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3arksott Trcgrcss-^rgus J. D. Jones : Publisher (1908 1955) Doyle Jones Jr. -- Editor and Publisher (1955-1975) MRS. MARTHA G. JONES PUBLISHER VINCENT JONES EDITOR OFFICIAL ORGAN BUTTS COUNTY AND CITY OF JACKSON Published every Thursday at 129 South Mulberry Street, Jackson, Georgia 30233 by The Progress-Argus Printing.Co., Inc. Second Class Postage paid at Jackson, Georgia 30233. Address notice of undeliverabie copies and other correspondence to The Jackson Progress-Argus, P.O. Box 249, Jackson, Georgia 30233. One Year, in Georgia $6.24 Six Months, in Georgia ....$3.91 Editorials The Opinion Makers Never before in the history of the communications industry has there been such an awesome opportunity, and responsibility, thrust upon a single segment of the news media as that which now faces the chief opinion welders of our time--the television commenta tors. Within the brief time span of a few minutes, million of viewers expect them to distill the wisdom of the day’s news, discard the chaff and give a capsulization of the kernel in a few hundred well chosen words. Unlike the TV newscaster, the interpretative reporter shares his opinion as to why certain events happened and how they are likely to affect tomorrow’s news and the results society may likely experi ence from such earth-shaking happenings. To their credit, let it be said that most of these opinion shapers, both male and female, do a creditable job, faced with the pressures of time under which they labor. A blanket indictment of them for their failures would be just as unfair as a wholesale endorsement of their art as a prime example of the best in the field of journalism. If indictments are in order, and Preserving Human Rights Despite the obvious dangers involved in antagonizing the Soviet Union, one finds it difficult to fault President Carter for his firm affirmation of the principle of individual human rights through out the world. If we fail to oppose the deprivation of human rights in Hungary, or Poland, or East Germany, then we are not worthy of the basic freedoms we all enjoy. We are engaged in a titantic struggle with the Soviet Union for the minds of men, a never-ending battle between two opposing ways of life that, short of war, can be won by such aggressive actions as the President is now taking. The Soviets speak with forked tongues in the field of human All Aboard for Spring As concrete evidence that time does indeed march on, here comes March marching right in past February, a month whose passing is regretted only by the candy makers and greeting card manu facturers. March will officially bring Spring, but it is also likely to bring some capricious and probably Advance Subscription Rates, Tax Included: TELEPHONE 775-3107 NATIONAL NEWSPAPER 'ASSOCIATION fntiti 111)’ FritPnsi NNASUSTAINING gl MEMBER-1977 One Year. Out-of-State ..,..$7.28 Si\ Months, Out-of-State $4.16 we suspect some are needed, let the accusing finger point at the great mass of TV viewers who accept their every word as gospel truth, without any serious reservations. You can’t blame the television industry for grasping the oppor tunity to shape public opinion in the same manner, and on an even larger scale, than radio' and newspapers once did. You can’t blame the TV commentators who are paid handsome sums for their distilla tion of the news and their interpretation of it. But it is good to remember, whether listening to TV or radio editorials, or reading an opinion expressed in your favorite news paper, that opinions expressed by any writer, or speaker, of the English language are shaded by his bias, his experience, his back ground and his basic character. That is why it is so important, and healthy for the republic, for all of us to cultivate the formation of our own opinions, based on the facts as they are presented to us. The television networks are important cogs in today’s com munications media. They shape, and influence, our daily lives. But let us not let them imprison our minds in the process. rights, bragging about their technological and social advances while keeping millions of their subjects enslaved, both physically and mentally. Timidity never won any battle, either on the field of armed conflict or the more subtle struggle to win the minds and consciences of men. The Soviets would like nothing better than to cow us into submission or, at least, acceptance of their way of life. With his big stick, President Carter has rapped the knuckles of the Soviet on this issue of human rights and, as a result, the hopes of millions of enslaved Europeans for eventual freedom have been revived. Rap on, Mr. President, rap on. severe weather with it before the warmth of the sun can effectively subdue old man winter. A winter so extremely un pleasant, however, cannot be grieved for and so we say Hello to March, with the hope that your winds will be light, your rain moderate and your warmth delightful. THE JACKSON PROGRESS-ARGUS, JACKSON, GEORGIA The Last Straw BY VINCENT JONES The following is a conver sation that could have occurred at a recent chance meeting of Princess Clear Running Water and Chief Pure Air-or-Bust in which they jointly rejoice in the latest victories of the environmentalists: Hello, Chief, get a breath of that lovely fresh air; it’s just like a tonic to my smoke clogged lungs. Man, have we ever been laying one on these polluters of late.” “Yes, Princess, and the new pale face in White House has helped our cause tremendously, knocking out the Richard Russell dam, and evidently supporting the EPA in its resolve to further reduce smoke pollution at coal-burning power plants.” “Perhaps the soft-spoken white leader got his fill of pollution while harvesting peanuts in Georgia, or during the shelling process.” “Without a doubt he did and unlike his brother, Billy, he evidently failed to realize that there is nothing quite like a cold beer to wash down the peanut dust.” “But we must never fail to realize, Princess, that the battle has just begun. Eternal vigilance is the price we must pay if we are to keep this country free from those pollutants that would destroy it-and us.” “How well put, Chief Pure, and especially we must be vigilant in our determination to squash anymore of those dreadfully-risky nuclear power plants which, despite their immense power, are immensely dangerous.” “Yes, Princess, we shall never yield on this battle field, although there be blackouts from one end of this land to the other. It’s like we always say, ‘Better to have less juice in the wire than to all go in a nuclear fire.’ ” “As you say, Chief, what are a few hours of brownout a month when you consider the alternatives. What are the mathematical chances of an accident at one of the nuclear power plants?” “I’m sorry I can’t give you a quotable statistic on that, Princess, but roughly about 1.000.000-to-l.” “Is that so. And what are the probabilities of a first strike by the Russians in a nuclear showdown?” “About one in two.” “Well, as we have always contended, those nuclear power plants are just too hazardous for this country to chance, at least as long as we have oil, gas, coal and wood to burn.” “But you must remember, we don’t have much of the first two and both coal and wood generate obnoxious pollution.” “Yes, but we are stopping the new dams that were proposed and keeping our rivers wild and untamed just like they were when our fore fathers hunted and camped beside them.” “True, but have you ever thought how much electric energy those rivers could generate if properly harnessed and the devast ating floods they could control and eliminate alto gether?” “And that energy could certainly come in handy if the country suffered another such winter as we are now experiencing. Just think of the heat pumps it could operate and the electric space heaters and the motors it could power for the central heating system.” “Chief, are you saying for one moment that we should place the comfort and convenience of our people above our own little petty concerns about a wayward puff of smoke on the horizon or a nasty fluff of washing powder on our rivers?” “Not exactly, Princess, but it is a thought. And remem ber above all else, if time does prove us wrong, we must never, never admit it.” ‘Til smoke the peace pipe \) -**■ tST" jL. A Stroll Down Memory Lane News of 10 Years Ago The Butts County Commis sioners have named seven citizens to work with a committee of three appointed by the February grand jury to investigate the possibility of anew county courthouse. Named by the grand jury were Frank Forehand, chairman, E. M. McCord and Doyle Jones, Jr. The Com missioners named P. H. Weaver, Whit Newton, V. M. White, J. M. McMichael, Robert Smith, A. G. Cowan and G. W. Caston. Miss Nancy Goff, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Roy Goff, and a student at the Southern College of Pharmacy in Atlanta, has been awarded a S2OO scholarship. The thermometer plunged to nine degrees here Satur day, the coldest day of the year and 10 degrees colder than the 19 recorded on Christmas Day. Dr. J. W. Fanning, of the University of Georgia, will address the Butts County Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting. Mr. and Mrs. John L. Coleman were honored at a dinner given by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Coleman, the oc casion being their thirty-first wedding anniversary. Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Riley, Sr., of Flovilla, were honored Sunday on their Golden Wedding anniversary. Deaths during the week: Guy G. Head, 85: Mrs. A. A. Howell, 90; Parks B. (Bud dy) White, 48; Mrs. Willie Curry Gray, 86; Mrs. Alleen Maddox White, 70. News of 20 Years Ago P. H. Weaver, chairman of the 1957 Fund Drive for the Butts County Chapter of the American Red Cross, announced the drive will begin March Ist. Joyce Morgan called the Busy Bees to order at their February meeting in the grammar school library. Cathy Wise was elected secretary and Lydia Moore, reporter. The North Butts Home Demonstration Club met at the home of Mrs. W. L. Collins, with Mrs. Gus Cook serving as co-hostess. Roy D. Goff, owner of Jackson’s City Pharmary, is one of the nation’s first Rexall druggists to receive the new Mortar and Pestle Trophy, emblematic of excel lence in the operation of a drug store. C. E. Washington, of Washington Tractor Com pany, announced this week that Nevin Duffey has joined his staff as a salesman. Robert Edwards and Jan ice Ballenger, vice-presi dents, were in charge of the 4-H Club meeting Thursday in the Grammar school library. Deaths during the week: Mrs. Mary Mangham Young, 49. News of 30 Years Ago The Jackson Kiwanis Club w ill deliver approximately 15 purebred 0.1. C. pigs to 4-H Club members this Spring. Julian Fletcher, manager, and Hill Biggers, market department manager, of Jackson’s Colonial Stores, have won trips to Miami for leading their division in total sales. The 80-acre old Woodward with you on that, Chief (hey, cut down on those puffs). An environmentalist who admits error deserves no better than to freeze to death.” THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1977 home place near Locust Grove has been sold for $5,000, according to O. E. Smith, Jackson realtor. Mrs. Charles Mcßroom was hostess at the Liberty WMS meeting in February. Mrs. Edward Washington is president. Attending Therese Bar field’s seventh birthday party were Jan and Ann Raven, Marilyn Patrick, Nancy Ann Robison, Ann Coleman, Jane Carmichael, Emily White, Dickey Addi son, Bill and Ben Garland, Barry Jones, Denny O’Neal. Therese is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. W. E. Barfield. Miss Anne Roberts, daugh ter of Mrs. J. B. Roberts of Jackson, was on the Dean’s List for the fall semester at LaGrange College. Deaths during the week: Ralph R. McCord, 68. News of 40 Years Ago S. H. Thornton, owner of a large peach orchard in Jones County, says he fears the recent cold weather has seriously damaged the 1937 peach crop. William M. Towles' has been awarded the contract for all electrical work in the new Butts County jail. A. S. Mills has been designated as Highway Maintenance Supervisor for all state aid highways in Butts County, succeeding B. F. Mitchell. A. L. Washington, of the Rogers Store in Jackson, has been promoted to the position of assistant manager of the Rogers Store in LaGrange. The benefit bridge and rook party sponsored by the McDowell Junior Music Ciub at the home of Mrs. Smith Settle was a most enjoyable affair. Assisting in serving were Misses Josephine Sas nett, Gwendolyn McMichael, Catherine McMichael, Caro lyn Farrar, along with Blackman Settle and Thomas Boone. The Methodist Church is sponsoring the showing Tues day evening at the school auditorium of the 1936 Vitaphone picture, “King of Kings.” Deaths during the week Mrs. W. F. Capps, 61. News of 50 Years Ago The co-operative poultry sale held last week in Jackson by the Southern Railway Company was suc cessful, with 3,242 pounds of poultry bringing $699.45. Mrs. J. T. Stubbs, of Covington, writes about the Feb. 23. 1901 snow which left eight inches on the ground. Mr. J. S. Cumming, of Flovilla, remembers the hail storm of February, 1884, when every windowpane in Flovilla and Indian Springs was knocked out by hail the size of hen eggs. The Jackson branch of the Atlanta Business College closed a five-month term last week. Enrolled were Mrs. R. I. Knox, Miss Lollie Car michael, Miss Annie Smith, Miss Mary Newton, Ralph Cook, Robert Whitaker, Joe Patrick and Edward Car michael. Paul Tyler and Company has moved into its new store on the corner of Second and Oak Streets. The Jackson Woman’s Club has opened a “rent shelf” at Hawkes Library where the newest fiction can be had at the cost of two cents per day. Deaths during the week: Mrs. Elizabeth Cole, 77; R A. Thaxton, 59; Mrs. J. H. Singley, 79. RbfTOUFRI By Mrs. Cindy Brown I have decided to slow down; I have also decided that most of us are so busy trying to get ahead, that if and when we do, we are too tired to know we have! I ,am just an average working wife and mother, working both outside and inside the home. It suddenly struck me the other night about 9:00 p.m. that I was missing out on a few things: the simpler things of life. I get up every morning around 6:30 and I get home every night around 5:30. Somewhere in the meantime, I work, go to lunch, and see the day fly by. When I get in at night, it is time to fix supper, wash dishes, bathe and bed little people, wash clothes and get ready for another day .there never seems to be any time to really relax, and get to know A Personal Review By A Concerned Parent ROOTS The novel and television production were quite good, but very one-sided. By choice I thought the performances of Lou Gossett and Ben Bereen outstanding; but then, I’ve been a fan of both these fine actors for ages. I feel that things should ebb now and all the to - do stop. Both the book and the TV program have accomplished what they set out to do. The past troubles out of Negro Ancestry were put in the spotlight and people have become wealthy and famous. Now! I have a bone to pick. Not all white people known to us in history were as cruel, evil, and inhumane as is depicted. Even so, the people of the generation have most surely all died; and the young people of today should not be punished, penalized, or subjected to discrimination because of what ancestors did or did not do. I think all races have contributed alot to our modern culture and we should be glad for that, and proud. Rather than have the young people start up anew war, they should study the histories and cultures of all races so they will have a better understanding of their contributions to society. They (the young people) should be working together regardless of creed, race, or nationality for the better ment of our country. From my own research, I find it hard and quite unlikely to ever discover a pure and true race of Negro, Indian, or white people due partly to intermarriages as well as migrations to other coun tries. I’m only sure of two things that remain constant in any race: 1) There will always be bad people; and 2) There will always be good people. ruth at random By Ruth Bryant WHY CONSERVE GAS? Your gas is on! “So what, you say, • “My house is comfortable today And in my own accustomed way I’ll let my thermostat just stay!” Friends, do you know that you can share Your comforts, although they are rare? So all may know that you do care, Just thank your Father with a prayer! my children and husband. “Back in the olden days”, we all took more time to put our feet up, talk a little and listen a lot. Today we have no time for these enjoyments, and probably due to our rush-rush syndrome, we’ll not live as long as folks did ten or twenty years ago. Oh, the scientists tell us we will -- but the way I see it, our hectic lives could not possibly improve our chances. Tonight when I go home, I am going to treat my family to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on paper plates. The kids are going to bed without baths and I am going to sit and slow down. It has been a long time since I really LISTENED to my children or took time to find out how my husband’s day went. I think it’s time. The lower middle class white people are discrimi nated against more so than any of the Negro or Indian people. The lower middle class white workers have the brunt of paying taxes, that the wealthy get out of paying, and paying welfare for a majority of those who don’t need it. Please! Don’t tell me about overalls and picking cotton. My grandmother was left a widow with eight children to raise and live in a shack. She picked and chopped cotton, and split rails as good as any man. She lived a hard, rough life and died a very old woman at a young age. My ancestors were what is termed or referred to as Poor White Trash (that’s class discrimination) and I’m proud of every last one of them. I think for our children’s sake we should get off this thing of trying to make the people of today pay for mistakes of the past. Our children will decide who their friends will be regardless of race or background, and what directions they want to aim for in their lives. We should stop hating so much and try caring a little more for the other fellow. There’s alot to be gained from each race, each sex, each age group, and each background. We should try to get along better since we must share this world! Try to do something kind for others; or, if they refuse your kindness, say a prayer for those you dislike or don’t understand. Before you know it you’ll find yourself too busy working and praying to fuss, fight, or make war. Try a little kindness with a prayer. It really works. Thank you Mrs. Charles H. (Terry) Price