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THE DAILY REFLECTOR, GREENVILLE. N. C.

Tuesday, January 26, 1961

Tuesday, January 26, 1960

The Joiner

D

Somehow, The Lazy Idea Spread

Out of the heated controversy, the columns of statements and the volley of editorials stirred up by Gov. Hodges* blast at Eastern North Carolina last week, citizens of this area should gain at least one important lesson.

There are other Tar Heels who think were just plain lazy.

Eastern North Carolina for generations has enjoyed the dubious reputation of being an area of easy, and even lazy living. Its rich lands aid avorabK climate, compared with other sections of the state, years ago led ^ople to assert that living was easier in the East. Gradually this so-called easy living idea was expanded and interpreted to mean that people o the East w'ere lazy, they didnt have to work as hard as residents of other areas to scratch out a living, so they didn't work as hard.

Somehow there was spread abroad in North Carolina the mental picture that the typical easterner sat in the shade of his sprawling magnolia day after day enjoying the quiet company of his coon hound and a cane fishing pole. He worked a couple of days a weekmaybewhile his rich land produced crops without his attention, his corner business ran itself with no work or worry on his part. His children grew up learning to put coon hunting and fishing first and that hard work was to be tolerated only w^hen absolutely unavoidable, and even then in extremely small doses.

For those who know first"* hand of the diligent work, the sweat, the tremendous effort put forth to develop the economy of the East over a long number of years, it is difficult to understand how such an impression ever got its start. With the progress made in the East in recent years, with better travel and communi-

l^robation usual Cure For Mos

By LYNN NISBET

SOURCES-Of the 4.418 active cases in probation files last Tune 30, about 70 percent, or 3,078 came from superior courts. The other 1,340 from the lower courts. Majority of these probationers are youthful first offenders. Occasionally one comes back for a second time, but usually the first period suffices to cure them or to show that a real prison sentence is necessary.

Few terms are originally for the full maximum five years. It is not unusual for time to be extended or added to when violations of terms of probation are regarded not serious enough to justify invoking a suspended prison sentence.

ECONOMIC A direct economic dividend of the probation system was the $4,378,138 In-.come earned by probationer -last year. Out of these earning thby paid their own living expenses. plus $339,174 in fine, court costs, restitution and support m abandonment cases-These earnmgs would not have been possible if the people had been in prison. It is doubtful they would have contributed enough work to pay their own keep much less make restitution and meet other obligation. When it is remembered that a ' substantial number of probationers are school pupils, farm boys, housewives, and others with almost no opportunity for earning wages, the nearly four and a half million dollars earned Is gratifying.

The departmental allocation from the highway fund for operation last year was approximately $370,000, or about $88 per probationer. Stated another and simpler way. the average earnings of each probationer was just about $1,000 more than it cost the State to supervise him.

ADMINISTRATION - The probation system is administered by a five-member commission appointed by the Governor for staggered terms. This commission with approval of the Governor appoints a director who is the chief administrative officer. The director, usually with advice and couns^i^ of the commission, selects other personnel. including an assistant officer and a deputy administrator of the interstate compact, and . supporting clerical assistants.

The state is divided into five divisions, each with a supervl-er, wnich are subdivided into districts with assigned proba-

bation officers (38 in all. including two Negroes). Division and district lines do not conform exactly to superior court judicial and solicltorial districts, but such conformity is desirable.

Local probation officers work closely with the courts and also maintain intimate personal contacts with all probationers. Additional personnel authorised by the last Legislature has reduced the case load so the average for each officer is 116 probationers. This appears to be an efficient ratio, under present (^rations. If the department should be called upon to do more pre - judgment investigation. and more follow-up after final discharge of probationers, additional p^nnel may be needed.

Maddrey thinks these extensions at both ends, before and after, might be justifted. Presently he has no plans for suggesting It. And, of course, if the number of probationers is materially Increased additional officers will be required.

INTERSTATE North Carolina has reciprocal agreements through Interstate compacts with 48 States. Negotiations are in progress to include Alaska and Hawaii. Under this compact N(lh Carolina was supervising 158 probationers for other States as of June 30, last, and other States were supervising 145 for us. Next year the ratio may be different, but the long record shows fair distribution of the load.

This interstate operation, with exchange of reports of the load.

This Interstate operation, with exchange of reports and elimination of the tedious process of requisition for violators, has proven very satisfactory. It la essentially the same system, on larger scale, as that authorized by the last General Assembly whereby under some conditions a probation judgment entered in the superior court of one county may be revoked or termlniated by a superior court In another county.

Whether cooperation is between States or counties, the plan requires interchange of complete records, so that each unit will have the story from the beginning to the end of the probation period In every case. Such cooperation saves money by reducing administrative costs. More Important, it saves time in fulfilling the objective of probationwhich is to get the probationer back on his own feet as a responsible free citizen as quickly as conditions Justify.

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cation between the eastern and other sections of the state, it is even more difficult to understand how the mistaken impression^ has been perpetuated.

And yet it has. We might as well face it.

To most people in other parts of the state, the average-easterner is still lazy, complacent and self-satisfied. To them, the average easterner is still living in the days of the big plantations, king cotton and clothes of silk arid satin. They heard it from their fathers and grandfathers and took it for granted. And if we arent careful, theyll pass it on to their children as a matter of fact.

Knowing the impression other people have of the folks in this section of the state cannot help but jar the feelings of a good many easterners. There is some satisfaction, of course, in the knowledge that Eastern North Carolina is not nearly as trifling as some outsiders give it credit for being. There is some satisfaction in knowing that ignorance rather than objective evaluation has lead others to the conclusion that the East is a sprawling area of lazy people.

Be that as it may, the very fact that these accusations are being made anew, based on old evidence or no evidence at all, is indeed shocking.

Prisoner Escapes Are

A

An Unsolved Problem

North Carolina faces the continuing problem of how to stop the all-too-frequent escapes by convicts from its prisons and road gangs. So far, from outward appearances at least, the state has not found the answer to the problem.

In recent months the number of escapes from the prison system camps have increased. The major break from Ivy Bluff highlighted the series, but prior to that daring escape, and since that time also, there has been a series of successful escapes from camps throughout ^the prison system.

-As a result of these escapes a number of prison guards have lost their jobs. Others have been suspended for specified periods of time. And yet the escapes continue.

What is the basic answer to the problem that must be coped with?

Is it lack of proper training for prison guards? Is it a matter of the^^^low pay and the long hours that prison guards are required to work? Is it due to a general laxness on the part of men who are charged with the responsibility lor maintaining security in our prisons system?

All of these may play a part in the number of escapes. But the point is that North Carolina must get to the source of the trouble and remove the fundamental causes. Unless it does, the escapes will continue and probably in increasing numbers. The state will face the increasingly costly task of searching ;fdr and apprehending escaped convicts and returning'^hem to prison^..,. . - . ----- ----------------

It is a problem that needs the "'careful attention of top state officials, and one which should not be put off until a later date.

!i)id It Once, He May Try Again

Faying

MrNauffhl SjmAcate,

By ALVIN TAYLOR

The Word For Tuesday

We did a double take the other day when we picked up a letter with a return address indicting it was from the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce.

We werent aware that they had added the word Greater to the Chamber of Commerce name. Then we looked again. Turned out it was from Greenville, South Carolina.

A common mistake.

shouted: Hey Mom! Do you know what we found out today? Were brothers.

Attention parents of twins. Heres an item from St. Louis, Mo.

Slx-year-old Richard and David Sloat, who have become accustomed to being called the twins, made a startling discovery at kindergarten recenUy.

Rushing home excitedly, they

Another false alarm from a box on E. Fifth St., where many have been turned in during the past few months.

Pire Chief George Gardner reminded once again that the sounding of false alarms Is serious business.

There could be an accident with all the volunteers tndhg to get to the scene, he pointed out. And at least three trucks manned by full-time firemen race to every lire. In certain districts, such as business and school areas, four trucks are dispatched.

Strangely enough, the chief pointed out, it seems that, acci

dents involving fire personnel come on false arlanu.

He also urged the public to be on the lookout for false alarm culprits. The city ordinances provide for a reward of $25 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person for turning in a false alarm.

11 that seems underhanded, remember that it cost the city close to $30 in volunteer payroll alone for each false alarm. Each of the 36 volunteers who answers leceives $1.30.

The person convicted of turning in a false alarm incidentally, IS subject to a $50 fine.

Other Eiditors Saying ... A Distinguished Record

By JAMES MARLOW

WASHINGTON (AP)WiU Congress pass a civil rights bill this year? Most likely. What kind? A moderate one. Why moderate? Several reasons, all political.

For instance: The Democrats control Congress. If the Northern Democrats tried to ram throufh a tough bill, it would probably cause a party-splitting filibuster by Southern Democrats. In this election year the Democrats dont want splits.

Civil rights legislation is still a stinging issue, made so by the Souths resistance to public school integration and its treatment of Negroes.

There is pressure for action from organized labor, Negroes, and Northern liberals. The push in Congress for action Is mainly from those in the liberal group and most of them are from industrial centers where Negro votes count.

Last year President Elsenhower proposed a seven-point program. No action. This year he still talks of wanting action. But he has been vague so far, has shown no signs of real fight on the issue.

Republicans are plajrlng quiet now. letting Democrats gbt am<M)g themselves.

But when the showdown comes Republicans, if they have any hope of denting Democratic control of Congress, will hape to make some showing of lining up on the side of civil rights if they hope for any of that North-*em Negro vote.

Then there are those Democrats considered presidential possibilities. Of necessity they must

be self-conscious about the prob-, lem. None of them illustrates this more than Sen. Lyndon Johnson of Texas, leader of the Senate Democrats.

This week he confidently predicted a civil rights bill would be passed in 1960. As a man credited with big hopes for the presidency. John cant afford to alienate his fellow Southern Democrats. Hell need their support going into the convention.

But the Southerners alone couldnt nominate him. He would need acceptance by the Northerners, particularly Northern liberals. And he is far from being the liberals darling.

He would have a better claim en their attention if he could get a civil rights bill through. But it would be politically unwise for him to try to force at ough bill on the South.

The chances, therefore, are that he will steer through a bill not to harsh for the Southerners to digest, even though they preferred none at all, and althugh not strong enough to delight the liberals, at least some kind of bill which they could consider batter than nothing.

If anybody could get through a bill at all, Johnson seems the one to do it. First, because of his control in the Senate: second, because hes a compromiser; third, because he did it once before.

In 1957, he engineered the first civil rights bill to clear Congress in 82 years. It was far less than Negro leaders wanted, far more than Southerners liked. But at least it broke the Ice of'almost a century;

(The Wilson Times)

Congress will lose a representative who IS not afraid to speak up for what be thinks is righ.' when Graham Barden retires. As has been said befcn'e, he has served his nation and his district so well that he does not have to reply to the barbs shot at him or the criticism from special groups.

This newspaper has always been an admirer of Hap Barden. He stands for principles

and he will fight for them. His friends can call on him. If he thinks their cause just, there is no stone he will not upturn to help them. But if tbelr cause

is questionable, you have come to the wrong person for aid.

As ohalrmsn of the pow

erful House Labor and Education committee he has had

great power and influence. He knows the tremendous power labor wields. He has been fair in all his dealings but he has been one of the deciding influences behind legislation to clean out the Hoffas, the Becks and the laws protecting corrupt labor leaders and the monopolistic power the labor organizations enjoy.

He opposed the Kennedy labor bill because it would not provide the needed checks and balance. He worked for the passage of the Landrum - Griffin labor - management bill. He opposes federal aid to education except In the construction of schools. For he has seen federal control oome with federal aid.

He knows the waste and other loop holes, the faults in federal housing and he is not one to Increase federal authority at the expense of local autonomy.

As to his congressional district. It has more military installations than any district in the state and this state has more military units than any state in the union. When the im

provements are being alloted facilities at Cherry Point. Camp Lejeune, Seymour Johnson Field, Camp Davis and so on, they came to Oraham Bardens district.

But what of today, for his position is of great importance to the country and the South. We admit that we regret to see the chairmanship fall into the hands of Adams Clayton Powell. We do not consider his record or his ability justify the responsibility.

There are many other rear sons we regret to see Graham Barden retire. For Mr. Barden is in apparent good health, and there is no one who can fill his position. They do not have his experience, or prestige.

We know he has earned his rest. And because of his years of service we understand his de-^ sire to retire while there is yet time to do some of the things he would like in his own hwne town and county and among his own people.

We hope he thoroughly enjoys the rest. And as to fun and fishing, may the big ones never get away. We can certainly appreciate his desire to be with his grandchildren. They arc the best tonic we have found for those past middle age. You have to stay young to keep up with them.

So' with a deep sense of regret but also with profound appreciation for the service he has rendered his country we say "thank you,* Graham Barden. You have served- your country as have few men of this age; unselfishly, sincerely, and honestly, with courage and valor and with an unswerving regard to duty and honor. No man can do more. So have fun in the years ahead.

Your record speaks louder than words.

And speaking of fires, Chief Gardner reminded that arrests are being made now of motorists who follow fire trucks too closely. Persons may also be charged who drive their cars within 500 feet of a blaze..

This law is on the books because of the necessity of being able to lay fire hose from hydrants to the Are scene in case of a major blaze.

laxes

asier

By HAL BOYLE

NEW YORK (AP)Paying incMne taxes doesnt have to be a painful ordeal,'* said Richard Bloch. It can be enjoyable even fun if you know bow to make it so.**

This year Bloch, SS. and his older brother, Henry, M. will help some 2O0J0O0 Americans pay their annual tribute to Uncle 8atr as painlessly as possible.

They are ptoneers in a mushrooming new fieldthe field of tax consultation to the masse.s.

Shortly after.World War II the two brothers launched an sccountlng firm in Kansas City, Mo. It prospered. One of the services the pair offered thdr clients was assistance in filling <ait their income taxes. This began to take more and more of tbelr time.

One night we got to wondering who helped ordinary American fill out their IneonM tax returns and whether there might not be a mass market there.* said Dick.

The brothers checked and fount phaps some 300,(XX) tax consultants helped part of the 60-mllUon-plus UB. taxpayers prepare tbelr returns. But they ranged from hlgb-ixlced lawyers to neighborhood druggists and barbers who charged $2 fees.

In 1955 they launched what is now the countrys largest chain-store-type of income tax consultation. Today they have 1,000 employes who man 108 offices in 46 cities and gross two million dollars amiually. Their goal is 1,000 offices.

Their clients Include housewives.^ retired doctors, airplane pilots, small-businessmen. and A tremendous number of Internal Revenue Service workers.

Their fee depends on the complexity of the return. The highest they have ever charged is $500. But the fee for a $500.000-a-year steel executive was $12.50, half of the fees are $7JS0 or less, and the average is less than $10.

Most of the brothers eno-ployes are accountants, and they go through an intensive two-week training course after being hired. Weekly bulletins alert them to new tax changes.

The company guarantees the accuracy of its returns, agrees to pay any penalty or Interest charges resuUing from its own errors, and appears free with its clients if the government audits any returns. Its proudest boast is that none of its returns has ever wound up in a tax court.

The two brothers are as adept at psychology as they are on the UB. income tax structure. Every office is wired with soothing music, and each client is served with free coffee.

"His nerves are usually on edge.* explained Dick. Hes tense. Paying taxes is not a pleasant thing to him. unless you can make it pleasant.

But if you can relax him, you can get the needed figures from him in half the time.*

ODinions In Brie:

We have heard much recently about the financial plight of The Lost Colony. Udoubtedly it needs to be placed upon a sounder fiscal basis. But hope should be bright. Our unsolicited advice is for Paul Greens firstany many would say best symphonic drama to hang on, capitalize upon the growing attractions of the area in which it has its setting and count on the influx of visitors to make the Roanoke* Island Historical Associations cash register ring more frequently. Greensboro Daily News.

Cuban people.**Wlnston-Salcm Journal.

*T7e drunk driveror the intoxicated driver, if you prefer nicer wordsis a potential killer. Thats a hard thing to say, but its the truth.Greensboro Record.

Worry is the Interest paid by those who borrow trouble. Anderson Independent.

They Just held an income tax abort course at State College which taught everything except how to pay it.Raleigh Times.

In the old days you never heard of an entire family being wiped out in the wreck of two buggies or wagons which ran together when the horses bc-cam frightened.Sparta (Ga.) Ishmaelite.

You can always think of one good thing about the good old days. They will never return. Bartow County (Ga.) Herald.

The female of the species Is not as predatory as some embittered males Insist; but whether Victorian or emancipated, the goal of matrimony makes her a planner at an early age. St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

"Life and hash are what you make them.Anderson independent.

"Even If all the posalbllities do. not materialize, the 1960 gubernatorial campaign should be one of the liveliest in many a quadrennium.The Greensboro Record.

"To the U.S. citizen disturbed by the state of affairs in Cuba, the frustrating thing Is that there seems little we can do to ease the troubles of the

Strength For Today Big Squeeze For Small Business

By EARL L. DOUGLASS MANY CAUSES

Many of those who study the problem of juvenile delinquency eenalder it a very simple one that is, so far as diagnosing the trouble and accounting for its cause. Fathers and mothers are supposed to be the cause of practically all juvenile delinquency. There are no juvenile delinquentsonly adult delinquents. And of these delinquents Dad and Mother are the most blameworthy.

Now please l^t up on Pop and Mom for a while. Certainly a good home is the greatest blessing anyone can ever have and a bad one the worst curse. Bad parents can do more harm to a child than fifty of the most evil spirits crawling out of hell. It is also true that many juvenile delinquents come from divided

homes. Intemperate homes, quarreling homes.* But it is also true there are many juvenile delinquents who are the children of honest parents who would like to do the best they can for their children.

In other words, the problem of Juvenile delinquency is not as simple as it appears. And certainly we are not correct in saying that all we have to do is-to point the finger of scorn and and accusation at Dad and Mother and there the .matter endssave that the boy must go behind prison bars.

Such slip-shod reasoning ..will never lead us to a solution of this terrifying problem. There are many factorsmany of them social and thus involving you and mewhich lie at the basis of this terrifying modern phenomenon.

By ELMER ROESSNER Small business today is in one of its greataat squeezes.

This la the situation:

Wages are going up. They are rising because the Steelworkers and other large unions have negotiated higher wages in their industries. Every other worker naturally feels that he should get a raise In the*fsame proportion. Union leaders will demand equivalent raises; the unorganised will demand something close to It. Tlie entire national wage scale l.s already being pushed up.

For the last 14 years the same situation has been recurrjng annually. Business simply added the cost of wage Increases to their product and everybody was happyeverybody except people

with savings, insurance or pensions, who found their <sbuying power drained away.

A DIFFERENCE NOW

But now the small business Is under increasing pressure npi to raise prices.

The Vice President of the United States has indicated that the steel settlement should not result in price increases. The President himself has called upon business to hold-er even lower the price line.

Eventually, steel prices and the prices of other materials affected by recent wage settlements will go up. If George Washington, surrounded by 13 stars, comes to you In a dream and says that steel prices will not go up. dont believe him. Steel will cost more no matter what Washington, Nixon, Eisen

hower or the Pachen Lama says, EFFECTS OF,THE SQUEEZE

Meanwhile, the small businessman, whether manufacturer, distributor or retailer, will be between the upward pressure of higher wages and the downward pressure of holding the price line.

Some will fold: more will sell out to large companies that can assume the costs of higher wages and are in a better position to inch prices up.

There is still another opportunity, for small businessmen. Thats increasing productivity.

Well talk about that tomorrow, starting in with what productivity actually is, and then taking up ways to increase it. Some of these ways may surprise you. ANOTHER FANTASY OF INCOME TAX LAW

Jixon, hired In New York as manager of the Santa Barbar, Calif., branch of a big company, is delighted because the company pays the cost of shipping his family and furniture to his new home.

This delight is sourlngr-now as he finds that the cost, of this movesome $5,000is considered by the government as Income and taxable at around 40 per cent, or some $2,000 Jlxon hasnt got.

However, if Jlxon had been hired and put to work in the New York office and then transferred, the costs-of the move would not have been taxable under the law. The law regards any payments for movlhg before going to work as income; costs of moving afterwards are regarded as a company expense for its own beiU.