LETTER STIRS COMMUNITY The pages of the Black Mountain News, as with any reputable newspaper, have always been open for honest discussion. A long standing rule has been that letters to the editor must be signed or that we know who the writer is and that they are free from libelous material. Many eyebrows were raised last week when we published a highly controversial letter from “one in your midst” leveling charges at most of us here in the communitv and at some of our neighbors. Let me say first that the identity of the writer of the letter was known, that in the opinion of those well versed in newspaper law it was not libelous, and that we considered the matter very seriously before publishing same. In answer to a number of inquires the content was not changed and nothing was eliminated. You read the full text just as it was received by us here at the News. Several letters were received in reply and some of them appear elsewhere in this issue. We are sorry that limited space would not permit publication of all of them. I have always held that a difference of opinion is good and that' without it there would be no horse < racing or other eompetive sports. We believe that many of the charges advanced in the letter by “one in our midst” were opinions without one bit of evidence to be advanced in their support. We are willing to be convinced. For instance it would probably be unconstitu tional to select property owned by those from out of state and double their taxes. In my opinion that is a statement that can not be proved. We have always found the law enforcement agencies, county, city, and state to be more than happy to cooperate in any way possible. We do have homes broken into and damaged, but we have found the law and the insurance men on the job and ready to be of service when needed. The writer appanretly was not around when the street dances were presented on the A&P parking lot during the summer or the charge would not have been made that they had been discontinued. For the| writer's information Black Mountain now has a year around recreation program sponsored by local in dustry and business men and directed by one of the outstanding men in the country. The great majority of the citizens here have’ always realized just how much the religious assem blies mean to the growth of not only Black Mountain.; but of the entire Swannanoa Valley, Buncombe Coun ty, and Western North Carolina. The assemblies pump a steady stream into the financial channels of the community, but many be lieve that during the season they do far more by supplying us with cultural and educational advant ages unsurpassed in America. The assemblies operate certain shops for the accomodatoin of their guests only. Much of the land which they now own was purchased years ago when this end of the Swannanoa Valley was largely rural. We can not expect them to withdraw and to 1 stop their progress. What helps the assemblies helps all of us who call the Swannanoa Valley home. We have known personally the men and women who have directed the activities of these institutions for the past 15 years. Never have we heard one utter a threat against the community nor display any but the most willing attitude to cooperate with us in any way possible. The assembly leaders have been men and women of the highest character and citizens any community would be proud to claim as their own. We have shortcomings. Let us never be guilty of hiding our head under the rhododendron and for getting that. But the News sticks to the original statement that many of the charges made by “one in your midst” were based in inaccurate information. The writer maintains that many are tired of being taken. To that we say that in this life we usually get what we are looking for. If we look for the faults and shortcomings of the individual or of a particular town or community we can come up with a pretty good case for the prosecution. The News is happy to air the complaints of “one in your midst” but from what we have said above even the most naive can see that we do not agree. To have friends you must be a friend. To have friendship you must give it. Those urho come here looking for opportunities to serve shall never be lonesome. 1960 Census Shows Area Has Over 25,000 According to the advanced reports of the 1960 census count the Valley area is grow ing. Within the township of Black Mountain the figure shows a count of 7,477 while the town itself numbers 1,313. This makes the total for the Black Mountain area alone come to 8,790. The population of the Black Mountain area is only a small part of the valley, however, as the Swannanoa township numbers 8,611 and the town of Swannanoa has within its bounds 2,189 per sons making a total of 10,800 or 2,000 more than the total of Black Mountain township and town combined. Broad River township, considered near enough to be counted, contains 705 members and Old Fort, at the low end of the area has in the township 3, 056, and within the town, 789 making- a total of 4,745. As a summary, the entire Valley, including Broad River and Old Fort, has within its bounds 25,040 men, women and children who go to school, work, shop, go to church and participate in activities in our community in the Valley. THE BLACK MOUNTAIN NEWS Published Each Thursday at Black Mountain, N. C. Established 1945 GORDON H. GREENWOOD Editor & Publisher Second Class Postage Paid at Black Mountain, N. C. GARNET E. GREENWOOD^ Associate Editor MRS. EDITH K. BENEDICT News Editor MRS. ELIZABETH KEITH Society Editor T. R. JURWITZ Advertising Mechanical Department ROY L. RUSSELL—ANDREW MILOVITZ FENTON S. CUNNINGHAM—CARROLL E. MARLER SUBSCRIPTION RATES (In Buncombe and McDowell Counties) One Year .$3.00 Six Months . $1.75 Two Years . 5.00 Three Months 1.00 Single Copy . 10 cents (Outside of Buncombe and McDowell Counties) One Year . $4.00 Six Months $2.25 Two Years . 7.00 Three Months 1.50 Awarded A rating by Community Research Bureau Devoted 100 per cent to our community, the Growing Swannanoa Valley OLD FORT NEWS MRS. BONNIE S. REYNOLDS PHONE NO. 155 Old Fort, N. C. Personals To all the students home for the holidays from colleges: “Glad you could be with us for Christmas. Hope the New Year will be good to you and will go like ’(id for you’ ! Mr. and Mrs. Harry Setzer of Charlotte spent Christmas in Old Fort with friends and relatives. Mr. K. G. Rhine hardt accompanied them home for a few weeks. Mrs. Setzer is the former Miss Dorothy Rhinehardt. Mrs. Howell White has been quite ill at her home here. Her condition is reported slightly improved at this time. Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Ev ans and daughter Judy, of Asheville, visited in Old Fort last week. Mrs. Ethel Burleson of Sal isbury, a former teacher in our school, spent the week end with Mrs. Charles Steppe here. Mrs. Lola Lonon and Mrs. Geneva Tisdale spent Tuesday in Asheville. Mrs. C. C. Wyche of Spart amburg visited in Old Fort at the home of her sisters, the past week-end. Mr. and Mrs. John Artz and son Winfred of Gatesville, N. C., visited his sisters here last week. Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Glov ier spent the week-end in Boone with Mr. Glovier’s par ents. Raymond Stacey of the Well ing Nursing Home in Old Fort, spent Christmas Day with his sister, Mrs. Louis Rash in Marion. Miss Bernice Huff has re turned to the home of her sis ter, Mrs. Fred Bradley, after being a patient at Gilliam Nursing Home. Mrs. Vernon Fortune of Sal isbury, visited during the hol idays with her sister Mrs. Laurence Brown in Old Fort. Mrs. Robert Laughridge is improving slowly at her home on Main St. Mr. and Mrs. David Finley of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., spent two weeks visiting their par ents, Mr. and Mrs. Vann Hughes of Old Fort and Mr. and Mrs. John Finley of Mar ion. Mr. Gibburn Swann of Salis bury spent the holiday with Mrs. Swann and other rela tives in Western Carolina. Mr. Dan Crawley and son Bobby visited Mrs. Robert Laughridge on Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Allison spent Friday in Rosman with Mr. and Mrs. Vick Powell. Gus Tisdale of Bryson City visited Mrs. Mintie Tisdale last week. Mr. and Mrs. Guy Silver and two daughters Phylis and Judy of Asheville visited at the home of Miss Ada Silver Sun day afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Al lison spent several days in Cocoa and other Florida cities, during the holidays. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Hunt of Chattanooga, Tenn., and three children, Emily, Nancy and John were dinner guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Max .1. Hunt, Tuesday evening. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Tur ner and two sons Richard and Joe of Fairfax, Va., visited with the Turners and Noblitt families last week. Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Nes bitt of Miami, Fla., spent a week visiting friends and rel atives in Western Carolina. Mrs. W. A. Robinson en tered an Asheville hospital on Wednesday for observation. Hugh Hensley is a patient at Memorial Mission hospital. Mr. Hensley is an Old Fort barber. Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Turner and son Carrol of Lavonia, Ga., were home for Christmas. Mr. and Mrs. Joe L. Grant and daughter Dietra of North Augusta, S. C., spent the week end here this last week. They brought Mrs. W. S. Burgin home after an extended visit. Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Young and sons. Bill and Tom, were dinner guests Monday evening at the home of Mis. Young’s sister, Mrs. Max J. Hunt. The McDowell County Med ical Society has elected Dr. Francis O. Miles of Old Fort as chief of staff of the Marion hospital for ’hi. Dr. S. G. Dobias of Old Fort is serving the society as president. Mr. and Mrs. Donald Grant of Asheville visited his aunt. Mrs. W. S. Burgin and his cousins. Mr. and Mrs. Max J. Hunt on Monday evening. Mr. and Mrs. Carl Swann of Hot Springs visited his mother, Mrs. J. A. Swann on Christmas Day. He also vis ited at the home of his broth er Gayden. Mr. and Mrs. Kenyon Lack ey spent Christmas with Mrs. Lackey’s mother, Mrs. C. O. Tuttle of Charleston, S. C., They returned to their home Monday. The Rev. and Mrs. J. Groce Robinson and small son Ran dy, visited his parents in Cand ler Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Max Nesbitt of Columbia, S. C., visited his mother. Mrs. Margaret Nes bitt Christmas Day. They were accompanied home by Mrs. Laura Allison who vis ited with her sisters Mrs. Charlie Tate and the Misses Dora, Frances and Lula Hicks. Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Jen nings and small son of Green ville, S. C., visited Mrs. Jen nings’ parents, Mr. and Mrs, Vann Hughes over the week end. Mrs. Robert Wilson entered St. Joseph’s hospital Monday for observation. Mrs. Tom Porter, a forme) resident of Old Fort, died af ter a long illness at the horn* of a daughter in Atlanta Iasi week. She was brought bad home for burial today (Mon day). Mrs. Porter was a mud loved person in McDowel county, the mother of Averj Porter of Old Fort, Anne ol Atlanta, Louise, Nolle and Sammie who live in other lo calities. She is also survived hy three step-children, Mrs. Latt Wilson of Glenwood, Madge and Walter Porter of Old Fort. Christmas is over ar.d the children will be back in school Wednesday and not one com plaint has come in about the short vacation period this year! The children are not complaining either! A number of fires around the Old Fort area causes us to be more careful about fires, over-heated furnaces etc. One home was destroyed on Cataw ba river last week. The Allison family club will meet with Mrs. Sue Glovier for a Christmas party Tues day evening. Nine members, and their families of the Alli son clan will meet for dinner and gift giving. Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Izokovic and daughter Kelli Jo, of San Diego, arrived Thursday to spend the holidays with Mrs. Izokovic’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Hipps. The Rev. and Mrs. Robert Hughes of Wilkesboro visited Mrs. Annie Hughes Friday and Saturday. They were on their way to Mars Hill college to pick up their son, Robert, Jr., who is a student there. Rita Allison a student of Brevard college and Joan Al lison of Woman’s college in Greensboro, daughters of Mrs. J. B. Allison, are home for the holidays. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Collier and daughter Lisa of Atlanta, are expected home for Christ mas. Mrs. Collier is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vir gil Silver. Mr. and Mrs. Dean Bradley of Gadsen, Ala., will spend the holidays with relatives and friends in Old Fort. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Davis and son Keith, of Asheville, and Mr .and Mrs. Clarence Frye of Jacksonville, Fla., will spend the Christmas holidays with relatives and friends in the Old Fort area. Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Glov ier spent Sunday in Boone with the parents of Mr. Glov ier. Gus Tisdale of Bryson City spent Sunday with Mrs. Minty Tisdale at her home in the Ebenezer section. Mr. and Mrs. Maloy Allison spent Sunday in Asheville with the W. L. Dotson family. Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Eller spent the week-end with the W. L. Dotsons in Asheville. A family reunion was held at the Dotson home on Sunday. James K. Taylor of Carson Newman college in Jefferson City, Term., is home for the holidays. Frank “Butch” Gibbs is home from N. C. State to spend the holidays with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Gibbs. Lynn Shiflet and Sue Craw ford are home from Lees Mc Rae to spend the Christmas holidays. Mrs. Robert Laughridge who has been ill at her home here, is much improved. Glenda Bradley daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Bradley, is home to spend the holidays from Lee McRae college. Linda Willis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harley Willis of the Ebenezar section, was listed on the Alpha honor roll at Western Carolina college for the fall term. Its Nice to Come I'pon An Auld Aquaintance An Old Fort couple, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Miller, now living in Arlington, Va., were check ing with various music stores to learn more about chord or gans when they happened to enter Fox Music Company in Falls Church, Va., and found behind the counter Sidney Smith, whom they had not seen since 1937, when Mrs. Miller and Sidney graduated from the Old Fort High school. We will remember that Sidney was the son of the Rev. R. L. Smith and Mrs. Smith of the First Baptist church in Old Fort. He was pastor for a number of years. Sidney grad uated from the Old Fort High school, served in the U. S. Navy, graduated from a col lege in Kentucky, earned his Masters degree at Northwest ern, and had taught school in various areas of the south. He informed Mrs. Miller that his parents were now living in South Carolina. Being a musician himself, lie gave the advice needed about the organ. \ ou see he remembers Sidney as a norm al school boy, a member of the Old Fort school band. We recall the time Sidney volun teered to be hypnotized by a hypnotist visiting our school. It wasn’t long before Sidney entered into the hypnotic state and was told he was a small boy, lost from his moth er. He began to cry and called in a loud voice for his mother. He left the stage and hunted through the packed auditor ium. Tears ran from his face on to his shirt. Never will 1 forget the expression on his face when the hypnosis end ed. Engagement Announced , Miss Margaret Elizabetl Vess will be married January 27 to Ben B. Peek, son of Mr and Mrs. Clyde Peek of Olt Fort. The engagement is an nounced by her parents, Mr and Mrs. Johnnie Vess. Shi is a rising senior at Old For High school. Mr. Peek is con nected with the Old Fort Fin ishing Company’s office de partment. What Begins As a Pony May End Up a Sheepskin Fred and Madeline Mille; of Arlington, Va., formerly o Old Fort, finally convineei their six-year-old daughte Cheryl that you cannot keep i pony in a city apartment Cheryl decide] to take th $500.00 cash prize, instead o the Palamino pony complet with saddle and bridle. She won as second prize in a "Roy Rogers name-the-pony’ con test. She received the tele gram from the Nestle com pany telling her she had won either one of the prizes on Dec. 21. What more could a little girl wish for ? The mon ey' will be placed in an educa tional fund for little Miss Miller. Her grandmother, Mrs. B. C. Miller, lives in Old Fort. Junior Womans Club Meets The Old Fort Jr. Womans club met for their December meeting with Mrs. Harold Mar tin. Mrs. Donald Bray, Mrs. Gilmer Byrd and Mrs. Bob Bartlett as hostesses. The month of December proved a very busy, but inspirational time for club members. They had a final voting on the Hesse Knupp Memorial Schol arship offered to a senior girl from the Old Fort high school, intending to become a teacher. Chief Police Bill Autrey drew tho name of the winner of the beautifully dressed Toni doll, and her wardrobe, given away by the club. The lucky person was Mrs. Robert Wilson. On Dec. 19 Mrs. Gerald Lav ender, veteran’s chairman, took with her Mrs. Lloyd Mil ler, Mrs. Garvin Mclntire, Mrs. Francis Miles and Mrs. Louise Haney to the Oteen Veterans hospital to decorate some of the wards for the Christmas holidays. On December 22, Mrs. Tom my Lytle with her assistant. Mrs. Walter Williams, were privileged to be able to de liver to several families clothes and toys. Mrs. Lytle would like to express her thanks to the many who made these gifts possible, especially’ to the Key City Laundry in Black Mountain for cleaning, to the Old Fort Finishing plant and to Mr. Hathaway of the Western Auto in Old Fort, for toys donated. Mrs. Douglas Glovier pre sented ideas for Christmas decorations, she had with her place mats, a Santa Claus mail box, a sleigh filled with green ery. She discussed with mem bers several other indoor dec orations. The club was happy to have Mrs. Martin, Mrs. Harold Martin’s mother-in-law, as guests. Mrs. Francis O. Miles president, presided at the meeting. Mr. and Mrs. Ashby Robin son entertained at their home on Church street at a watch party Saturday evening. At tending were Mrs. Edna 1 Mer cy, Miss Daisy McDaniel, Mrs. Brady Skidmore, Miss Bertha Greene. Mrs. Lucile Allison, Miss Katie Morrow and the Robinson’s daughter, Miss Betty Steppe. Mrs. Boyd Buried Here Our heartfelt sympathy goes to Oscar Baker, our neighbor and Old Fort's jeweler, in the death of his sister, Mrs. Ralph Boyd, who died late Monday in Hendersonville. Mrs. Boyd was brought back and burial was in the Bethlehem ceme tery, near Old Fort, Thursday afternoon. The Rev. ,T. Groce Robinson pastor of the First Baptist church was in charge of services here. Mrs. Boyd is survived by the husband. Ralph Boyd, a son Ralph, Jr., and her aged mother who made her home with the Boyds. Two broth ers Bill and Oscar Baker. CAPITAL CLIPBOARD By Eula N. Greenwood I nto Third Generation The good heart of Dr. How ard I’. Powell, pastor of vig orous Edenton Street Metho dist church here, gave an ex tra beat a few days before Christmas when its owner re ceived for the sixth consecu tive Christmas a certain per sonal check in the amount of $100. It came quietly from Good Methodist Luther H. Hodges as he went into his sixth Christmas in the many-gabled Mansion here on Blount street. No Sunday School teacher he —as was his forerunner good gray Clyde R. Hoey a genera tion earlier—but Hodges was a Governor of the deepest Christian faith, optimism, and ideals. John J. Hodges of Rocking ham county, father of our for mer Governor, frequently at tended the Methodist church in Spray 35 years ago while Dr. Powell was serving his first pastorate. He has been at Edenton street here—said to be the largest church in the State from a membership viewpoint - for upwards of 15 years now. On Christmas Eve, Gov. Luther Hodges and Luther, Jr., home from Harvard for the holidays, took time off from moving and Mansion vis itors and festivities to go a round to Edenton Street Meth odist church. There father and son—one soon to be on the newsfront of the world as Sec retary of Commerce and the other to return to his graduate studies at Boston—had com munion service with Dr. Pow ell as father and grandfather had done before them. Processional Thumbing News and Observer Column ist Craven wrote the other day: “A drifter, stewed, stood at the New Bern Avenue in tersection and doggedly tried to thumb a ride with every car in a funeral procession.” Down To 55 Probably for the first time in the history of North Caro lina the Governor is the young est member of the august and ■ powerful Council of State. ■ Gov. James Terry Sanford, \ who became 43 this past Aug ' ust, is six years younger than Insurance Commissioner j Charles Gold of Rutherfordton, ’ who turned 49 December 17. > When he was a member of Ch "Shis StfotM KVIMHT CARPET UNTIL I9S1 CENTURY, PENOTEUALL COVERING OF A THICK MATERIAL USEP FOR TABLE OR FLOOR. Wthe xxrefr/TY of mam's M/NP ANP FINGERS OVER MATTER CAN BE TRACE? BACK 2S, COO YEARS THROUGH THE HISTORY OF CARPET WEAVING.., ARCHAEOLOGICAL f/nps INCLUPE FLOOR COVERINGS AN,P MATS OF BARK-FELT ANP PLAITEP RUSHES. - , ■* 1 ' ' -™*'1? An urge to improve Boav cwFPORT ^^ - INCREASE PERSONAL STATURE FKOPUGEP SUCH . masterpieces of weaving in CERTAIN PERIOPSQP i . HISTORY THAT CARPETS BECAME IMPORTANT COURT J TREASURES ANP SPOILS OF WAR. *2 its oldest mem ber. With Gov. Sanford on the scene, the average age of the members drops from 57 to 55. The following members are now 61: Secretary of State Thad Eure, State Treasurer Edwin Gill, and Agriculture Commissioner L. Y. Ballentine. Superintendent of Public In struction Charles Carroll is 60. The newest man on the Council, except the Governor, is Wade Bruton. He is 58. Labor Commisisoner Frank Crane and State Auditor Hen ry Bridges are each 53. All Knew That One The well edited Chapel Hill Weekly told recently of the funeral of a car-killed pet chicken belonging to the five year-old daughter of a Chapel Hill minister. Only one of the children taking a part in the solemn ceremony could read. “We didn’t have a sermon," said the girl to her father. But it seems Jimmie had brought a long his Episcopal prayer book and read a few words from that. “It was real nice. We sang too.” said the chief mourner. Asked what they had sung at the sad service, she replied there was only one song they all knew—so that’s what they sang over the dead chicken. Asked what it was, she' said: “Don't Give a Damn for Duke University.” His Son-In-Law’s Wife On January 15, Dr. W. R. Cullom of Wake Forest Mr. Baptist of North Carolina— will be 94 years old. All his old buddies of Wake Forest college—Drs. Lynch, Royall, Culley, and Sledd, the Poteats, Gorrell, and all the rest—are gone and sleeping, sleeping on the hill. But the sweet little round faced fellow with the big bay window who all students thought 30 years ago might be among the first to leave is, happily, still with us. And active, Dr. Cullom is in better health now, we hear, than two oi' three years ago shortly af ter reaching 90. He is now driving hard for 95. Although the daughter with whom he lived died suddenly about three years ago, Dr. Cullom continues to live in happiness with his son-in-law, Lawrence Harris, assistant at torney for Eastern District Federal Court. Mr. Harris has married a gain—and Mrs. Harris is a good Catholic. Despite all you may have heard about Bap tists and Catholics in the past six months or so, Mr. Baptist and Mrs. Harris get along wonderfully. On Friday evening, January 13, the Spring Hope Baptist church, where he once served as pastor, will once again have a birthday dinner for Dr. W. R. Cullom. Thanks for this must go to Spring Hope Bap tist church Pastor James Blaekmore- and thanks for much of Dr. Cullom's 1961 happiness must go to the new Mrs. Lawrence Harris. Between The Lines Lloyd Griffin of Edenton, executive vice president of the N. C. Citizens Association for nearly 20 years now, will be 68 this month . . . and rumors persist that he is considering retiring some time this year . . . and nobody would be sur prised if Holt McPherson, ed itor of High Point Enterprise, will be among those asked to succeed the able Mr. Griffin. BLUE RIDGE BRIDGE WINNERS Tuesday night, Jan. 3, at Don’s Restaurant winners in the Blue Ridge Duplicate Bridge club were: first, Mrs. S. S. Cooley and Miss Martha Covin; second, Charles Ross and Mrs. A1 Jennings; third, Lowry Covin and William Costner. Winners for Dec. 27, were: first William Costner and Charles Ross; second a tie, Mrs. R. T. Greene and Miss Nonie Greene and A. H. Wade and Don Christian; third, Mrs. A. H. Wade and Miss Frances Boyd. THOROUGHBREDS— From Page 1 for his resoluteness as his temper. Of all those who tried, only one man could han dle him. This was a small colored man with a most, var ied and colorful vocabulary. The Finn, w’ho was a wild hel lion with others, was like a kitten with him. Then one day after the colored man at tended a camp meeting he asked the boss to relieve him of handling The Finn. He ex plained that he had gotten re ligion and had renounced his sinful ways. (He was also cut ting down on tile number of words in his vocabulary). So The Finn was turned over to another man. The horse went on his worst behavior and steadily got worse until he couldn’t, be gotten out of his stall. All this time his for mer groom stood helplessly by and finally reached the boiling point. “Gimme that shank!” he shouted, and turn ing to the horse continued. “You . . . , get goin'!! You and me’re goin’ to Hell together!” The Finn went off meek as a kitten, and the air above the stall was still clear and sky blue. j — Becky Burgess. CHRISTMAS GUEST— (From Page 1) But wouldn’t it be a wonder ful thing for Black Mi. if we had sin attractive new bus sta tion such as so many towns have these days. People (rav el by bus as never before and first impressions of a town count. Well, that is just some thing to think about and plan for, but the old bus station looked good to Howard and the twinkling lights added the Christmas touch. one in your midst— From Page 1 .ame experience of at least a Fame t dozen other people at that as far as sloppy work is con i ovi'i'v community cerned, m evciy ,,_ here are some sloppy, '‘mar ginal” workers. They may be cheap in direct cash payments, but they are very expensive in over all costs. If >'ou go to one of our local, established contractors, and leave the job to him, you will get good work men and good work. Just to dav I received a bill from a local contractor for work done a week or so ago. This job took about seven hours of a first class skilled workman and one helper. I note on the itemized bill that the labor charge is $28.00. Your cor respondent' might exclaim that .$11 a day each is too hiprn. On the contrary, I feel it is very reasonable. Out of that $28.00, this contractor must not only pay the direct wages of his men, but also Work man’s Compensation, Social Security, other "fringe” bene fits, share of general over head costs, and. we may as sume, he has not put hiis life savings and years of hard work into building up his bus iness just to render a service. He does, we hope, also make a profit. A point your cor respondent might note is that no self-respecting workman can do, or will do, a decent job if the owner is standing right by, “breathing down his neck” as they say, and hand ing out instructions, most of which are wrong or impracti cal. If you want a good job done, get a good workman, tell him what you want and then [o away. Good Service I cannot comment on being required to hire an attorney to collect on an insurance claim. I have had only one claim to make since residing here and in that case the in surance adjuster heard about it. was around before I called, and insisted on doing more than I thought was necessary. The question of the religious assemblies is one that comes up in many places. To refer to Westchester County again, in the twenties I served on a Planning and Zoning Commis sion there and we were much concerned with the influx of religious organizations from New York City, which bought up the great big old estates along the Hudson River which were promptly removed from the tax rolls, even though, us ually, they used only a small part of the property for relig ious purposes. As 1 recollect, we figured that the establish ment of a religious community opened up surrounding prop erty to higher class develop ment, thus raising its taxable value and that this gain pret ty well off-set the tax loss. However. 1 agree with your correspondent that the estab lishment of retail and hotel businesses, operated for profit, justifies questioning the mat ter of tax exemption on such operations, if they are, in fact, exempt. How much the trade of visitors to such assemblies is worth to our local merch ants and contractors might be worth a survey by our < ,, her of Commerce. c,a the enormous amounts of f stuffs consumed, if pUr, locally, would add consider to the town’s economy Friendly Community It occurs to me that, correspondent may be th, tim of what psychologist/ fer to as “reflective p, ality." In other words, if ask someone to do someth'', with a smile and in a fri,/// manner, you will usually g, smile and willing compliant But it also works in revc, " too! My own experience, and th of many other “non-nati\ 'with whom I am acquait,-, was summed up by a newor or who had been given a of four or five places in \y y C. as suitable for retirement When I asked him if bp p , looked at these other tow he said: "No. It wasn't m essary. We found all ,n friends here.” He has pur. chased a nice piece of propPr. ty. a local architect designed a house just as he wanted i a local contractor built it with excellent workmanship, a materials were supplied by our local building supply house, and new furnishings were sup plied hy a local merchant. The price, I am assured, was low er than expected. Certain standard items he priced in a large city on his way here Our local merchant supplied these items at an average of one-third less. And finally the comment: "There was no need to look anywhere else. Everyone here was so friendly and cooperative.” No, Mr. or Mrs. Anonymou Black Mountain is far from 1 perfect. We can improve, and expect to improve. Personal ly. 1 do not expect to find any Heaven on this earth. But, jn the meantime, I’ll settle for Black Mountain. Very truly yours, —-B. Gordon Byron. SUSIE REED— (From Page 1) and then dash away to take the victory. Girls Game Hendersonville (28) F Clark 3, Hyder 14, Dotson h . Taylor 1, Erwin, B. Taylor: G McDowell, Gamble, Roger McShane, Waters, Erwin. Owen (39) F—Reed 30, Greene 3, Boring 6, Haney. Himes, Powers, Leonard; (l— White, Harris, Cooper, \a: ney, Byas, Taylor, Soos. Halftime: 2-9, Owen. Boys Game Hendersonville (48)-- Rag well 29, Dwight 3, I Webb 12, Corn, Beale, Krv.i::, Harrington 4. Owen (45) — Hardin 2. Snipes 5, Brown 13, Cline. Lowe 5,5 Harper 13, Mc.A: 5, Caldwell, Morris 2. Halftime: 20-13, Owen _t_ . _ -—A budget is a pay-a go plan that doesn’t let y . : anywhere. G. T. SHIPMAN WELL DRILLING & BORING CONTRACTOR Marion, N. C. • Dial 9151 —Call Collect— Old Fort Super Market Open All Day Wednesday Old Fort, IV. C. 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