Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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WHERE DO WE STAND? When planning expert Wilbur S. Smith addressed the annual dinner of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce last week, he said some encouraging things about Clinton but he also put his finger on some problems vital to our city’s future. Perhaps the most encouraging— and challenging—statement was that Clinton is located in an area which has the potential for the greatest growth in the world within the next 30 years. OK, we have the location and poten tial, now what will we do with it? The answer to that question lies in the way we solve our problems. Mr. Smith, whose firm currently is conducting a long-range planning sur vey of Clinton, listed our problems as: “Railroads running through the business district, shortage of housing units for all income brackets, a heavy influx of mobile homes, utility limita tions, large land holdings by large public or quasi-public groups, a lack of transportation arteries, inadequate parking, poor traffic flow.” These are problems seen by impar tial members of the Wilbur Simith and Associates survey team early in their work. All of these are problems seen by Clintonians and, we are proud to report, work is progressing on solu tions to each of these problems. Let’s take them one at a time: (1) Railroads through the center of town. Railroad officials currently are studying the possibility of elimi nating one set of tracks. Admittedly, the decision on this proposal is taking much longer than originally promised but we’re still hopeful. If the CN&L tracks could be eliminated, with that land sold to the city, it could give downtown a shot in the arm. The land could be used for desperately needed parking. Also, Mr. Ferdinand Jacobs has proposed that an overpass be con structed over the railroad and that pro posal is being considered by local of ficials. It is a. sound proposal which, would encouf&'gfc better traffic flow, eliminating much of the bottleneck caused by the railroads. (2) “Shortage of housing units for all income brackets.” The P u bl i c Housing Authority is moving forward with its plans for a low-rent housing project and an application has been filed for federal funds. This project is moving on schedule and will do r: -1 much toward solving Clinton’s hous ing problems. (3) “A heavy influx of mobile homes per se, aren’t necessarily a detriment, if properly controlled. At the present, there are few restraints on location of mobile homes and there are no enforced standards. The same, of course, applies to housing. This could be worked out when the city gets some zoning ordinances which will follow the survey conducted by Mr. Smith’s firm. (4) “Utility limitations.” The city currently is in the midst of a program to upgrade its utility services. (5) “Large land holdings by large public or quasi-public groups.” We assume Mr. Smith is referring prima rily to Thornwell a n d Presbyterian College. Both of these iWitutions do have considerable la n d holdings in Clinton and that restricts land avail able for other development. However, the land held by those institutions is for their future development. Both make vital contributions to the wel fare of our community so their growth means growth for the entire commun ity. In the long view, we don’t think this is a serious detriment. (6) “A lack of transportation ar teries.” This is a very real' problem and at the moment, this is a weak spot in our work program. The Clinton Planning Commission is trying to solve this problem but the public hear ing held last week on a beltline pro posal was not encouraging. People, in the affected areas seem to recog nize the need for a traffic route around town but they don’t want it on their property. We have a plan to solve the problem but working out the realities of the proposal apparently is going to take a lot of effort by dedicated citi zens. (7) inadequate parking.” The primary hope for a solution to this problem lies in the elimination of the CN&L tracks, discussed earlier in this editorial. (8) “Poor traffic flow.” This, too, is tied in with our railroad problems, the railroad overpass proposal and the beltline proposal. It is encouraging that we are working toward a solution of nearly all of these problems but it serves to emphasize that we must increase our efforts if we are to realize our poten tial. SOUNDS FAMIUAR The COLUMBIA STATE put the whole story as succinctly as any we have read mi the matter, and we tell it in just their words ;-to which we can think of nothing to add:- • • • • Spotted in the New York Times book review section, this literary query from a reader. “C. S. asks if anyone can tell her who wrote the poem that contains these lines: ’And where is the band who so vauntingly swore mid the havoc of war and the battle’s confus ion — a home and a country they’d leave us no more?—Their Blood hath washed out their foul foot-steps’ pol lution—No refuse could save the hire ling and slave — from the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave.’ The Times couldn’t imagine. Less confused, several readers rec ognized the author as Francis Scott Key, the “poem” as “The Star Spang led Banner,” third verse. Missing from C. S. inquiry were the next two lines, a dead giveaway: “And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave—o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.” Likewise the home of red-faced book review editors caught with their sophistication showing. THE LINES Experts in the field of communist propaganda have pointed out that the Reds frequently have not one, but two communist “party lines”; one for public distribution, to deceive and con fuse non-communists; and the other retained for members and reliable sym pathizers of the communist apparatus. Thus, on any given subject, the Beds may he tolling their own members one thing, and telling nop-cnrwnonista just the ofgnaite. Now, apparently, the communists have extended their trickery even to “odfWaT Soviet maps; one set of accu rate maps for fhanother de- tfberately u a r Soviet rm riwera, railroads and towns have been shifted as much as 26 miles from their true location. In one instance, the rail terminal city of Nevel in Soviet occupied Es tonia was shifted ten miles away from its true location. Railroad lines were bent to conform to the “new” position. But the communists forgot to move a small lake on which the town is locat ed. Following this lead. Government analysts discovered that the whole se ries of new Soviet maps had been twisted and warped out of shape. Congressman Roman C. Pucinski (D., Bl.), who inserted the informa tion about the phony Red maps in the Ooneresaional Record, said: “There are those who continue to naively be lieve that somehow or other we can trust the motives of the Soviets when aknost every day in one way or anoth er we see that they wort overtime at the art of deceiving the world "What's a mother to do?" 2-B—THE CHRONICLE, Clinton, S. C., March 19, 1970 Wage Demands Feed Inflation ( f. 1 Kim Fftarw Syndtemte SENATOR STROM THURMOND REPORTS TO THE \ mi Wish I’d Said That PEOPLE OUR STAKE IN AFRICA The Department of State has announced its intention to close the American Consulate in Salis bury, Rhodesia, on March 17. This decision is a lamentable one and should be reversed. Earlier this month, Rhodesia severed all relations with Great Britain. Although Rhodesia sometime ago declared its in dependence, its leaders clunp to the hope that Great Britain would see the futility of its anti- Rhodesian policy and a^ree to an amicable settlement within the British Commonwealth. The Rhodesian people, through ties of history and sentiment, found it difficult to break their alle giance to the British Crown, but the unreasonable attitude of Britain’s political leaders left no other choice. With the question of Rhode sia’s independence irrevocably settled, there can be no doubt that the Rhodesian government has both legal and actual control of its territory. The United States should recognize this val iant African country as a sover eign state. Now is the time to take steps to improve, not sever, relations with those African States with which our Nation has the most in common. The time has come to take the long range view in Africa and adopt policies which will protect the major American interests. VITAL INTERESTS The United States has vital interests at stake with the gov ernments of the Southern Afri can States; that is, Rhodesia, South Africa, and the overseas provinces of Portugal, namely, Angola and Mozambique. The fu ture of Europe—and the United States—may well depend upon the friendship of these three governments. With the Suez Canal closed—and little likeli hood that it can be opened, the vital oil link with the Mid- Eastern oil fields is the shipping route around the tip of Africa. Even if the Suez Canal should be opened, the new gigantic su pertankers make it more effi cient to ship oil on this route. Therefore, we must be greatly concerned with whoever controls the Portuguese ports in the In dian Ocean and the South Af rican porta on the Cape. An unfriendly, or even a neutral power, in control of these ports could control the oil lifeline of NATO. In these days of the destructive power of long range nuclear weapons, it is likely that an enemy might seek methods of blackmail that would fall short of unleashing major nuclear ex plosions. An oil blockade imposed upon the West would result in unacceptable economic and social burdens. The expanding Soviet submarine fleet, coupled with anti-Western powers controlling the ports, could impose severe constraints. ClNfftlON DEFENSE ^ We should be working more closely with friendly countries for our common defense. In par ticular, South Africa’s small Navy should be improved and enlarged. The South African naval base at Simonstown, on the Cape, should be modernized and increased in capacity to han dle NATO ships. We should drop the embargo on selling arma ments to South Africa, since it is no longer appropriate to the changed international strategic conditions. We cannot base our defenses upon the power balance of ten years ago. Although Rhodesia is a land locked country, we must remem ber that it is the only major source of high grade chromium ore besides the Soviet Union. It would be a great strategic mistake for the United States to sever relations with this brave little Nation, since in a world crisis we will need the close friendship of Rhodesia in order to secure supplies of chromium ore which is vital to our defense. We must remember, too, that all of land-locked Rhodesia’s chrome must be shipped through the Portuguese ports. Every reason, therefore, urges us to take posi tive steps toward improving our relations with these friends of the United States. The time has come to take the long range view in Africa and adopt policies which will protect American interests. It is my hope the Slate Department will re view the matter of Rhodesia and conclude that it is in the interest of our Nation not to close the Consulate there. When a person is misguided, he likes to blame his situation on someone else. Usually, he is merely swayed by his own ar guments- James H. Russell, The Belton (Tex.) Journal. Renu mber when $20 worth of groceries would hardly fit into the trunk of your car? Now it fits in the glove com partment Wm. R. Davis, Three Forks (Mont.) Herald Modern music is okay, but why did it have to come in our time.— Jim Thompson, The Madison tOhioi Press. (not prepared or printed at goeenment empenee) County Court Bill Planned ' &Y JIMM* BOYL$TON Legislative Correspondent The Laurens County House de legation plans to introduce a bill which will return to the Civil and Family Court of Laurens juris diction in real estate cases. In the past, the court has had the authority to hear cases in volving real estate claims. How ever, an amendment passed last year relieved it of jurisdiction. The proposed measure would re store this jurisdiction to the Civil and Family Court. Rep. Paul Culbertson said the House delegation is also planning to introduce an amendment to the present law to “provide that the Civil and Family Court in Lau rens shall not practice law." “This measure is to pro vide future protection,” Cul bertson explained. "Our present judge is doing an effective job," he said. Signed, Then Vetoed The only recorded instance of a U S. president vetoing a private bill which he had previously signed came in the Truman administration. President Truman vetoed a measure which he had signed while president of the Senate (vice-president). BY THURMAN SENSING Executive Vice President Southern States Industrial Council How to curb inflation without creating a severe recession is the chief economic problem fac ing the Nixon administration. The problem is especially difficult because there is no immediately available means of inducing self- restraint on the part of elements that contribute to inflation. Thus far, the administration has sought to cool the economy through tightening of credit and other monetary controls. But this already has produced something of a crisis in the home construc tion industry. The shortage of loan money is hitting home build ers and suppliers. Many savings and loan banks are finding that depositors are withdrawing funds to put their money into federal notes that produce a high, short term profit. The cooling also has had hurt ful effect on the automotive in dustry. One of the biggest auto manufacturers has had to order substantial layoffs at a number of plants. The demand for new auto mobiles appars to be down, with no sign of improvement in sight The Nixon administration feels that some success has been achieved in slowing inflation, but the price of making gains is very high. And even the slowdowns and cutbacks in the economy don’t seem to have any special effect on the wage spiral. The country’s economic prob lems may prove insoluble unless restraint ig developed with re spect to wage demands. One of the reasons many companies are feeling a pinch — and are reluc tant to expand facilities -- is that they have been faced with rapidly mounting wage costs in the last few years. Wages in the United States soared in the 1960s, but productivity did not keep pace. This is an ominous development. Wage increases are acceptable when there is a rise in real productivity. For a time, pro ductivity was moving upward rap idly, making possible higher wage scales. But the last few year? have seen wage concessions ob tained which have no sound re lation to productivity per em ploye. Americans should be deeply concerned about this, for the root cause of Britain’s postwar eco nomic deterioration was the gap between wages and productivity. British union members obtained frequent increases, with the Ex port of the Laborite government, but the productivity of British workers was not on a par with the productivity of workers in Germany and Japan, for instance. Thus British goods have fre quently failed to penetrate new markets or have lost acceptance in established markets — all be cause they are overpriced. American goods are vulnerable to the same danger, and not sim ply in overseas markets. The United States has a huge domestic market, but many goods seem to be losing ground in this vital mar ket because they are overpriced through the operation of inflation. High labor costs are a menace to America’s economic future. The U. S. merchant marine is dying because American ship owners can’t afford to operate vessels at the rate of pay de manded by maritime unions. Eu ropean automobile makers have a substantial part of the American car-buying market, and not be cause European designs are bet ter -• but because European prices on many vehicles are more in line with what prospective car purchasers can afford. It is note worthy that the wage scale in the automotive industry is above $5 an hour, whereas in West Ger many it is $2.20 Industrial workers in the Unit ed States are determined not to drop down to the scale in Ger many, let us say. But they also had better start practicing self- restraint and bear in mind the need of withholding new demands at this time. Another round of wage demands in major U.S. in dustries could bring on a king- size recession in the United States. The U. S. public has no taste for government-dec reed wage restraints. But the only substi tute is voluntary restraint. In dustry, of course, is restrained in its profits demands by the re alities of the market Business men know that prices can’t be hiked because the market won’t bear an increase. But this rea lism hasn’t seeped into the minds of union leaders. They are still thinking they can tack on new costs. The great need, therefore, is a clearer public understanding and stronger, outspoken leadership by office holders with respect to the restraint of labor costs. Unless there is a new measure of discipline in this area, the A- merican economy is beaded for serious trouble in the seventies. Parson Jones Says He's Confused About Money Dear Mr. Publisher: Ever since I was a little boy I’ve been confused about money. I used to go to church and hear the preacher say, “the love of money is the root of all evil*. Then they would hold a congre gational meeting on how to raise more money. I’d go to Sunday School and read where Jesus said, ‘blessed are the poor”, and then I’d go home and listen to my pav raise cain about being so pore. Then when I was going to school everybody told me how import ant it was on account of it would help me to make more money. It’s no wonder a fella gets con fused. They say growing up helps a body to understand things better. S.C. Strike Bills' Are Considered BY JIMMY BOYLSTON Legislative Correspondent Two measures are now before the Senate and House Judiciary Committees which would make strikes by public employes un lawful. One bill was proposed by Gov. Robert McNair following the strike by hospital workers at the S. C. Medical University at Char leston last year. Another bill dealing with strikes was recently introduced in the Judiciary Com mittee by Sen. James B. Stephen of Spartanburg. Both bills would make strikes by public employes unlawful and impose fines on the violators. There are, however, significant differences in the two measures. The Stephen bUl would limit punishment for violation of the strike law to fines which could range as high as $1,000. The bUl proposed by Gov. Mc Nair would, in addition to impos ing fines, provide for stiff puni tive measures against public em ployes participating in strikes. These measures include ter mination of the employe’s ap- » pointment or employment The bill also provides that if the em ploye is later re-remployed by the state, the person’s salary shall not be increased until one year has expired. The governor’s proposal is si lent on the subject on an employe joining a union. The Stephen bill would affirm the right of state employes to join or not to join a union. Wayne Corley, legal consultant to Gov. McNair, said present state policy recognizes the right of state employes to unionize and that there is no need to re-state this in a law. “The governor is not trying to set state policy on the strike issue,” Corley emphasized. “The measure before the Ju diciary Co^tteejrifl podify what is already aparfaf the com mon law of this state," Corley said. He said the bill will not change in any way the attorney general’s interpretation of com- men law pertaining to strikes. The major difference in the two bills is on the issue of collec tive bargaining. The Stephen bill would guar antee ttie right of collective bar gaining, provided the onion re presentative is certified by the coramisstooer of labor. “This right has already been affirmed by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals as a right guar anteed under the Constitution,* Sen. Stephen said. “Our measure is similar to those which have been adopted by some 30 other states," Stephen said. The state measure would for bid collective bargaining and any agent of the state that is a party to such bargaining would be guilty of a misdemeanor. Anyemployer of state employes is considered an agent of the state. The mea sure states that, qpon conviction, such persons “shall be punished by fine or imprisonment in the discretion of the court ’ ■. “The legislature passed a Joint resolution last year, following the strike at the S. C. Medical Uni versity, supporting Got. Mc Nair’s enforcement of state policy relative to the strike,” Corley said. Rep. Paul Culbertson and Rep. David Taylor of Laurens County said they are in favor of enact ment of a law which will prohibit strikes by state employes. “By passing each legislation we will make it a part of the law Instead of just state polity as the case is now,” Rep. 'Taylor said. Sen. Robert Lake and Sen. John Long said that, since the mea sures are stiff before the Judi ciary Committee, they would comment on the bills when they are introduced in the Senate. but now that I’m grown I’m more confused than ever. The govern ment dl&a’t help matters. Presi dent Hoover promised to mab> everybody happy by putting a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage. Then President Johnson came along and told how much a family oughfa have to be happy. Mr. Publisher, it’s >ist like the cigarette commer cial says on T.V., “we’ve cornea long way, baby”. Most folks can afford at least one chicken and one car, and it won’t be long til every American will kick the poverty habit Now what’s confus ing is - the more we get the bigger mess we seem to get in. There’s more stealing, more doping, more drinking, more fighting, more suicides. And now President Nixon announces from his Florida home that wealth won’t make us happy. Sometimes I get the strange feeling that Jesus knew a lot more about money than folks give him credit for. I shore wish he would run for President Well sir, I gotta close for now and go to church. We’ve having a pancake sale. Maybe I can eat my way to happiness. Parson Jones 1/ts O&Hvm&i “Anybody who thinks money won’t buy happiness has never tried spending it on somebody else.”