Newspapers / The Cherokee Scout (Murphy, … / Dec. 5, 1968, edition 1 / Page 1
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12 Pages The Cherokee Scout and Clay County Progress Volume 79 - Number 20 - Murphy, North Carolina - December 5, 1968- Second Class Postage Paid At Murphy, North Carolina 10C Per Copy ? Eight Years Is A Short Time For Us To Forget 1 By Jack Owens Editor & Publisher Duitag recent weeks then has been a silent, dmost, invisible invaaon of foreign fotcea into our area. This force, although small, is said to be ?highly trained and specialized in the ait of creating unrest and suspicion. The result of this invading force of union organizers, representing the Textile Workers Union of America, has been seen and felt by employees of American Thread at the Cherokee Plant at Marble. The friendly atmosphere of comradeship and congeniality has been replaced by a grimace of suspicion and doubt. Tension has taken the place of confidence. The air seems to be charged with conflict. Some 300 families in the area are thus affected, and their attitude hat, in turn, injected an uneasiness into our entire business and industrial community. Employees at the new American Thread Plant in Cherokee County will vote December 12 on whether they want rep mentation by the Textile Workers Union of America. All Cherokee County should be concerned about the decirion which will be made by the American Thread employees. Industries are the economic lifeblood of our community. American Thread is the latest of weral new industries to come to Cherokee County. All these companies will be watching with more than passing interest the outcome of this election. The Union trying to get into American Thread has told employees there that having a i union in our county would be good (or all of us. I thought about that a good deal over the Thankagiving weekend, a time when we count our blessings and be thankful for what we have. In 1960, only eight short years ago, there were some 450 people industry-employed in Cherokee County. Today the n umber employed in Cherokee County industry is approaching 4,000 and still growing. This is a growth pattern the entire state of North Carolina can be proud of. It has been said many times that Cherokee County, per population, is the fastest growing county in the state. This brings me to a most important question. Did the Union bring these industries and million of dollars in payrolls to our County? ? NO. Where were these Union organizers when the people of Cherokee County worked so hard to bring our Tint industries to this area? The city and county commissioners, the Chamber of Commerce, the industry-hunt ing organizations and community leaders find, romance and bring industry to Cherokee County. The Union had nothing to do with it. The Unions are concerned now. Why shouldn't they be? The industries are here with millions in payrolls and the Unions want their share in the form of dues they expect from employees. These dues alone would run into thousands of dollars taken out of Cherokee County each year. The way I figure ? if Unions are good for an area, then areas where unions have been longest should be most prosperous with lower unemployment and more new industries coming in. Let's look at some examples: For example, look at the coal mining areas, some of the strongest unions anywhere in the United States. Everybody has heard of John L. Lewis. But there in the strongest union areas, unemployment is the highest in the United States, poverty is the usual state of affairs, welfare rolls are full. Industry is reluctant to move in. Some new ones tried there and closed. So, we don't believe that would improve Cherokee County. Then we looked at the once prosperous textile area in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Town after town is full of abandoned factories where thousands upon thousands of union members once worked. More than 140 unionized plants moved out of that area since World War II. So, we don't think that would improve Cherokee County. 1 really don't think these companies wanted to move because moving is a very expensive process. The unions simply made the operation of these companies so unprofitable that they had no other choice. In a printed bulletin notifying American Thread employees of the December 12 election. Union leaders in the plant were told to "Keep in close touch with the committee and the Union representative." It is no wonder, I don't think the union organizers want the employees of American Thread to learn the whole truth about organized labor. The bulletin also stated, and 1 quote, "What has the Company done for you and what has the Company done too (sic) you?" "These are the same men who treated us like dogs, worked us like mules and stretched us out like rubber bands!" Hog Wash! The practice of browbeating and intimidating workers is a thing of the past. The employees at American Thread get a good days pay for a good days work and enjoy working in an ultra modern plant. In fact, they are receiving union scale wages right now. Does it make sense for them to cut their own paychecks so that a union - which has done nothing to help them ? should get an undeserved rake-off? Can any honest man come forth and say that he and hie family lives in poverty and subjugation as a result of being an employee of American Thread? Dan Hicks, Jr., Editor and Publisher of The Madisonville Democrat once poaed this question to Union organizers: "Why are you, a stranger, doing this for me?" Now that we have a good industry growth in our County, the union organizer comes with his promise of higher wages, shorter hours, fringe benefits and other pie in the sky. Promises they cannot guarantee, for the company will continue to set policies and wages even though organized. The Union really only wants the almighty dollar they can squeeze from the pay checks of American Thread employees. At this time it would be wetl for us to aiao ask the question poaed above: "Why are you, a stranger, doing this for me?" because lurking in the shadow of the organizer are strikers, violence, hard feelings, work stoppages, and no pay checks. We in the newspaper busines are familiar with the unions of New York who have caused some of the world's best-known newspapers to close their doors forever and caused thousands of newspaper employees to lose their lifetime jobs. We like the progress that Cherokee County has shown during the past eight years without union trouble. Only the employees at American Thread can make the decision and their very future can well depend on the vote they cast December 12. Town Board Discusses, Amends Garbage Code The Murphy Town Board spent several hours Monday night discussing the different ' sections of the garbage and litter ordinance proposed by the Murphy Planning Board and delayed passing on the ordinance until next month. Each section of the proposed ordinance was studied carefully by the Board Members and amendments were recommended at the Board meeting, which met a week earlier than their uaial date. A vote on the proposed ordinance is being delayed a until the legality of the ' sections can be checked. All of the Board members were present at the meeting, . plus Town Clerk Charlie Johnson and Town Attorney Herman Edwards. Board members are Cloe Moore, Mayor; John Carringer, Jerry Hatchett, W. A. Singleton, Frances Bourne, W. T. Brown, and Kenneth Godfrey. A low bid of $1,860 was accepted by the Board for sidewalk and curb work in Murphy. Robert C. Witt received the contract to repair 519 feet of sidewalk and 70 feet of curbing. The sidewalk work extends from the General Hospital west, while the curb work will be done in front of the Cherokee Restaurant and Parker's Drugstore. Smith and Jones submitted a bid of $2,000 for the work, which was not accepted. Cloe Moore was appointed to represent Cherokee County in the Western North Carolina Regional Planning Commission, replacing W. D. Townson. The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners will have to confer on the appointment before it becomes official. Traffic congestion at the intersection of Willow Street Thieves Take TV, Radios From Summer Home ?t Over $2,000 worth of TV'* and stereo equipment were stolen from a summer home in Hiwassee Dam Village last week, Cherokee County Sheriff Claude Anderson said today. | The merchandise was taken ' from a house owned by an I Atlanta doctor, who discovered the theft when he came here ? during Thanksgiving. Taken I from the house were a color T.V. set, a radio-stereo, an I AM-FM radio and an amplifier. Anderson said that many other articles available in the house were not taken. The thieves apparently entered the house by breaking a latch on a plate glass sliding door, Andanon said. Although the identity of the thieves Is not known at present, Anderson saM that the krrestiption is continuing and Church Street was brought before the Board, and the Street Committee was asked to study the problem. Tuesday morning this Committee recommended that a stop sign be placed giving the traffic traveling on Church Street toward Willow Street the right-of-way. Add Your Name To The Growing United Fund List The United Fund goal climbs steadily upward as pledges during the past week push the total to $18,155, well over one-half of the $30,000 goal Over 175 individuals and businesses have contributed since November 20. Your name will help to lengthen the list and help reach the goal. Andrews Lions Club White Cane - $350 Murphy Lions Club White Cane $600 The primary mission of the Lions Clubs is aid to the blind and near-blind. Indigents are furnished free eye examinations, prescriptions, and corrective glasses by Medical Doctors and Cherokee County as its' own fully equipped clinic for this purpose. The clubs also assist in obtaining jobs for the blind and near-blind. American Red Cross ? $4,671 This organization furnishes a variety of worthwhile services. Perhaps the best known services are the Bloodmobile (Blood Bank) and assistance to men in the armed forces. The Red Cross is always available in time of disaster. United Fund donors since November 20 include E. Rae Moore, Margaret Ellis, Burch Motors, Peyton G. I vie, Fambro's, Gladys Ware, Annie Henderson, Juanita Gibson, Maurine Robinson, Phyllis A. Mosteller, Jane Patton, Evelyn Hope Gibson, Delthla Hancock, Evelyn Beavers, Maxine Fish, Evelyn Stiles, Majorie Coker, Martha Farmer. Wanda Reid. Ruby Walker, Zelma Henderson, Patsy Anderson, Birdie Kirkland, Sebna J. Garrett, Dorothy Crisp, Suede an Ledford, T helms Brendle, Jerry Reynolds. Richard J. Patton, Arnold Coker, She re II M. Hooper, M. L. Totherow, Berth* Ledford, Harley Beavers, Mrs. Linnie M. Tanner, Syhria Waggoner. Garland Graves, Jr., Lucille Whitener, Larry Ware, Jerry W. Brezzeale, Troy Phillips, John A. Stale up, Martha Brendle, Huls-Bettis Furniture, Western Auto (AnAvws), Forsyth Furniture Stole, Swannie's Jewelry, KhouH's Department Store, Harry Seam on. Gene ur.wk weuo. Sharon Reynolds, OBie Martin, Loulae Wilson, Anna Donaldson, Elisabeth Garter, Linda Canwell, Joy Rich, Eunice Ledford, Betty Jooaa, Evelyn Stakup Mary McCoy, - Ellen McDonald, Blanche Pendergast, Shirley Hass, Cordia Ramsey. Louise Satterfield, Modean Chastain, Reathel Alien, Doris E. Gibby, Lucille Hughes, Ruth Lockman, Hoyt E. Dockeiy, Home Credit Company, Mrs. Romie Trantham, Mrs. Anna Ruth Palmer, Sara J. Chandler, Continued Cn Page 4 Tom Day Cited As Citizen Of Vision' William E. Carter, Town Clerk of Hayesville, presents a medallion to Tom Day, left, at a dinner Tuesday night honoring Mr. Day. Day has been acclaimed as a "Citizen of Vision" by the people of Clay County for his continuous work in aiding in the development of their county. Approximately 100 people, elected representatives from each segment of the County, attended the testimonial dinner. Tomotla To Represent Cherokee County In Community Development Contest Several hundred rural and civic leaders from throughout Western North Carolina will be on hand in the Asheville City Auditorium on Saturday, December 7 at 12 noon for the 19th annual awards meeting of the Asheville Agricultural Development Council. Highlight of this event will be the announcement of the top winners of the Western North Carolina Community Development Program for 1968 including Tomotla community representing Cherokee County. The meeting will climax a year's work by the 114 organized areas in 16 counties that have competed in the community improvement program this year. Dr. Paul Miller, director of University Planning Studies of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte will be the principal speaker. Over $4,500 in awards will be presented to the organized communities in the area judged to have made the greatest progress during the year. An additional $8,000 in prizes have already been presented by local sponsors in county contests. Sixteen county winners competed in the final judging of the non-farm division in mid-November, 13 in the farm division and 15 in the youth program. On November 13, the Area Non-Farm judging was held at the Tomotla Community Center with the following judges: Mrs. Marjorie Donnelly, Extension Specialist in Charge, Foods and Nutrition; N.C. State University. Raleigh Bob C. Goforth, Regional Representative N.C. Department of Conservation and Development. Sylva; and Bob Ptumer, Retired Furniture Dealer, Asheville. The following people did tha presentation of the program; J.D. Decker, president of the club; Rev. and Mrs. Marvin Hampton, Mr. and Mrs. Don Hogsed, Ronnie Palmer, Leila Hayes, Anna M. Deweese, Anna R. Palmer, Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Angell, Frank Sudderth, Mrs. Rush Stiles, Edith Stiles, Shirley Davis, Kate Hayes, Jo Ann Pope, Sandra Decker, Rodney Hampton, Kendall Hampton, Pat Harper, Dixie Palmer, Vickie Davis, Lynn Loudermilk, Debra Keener, Sudderth Is The Leader In Last Week Of Contest In the next to last football contest for the 1968 season, Wayne Palmer of Murphy, Rt. 3 won $5 and five points. This is the first time that Palmer has gotten into the winners circle. Palmer's only missed three games. (Unless a participant predicts a tie game and the game ends in a tie it is counted as a losing game.) Palmer actually only missed one game but since there were two tie games listed in the contest he gets credit for missing three. The two tie games were the Notre Dame - University of California and the Mississippi - Mississippi State games. All contestants missed these two. The other game Palmer missed was the Boston - Cincinnati game. Eight other contestants missed four games and the tie breaker was used to determine the other winners. Mrs. Neil Sneed was awarded second place and S3. She missed the two tie games and the Green Bay ? San Francisco game, Cleveland ? New York Giants games. Her prediction for the Tie breaker was Alabama 27 Auburn 17. The final outcome of this game waa Alabama 24, Auburn 16. This gave her a differential of four points. In the race for the third position and $2, it was judged a tie between Peggy Payne of Andrews, Jerry Sanders of Dunwoody, Ga. Sanders waa a previous winner of 3 1/3 points and this now gives him a total of 4 1/3 points. Sanders and Payne divided third place honors. Peggy Payne missed the two tie games plus Green Bay - San francisco and Florida ? Miami games, and predicted the tie breaker Alabama 21 - Auburn 14 giving her a differential of.5 points. Sanders also missed the same games and predicted the tie breaker Alabama 24 - Aubum 21 also giving him a differential of 5 points. Others missing four games but losing out on the tie breaker were: Sammy O'Dell of Murphy, Lou Jean Kilpatrick of Murphy, Hoyt Brown of Murphy, H. W. Alexander of Murphy, and Euclid Voyles of Murphy. With the publication of this week's issue, the contest will come to a close, this will be the last contest for this season. Only one contestant has a mathematical chance of overtaking the leader. Frank Sudderth is the l?ader with 12 points. Lyn James is in second place with 8 points. Should James submit the first place winning entry this week and Sudderth fail to either get a second or third place position, then James would overtake Sudderth by one point and be awarded the grand prise of two tickets to Continued On Pag* 4 Jackie Pope, Gail Ingle, Linda Palmer WUlie L. Shields, Wilma Pope, Linda Pope, and Myra Hampton. After the presentation service, the community club held their Annual Thanksgiving supper, with Turkey, dressing, pumpkin pies, and all the trimmings. Besides the judges, approximately 75 people from the community enjoyed the supper along with the following people who were guest for the occasion; Mr. and Mrs. S. J. Gernert, Mr. and Mrs. Peyton Ivie, Mr. and Mrs. T. W. ? Brown, Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Alverson, (Mr. Alverson, is Cherokee County's Director of the Asheville Agricultural Development Council) also, Mr. Morris McGough, Executive vice-president of the Asheville Agri. Development Council, and Miss Pat Thompson, Assistant Home Economics Extension Agent, Jack Earley, County Extension Chairman, Wendell Hedden, Assistant Agricultural Extension Agent and his wife, Sarah Hedden. The WNC Community Development Program is sponsored by the Asheville Agricultural Development Council and the agricultural agencies in each county. The awards meeting on December 7 will mark the completion of 19 years of operation of the Agricultural Development Council as an area development association for the western counties. Christmas Trees On Sale The Murphy Rotary Club will sell Christmas trees again this year starting this Friday. The trees, Frazier Fin and white pines, win be sold on the square in Murphy December 1^, 14. 20. and 21. W.T. Moore Still Head Of Board, TaxListers Named W. T. Moore was renamed as chairman of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners for the coming year and tax listers for the County were appointed during Monday's regular monthly meeting. A unanimous vote by the Board gave Moore the chairmanship and Ray Sims the vice-chairman position which both has held since their election in 1966. Tax listers for Cherokee were readily approved by the Board for 1969. These listers are: Murphy, John Lunsford, -and* Mt~s. Judy Woody; Valley town Township, Wallace Moore and Mrs. Mabel Raybum Beaver dam, Fred Martin and Allen Chambers; Shoal Creek, Cliff Stiles and Walter Anderson; Notla, Homer Davidson and Charles A i kens; and Hot House Township, Mrs. Charlie McGill and Mrs. C. C. Helton. A motion by Matheson to raise the lister's pay from $10 to $12 per day for listing carried a unanimous vote of the Board. For the first time in five months all the Board members were present during the day long meeting that saw little business. Board members include W. T. Moore, Ray Sims, Andrew Barton, Cariyle Matheson, Jack Simonds, and Luther Dockery. Also present was L. L. Mason, Jr., secretary of the Board and County Attorney. In other business Mack Ray, Farmer's Home Administration director for this county, presented to the Board a report prepared for the Cherokee County Rural Development Authority titled "A Comprehensive Plan for Use in Developing Water and Sewer Systems in Cherokee County." A motion was made by Sims and seconded by Matheson that the Board accept and approve the report, which received a unanimous vote by the Board. The report was Continued On Poge 4 Copperhill Man Is Killed WhenPrivate PlaneCrashes Morrison E. Simmons, 57, Copperhill, Tenn., was killed and his wife was seriously injured when the small -private plane he was piloting crashed in a wooded area three miles south of Franklin, Sunday afternoon. Simmons and his wife were returning to their home from Jacksonville, Fla., when the crash occured, a flight plan found in the plane indicated, four hours before the accident happened at 3:30 p.m. Simmons died at 6:05 p.m. in the Franklin hospital from loss of bloodand shock, the hospital reported. His injuries included multiple severe head cuts, a fractured hip, and several broken ribs. Macon County Sheriff Brice Rowland said the crash took place about a quarter of a mile west of U. S. 441 in the Long View Community. Rowland said residents of the area heard the crash and reported it to his department. Simmons' wife, Jean, was taken to an Asheville hosptial where she was in serious condition Sunday night. The 45-year-old woman has suffered a broken leg and head injuries. Mrs. Simmons told officers that she and her husband were lost in heavy fog and were trying to find * place to land when the plane struck the top of trees. The Piper Tri- Pacer was completely demolished when it hit the trees and ground. UHWDA Meets Thursday The fifth annual meeting of the Upper Hiawassee Watershed Development Association will meet tonight (Thursday) at 7:30 at the Susan B. Harris Chapel on the campus of Young Harris College in Young Harris. Mr. Charles L Foltz, Executive Director, Education Advisory Committee, Appalachian Regional Commission, Washington, D. C., will speak on educational needs in he Appalachian area. Mr. Foltz is the main speaker of the program, which also includes Dr. John Ramsay, Mrs. Burgess Bailey, Dr. Douglas Sasser, Robert Bruce. John S. Barron, Ed Swartz and Jere Farley. An Editorial 1 A Day Of Decision For Cherokee County When the employees at American Thread vote on a union Dec. 12, a lot more is at stake than an election in just one company. A lot of people outside this company and outside this state will be looking at the election, too. Their reason is very important to the future of Cherokee County. Many companies are looking for new places to expand. Almost without exception, they are looking for sites free from union domination. Why should they invest thousands of dollars in plants and equipment in an area where unions stir up and cripple production, when they can go somewhere else and operate their business in peace and goodwill? The people who run American Thread treat their employees well and pay a good day's pay for a good day's work. They are good, responsible citizens who, by coining here, have contributed a great deal to the well being of all of Cherokee County. They're here to keep on contributing to our economy, and we hope they're going to grow. Other companies that have more good jobs to offer are watching to see what happens in that election Dec. 12. If the employees vote for the company that gave them jobs, then Cherokee stays on the list of good sites for other companies. If they vote for the union, Cherokee goes off the list Although all of these things are vastly important, in the final analysis, the employees of American Thread should consider their best interest before they vote. We hope they will consider the tragic results which the Textile Workers Union has caused to employees at other places. The Scout feels that American Thread emotoym
The Cherokee Scout (Murphy, N.C.)
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Dec. 5, 1968, edition 1
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