Thursday, February 21, 1963

Quality Loss Partly Due System

A person reading the report of an Agriculture Department Interagency Committee might get the idea tobacco farmers are doing almost everything wrong if their goal is to produce a quality leaf that will meet the demands of purchasers.

According to the reporfc^in addition to the use of MH-30 which it says is contributing to the quality declinefarmers are oyer-fertilizing their tobacco, planting low quality, excessively irrigating their crop and harvesting it too early.

With the exception of what goes on in the curing barns the above covers the cycle of a tobacco crop.

The committee experts have made their point, and we would hesitate to dispute their inference that,tobacco farmers are doing just about everything wrong in producing their crops. At the same time, "Tt should be pointed out to the experts that the tobacco farmers, like most other producers of commodities for market, are interested in making a living for their families.

Under the acreage control program as now constituted, and the present grading system, many farmers have found that more dollars come to them at the end of the season because of heavy fertilization, irrigation, planting high-yielding varieties, and spacing plants as close together as practical in the acres they are allowed to plant. Under conditions as they exist today, it is difficult for many farmers to grasp the ultimate consequences which may come to American flue-cured tolDacco . producers if the quality of tobacco is not improved.

In part at least, the decline in quality of tobacco being produced is the fault of the system under

Mystery

Old

r

By WILLIAM A. SHIRES

OLDWith emphasis on a new and splendid State House, on politics and the legislature back in to^^Ti, unusual little Btories may lie overlooked and unnoticed in the nooks and crannies around Capital Square for a while.

But not for long if they contain, as this one does, an element of mystery, a touch' of thfe old and hallowed and reminders of the past.

There is such a story, a recent incident, completely unrelated to the usual swirl of problems and politics of state government and really not to state government at all. but to historic old Christ Episcopal Church.

CHURCH Tliis Ls the church which for more than a century and a half has oc-* cupied a corner of Capitol Square, a place of calm dignity and tradition not given at all to mysteries and su-Bpence.

Its setting is among beaufl-ful old trees and hedges, surrounded by wrought iron fences and with a spired bell tower. It is an edifice of low arches and time-stained buildings. Its permanence etched in stone worn smooth, in brick walks and old English ivy.

The sanctuary and bell tower face the Capitol, and behind them are a chapel, the parish house and old rectoiT which dates from 1818 when it was built to house the state bank.

PORTRAITMore than 130 years ago, before the classic old State Capitol was built across the street, the Rt. Rev. Jolin Stark Ravenscroft. served Christ Church and became the first Episcopal Bishop of the Dlosese of North Carolina.

He died In 1830 and was burled beneath the altar in the main sanctuary, and his crypt Is there to this day.

The name of Bishop Raven-Bcroft has lived and been revered in the episcopacy, recognized as a foremost leader of the early church in North Carolina.

His portrait, along with those of others who have served since as rectors of Christ Church, hangs in the parish house. And this picture has a part in the recent Incident, one of a few weeks ago.

SPECTACLESIt began with

m ine

tacles

discovery of an unusual-lookhig pair of spectacles that turned up one day in the church sacristy. No one could recall having seen them before, nor could say where they came from.

They were of odd shape and style. Their thin silver frames were worn as if from long use and wear. The small, round lenses were of two piece design. They were scratched and appeared to have been darkened by time. Apparently the spectacles were of early 19th century de.sign. Yet the frames were flexible and easily adjusted to fit close to the temples and behind the head.

The rector, the Rev. B. Daniel Sapp, made inquiries but eould-not findianyone who knew anything about the glasses, nor who could recall having seen them before.

MYSTERYDays passed and the mystery of the spectacles grew. Parishioners talked about them and w'ondered.

Finally one Sunday morning ah acolyte was examining the glasses. Suddenly he had a feeling that he had seen them before but for the moment could not remember where.

Let me think. he told the rector. I w^ill tiy to remember. And during the service it came to him.

When the service was over he W'ent to the rectors study. I think I know w'here I have seen these glasses. he said. Wait for a moment.

He went to the hall of the parish house and took dowm the sketched portrait of Bishop Ravenscroft.

And there, pushed back on the bishops head and above his forehead, were the glasses.

ANSWER The glasses in the picture appear to be identical in every detail to those which were found in the sacristy.

But the mystery remains, of course.

There is no assurance that the spectacles found in the sacristy really are those of the first Bishop. If they are, another question must be how they remained lost and undiscovered for more than 130 years.

If they are the bishops glasses, who put them In the sacristy?

No one knows.

The Daily Reflector

INCORPORATED

Published Every Afternoon Except Sunday Established 1882 DAVID JULIAN WHICHARD, Publisher

Entered at Post Office, Greenville, N. C., as second class mall matter.

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'w^hich farmers have to operate in growing and marketing their crop. As acreage allotments have been reduced, pressure has mounted for more production per acre. As purchasers preference in leaf qualities have changed, the changes have not been effectively reflectad in the grading system by which support prices are determined.

It is evident to everyone that quality of flpe-cured tobacco must be improved if American producers are to regain their share of the world market. ^

It should also be evident that steps must be taken to remove the underlying causes for farmers following practices the Agriculture Department committee blames for decline in the quality of to-bacco.

Considerable Relief In Solving Controversy

It is a considerable relief to know that the controversial issue of an Air Force bombing range in Eastern North Carolina has been settled with a satisfactory compromise that appears to be in the best interest of the Area and the Air Force.

The bombing range will be located well away from the Lake Mattamuskeet and Lake Phelps areas. Although its new location in an area near the Alligator River, Chowan and Pamlico Sounds also abounds with wildlife, precautions will be followed to assure protection of the wildlife in the area and preveltion of forest fires.

Although the area chosen is not one of the first choices of the Air Force, the presence of an adequate bombing range in this area should resolve a considerable problem for the Air Force. It should also eliminate concern over a possible shut-down of the huge Seymour Johnson Air Force base in Goldsboro because of the lack of a practice range for its planes within reasonable distance from the base. Seymour Johnson base is, of course, of utmost economic importance to Goldsboro and Wayne County, and its economic impact is felt throughout a large area in this section of the state.

The compromise should be satisfactory to all ^ those who have expressed concern over the question* of a bombing range in this part of North Carolina. Our only regret is that the present compromise could not be reached much earlier.

No CheckuD On

Good News Old Girl. /Tve decidedX

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{ LEAVE you, /

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KcXau^ Sjndkkte, Inc.

IB&'Mannihi

By PATRICIA MOORE

How To Save The Worlc.

i ne LawmaKers

By JAMES MARLOW

WASHINGTON (AP) Senators and representatives have a special kind of life in government.

A check, minor or major, is made on all employes of the executive branch for behavior or loyalty. The FBI checks all federal judges and district attorneys before they take office.

The White House requires FBI Investigations of the men the president appoints to high office.

Absolutely no check is made on members of Congress even though some of them in closed-door hearings hear highly secret information. For Instance, members of the Joint Atomic Energy Committee.

There is no law saying members of Congress must be checked over. Li the executive branch some checking is done on every employe and the FBI can be called in under presidential order going back to 1953.

Generally, the staffs in the various federal courts are not investigated although in some exceptional cases a judge may request one. Court employes are seldom, perhaps never, privy to secret government information involving national security.

While theres a law against letting present or former government employes sweeten their pocketbook because of their government connection the conflict of Interest law no such law applies to members of Congress.

Thus a senator with a fortune In oil Is free to plug for a bill that benefits the oil industry. Hes not apt to brag that he has some self-interest In what he is doing.

No check is made on the staffs of the 535 members of Congress they run up into the thousands unless for some reason a senator or representative asks the FBI to investigate a specific Individual.

Nor l any FBI check made on the staff employes of the various committees of Cong r e s s except In some special and limited cases when the committee chairman asks the FBI to step In.

That happens in the case of employes of the Joint Atomic Energy Committee and employes of the Foreign Relations, Armed Services and Appropriations committees of both houses.

This may be done although hardly bi the case of the Atomic Energy Committee on

an individual basis, depending on what employe the chairman wants checked.

These committees, by their nature, are exposed to some of the most delicate government information. Therefore, their staff members might have access to it.

In these investigations the FBI tunis its information over to the committee chairaian requesting it. He is the one who decides whether a staff employe should be retained or fired.

Then the information goes back to the FBI files for secrecy and safe - keeping. Otherwise. it might wind up being gossiped around the halls of Congress.

Last October President Kennedy signed a new law tightening and broadening the scope of existing conflicts of interest regulations.

The major provision permanently bars former full-time federal employes from representing private interests before federal agencies on matters in which they took part personally and substantially before leaving government service.

Earlier law prohibited employes from handling claims agsdnst the government for a period of two years after the individual left government.

The new provisions disquality former employes for one year from handling private business before an agency in matters for which they had higher responsibility but no personal involve-menL

Opinions !h Brief

A Carlsbad businessman reports that he can remember when he could name all the members of the Supreme Court, the Pre^dents cabinet and all the bowl games. Carlsbad (N.M.) Current Argus.

Somebody has decided that it is possible for the cow's of the world to save mankind.

We were especially attracted to reading the information about the subject since we found the bright green folder engaged in our typewriter. It w^as printed by Prophecy Publication and had a banner. Better World News. Someone up here paid the 10 cents per copy to read it and kindly left it at our disposal.

We thought that if something w as sure to save the world we d like to find out about it. Finally, at the bottom of page two was the answer, and we quote: We know' that milk and the products of milk is used extensively all over the world. If milk is taxed to the highest that people can stand, out of this income will come the money to pension the armies of the world.

The key word, it was pointed out to us, is pension. Permission is given to reprint the whole thing or parts of it in any language, anj'where in the world, including the moon.

That, we believe, is a little beyond our capabilities at the present time.

It occurred to us the other day. as we struggled outside our automobile, that automobile seat belts do have an element of the unsafe.

And that time comes when a woman gets her little high heeled shoe caught in the open part of the end of the belt the part thats supposed to slide into the other part of the seat belt.

How' come nobody thought of that before?

Another of our associates called to our attention a unique little device for frightening away

robbers. This is especially recommended for women.

It is advertised as an effective defense for the lady attacked by purse-snatchers and other evil-doers.

It is a tear gas pressure can which may be easily carried by women. The tear gas is packed In a small, five - inch container, under 70 pounds of pressure. It is supposed to be so powerful that two or three squirts will render a person incapable of anjThing but tears.

rhe Fox

Pauses

Other Editors Saying... A Sad Aspect

A Jarring anticlimax to historys great turning-points , , , that we might owe the Common Market debacle to a Frenchmans tired blood. Asheboro (N.C.) Courier-Tri-bune.

(Washington Daily News)

One of the saddest aspects of quality education comes in the fact that of our smarter students, so many of them are financially unable to attend college.

We are told that of last years valedictorians in North Carolina, only one out of three is now' attending college. Of course, some might not have wanted to go to college, but then we suspect that the overwhelming majority found itself unable because of money problems to attend.

All too often we talk of quality education as if it were automatic. That is not true, and it never will be true so long as so many worthwhile and smart students are denied greater opportunities because of a lack of money.

We deplore the fact that step by step in todays world the average student is being eliminated from college entrance. With so many students graduating each year and with the college enrollment potential limited as it is, we have about arrived at the point where we consider only those who are above average as college material.

Then of those above average, we find two-thirds of the very smartest ones unable to matriculate. It ought to challenge our thinking as it has never done before. Certainly, we have many scholarships available, and we have self-help in colleges. But we have not yet begun to find a sure-fire solution as to how we can educate those who are financially unable to pay for a higher educar tion.

In Russia, for instance, we arp told that along about the seventh or eighth grades, the dividing line forms. Those who are considered unable to accept a higher education are placed in one category, and those deemed

smart are placed in another.

If democracy is to stand the test of time and circumstances, then here in our own country we must realize that school academic grades alone are not sufficient to deteiTTiine leadership, character, and ability to defend democracy.

If we as Americans allow our educational picture to get out of focus, then It could well stay out of focus for a long time to come. The educators keep telling us that well, so many students are trying to get Into college that we feel we ought to takQ only the smarter ones. A lot of fools have high academic grades, and a lot of wise men were average or below average in school.

In America our challenge is educating the masses and not just the classes. But we wonder if in todays America we are not giving too much thought to the classes in the field of education.

In past wars and in future wars, the average Americans have given the best they had. We ask them to defend democracy. and we play upon their patriotic souls. But when it comes time in peace when we give thought and encouragement to bringing out the best in thehi, it seems to us now that we too often tell them, Sorry, no room.

We so often bemoan the educational concept in Russia and in Europe, but in a real sense is not the same thing happening to us?

We cannot delude ourselves with a lot of fancy words and well spoken phrases. And we cannot fool the average boy and girl who despite average status, knows the score so well.

Quality education might offer full opportunity for many, particularly those able to pay for it, but It is also filled with tragedy and aadness.

(Richmond News Leadef)

The madcap world of our nation.'; capital doe.siit get that way by chance; Washmg-tonians have to work at It. The proof of thLs sociological ob.servalion lie.s in a recent printed notice formally embellished with symmetrical garlands of leaves and flowers, which announced to all interested citizens of Washington the beginning of A universlty-presiige course In Protocol.

We wish we could reproduce the flavor of the embellish-ment.s and the little swirls on the ends of the fancy letters. Certainly only the best people could appreciate the nuances of feeling: and the course is highly restricted to Men and Women. Husband.s, Wives and Elngagcd Couples, Gov-erument Officials and Diplomatic Personnel. These scholars must pass a personal interview before enrolling.

The curriculum in Protocol is complex. The man who thinks himself able to rise to any situation has only to read over the list of courses to turn into a tower of jelly. No man is competent to sally forth In Washington unless he Is thoroughly trained in the following:

Protocol. Formal and Informal Entertaining, Introductions, Invitations, Acceptances, Regrets, Notepapers, Faux pas. Seating Qharts, Menu Cards, Take-In and Place Cards, order of Precedence, Use of Titles calling Cards, Correct Clothes for All Occasions for Men and Women, Social Obligations, Married Manners, Grooming, Tips on Servant Training, Conversation, Table Manners. Restaurant and Travel Manners, Toasts, Tipping,

How reassuring to discover that the faux pas is not come by naturally: It must be

taught. Think of the poor benighted souls who are thrown into anguish even at the thought of pronouncing the forbidding phrase! In the jungles of Washington society there are doubtless the untaught, the unlettered, the uncouth who still run in terror when the fox pauses; but those who are under the influence of Protocol will carefully shake the paw of their foe.

Can Afford. Ill-Will

By JOHN CHAMBERLAIN

Copyright, 1963, King FeaUues Syndicate, Inc.

As the flames of ill will toward the United Stales conlui-ue to be fanned in France, Canada, Britain and oilier countries. it becomes some w ha u u i nerving to contemplate jus^ how much we have been depcnuin; on the generosity of foreign nations in recent months.

There is the generosity in connection with that prickly subject of the gold balance, for example. If some of our ovrn^iuis allies had wanted to beconn tough about it. they could ha\o started a real run against us long ago by cashing in their large dollar balances for tiie gold that supports our monetary, system. But they have, up to this point, desisted.

True enough, the U. S. is not in trouble if one looks at its long - tciTO creditor position. Prance, for instance, owe some $1.3 billion to the U. S. government, and Britain is soma $4 billion in debt to Washings ton. (These figures, as is pointed out in a recent Morgan Guaranty Trust Company Suiwey. excluded World War I debts, which are presumably uncollectable.* Altogether, more than $30 billion is owed to the U. S. government by some eighty foreign nations.

Now, if enough of this money could be repatriated fast enough, the U. S. would not have to worry about a gold drain that could end by ripping the props out from under its currency. But the trouble Ls that much of the worlds debt to the U. S. is not of a call nature. And when U. S. corporations build plants abroad, as many of them have been doing, they necessarily freeze their capital Into the form of factory and office buildings, assembly lines, and other fixed property. This sort of wealth, though tangible, cannot be turned quickly into an offset against gold that Is about to be lost.

The liquid dollar balances which are held in foreign banks are a potential time bomb even when they are possessed by our long-term debtors. Recognizing this, and feeling kindly toward the U. S. in its predicament. several European countries undertook in 1961 and 1962 to make some sizeable prepayments on their long - term borrowings. In December of 1962 Prance swit the U. S. Treasury a sum of $116.6 million, even though it was not due until some time In 1963. This served to ease our balance of pajTnents problem for the moment. In 1961 Germany, which has been liquidating its debts at a rapid rate, dispatched $587 million to Washington as a prepayment. And Italy, Sw'eden, Holland and the Philippines have all sent us debt payments ahead of time in recent months.

The obliging spirit surely ought to continue In a world that would stand to lose a good deal if the . S. were to l>e pushed into depression by the destruction of its currency. But just how much political strain can the obliging spirit be sul>-jected to without cracking? Though Canada, for example, is one of the countries that depend on the U. S. for long-term investment capital, it happens to have upw'ard.s of $2.5 billion In gold and in U. S. dollars in Its treasurj'. The dollars could be used to hurt the U. S. if the spirit of political vengeance ever got out of hand. As for de GauUe, if he continues to be irritated with U. S. foreign poll-ey. what is there to prevent him from passing the word that there are to be no more prepayments on the French debt to Wasltington?

. There is, furthermore, the danger that western Europe might begin to cultivate the east In a vindictive economic sense If the spirit of anti-Americanism grows. Russia has oil and timber to sell. France has just recently signed a trade ayreement with the Russians. If cash Is needed to purchase raw materials from the Soviet and its satellites, mightn't the timebomb dollars in west European banks be expendable in the U.S. in order to raise the needed funds, either In gold or in more viable currencies than the dollar?

Well, trade wars, historically, - have often had a way of petering out before they become really debilitating. But when trade w'ars become mixed up with a deliberate spirit of political vengeance, it could be a cause for worry.

Strength For Today

J.

ittie 1

Price Fluctuation

By EARL L. DOUGLASS HOSTILITY HURTS Thou Shalt not bear any grudge.

This commandment is found in an Old Testament book where we would be least likely to find helpful and colorful admonitions, for the Book of Leviticus wa primarily a handbook used by the priests of ancient Israel to guide them in carrying out their official duties.

In the midst, however, of what seems at times a legalistic Jargon we find this searching demand upon the soul that unless we can empty ourselves of the explosives and ammunititxi of anger and revenge we caxmot expect to be very happy or to make others happy.

There are a few things that can get into the mind, disturb

ing it and bringing it to a diseased kind of introspection, more than the disposition to bear a grudge. Look into your own life, and if you have a grudge against anyone you will find it was something that started probably with a slight, or with someones derisive laughter, or with a little jab about something which truly was not a matter of any consequence.

It really takes the grace of God In plenteous quantity to keep us from being overwhelmed by the disposition to bear a grudge. Only the living spirit of God can renew within us that right spirit, which alcme brings peace of mind and a quiet conscience.

A tremendous weight Is lifted from our mlnd.s and spirits when we give up the desire for revenge.

By ELMER ROESSNER

Stocks actually fluctuate less than may be Indicated by the short, quick stock market averages.

This may explain why investors often say, The stock market averages we^nt up two points today, but my stock just lay there, or The averages tobogganed today, but my stock held firm,

The Value Line Investment Survey stock market advisory service has added 137 new companies to those under regular year-round review, bringing the total to 1.100, making it the largest index.

It finds that the price changes of these stocks are generally less than those of other averages and that the actual value is generally less than the prices of the mercurial stocks cited

in other composites.

LESS UP, MORE DOWN

For example, Value Line tcx^ June 80, 1961, as 100 in its index.

It founded that Standard and Poors index of 500 stocks and the Dow-Jmies ccxnpoelte of 65 companies rose above 110 in the fourth quarter of 1961, while the Value Line composite of more than 1,100 stocks barely got above 106.

It also found that in the second quarter of 1962 (remember May. mother?) the Value Line average dropped to 77. Dow-Jones 30 Industrials did not go under 78, and the Dow - Jones composite and Standard ? Poors were even higher.

In the fourth quarter ot 1962, the Value Line stocks were down to 76 again, while the other Indexes were no less than

82 and the Dow - Jones 65 composite went only to 87. UNNOTICED BOTTOM These are significant figures:. They show that the market decline in the fourth quarter of 1962 was even more severe than the decline in that Black Monday in May, although the Dow-Jones and Standard & Poors averages did not disclose that.

At the start of this year, the Dow - Jones 65 composite was a ove the June, 1961, mark. The Standard & Poors 500 was just under but quickly rose. Dow-Jones 30 industrials were 96 and rising, while the Value Line composite was around 90 and going up, but far under the June, 1961, marie.

The Inferences are:

. The Investor in stocks not included in the short indexes are misled by them.

. The market performance 1 usually lower than indicated by these indexes. The new index measures the price behavior of a broad spectrum of actively traded stocks, giving equal weight to each rather than emphasizing the influence of a small number of giant - size better quality issues.

. What the leaders and the volatile issues do has little bearing on what cats and dogs do.

STATIC ELIMINATOR KEEPS EXECUTIVE FROM SHOCKS Martin Yale Business Machines manufactures a static-elimi-nator for paper - handling machines. The other day Yale Blanc, president, received a note from a customer saying he ne longer got shocks when he kissed his secretary because he sprayed the soles of his shoes with the'Static eliminator.