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Page TWO THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 1958 ILOT Southern Pines North Carolina “In taking over The Pilot no changes are contemplated. We will try to keep this a good paper. We will try to make a little money for all concerned. Wherever there seems to be an occasion to use our influence for the public good we will try to do it. And we will treat everybody alike.”—James Boyd, May 23, 1941. Shadow Across The Nation Distribution by the Associated Press of an analytical article on Charles .Starkweather, by a professor of criminology who interviewed at length the 19-year-old killer, serves to give _the nation some idea of the personality forces that lie behind the murder of 11 persons. His gun, said the article, was Starkweath er’s “defeated ego’s short road to power”— an extreme example of the modern world’s idealization of the short and easy way of do ing things, our lack of patience, our neglect of rigorous training and our disrespect for work, craftsmanship and slowly developed skill. What got us to thinking about Starkweath er again was, in addition to the AP article, an item in “The Reporter” on the mental make-up of the “hipster”—the cult of young people that is said to flourish in San Francisco and else where and which is distinguished by its im perturbable hostility and apathy to most everything except certain accepted and often odd personal gratifications along the road of life. This item quoted a 28-year-old hipster as saying: “I dig that boy Starkweather.” And why? Because he not only despised ordinary, dull, sensible people (who are known to the The Golden Age of Comedy Revived The Pilot, which has uttered a good many unkind words about current motion pictures, tips its hat to the industry for the sheer de light of “The Golden Age of Ckimedy,” a col lection of excerpts from comedies made 25 to 40 years ago. It wasn’t simply nostalgia that made these scenes so fascinating to us, though they did bring back a flood of memories of the time of Model T’s, knickerbockers and so forth. An eight-year-old sitting next to us was so over whelmed by Laurel and Hardy kicking each other’s shins or a dowager with a lorgnette, getting a custard pie in the face (something that didn’t stop her from continuing to view the world haughtily through the lorgnette*) that he was rendered explosively helpless and had to beat the empty seat in front of him to obtain relief. It could have been a Saturday'afternoon in 1925. What an incomparable sensation! How wonderful to see them again; Will Rogers as a harassed police chief, mounting and dismounting from his horse in a fantastic series of flips and stiff pirouettes. Or again as Robin Hood, satirizing the dashing Douglas Fairbanks; Edgar Kennedy, master of the “slow burn,” displaying fearfully mounting anger when tormented by Laurel and Hardy who are dressed in sailor suits; crosseyed Ben Turpin tied to a post in a cellar which is fill- >ing up with water and then along, comes a dog chasing a cat, both of them into the water, splash and round and round, and the cat takes refuge on Ben’s head as the water reaches the level of his neck. “Why can’t they do it now?” we asked a friend as we left the fheatre. “Mostly because there are too many taboos in our way of life today,” was the reply. “Nowadays, the SPCA wouldn’t let them throw a cat and dog into the water or tie a knot in a lion’s tail when it comes through a , hole in the end of its cage. Certainly the FBI and the National Association of Chiefs of Police wouldn’t approve of law enforcement officers losing their pants at strategic mo ments. What about that horribly hilarious scene in which three whole carloads (‘touring cars’ with no tops) of pursuing sheriff’s depu ties go hurtling over a cliff, while the watch- For Peaceful Purposes ‘Thrilling’ —And Deadly Information about the atomic reactor plant to be built at Blewett’s Falls, about an hour’s drive from Southern Pines, was given to the Kiwanis Club by a speaker last week, making it even more clear what an important instal lation the plant will be. Opinion of David McConnell of Charlotte, the speaker and a member of the group be hind the project, is that North Carolina “should become the nuclear energy center for the East.” Mr. McConnell listed nine fields of industrial, agricultural and medical research in which the new plant is expected to become active. In the welter of discussion about bomb test ing, bomb stockpiling and other controversial subjects, it is sometimes overlooked that atomic research for peaceful purposes is go ing on constantly in this country and else where in the world. The proposed plant at Blewett’s Falls apparently will be a signifi cant unit in this process. Results of experi ments there may become revolutionary in numerous fields of human living in years to come. The influence of all this activity can be expected to reach this area in various ways, from the moment construction of the plant begins. ‘‘Just THe Fleas! The Fleas, Sir! DonH Asphyxiate Me” hipsters as “squares”) but because he did something about it by killing 11 of them. Certainly, the proportion of persons who feel like this is very small, yet we are won dering if the Starkweather case isn’t an ex tremely virulent outbreak of a moral virus that is infecting many of us in various de grees. It’s normal for one generation to be in re volt against the preceding one, to a certain degree. We don’t even worry if the revolt is in a large degree, if the young people are de voted to a program of positive values. But when it’s a revolt that is based on rejection, apathy and hostility, we get worried. This ideal of staying “cool” and walking one’s lonely, amoral way—like the animal whose name the hipsters use to describe them selves, the cat—is dangerous and evil. Yet shadows of this outlook are falling across the lives of a great many of our young people. In a phrase, a glance, the potentialities of this chilling menace is recognized. We don’t see all this as a grave threat to the great majority of young people—yet. But it’s sompthing to recognize^for what it is; pure evil in the light of all the great values on which our civilization is based. - 1 -cO mm 'Mi er’s sympathies lie entirely with the escaping outlaw—what kind of healthy social outlook is |that? Every delinquent in the country would be blamed on that movie. Does it en courage wholesome family life, it would be asked, for a wife to take after her husband with a two-by-four and lay waste a whole neighborhood in the ensuing chase? Those are some of the reasons you couldn’t make ‘Gold en Age’ comedies today.” And the world, we say, is a poorer place without them.. New Girl Scout Camp Presentation of a camp site to the Central Carolina Girl Scout Council by the Tufts fam ily of Pinehurst is a generous action that will be applauded by everyone interested in the youth of this area. Camp Gertrude Tufts is named in honor of the late Mrs. Leonard Tufts, whose husband played such a prominent part in the develop ment Of Pinehurst into a world-renowned winter resort. The new site> about a mile off the Pine hurst - Aberdeen highway, offers excellent camping facilities anl enables girls of the four-county Central Carolina area to enjoy it without traveling long distances from their homes. Camping for Boy Scouts is ba^d On the large and well-developed Camp Durant near Raleigh which is attended by boys from all 12 counties in the Occoneechee Council and is supported by funds raised in all the counties. While this system serves to make complete and elaborate camping facilities available to a large number of boys, it necessitates long travel by boys from several of the counties and is not available for year-around use by small parties of local campers. In Scouting for boys or girls, we feel that modest local facilities, easily reached and usable more often, make sense. We congratu lates the Girl Scouts and leaders on their new facility and suggest that some similar site might be donated by someone and developed for Boy Scout use. 1 Adlai Stevenson Urging New American Initiative Readers of these pages know that we set no great store by automobile speed and power. A lot of dead people would be alive today if automobiles couldn’t run as fast as they do. There is some doubt as to whether big-time auto races are cause or effect in this matter of speed. Whatever the answer, we note that the Indianapolis Speedway—the acme of rac ing importance in the United States—^killed its 48th driver on Memorial Day. While several hundred other persons were also killed by motor vehicles Over the nation on that same day, the others were not con sciously and deliberately taking their lives in their hands to “thrill” spectators for pay. In our opinion, the endlessly repeated traf fic safety warnings of the National Safety Council, insurance companies and others will continue to have a hollow ring, as long as the nation glorifies speed by staging auto races and building automobiles that will run 100 miles per hour and more—and are readily available to any fool whose whim is to drive them that fast. The American people, especially young peo ple, won’t quit speeding as long as it’s widely accepted as a glamorous, thrilling accomplish ment. And that’s exactly v^hat auto manu facturers and race promoters have made speeding appear to be. In a time that cries for ideas, Adlai Stevenson has supplied one that deserves to be taken up, de veloped and applied, points out the Washington Post and Times- Herald in a recent editorial, “Free World to Work.” The Washington newspaper continues as follows: Mr. Stevenson’s concern is the growing free world economic crisis which he believes is far more serious in its implications than even the paralysis that be set Europe in 1947. Why not, he asked in an extremely thought ful address at the University of Louisville a few days ago, estab lish “a Committee of Experts comparable to the group which laid the groundwork for the Mar shall Plan in 1947?” Their func tion on an international basis should be “to prepare an agenda for the regeneration of the free world economy upon which the nations can agree and act within a year.” Roots of Crisis This crisis has its roots in the breakdown of the Old trading sys tem symbolized by Britain and grounded on “low tariffs, high lending and reserves flexibly based upon gold.” Despite sub stantial American aid and invest ment programs since the war, the gap between the American stan dard of living and those else where in the free world is stead ily widening. Last year, for ex ample, the United States had a “favorable” balance of tr&de of some $7 billion—which meant that we sold that much more than we bought. In that same year falling' raw material prices re duced the income of producer counties by some $750 million. If the United States were now investing in development abroad at the same rate as Britain in her heyday as a creditor nation, the total of public and private lending would have to be at least tripled—and some authorities say it would- have to be increased by as much as 30 times. That is a measure of the imbalance. Al though there has been much praisworthy internationalism in our outlook since the war, the practical effect of our policies still has much isolationism to it; we are enriching ourselves while the remainder of the world falls behind. And while the free world is thus economically disunited, the Communists broaden and in tensify their economic offensive, commiserating with nations that rely upon the West’s “failing cap italism.” One thing you don’t find, Mr. Stevenson notes point edly, “is a really isolationist Communist.” Hunger Fdr Capital Today the capital hunger in some areas of the world is so great that it can be heard gnaw ing. Indeed, there will have tb be primary infusions before there can be even the rudimentary ex pansion to foster private growth; there can be no doctrinaire blind ers about “socialism” respecting countries which grasp at almost any slogan for improvement. Dif ferent manifestations of the same crisis of imbalance of course af fect some developed nations as well. The World Bank, the Inter national Monetary Fund, Ameri can reciprocal trade and assist ance programs, the United Na tions, Senator Monroney’s “soft loan” bank plan—all these tere part of the answer. But they need direction. New Links Unity of concept thus is a first requirement. Specifically, Mr. Stevenson would have the Committee of Experts seek means of regaining momentum in econ omic expansion—an over-all growth of 5 per cent annually that would minimize inflation; build new links with the European Common Market and free trade are so as to avoid new protectionist walls; expand in vestment in underdeveloped areas; and stimulate additional working capital for trade and convertibility. It follows that the United States is by no means alone in having resources to contribute. Germany, Britain, France, Can ada, Japan and other nations are now investing abroad, and they could help more in a distributed effort. Obviously such help should not be unrequited. A ba sic essential is self-help, which means the sort Of stocktaking and housecleaning in prospective re cipient nations that underlay the Marshall Plan. Americans distressed by the waves of anti-Am«ricanism that have broken in South Anierica and the Near East could devote themselves to no more construc tive purpose than developing such a catalyst. There is no short term answer to such outbreaks, which are more symptomatic than causative; and in any event the country should concern itself with more than short-term reme dies in the situation .that con fronts it. The tiasic problem is economic, and the basic require ment is to marshal the resources of the free world—through in vestment, raw materials stabili zation and the like—in such a way that they complement each other. Today's Realism Some years ago Clare Boothe Luce referred derisively to such globalism as “globaloney.” The plain truth is that the subject of yesterday’s scoffing has become today’s realism. Wte are finding more and 'more that we are liter ally our brothers’ i keepers, and that their health intimately af fects our own. Mr. Stevenson ap peals for the foresight, energy and patience of Marshall, Ache- son, Truman, Vandenberg, Bevin and Monnet in organizing a new American initiative: “I believe,” he says, “that my fellow Demo crats will follow an Administra tion lead today as faithfully and eargerly as many Republicans followed the Democratic initia tive 10 years ago.” Ideas can move men and nations. This one should. The Public Speaking Citizens Urged To Aid' Blood Program To The Editor: This letter is addressed to the citizens of Moore County. General L. W. Miller, Fund Chairman of the American Red Cross campaign for membership and funds, stated recently through our county papers: “We have not been able to raise the additional $2,438 needed to secure free blood for our Moore County citi zens. This situation is a great disappointment to both our Red Cross Chapter and to the doctoijs of our county, who were planning this hu manitarian service for our residents. “There will be no further solicitation for funds, but the campaign will be held open until June 30. If, in this in terval, our people wish to contribute they may send their contributions to Ameri can Red Cross, 244 S. W. Broad Street, Southern Pines. “It is up' to the people of Moore County as individuals to decide if we will support the Blood Program virith fimds as well as with blood. If $2,438 is contributed, the Red Cross Bloodmobile will be in our county October 30 and 31. Otherwise not.” ( Many of the smaller communi ties in t^e county have “gone over the top” in their contribu tions—while some of the larger towns in the county have failed miserably in their response. Not one of us would fail to respond quickly to an urgent call from a friend Or relative, or I daresay a stranger, for a pint of blood to save a life. And I am sure we would give just as gen erously of our time and money to secure blood donors in such an emergency. This is an emergency call for blood for every person who uses the facilities of our two hospitals. Whether you have already given or whether you have intended to but haven’t done so up to now, won’t you reconsider its value to you and to the county and send a generous contribution to save the life of this blood bank pro gram? You’ll be glad you did, if you ever need it yourself. , Please mail your coqtributiorf now, before it slips your mind again. Bessie C. (MRS. ROY L.) KELLY Pinehurst Grains of Sand | Sixteen, Too Recent GRAINS items on lit tle boys and little girls—what they’re like and what they like and don’t like to do;-^brought an other similar item to our "atten tion: “What It’s Like To Be 16 Years Old.” The Rotarian, the monthly magazine of Rotary International, ran a contest on this subject. The winning entry was sent in by Donng Johnson of Tallahassee, Fla.i , Sixteen is a dozen red carna tions, chemistry, “hot dogs,” Shetland sweaters, and dancing in stocking feet. A piece of Scotch tape. Inspiration Point, ribbons and root beer. ’55 Fairlanes, bucket pocket- books, a silver spoon, football players, and a dirty teddy bear. Sixteen is a white dress, a pop ular record, and a long-awaited phone call. Bermuda shorts, a gold cross, a driver’s license, and crinolines. Firecrackers, a yellow orchid, red velvet sheaths, a worn-out doll. College boys, blue pencils, a string of pearls, and a drag race. Sixteen is nail polish, par ties, Emerson’s essays, and a piggy bank. A green Studebaker, hand creami, a smile, a few tears. French fries, silver flats, a stop sign, and a kiss. A gold compact, milk shakes, and a green satin formal. A rock- and-roll dance, magazines, a pil low, and white gloves. Sixteen is a fountain pen, shells, boiled peanuts, and a card signed “Love always.” Car keys. Marines, colored chalk, a pink hat. Hoop skirts, a red Ford, mis tletoe, and dinner at the beach. Sixteen is drive-ins, I'vy League clothes, a dried-up old lake, pic-, tures, and chewing gum. Con crete pipes. Moon Hill, cherry Pepsi’s, dresser drawers, and a dream. Sixteen is alive. Sixteen is wonderful. Now, can anybody provide us with what it’s like to be a 16- year-old boy? Then maybe we’ll end the series with “What It’s Like to Be A Weekly Newspaper Editor.” That, as a 16-year-old might say, will be the most. Gratitude Weimar Jones, the EYanklin. newspaper editor who ran for the General Assembly (and was de feated by the incumbent) in the Jrecent Democratic primary, could at least make something more of his defeat than most can didates can—he related some of his campaigning, experiences in his column in the paper the fol lowing week. Calling himself a “political babe in the woods,” he tells how ' a woman living in a remote sec tion of his county met him on the street and asked him to take her to her remote polling place to register. This he did, also taking her home “over one country road after another, for miles an4 miles.” , “When at last we arrived,” noted the editor, she thanked me; then, still holding the car door, she turned to ask, ‘Mr. Jones, haven’t you a dollar you can lend me?’ “I didn’t have. And, coming back home, my gas tank empty and my afternoon gone, I thought wryly; ‘Bhe’ll not only vote against me; she’ll never even like 'Even For This' Talcing his defeat philosophi cally, Mr. Jones^who was in Southern Pines last year' to speak on a program sponsored by the Southern Pines League of Women Voters—writes that what hap pened reminded him of a blessing used once by an old man he knew. Looking over the dinner table, all the man saw was dried beans and cornbread, with water to drink. So his grace was: ‘‘'O Lord, we thank Thee—even for this.” The PILOT Published Every Thursday by THE PILOT. Incorporated Southern Pines, North Carolina 1941—JAMES BOYD—1944 Katharine Boyd Editor C. Benedict Associate Editor Vance Derby News Editor Dan S. Ray Gen. Mgr. C. G. Council Advertising Mary Scott Newton Business Bessie Cameron Smith Society Composing Room Lochamy McLean, Dixie B. Ray, Michad Valen, Jasper Swearingen Thomas Mattocks. Subscription Rates: One Tear $4. 6 mos. $2: 3 mos. 91 Entered at the Postoffice at South? em Pines, N. C., as second clasg mail matter Mmber National Editorial Aasn. and N. C. Press Assn.
The Pilot (Southern Pines, N.C.)
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June 12, 1958, edition 1
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