therefore, inevitable that the old ad ministration shall suggest plans and policies which may he tried out by the new administration'. The yearly task of the Association should probably be that of selecting most urgent needs in the field of education and of giving such expression to-these needs that intelligent and reliable informa tion may reach not only the teachers and school officials, but also all citi zens whose business is the school's business. After all, any plan or sys tem of education bequeaths to the children of its day a lasting heritage, the effect of which is upon the school population and hot upon those who design the plan or construct the sys tem. Pursuant to this plan, the As sociation chose the elementary school as the need of outstanding impor tance in the whole school field, and accordingly gave much space during this meeting to programs dealing with various phases 6f its conditions and requirements. The selection of this general .subject for the major work of the Association next year is, in my opinion, an opportunity for the greatest contribution which the As sociation can give to education, the State public scrrool system consists of three main working groups : the ele mentary school, the high school and the college or higher education- group Interdependence of these groups is an absolute fact and the recognition of. this fact must come before real co-operation and resultant educa tiona! progress will be anything but a theory. ..Even a superficial study of the pub lic school system as a whole makes .patent the" fact that Ahc elementary school group has not kept pace with the high school group or with the higher education croup. There is. not a stronger proof of-this fact than that offered by h,igh schools and col lege?, themselves when each reports so great a percentage of freshmen as totally or partially unprepared and consequently unable to do the work required of them.. This is also a proof, and perhaps an unconscious admission on the part of those who are stressing high school and collega education, that the elementary school is the foundation upon which the whole structure must stand.and upon the quality of construction put into this foundation must- depend the strength and safety of the entire building. A casual glance at this building at present shows a pleasing superstructure and it may be this which is largely responsible for the oft repeated and sometimes boastful Statements with reference to the - wonderful growth of North Carolina's school system. Whatever may have heeii the merits of past ideas and pol-. ides with reference to the relative importance of these three groups, the facts to he faced are these: more than 90 per cent of those in school arc in the elementary grades; about HO per cent arc classed as rural. The average number of enrolled pupils for each elementary teacher is-' mote than twice the number for each high Kthool teacher and in turn, the aver age number of pupils for each high . school teacher is .nearly twice the mmiber for each college professor or instructor. The average annual sal ary of teachers, length of school term, buildings and equipment, ef- ficient organization, trained teachers and o'her things supposed ;JO con tribute to school efficiency are also relatively lacking in the elementary school. All of these things are necd- ed '" in the high school and" it is a splendid thing' that the need 'there haVlargcly been met; yet with teach ing force, buildings and equipment and all other, requirements up to standard, the high schools are still lacking in standard pupils and this will remain true so long as uniform and standard work is not possible in the elementary grades. The greatest need of the school of today' seems to be that of, providing instruction for children in the elementary school such as will enable them to inform themselves and consequently to think for' themselves. This means, of course, that the.. child must first of all be taught how to read intelligently and how to use the means of expres-' sion. Children cannot do these things ' for themselves and yet upon the ac quirement of these things must largely depend all later progress in school and college and all self-help through life. : A' system of schools that does not give its strongest sup port to the needs of helpless children can never hope to have alfof its peo- , able to do creditable work in high schools and colleges. If the State ism to fullll its obligation of providing equal educational opportunity for all , its citizens, it must function thtough the . elementary school. This is the only division of the public school system which air the people of any school generation can attend or will attend for years to. come. It is here the problem -of illiteracy may find its only fin,al solution and here may be solved a majority of the problems at St present passed up.into high schools and in turn passed fin to colleges. Teachers worthy of the name, with pupils made comfortable and provid e3 with means for development this is probably the answer and' this r means efficient organization with suf ficient financial support. The present plan for county-wide organization of schools with at least aa eight-month term, and for providing more teacher training institutions together with an adequate compulsory attendance law properly enforced, seem to be going straight toward supplying present needs. .These things will also go iar toward equalizing educational oppor tunity throughout the S'Hate. So far as the State's attitude'toward the elementary school is concerned, i assumes little responsibility further than the requirement for a six-month term. The so-called equalizing fund is entirely inadequate for answering .its original purpose and is more or less a source of irritation or aggra vation because of conditions under which an equitable and just distribu tion of this fund may not be made. There is law sufficent to permit the establishment of a State school sys tem that might use any or all of the taxing powers of the State to the end that location need no longer de termine a child's educational oppor tunity. This cannot be done so long as each county is a "financial unit for the, support of its own schools. 1 he wealthiest counties often have as their nearest neighbors counties that are least, wealthy. Nothing but an imaginary boundary' lin. separates neighboring families, one of which must pay a very high rate of tax for a very poor school because his coun ty , has verv little . taxing wealth, while his neighbor pays a compara tvely low . rate for a much better school,, because his is a county with much taxing wealth. Yet every one knows the fact that from these fam ilies alike must come citizens upon whom must depend the State s wel fare and no one knows which family has in it members -with greatest po tential power. Surely there ' are brains enough anions our lawmakers to evolve an equitable and just taxing system for schools in North Carolina to the end that the Sta'te may do somctning more than declare schools a neces s'tv and at the same time make no adcatuvte . provision for maintaining schools. f ; Ihere surely is wealth enough in the State to support such a taxing system? Equal educational opportunity will remain nothing more than a mag nificent and meaningless gesture so long as all the taxing powers of the State are not put back of educationa opportunity for all the children of the State. These, things will be done just as scon as citizens are brought face to face with facts. North Carolina acts when she thinks and as she thinks "You shall.' know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Nowhere is this truth more applicable than in North Carolina's educational life today.' . ror this reason, it is again ' sac gested that the Education Associa tion bring before its people this com ing year the needs of the elementary' school as the most important and far reaching educational problem in the whole4, school field. The '-Association must be conscious always of its en tire field aiid should. always stand ready t'o give needed 'support to .la'.i. of its departments. . The ten depart ments constituting the Etucati'on .s-socition- arc more or less Vrependent one upon tlie other, and upon ili,e progress of each must depend not. only the welfare of the Education Association but of Education itself. Look well, then, to the continued support and progress of high schools and colleges with their attendant needs, and be ever vigilant and active until the elementary school- shall be come such ars to make possible a vis ion which I cherish a vision of ev ery citizen of ' North Carolina free fi'om the bonds of illiteracy; ctizens i.i such position as will enable them to stretch dut and 'grasp some' of the glory of life which is rightfully theirs. Carson Chapel News. We are having some nice warm sunshine af this writing. Miss Lassie Emory, who has been a Winston-Salem, N. C., for several months, returned home Saturday., Mrs. J: F. Cunningham was report ed on th'e sicW list the past week, but is better at this writing. Miss Glee'vRogers of Louisa Chapel spent Sunday night with Miss Nellie Maude Greene. Mr. J. F; Cunningham and Mr. Geo. Wallace spent a few days last week on Nantahala feeding their hogs. They said the ssow was twen ty. inches deep aver there.' Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Emory, gave the young folks of this section a singing Sunday - night. A f large - crowd - was there. Those singing were Miss Las sie Emory (organist), Messrs. Blaine and Cranston Greene, Harold Moore, Roy Rogers, Mrs. Van Frazier, Misses Nellie Maude Greene, Glee Rogers and others. We are hoping Mr. and Mrs. Emory will give us an other singing soon, for our choir needs practice. . We were .very, glad'to see Miss Mary Gibson back 'at Sunday School Sunday. : . . . . ' , .. Mr. Blaine Greene traded his mules for a milk cow the other day. Guess he must be planning to run a dairy farm.: B. N. G. L. ANNOUNCEMENT. For Register of Deeds. To the Voters of Macon County: I hereby announce myself a candi date for re-election to the office of Register of Deeds, subject to the ac tion of the Democratic primary. ' pJO ELMER JOHNSON. IN MEMORY OF MRS. PERSIAN LONG On February 27th, just as the sun set, Aunt Altha, as she , was called by everybody, very., quietly fell asleep. She had been a great sufferer for many years, but bore her suffering with great patience. I never knew her to complain. Averything was all right, and she always appreciated every kindness shown her. ane naa Deen. a wiaow ior auoui thirty-five yeass and had made' her home with her nephew; Mr. John Nichols. She realized some time ago that the end was near, and often said she would be so glad to go where her suffering would be over. She' grew worse only a lew clays before her death, and all Was done for her that loving hands could do. While she had not been able to get out from home for several years, she will.be greatly missed in thi com munity as well as in the home. I T"1 A ' j A 1 . 1 io Know nunt Anna was to .love her. She always had a kind word for everybody. I never , knew her to speak evil of anybody. We'. feel sure that our loss is her eternal. gain. She has gone to join loved ones' who have already gone on. her body was laid to rest at Mailen's Chapel cemetery" on -February 29th, Rev; Van B. Harrison conducting the funeral rites. ' 1 - . A FRIEND. Flats Locals. ' Flat's, ' N. C, March 16.-We arc having some real rough weather now. Farmers' ar? not doing anything about their crop's. They are badly behind with their' work. Feed seems to be1 a scar.:c article in Briartown and the rough 'weather will cause it to be 'more so. . Air. Bun Denny, of Lower Nanta hala vas in, Briartown on business the week end.j He reported Mr. Matthew Cole seriously ill with penumonia fever. Mr. Bass Morgan, of Lower Nanta hala was visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Morgan, .the week -end. Mr. Geo. 'Pendergrass, of WhitxJjof Teresita, were in this, section, last Oak Flats, was in Briartown on busi ness last week. . Briartown has had some serious sickness for the past few weeks, and we feel .so sorry for the grieved rela tives of the departed friends whom God has called from this world, and as we cannot .understand why our Heavenly Father has called those dear ones away, then let us bow ourselves-in prayer to God and ask Him to help us . to be submissive . to His will, for we should feel thankful that He called those whom we feel sure were prepared to meet Him, and we should not allow ourselves to grieve uny" more than possible, but -should prepare ourselves to meet them i;i hcayen. ' . . r C. X. Shooting Creek News. Mr. and Mrs. John Myers and little son Bill were visiting Mr. and Mrs. Harley- Huscusson Sunday "afternoon. Messrs. Harley Huscusson and Lawrence Hogsed made a business trip to Murphy Monday. Misses Lena and Laura Myers were visiting Misses Annie May and Ber tha Huscusson Monday, . Mr. John Bingham' passed through this section Sunday. Mrs. Tom McClure was visiting Mrs. Harley Huscusson 6ne day the past week. Mr. Lawrence Hogsed was the guest of Mr. Harley Huscusson Sat-1 urday night. We sure are having a good Sunday School here now. Messrs. Wm. Ledford and Roy Parker passed through this section onc.day last week. Mr. John Myers made a business trip to wheat mill baJlay morning Mrs. Tom McClurevvas visiting Mrs. Sam Hogsed one day last week. , Miss Ruth McClure has returned home from Hayesville, where she has been going to school for some time BUCKEYE. Brairtown News. Mrs. "J.. E.' Wishon .was visiting Mrs. M, L. Owenby one day the past week. -. ' Mr. Everette White, of Murphv. A. L., was a visitor in Briartown Sat urday and Sunday. Mr. Jeff Hampton, who has been working in Haywood County, spent the week end with his mother,' Mrs F. A. Hampton, of this section. . Mr. Will Cope, of Gastonia, N. C was visiting Mr. J. E. Wishon one day the past week. . Mrs. J. W. Morgan spent the week end with her son, Mr. B. B. Morgan oi Nantahala. Misses' Ollie and Myrtle Wikle maue a flying trip to Union Hill Sun day afternoon, Miss Hazel Cochran, of Gastonia, N. C, who was called home on ac-, count of the illness and death oj her brother Harold, has gone back. Sorry to report' that the Sunday School at Briartown church has died down during the bad weather. ; Hope they will soon get it started uo again. PSHAW I - Brief history of Macon County, and Topography of Macon County, in pamphlet form, for tale at the Preti office, 10c a copy. f . Pine. Grove News. . We haver been having some very wintry weather for the past few days. Miss Madge Evans has returned from Raleigh, N. C, where she spent several weeks. Misses Frances-and Vista Redding have gone" to their father, who is liv ing at Anderson, S. C. Mr. and Mrs. Bill Tilson were vis iting Mrs. A. F; Gregory Friday, , . Mr. Earnest Dills was visiting Mr. A. J. Evans Sunday afternoon. "Mr. Jerry Holland is all smiles." It's a boy. We are glad that most of the cases of measles are getting better.- , Mr. John Keener spent Sunday with Mr. Charlie Henderson. - Mr. Tillery Henderson has returned from Kansas City, Mo,, where he has1 been working. Miss Beatrice" Dills spent Trursday night with Mrs. A. F. Gregory. .- Messrs. Athen Moses and Alex Am nions, o'f Ellijay, have been working at a mica mine. On Mr. RJfford Hol land's mountain place. Mr. L. C. Dills spent Saturday night with Mr. P. M.Bryson. '' . " Messrs.: Tom and Dewey Russell and" Canada Gregory have gone to Gastonia, N. C, where they expect to work a while. Mr. George Bryson was visiting Mr. T. C. Dills Sunday. . Master Cleve Holland has been on the sick list, but. is improving some now. -"."SLIM AND JIM.", Nastii Skeenah Items. We arc all glad to sec th:lt- the weather is some warmer, anVMhope it will. soon be pleasant. .- w-r---Mr. Napoleon Peridergrass, of Hickory Knoll, was in this section last Monday buying cattle. Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Jim Farmer, a fine girl. , Mr. and' Mrs. J. C. Sanders were visiting Mr. and Mrs. J. A. T. San ders lat Sunday; Messrs. Walter Ledford and Wea ver Donaldson, of Prentiss, were vis iting Mr. J. C. Sanders last Sunday evening. '..- ' ' Messrs. Fred and George Kimzey, Sunday. " Mr. Ernest Griggs spent the week end with home folks. Mr. M. A. Sanders made a. trip to Cartoogechaye on business Tuesday. Dr. Fouts was in this community. Sunday to see Mrs. Texie Dehart, who is sick. We wish her a -speedy recovery. PAPA S DARLING." Riverside News. Miss Nita Childsrs was the guest ot Misses, Elsie anl Ellen Dowdie Sun da v. Mrs. G. C. Dowdie is sick at this writing.. . - Misses Emma 'Belle -and Ida Bates were tne guests of Miss Annie Mae Bates -Sunday. Miss Mamie Gladwell was the guest of Miss Willie Mac Thomas Sun-day. kev. - Jesse Stancup preached a' Coweta last - Sunday. . There was a large crowd out. We are sorry to report that Miss Ethel Williamson, who is staying at Kev. Van B. Harrisons, has a bad case of measles. Hope she will soon be out again. Mrs. H. E. Childers was visiting Mrs. Thomas last Sunday afternoon. We are glad to say that Miss Grace Dowdie is at home, after being con fined with measles for some time at Rev. J. Q. Wallace's. Mr. Chas. H. McClure made a busi ness trip to Clayton last week. ' MAMA'S DARLING. What's That? Ladv (entering fur store): "I'd like to see some skunk, please." Saleslady: "Just a minute, and I'll call the floor walker." us NOTICE TO THE FOREST USERS! BURNING THE WOODS- Does not improve the grazing, "Does not exterminate poisonous ' insects"6rSiTniials7 Does inj'ure the grazing by: Killing the better grasses. Decreasing the fertility of 'the soil. v - Increasing the damage from frost, sun, wind and . rain..;.'.;-, ' ' . .. ;. Does injure timber. ' Does increase insect damage. Does kill the young trees, i Therefore, if Fires continue to occur it! will be nec essary to prohibit grazing on burnt areas in order to give the Range a chance to recuperate. Co-operate with tHe Forest Officers in Preventing Fires. JURY LIST FOR ' : SUPERIOR COURT The following names have been drawn as jurors for the Spring Term of Macon Superior Court, which be gins April '21,' 19(24. -; " First Week. S. E. Fouts H. L. Spurlin, C. S. Slagle . Edd Moffitt J. M. Holt J. B. Elmore F. H. Higdori A. J. JJewman W.D. Barnard ' Lon Campbell J. R. Ilolbrooks J.C.Brown P.. C: Hawkins E. M. Angel J. A. Lakey C. H. Sotithards 0. L. BJaine C. M. Wooten M. A. Plemmons Geo. A. Mashburn W. T. Wright J. IT. Burnett R. H." Bates J. Weimer Hastings' V. E. Crawford W. I. Conley H.'C. Miller Burt Oliver J. E. Wilson J. H. Fulton Myron Russell ' . J. C. Henderson E. N. Evans , H. L. Hawkins . T. M. Southards ,i- M.,..H,olbrooks Second Week. T. M: Moss ; J. M, Morrison. Lee Brown . G. T. Stiles W.H.Green Levi Crain .Li E. Spahr H. G. Cabc Jl. J. Baty , J. II. Ledbetter E. B. Conley ' Paul Newman C. V. Dry man D. W. Garland Joe H. Hurst J. II. Sellers Tohn Norton . C. L. Blaine j Buck Creek News. ,We arc having some snow and cold rain out here now', but are looking forward to spring days; It seems quite lonesome to Jook over town now, as quite a number of families have recently moved out, but wc hope to see. the cars filled as soon as they are moved further up the line. There has. been quite a lot of sick ness for the past week or two, but we are glad to know that they arc all improving. , Mr. and Mrs, Marion Sanders wer,e visiting in town Sunday.. We are sorry to report that two of Mr. Arthur Sanders sons have meas les, but are glad to know they are get ting better. . . Mr. Zeb Roane, of. Buck Creek, has been suffering witfift. rising on his face. Hope he will soon recover. Mrs. Bculah Gregory was the guest of Mrs. Arthur Sanders last, Sunday. We are glad to report the return of Mr. Arthur Mainey and family, as they are such fine neighbors "CURLY HEAD." . Poultry Specialist Coming. . A poultry specialist -is coming 'from , Raleigh t-o work' will: County Agent A-rrendale en dale fo:,more and better poul in Macon County. He is to lie try here on April 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th, ami the places and dales for the dif- firor:t meetings will be announced in a Liter i-.sae of the Press and in Farmers' Federation News. Press Want Ads, bring Results. ANC0NAsS era Strain The Best in America. EGGS, $1.50 PER 15. Let Me Know Your Want. GEORGE L. NEWTON ZS32

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