The public school is a precious thing
1 he public schools ot this nation, this
state, this region, are precious things.
We forget this fact sometimes. And
we ignore it a good portion of the time.
Today, with the public schools -
particularly in the South - on the
cutting edge of social change which, in
truth, has not spread to the larger
society, the forgetters and the ignorers
may be perilously close to having their
way. The panacea being offered all over
the South and in some areas of our own
state is the instant private school. The
idea draws adherents. Their tribe is
increasing. Their fury - in some measure
at least - is understandable.
But in their haste to preserve a
custom that is dying, in their
determination to fight a battle they
cannot win, the forgetters and the
ignorers stand in mortal danger of
delivering a crushing blow to a precious
institution, to an idea which in large
measure separates the United States
from the rest of the world.
Has any other major country ever set
for itself the Gargantuan task of
providing the opportunity for all of its
citizens to burgeon out all that was
within them".1 Has any other major
country ever completely adopted the
lofty ideal that a man ought to be
judged 011 what he was or could be
rather than 011 the accident of birth and
station? Has any other country ever
offered, through one democratizing
institution, so much hope for all of its
citizens?
What made the United States unique,
what brought the immigrants flocking
by the millions was the message of
opportunity, the idea that the son of a
tenant farmer or a mill hand could
become a captain of industry or - even
- President of the country. It was heady
stuff almost ZOO years ago. and it is still
heady stuff today.
That idea sometimes exceeded the
reality is u nimoortant. What iv
important is the institution which gave
credence to that ideal, and that
institution was and is the public school,
supported by all, open to all.
That institution took of the children
of many lands and many languages and
welded them into the strongest nation
the world has ever known. That
institution was the gcrminative
influence, the wellspring. which marked
this country^ march to greatness. While
other nations took for themselves the
task of educating the elite, the
aristocrat, the "ruling class, " America
educated a nation.
That private schools played a part in
that education process, no one would
deny. That comparison of an individual
private school with a single public
school often finds the public school
lacking, no one would deny. That the
public schools have often failed and
fallen far short of the ideal, certainly no
one would deny.
But private schools, instant or
otherwise, are not the answer to the
educational problems of this state, this
region. A private school, or a system of
private schools, must be selective and
restrictive - on economic grounds if no
other. The private school - over the
long haul - cannot meet the needs of
the poor, the forgotten.
And neither can the public schools if
they are to be left with only the poor
and the black. Community leaders can\
be expected to show the same concern
for the financial needs of the public
schools if their own children are in
private schools. If we allow ourselves to
be once again stampeded into
establishing two school systems -
separate and unequal - slow starvation
may be the lot of the public school.
And make no mistake about it. We
will all pay a terrible price if we allow
this to happen.
By Glenn Kvevcr in
Worth Carolina hducaiion "
Browsing in the files
of Tho Nows-Journal
25 years ago
March 1. 1945
Lt. Fldred Helton, wlut was
previously reported missing in
action over Germany since
December 17, is now a prisoner
in Germany, according to a
message received through the
Red Cross by his mother. Mrs.
Mary Helton. Lt. Helton was
co-pilot on a B-24 and went
overseas the latter part of last
year.
Sgt. James W. Greene, who
is stationed at Langley Field.
Va., spent nearly a week here
with relatives and friends.
Thomas Neill McLauchlin of
Raeford was commissioned a
second lieutenant in the Army
of the United Stales on Feb
10, upon completion of the
officer candidate course at the
Infantry School at Fort
Bcnning. Ga. He is llie son of
Mr. and Mrs. H.C. McLauchlin
of Raeford.
One night last week Arcli
Tappgot in his pickup, stepped
on the starter, and Ireard the
fan making u lot of noise.
Investigating, lie got his
flashlight and raised the hood.
The wind blew out what
looked like a hat full of hair.
Three days later his cat came
home with most of her liair
|ime.
Dr. Horace M. Baker.
Bb * ?
administrative head and chief
surgeon at Baker Sanatorium in
Lumbcrton. died last week at
the age of 57.
Chairman H. L. Gatlin. Jr. of
tlie Hoke County Red Cross
War Fund Drive, reports that
the first cheek was brought in
last week by Ira Newton of the
Antioch community.
Miss Lucy Glenn Gill's home
room has a new coal of paint.
The work was done by Harold
Gilhs. a member of the class.
On Wednesday afternoon,
February 28. Mr. and Mrs.
Thomas Flavins Culbrelh kept
open house from 5:00 until
8 00 o'clock, during which
time their friends called to
congratulate them, this being
their fiftieth wedding
anniversary.
I). Scott Poole comments in
"Poole's Medley" that
"Americans are making free of
their freedom of speech, as is
plainly seen in (lie daily
wrangles in Washington, and
even nearer bv."
15 years ago
March 3. I9S5
Starting I Ik* first of March
Use Town of Kucford look
slept to keep a full lime
fireman on duty at all times
with lhe employment of I dgar
R. Brooks, who will share the
duties with Vance Wiggins. The
step will save Rue ford property
owners an estimated S 10,000
yearly in insurance premiums.
Younger Snead, Jr., was
awarded the F.agle Scout badge
in a ceremony at Hoke High
School last Thursday night.
The local plant of Robbins
Mills became Amerotron last
week as Textron, American
Woolen and Robbins Mills were
merged to form Textron
American.
5 years ago
March 4. 1965
An outbreak of flu in Hoke
County is ncaring epidemic
proportions, according to
irculth officials, but a survey of
local schools indicates the
outbreak may be abating in
some section.
Mrs. Hlien (W.E.) Willis was
employed by tlic county board
of commissioners Monday as
assistant home economics
agent.
A.D. Borelli. former
employee at Raeford Worsted
Plant, has been named the
year's outstanding citi/en by
tlic Chamber of Commerce at
Drake's Branch Va.
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Eclipse--To See Or On TV
That Is The Question
By Mrs. Laurie Telfair
Saturday is the day for the
big show. Don't miss it 01
you'll have to wait until July
l')7: and then go to Alaska tc
see another total solai eclipse
Now . "see" is a bad choice
of words lieie ?? maybe
"experience" would be better
Because it seems that even
though we'll be right in the
/one for viewing the
phenomenon, we can't really
look at it. l-ooking directly at
the sun is very dangerous, the
National Commission on
Blindness says
The light ravs are blocked
out during an eclipse but the
heat isn't so the unwary viewer
can get a sunburned retina by
looking directly at an eclipse
The retina, or back of the eye
isn't sensitive to pain, so tltey
say. so a victim can suffei
permanent damage beloie he
knows it.
Anyway, this leaves the
rather unsatisfying alternative"
of going inside and watching
the eclipse on television while
it is taking place just outside 01
else going outside and standing
back to the sun while focusing
a shadow of the eclipse onto a
while cardboard through a
pinhole
Of course, anyone who has a
telescope with special eclipse
viewing lenses can safely use n
to view the eclipse. However, a
regular telescope or a canters
are both very dangerous a1
they intensify the sun's heat
5h> there you are. Take youi
choice between shadows or
cardboard or television. Or yoi
could just ignore the whole
thing and turn on the light foi
the few minutes it is dark.
All this will take place ai
1:38 p m Kastern Standan
Time Satuiday. Match 7. Tin
sun will be eclipsed by tin
moon which will pass he'weer
the earth and the sun. blocking
our view of the sun.
A halo of light, called a
caiona. will appear around the
sun at that time
The shadow of the moon a;
it comes between earth and sur
moves across the earth ai
speeds ranging trom 1.100 ti
5.000 miles an hour, depending
on where it touches the earth
I his leaves an eclipse path that
is never any wider than 167
miles although a partial eclipse
may be seen in areas outside
the total eclipse path.
The longest duration for a
solar eclipse is 7 minutes 40
seconds with the longest
eclipse in modern times
occuring in June. 1955, which
lasted 7 minutes 7.8 seconds.
The eclipse Saturday will last
about .V^ minutes.
Eclipses occur in cycles
Those in the same series will
happen every 18 years I 11/3
days but they will not
necessarily occur in the same
part of the earth as the
previous on in the series.
The next eclipses that may
be seen in the United Statei
will occur on July 10, 1972 in
Alaska and on Feb. 26. 1979 in
the Pacific northwestern 11 c
STORIES
BEHIND
WORDS
by
Willitm S. Pen field
Harum-Scarum
The adjective "harum-scarum," which means wild or reckless,
comes from a hunting term.
Hunting hares, or rabbits as they are called in America, with
dogs is an old sport The dog's persistent chasing of a hare led to
the adoption of the verb "to hare," meaning to chase or harass.
The verb resulted in the colloquial "hare 'em and scare 'em.",
meaning to harass and worry some animal or person. "Have 'em
and scare "em" evolved into the adjective "lurum-scarum" which
described the plight of someone so harassed. Bv extension it
acquired the figurative meaning of my wild or reckless behavior.
Hitch
We often hear a delay or temporary setback in a course of
action described as a "hitch in one's plans."
The allusion is to the gait of a horse that has suddenly become
lame.
"Hitch," which had the synonymous forms of "hutch" and
"hatch" in Middle English, used to have the meaning of moving
in a jerky manner.
The word was used specifically to describe the action of a
hoise -- traveling at a smooth gait - that picks up a stone in a
hoof, or in some other way becomes lane, and starts limping.
By extension "hitch" acquired the meaning of any
impediment to a smooth course of action.
Double-Cross
"Double-cross" originated in the cant of the underworld, but
it w as popularized in the sport of boxing.
To "cross" someone was to work some dishonest scheme on
linn. Two or more persons sometimes teamed up to rob a person.
Sometimes the one who made off with the money kept it for
himself. This was called a "double-crosa," because he "crossed"
the ones with whom he had conspired to rob the victim.
In boxing, "double-cross" denoted a situation in which a
fighter conspired with gamblers to lose a fight, but changed his
mind and won it.
just One Thing
After Another
Bv C?rl Go*rrh
Writes a friend from
Georgia:
"I was present at a meeting
of the KJwanis Club the other
night and heard this story. If
you are ever toastmaster at
such an occasion you might
like to um it.
"Clarence Buddington
Kelland was master of
ceremonies at a large dinner
where there were to be eight or
ten speakers. Kelland knew
what he was up against. As he
stood up to open the talk-fest
he had a slip of paper in his
hand.
"Gentlemen," he said, 'the
obvious duty of a toastmaster
is to be so terribly dull that the
succeeding speakers will appear
brilliant by contrast.'"
"The men who were to
follow him chuckled
delightedly.
'"I've looked over this list,
however', Kelland continued,
'and I don't believe I can do
it!"
"The speakers stopped
chuckling and the diners
roared."
In the front window of a
house in a town in eastern
North Carolina wlicre the
houses arc very close together,
there was posted a card bearing
three words:
PIANO FOR SALE
The next morning after that
sign was posted, another was
seen in a window of the house
next door, with just one word
on it:
HURRAH
In the book, "An Honorable
Titan," Gerald Johnson
mentions an incident in the life
of Adolph Ochs wliich is worth
more than passing notice.
When Ochs proceeded with the
fulfillment of a dream in the
erection of the Timet Building
at Longacre Square in New
York City, now called Timer
Square, it wui necessary for
liini to borrow money. A loan
was negotiated with a large life
insurance company. A few
years later circumstances
required tlsat the loan be
repaid upon very short notice.
Mr. Oclu was in a predicament,
for the amount was S300.000
and that is no small sum. He
did not know where to turn,
since there would not be time
to borrow from another
lending institution. In his
auxicty Ire went to a friend to
whom he related the situation
and asked if he could advise
turn what to do. The friend
listened sympathetically, and
at the close of Mr. Oeh's
statement, smiled, drew a
check for S300.000 and
handed it to Mr. Ochs. In due
time Mr. Ochs repaid the loan.
Mr. Johnson goes on to tell
the sequel, which is the more
interesting part of the story.
He knew the name of the man
who had helped Mr. Ochs - a
man of prominence ?? and
asked him, after the death of
Mr. Ochs, to allow his name to
be used in the book in the
recital of the incident. The
man laughed and said no, lie
did not wish his name to enter
into it.- But, he said, Mr. Ochs
fully returned the obligation,
for when the friend in after
years was caught in a stock
market jam which threatened
to wipe him out, Mr. Ochs
called at his office and put into
his hands securities worth
much more than S300.000 to
tide him over the crisis.
Sign in front of a filling
station at Kinslon:
HONEST PETE?
Yes. the question mark is
part of the sign. We're still
Dii/./.ling over it.
CTil Vt BLUE ? ? ?
People & Issues
DR. MELfov^T77?
nigh, we attended the DiS
Eight meeting 0f the State
at l?n lrd A,,oc'ation held
Moore "r Hi8h Sc,,0?' in
Moore County. Dr. Jame*
Melton, attistant State Supt of
Public Instruction was the
Principal speaker of the
occasion He is sold 0? "J
wordiT, i'SSmen- ?"?
?,1 I Iake " thai if we
kfnH ' have bo,h 'be
kindergartens and the 12th
grade which in reality makes
bf?S',d?;- J' would be
^ r to lower the entrance to
, ' year ?,tls rather than to the
ndyfea,rM,dSaiiintw ?i iw
anH J em gel s,?rted soon
train^n?mP 'he'r high scll(,t)'
training a year earlier.
nnf !)IS talk he WaJ certainly
??!kadV(!c,t'n8 giving up the
the ^'krC ^Ul be believes that
Jhooh ,|Pil?' kindergarten
s?v?:::j:\e,ght of
Paving ihemselve?sW'and
pointing the right way.
JLuSi0'-Mc,,un??
JJ DIN'N'HR ?? Democratic
Oh r i" frrm a" over
i ll c?rohna from Murphy
Ral^ohn,e? ,Wi" cunvfrge on
Re'eigh and the Sir Walter
ci? J Pafticular this
Saturday. March 7 for the
?jnujl Jefferson-Jackson Day
^ith no statewide exciting
primary race on docket this
year more talk than usual may
well be towards the 1972
8Uu?u?,riai sw?P"akes.
MOORf VOTI RS - The
voters of Moore County gave a
thunderous "no" IO anv
w^k'wi 1" P'?Pcr,y la*? last
week when they voted almost
^ to I against increasing the
county s 4'icem ,ax to 12
cents tor the upkeep and
maintenance of Sandhills
Community College. 1970 will
hardly find any candidates
running for office advocatina
"rT.""*0 Property tax or an
KouVyn>' ?,hfr "*
III pretty clear that the
8eneral are disturbed
?bout many things that are
on. parti:ularly so jn
ISdlfj0 ,,XM in<J 'n^""on
?nd when taxes or a bond vote
" if for an
11 . ,* *1,fr neet|i or
'ire protection it is likely to
mwt ? chilly reception ,,,?
ballot box.
TRKFS ?? Midland Road, the
beautiful tree ? lines six ? mile
link between Southern Pines
and Pinehurst fell victim to the
woodman's axe a day last week
when a group of State Highway
workers rushed in one morning
and cut down I OH tall pines
before the cutting could be
halted. Pines line the outsides
ot the road and were planted in
the median by the Kiwanis
club in the 1920's. The out ?
cry ol the neighborhood
people recalls George Pope
Morris' "Woodman, Spare that
Tree" which goes like this:
Woodman, spare that tree
Touch not a single hough!
In youth it sheltered me.
And I'll protect it now.
UiGISLATIVI KA( I S ?? A
number of hot legislative races
appear to be in the offing
before the May 2 Democratic
primary.
In the Second Senatorial
District a hot light appears to
be shaping up between Senator
I*.J. Gurganus of Williamson
and former Senator Ashley
Futrell. Washington N. C..
newspaper publisher. There are
five counties in the district
with one senator to nominate
and elect.
In the 19th senatorial
district composed of Davidson.
Montgomery, Moore,
Richmond and Scotland a
contest is already on between
Charles B Deane, Jr.. of
Rockingham and Jack Klass of
lexington. Both are young
lawyers. Thus far Wm. P.
Saunders of Southern Pines is
without opposition in the
district for Seat No. I. Deane
and Klass are out for No. 2
now held by Dr. Wm. D. James
who has declined to seek
renomination.
In Richmond County a hot
race appears to be in the
making between Rep John
Covington and former Rep.
Tom Hunter. Both have
defeated the other in racer, for
the House. Hunter is an
insurance representative and
Covington is a banker, and
both are from Rockingham.
The County has one seat in the
House, and Richmond is
regarded as strongly
Democratic
MARCH 7 ? In histors
March 7 is a red ? letter dav for
more reasons than one ?? and
March 7, 1970 will add to that
list with North Carolina as a
special focal point when the
solar eclipse takes place. We
hope people will not remember
the day due to damage done to
their ayes by taking proper
precaution.
Creek Philosopher
i^cai cuiidl.
According to an article
read in a newspaper last mgli
which I'd picked up in towi
earlier in the day while I wa
trying to find a good uset
battery lor my car which I n
tired of parking on a hill so
can start the motor withou
pushing, oh it's all right in dry
weather but in wet weathei
you wind up at the bottom oi
tlie hill with the motor runnntj
but the wheels spinning, my
pasture isn't paved, at any rate
according to this article
some world experts or
economics have come up with
a proposal to the Lnited
Nations on solving the
problems of poor countries.
&xr t
They proposed a world
wide sales tax on certain
luxury items, with the money
then to be distributed to poor
nations They said this tax
would apply on those goods
"the possession of which is
indicative of the attainment of
a relatively high standard of
living by the purchaser"
I read the list of things and
included are television sets and
automobiles
I'm afraid those world - wide
economic experts haven't
looked beyond the driveway or
tlsc outside antenna if they
believed that owning a car or a
T. V. set is proof you've
reached a relatively high
standard of living.
Ii seems to n* they ought to
try to figure out some other
standard, say like owning a
private swimming pool and a
personal airplane, although
you'd find if you checked
closely enough a good many of
those are mortgaged.
Cars and television sets
aren't luxury items ir this
country. Bread and met', are.
I'm against the United
Nations taxing my car and
television set but I'll meet
(Item half way. They can tax
my airplane at soon as I get
one.
Yours faithfully.
J. A.
cyiew4 - journal
MAY10MAL NIWSPAPE8
shnmB
?we 1
MA S8SUNHM
ItMQ-llTI
Published Every Thursday at Raeford, N. C. 28376
119 W. Elwood Avenue
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Per Year - S4.00 6 Months - S2.2S 3 Months - SI.25
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Second-Claw Postage Paid at Raet'ord, N. C.
Your Award - Winning Community Newspaper
"It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness'
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1970