The Clinton chronicle. (Clinton, S.C.) 1901-current, February 16, 1961, Image 7
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Thoraday, February 16,1961
THE CLINTON CHRONICLE
Recreation Leaders At Joanna
This group appeared at the Joanna Foun
dation banquet Thursday evening, which
featured one phase of activity sponsored by
the Foundation—recreation. From left are
Bruce Galloway of Trenton, former director
of athletics at Joanna; Dr. L. P. Hollis, re
tired ediicator of Greenville, guest speak
er; W. W. Niver, Jr., chairman of the Rec
reation Committee; Julian Hunnicutt,
Scoutmaster; and Johnny Moore, director
of athletics. ’
U. 8. TEXTILE INDUSTRY—
save nr ob doom m
In 1886, a special Senate sub
committee undertook a study of
the plight of the U. S. textile in
dustry. The study and subsequent
report showed that the industry
was declining fast: between 1846
and 1857, there were 717 mill li
quidations; during approximate
ly the same period, employment
in textiles was down from 1,325,-
000 to about one million; wages
in textiles had risen, but had not
kept up with other industrial
wages; profits, meausured as a
percentage of stockholders’
equity, fell from 8.2 per cent to
1.8 per cent, although output per
man-hour had increased more in
textiles than in U. S. industry as
a whole.
This sub-committee of Senators
Pastore, Cotton and myself,
made ten recommendations for
corrective action. Some, includ
ing the imposition of quotas on
low-wage foreign imports, were
never implemented.
Last week our sub-committee
held hearings to bring up to date
the facts developed in the original
study. A more desperate picture
than that shown by the testimony
cannot be imagined. Mills con
tinue to close—16 in Massachu
setts alone. Employment has
dropped from about one million
to 815,000, and the average week
ly hours for those still employed
is down from 40.8 in December,
1868, to 38.2 in December, 1800.
Profits for the third quarter of
1860 are down 17 per cent from
the fourth quarter of 1858, and
this decline is reflected in less
research for new products, and
less instllation of new equipment.
Unless acUon is taken to stem
low-wage foreign imports, the
textile industry faces virtual ex
tinction. Foreign textiles can be
priced lower for many reasons,
such as less taxes to pay, cheaper
raw material, stealing develop
ments of American research, and
using American foreign aid mon
ey to build and equip plants. The
major factor, however, lies in the
wages they pay their workers,
which is only a small fracUon of
American wages.
Between 1858 and 1860, impoi^s
of cotton yarn went up from one
million to 14 million pounds; cot
ton cloth imports tripled; man
made fiber imports doubled; and
apparel imports Jumped from
$13§ million to $219 million, an in
crease of 70 per cent. In 1058 tex
tile imports were 106 per cent of
exports. In 1858, they were 132 per
cent. If the present trend contin
ues, textile imports will be more
than 150 per cent of exports in
1861.
The only realistic solution lies
in U. S. imposed quotas by coun
try and category, which would
not cut off texUle imports, but
would limit them. It is difficult
to see how this would damage
our export trade, for other coun
tries are doing it. Japan, Portu
gal and India, for example, ma
jor exporters of texUles to the U.
S., all are among the 52 nations
which bar American textiles from
their lands.
There appears to be sentiment
in Washington to mis-label this
Political
Announcements
FOB MAYOR
I hereby announce myself a
candidate for Mayor of Clinton,
subject to the rules of the Demo
cratic primary.
S. A. (Chick) PITTS
I hereby announce myself a
candidate for Mayor of Clinton,
subject to the rules of the Demo
cratic primary.
J. J. (Peck) CORNWALL
I hereby - tuinounce myself a
candidate for Mayor of Clinton,
subject to the rules of the Demo
cratic primary.
JAMES P. SLOAN
remedy as “protectionist," and to
advance instead a program of
government subsidy for the tex
tile industry to convert to another
field, with “subsistence” pay
ments to workers while they are
re-trained. This approach is
adopted in a Commerce staff
study ordered released by the
president in January. It is also
adopted in the Depressed Area
Redevelopment Bill introduced in
the Senate and supported by the
administration. Indeed, the Presi
dent said in his message to Con
gress: “A return to protectionism
is not a solution.” It would be
tragic if the administration fol
lows the “adjustment assistance”
approach, for it is an acceptance
of the destruction of the U. S.
textile industry, which should,
and must, be saved, not doomed.
To Lead Revival
New Subscribers
MRS. W. F. HOLDERMAN,
ALEXANDER R. HAMILTON,
REV. E. D. JOHNSON,
S. L. BOND,
NEAL B. PRATER,
CHARLES MAXIE DAVIS,
MRS. ETHEL SEAY,
BOBBY LEE RICHIE.
MRS. B. R. PURCHASE,
MRS. EMMA H. YOUNG,
WILLIAM H. YOUNG.
WILLIAM BURDEN,
City
DAVID UNDLER,
Newberry
PVT. JAMES R. TURNER,
Fort Sill, Okla.
BILLY ABERCROMBIE,
PAUL MOTES,
Lydia
HIRAM DALLAS,
MRS. WILLIAM E. BOYD,
Joanna*
PRESS CLIPPING BUREAU,
Columbia
Cross Hill News
REV. BENTON
Rev. Clarence L. Benton, of
Charleston, will conduct revi
val services at Bethel Temple,
II# N. Owens St., at 7:18 each
evening, February 28 through
the 24th. The church is observ
ing its fifth anniversary. Rev.
E. D. Johnson is pastor.
Dixie Products Days
Being Featured By
Winn-Dixie Stores
The South's vast contribution
to the nation’s economy and well
being is being marked this week
by "Dixie Products Days,” hon
oring growers and processors
throughout the region and fea
turing meats, staples and pro
duce, dew-fresh from Dixie.
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., this
week is observing the event in all
of its 526 super-markets locat
ed in South Carolnia and ten oth
er Southern states. Special dec
orations pointing up the impbr v
tance of Southern agriculture
brighten each of the stores, and
employees are garbed in attire
representative of Dixie, it was an
nounced by W. M. Clary, man
ager of the company’s Greenville
division.
The vast contribution the com
pany now makes to the Southern
economy can best be illustrated
by the following figures, which
cover the last fiscal year. The
first figure embraces the Green
ville division and the second cov
ers the company as a whole:
Salaries and bonuses: $9,427,-
001, and $53,726,435; occupancy
costs (leaseholds irius improve
ment amortisation), $1,380,818
and $8,055,682; local taxes paid
(not including social security)
$568,125 and $2,012,088; advertis
ing expenses, $1,154,211 and $5,-
563,642; employee benefit plan
payments, $842,375 and $4,841,
188; utility expenses, $712,605 and
$4,485,665
IF YOU DON’T READ
THE CHRONICLE
OU DON’T OR THE NEWS
DIAL 833-8541
The Friendly Garden Club held
its first meeting of the year on
the afternoon of February 7 at the
home of Mrs. S. B. Goodman,
with Mrs. H. W. Bryson as co
hostess.
The president, Mrs. J. H.
Thomason, Jr, opened the meet
ing with the reading of a poem,
“A New Start.’ ’She welcomed the
visitors, Mrs. Maude Bryson and
Mrs. J .H. Atchison, and new
members of the club.
During the business session the
new officers took over their duties
and it was decided that they hold
office for two years.
The president suggested that
each member tend an African
violet as her project for this year.
She also passed the information
that several ladies had volun
teered to talk at. the garden club
meetings throughout the year as
needed.
Mrs. W. M. Leaman and Mrs.
J. E. Sharpe were program lead
ers. Mrs. Leaman gave “A Rec
ipe for a Happy Year,’ ’and some
hints for caring for house plants
at this time of year. She also
told of new varieties of gladioli
bulbs and the new rose of the
year, She ended her discussion
with the reading of a poem, “A
Bouquet of Words.”
Mrs. Sharpe spoke about Valen
tine’s Day. She told of its origin
and how it is celebrated in va
rious countries. She closed the
program with a poem, “How To
Be A Friend.”
The hostesses, assisted by Mrs.
L. R. Adams and Mrs. Sharpe,
served a chicken salad plate with
coffee and cherry tarts.
The Valentine motif was car
ried out in the decorations and re
freshments.
• • •
An election was held at the
town hall Tuesday, February 7,
at which time J. E. Sharpe was
elected alderman to fill the va
cancy of Fred Coleman deceased.
• • •
SP4 Johnny Reeder has return
ed from Germany where he was
stationed with the armed forces
and is visiting his parents, Mr.
and Mrs. L. W. Reeder.
Joseph Cole, who has been sta
tioned at Fort Hancock, N. J., for
some time, has received a dis
charge and is with his parents,
Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Cole.
Many Vehicles Fail
To Pass Inspection!
If all the vehicles inspected by
South Carolina highway patrol
men in the last six months were
placed bumber to bumper, the
line would stretch up N. S. No. 1
from Columbia to Baltimore.
A third of the ones in line would
jeopardize the lives of others. A
total of 52,676 vehicles failed to
pass safety inspection.
Defective lights would have
stopped 31,852, and 10,140 would
have been parked with defective
brakes, along with 4,127 with un
safe windshield wipers (had it
rained), and 64106 with various
other defects. A total of 828 could
not bsfee gotten in line—their
steering was too defective.
During December, 1880, nearly
27,000 vehicles were inspected by
patrolmen and only 18,350 pass
ed. ,
Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Sturgeon
and children of Savannah, Ga.,
spent the past week-end with Mr.
and Mrs. W. M. leaman.
Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Rogers of
Columbia, were Sunday guests of
Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Hollings
worth.
John S. Cox, who is employed
in Jackson, Miss., spent the past
week with his family here.
Friends of W. T. Boyce are
glad to know e is able to be returned with him for a visit.
out again after several weeks of
illness.
George Hanna of Charleston,
visited relatives here last week.
His mother ,Mrs. L. D. Hanna,
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Lewis and
children of Rock Hill, spent! the
week-end with Mr. and Mrs. W.
C Wilkie.
Mrs. B. F. Roberts has return
ed from several days visit with
relatives in Spartanburg.
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Cox of
Hendersonville, N. C., visited
Mrs. John Cox and children Sun
day.
OFFICE SUPPLIES
CHRONICLE PUB. CO.
DIAL $2M641^
JAMES P. SLOAN
Candidate For Mayor Of Clinton
Believing that public office is a public trust, 1 respectfully invite the serious consideration, vote,
and support of all citizens on the basis of my training for the office, practical experience gained
during six years of service as Councilman and as Chairman of the Council’s Finance Commit
tee, and my record as a member of the City Council.
LETS LOOK AT CANDIDATE SLOAN’S RECORD-
PERFORMANCE, NOT PROMISES
Your Mayor and CouncIlmen are entrusted with the successful operation of
a 8818,888 a year business for the people of Clinton. It Is my conviction that the
people of Clinton should he informed as to your city government, its financial
standing, and Its respondhilitles that are entrusted to your elected officials.
It was my privilege to serve as Alderman from Ward IV for six years, from
1854 through 1888. listed below are facts with regard to your municipal govern
ment and Its flaancial operations during those six years in which, as Chairman
of the Council’s Finance Committee, I had an active part in cooperation with
your elected Mayors and Coundlmen.
MAJOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS DURING SLOAN’S TENURE
As Chairman of the Finance Committee, It waa my responsibility and priv
ilege to recommend, promote, and actively support all major capital Improve
ments, as presented in the summary below, which Is taken from the audit re
ports of 1866, 56, $7, 58, 58, and 88. The figures speak for themselves:
MAJOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, 1954-1960
Electric System $ 287,258.82
Fire Department i. — 18,882.82
Improvement of White Way System 15,717.87
Sewer Extensions 42,888.88
Street and Sidewalk Work (New Surfacing
and Re-Surfacing)
Water-Plant
Total Capital Improvements
. 181,847.84
1,188,786.54
|1,548,913.37
In addition to these capital improvements during my six years as
Chairman of the Finance Committee, through good pianning and the re
placement of trucks, cars, and other mechanised equipment on a rotation
plan, as stipulated in the annual budgets, and the purchase of additional
needed machinery, the physical equipment of the City is in the best con
dition in the history of Clinton.
AUTHOR OF BUDGET PLAN FOR CLINTON
As Chairman of Council’s Finance Committee, Councilman Sloan prepared
the first annual budget in City’s history in 1954 and the next five budgets,
through 1988. Through wise planning of each department’s needs and careful
spending of funds approved in each annual budget, every department remained
well within its budget, operating in an efficient manner, with substantial sav
ings. In fact, as a result of wise control of spending, the fact that our reve
nues exceeded our estimated revenues each year, and an accumulation of prior
surpluses, the City of Clinton completed each of the six years with substantial
surpluses. These surpluses have enabled the city to purchase many items of
equipment and make needed improvements.
MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS DURING HIS FINANCE
COMMITTEE CHAIRMANSHIP
1. The city’s debt structure was improved (1954-55) by regular monthly
payments (which practice had been abandoned for the most part by previous
administrations) into the sinking fund toward the retirement of the 1925 term
bonds In the amount of $235,888, which became dae in 1855. $188,888 of this
amount was re-funded at a favorable interest rate.
2. A $288,888 electric system improvement bond issue was approved by the
people of Clinton and the improvements were completed in 1958.
3. The $38,888 in outstanding notes carried by the city over a long period
of time were paid off.
4. An emergency reservoir, costing more than $17,888, was constructed near
the Duncan Creek reservoir as a supplement to It until the Enoree River project
could be accomplished.
5. During 1958 the Thornweil Orphanage property was purchased at a cost
of $15,888, on 'fhich property our modern filtering plant is located.
8. The new water filtering plant with a 16-Inch line to Enoree River, making
available $,888,888 gallons of water daily, was completed daring 1959 with pro
ceeds from a $1 J58,888 revenue bond issue. Also included in this project were
booster lines at strategic points in the city, greatly improving the water pres-
STREET RE-SURFACING; MODERN SEWAGE DISPOSAL
PLANT PLANNED
From the surplus funds, resulting from good budget practices, approximate
ly $191,947.94 was used to re-surface noa-Highway Department streets badly in
need of repair. It is my intention to continue our re-surfacing program, as
funds are available, until all city streets and sidewalks are put in good shape.
Also through cooperation with the State Highway Department and the Laurens
County Legislative delegation, we obtained more than $75,888 worth of side
walks and re-surfaced streets without any cost to the city* The balance of the
surplus funds (and possibly more) will be needed for major sewer improve
ments, including the proposed lagoon system, to comply with the requirements
of the State Water Potation Control Board. THE ACCUMULATION OF SUR
PLUS FUNDS IS THE ONLY WAY TO PROVIDE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
WITHOUT ISSUING BONDS. THE BEGINNING AND WISE ADMINISTRA
TION Of OUR BUDGET SYSTEM HAS RESULTED IN THESE SURPLUSES.
FINANCIAL STATUS OF CITY RESULTS IN IMPROVED
CREDIT RATING
All tax monies collected for payment on bonds maturing and interest on
bonds are turned over to the Clinton Bond Commission, which was established
daring my first term as Finance Committee Chairman. This Commission, com
posed of Robert M. Vance, R. P. Hamer, and J. Sloan Todd, controls the ad
ministration of these funds and tike payment of future bonds and interest as
they mature. BECAUSE OUR FINANCIAL AFFAIRS HAVE BEEN PUT IN
GOOD ORDER, CLINTON’S REVENUE BONDS ARE RATED A AND OUR
GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS BAA. In view of the improved financial
position of the City of Clinton, we are hoping to get our general obligation bonds
rated A—which will result in lower interest rates for Clinton’s obligations in
the future. A total of $128,883.49 is included in our current budget for debt
service—$88,588 for bonds maturing and $61,583.49 for interest on bonds. Also,
we have a surplus, as of August 31, 1888, of $58,855.51 in the Bond Payment
Account which is bring held for the purpose of calling bonds when interest rales
makes this feasible.
FUNDS BEING SET ASIDE FOR NEW CITY HALL
Three years ago, the City began setting aside $19,889 annually (which is
drawing interest) from surplus funds for the construction of a new city hail. It
is our plan to continue to set aside funds systematically for this purpose until we
are In a position to construct a city hall which will be a credit to Clinton.
PROPERTY TAX LEVY HAS NOT INCREASED
As more and more of oar fellow citisens are becoming home owners, the
amount of the City’s property tax takes on greater significance. The present tax
levy of S3 mills has been in effect since 1851. In spite of increased costs of City
operations, it has been possible, by a close watch of finances, to coatinoe the
services which our people expect without increasing your tax burden. I pledge
my best efforts along these lines in the interest of all of Clinton’s taxpayers.
1 AM OPPOSED TO ANY PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.
CLINTON-NEWBERRY NATURAL GAS AUTHORITY
The Clinton-New berry Natural Gas Authority, contrary fo an opinion held
by some citisens, does not constitute a bonded indebtedness of the City of Clin
ton. It is a $3,888,988 operation administered by a seven-member Board of Di
rectors, three members each of the City Councils dt Clinton and Newberry re
spectively, with these six men Choosing the seventh member. Walter Regnery
is the seventh man and is now serving as chairman. MY ELECTION A8 MAYOR *
WOULD AUTOMATICALLY MAKE ME A MEMBER OF THE GAS AUTHOR
ITY, WHERE MY SIX YEARS OF PREVIOUS SERVICE WOULD BE OF
VALUE IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THIS IMPORTANT SERVICE TO
OUR CITIZENS. The Authority now has more than 4,888 customers. The
Authority is being administered on a sound business basis, with bond and in
terest payments being met on schedule. We have reason to look with optimism
to the future of the Gas Authority. When the bonded indebtedness is paid off,
the Gas Authority will become a Joint asset of the cities of Clinton and Newberry.
ADMINISTRATION OF NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS
REQUIRES BEST POSSIBLE LEADERSHIP
If Clinton is to grow and be in a position to attract new industry, it mast
set itself to the task of solving several basic problems in the immediate future
as funds can be made available. These complex and long-range problems will
involve the expenditure of large sums of money and should have the attention of
a trained, experienced, and dedicated Mayor to direct the multiple phases of
the planning and execution of the projects.
These projects 1 would list as follows:
1. EXTENDING THE CITY SEWER LINES TO SERVE ALL
AREAS OF CLINTON.
2. CONSTRUCTION OF MODERN AND ADEQUATE SEWAGE
DISPOSAL FACILITIES.
3. EXTENSION OF THE CITY LIMITS AND PROVIDING
THE NECESSARY SERVICES TO THESE NEW CITIZENS.
4. A STREET PAVING PROGRAM THAT WILL GET HUN
DREDS OF OUR CITIZENS, WHITE AND COLORED, OUT
OF THE MUD AND DUST.
1 shall devote my best efforts to accomplishing these needed improvements
as soon as funds will permit. I ask for the patience of the people of CUnten as
we work toward these goals.
CITY MANAGER PLAN IS DEAD ISSUE
In the primary last May the people of Clinton demonstrated that they did
not favor the City Manager Plan. I believe In democratic processes and I 8HAIJ.
AJ1IDE BY THE WISHES OF THE PEOPLE. THE CITY MANAGER PLAN
IS A DEAD ISSUE. IF FAVORED WITH ELECTION, I SHALL NOT RAISE
THE CITY MANAGER ISSUE DURING MY THEM AS MAYOR. Rather, I
shall devote my best efforts toward carrying on the fine programs begun under
the late Mayor Joe P. Terry, who was my friend and with whom it was my
privilege to work very closely for four years. 1 shall endeavor to he a good
Mayor, carrying on the duties of the office with a seriousness of purpose and
with fair and Just treatment of all citisens alike.
REDUCTION IN WATER, ELECTRICITY RATES FAVORED
The covenant in the Bond Ordinances require* sufficient water and elec
tricity rates to provide funds for operation of the water and light
sufficient funds to pay bonds and interest (on the $288,888 Electric System
issue and the $1,158,888 Water Plant bond issue) each year. Our present rates,
admittedly high, are set to comply with the Bond Ordinances. Any officials you
may elect will be bound by the requirements of the Bond Ordinance and recom
mendations of the Bond Commissioa in making adjustments in water sad power
rates. As more water and power consumers are added, it is logical to conclude
that the additional revenues will make it possible to reduce water and tight rates
and still meet the terms of the covenant of the Bond Ordinance. IN THE IN
TEREST OF ALL CITIZENS AND IN THE INTEREST OF ATTRACTING
NEW INDUSTRY, I SHALL WORK TOWARD THE MOST DESIRED GOAL
OF REDUCED RATES .
BEWARE OF PROMISES THAT CANNOT BE CARRIED OUT
Serious thinking property taxpayers will not be misled by rash campaign
PROMISES casually made for political purposes. Serious thinhhig property
taxpayers will rightly question the sincerity of a candidate or candidates who
PROMISE special sewer line projects, paved streets, and sidewalks, which
would involve the expenditure of hundreds of thousands of dollars, while in the
same breath PROMISING no increase in property taxes and PROMISING to
operate the city’s programs within its income and not on borrowed money.
ACTUALLY NO CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR CAN HONESTLY PROMISE
ANY SPECIFIC PROJECT. THERE ARE SIX DULY ELECTED ALDERMEN
WHO HAVE AN IMPORTANT VOICE IN DETERMINING HOW THE CITY’S
MONEY IS TO BE SPENT. I PLEDGE MYSELF TO COOPERATE WITH
YOUR ELECTED MEMBERS OF COUNCIL IN PROVIDING THE BEST
POSSIBLE SERVICES AND CITY IMPROVEMENTS—INCLUDING REGU
LAR GARBAGE COLLECTION AND STREET CLEANING THE YEAR
ROUND—WITH FAIR TREATMENT OF ALL CITIZENS ALIKE. *
Help elect a man with successful experience in our city government who has devoted years of
service to Clinton and who is prepared to devote the necessary time and effort to serving Clin
ton in the best possible manner.
ON NEXT TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, HELP ELECT
JAMES P. SLOAN
Trained and Experienced - Interested in Welfare of All Citizens
YOUR VOTE AND SUPPORT WILL BE APPRECIATED
NOTE: DupBcatc Registration Certificates Are Being Issued Thursday, February 16, at the CHntou Mill Community llnnai