questions ? in the pres
ence of a score or more of
smart reporters, knowing that
everything you say may be
printed in newspapers all over
the state, and perhaps com
mented on editorially ? it must
be quite an ordeal. But there
was nothing in Gov. Umstead's
manner to indicate he shrank
f.rom it.
One or two questions he eith
er answered off the record, or
postponed answering. But he
frankly told the newspapermen
why. Several questions he an
swered either "I don't know" or
"you'll have to ask Mr. so-and
so about that".
But most of the questions that
came in a steady stream were
answered without quibble and
without hesitation. In fact, the
quickness with which he caught
what the questioner was driv
ing at, and the promptness with
which he answered, reminded
me of a dog catching a piece
of meat tossed to him? catch
ing it not only before it struck j
the ground, but jumping for it. \
Occasionally, the Governor ]
leaned forward slightly and i
used the forefinger of his right
hand to emphasize a point, but
never once did he raise his '
voice; not once was there evl- 1
dence of a loss of temper, or j
even of serious impatience. In
answering a question about the 1
Continue* Ob Page Three? 1
\
News Making
As h Looks
To A Maconite
? Bf BOB SLOAN
The Dexter White case has
left me with several strong Im
pressions. Chief among these
are:
Never in the history of our
government has there been a
greater usurpation of the func
tions of one branch of the gov
ernment by another. Despite the
remarks of Senator William
Jenner and others, for the life
of me, I can't find In the Con
stitution any paragraph under
the functions of the legislative
body which states that they are
to be an investigating body.
Second. The ancient Ameri
can principles that a man Is
innocent until proven guilty and
the right of trial by Jury are
being replaced by the assump
tion that It is up to the Indi
vidual to prove his or her inno
cence if faced with charges by
a congressional committee which
is replacing the jury system as
the bench of justice in our
land.
President Elsenhower is show
ing considerable courage in op
posing the tactics of his Re
publican colleagues jenner,
Velde, Brownell and McCarthy
in this matter. However if our
traditional American freedoms
are to be kept the President is
going to take an even stronger
stand. These men have found
an easy means of gaining pub
licity and they are not to be
denied easily.
The bills which Mr. Brownell
wduld have made the law of the
land which legalize wire tapping
and reward those who turn
state's evidence to the point of
giving them immunity are not
the kind of bills that are in
temper with the true character
of a nation which regards it
self as the bastion of liberty.
Well there has been too much
said on this subject already and
everyone knows what Jonah
told the whale. To a large ex
tent that applies to the news
papers of the land.
* * ?
There is brewing in this state
a very hot Democratic primary
far next Spring. The principal
fire tenders will be Alton Len
non and Kerr Scott.
Mr. Lennon will have behind
him the present administration
and its state workers plus the
industrial leaders support which
have traditionally backed the
Continued On Page Thre* ?
I
Do You
Remember?
(Looking backward through
the files of The Press)
50 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK
Revenue Officers Ensley and
Henry captured a large still last
night on the Lyle Knob about
four miles from town. After
they were within sight of the
fire in the furnace a shot from
a thicket gave the alarm and
three men were seen to take to
the brush and make their
escape.
Mr. J. G. Crawford went to
Asheville Monday. He will en
gage in insurance business for
a while.
Rev. E. L. Bain and family
expect to leave tomorrow for
their new home at Gastonia,
N. C. They leave many warm
friends here who wish them
much pleasure in their new field
of Christian labor.
25 YEARS AGO
Realizing the need of an or
ganization looking to better
farming methods, cow testing,
hog feeding, truck growing, and
to keeping of records, the
farmers of. Ellijay community in
this county, under the supervis
ion of the county agent, have
organized for the year 1929.
Better take a trip up the Cul
lasaja and see the grandest
scenery in Eastern America.
Once upon a time a cow kick
ed over a lamp and started a
fire which burned Chicago to
the ground. A cow would have
to be an acrobat to kick out an
electric light in an up-to-date
barn of today. There will be a
number of such barns in Macon
County in the near future.
1? YEARS AGO
Miss Marie Cloer, now em
o?hed a defense Plant in
Richmond, Va., is spending a
two weeks' vacation with her
Ctoer and MrS' Oeor8e
Mrs van Frazler left this
Drtmlt J?1? her husband in
Detroit, Mich, she was accom
[lani?d ,by her daughter, Jena
v. Frazler, formerly of Wash
ington, D. C., who will stay in
Detroit several weeks.