Newspapers / The Franklin Press and … / Oct. 28, 1954, edition 1 / Page 2
Part of The Franklin Press and the Highlands Maconian (Franklin, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
3flnroklht tyrtz* a nb (Die JKarimratt Entered at Post Office. Franklin, N. C.. as second class matter Published every Thursday by The Franklin Press Franklin. N. C. Telephone 24 Editor WEIMAR JONES BOB 8. SLOAN Business Manager J. P. BRADY News Editor MRS. EDWARD CRAWFORD Office Manager CARL P. CABE Mechanical Superintendent FRANK A. 8TARRETTE Shop Superintendent DAVID H. SUTTON . . . nBiDT.H > WHITTTMOTftV SUBSCRIPTION RATES Outbids Macow Cotott One Tear $3.00 Six Months 1-79 Three Months 100 1JIB1V1 wvn<> _ One Year *2-30 Six Month* I*?' Three Montha 100 TCTOBER 28, 1954 Whose Business? Government is everybody's business. We make it our business by voting. But if you and I, and our neighbors, do not vote, government becomes no body's business. Then everybody suffers. So . . . Vote as you please, in next Tuesday's general election, but be sure you VOTE. Nobody Seems To Know Under state law, the taxable value of the prop erty of public service corporations is fixed by the State Board of Assessment, and the amount set is handed down to local authorities, who may not change it. Thus, when the Western Carolina Telephone Company this year listed its property in Macon County and its two towns, it listed it not with the town and county authorities, but with the Raleigh board. In 1953 the telephone company had reported to the state board it had 1069 miles of line in Frank lin, and 1935 in the entire county. This year it listed only 381 miles of line in Franklin and only 961 in the county as a whole. That is, it said it had only about a third as many miles in Franklin this year as last, and only about half as many in the county. That report was accepted by the Sf?,te Board of Assessment and handed down to the local author ities as the basis for taxation! After the discrepancies between the miles of line this year and last had repeatedly been called by local persons to the attention of the telephone com pany's headquarters in Weaverville, the company announced it had made an error, and that a revised report would be submitted to Raleigh. In the revised report, the number of miles listed is approximately the same this year as last, but the value per mile has been drastically reduced. The net result is that the report has been revised, but the amount of taxes the telephone company will pay is little changed by the revision. In 1953, the telephone company's total valuation in Franklin was put at $74,109. Under this year's first and erroneous report, the value was put at $34,849 ? less than half of last year's. And under the revised report, the value is put at $44,129 ? only a little more than half of last year's. In the county, in 1953, the phone company's prop erty was valued for taxes at $134,129. Under this year's first and erroneous report, it was valued at only $88,588. Under this year's revised report, it still is valued at $88,588! So far as this newspaper knows, the telephone company made an honest mistake in its first re port. Nor is this newspaper in position to deny that the value of the phone company's property in Franklin has shrunk by 40 per cent since last year, and nearly 34 per cent in the county. W e just don't know. It isn't our job to know. But the point is that nobody seems to know. For a state board that would accept a report in dicating that telephone wires have shrunk in length bv from one-third to one-half, and then accept an other report that the value of the same property has shrunk by from 34 to 40 per cent ? that board obviously doesn't know. And it is its job to know. A lot of children turn out well in spite of, rather than because of, their parents. 'Biological Age' People's "biological age" should be determined before they are. forced into retirement at 65, says a noted heart specialist. Biological age ? that is, age in health and capac ity ? does not always correspond to age in years. Many people are old at 40, while others still are young at 65, explains Dr. Irving S. Wright, of New York. Millions can keep on being productive after 65, he says. Then, in something of an understatement, he adds that work often is good for the health of those past 65. But aside from what is good for the individual, can America afford to toss into the ashcan the productive abilities of millions, just because it's simpler to /fix retirement age in calendar years? Even those whose physical energies are abated have a lot left to contribute, not the least being judg ment acquired through long years of experience. Automatic retirement at a fixed age' in years is typical of a nation that generally is considered the most wasteful in history. Bouquet V Traffic over a road that is under construction must be an annoyance to the construction forces. More serious than that, it delays the work, and thereby costs the contractor money. Nobody, therefore, could seriously blame a road contractor if he went just as far as the state would permit him to go in keeping traffic off the road he was building. That, though, has not been the attitude of Macon Construction Company, in building the eastern link of the Franklin-Dillsboro highway. Quite the re verse That road has been kept open a large part of the time, and motorists have found the construction personnel courteous and obliging. Last week, the builders went a step farther ? the dirt portion of the road was being sprinkled to keep down the dust ! That, we think, calls for a big bouquet ? from all of us. ? Letters MORE ABOUT MRS. FURR'S CACTUS Gentlemen: Re attached clipping appearing in your October 7th issue. For Mrs. Furr's information, the plant in question is a Stapella (stah-pee'-ll-ah), a member of the succulent family. It has the common name of carrion-flower because of disagree able odor of the odd showy flowers. I have grown these plants for many years In .Miami. We want you to know how very much we enjoy reading your paper for It seems to keep us in close touch with our home and friends there. Very truly yours, Miami, Fla. (MRS.) MARGUERITE LYTELL. Others' Opinions READING AND CIVILIZATION (International Paper Company House Organ) For several centuries after the beginning of the Christian era, reading was a privilege enjoyed by very few, chiefly churchmen and scholars. Literacy was not encouraged, in those early days, by pedagogues, who jealously guarded their learn ing, or by rulers, Ignorance and illiteracy among the common folk strengthened the ruler's position. People were not sup posed to think or ask questions. They were directed by edicts of the ruler or bulls by the church. As late as the middle of the 16th century an act was passed in England forbidding anyone to read the Bible other than the men and women of the gentry or nobility. In 1674, Sir Wil liam Berkeley, governor of Virginia for about thirty years, ut tered the "gem" of an era when he said "I thank God we have neither schools nor printing." The gentleman was a persecut ing dictator, a fur monopolist and a tyrant who was eventu ally removed from office, by the king, under pressure from a long-suffering citizenry. Suppression of truth and education and of the press are always marks of dictators and despots. But the printed word was destined eventually to lead people out of darkness and ignorance. Determined printers, type founders and paper makers in the 17th and 18th centuries multiplied and progressed. Writers and poets saw more and more of their efforts put into print and made available to the public. Literacy increased slowly but surely. More books and tracts were printed and more people learned to read. Prior to the 17th and 18th centuries news was broadcast by town criers or by oral gossip. But by 1622 news was appearing in print. The first newspaper, published at regular intervals, was printed in Germany in 1609. Thirteen years later, two years after the Pllgrams sailed for America, the first English newspaper appeared. OUR DEMOCRACY r_rw Impossible takes a uttle lon6ehc ? mcoMwm motto 0*JHCC0*r* or ewhajee us ? i ?/A>,///////, 7 ?c &J& FACMG. rfU 'FLYING CLOUD ~ - L IOO YEARS AGO, WS WCItC SAVING ; "STEAM WILL NEVER. REPLACE SAIL ?,w H UU.II u' //.// ./jy, y , yA* 9TEAXM3 1 KuMAaoyr * [so years aso:*<set a womb! "awd "man will never fly.* BUT TODAV, REVIEWING THt ACCOMPLISHMENTS OP AMERICAN IN6ENUITY AMD PRODUCTIVE POWER, (SACKED l?V THE DRIVE AND THRIFT OF ALL TMe PBOPLB, WE HOLD THAT NOTWHa IS IMPOSSIBLE. Babblin' About ] Centennial For Franklin i J. P. Brady 1 There's a great big birthday coming up February 10, 1955, and, If it is to be properly cel ebrated In a manner usually re served for such occasions, It Is none too early to start plan ning now. Whose birthday Is It, you ask? Franklin's! Yes, Macon's thriving county seat is going to mark its 100th birthday ? Incorporated birth day, that Is, for the town Is considerably older than 100 years. However, it is customary for towns in this area to write this 100th (incorporated) birthday into the pages of history with a concerted celebration, includ ed even the growing of "beav ers" by the men folk. This column is just passing the Information along to those of you who might be interested In seeing Franklin write history with a centennial that will out centennial anything any of the other towns have experienced. Would like to make one sug gestion: This celebration, should it materialize, should be the "baby" of every civic organiza tion and individual In town. Some kind of a planning com mittee composed of civic club representatives and businessmen should start NOW on the plan ning. What do you think? ? ? ? I was really astounded tha other night while taking In a movie in Asheville to see some news shots of what the well dressed male is supposed to wear this year. To appropriate music (it should have been "I'll Be Glad When You're Dead You Rascal You") about three or four males (this is an assumption, mind you) were prancing around in trousers that rode about half way between their ankles and their knees. These trousers, the commen tator assured the audience, were what well-dressed men would be wearing this winter. At this time I would like tc make public announcement ol the fact that said commentator can subtract one from his list And that's me, thank you! Back when I was a kid, they ? used to call trousers of that , type (and I've begrudglngly worn hundreds of pairs) "high water britches". And for me that still goes. If the world should suddenly become flooded three inches over, then I might wear this "new look" in men's clothes just to keep from having to roll up trouser legs every time I pene trated the outside. But until this happens, mod esty demands that my trousers ride in the vicinity of my shoe tops. * * ? The poem appearing below is the fulfillment of a promise I made several weeks ago while attending the "Fellowship Hour" for Macon's young-ln-heart at the Franklin Methodist Church. During the program, Mrs. O. A. Jones, 92, stood and recited a poem "my mother taught me, and I think we all might bene fit from it." Several of the "youngsters" there were hard of hearing and requested the publication of the poem. For two weeks now I have ' been trying to sandwich it in. Here's another try: "Sometime when all life's les sons have been learned, And sun and stars forevermore have set, The things which our weak judgments here have spurned. The things o'er which we griev ed with lashes wet, i Will flash before us out of life's dark night, As stars shine most in deeper tints of blue. And we shall see how all God's plans are right 1 And. what seemed reproof was love most true. God's plans, like lilies pure and white, unfold. We must not tear the close-shut leaves apart; God will reveal the calixes of gold. And e'en as prudent parents disallow J Too much of sweet to craving babyhood, ' So God is keeping from us now ? Life's sweetest things because He knows it's good. STRICTLY. PERSONAL By WEIMAR JONES I'm all fat today as contrast ed with yesterday. I think most of our modern gadgets add immeasurably to a better physical life. I am sure the majority of people think a lot stralghter than they did half a century ago. And there Is no question in my mind but that the proverbially disturbing "younger generation" is so much superior to older ones that there really Is no comparison. But there are some things about today I do not like. And one of my pet aversions is the way women's names are writ ten. I like to see a woman's name written with a handle ? "Miss Mary Brown", or, if she's mar ried, "Mrs. John C. Smith"; not just ".Mary Brown" or "Mary Smith". Maybe that's old fashioned. Well, if it is, I'm sorry; but I still don't like it. And I suspect these are a lot of people who feel Just as I do. My own profession, the news News Making As It Looks To A Maconite ? By BOB SLOAN On the National election* In regard to the Senate and the j House, I would like for the ~ record to change my prediction* made In September only slight ly. At that time I stated that while It wasnt my wishes I fe Ik that the Republican party would retain control of both the Sen ate and the House. Now I be lieve that the Democrats will gain control of the House, but the Republicans will control the Senate by one vote. That Is contrary to the predictions of most of the professional prog nostlcators but still that Is my guess. "Bird Dog" Wilson's com ments will cause some House seats to switch In local areas where there is unemployment, but I do not believe that unem ployment is of a general enough nature to cause Senate votes to switch. Also the President's per sonal popularity and the money of the Republican party will be strong weapons. Do You Remember? (Looking backward through the files of The Press) 50 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK Mr. and Mrs. ?. W. Slagle re ;urned Friday from a visit to ;he World's Fair at St. Louis. Mr. E. K. Cunningham sold his place Friday evening to Mr. r. B. Shepherd. The amount paid was $3,000. Mr. W. W. Sloan, who with tils wife boards at Mr. Lee Crawford's, has an attack of ty phoid fever, but we are glad to report it seems to be a mild s case. 25 years ago Four prisoners made their escape from the local jail the night of the 20th by prizing up the roof and letting themselves down with the bedclothes. Nine Macon County students are enrolled at N. C. College (Woman's College) in Greens boro this year. They are: Misses Mildred Cozad, Hazel Higdon, Lenwood Ingram, Margaret A. McGuire, Virginia A. McGuire, Timoxena Crawford, Ora Sue Hunnicutt, Kathryn Porter, and Betty Sloan. i 10 TEARS AGO Paper bags are so scarce that Franklin merchants are asking shoppers to bring their own shopping bags. Miss Betty Slagle, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred M. Slagle, became the bride of Capt. Paul Rodger Kemper October 19. The Misses Marguerite and Clare Ravenel have returned to their winter home in Philadel phia, after spending the season in Highlands. papermen, of course, are among the worst offenders. And the newspapers that prate loudest about "the dignity of the in dividual" are the most stubborn in refusing to bestow this little token of dignity. To most news papers today', an unmarried woman is simply "Mary Brown". The fact that she's a gentle old lady of 80 makes no difference whatever. "You have to stick to the rules, you know." The heck you do! My observation is that all rules are broken; and that most of them ought to be broken sometimes. Besides, I don't like the rule. Nor have I ever heard any real ly valid reason for such a rule. Then there's that trend to refer to married women by their given names, rather than by their husbands'; "Mrs. Mary Smith" instead of "Mrs. John C. Smith". And women them selves appear to be responsible for this. Why? Are they ashamed to be identified with the men they married? Whatever their reason, the custom often is confusing. A person would remember a wom an by her maiden name, "Mary Brown", or as the wife of "John C. Smith", but "Mary Smith" often just doesn't register at all. This, of course, is purely a personal idiosyncrasy. It really doesn't greatly matter ? except as a possible symptom of what I often call The Great American Delusion. That delusion is that every body is just alike ? if one per son is different from others, there's something wrong with him. Therefore, since all in dividuals are just alike, there is no difference between men and women. To assume that makes things simpler. It does not follow that the assumption is true.
The Franklin Press and the Highlands Maconian (Franklin, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Oct. 28, 1954, edition 1
2
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75