North Carolina Newspapers

KEY CITY OF THE MOUNTAINS V t il 111 n VOLUME XLII1 FRANKLIN, N. C, THUHSDAY, APRIL 19, 1928 NUMBER SIXTEEN J f I fe' 1 NEXT WEEK IS AMERICAN GREAT RALLY - OF S. S. CLASSES O Wesley Bible Classes of Franklin, Murphy, Bryson : City and Hayesville, Hold Enthusiastic Meeting. Men's Bible classes of the Metho dist churches at Franklin, Bryson City, Murphy arid hayesville met Sunday morning at Patterson Springs on No. 10, a few miles west of Bryson City, for the purpose of per fecting a permanent organization for the advancement of Sunday school work in the western part of the state. Due to the unseasonably cold weather, the gathering which included approxi mately 150 men and women from the towns mentioned, adjourned to the Methodist church at Bryson City where they received a cordial welcome from that, church and were made chairman and' called upon Mayor George Patton of the same town to deliver the addres of. welcome. This address had been scheduled to take plate at Patterson Springs so the Mayor apologized for delivering a welcoming address in the church of another town. Mavor Patton stressed .J necessity for Sundav school or- Vvnization and attendance, stating that a live Sunday school in any church manic a good church. Bob Long, of Bryson City, was the next speaker. He referred to the i time not many years ago when the absence of good roads would have prevented a meeting of this kind. He praised the circuits riders who for merly went about throughout the mountains preaching . the real gospel. From these men, he said, the people of Western North Carolina caught . a vision that has been, instrumental in carrying forward the Sunday school work in this section. He then re ferred to the beautiful silver cup of fered by the Franklin class to the class that makes the greatest at tendance record and has the largest increase in membership for the next six months. R. E. Crawford, of Hayesville, then spoke of the influence of Sunday schools in making better citizens. He declared that 95 per cent of the con victs in the state never attended Sun day school. He appealed to the class es present to get on a. good head of steam and to return to their respec tive towns determined to carry on in the interest of a better citizenship throughout the state. y G. H. Haigler, of Hayesville, who has been superintendent of the Sun- Oday school in that town for forty eight consecutive years, took issue with those who believe that the Christ ian churches of today are going back ward. , He claimed that the Christian movement which began at the birth of Christ is sweeping onward "to a triumphant victory and that the" Sun day schools of the world are playing an important part in . this ultimate pictory. Attorney Bud Anderson, of Hayes ville, the next speaker, '.scathingly denounced . the secular press of the country for emphasising crimes at the expense of church and Sunday school news. He bitterly denied, that Hick man, held up to the public bv the press as a Sunday -school student, was ever a real Sunday school pupil. 'He cited similar instances in which. the press played up "church connections." of criminals throughout the .country. He made an earnest plea for the-press, churches, schools and Sunday school to co-operafe in , bringing hp- the jv children ot the lana under-.Christian l J-4 vuencc. Rev. R. F. Mock, of Franklin st?f"d that there is no more important natter now before the public than he riming nf youth. He ; cited the importance of a better Christian ex ample in the homes and appealed to thrs "-esprit to make the study of the Bible in the homes a d;.ily habit. R. R, Beal, teacher of the Bible 'class ?t Brvson : .City, expressed , his pleasure that an organization was about to be perfected toward the ad vancement of Sunday school work in (Continued on page ten : A Proclamation By the Governor of North Carolina The State of North Carolina has been endowed by Nature with varied and abundant natural resources. Our streams, are numerous and powerful, our wild life, once plentiful, still holds' wonderful possibilities for, furnishing food, fur and recreation, our soils are fertile and our forests, influenc ing all of these, produce as great a variety of comcrcial trees as any state in the union. Our industries depen dent on timber are scattered over the entire state and yield a revenue to our people of more than $100,000,000. More than 75 per cent of our people are financially affected by timber production. More than 50 per cent of the average farm and more than two thirds the total area of the state is forest land. Unfortunately, destruc tive methods of cutting, followed by forest fires, have prevented regenera tion, cut down the annual yield to one-half or one-third of what it might Each recurring spring, with its se rious fire risk and with Nature's re newed efforts to re-establish the forest which man has destroyed, the neces sity for co-operating with Nature in this effort is borne upon the minds of those who are responsible for the future prosperity of the state and nation. This state, through what is now the Department of Conservation and De velopment, has for many years been engaged in skirmishes against forest fires. This campaign has now de veloped into a war. The Department has set before our people the advan tages to them and to their children of growing timber and only recently it has inaugurated the policy of as sisting landowners to plant waste land upon which there is no adequate forest growth and which is not needed for agriculture. The Federal. Government is nqt only co-oncrating heartily with the state in this work, but has also established National Forests in Western North Carolina for the nrotcction of our wat er supplies, for the production of tim ber, and for demonstration in practical forestry. Eastern North Carolina is soon to share this benefit with the mountain counties. Not only Federal ,hclp has been given in our program of reforesta tion, but some of the counties them selves are spending money for forest fire prevention and suppression in co operation with the state. The 1 land owners and the users of the forest and its products who are chiefly in terested in , timber production must become interested in timber growing and bear their share of protection costs. American Forest Week has been established with this end in view and its observance throughout the United States and Canada calls to the attention of our citizens this most important economic problem. I n accordance, therefore, with my practice in previous years and following-the example 'of the President of the United States, I hereby proclaim the week of April 22-28, 192X, as American Forest Week and call upon the people of North Carolina to ob serve it in . some appropriate and con structive way. The schools should carry out a suitable program during .the, week, at which time one or more trees might be planted in or near the school grounds. Luncheon " clubs, Womens clubs, and other organiza tions might well ..consider a forestry prograul at", the meeting held that week. Those who are seeking office or having a public trust placed upon them might well include a forestry plank in their platforms. Forest ward ens, game wardens and others in terested in conservation should seek an opportunity of taking part in such celebrations and should devote at least a part of that week to a special effort to reach the largest possible number of people in their district and locality. Even the ministers in their church services might well urge upon their congregations the duty and privi lege of co-operating with Nature and thus working with Qod to help carry out His laws. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed (Continued on page ten) JUDGE LTRAAE PRAISES MACON Says Most Criminal Trials in County Due to Transient Violators of Law Judge Cameron MacRae, of Ashe ville, substituting forjudge Roy L. Deal of Wonston-Salem, opened the April term of the superior court here . Mon day with a short though clearly stated charge to the grand jury.. Before beginning his charge the Judge stated that he spent the year 1912 at Frank lin on duties connected with the na tional forest service and that he had never spent a more pleasant year in his life. He praised the citizenship of-Macon county as one of the most law-abiding to be found in the state. "Most of the criminal trials in Macon county" said the judge, "arc the rcr from other counties or other states." Were it not for such men, Judge MacRae . was positive that Macon county, in so far as criminal cases are concerned, would have little use for courts and judges. The judge then charged the jury as to its duties and sent the jurymen to the room set aside for the purpose to begin their investigations. After the charge Judge MacRae held an in formal reception shaking hands with numerous friends in Franklin and else where. PIONEER WOMAN TAKENBYDEATH Mrs. Susie Leach Died April 12, Funeral Services April 13 at Presybterian Church Many Attend Services. Mrs. Susie Leach, 83, a pioneer citi zen of Macon county and highly hon ored and respected byj hundreds of friends in Western North, Carolina, died at her home on West Main street April 12 after an illness of four weeks. Funeral services were con ducted at -the Presbyterian church of which she was a member April 13 by the pastor, Rev. J. A. Flanagan. Six .of her grandsons acted as pall bearers. . As a deserved tribute of honor and respect to the memory of the deceased hundreds of people at tended the funeral exercise. Rarely, if ever, have people in Franklin turned out in such large numbers on an oc casion of this kind. After the ser vices at 'the ".church the remains were interred at the new cemetery just west of Franklin. The deceased- was born -and reared in Macon county and lived here prac tically all her life. She was the widow of the late :" Frank Leach who died about 20 years ago.. ' The following named children sur vive: John Leach, of Aitdrcws; Mrs. L, (. Waldroop, Route One, Frank lin ; Tom. tins, Lee. Mrs. J. C. Wright, Misses Nora, Laura and Ida, all of Franklin. Case of Allen Dills Postponed The case of Allen Dills, of Macon county, charged with slaying Dave Waldroop some time ago, and 'sched uled for this term of court has been postponed until the August term. Two grounds for postponing the case were considered. First, the fact that Bill Shope, a material .witness for the de fense and charged with being an ac cessory to the crime, is still at large, and, second, the fact that Dills has only recently employed J. N. Moody, of Murphy, as defense counsel. Mr. Moody claimed , that 1 he has not had sufficient time to prepare his case. PREEMT NANTAHALA N. F. 15 YEARS OF AGE Forest Policy Outlined Co operation With State and Individuals-Will Get Rid of Chestnut. This year marks the fifteenth one since purchases were started on the unit later to become the Nantahala National Forest. The area has grown from its beginnings in 1913 to its pres ent size of approximately. 250,(K)!) acres. The purchases have been made under the program outlined in tin Weeks Law of 1911 which provided for the acquisition by the. government of lands on important watersheds where the forest cover Would have some influence in regulating the water run-off. Obxiously the valuable agriculture lands of the river valleys were not included in the program and the ex terior boundaries of the forest today indicate the approximate limit of purchases.- Also -within .-thai-boundary lfie""50ft-ii'oviwt.,4 a '-f;i.ftw - fivnifT- wr its owners and the highest use of the land the ahnof-all land management is realized by agriculture. Watershed protection is paramount, but with this object accomplished as far as forest cover can contribute to that end comes the obligation1 to uti lize the other resource's of the land in the way which will bring the greatest .. permanent benefit to the adjacent communities and the public at" large. The utilization of the' timber conies first. The Nantahala National Forest is divided into five "working' circles" or units of , ama'iagement, on each of whi.ch the stand of sawtimbcr and wood products has been inventoried. The "salvage material" or. trees of poor form and quality, left from pre vious lodging operations, is sold as fast as the market will take it through sales of cross ties to fanners and small local woods operators. The re moval of this material improves' the stand of timber and makes way for younger trees of bctRr quality to grow. The mature timber of all spe cies is cut out under a method of selection which removes the full grown trees with the least possible harm to the poles and seedlings. Chestnut, which is doomed by the advancing chestnut blight, is removed without limit in any form (poles, acidwood or sawtimbcr) which the market will take. The timber use of the forest brings the greatest immediate return in dollars and cents. The receipts of the Nantahala have risen from $412.00 for the year 1914 to over $21,000 for the year 1927. Almost ninety per cent of this revenue was from the sale of timber. The recreational value of this whole region is too well known to emphasize the part which the Nantahala Forest can play in its service to the public. The nearest niountain country to the vast coast from New Orleans to Miami is just beginning to realize . on its possibilities. The Nantahala is but one of the chain of National Parks and National Forests which will help to attract isitors to the section. Recreational dtes will continue to be (levelopei ! in accordance Willi uic policy of putting all the land t its most productive use. FMi and game can be developed -.along with all .the other us vs. the Federal government "contributing the u sf of :s land and part of the super vision and 'the state .administcrinc the game refuses and restocking of all ' areas w ithin its boundaries. It is not the purpose of the United Slates to take oer the function of the private timber owner, the state v: local government, and it is with that end in mind that we come to the last and pcrhans greatest' benefit to be obtained from the National Forests. The comparatively small areas rovern niont forests are to be used a's'dernon stration areas in helping to furnish the information required for the most profitable growth and utilization of on the far greater areas which will always remain in private ownership with the states and municipalities per haps owning timbcrland to some ex tent. The policy of the government in it? forestry practice will then be: ; (Continued on page ten) ST WEEK FIRE THREATENS ROGERS HALL Blaze Quickly Extinguished After Burning Section of Roof L. E. Lentz Pain fully Burned by Acid. z Rogers Hall, one of the most widely known tourist hotels in Western North Carolina, came near burning to. the ground Monday afternoon about 7 o'clock. This hotel is located on a hill near the railway station and was formerly the home of, the late Sam L. Rogers. A short time before his death Mr. Rogers had made extensive additions to his home and converted it into one of the most comfortable tourist hotels in the South. From the broad verandas of this hotel one may obtain a magnificent view of the val ley of the Little Tennessee and Fish- in .. .. 1. ; ,, . Saturday Evening Post and Canadian papers. Within a fcv- minutes after the' alarm was given hundreds of Franklin citizens swarmed up the hill to take part in fighting the fire. The fire engine responded promptly, but it va$ found unnecessary to attach the hose. The chemical apparatus soon had the fire under control. Many business firms of the town sent their fire ex tinguishers which were used to good effect. There is an observation plat form on top of the hotel approximate ly 20x30 feet square. A latticed floor ing has been laid over the sheet iron roofing. Leaves from nearby trees had worked thejr way through the cracks and lodged bet went the wood and tin. It is believed that a spark from the kitchen flue ignited the haves. 'The- fire was extinguished after burning a small section of the roof. Jt is believed that $200 will cover the damages. Mr. L. K. Lentz, formerly with the highway -commission at Franklin, but now stationed at Murphy, and who happened to be a visitor here at the time, was painfully burned on one leg when acid from one of the fire ex tinguishers came in contact with his person. He was rushed to a local hospital where his burns were treated.. It is understood that he left the hos pital Tuesday. Through The Press Mrs. Rogers : wishes to extend her sincerest thanks to all those who took part in saving her hotel and home. . FORD MEN VISIT LOCAL AGENCY Service Representative and Service School Instructor Supervise Installation of New Machinery. J. K-. Thomas, service traveling representative .of .the- Ford Motor company, and j. A. ' .well, service school instructor, but!- of Atlanta, -visited the local Ford aV.ency here last week and .n ;r.ai;u d foT Iwo or three day- . ;'; :lrvi;riy the ' stallation of he'w '( ,-iiip!iient now ;' ,uircd in all Ford-' plants. 'For hardline motors and ptlur heavy parts', an' overhead track running the ''crtir length of the shop was placed in" position. A motor can be lifted frOm a car anywhere along this track and conveyed to the boiler plate tables in the rear where all kinds of machines are conveniently located to make any kind of repairs that may be necessary. To the aver age layman these machines are be wildering, but the mechanics state that the use of this equipment eliminates all guess work in making repairs. A washing tank where all grease and oil will be boiled from parts is included in the new equipment. Mr. Thomas stated that the new arrange ment of the local Ford shop will en able the manager to keep this de partment as clean as the parlor in