Newspapers / The Waynesville Mountaineer (Waynesville, … / April 16, 1956, edition 1 / Page 9
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THESE TIRE MARKS were left on a highway near Oakboro. N. C. by drag racers in powerful cars. The North Carolina State High way Patrol says the problem is rapidly becoming critical and officials are now studying measures to curb deadly sport. (Highway Patrol Photo). 31 Tar Heels Killed Since October By Drag Bacing As Incredible as it sounds there are public roads in North Carolina where speeding cars?two abreast may come hurtling out of the darkness at you at 100 miles art hour. If you manage to escape, then you're a survivor of drag racing, a maniacal "sport" rapidly achiev ing notoriety in dozens of com munities throughout the state. It's happening not only on the back roads, but increasingly so on main-line thoroughfares. Mostly teenagers ? who haven't the stom ach for professional racing?stage the mad sprints in defiance of the law and all common sense. Such illegal racing, already has resulted in 31 deaths since last October estimates Highway Patrol Major D. T. Lambert, who is watchlngthe problem with eagle eyed vigilance. According to information gath ered by the State Highway Patrol the races are anything but casual. Most of those reported in the past few months are semi-organized af fairs with ring-leaders who issue periodic challenges to others with the racing fever. The challenges are seldom ignored and plans are drawn up for a race. State troopers, especially in the Piedmont area, say that groups of 12 to 15 or more may engage in the race when it comes off. They wheel up to a pre-selected spot in powerful, late model cars, dispatch scout cars to decoy officers, and sometimes barricade roads adja cent to the racing site. Spectators, often numbering in the hundreds, join in the fun with side wagers on the contestants. Two or more cars line up side by side in the road. At a signal they accelerate fiercely enough to mar the black top and a half-mile away may be hitting 90 miles an hour. An innocent motorist happen ing along can take to the fields to escape death?if he's quick enough, of course. Recurring complaints from com munities plagued with the drag ging menace have stirred up plans for tighter legislation to be recom mended to the General Assembly. Already a misdemeanor, high way racing will become a felony if proposals of the Motor Vehicles Department are sucgessful. Ve hicles commissioner Ed Echeidt said highway racing has grown in creasingly critical since 1950, al most paralleling the manufactur ers' race toward higher and higher horsepower. While the State Highway Patrol has not been accused of any lax ity, troopers are quick to admit that apprehending speeders is sometimes less than a cinch with distinctively marked cars. Last year's legislators ordered the patrol to withdraw its fleet of blue and green and black cars which were able to mingle with traffic undetected. Since then pa trol cars appear on the road in a black-and-sllver combination, set off by a roof-mounted red light which stamps them police cars at a glance. Returning unmarked cars to the roads is another traffic safety measure to be proposed by the ve hicles agency. Meanwhile, the department also takes a dim view of even sanction ed races, the kind run on safety supervised tracks. Authorities rea son that such high speed excite ment "seeps down" to spectators, some of whom feel compelled to leave the track in a burst of speed which is continued on the high Way. Only recently a part-time professional racer led a highway patrolman on a 100 mile an hour chase that ended only when both cars were wrecked. Teen agers and adolescent-mind ed adults, authorities feel, too of ten emulate the pros with race track driving on the highway. Patrol sergeant Bill Baxter of Durham estimates that highway speeding arrests increase three fold following professional races, which are weekly events in many communities. Despits fairly stiff fines and the threat of locing their driver's li cense most drag racers can't see the light ? until perhaps an ac cident lays them low. Even then some return v to the highways un chastened. A 20 year old Wake county youth recently crashed into a tree at high speed, injuring himself and several companions. At the time of the mishap he was still convalescing from a previous ac cidet a year earlier. In between he was observed speeding 95 miles an hour by a state trooper who was unable to overtake him. In Stanly county the speed pack is led by a 37 year old merchant who has cracked up two new cars In three high speed accidents. He was able to patch up his car after the third wreck according to pa trolman W. L. Goforth of Norwood. These, and other cases, are ac cumulating in patrol headquarters where they are studied with grow ing concern by patrol officials. All feel the highway racing problem is now critical. Draft Board Has Information Dn Reserve Act . Information concerning the Re serve Forces Act of 1955 has been received in the Haywood County Selective Service local board of fice. Way M. Mease, chairman of the board, stated that the pamphlet is available to interested persons who call at the local board office. He stated that it discusses the various options offered by the act and em phasized that a person should dis cuss the option he is interested in with the commanding officers of local Arnw Reserve and National Guard organizations or local re cruiters of the various services. Mr. Mease suggested that youths between th ^es of 17 years and 18 years and 6 months and their parents probably would be interest ed in some of the options which will no longer be available to a young man after he attains the age of 18 years and 6 months. He also suggested that some vet erans who entered on active duty on or after 19 June 1951 and sep arated before 1 July 1957 may be interested in two of the options. He pointed out that under these they may materially reduce their Ready Reserve obligation provided they make arrangements with a Reserve or National Guard organization prior to 1 July 1957. V A To Make Sure Builders Conform. To Requirements An important step towards strict er compliance with Minimum Property Requirements In the GI home loan program was taken last week by the Veterans Administra tion. VA said it ha sinstructed each regional office manager to appoint a qualified VA construction analyst to make sure fee compliance in spectors are carrying out their as signments of assuring that build ers are conforming to plans and specifications and VA minimum property requirements. These supervising construction analysts will have the primary duties of: 1. Making on-site inspections of properties constructed or in the process of construction for wrich VA has received appraisal requests and which are or have been sub ject to either VA inspections or Federal Housing Administration supervision. 2. Reporting on the timeliness, effectiveness, accuracy and com pleteness and all other aspects of performance by each VA compli ance inspector, including any ir regular relationships with build ers, sponsors, or others and any evidence of improper conduct bear ing on performance. 3. Determining and reporting adequacy and quality of the ex hibits against which each compli ance inspector measures the degree of compliance and the quality ol as-built construction at the vari ous stages. 4. Evaluating and reporting on the adequacy and effectiveness of supervision by the builder in each particular case. VA emphasized that, under the law, compliance with its Minimum Property Requirements is manda tory. VA's minimum requirements are the same as those of FHA. VA's fee compliance inspectors are not Government employees. They are private contractors who inspect construction under the GI home loan program. Q?Is a GI farm loan supposed to be used only for the purpose of buying a farm? A?Not necessarily. A veteran may obtain a GI farm loan to buy livestock, equipment, or supplies; to improve farm buildings or land or equipment, or to conduct farm ing operations. FIRST GJtADF.RS In Mrs. Melva Evans' room at Bethel School rot practical experience In eating a hearty, well-balanced breakfast by eating to i ? gether during their first period last Tuesday. Homeroom mothers assisted Mrs. Evans in the serving of the breakfast. Bethel Students Serve Breakfast In School Room In studying the importance of starting each day with a well-bal anced breakfast, first-grade stu dents of Mrs. Melva Evans at Beth el School last week had breakfast in their homeroom during the first period. Foods were actually cooked In the school on a hotplate, waffle iron, and toaster, an dwere served by Mrs. Evans and homeroom moth ers Mrs. Wilson Caldwell, Mrs. Hollis Layman, and Mrs. Wade Duniap. Pupils brought their own bowl and spoon and some brought juice, cereal, eggs, bread, milk and butter. For some children, it was their first experience with waffles and syrup. Bookmobile Schedule luesoay, Apru 11 JONATHAN C. - L. JUNALUSKA Burgin's Store 9:15- 9:30 R. W. Howell 9:45-10:00 Rock Hill School 10:15-11:00 Mrs. Ethel Boyd 11:15-11:30 Jesse Hannah ...i..:ll:45-12:00 Orvil Shelton 12:15-12:30 Francis Wyatt 12:45- 1:00 Junaluska Supply 1:15- 1:30 Thursday, April 19 HYDER MT. - CLYDE RD. W. J. McCrary 9:15- 9:30 Willis Smith 9:40- 9:50 Irene Snyder ....10:00-10:15 Annie Long 10:30-10:45 ! L. E. McGowan ...11:00-11:15 . Allan Angel 11:30-11:45 ? Sam Rathbone 12:00-12:20 ? Patton School 1:00 Friday, April 20 BALSAM RD. . ALLENS CR. Allen Hyatt 9:15- 9:30 Barber's Orchard 9:45-10:15 Queen's Store 10:20-10:30 Mrs. Oscar Arrington 10:45-11:00 Kay Allen 11:15-11:30 Jack Whitner 11:35-11:45 Aliens Creek School 11:50-12:15 E. K. Chambers 12:30-12:45 Paul Browning 1:00- 1:15 Ralph Rathbone 1:30- 1:45 Survey Shows Decrease In Number Of Drinkers , I Four Students (Continued from Pace t) Bryson, Bob Akin, Jerry Leather wood, Gary Lindsey, Joyce Lind sey, Glenda Haney, Kay Winfrey, Linda Sheffield, Jimmy Scruggs, Linda McCracken, Tommy Beck, Elaine Fultz, Colleen Mears, and Barbara Henderson. Other contestants in the senior contest were Amelia Robinson, Patsy Mason, Patricia Russell, Peggy Free, Diana Haynes, Jimmy Winfrey, and Roy Stamey. Judges for the contest Tuesday were Mrs. Carl RatclifTe and Mrs. M. G. Satmey of Waynesville and Miss Pearl Harris of Waynesville. Judges Wednesday were Mrs. Stamey, Miss Ann Albright, and Mrs. T. W. Bridges of Waynesville. A recent Gallup Poll survey in dicates a decrease over the past decade in the proportion of U. S. adults who use alcoholic bever ages. In 10 years, the proportion of drinkers has dropped from a peak of 67 per cent to 60 per cent, the Gallup Poll shows. The Gallup Poll has asked this question each year since 1945: "Do you ever have occasion to use alcoholic beverages?such as liquor, wine, or beer?or are you a total abstainer?" Results: Drinkers Abstainers 1945 67% 33% 1956 60% 40% With an estimated adult popula tion today of 102 million, the sur vey results would indicate that about 61,200.000 persons use alco holic beverages, 40,000,000 do not. Free Vacations Arranged For Promotion Of WNC A regional advertising ana pro notional campaign aimed at 25,- p 100,000 potential vialtors to West xn North Carolina was launched it Hendersonville Wednesday at a neeting of area leaders. Counties from Watauga to Cher ikee, under the program adopted, rill Join in the region's first Joint cooperative undertaking to increase visitation to the mountains. The campaign calls for a co iperative program with the Palm >live-Peet Company whereby the region will be advertised and pro noted in some 60 to 70 cities through a series of contests. More than 100 free vacations will be given to the winners. The meeting Wednesday follow ing an earlier one three weeks ago st which time the program was first discussed. The meeting was presided over by John Parris of Sylva, president of Western North Carolina High landers, which has been expanded from an eleven-county organization to Include all 20 counties in West ern North Carolina. ' More than 25 area leaders at tended the meeting, despite snow and rain and slick roads. Representatives attended from Asheville. Hendersonvllle, Saluda, rryon, Boson City, Brevard, Cher jkee, Sylva. Carton, Waynesville, Chimney Rock, Blowing Rock, Boone. To carry out the program, which will be handled through the newly - expanded Western North Carolina Highlanders and repre^ sentatives from various Chambers of Commerce, the group adopted a budget and set quotas for the various counties. Counties pledging their quotas at the meeting were Henderson, Haywood, Transylvania and Jack son. In addition, quotas were ac cepted by the following attractions ?Blowing Rock, "Horn In The West" at Boone, Grandfather Moun tain, and "Unto These Hills" at Cherokee. The other counties and attrac tions In the region were given until April 25 to come into the rogram. To get the program under wa> mmeditaely, Parris appointed a irogram or planning committee nd a finance committee. Frank Coxe, executive viae presi lent of the Ashevllle Chamber of Commerce, was named chairman of he finance committee. Other mem ters are Harry E. Buchanan of lendersonville. Stanley Harris of ioone, Percy B. Ferebee of An Irews, Frank Duncan of Franklin, dajor O. A. Fetch of Fontana Vil age. Norman Greig of Chimney lock. and Eddie DeVous of Vaynesville. Dave Cooley, manager of the lendersonville Chamber of Com nerce. was named chairman of the irogram or planning committee vhich will work up advertisements ind prepare a regional brochure. Jther members are Spencer Rob >ins of Blowing Rock. . s. Lou larshaw of the Ashevill ham >er of Commerce; Carol E. White, ieneral manager of the Cherokee listorical Association; A1 Boyles if Boone, and Garth Cate. nation illy known travel consultant of rryon The finance committee was urg 'd to contact those counties and ommunities not present at the neeting today and to bring them nto the program which was de cribed by Harry Buchanan as "one if the finest opportunities that has ?ver been offered the region.'? "The amount of advertising and iromotion that will come to \he egion through this program." luchanan said, "could not be pur chased by us. We stand to benefit n a minimum of $350,000 worth >f advertising." He pointed out that this Is a -egional program and that it Is in opportunity for everyone to ihare in it. Over-all feed prospects in the United States this winter are fav irable despite drought daipage in he western Corn Belt and central jreat Plains. Dorit letlShrinking Horsepower put a drag on your engine Keep the lull, ^ eale power 9> ol your engine I ('lenn-hurning Gulf NO-NOX B protects against ? the deposits that cause ? "Shrinking Horsepower" ? in today's sensitive, high- I compression engines. I NO-NOX helps you F keep new-engine power . . . k new-engine safety and thrift ^k ... for thousands of extra mile*. Get the gasoline that bums cleari" PROOF: See how the asbestos glove, on the left in the picture, is smudged by the "dirty burning tail-end" of gasoline ... while NO- . NOX leaves the glove on the right clean. That's fi because Gulf refines out the "cupful of trou- It ble"?the "dirty-burning tail-end"?from ?very feallon, in making NO-NOX. II Gulf tfo-Nox i ' /"~N ^ J I DIRTY-BURNING I TAIL-END Hjgi GULF NO-NOX I CASOUWt Qean-lximing...pltis: Highest Octane you can buy IT ENLOE and REED, distributors DIAL GL 6-8809 LAKE JUNALtSKA ' .11 SQUARE | DANCE Every Saturday Night Beginning I Saturday, April 21st 8 to 12 P. M. at the WAYNESVILLE ARMORY featuring PETE HILL'S STRING BAND "BUG" KUYKENDALL, CALLER 7 Admission ? 50c Per Person Sponsored By The * MOOSE LODGE WIN A Set Of ' Custom Made SEAT COVERS Nothing To Buy! Nothing To Write! JUST VISIT HUB'S TRIM SHOP IN HIS NEW LOCATION t 210 HAYWOOD STREET ? WAYNESVILLE In The New Henry Davis Building IF YOU SHOULD BE THE LUCKY WINNER. BUT HAD, WITH IN THE PAST M DAYS. BOUGHT A SET OF SEAT COVERS FROM US. THE FULL PURCHASE PRICE WILL BE RE FUNDED ? I : - - ^ ' ?
The Waynesville Mountaineer (Waynesville, N.C.)
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April 16, 1956, edition 1
9
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