Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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AN EXCITING PROPOSAL Sugar And Spice Mr. J. F. Jacobs II has come up Ith an exciting idea, one which could be extremely beneficial to Clinton. In a letter to the editor, published .in last week’s Chronicle, Mr. Jacobs ^proposed that an overhead crossing be ^•Constructed to allow traffic flow over - the railroad tracks. Mr. Jacobs suggested that the ^crossing would involve the widening >i z ot East Carolina Avenue from the jgr railway overpass to Adair Street at ^ least to the extent of the width of the ^ present sidewalk on the South side of East Carolina. He continued, “Then at some point, impossibly in front of the First Presby- m terian Church, a ramp should be built m for about three lanes of traffic that Mr. Jacobs’ proposal deserves sup- crossing of the Seaboard Coastline m tracks across from McDaniel’s service ^ station. There would be a very slight m bend in this ramp as it crossed this track. Then the ramp would descend to ground level on the land the City of Clinton would purchase, being the CNAL track bed.” Officials of the Seaboard Coastline Railroad Co. currently are considering removal of the CNAL tracks in down town Clinton. The project would be oontingent upon the City of Clinton purchasing the vacated land. Clinton Mayor Harry Layton has said that the city definitely would be interested in purchasing the land, assuming that the price would be reasonable. Mr. Jacobs has presented his pro posal to the Clinton Planning Commis si cm and the response was enthusias tic. The Planning Commission can serve as a laison between State High way Department, Seaboard Railroad officials and City Council in putting this project together. Mr. Jacobs’ proposal deserves sup port and action. WORKING FOR HOUSING r$. The Clinton Housing Authority recently refused to take the easy way : : out. The authority members voted ..unanimously to operate a low-rent ^housing project for Clinton on a local : : :£asis. That means the authority will I e ^dn charge of the local project. The local authority could have ‘returned the entire project over to a re- V.gional Housing Authority, thus di- -vesting themselves of many opera- rational headaches. However, Dr. Louis Stephens, chairman of the local housing author ity, said, “We decided it would be best for us to maintain our independence from any regioinal authority. It will be a hard job but we think the end re sults for the people of Clinton will make it all worthwhile.’’ We commend members of the din- ton Housing Authority on their decis ion. It indicates they are primarily in terested in a low-rent housing project which will meet the needs of Clinton and are willing to work for the benefit of the community. WILL BAYH STAND UP? :f;* We will watch the actions of Sen : : Birch Bayh (D-Ind.) with great in- % \terest when the U.S. Senate considers • : an amendment to the tax bill which -.would remove a unique tax exemption held by labor unions. Unions can use tax-exempt lumls :;for political purposes. The amend- it'tnent, introduced by Sen. Paul Fannin ’gWR-Ariz.) provides that such sums as unions exact from their members subject to taxation by the federal : government. Son. Bayh was vicious in his at tacks on Judge Clement Haynsworth during the wrangle over his nomina tion to the U.S. Supreme Court. Sen Bayh hurled “conflicts of interest" charges at the South Carolinian. When Sen. Fannin’s amendment comes up for a decision, it will be in teresting to see if Sen. Bayh informs his colleagues that it would be unprin cipled for him to vote on a measure in- voJvinjr the interests of the AFL-CIO, to whom he is beholden for $70,000 in campaign contributions. A CAUSE FOR PROTEST The Fairchild Hiller Corporation ; of Germantown, Maryland, is urging : :-the concerned Americans to join a worki-wide protest against Hanoi’s vitreatment of American prisoners-of- : : : .war. We endorse their call for hu rl:'; mane treatment of our servicemen •:♦;who have been captured in Vietnam. The following is their call for sup- report of those imprisoned somewehere :j: r in North Vietnam: "An American serviceman is a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. His family does not f ; rknow if he is alive or dead. Much of -•v* ££hifl time in prison has been spent in 1* : : solitary confinement. The food brought j-r to him is barely enough to keep him V: alive. The medical care he receives :;;jif any, is primitive. The Geneva Con- j>:vention? To his jailers, that’s a laugh “Historically, such treatment of American servicemen would have gj brought forth a storm of protest from :>! this nation. Today, we seem oddly ac : concerned with other matters. “We believe, however, that the ma- >: : *jority of Americans are angry and concerned over this high-handed treat- >;"ment of our servicemen. But their arents Should Know bout Drug Abuse LEMS ON - Families faced with the problem of drag abase youngsters in the home may wonder bow such a thing started. re can be many reasons, not all of them understood, says mson Extension Family Life Specialist Leo Yates. But experts from either physical or emotional problems. foung people are particularly vulneralbe because they are look- for acceptance, and find it difficult ro resist pressures of roup. lost experts agree that the best time to fight drug abuse is it starts, Yates points out suggests that parents find out from authoritative sources : much as possible about mind-affecting drugs so they can discuss ^ mtojeet hi the hone j^BpCty mfi flMtaally. young person who can talk about drug abuse with understand- parents, he says, may be better equipped to resist groq> to-try it Just this once." srseoBdaelfag pro- abuse and parents sre urged to bssoos person as participant or listener. K- ; v Vi- ft-, v '• 1 ■ ^ j/7 Kliw FMtnm SyndktU sms (BiUe God called the light Day.— (Gen. 1:5.). With the coming of each new day we begin again. No matter what yesterday was like, we have the joy of be ginning anew today. There is a sense of freedom that comes with the newness of the day. There is a powerful release from bondage of yesterday, when we positively know that today is a new beginning. God is in this new day and His wisdom is as the sun that shines in our sky. His power is in each and every one, well ing up to strengthen us in our endeavors. wwwwwwwvwvww Support The Youth The Editor: On Friday, Nov. 21, a group of young people from Clinton went to Camp Eva Good, N. C. for a weekend retreat under the auspices of a volunteer group known as the “Youth for Christ". Over 45 teenagers made their own plans and arrangements for the accommodations, programs and, to a large degree, financial arrangements for a time of spiri tual enrichment. Seven Presby terian College students served as Counselors and Mr. Ben Wham from the Clinton YMCA was the Director. Mrs. Arnold Dixon had the responsibility of the kitchen voaceu are barely heard over the din of other protests. “It’s time the North Vientnajn rul ers learned that the great majority of Americans, as well as many people in other lands, are united in protest against the barbaric treatment ac corded our captured fighting men. At Fairchild Hiller, more than 9,000 of our employees have written to the North Vietnam Government, asking for humane treatment for our prison ers. We ask that you join this pro test. We ask that the free nations of the world demand that the North Vietnam Government abide by the Geneva Convention governing treat ment of prisoners of war, as we do. “How can you help? Write today to the Office of the President, Demo cratic Republic of Vietnam, Hanoi, North Vietnam (via Hong Kong) to protest the treatment of American prisoners. Enlist the support of friends in other free nations. It’s time the great majority of Americans stopped being silent on this issue.” Here, truly, is a cause for protest. We pray that it is successful. SENATOR STROM A THURMOND REPORTS TO THE PEOPLE SOVIET EXPORT STRATEGY In recent weeks, our national leaders have begun to realize that our unreasonable sanctions against Rhodesia have made us dependent upon the Soviet Un ion for our supply of chrome ore. However, this dependency opens up the whole question of strategic materials critical to our defense effort, and the So viet export strategy. Soviet military writers speak of the strategic materials gap as the “weak-iink” in capitalist economies. Because of the distri bution of raw materials in world geoji do n of certain critical commodities necessary for the defense effort. sgraphy, the Western nations not nave the natural reserves The Soviet strategy is to zero in on this H weak-Iink n and do Wreck Scene In Parade Elsewhere on this edi torial page, there is a let ter protesting the use of a Christmas parade entry which depicted a wreck scene. We can understand how many on-lookers would think such a display had no place in a Christmas parade. However, it was the Rescue Squad's way of demonstrating that wrecks, tragically, have be come a part of the Christ mas scene. They were try ing to remind people to drive safely during the holi days. . Sometimes, the ptlblic has to be shocked for its own Deneiit. SOVIET STRATEGY For example, one Soviet anal ysis shows that the U.S. must import 92 percent of the chrome, 97 percent of the nickel, 76 per cent of the raw aluminum, and 88 percent of the cobalt needed to manufacture a military jet aircraft. Domestic production of raw materials accounts for less than 24 percent of the total needs. t«gy is this “weak-Hnk” everything possible to increase United States weakness in these arena, while striving to build up Soviet production and sources. The best way to do this is to minimize Soviet importation of critical materials, increase ex ploration and development of Soviet reserves, while inducing the United States to increase purchases of these materials from Soviet sources. The Soviets have the upper hand in this strategy, since the United States is already heavily dependent world-wide for the minerals our geography does not provide. We must import 100 percent of our tin, 100 percent of our natural rubber, 100 per cent of our industrial diamonds, 99 percent of our chrome ore, 99 percent of our platinum, 96 per cent of our manganese, 80 per cent of our cobalt, 72 percent of our tungsten, 70 percent of our bauxite, and 66 percent of our mercury. The only way to pro tect our national security is to maintain strategic stockpiles, and to avoid becoming dependent up on anemias or potential enemies. ■umI when many sources pM creases the Soviet capability for production of that commodity. “WEAK LINK” The Soviets have not been slow to exploit this “weak-link” in the capitalist economies. In a recent typical six-month period, 84 per cent of United States imports from the Soviet Union have been in materials related to this crit ical “weak-link” strategy. These imports have included not only chrome ore, but also diamonds, platinum, palladium, rhodium, nickel and titanium. The Soviets have many prod ucts to sell to us, but they have chosen to concentrate their trade within the small spectrum of critical materials. Since the So viets have a trade monopoly in all exports from their country, they can set the price of any item without regard to cost. By consciously underpricing the world market, they can create any pattern of trade they desire. We must conclude that the So viets are following a calculated export strategy. The chrome ore situation illus trates the nature of this stra tegic offensive. When we allowed ourselves to become dependent upon Soviet chrome through po litical pressures not related to the national security, we handed the Soviets a world monopoly. The Soviets immediately dou bled the price. U.S. DEPENDENCY We must assume that the So viets would just as quickly cut off critical materials, or attach political conditions where feasi ble. In time of war, the Soviet production facilities would im mediately be diverted solely to the Soviet military effort. The United States would be hard- pressed to And suitable capa bility elsewhere. Therefore, H is disquieting to learn that, in recent years, the UA. bought one-third of its rho- dinm, a little lens than one-third of its platinnsi- aad about one-half of its pal ladium from the Soviets. Even though alternate sonrees may be ““ this represents a size- could have both military and political ^TmusTwake up to the fact the Soviets are achieving long-range strategic and Miss Rose Dupree was the speaker for two programs. All of the Bible study, devo tional and panel discussion ses sions were faithfully attended by all the kids. They earnestly ob served scheduled “quiet times". Mrs. Hollis and I were privi leged to serve as “weekend par ents” for this retreat and it Is our sincere pleasure to report to all of this area that anyone would have been very proud to have had our task. In kpite of bitter cold weather and generally uncomfortable con ditions plus the fact that these were normal, healthy, lively, ex cited teenagers, not one unplea sant incident took place. We were thrilled by our experience. Parents, take note! Let us all be proud of our young people and let them know that we are. Above all let us recognize their tre mendous effort to live decent, honorable Christian lives and support the “silent majority" of our teen-agers as they search for meaning in world conditions they did not create. Encourage all Youth for Christ. You will be glad that you did. Thomas F. Hollis Wrecked Car Destroyed Effect THE EDITOR: While watching the Clinton Christmas parade last Thursday we were impressed with the colorful floats and holiday spirit presented. The parade added much to the enthusiasm with which children and adults are going to greet the holiday season and would have done the same for us — if it had not been for the Rescue Squad’s wrecked car complete with mock victims that, in our opinion, destroyed the entire effect of the parade. We saw neither the appropria teness nor the purpose of such a tasteless display. Sincerely, Jocelle A Iverson Karen Buchholz Elysla Greenlee Peggy Robinson Susan Smith Wish I’d Said That 5 • jf- i*- In view of the tremendous number of opportunities for making mistakes, even the worst of us do well.—D. J. Mohn, The Littlefork (Minn.) Times. Be pleasant until 10 a.m. The rest of the day will take care of itself.—Billy Whitted, The Fairmont (N. Car.) Times- tf W'Lv v 2-B—THE CHRONICLE, Clinton, S. C., Dec. 11. 1969 Let's Learn Something From Tragedy BY DONNY WILDER Editor, The Chronicle In the aftermath of a tragedy such as that which hit Clinton last week, there should be some community soul-searching. Our own investigation indicates that the agen cies involved acted promptly and efficientay in con nection with the tragedy in which seven little chil dren died in a house fire. In retrospect, we don’t think there’s anything anyone could have done to save those children in that four-room frame house. The Fire Department was there within min utes of the call. But the call was delayed because there is no telephone in the neighborhood and the caller had to run up a hill to place the call. By that time, the house was engulfed in flames. The house was located on a winding, hilly dirt road. If it had been wet and muddy, the lack of pavement could have hindered fire fighters but that was not the case. The road was dry and pass- Firemen had to string 1,800 feet of hose to the nearest fire hydrant. But under the circumstan ces, firemen said they could not have saved the children even if there had been a hydrant right in front of the burning house. The flames were too much in control when firemen arrived. We must learn something from this tragedy. These are our thoughts: —The need for a low-rent housing project is brought sharply, painfully in focus. The house was not built for eight people but people have to live somewhere and they take what they can af ford. Clinton is extremely lacking in housing for all income groups. The housing project will do much to solve this problem and dedicated citizens are working hard to bring low-rent housing proj ects to Clinton. —Clinton needs an adequately enforced hous ing code. This may not apply to the house in ques tion but the need is there and there are many sub standard houses which need to be eliminated in Clinton. They represent potential fire and health hazards. —Unvented heaters are dangerous and the public should be more knowledgeable about the danger. —Clinton officials should take a good look at the location of fire hydrants and the status of the street system. As a matter of routine, city council- men handle such requests. In fact, work is now underway on a new water line for an area which represented a fire hazard because the water line was too small to generate enough pressure for fire fighting. This was brought to council’s attention and council took action. However, we’d like for city officials to take a new look at the city in the light of fire protectioin. If minutes mean the dif ference between life and death, are there enough fire hydrants to provide fire protection for the en tire city? Are all streets in tffe city passable in all kinds of weather? —Are all areas of town accessible to the Fire Department at all times? What would happen if there was a major fire on the south side of town at a time when a train had all of the railroad cross ings blocked? While the fire truck was trying to get across, precious minutes could be lost. This gives added importance to Mr. J. F. Jacobs’ pro posal for an overpass which is discussed elsewhere on today’s editorial page. We are convinced that the tragedy which touched our city was the culmination of a series of unfortunate, nightmarish circumstances, beyond the control of any mortal. But, please, let's learn somthing from it and work to better ourselves and our circumstances. PARSON JONES SAYS Some Believe Only In Doubt Dear Mr. Publisher: A fella told me this week he didn’t believe the Christmas story about Jesus and the Wise man. Twenty years ago that would have throwed me, but not these days. 1969 was not particularly noted for its much belief. Fact is, if there ever was a skepti cal generation, this is it Used to be fdllffi prided themselves in having faith. Now-a-days people brag about doubting everything. I heard one of my neighbors praying the other day, and it went something like this, “OGod, if there is a God, save my soul, if I have a soul - Amen?" If you don’t believe what I’m tellin you, just write a book on “What I Don’t Believe", and you'11 have a best seller. These days it’s fashionable if you don’t be lieve your textbooks, your teach ers, your preacher, or your par ents. Foiks go around just look ing for things they don’t believe - it’s almost like looking for gold. Only trouble is, what they're find ing Is fool’s gold. One young college boy told, me the other day that the thing'he believed in most was doubt I can’t figure out what caused all this mess. Is it cause no body can be trusted any more to teU the truth? My will allowed as how she’d heard so many lies that she couldn’t believe nobody, no matter bow trua it was. She claims it an got started in Waahington and has trickled down to the general public. She says lying is a highly contagious dis ease. After listening to all the TV commercials I guess it’s really hard to figure out what is the truth. My oldest boy said the reason he doubted everything was cause he got more attention that way. He told his mama that for six years he believed in George Washington and nobody paid him any attention. But last year when he announced he dicta’t believe In George Washington any more, ti)e teacher, the princi pal, and half the town got up set. The local paper even sent a reporter out to interview him and his views. Well Sir, with treatment like that, there ain’t much wonder that doubting is more popular than believing. I gotta go now, and read the Good Book. It says "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." Dusty Bibles and doubt go together. Parson Jones U.N. Stomps By postal agreemen U.S. Fort Office De retains all revenue sale of U.N. stamp posted purposes; the 1 Nations retains all re derived from the phi sale of U.N. stamps: _ ■ . I 1 ' ■ ' . '