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Page TWO THE PILOT—Southern Pines, North Carolina THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1962 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. ^ Extending Community Development In extending its annual community- development contests to include “village” and “town” areas, as well as rural sections which have hitherto been classified as “farm” and “non-farm,” the Sandhills Area Development Association is taking a practical and stimulating action. When the SADA’s awards night and annual meeting was held in Southern Pines some time ago, we were tremen dously impressed with the ambition and achievements of rural communities in the four counties (there are now five) in the Association. We were moved to note at that time in these columns that if towns didn’t bestir themselves, rural areas would be moving out ahead of them in community endeavor and community pride. Still later, it occurred to us that rural communities have far less motivation to make improvements (such as cleaning up, painting up, starting youth programs and building community centers) than do towns. In rural areas, there is no town government to do part or all of the job under the pressure of taxpayers. The commercial motive that lies behind so much town civic improvement is lacking: improving a rural community isn’t done to bring more customers to trade there, as town programs are designed to do. And, generally speaking, resources—man power, money, donations, machinery and most, anything else you can think of—are far skimpier in a rural area than in even a small town. Yet the wonder is, if we can judge from what we saw at the Southern Pines meeting and what we hear from reports at subsequent SADA meetings, that rural communities are forging ahead is an in spiring manner, reaping the intangible benefits of increased community friend liness and cooperativeness, as well as pride and enthusiasm, along with the tangible rewards of new buildings, home improvements and the like. We believe, therefore, that villages and towns should welcome the SADA’s in vitation to join in the community im provement contests and that, in joining, thev should sign up humbly, with fui’ realization that the rural areas are al ready seasoned and experienced in this sort of thing. Towns may be able to learn a thing or two from them. The new program will also tend to foster that town-rural friendship and un derstanding that already exists to a re markable degree in the five counties (Moore, Lee, Richmond, Montgomery and Hoke)—a kind of understanding and mutual respect that is all too often lost as towns grow into cities that tend to forget their ultimate dependence on the land and on people who produce the food and fiber for everybody’s daily needs The new SADA program is now in the formative stages. There is nothing de finite yet for towns and villages to do. But, when the time comes, we think the five-county area will find itself engaged in one of the most interesting and valu able projects of its history. Opportunity For Generosity Americans have a way of combining public and private efforts to achieve total results that could not be reached through either of the two channels alone. Civic clubs, for instance, have charit able programs that operate in coopera tion with public welfare or other, govern ment activities, combining to accomplish desired ends. No club member thinks government should get out of charitable work such as looking after the blind or the crippled, but there seems to be room for an added push from private sources and the push is given—often with a warmth and en thusiasm and personal attention of which any government program is not, by the nature of things, capable. A new example of this kind of coopera tion came to light recently at the North Carolina Sanatorium, McCain, when a group of local business and civic leaders were given a tour of that much improved and refurbished state hospital for the treatment of tuberculosis. Government—that is, the State of North Carolina—does not feel that furnishing and adding extra touches to a chapel for the patients is a legitimate expense, so the job is being done by private groups and individuals donating items ranging from air conditioning costing $2,000 to communion rail cushions costing $35. Contributions have come from town and city TB associations, from civic clubs, families and individuals and even ($100) from the “Sunshine Club,” an organiza tion of the patients in the hospital. Equipment costing more than $6,000 re mains to be purchased for the chapel— a piano, carpeting, pews, overhead light fixtures, air conditioning, acoustical tile for the ceiling, clergy seats with cushions and plywood and batten strips for the walls. Here is an opportunity for close-to- home generosity, a chance to bolster in a small, personal way the state’s program, costing millions of dollars yearly at the McCain and other sanatoria, for the treat ment of tuberculosis. A fact sheet about the items already given and the items still needed for the chapel is available from the McCain Regional Patients’ Services Committee. It is in this name that checks for contri butions should be made out. National Newspaper Week, which is being observed across the nation, is tell ing Americans this week, “Newspapers make a big difference in people’s lives.” The sentence shares the patness of all slogans—but it’s true. Nor do newspapers mark this annual occasion simply to blow their own horns or to brag about increasing newspaper circulation and national leadership in the advertising field, though all this is true. A Sandhills weekly newspaper publish er who is a past president of the North Carolina Press Association, H. Clifton Blue of Aberdeen, told the Kiwanis Club in a Newspaper Week talk last week that the much-vaunted “freedom of the press” is not maintained for the benefit of news papers, but for the benefit of their read ers—the people. “We are. not out to praise ourselves,” he said as an editor, “but to see how well ‘A Big Difference... ’ we are measuring up. We know there is always room for improvement.” Most newspaper editors would agree. North Carolina’s 50 daily and 141 non daily newspapers are serving their com munities with a responsibility that is reflected in the Press Association”s “statement of principles,” adopted several years ago. This is a document which in essence pledges the newspapers of this state to serve the truth in reporting the news and to be fair in commenting on the news—a two-fold responsibility that is assumed with quite remarkable en thusiasm by the newspapers of this state. Editors and publishers, therefore, ask the public this week not simply for praise and agreement but for recognition of the newspaper’s function as one of the essentials of democracy, a source of in- forrnation and opinion that help make possible the freedom-with-responsibility that is the keystone of American life. Our guess is that the “New Left Club^ at the University of North Carolina is no threat to the University, to Chapel Hill, the State or the nation and that members of the Chapel Hill American Legion Post who are mumbling about Communists and subversive activities on the campus have no reason whatever to lose any of the sweet sleep that law-abiding, anti- Communist citizens deserve. No Sleep Need Be Lost Ninety-nine and 44 one-hundreths of the population of the United States, at least, is anti-Communist, if that means not wanting to live like they do in Russia or China. If the truth be known, zealous anti-Communists are hard put to find enough Communists on whom to exercise their hostility. All too often, their wrath descends on anybody who challenges the status quo. “•The Lone Congressman Strikes Again 'TAft Meet- ■PeiesAnoN K f WP. 01 ARMS AND THE CONSCIENCE How Reply To Nuclear Test Plea? BY WILLIAM H. STRINGER Washington Bureau of The Christian Science Monitor Three sage representatives of India’s great concern over nu clear testing and the arms race reached Washington and spoke with President Kennedy for more than an hour recently. Their visit was especially poig nant. For one of them was the venerable C. Rajagopalachari, formerly Governor-General of India, ex-Govemor of the state of Bihar, friend of Gandhi, friend of Nehru, author of books on non violent resistance. Now, in his 84th year, he is making his first pilgrimage outside of India to further what he regards as a righteous cause. « ♦ * « What does Mr. Rajagopalachari want? A simple, but hazardous boon: the halting of nuclear arms tests. Not total disarmament. Not the scrapping of means of delivery of nuclear weapons, though that would be welcome. The halting of nuclear testing would, in the eyes of these wise men from India, get at the heart of the arms race evil. It would stop the rain of radioactive fallout, dis courage a proliferation of the nuclear club, end the compulsive drive for weapons of still greater power, whether rockets or satel lites. How desirable this aim—and how difficult of attainment! What does one reply when “Rajaji” says, as he did to a group of us at lunchtime: “The arms race swallows up resources. It spreads poison in the atmos phere. I claim not a favor from the nuclear powers, but a right. Humanity and nature should not be thus violated. Fears for na tional security 2ire understandable. But nuclear testing does not help national security—it only speeds the arms race.” What does United States policy say to these men, members of the Gandhi Peace Foundation, who propose a world-wide campaign for signatures demanding a ban on testing, who have talked of a day devoted to mass meetings, prayers, and fasts, who suggest a United Nations General Assembly resolution banning tests, and the expulsion of a nation which vio lates the resolution? No glib replies are permissible. Washington would certainly an swer that the United States does want to see a halt to nuclear test ing. And that the present admin istration has braved the wrath of members of Congress by propos ing new and briefer means of de tecting vnderground tests. And by urging upon Moscow a simple ban on atmospheric tests, nation ally supervised. * * * * But, it must also be said to these distinguished visitors, so much of the very safety and fut ure of the West and indeed of the free world depend on the Ameri can nuclear shield that Washing ton dare not contemplate heavy reliance on uninspected test bans or unpoliced disarmament. One must not invite aggression from the Communist mentality. Washington is glad to know that a similar Indian delegation is in Moscow seeing Premier Krushchev, and that the delega tion visiting Washington will journey to London and Paris to talk to the leaders of the other nuclear powers. To Mr. Rajago palachari one would wish to say frankly: “Go to it. Carry on with your effort to mobilize world opinion. The marshaling of the world’s conscience can have impact, even on the men in the Kremlin, Mean while, ‘keep in touch’; we shall do what we can. But we cannot do much more now without a change of viewpoint in Moscow.” The Public Speaking And wouldn’t it be a terrible U.S.A. to live in, if ninety-nine and 44 one- hundreths of the population unquestion ably accepted the status quo at any given stage of the nation’s development? All progress, all achievement, in any field of life and action, come through doubt- ings, rebellions and challenges. Life for members of the Chapel Hill American Legion Post would be dull and oppressive indeed, if the nation’s history had not- been lighted and guided again and again by men and women who didn’t think like their neighbors—doubters, rebels, chal lengers in science, ecomomics, govern ment, medicine, mechanics, art, litera ture and every other field. We’d be worried if there were NOT a New Left Club or its equivalent at Chapel Office Space Available; Why County Bond' Issues? To the Editor: Will Rogers used to say that all he knew was just what he read in the newspapers. All I know about Moore County is just what I read in the Sandhill Citi zen, The Moore County News and The Pilot. I see by these papers where the county commissioners want $250,000 in bond issues to provide office space and floor room for library, agriculture and welfare, in two new buildings. There are several privately owned buildings in Carthage plumb full of empty office space and floor space. In addition there is a large empty building in Car thage with a large auditorium, multitude of rooms and parking space for a hundred cars off the stre-st. The interest on $250,000 would pay rent to these private building owners for many a day and in turn help them to pay their town and county taxes. To put extra taxes on empty office space in order to build more of fice space is as silly as taking a bath in coal dust. It is like work ing for your board and losing your appetite. Like putting vita min pills in your liquor so you can build yourself up while you are tearing yourself down. Old “Screwshave” said not long ago that he would bury us. He’s a great big burly liar. We are doing our own burying. With the Moore County health office about half way between the church and the graveyard, it makes it mighty convenient on the taxpayer. Is there no eye to pity and no arm to save? CHUB SEA WELL Carthage Judge Phillips Endorses Court Reform Amendment To the Editor: As the senior judge of the Su perior Court for the Third Divi sion of the State of North Caro lina, and the resident judge of the Twentieth Judicial District of North Carolina, I wish to heartily recommend and endorse the pas sage of the amendment to the Constitution of North Carolina to be voted upon by the People of North Carolina at the General Election to be held on November 6th, 1962 which is commonly known as the “Court Reform Amendment.” (1) This is not a partisan politi cal question but is intended for the benefit of all of the people of th.3 State. (2) It will not take away any of the rights of the voters from the People of the State. (3) It will create a uniform sys tem of courts below the level of the Superior Court in .-svery coun ty of North Carolina—uniform jurisdiction, court cost, procedure and judges. (4) The Judges will be elected by the People and not by ap pointment. (5) It will not in any way have Protect the Magnolias! Having ventured the thought in this space recently; that Con gressman Kitchin or Congress man Jonas (whichever moves first) could assure his success in Southern Pines by eliminating the big puddle of water that forms in the middle of the side walk in front of the post office, we turn to another problem of the post office block, the solving of which would endear whoever solved it to all local tree lovers. Something ought to be done to protect the magnolias along the diagonal parking area in this block from the bumpers of cars that bang up against them. The Town created the problem when it widened the street, to make more parking space and the Town ought now to protect the trees. Maybe, too, car front ends project more than they used to, so that the trees get clonked before the wheels hit the curb. A concerned reader pointed out this problem of the trees and we are happy to give it an airing herewith. Lost oi Curious? Jim Hartshorns came rushing in the other day to tell us that he had seen a bobwhite quail in a tree in front of the Parkway Cleaners. Although birds are not expected to behave normally in this bird-happy town, we don’t recall having heard of a bob- white in the business section be fore. Jim’s supposition was that the quail was perhaps looking for the Information Center across the street and down the block a bit— but he rusbsd out before we ask ed him what he thought the quail wanted to find out. Our guess is that he wants to know when the hunting season will begin so that he can put on his magic cloak or whatever the quail do to make them disappear right at the time when hunters hope most to meet them.. Is This Clear? Does anybody remember the in-'mb’erl -argon we quoted here one time in a letter from an in surance company in answer to a simple inquiry? An actual letter that was brought in by a reader. Well, here’s another little item in the same vein. We don’t know if anybody ever said this, but it sounds painfully like some of the English we do hear or read some times: "I must explain that I was only joking when I wrote that I didn't mean what I said about reconsidering my decision not to change my mind" What’s that, back there? Didn’t quite catch it. Oh, you say that sounds like the last sentence in one of those on-the-fence editori als? Mmmm. Yes. Well. Maybe. Except that, for the life of us, we can’t figure out whether the spokesman in the above gem is on the fence, off the fence on the “yes” side or off the fence on the “no” side. What it is is a masterpiece of something or other. No further comment. any effect upon the Suprame Court or the Superior Courts of the State. This is a badly needed reform of the inferior courts of the State, and I wish to heartily endorse and recommend to the citizens of the State that they work for and vote for this very important amend ment; which is designed and in- tend.ed for the better administra tion of justice for all of the people of the State. F. DONALD PHILLIPS Resident Judge for the Twentieth Judicial District Rockingham Club Urges Keep Land ‘Before It's Too Late' To the Editor: The Southern Pines Bird Club wishes to add its voice in thanks to Mrs. James Boyd for the plan for the Nature Park to be given on her property. This would be a source of edu cation for schools, boy and girl scouts, geologists and all nature lovers, including the Bird Club. Members of this club hope that the region can be preserved for posterity, as other sections of our country are being conserved, be fore it is too late, even if there may have to be some sacrifice in other ways to spare this natural beauty, typical of the early Sand hills. 'Those who come after us may never have another chance to see great pines. LOUISE M. HAYNES Secretary, Southern Pines Bird Club You Can't Get Away From Politics Conversation overheard in the powder room of the Plaza Hotel, New York City. Lady, who had just burst in, dove into a cubicle, slammed the door, then burst out again with a cry of: “Maid! Maid! I think the uh-uh—it needs to be-uh-straight- ened up a bit in there. It’s a mess!” Maid, with a sour look: “Yes, ’m.” Snazzy dame, fixing her hair at the mirror: “Humph! That’s what we get under this Democratic 2k1- ministration.” The PILOT Published Every Thursday by THE PILOT. Incorporated Southern Pines, North Carolina 1941—JAMES BOYD—1944~ Katharine Boyd Editor C. Benedict Associate Editor Dan S. Ray Gen. Mgr. C. G. Council Advertising Mary Scott Newton Business Mary Evelyn de Nissoff Society Composing Room Dixie B. Ray, Michael Valen, Thomas Mattocks, J. E. Pate, Sr., Charles Weatherspoon and John E. Lewis. Subscription Rates Moore County One Year $4.00 Outside Moore County One Year $5.00 Second-class Postage paid at Southern Pines, N. C. Member National Editorial Assn, and N. C. Press Assn.
The Pilot (Southern Pines, N.C.)
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Oct. 18, 1962, edition 1
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