Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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*'HE NEWBERRY SUM FRIDAY. MARCH 2, 1946 1218 Collete Street NEWBERRY, SOUTH CAROLINA O. F. ARMFIELD Editor and Publisher Published Every Friday In The Year Entered as second-class matter December 6, 1937, at tht postoffice at Newberry, South Carolina, under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. SPECTATOR A statement of the financial con dition of the T. V. A. is before me. I’ve never thought that the Govern ment should engage in the power business any more than it should buy and sell all the hogs and chickens, or own an doperate all the coal mines. But here are some facts: In 1943 the T. V. A. had a gross revenue of $31,- 624,210. It paid in taxes $1,906,000 and that left what is called a net revenue of $6,807,000. Probably it told the world the joyful news that it paid nearly two millions in taxes, and had nearly six millions in net revenue. As I read that, my mind went back six or seven years to a hearing before the Ways and Means Committee of the House, in Colum bia. Roach S. Stewart of Lancaster was arguing against a bill to in crease the taxes on power companies, and he stated to the Committee, on behalf of The Duke Power Company that the company was paying 23 1-2 ■per cent of every dollar of sales for taxes. Taxes have gone up since then. Last year the average of taxes paid by the power companies of . the United States was 26 per cent; in 1943 it was 24 per cent. If we take the report of the T. V_ A. and apply the yard-stick to it, that we apply to private power enterprises, we should find that the T. V. A. in 1943 should have paid in taxes $7,689,810, instead of $1,906,000. And since the T. V. A. used $800,000,000 as a capi tal, or building fund, it would owe $22,000,000 in interest, even at the low rate of 2 3-4 per cent. In view of this sort of bookkeeping, where is the profit? There was, in reality, an operating loss of $21,876,810. ' Let us take the most recent state ment—that of 1944. Gross sales $35,- 428,000. The T. V. A. claims net profit of $6,250,000, after paying in taxes $2,168,824. Here, again, let us put the yardstick on them thttt we apply to the .power companies operat ing in South Carolina (except the Santee-Cooper). If we charge 25 per cent of the gross revenue for taxes, we find a bill for taxes of $8,867,250, instead of $2,168,824. That difference alone is greater than the so-called net profit of $6,260,000.' And, again we have $22,000,000 chargeable as interest on the capital loan. I don’t mean to play with figurda We ask this question: What service has the T.V.A.rendered to humanity, over and above what a private com pany renders, that is worth a public subsidy of nearly sixty million dollars in two years, and will be continued throughout the ages? The principle is the same with our Santee-Coop'T . Boiled down, the Government (all the taxpayers) give hundreds of millions of dollars for power developments and these public- pampered enterprises make vain glorious claims to profits. What ser vice do they render for this special favor which they enjoy? Do they render any special, public service, equal to the interest' and taxes? Of course, in order to be fair, the San tee-Cooper pays interest on about $26,000,000, or less than half the money spent. Perhaps it may claim, that it would be unfair to charge it with interest on all the money, be cause so much of it was W. P. A., and other more or less mildly unproduc tive expenditures. That, of course, is a serious indictment of the waste fulness of our New Deal. It may be said (even though it sounds old-fashioned) that the Gov- enuent has no right to take money from all the people in order to pam per a few. No one can claim that all the people use electricity, either for light or power. Even thousands of people near the T. V. A., and near the Santee-Cooper, do not use elec tric light or power. No more obliga tion rests on the Government to fur nish electric power than to furnish coal and gasoline at an enormous joss. Coal is a more widely used source of power than is electricity. Even the power companies use mil- lions of tons of coal. Most people spend vastly more for meat than for electricity; does Mr. Rosevelt intend to take over the great packers and sell meat at a loss? Since Mr. Sta lin operates all business, shall we fol- low suit ? But Russia doesn’t oper- ate at a loss, does he? The rule of America used to be to keep the Government out of every thing but governing; let’s get back to the principles which made Ameri ca great, before this Socialistic ten dency goes any farther. Admittedly we need power, but not always electric power. Even so, I’m reminded of the observations of an old deacon to his pastor. The minister was loud and long in his petitions to the Throne of Grace for power. The deacon had heard the supplication Sunday after Sunday, month after month. So with the bluntness which only our homefblk and intimate friends can show, he said to his pastor: “Revrunt’, I hear as how you alius prays for power. It aint power what you needs, but idees.” So with some of our Social ist-minded patriots of the New Deal. but some competent authority should study and advise on matters affect ing the public services. Perhaps we need a State Administrative Board, or something of the sort, on a small per diem basis. Unless put on per diem it would soon swell into the usual bureaucracy and be:ome a mere job. Here is what I’m thinking about: A few enthusiasitic friends of the University are sponsoring an appro priation for several millions additian- al. They are sure of their gound and have submitted proposals in detail, showing, for example, $800,000 for an engineering building, several hun dred thousand dollars for dormitories, a million dollars for land, etc. Along with this comes a proposal to en large the hospital facilities of the medical college. No one knows how many millions Clemson, Winthrop and The Citadel may ask. Does Carolina need this money? Who knows? Who says so? What relation, if any, has this to similar plans for other institutions? Shall the trustees vie with one another in dreaming dreams? When the Legislature meets, it re ceives fifteen or twenty appeals from institutions, each one asking for all it can think of; and each one brings all the pressure it can bring. The Legislature cannot possibly know much about any one of these. Wouldn’t it be well to have all pro posals submitted to a competent Board? The State Budget Commis- pion is not such a Board; it is deal ing primarily with money, and the grand totals, not the details of poli cy. The State Board of Education has no function of conisdering propo sals of Colleges. I’m thinking, however, not merely of colleges but of all institutions. Recently we read that a distinguished head of a large State institution has been retired at his own request, and would hereafter serve as director of research. It may be eminently de sirable, for it is sponsored by emi nently' fine gentlemen, who serve on that- Board. They,- however, submit this to the Legislature, as a thing al ready done,.. What this Board, or any other Boa'rd may care to do, it does. The only difficulty is to get the money. The Constitution of the State is clear in prohibiting pensions in re tiring payments: It riill, be amended at this t*rm of the General Assemb ly; but. the inhibition is sti]j,.iji force, so far as the Constitution, "can pre scribe it. (But many of our State institutions have sot .up retiring -funds for years, and have used State money- for retirements. We nave no unity of plan and no control. Mr. Edwin G. Seibel’s plan which I atn h6fi; greatly expanding, will make no impression because we resist every suggestion that isn’t sponsored and battled for by pres sure groups or an aroused and ag gressive group: ^ ' Singularly enough or is ;it?«ingtilar at all, I haTe"’just seen a ^request Dorn Clemson ' for . $8,000,000, from The 'Citadel for 'two and a quarter millions; from Winthrop. for about the^ same. - > Really the others are backward; is it possible that there is any sort of State institution which does not. -urgently need several mil lion dollars? If so, by all means ask for it; don’t be timid. What we need in South Carolina i* a miracle. We’ve alb read of the feeding of the five thousand with five ■loaves and two fishes; now we plan to dwe^ard the State’s debt of $63,- 000,000 and stretch a few millions in to unbelievable lengths. Let me point out to these Golden Spenders that the avalanche of de mands: for money virtually makes im perative that the -Farmers and Tax- peyera League renew its’ancient cru sade for- some .degree of common- sense in spending public .money. Spending: isn’t■ all; -when we erect great buildings, and otherwise em bark on large ieipansionSi .tve spend not only today but We commit the State for all the future. . Every build ing^ erected today must be equipped maintained and operated. That means a largely .increased budget every year. We not only foolishly spend all we have today, but more blindly and foolishly mortgage the future. Indeed we do need a miracle; we need, .to ; stretch $10,000,000 so as to provide a -prudential cushion for any contingencies which may arise from the Highway bonded- debt of $63,000, 000, while providing at the same time $26,000,000 for institutional ex pansion. Certainly some- degree of fiscal sleighb-of-hand is desirable so that every one may pull a plum out or the public pie without spoiling the pie. -‘IWILD. LIFE SOUTH CAROLINA WITH PROF FRANKUN .SHERMAN COLUCE-Mrt os zookoev CAROLINA WREN WEEKLY SALVAGE REPORT FROM SCHOOLS The Legislature should not have to deal with small problems of person nel and policies of our institutions. Boundary turned in a report for the past three weeks—a total of 1065 pounds of tin cans, 1110 pounds of paper, 94 pounds of fats. Speer Street reported for the week of February 19-23, .709 tin cans, 630 pounds of paper, and 20 pounds of fats. This makes a total Collected to date by Speer Street school of 3398 tin cans, 2791 pounds of paper, 140 pounds of fats. Mollohon school reported for the week ending February 23 the col lection-' of the •following: 1059 tin eins. 860 pounds of paper, 87 pounds of fats. These are the only three schools sending in a report for the past weeks 'collections. All schools are urged' to send in a'report on Friday ■afternoon or Satuday moning to the Chamber of Commerce, showing the number of tin cans; the pounds of paper, and the pounds of Tat collect, ed during' the week. Rural schools sending in a collection of any of the above are asked to stop by the Cham ber of Commerce and let us know the amount so that proper recognition may be given. L. C. Graham, Secretary, Newberry County Salvage Committee. A sprightly bird is Carolina Wren; smaller than house (English) spar row, rusty-brown above, a white line over the eye, bill moderately long and somewhat curved, tail apt to be perked up, very active, likely to. be found about back porch, woodshed, gsiragte, etc., or about brushnpilcs, also in the woods, and he (only males sing) is likely to break into cheer ful rollicking even during a rain or snowstorm. He has quite a variety of songs and notes, louder than you might ex pect from so small a bird. He has been called “Mocking Wren”. He is typical Wren in appearance, ha bits and song, and he is the only species of Wren which is present all-year-round in all parts of the state. We have several other wrens which are present only part of the year or oniy in limited sections of the state. Perhaps some reader can write me whether Carolina Wien is the offi cially adopted “state bird” of South Carolina ? The question has been asked and I do not know; dp not kndfr whether any bird has been so designated by any body or organi zation. Carolina Wren occurs even up in to southern Canada, and south into northern Florida, so it is not in any sense restricted to South Carolina nor to the two Carolinas, but it is very common here and Carolina Wren is its correct standard com mon name. Two of its most common songs have been written “Whee- udel” (repeated rapidly), and “Tea- Kettle” (repeated rapidly), both to be given with bird-like whistling sound and not merely pronounced as ordinary words. Present all the year, yet perhaps those that nest here go south for the winter, being replaced by ones which nested north of here—some thing for students yet to ascertain. The nest is bulky, of small twigs, grass, leaves, feathers, etc., in holes in trees or stumps or in a corner or crevice about a building. Caro lina Wren has-been known to nest in pocket, Qf . ah*old coat or in a boot or shoe' hanging in a shed. It is believed usually to rear two broods in a season. The Carolina Wren feeds princi pally on insects, larvae, spiders, and the young are fed on the same. A- dults may devour a few berries and small fruits, but who cares for that in view of the pests it devours and its sprightly songs? If you pretend to be interested in birds, Carolina Wren is one which you “must” know—both by sight and by song. KENDALL MILLS LUTHERAN PARISH J. B. Harman, pastor. Bethany—10:30 a. m., church wor ship with sermon. 11:30 a. m., Sunday school, Mr. E, B. Hite, supt. 12:30 p. m., Luther League. 7:30 p. m., preaching services. Summer Memorial—10:30 a- m., Sunday school, Mr. M. E. Shealy, supt. . 11:30 a. m., church worship with sermon. 6 p. m., Luther Leagues and W. M. Society meetings. Visitors are invited to attend all services. COLUMBIA MAN MAKES FASTEST RISE ON RECORD Columbia, Feb. 26—The most rap id advance in rank in records of the 26th (Yankee) division was accom plished by one-time Pfc. Sydney L. Wise of Swansea who in six weeks advanced to second lieutenant through battlefield promotions, the February 17 edition of The Grape vine, division newspaper, reports. Along with his rapid promotions Wise, mild and soft-speaking, was awarded the Silver Star for gallant ry in action, The Grapevine said. Recently Wise’s family was notified he also had won the Bronze Star. The 21-year-old former Columbia Record State News editor and staff member of the Associated Press Co lumbia bureau changed the stripe on his G. I. shirt to three on December 20, and pinned on the gold bars of a lieutenant February 7, The Grape vine said in making this report on one of several incidents that won him medals and promotions: A group of German soldiers came into view of Wise’s company com mand post, hands aloft as if to sur render. A minute later they jumped into foxholes and started firing. NOTICE OF JURY DRAWING RETURNS FROM FURNITURE MARKET M. O. Summer and Frank Sutton returned to Newberry Saturday af ter spending a week at the furnitue maricets in Chattanooga, Knoxville and Athens, Tennessee, purchasing merchandise for their local stores THE UNDERSIGNED Barber Shops OF NEWBERRY ANNOUNCE THE FOLLOWING PRICES Effective Now | 1 Hair cuts 50c Shave* 35c Plain Massage 50c BoncOIa Massage 75c Dixol and Glover’s Scalp Treatment 60c Fitch Shampoo 50c CITY BARBER SHOP EXCHANGE BARBER SHOP D. R. SON’S BARBER SHOP BAKER’S BARBER SHOP Lonnies’ Service Station Announces Its Reopening FRIDAY, MARCH 9th at Stines old place (Back on the Cut Of) VISIT LONNIPS FOR Sandwiches Cold Drinks Plate Lunches Dinners, etc. Lonnie] .Gilliam, Prop. We the undersigned jury commis sioners, of Newberry county, shall on the 8th of March, at 9 o’clock a. m., openly and publicly, in the Clerk dfi Court’s office, draw thirty-six names to serve as petit jurors, for the court of general sessions, which will convene in Newberry county court house March 19th, 1945, at 10 o’clock a. m. At the same time and the same place we shall also draw twelve names to serve as grand jury for the ensuing year. H. K. Boyd, clerk of court P. N. Abrams, auditor J. R. Dawkins, treasurer. CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY Mrs. John Ira Byrd, Sr. honored her son, John Ira Byrd, Jr., with a dinner Sundfey, the occasion being his second birthday. The following guests were present: Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Boland and daughter of Po- maria; Mr. and Mrs. Russell Shealy and children of Little Mountain; Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Byrd and child ren and Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Byrd and children of Columbia; Little Misses Mary Ann Keisler and Lelitia Haltiwanger, Mrs. Daisy Stone, Mrs. James D. Hall and daughter, Mrs. Hester Belle Aull and Mr. J. H. Kin- ard of Newberry. Johnny's daddy, Sgt. John Ira Byrd, has never seen his son having been overseas in the European Thea tre of War since January, 1943. Mr. and Mrs. James L. Aull of Columbia, were guest Tuesday in the home of Mrs. Aull’s father, Mr. J. H. Davidson on Calhoun street. MANDALAY ’45 If (By Dorr Stuart) By the old Moulmein Pagoda, look in’ eastward to the sea, Is the Burma girl still settin', as as of old she used to be? Is the wind in peaceful palm trees? Do the temple bells still say— “Come back, you British soldier,” as they did just yesterday, “Come you back to Mandalay”? No, there’s guns by those pagodas, and ther’s death upon those seas And those Burma girls aren’t settin’, they’ve been beaten to their knees. there’s wind among the palm trees, it’s the wind from bomb ing planes; And the temple bells aren’t ringin’, Burma’s silent in her chains. Can you hear the paddles chunkin’? No, the bombs make too much roar, And the shells and bullets splatter round the Great Gawd Budd’s front door. But the Japs have had their innin’, and the time has come to say That there’ll soon be hell a-blazin’, out of China ’crost the bay. Like our boys did at Midway. And those fires will keep on spread- in’ growin’ hotter as they go. Till they reach one grand explosion in the heart of Tokyo. Listen, Tojo, Hirohito, and your lit tle gods of clay, While the bombs rain down like thunder “out of China ’crost the bay.” Newberry College Business Department Announces Beginning courses in all Secretarial subjects March 5, 1945 Courses: Executive Secretarial, com^ bined, Stenographic <Sl Bookkeeping Special Classes arranged for those beginning Shorthand and Typing and not desiring certificates For further information consult MISS MAZIE DOMINICK Telephone 25 1801 College St. Only top quality products get the job of lubricating the motors and machinery on our fighting Navy’s ships. So we're proud to tell you that Sinclair lubricants are used on many Navy ships to assure smooth operation and save wear. To give your car die same, sure SAVE WEAR WITH protection, get Sinclair lubricants from your Sinclair Dealer. To pro tect your engine, for example, he offers Sinclair Opaline Motor Oil. This famous oil stands up longer and lubricates better because it is both de-waxed and de-jellied. Use Sinclair Opaline to keep your car rolling. SINCLAIR S. C. Paysinger, Agent NEWBERRY, S. C.