The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1951-11-02
"A CHALLENGE
Editorial in the
Washington Daily News
Saturday, Oct. "a

hard recently offered challenge
which the citizens of the Coastal
areas Of North Carolina should
not fail to heed.
The association, as we under
stand it, was formed in 1885 to
work for better roads, especially
between county seats. That road
program either has been solved,
or it is now in the process of So
luton. But there are segments Of
road which need attention, and
there are numerous bridges which
are links in the life line of our
Coastal North Carolina.
But the Daily News agrees with
the sentiments expressed freely at
the meeting. Roads, bridges, and
transportation are not the only i'm
portant matters to be dealt with
in Eastern North Carolina. And
the Southern Albemarle Associa-
ton cannot act for the benefit of
its people without acting for the
benefit of all people in North Car
DINA.
We cannot separate the benefits.
William Umstead, candidate for
governor, hits the problem squarely
in the nose when he ssaid 1--WE have
other problems to face-develop-
ment of agriculture, natural re-
sources, resort facilities, ETC."
That word development" is a
magic one. If we can develop what
we have, we have so much that
we can utilize that lies useless
now. Our salvation economically
depends to a large extent on agri-
culture. But Mr.. Umstead pointed
out the need for work in CONNER
ciaI fishing. And in Hyde County,
commercial fishing is one of the
leading, if not the first, industry
of the county.
Then, we agree with all those
who say that the energy, enthus-
iasm, and program of the associa-
ton should not be allowed to die,
The men and women of that group
have fought hard for better roads,
and they have accomplished much
With that same fight and determi-
nation, then we can go forward
even more.
P. d. Midget, Jr., echoed the
sentiments when he approached the
subject in his short talk. Mr.. Mid
gett apparently understands not
only the need for an expanded pro-
gram, but he understands the value
to the people of our area.
To appreciate the possibilities
even more, we should try to ina
CINE what improvements we would
realize if our developments were
enlarged to include fishing, farm
ing, hunting, resorts and recrea.
tional facilities.
Then there is the matter of ed
ucation which wasn't touched up
on so much. But one could tell
that with all these features spok-
en- of so wildly, that education
would have to run thand in hand.
The finest single aspect about
the association is not the accom-
plishments that have been made
to date. Nor is it the program
which the men and women have
in mind today. The greatest single
bouquet, we feel, that we could
hand them is to say that the spirit
of unselfishness prevails there.
The group isn't thinking so much
of material things in terms of the
individual, but rather it seeks tc
build for all people along the
banks and inland ways of North
Carolina.
We are happy to have been able
to learn more about the association
It's program is designed to build
It's members are .imbued with the
proper perspective. They have
seen their own efforts bring forth
fruit, and now those efforts
should be expanded in the direc-
ton proposed at the Engelhard
meeting.
After all, if men and women will
stand together for the common
good of all, then that good is
bound to come. The name Southern
Albemarle Association could well
be changed to the Coastal Devel-
opment Association. For if the
program proposed last Thursday
is carried through. then that name
would surely be indicative.
We congratulate Mr.. Midget
Mr.. Tatem, and all the men and
women who through the years
have fought so magnifcently fol
better roads. Now that we have
better roads, let's turn our fight
to the idea of letting those roads
serve as keys to further progress
and development in our section Of
Eastern North Carolina.