Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Salute To i HELP NEWBERRY COUNTY GROW . . . EAT MORE EGGS MARCH IS EGG MONTH ... EAT MORE EGGS! VOLUME 28 — NUMBER 49. THE NEWBERRY SUN, NEWBERRY, SOUTH CAROLINA THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1965 By'The-'Wciy ... By oo/?/s a. banders Egg industry growth phenomenal, Credit given local work, initiative Amontf those at the National Egg Month Breakfast at the Commitndty Hall Tuesday morning were, from left, Frank Senn, chairman of the poultry committee of the Farm Bureau, which spon sored the breakfast; Rep. Rex Carter of Greenville, speaker; Rep. D. P. Folk, who introduced Mr. Carter; James Fleming, director of promotions for the State Farm Bureau, and Sen. Jeuse Frank Hawkins( Sunphoto) Tuesday breakfast highlight of Egg Month observance ' Sf 1®- A- ■> ■' ■ ■ - ■ \ A l' n: Wv, mmMm f: t i 1 i ii*i§ ^ j i \> \y. >< > .•X/y / y <^>. N ’ ^ ^ mim mmm County Farm Bureau Queen Judi Boland was named “Miss Chic Chick” at the Poultry-Egg Breakfast Tuesday morning at the Community Hall. Bestowing this honor was Dave Sloan, right, president of the State Farm Bureau. At left is Dick Neel, presi dent of Newberry County Farm Bureau. (Sunphoto) WHICH CAME FIRST? One of the moot questions of all time is: “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” Theolo gians say the hen, certainly. They quote as their authority Genesis 1:20: “And God said. Let the wa ters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the ea in the open firmament of heaven.” At this stage in our economy the question itself seems relatively unimportant. What really calls for universal recognition is that eggs have been rated a great delicacy ever since primitive man first re moved them surreptitiously from the nests of birds and wild fowl. The above information was pub lished by the Poultry and Egg National Board, and seems to be a fitting way to begin comment on this special issue of The Sun. It is quickly apparent that this is an “Egg” issue— a tribute to the women and men of this county who have made the poultry and egg industry one of tremendous economic importance to Newberry reuiity. As mentioned above, eggs have been a delicacy since primitive man roamed the earth. And no matter where Americans find themselves, they look until they find eggs. A good illustration is contained in one of the books of the immor tal Ernie Pyle which recounts his adventures with the Army in North Africa during World War II. Ernie had this to say: “We had more eggs right at the front than anywhere else in the whole European and African theatres of war. The love of Am ericans for eggs has become al most a legend. Along the roads over which our motor convoys were passing constantly, Arabs stood by the score, even out on the limitless desert, holding up eggs for sale. The natives paid one franc for an egg. Mess sergeants paid three francs when buying in bulk, and individual soldiers paid five francs an egg.” (Hereis Your War, Ernie Pyle, 1945, World Pub lishing Company.) An Arbitrator has decided that Newberry Mills, Inc. was within its rights in firing 17 persons fol lowing a wildcat strike which oc curred at the plant in June of 1960. The decision, handed down March 19, was by John W. Ken nedy, Ph.D., head of the econom ics department of the University of North Carolina for Women in Greensboro. Mr. Kennedy was mutually chosen for the arbitra tion task by the union involved and the company, and the decision of the arbitrator is binding. Mr. Kennedy said, in his decis ion, he found no reason for the discharge of the 18th employee in volved, Carolyn Epps, and ordered Newberry Mills to offer her a job and pay back pay from the time she was discharged. It was ex plained that this would be the difference in the amount she would have made at Newberry Mills, and any income she might have re ceived during the period follow ing the strike until the date of the decision. The arbitration hearings, held last October, grew out of the wildcat strike of 1960 and culmin ated a long and involved series of court hearings. A brief review of the case fol lows: In June 1960 there existed a contract between Local 120, UT- WA AFL-CIO, and Newberry Mills, Inc. The contract was dated August 8, 1959 and was negotiat ed for a two-year period, to ex pire on August 8, 1961. In the contract was a “no strike” clause which provided that employees would not go out on strike for the duration of the contract. A strike began at the plant on June 9, 1960. Employees were ask ed to return to work under terms of the contract, but some failed to do so. The strike ended on June Eggs still are, and always will be, a favorite food—and in New berry, it is an industry which p”0- vides income for hundreds of families. March is Egg Month. There have been egg months in the past, with observances promoted by the National Poultry and Egg Board and the local and state Farm Bureaus. But it occurred to us that this industry had never been really recognized for what it is worth to Newberry county, so we decided to do something about it. In the process of preparing this issue, we were delighted to learn that many others felt as we did: while we welcome new industry, we have not shown proper appre ciation for the industry we al ready have. They believe, as we believe, that our local industry de serves much more recognition than it has received and their be lief is expressed in the pages of this Sunpaper. Many people helped us in ready ing this issue for publication. Much of the material which you will find—interesting facts about poultry and eggs, came from ma terial furnished by the National Poultry and Egg Board. On the local level, the poultry and egg producers, suppliers and distribu tors have been of invaluable aid, giving of their time and know ledge. We especially thank the office of the County Agent, A1 Busby, for preparation of statis tics, and particularly Tom Bryson who spent much time in helping us; the Newbery County Farm Bureau whose secretary, Mrs. An nie Lou Fanning, has quickly and efficiently responded to all re quests we have made for help and information. We know that the poultry and egg people of the county will ap preciate the interest shown in their welfare by the merchants of the county. We know- you will be interested in the information, the pictures, and that you will, in turn, support those who support you. The increasing interest in a city-farm relationship and coop eration has been a vital factor in (Continued on page 4) 23, and Newberry Mills discharg ed some employees who had failed to return to work. The company took the position that when the employees did not return to work, they automatically and voluntarily resigned from their jobs. The Local union took the position that the contract pro vided that any disagreement be tween employes and the company was subject to arbitration. The company felt this was not a mat ter for arbitration and the long court battle began. Eighteen employes filed suit in Federal Court to compel Newberry Mills to arbitrate. In return, the company filed countersuit against Local 120 for damages to the company as a result of the strike. The Court ruled that the actions should be separated; it retained jurisdiction over the company’s claim for damages while ordering that the discharge of the employes be submitted to arbitration. Most of the decisions in the various ac tions were appealed to the United States Supreme Court by one side or the other but the two decisions above were upheld. Judge Wyche in Western Dist rict Court in Greenville recently ruled that the union was respons ible for the strike, but the com pany abandoned its claim for damages. The arbitrator held that em ployes who went on strike violated terms of the contract, therefore were subject to discharge. He heard testimony about, and ruled on each of the 18 cases separately. In 17 of the cases, he found cause for dismissal. In the 18th, he stated that he didn’t feel the testimony presented indicated that Carolyn Epps took any active part in the strike, and because of that he ordered that she be reinstated and receive back pay. Egg producers, bankers, tech nicians, businessmen and others gathered at the Community Hall for a delicious breakfast of New berry County Eggs, along with sausage and all the ' trimmings, Tuesday morning. The occasion was to highlight March—National Egg Month, and to focus attention on the importance of the egg in dustry to the state and to New berry County in particular. Sponsored by the Newberry County Farm Bureau, with the fi nancial backing of Spartan Grain and Mill Co., McMillan Feed Com pany and Carolina Hatcheries, the breakfast was presided over by Dick Neel, county Farm Bureau president. Preparations were made by the Bureau’s Poultry Commit tee, under the chairmanship of Frank Senn, and the breakfast was served by a group of Silver- street ladies, under the chairman ship of Mrs. Harold Bowers. Much of the advance preparation was done by Mrs. Annie Lou Fanning, Farm Bureau secretary. David Sloan, State Farm Bureau president, had the honor of nam ing “Miss Chic Chick”, Miss Judi Boland. Miss Boland is Newberry County Farm Bureau Queen, and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Boland of Little Mountain. She was presented a basket of Easter eggs, to which was attach ed a letter which entitled her, as Miss Chic Chick, to perform var ious tasks in connection with egg production in the county but which urged that she use her “beauty, charm and personality to promote use of Newberry County Eggs.” Guests at the breakfast were introduced by Assistant County Agent Tom Bryson, much of whose work is in connection with the poultry and egg industry. County Agent A1 Busby reviewed prog ress of the industry in the coun ty, referring to Newberry as the “Egg-Nog” county because pro duction of milk and eggs amounts to about 4 1-2 millions dollars in the county annually. “I think we should be aware of and appreciate the industry we have,” Mr. Busby said. He compared Newberry’s egg industry to an industrial plant, saying that money gene rated by this industry in the coun ty would amount to an industry employing 1400 persons with an average weekly wage of $60. Mr. Busby stated that credit for increase in egg industry “must go to a few individuals who spear headed the effort.” He singled out the Waldrop Brothers and Wald- rop-Senn Brothers with their “complete package” — hatchery, pullet growing, feed, processing and marketing.” James Fleming, promotions di- • rector for the State Farm Bu reau, told of the work of his or ganization in promoting agricul tural products, especially eggs, throughout the state. The speaker of the morning was introduced by Rep. D. P. Folk, as “the man I think will be the next lieutenant governor of South Carolina.” Speaker Pro Tem of the House of Representatives, Rex Carter, praised Newberry’s representa tives in the legislature, and re viewed legislation passed to help the agricultural community of South Carolina. “I think South Carolina is on the threshold of its greatest growth,” Mr. Carter said. “We can be where we want to be in the next ten years. The only thing that will keep us from growing is a lack of imagination on the part of our citizens. I believe if we join hands, South Carolina will reach the pinnacle of success each of us desires for it,” he said. Frank Senn concluded the pro gram with word of appreciation to his committee and others who had worked to make the Poultry and Egg Breakfast a success. Newberry firm gets contract A contract to improve the chan nel in Yellow Jacket Creek at Hogansville, Ga., has been let to a South Carolina firm, the offices of Sens. Richard B. Russell and Herman Talmadge reported Tues day. The announcement said Eagle Construction Co. of Newberry, S. C. was awarded the $248,688 con tract for the work in southwest Georgia. POLIO VACCINES BE AVAILABLE AT CLINICS Types I, II and III of the Sabin Oral Polio Vaccine will be avail able at the Newberry County Health Department the week of April 5th. Clinic days are: Mon day and Thursday 9-12 noon and 1-4:30 p.m. and 9-12 on Satur day. Those who have not had chil dren immunized against Polio are asked to please do so now. Miss Frances Boozer and Mrs. Harry Weber, instructors in secre tarial science at Newberry college attended the business education meeting during the S. C. Educa tion Association convention in Columbia. Somt 20-odd years ago a young man came to Newberry with a new business firm. He wasn’t here long before he was making his way around the county, talking to farmers, telling them of an in dustry which would be profitable. He finally persuaded a few that he knew what he was talking a- bout; then a few more; then oth ers joined in, and today, an idea that started with one man talking about something in which he be lieved, has grown into an industry which pours several millions of dollars into the economy of New berry county annually. Spartan Grain & Mill Company came to Newberry in 1941. And with the company came William I. (Bill) Click. And whether the chicken or the egg came first, he didn’t care; he only believed that the poultry and egg business could be built to a nice sized industry in this county. Some people listened to him, a- mong them the Waldrop Brothers —Ralph Dave and Jeff; and the Senn Brothers, Frank and George. At first they tried their hand with various operations—hatcher ies, broilers, etc., and as more people joined in, production of eggs started—more than could be used in Newberry county without som kind of marketing organiza tion. Egg producers began selling to Piedmont Egg Producers Associa tion in Greenville, and still the number of poultry and egg pro ducers increased in Newberry county. Frank and George Senn went into the feed business; and the Waldrop Brothers decided that with the tremendous increase in egg production, there should be a marketing operation closer by than Greenville, so about 10 years ago. Southern Breakfast Eggs, Inc. opened its doors. Although this is the official name of the corporation, everyone has always referred to the operation merely as “Waldrop Egg Plant.” And perhaps 90 per cent of the eggs produced in Newberry county go through this plant before they reach the consumer. Thru the Waldrops, Newberry county eggs go to New York, New Jersey, Phil adelphia and down the eastern seaboard to Florida. Some have even been shipped to Puerto Rico. And from breeder to consumer, the egg story in Newberry county is a fascinating one. County agent Busby has stated “Egg production has increased in Newberry county from 550,000 dozen sold in 1954 to 4,450,000 dozen sold in 1963. This represents over a 700 per cent increase in less than a decade.” It was also a little less than ten years ago that the Waldrop Bros, began their egg processing plant. The first year the plant employed five persons and paid egg produc ers about $275,000. In 1964 the plant employed an average of 75 persons with a monthly payroll of almost $20,000, and paid pro ducers in Newberry and adjoining counties in excess of $2,000,000. During 1964, the plant received 8,909,577 dozen eggs from all sources. A review of figures al ready in for 1965 indicates the plant will receive this year close to ten million dozen eggs. It all begins with the breeders, who use the best stock which can be found to begin the egg pro duction process. Most chicks used in the county are hatched locally by Farmers Hatchery in Newber ry, although some are brought in from other sources—but still the highest type chick available. Once hatched, these chicks go to the dozen or more pullet grow ers in the county. Much of the growing and producing process is done under contract between the farmer and Waldrop Brothers or Spartan Grain and Mill Company. Breeders for Waldrop-Senn con tractors belong to Central Caro- linas Hatchery, a part of South ern Breakfast Egg corporation. Their 9000 breeders supply chicks to most of the egg producers in the county. The pullet growers look after the young chickens for 16 to 20 (Continued on page 4) Newberry Mills told 17 dismissals in order • $2.00 PER YEAR Edward B. Brittain, right, who will be manager of the Owens- Illinois plant in Newberry, discusses the new plant with John Clarkson at the announcement luncheon last Friday, at the Coun try Club. (Photo by Bill Armfield) . Owens-Illinois to have plant here Plans for construction of a cor rugated shipping box plant here were revealed by officials of the Owens-Illinois Glass Co. at a luncheon Friday at the Newberry Country Club. Edwin D. Dodd, of Toledo, Ohio, executive vice president in charge of Owens-Illinois’ forest products division, told about 160 dignitaries and guests that the plant will oc cupy 149,000 square feet on a 31- acre site. The plant will employ 120 per sons when it makes its first box next fall, Dodd said. Future plans call for employment of more than 150 workers when the facility is in full operation, he added. The 31acre tract was purchased from Newberry College at an un disclosed cost. Cost of the physi cal plant and machinery was list ed at “several million dollars.” The new plant will be located off S. C. Highway 121 about a quarter of a mile west of New berry city limits. Newberry Mayor Ernest Layton said the city will provide water, electric and other municipal services to the new plant. Dodd told the group that the ‘ plant will make shipping contain ers ranging in size from one large enough for a transistor radio to one that can hold a huge sectional sofa. Edward B. Brittain, sales man ager of the Owens-Illinois box plant at Salisbury, N. C., will be general manager of the new fa cility, Dodd said. The plant will be a part of the division’s South eastern region, headed by James A. Cobb of Jacksonville, Fla., di vision vice president. Grading and clearing of the plant site is expected to begin within a few weeks. Wagoner Construction Co. of Salisbury is general contractor for the plant. Dignitaries on hand for the plant announcement ceremonies included U. S. Sen. Strom Thur mond, S. C. Lt. Gov. Robert E. McNair, director Walter Harper of the State Development Board and A.G.D. Wiles, president of New berry College. Groundbreaking ceremonies were conducted at the plant site im mediately after the luncheon. The 31-acre tract is part of 100 acres donated to Newberry College by Kendall Co. Other officials attending the luncheon included Newberry Coun ty State Sen. Jesse Frank Hawk ins, Newberry City Manager Ken neth Riebe, president Robert C. Lake Jr. of the County Develop ment Board and David W. Mori- son, executive director of the County Development Board. John Clarkson, a member of the State Development Board and a director of the County Develop ment Board, was master of cere monies. Sen. Thurmond praised Clarkson and Lake for their ef forts in getting company officials to locate their new plant at New berry. Owens - Illinois is a leading manufacturer of glass, plastic and forest products and is the 79th largest industrial corporation in the United States. Its 1964 sales were $693 million. “We employ more than 42,000 Americans in our domestic plants and other facilities,” Dodd said. “We have 77 domestic plants in the United States and two others now under construction.” In addition to glass containers, plastic bottles, container board and corrugated and solid fibre ship ping containers, the company pro duces glass television picture tube bulbs, Libby glass tableware. Melamine plastic dinnerware, glass block, glass tubing and rod and scientific and laboratory glassware, the company official said. Development board director Har per said the company’s site selec tion is a “credit to the efforts of the people of Newberry who play ed a major role in the plant’s lo cation.” In announcing the plans, Dodd expressed his company’s apprecia tion to Clarkson and the State Development Board for their “outstanding cooperation.” BIRTHDAY GREETINGS March 28: H. O. Newman, Elizabeth Ann Ruff, Sylvia Shell, H. T. Lake, Johnnie S. Harmon, Horace Cromer, Ralph Higgins, Ruth M. Swygert, Da vid Leonard Turner, Leland Gray. March 29: Mrs. Norma Wee- singer Glymph, Miss Pauline Williams, James D. Perry, Tom mie Long, Robert Clayton Smith Jr., Harvey Drawdy, E. S. Southerland, George N. Martin, Nancy Elizabeth Timmerman, L. F. Fischer. March 30: William Milam, Hedy P. Clark, Eddie Long, De> leal Boinest, Neel Boozer, Gettis L. Coates, Henry Dodgen, Tom my Pope, Charles Park, Robert Bartley Jr. March 3f: Mrs. James Smith Sr., Johnny Billingsley, Rupert Edward Hodges Jr., Mary Susan Long, Mrs. Anna Counts, George Ray Lathrop, Larry Beam, Bill Carter. April 1: Jake Wise, Mrs. Ber tha D. Boylston, Otis L. Whit aker, Mrs. A .EL Hazel, Miss Ruth Feagle. April 2: Fred Hayes, Oliver Cromer, Mrs. Sam J. Shannon, Grace E. Harmon, Jackie Gray. April 3: Mary Ruth Arm- field, Mrs. J. B. Harmon, Mere- I dith Harmon, Marjorie Graham, * Nancy Eskridge.