and
QJhf Highland JRarnttten
WEIMAR JONES
Editorial Page Editor
THURSDAY. APRIL 28. I960
HERE AT HOME
Higher Education
We hear and say much about higher education,
and most of us agree it is so important it should
be generously supported. Usually, though, when we
say "higher education", we think in terms of the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, or
Woman's College at (ireensboro, or State College
at Raleigh.
Few of us are aware that we have an institution
-of higher education right here at home. And we are
not referring to Western Carolina College at Cttllo
whee, though that valuable school is virtually
right at home. We have in mind something here
in Macon County, the Highlands Biological Station.
That is an institution many Maconians know
next to nothing about, but which is gaining state
wide and even national recognition.
Its importance was recognized two years ago,
when this county's Rep. J. M. Raby got for it a
small grant-in-aid from the North Carolina Gen
eral Assembly. For the next biennium, the Station,
now operating on a full-time basis, is seeking a
modest appropriation in the ptate's budget for high
er education. Except for $40, (XX) .sought for repair
of the institution's Museum of Natural History and
the addition of a small auditorium to that building,
the money would go for operating expenses and
purchase of essential scientific equipment.
What does the Highlands Biological Station do?
Primarily, it offers facilities to students for basic
research in the field of biology. Basic research, of
course, is the kind that, on the surface, seems least
practical. The aim of basic research is to acquire
and classify new knowledge. Such activities, of
course, are far from impractical; for all the scien
tific developments in today's world were made pos
sible by the new knowledge brought to light by the
pure scientist. >
The Station is ideally situated for the purpose;
nowhere in Lastern America is there such a variety
of flora and fauna as in this region. No wonder
scientists from far and near come to Highlands to
dp research. Given encouragement and aid, the Sta
tion easily may become the . niecca for scientists
from all over the world, just as the CoWceta Hydro
logic Laboratory, a few miles away, .has become
for those interested in water.
We hope the Advisory Budget Commission and
the 1 ' >0 1 General'- Assemble will provide generously
for this institution that already is making so large
a contribution to higher education. They could look
a long way without finding a place where a lew
thousand' dollars wotild pay higher' dividends.
Progress, Too
Many us including this newspaper have had
much to say ^hoitl < 1 i r t y streets ami unkempt vards
and roadsides ; about the need to clean up, to im
prove, vto beautify.
Those things 110 doubt need saying; and sa\ ing
again and again. But perhaps it is not inniss to
point, too, to progress alonjj this line. For there
has been progress, great, progress ; everywhere are
spots made beautiful, by the hand of man or,
nlore oft?ii? of woman.
A drive through the country in recent weeks has
been an "experience to (|uicken the pulse. Even
where there is not another blossom, once .ed clay
banks are transformed by colorful phlox.
Hft'e in Franklin, too, is much to gladden the
eye. Two outstanding spots come to mind: Ratjkin
Sqliare. once an eye sore, now something worth
.stopping to see ? thanks to the Franklin Garden
Club: and the 'Church Street yard of the G. L.
Honks, which, for weeks, has made the passerby
catch his breath.
A Good Start .
This .community's newest, organization is the
Franklin Business and Professional Women's Club.
Headed by Mrs. Frank Henry Jr., it was char
tered at an impressive candle-lighting program
Saturday evening.
The new club, designed to "elevate the stand
ards", "promote the interest", "bring about a spirit
of cooperation among", and "extend opportunities
to" women in business and the professions, is off to
a good start with 20 charter members. It has, we
are sure, the best wishes of the community for a
/
Dr. Kahn's Letter
Letters to the editor, always sought by The
Press, are particularly welcome when th^y express
viewpoints different from ours. As we have repeat
edly pointed out, the editor may he wrong; besides*
the wider the variety of viewpoints expressed, the
easier it is for the reader to reach an intelligent de
cision.
Because Franklin's water problem is a matter
of such importance, a letter. such as Or. Kahn's is
doubly welcome. We'd be glad to publish other let
ters on this subject.
Solely for the purpose of keeping the record
straight, it should be pointed out that the figures
Or. Kahn uses on ihc cost of a Wayah watershed
not only are, as he says, estimates; the estimates
are in dispute. The figures he uses, in fact, are
only one of at least three different sets of esti
mates. -First, there was an estimate by the town's
engineers, I larwood-Beebe Company: second, a
totally different estimate by Messrs. H. H. Plem
mons and YV. Russell C'abe, local engineers: and
a third, lower estimate, made by Harwood-Beebe
after study of the l'lemmons-Cabe figures.
Insight, Not Income
At a time when there is widespread confusion
about education and what it is for, something Dr.
Amos Abrams said here last week tends to clarify
the atmosphere.
Speaking to Macon County teachers and their
gue>sts, Dr. Abrams, editor of North Carolina Edu
cation, said in substance:
"I am not so interested in raising per capita in
come as in deepening people's insight."
That distinction gets at the very core of educa
tion ? the development of individuals. For while ed
ucation sometimes results in a higher .standard of
living, that is and must remain a by-product. Life is
more, much more, than physical comforts and con
veniences and even these, secondary and inciden
tal as they are, come from deepened insight.
live job of education today is exactly what it
was sixty years ago when Aycock so clearly de
fined it-? to give boys- ahd girls the opportunity "to
burgeon, out". all that is within them..
Looking Ahead
?Most of us, in the conduct of both our personal
and our public business, wait l<> buy something .we
iiecd,. or will need, until we have to have it in a
hurry.
That way, we are likely to have less choice,
there is no time to shop around, we may have to
pay a higher price, and we probably will not be -in
position to finance the purchase in the most ad
v;tnt a^eoiis 'way ?. S milarly, t'liece are advantages in
buyiii-; what is goinv. to be needed, ahead of time.
?
rtii'ihase by couriiy .school authorities of the
Leach property, adjoining the Franklin School, is
a ca of such long-range planning. The school in
evii'abK is goii g to need more land, the Leach
pr< ipert y is about all the land adjoining it that is
ever likely to be available, and once it had been sub
divided and developed, it would have been avail
able only at a prohibitive cost.
The county board of education and county super
intendent, it seems to us, have shown excellent
judgment. We in this community could use a lot
more such preparing-today-for-tomorrow's-needs.
i . ? '
Bright Spot
Look hard enough and you can always find a
bright spot.
For the taxpayer, the current bright spot is
Mississippi. That state has cut its income tax rate
by as much as 50 per cent in the higher brackets,
and, as an aid to the small man, has boosted per
sonal exemption to the realistic figure of SI OCX).
(The federal figure remains $600.)
Interesting speculation: Because there's such a
thing as a point of diminishing returns, Mississippi
may, in the long run, get more tax money, not less,
as a result of the cut. ,
Leave The Squeal
(Miami Herald) ,
Packers use everything In the pig except the squeal? they
leave that for the budget-minded housewife.
I '?
Money And Friends
(Greeley, Colo., Booster)
The MAlest way to make money Is to make friends, and the
LETTERS
Dr. Kahn On Water
Dear Mr. Jones:
In the past several months much has been written in The
Franklin Press about the development of a new water supply
for Franklin. A good part of this has been written in editor
ials and since editorial writers are people and people have
prejudices, one viewpoint has been stressed.
As a member of the Board of Alderman, I have been in
volved In this problem for some time and would like to present
it as I see it. The sources of the material I present are avail
able to anyone who wishes to see them.
Several years ago it became apparent that Franklin's water
supply was inadequate. Attempts to augment it by drilling
new wells and increasing the water storage capacity helped
only to a very limited degree and it was felt that a new
source of water must soon be developed to meet the growing
demands. It was also apparent that without an adequate
supply of water, we could not attract new industry, let alone
take care of population growth and the commercial and in
dustrial consumers already here.
The Harwood-Beebe Company was employed to make a
survey of the situation, study the available sources of water
and recommend what should be done. This company is a well
known municipal and civil engineering firm which has been
in business for forty years and has an outstanding reputation
for its work. Its engineers are highly trained and experienced
and the development of a municipal water system is not just
a rare extracurricular activity for them.
In 1956, they recommended that a million gallon per day
water filtration plant be built using Cartoogechaye Creek as
the source of raw water, in 1959 they were asked to review
their original report since there were several people who
thought that it would be better to use Wayah Creek or its
tributaries as the source of water. They did this, and again
determined that their original recommendation was best.
In their report the following sources of water were con
siderated: The Little Tennessee River, the Cullasaja River,
Cartoogechaye Creek, Ellijay Creek, the North Prong of Elli
jay Creek, Wayah Creek and Walnut Creek. Cartoogechaye
Creek was the Choice because of the adequacy of the amount
of water, the quality of the water, the reserve capacity and
possibilities of expansion and the fact that we could get more
for the money spent by developing this source.
When considering the quantity of water available we must
know the amount available during a period of drought and
we must remember that~ the drier the year the greater the
demand for water. Information has been obtained from the
Geological Survey of the United States Department of Interior,
the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Coweeta Hydrologic
Laboratory about the minimum flow on these streams. No ac
tual measurements have been made on Rough Fork or Wayah
(EDITOR'S NOTE: At the time he wrote this letter, Dr. Kahn
did not know about measurements made April 18. See story
elsewhere in this issue) but measurements made at nearby
sites were considered applicable. The Rough Fork Creek water
shed is approximately 2.35 square miles, Wayah Creek 9 square
miles and Cartoogechaye Creek 57.1 square miles. The mini
mum flow in gallons per day from Rough Fork Creek Is
713,400; Wayah Creek 2,732,500; Cartoogechaye 17,441,000.
During 1959, the average daily water consumption in Frank
lin was 486,720 gallons. In 1956, it was approximately 300,000
gallons. Part of this increase is due to better metering of
water consumption but the larger part is due to increased
water use. With growth like this (and some dry weather)
Rough Fork Creek would soon be inadequate. Also if water is
obtained from a single watershed as small as Rough Fork
Creek a forest fire in that area would put us out of the water
business.
In considering the comparative costs of developing a water
supply system f'om pa? of these sources we must remember
that we can only net estimated costs. The exact cost cannot
be known until b ds are received on the completed plans and
specifications. The Harwood-Beebe Company estimates are
based on the . costs of several water projects they have com
pleted in recent years.
A one million pa'lon per day filter plant pn Cartoogechaye
Creek with accessory structures and pipelines is estimated to'
Continued on Page 3
DO YOU REMEMBER?
?
Looking Backward Through the Flies of fhe Pres..
65 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK
(1895)
Next week is court.
Mrs. Margaret Moore is ninety years old today.
Miss Annie Slagle, of Wayah Creek, was in town Saturday.
Our streets are not so lively now on pretty days. The farm
ers are at work.
35 YEARS AGO
<1925)
i .
The Franklin Realty Company is sub-dividing "Bidwell
Heights", residential property lying along Bidwell and Lyle
Streets, between Harrison Avenue and West Main Street, and
will offer it at auction nejtt month;
The American Legion post is planning the biggest July
Fourth celebration Macon County has ever had. A feature
will be the home-coming of Macon's sons and daughters
from far and near.
15 YEARS AGO
(1945)
Mr and Mrs John H. Thomas, of Iotla Street, will cele
brate their golden wedding anniversary Sunday with open
house.
Mr and Mrs. Grady Cunningham, of Otto, have announced
the marriage of their daughter, 'Miss Edith Cunningham, to
William ' M. Bytd, of Prentiss.
T. Sgt. William Victor Queen and Cpl. Lewis Vanhook, both
of Macon County, who were liberated January 31 from Ger
man war prisons, reached Franklin last week for visits with
their respective parents and families.
5 YEARS AGO
(1955)
Forty-one Franklin seniors will leave today on a trip to
Washington, D. C. and New York.
Robert Jack Angel Monday night was elected president of
the Franklin Lions Club.
?
STRICTLY
PERSONAL
By WKIMAR JONES
More than two years ago, I
wrote in this space a little piece
about Mrs. Lee Crawford, who,
then in her nineties, had been
seriously ill at the home of her
daughter in North Wilkesboro.
Recovered, she came back home
the next summer , . . back into
the cool shadow of her native
mountains, into the warm affec
tion of her beloved Macon County
friends and kin.
When I went to see her, on her
return, her first remark had to do
with what I had written about
her:
"You sort of shined me up,
didn't you, Sonny?" she laughed.
I hadn't, of course. No human
appraisal of a man or woman who
possesses goodness and strength
? if it is an honest appraisal ?
is adequate; invariably, it is
inadequate.
But since she liked that little
piece then, perhaps it is not in
appropriate to re-print it now:
It's a waste of time, as far as
she is concerned, to put backs on
chairs, for she never has been
known to touch a chair back.
So. when we visited her the
other day, it was not surprising
to see her scorn the back rest of
the hospital bed that has been
set up in her room, at the home
of her daughter. She greeted us
sitting bolt upright.
At 93. she has been hospitalized
twice within two months. Each
time, I would guess, the doctors
didn't expect her to leave the hos
pital alive. Each time, she fooled
them ? and, I am sure, secretly
chuckled at proving them wrong.
Anyway, we found her very much
alive.
The tiny body is weak. But the
mind grasps facts and ideas with
the quickness and sureness of a
steel trap. And the spirit within
still flames.
I know her better than most,
because it so happens she is my
"Aunt Carrie". It is no accident,
though, that Mrs. Lee Crawford
is "Aunt Carrie" or "Miss Carrie"
or sometimes "Miss Tote" to half
the county. Most of the older
people know and love her. Most of
the younger ones at least know of
her ? and respect and admire
the litt'.e oid lady who trips so
gaily alonii the street, her vision
and haar'nr. better than that of
many half her age.
But it is not just her physical
stamina that has made her some
thing of an institution in her
native Macon. It is a matter of
chaiacter. She embodies those
traits the people of the mountains
admire most ? fierce loyalty, in
dependence, stern honesty, de
termination. and courage. Those,
plus an unquenchable zest for
life.
? . * ?
Mis. Jones and I went to North
WilkeFboro to see her, hoping we
soulc1 cheir her up. Well, when
ll^e visit was over, it was we
who had been cheered, our
spirits lifted.
She has the rare gift of having
every smallest joy come as a
delightful surprise, and her ap
preciation aline made the trip
one of the most rewarding ex
periences of our lives.
We were touched, too, by the
sweetness and tenderness of one
mellowed by the years; impressed
by the selflessness that prompted
her, forgetful of her own ills, to
ask in detail about her friends
here ? "give them all my love";
and moved by the indomitable
spirit that, for more than 90 years,
has forced her frail body to do
its bidding. ?
"I'm going to get up", she told
//us, firmly ? and the determination
in the voice carried conviction to
those who heard it.
?orn near the end of the Civil
War. she grew up at a time when
Poverty was the rule; an? never
has life been easy for her. The
WtefuL disappointment, and
55 ? have come her way
might have embittered one ot
h^fh CLaraCter' But never once
has she been sorry for herself ?
and never has she allowed any
body else to be.
forLUSJla8n't b6en hard for her
lor the very good reason sh*
hasn't considered it hard. On the
h8S aIways bought
of herself as fortunate. That came
out a year or two ago. in a re
when~ shpS h?f the rare occasions
aSon ? T spoken of her re"
?g^ 7hT S.UP.
Me^gs8-00" f?r a" my
* * ?
Prom the first, Carrie Sloan
rnu,(S?methln* of a ??el and 4
years have cushion
fit' happily have not ex
tinguished, that spirit. The stories
of her quick repartee and of her
bock.rm'naUOn W0Uld "?
pl^tT It 016 ?De about her re
"Old^r , ie ?sometlmes irascible
Old Dr. (J. m.) Lyle". Seeinir hpr
a tiny girl, dressed all in yellow'
he called, "Good morning Miss
SETS?*" Q"lck 118 a fla^
Horner" m?
ShIhewrL1SHt1e ?ne 8bOUt the time
she was determined not to be
founa , when the game was hide
whe"neek' She Was found on'y
Sloan t Passerby rushed into the
Sloan home to alarm the family
to thi was hanging by her fingers
to the outer ledge of a second
story window.
There was the occasion when
one of a group of teasing boys, on
nni W<af 10 sch?ol, kissed her
nil! older sister-whose dig
nity was outraged. The sister was
lame, so small Carrie took charge
enth-t WUh r?Cks' 8116 drove the
entire group of boys to the very
top of a nearby tree.
Then, there was the time, when
she was in her 70 's, that a vicious
Crawford'" f? COrnfield on the
WM I? h rm Evet^bt>cy who
was at home was afraid of him
Everybody, that is, but i
Carrie , who, as far as her friends
know, never has feared anything
Td ripf UP a Pitchfork' she march
ed determinedly after the bull
and that animal, evidently realiz
mee .r,rhmatCl,ed' ~d
meekly to the barn and into his
And there is the Siler Family
Meeting picnic dinner story At
that annual reunion, a table is
"Mi^1Tohte"herIy and infirm But
thereof Jlafnever been found
giavitates toward a young group
^^peisons nearer her own spiritual
Even those who enjoy them
mcst often find these family gatlv<
?n '?eeenJVeaTs'r^rg^oupT'
gathej in some home, each Familv
uZT trhiBht't f0r and
"c 'uZ J e . star Performer is
? arne ? at the piano. For
PleasanUy^no^algic^atooTphere'
-"rpty^Teeaf?U0WSan0the';
Finally, there was the Franklin
WM She h'H ?" 1955' When -sh"
Q-enfMr.^^nnkCrOWned
oldfg''htThC band struck "p^n
asked hpneCf WaltZ' and a nePhew
asked her to dance. Evei-vbodv
else stopped dancing,
across" &S *he ~
across the floor, graceful ?f?ri
charming as a gi* '
danced the waltz through.
HACK TO OBSCURITY
Remember These Names?
ELKIN TRIBUNE
Remember Charles Van Doren?
Mr. Van Doren Is now practicing
journalism in semi-obscurity. Ted
dy Nadler, the $264,000 quiz win
ner. has just flunked a test for
a temporary census job. Gino
Prato, the opera specialist and
first big name quiz winner, is back
repairing shoes.
In a way this is symbolic of what
has happened to the great Ameri
can TV reform movement of last
fall. Like these three performers
of momentary fame, the once-in
dignant public has gone back to
more modest and familiar pur
suits.
So far the broadcasting industry
has been left to self-regulation,
of which it has done a slight
amount, primarily in changing
minor rales rather than improv
ing programming. The scare has
put payola ? and its offspring,
rock and roll ? pretty much out '
of business. And there has been
a crackdown on the more blatant
misrepresentations in commerci
als.
But on the whole, the great re
form In programming has not
taken place. TV Columnist John
Crosby reports that one network
has even scheduled an increase of
a dozen Westerns for next season.
However, all hope is not lost.
Legislation is still brewing in the'
House Commerce Committee, some
of which, if passed, would help
safeguard the mcfre enlightened
broadcasting license-holders a
gainst operators devoted to Com
mercialism first.
An hour of bad programming
is never as spectacular a goad as
the quiz scandals or payola. But
it is to be hoped that every such
hour will arouse enough indigna
tion in some viewers to cause
them to send post cards to their
congressman about the Commerce
Committee bills, and to the sta
tions or sponsor about this pro
gram. So should every good pro
gram promote a card of approval.
A stack of post cards by the TV
set would remind viewers to vote
? selectively. ( ( t
REPRISAL
We are delighted to learn that
the hula hoop craze has finally
reached Russia. If they give us
any more trouble well send them