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Entered at Poet Office. Franklin, N. C., as second class matter
Published every Thursday by The Franklin Press
Franklin, N. C. Telephone 24
WEIMAR JONES
BOB 8. SLOAN
Editor
Advertising Manager
J. P. BRADY News Editor-Photographer
MRS. ALLEN SILER Society Editor Office Manager
MRS. MARION BRYSON Proofreader
CARL P. CABE Operator -Machinist
FRANK A. STARRETTE
O. B CRAWFORD
CHARLES E. WHTTTINOTON
DAVID H. SUTTON
Compositor
Stereotyper
Pressman
Commercial Printer
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Closed Minds
People in the South are frequently charged with
racial prejudice, and all too often the charge is jus
tified. That is bad, because no problem can be solv
ed by closed minds.
Unhappily, though, all the closed minds are not
in the South. And since the problem always present
when two races live side by side is nation-wide,
closed minds outside the South are iust as great a
handicap as closed minds in this region.
The daily press of the past week has furnished
three striking examples:
Item One: Senator Lehman, of New York, urging
Northerners to "clean up our own back yard" in
the matter of racial segregation and discrimina
tion, cited Harlem. A largely Negro section, it has
a high rate of crime and juvenile delinquency. But,
declared Senator Lehman, poverty, congestion, and
sub-standard housing and schools are responsible;
racial background has nothing to do with it. Sen
ator Lehman may be right ; it would vastly simpli
fy our problem if we could be sure he is right ? if
all that was necessary to improve people was to
improve their environment. That isn't entirely true,
though, of life other than human, and we have no
conclusive proof it is true of humans. But that the
ory fits in nicely with the philosophy of the all-out
integrationists, so they refuse to see any evidence
to the contrary. New York state, in fact, by mak
ing it illegal to classify crime, etc., bv race, makes
it impossible for there to be any evidence to the
contrary.
Item Two: In Washington, North Carolina's At
torney General Rodman testified before a Congres
sional committee in opposition to pending so-called
civil rights legislation. But neither committee mem
bers nor the several co-sponsors of the legislation
bothered to hear what Mr. Rodman had to say;
when he finished, the only legislator present was
the chairman. The point is not whether Mr. Rod
man was right or wrong, or even whether the legis
lation is good or bad. The point is Congressmen
make a farce of committee hearings when they de
cline to listen to any testimony not in accord with
their own preconceived conclusions.
Item Three: Race rioting on an excursion steam
er operating between a Canadian beach resort and
Buffalo, N. Y., created what the Associated Press
described as "a night of terror" for the passengers.
It was serious enough for the F. B. I. to launch a
thorough investigation. But most New York news
papers ignored the story entirely, buried it on in
side pages, or carefully eliminated all reference to
race.
It's about time we all waked up to the fact you
don't solve a problem bv pretending it isn't there;
about time we realized that the only way any prob
lem ever has been really solved was by carefully
collecting every scrap of available evidence, and
then considering that evidence with open minds.
Wise Decision
President Verlon Swafford and the Franklin
Chamber of Commerce board have shown good
judgment in deciding to put the organization's first
emphasis this year on tourist promotion.
Franklin is, and for a long time to come prob
ably will continue to be, primarily a trading center
for a farming area. Most agricultural commun
ities seek to supplement the community income
and balance its economy with some industry. We
in Western North Carolina are fortunate in having
the opportunity for a second supplemental and
balancing factor ? tourists. And, since the more
diversified a community's economy is, the more
stable it is, it would be foolish not to take advan
tage of that opportunity.
Thanks to the intelligence and cooperation, over
the years, of a lot of people, including Franklin
business men, agriculture in Macon County is both
progressive and sound; some of our most prosper
ous citizens are farmers. And we have done more,
in the last ten years, toward industrialization than
in the previous hundred.
There are valid arguments, in fact, that we have
gone as far, industrially, as we should go, at present.
A too-sudden change in an economy often is as bad
as no change at all ; the community needs time to
adjust to changes ? otherwise confusion and the
loss of stability and a lot of values is likely to re
sult. i
In any case, it seems to us, the next industrial
needs are small, diversified plants. Our two largest
industries are both textiles ? that isn't diversifica
tion. And the plans of one of them for expansion
mean what amounts to yet another large indus- 1
try here. This county has been most fortunate in
the industries that have come in ; by the law of
averages, it will not always be so fortunate. And
an unhappy choice of yet another industry that is
big ? as compared with Franklin's size ? could
provel disastrous. If we need more industry now,
the need is for small ? - the smaller, the better ?
plants producing a diversity of products, and pref
erably home-owned.
We've moved along in fanning (with lumber
ing, mining, and other lines of business making
their contributions), and we have gone forward
rapidly in industrialization. For a balance, this
year's emphasis quite properly should be on tour
ists (including efforts to attract people who are
ready to retire, or who want to build summer
homes in this county). And all indications are the
tourists will be in Western North Carolina this
season ; the only problem is to bring a fair share
of them to Macon Count}-.
Not just to Franklin, but to Macon County. As a
matter of fact, as this newspaper has repeatedly
pointed out the past ten years, the effort to attract
tourists should be a combined effort, by Franklin
and Highlands working together. Such coopera
tion, in fact, would seem to make so much sense,
we believe it will not be long until we have here a
single chamber of commerce for all Macon County.
State Needs Him
^This newspaper is in no position to pass judg
ment on the years-long controversy at Woman's
College, Greensboro, that has resulted in the resig
nation of Dr. E. K. Graham as chancellor of that
institution.
Even if Dr. Graham were entirely without fault,
the controversy probably had destroyed his use
fulness, at Woman's College; he suggested as much,
in fact, in his letter of resignation.
But the usefulness of the 45-year old educator is
not at an end ? far from it. The very qualities
that made him unacceptable to some members of
the Woman's College faculty are badly needed in
this state. This brilliant native of North Carolina
dares to think, to question if all accepted educa
tional methods and standards are necessarily the
best ones, and to seek and try to apply remedies
for some of the multitude of problems that face
education today.
North Carolina education needs such a man. Tf
North Carolina is smart, it will find a place for him
elsewhere within the .state.
Others' Opinions
(Opinions expressed in this space are not necessarily those
of The Press. Editorials selected for reprinting here, in fact, .
are chosen with a view to presenting a variety of viewpoints.
They are, that is. Just what the caption says ? OTHERS'
Opinions.)
Paradox
(Arthur Schleslnger, Jr., In The Reporter)
Our gross national product rises; our shops overflow with
gadgets and gimmicks; consumer goods of ever-increasing in
genuity jnd luxuriance pour out of our ears. But our schools
become more crowded and dilapidated, our teachers more
weary and underpaid, our playgrounds more crowded, our
cities dirtier, our roads more teeming and filthy, our na
THE JVE W AKISTOCliAC ' Y
tion&l parks more unkempt, our law enforcement more over
worked and inadequate. And we wonder why, for example,
we have a growing problem of Juvenile delinquency!
They All Do It
(Chapel Hill News Leader)
British prime minister Eden's refusal to discuss the missing
frogman, and what he was doing near a visiting Russian
crusler, will make the supposition all the stronger that some
kind of spying work was going on while the Russian envoys
were being entertained in England.
No government ought to elevate its nose about spying.
They all do it ? by virtue of that strange code that forbids
certain practices to individuals as abhorrent and yet permits
governments to resort to tricks that a skunk would rebel at.
What institution except a government would wine and dine
a visitor with every appearance of geniality, and at the same
time have his trunk examined, his telephone tapped, and his
every movement shadowed by undercover agents?
Some observers might argue that all this is permissible and
even necessary as between enemy g6vernments; yet the same
thing goes on among governments that are not only friendly
but are actually members of an alliance. None trusts another
further than a ten-pound shot would fall.
What impels a citizen to be honest and above-board if he
sees his own government acting to the contrary? If the pres
ent low descent in the moral realm is to be raised, why not
demand that one's own government begin setting the stand
ard?
Choosing A President
(U. N. C. Daily Tar Heel)
The trustees (of the University of North Carolina) are in
the process of picking a new president to replace Gordon
Gray. i ,
There appear to be two trends. One is to leave the state
and find a "name" to become president. A "name," it is alleg
ed, will bring the University more "prestige."
The other trend is toward staying at home and picking a
president who has given much time and service and thought
to the Consolidated University of North Carolina. That man,
most people agree (and this newspaper feels certain) is Wil
liam C. Friday, presently the acting president.
The idea of picking a "name", we feel, Is a bad one. It
will appear to do the University good, but in the long run it
won't add one whit of prestige or advantage to Chapel Hill,
Raleigh and Greensboro. The General Assembly may stand in
awe of a president with an awe-provoking name for a year or
so, but after that the permanent improvements appropria
tion for Chapel Hill will still be $0.00 unless the General As
sembly changes its state of mind.
The man who should be president of the Consolidated Uni
versity, we feel, sits right now in the president's office in
South Building. Educated at State College and the University
here, William Friday is vitally concerned with the University
and the state and the University's responsibility to educate
the people of this state.
He has, among his many capabilities, one that is somewhat
phenomenal in these days and times: He is honest with the
people who deal with him and the University. And honesty in
public office was never in such demand as it is now.
T would rather be defeated in a good cause than to triumph
in a bad one.? Alexander H. Stephens.
STRICTLY
PERSONAL
By WEIMAR JONES
Just now I am not very proud
of being a Methodist; and here
is why.
First, though, let me emphasize
that, as a member ? even though
an unworthy one ? of the Meth
odist Church, I feel a freedom to
speak plainly about it that I
would feel about no other church.
If what I say applies to other
churches, too, it is for members
of those denominations to make
the application. I am speaking
about my own church.
At its recent General Confer
ence in Minneapolis, the Metho
dist Church took the first step
toward desegregating Methodism.
As to whether that is a right
and a wise step, there is room
for honest disagreement. My criti
cism is directed not at what my
church , has set out to do, but at
when.
Desegregation is demanded by
Christian duty, it was declared at
Minneapolis. There are strong ar
guments to support that. But if it
is Christian duty, why has the
Methodist Church waited so lont
to act? Specifically, why did il
not act, say, years before
instead of years after, the pro
nouncement of the Supreme Court
a purely secular body?
If Christian conscience, as rep
resented by the Methodist church
no longer dares lead, on a mattei
it counts Christian duty, but
timidly waits for a secular agencj
to blaze the trail, then Christiar
conscience is in a bad way. T;
early Christians, their religior
was, first of all, one of courage
and boldness; to theip, such timid
ity, in the n < of Christianity
surely would /e been a desecra
tion of the very word.
The Inference is inescapable ?
(See Back Page, 1st Section)
Our Celebrities---Drunk With Sense Of Their Self-importance?
Richmond JYeics- Leader
Nobody believes that you can
fill a man with a lot of liquor
and have him stay sober. Then
why do we seem so surprised
when we fill a man (or woman)
with a lot of adulation, and then
find that he is drunk with a
sense of self-importance?
When a beautiful and empty
film actress, who only a few years
ago was serving milk shakes at a
drive-in, walks off the lot in a
tizzy, suspending a million-dollar
production, it is the public who
has given her a blank check for
arrogant behavior.
When a loose-mouthed ukulele
player is upbraided for treating
his associates and employees like
so many trained fleas, the upbraid
ers fail to see that their elevation
of such people to minor deities is
responsible for their outrageous
conduct.
The new aristocracy in Amer
ican society ? which is democratic
only at the polls ? is comprised
largely of entertainment figures,
who are inflated out of all pro
portion to their talent, character
or value to the social order.
The balloon is manufactured by
the promoters of these spurious
personalities; but it is blown up
by the public to intolerable dimen
sions.
The recent engagement of a
coldly pretty, but untalented
actress to a minor Qureopean
princeling was a dashing news
story for a day or two; but it is
scarcely deserving of weeks of
gushingly inane comment.
The press may overemphasize
such rubbish, but its over-empha
sis is based on a shrewd knowledge
of the public's wistful adoration
of celebrities ? even when these
celebrities have done little to just
ify their eminence in the arts,
the sciences, or the neglected area
of public service.
The ancient, traditional aristoc
racy had its grave faults, but
these faults were at least balance!
by a sense of noblesse oblige ? b;
a recognition that birth, breedini
and good fortune imposed a cei
tain code of conduct upon thi
favored ones.
The new aristocracy is vulgar
witless and anarchic. It worship
at the shrine of publicity, accept
no merit beyond the figures a
the box-office, and respects ni
loyalties that are not formed 01
the basis of mutual expediency.
We have created these fantastl
cally inflated robots, and we havi
little reason to complain whet
they reveal themselves as beasts o:
boors or betrayers of our trust.
VIEWS
By
BOB SLOAN
Advertising and promotion pay,
particularly in the tourist busi
ness.
I know of two incidents which
have brought this to my attention
very vividly, recently.
Sunday, I went to see a sport
car mountain climb conducted at
Grandfather Mountain. There
were more than a thousand people
there.
Now Grandfather Mountain has
some pretty scenery, almost as
pretty as Wayah Bald, but there
weren't two hundred people on
Wayah Bald this past Sunday.
The difference was that Grand
father Mountain is advertized and
publicized all over eastern United
States and someone had promoted
an event there ? the sport car
race.
An incident closer home is the
Ruby mine business here in the
Cowee valley. A year ago, I doubt
if there were as many people
looking for Rubies in the Cowee
valley in a month as they have
there each week-end now. This
great increase has been caused
by a few publicity stories being
released with nation wide cover
age. Incidentally J. P. Brady was
more responsible for this than
any other person, I believe.
A bouquet to the Chamber of
Commerce too, for folowing up
with the bumper stickers which
advertise the attraction. That is
the kind of cooperation which
will help pick Franklin up.
We have the scenery and the
climate. All we need is the "gim
mick" to catch the tourist's at
tention. The Ruby mine is such
a deal.
? ? ?
Entirely of different nature is
the joint annual revival service
to be held soon at the Friend
ship Tabernacle. This is one of
the finest events we have each
year. Particularly appealing this
year, I think, will be the music
under the direction of Mr. Lowell
McKee. Mr. McKee is already
working hard to gather together
the finest singers from all the
churches of Macon County. We
feel sure it will be one of the
best groups ever brought together
here. Be sure to come listen and
see if I'm not right.
Do You
Remember?
(Looking backward through
the files of The Press)
50 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK
Three from Macon County re
ceived their license to practice
medicine after standing the State
Board examination in Charlotte.
They are Lewis W. Elias, Harry
M. Jones, and Mary E. Lapham,
of Highlands.
Miss "T" Kelly, who has been
teaching in Mt. Airy, N. C? dur
ing the past year arrived Friday
to spend her vacation with home
people.
Mr. E. Patton reported the first
French Coach colt in the county
foaled Monday morning. It is a
female and the first colt ever
foaled in the county entitled to#
registration.
25 YEARS AGO
Miss Bessie Neely who has been
attending school at Flora McDon
ald the past winter has returned
to the home of her parents, Mr.
and Mrs. Benson. Neely. ? High
lands item.
Norman Blaine left Tuesday to
attend the University of Alabama
summer session. t
The Rev. Norvin C. Duncan, of
Cooleeme, near Salisbury, has ac
cepted a call the joint rectorate
of St. Agnes Church, Franklin and
the Church of the Incarnation, at
Highlands.
10 YEARS AGO
Miss Dorothy Walker, of Elkin,
has been employed as choir di
rector of the Franklin Baptist
Church for the summer months
f and will take up her duties June
1 13.
p J, W. Crawford, a representa
tive of the Van Raalte Company,
, was in Franklin Tuesday in con
s nection with plans of the com
s pany to build a textile plant in
t East Franklin.
a Dr. Eugene Odum, assistant
1 professor of biology, University of
Georgia, is to be one of the re
search fellows at the Weyman
2 Laboratory in Highlands this sum
l mer. He is to make a quantita
r tive study on birds of the area. ?
Highlands item.