The Daily Times-News from Burlington, North Carolina • Page 13

SECTION, 8 PAGES TUESDAY, DEC 29,1964 The Daily Times-News BURLINGTON, N. Local Firm In Major Role- Vectra Enters Hosiery Field By CLARENCE NEWMAN Staff Reporter The Wall Street Joroal The American woman, who long has regarded nylon and stockings as practically synonymous, soon may have to learn another word for hosiery. The new word is Vectra, a sheer synthetic fiber whose makers predict soon will adorn a good many legs now sheathed in nylon. Vectra stockings, introduced last April, are made from a fiber developed by Vectra a division of National Plastic which in turn is owned by Humble Oil Refining Co. and J.

P. Stevens Co. So far, its relatively high cost and technical problems have slowed Vec- tra's acceptance by the mills who cater to the $600 million a year U. S. hosiery market.

But developers are striving to overcome Vectra's problems and meanwhile are spending $1 million on advertising to make sure women are well informed about its claimed advantages. The new fiber's main advantage is its high resistance to snags and runs. Vectra is a trade name for olefin, the fibrous form of a versatile plastic called polyprophylene. Because of its strength and resistance to abrasion, olefin is used to make such things as cordage, Vectra, the new synthetic fiber described in the accompanying story from yesterday's edition of the Wall Street Journal, is a joint development of Leath, McCarthy and Maynard of Burlington and of the tra Co. experimentation and development of the fiber covered a three-year period in Burlington operators of Leath, McCarthy and Maynard, and the only production that has moved to the nation's markets, starting last April, has come from local plans of the hosiery manufacturing firm.

William J. Leath, executive vice president of Leath McCarthy and Maynard, reported today that early production went to three test markets--Akron, Baltimore and Charlote--after which a major advertising program was launched Sept. 30 in 18 key markets of the nation. Since the production started on the market, there have been more than one million pairs of Vectra stockings shipped from here. Other licenses will begin shipping the Vectra stockings early next month.

The accompanying story in Vectra is reprinted through permission of the Wall Street Journal. Two Hurt Slightly In Wreck Here Two persons were injured in a traffic accident at the intersection of McKinney Street and Bland Boulevard yesterday afternoon at 5:30 o'clock. Receiving abrasions of forehead and knees was Judy Jefferson Cobb of 360 N. St. John St.

Talmadge Cobb, her three year old son, received lacerations of the chin. were treated at Alamance County Hospital and released. Charged with failure to make movement in safety was Carroll Stuart Martindale of 1918 Wilkins St. Damages were estimated at $300 to each of the vehicles. In connection with a traffic accident on West Webb Avenue near Hawthorne Lane, Richard M.

Foster of Durham was charged with driving to the left of the center line. The other driver involved was Inez Y. Poole of Rt. 2, College. Damages were estimated at $15 to the Foster car and at $125 to the Poole vehicle.

The accident occured at 6:47 o'clock yesterday afternoon. Arrested at 7:30 o'clock last night in Elon College was Homer (Sunny) Hogan of 105 Woodale Elon College, He was charged with the larceny of a record player from Mae Morton of 827 Stockard St. on Dec. 20. The stolen item is valued at $55.79.

tarpaulins and, more recently, outdoor carpeting. Vectra Co. officials a i Jiat a 30 day test of their hose on airline stewardesses and other active women showed bat Vectra wore five i longer than nylon. "The Vectra hose last a week and a half and feel like a brand new pair of nylons every time I put them on," says Mary Jo Wheatley, a United Air Lines stewardess who participated in the test. Higher Cost Vectra stockings like Miss Wheatley wore sell about $1.65 a pair, compared with $1.25 a pair for average quality nylon hose.

This reflects the fact that Vectra fiber itself costs $6.11 a pound, or about twice as much as nylon. The cost disadvantage is probably the main reason that so far only three companies -Leath, McCarthy Maynard. National Mills, and Chadbourn Gotham, Inc. are knitting Vectra fiber into stockings. A number of other mills have secured production licenses from Vectra Co.

have adopted a wait and see attitude. "You can be sure the major companies are testing it," says one executive, "a if they find a real advantage in One of the things that discourages them, besides price, is Vectra's inability to take dyes. To create different shades of Vectra the colors have to be mixed in with other chemicals while making the fiber itself. Because this is a cumbersome process, Vectra comes in only two shades "sun tan" and "burnished taupe," By contrast, nylon can be readily dyed, and women can choose hose in scores of different colors including "thrush," "sunglow," and gray mist." Vectra officials hope to be able to offer two more shades by spring, however. And they also say their laboratories are making progress in solving another Vectra problem its relative lack of resiliency which some critics say prevents it from fitting as snugly as nylon.

Meeting Demand Vectra's biggest problem, maintains Vectra Vice President Nei! Kelly, is a much pleasanter one, "just keeping stores stocked." Since national marketing began in September, women have purchased 100,000 dozen pairs of Vectra hose and Mr. Kelly Believes that figure would be five times higher if production had been able to neet demand. Demand has been stimulated jy the massive eight month adversiting campaign launched DAMAGE HEAVY Damage was heavy and four persons were injured when this car and another collided yesterday afternoon on Highway 87 south of Graham. The driver of this car, Mrs. Patricia Neese Barbour of Rt.

1, Graham, was charged with failure to yield right of way. (Times-News Photo). Four Hurt In County Accident GRAHAM Four persons were injured yesterday afternoon in a traffic accident on Highway 87 near the intersection with Snow Camp Road. Mrs. Patricia Neese Barbour of Rt.

1, Graham, was charged failure to yield right of fall on radio and television way as a result of the accident. and in magazines. Some ads give the impression that Vectra hose out of it." Chairmen For Palsy Drive Are Announced Committee chairmen for the 1965 United Cerebral Palsy 53-minute March in Alamance County in January have been named, Keith L. Carroll, general chairman of the march. Vectra start making Co ffi i a i expect their prod- uct will do to nylon stockings what nylon did to silk.

"What could ever replace nylons?" asks a woman in one ad. "Vec- trau" answers another women in ad. In point of fact, however, the hopes for Vectra are more modest. "We don't see Vectra supplanting nylon completely as a hosiery fiber," says Mr. Kelly.

nounced todav. Leath, McCarthy Maynard, Those named to head the response to our cause will sa ne "can easily see where Vectra could get 20 per cent to 25 per cent of the market." A bigger share is unlikely, he says, "because there are num- ious committees are as follows: Donald L.House of 2511 Watt an employe of Western Electric rural march committee; Roger A. Bednarick of 546 Circle an employe of Holt Hosiery Mills, industrial and business committee; Dudley B. Clinard of 106 Hillside an employe of N. C.

Na-! pro biems: for the victims'hose." mittee; Sheridan P. (Rick) Ca-'themselves, for their families For its part, Du Point ceres of 11A Brookwood Garden! an or the community at'which gave the world nylon hose A ftn A I i Koolr 1QJD Itn be matched by the public when United Cerebral Palsy's 53 minute Marchers call at i homes." Cerebral palsy is a general term for a group of disorders, caused by injury to brain cells, particularly those in the motor center. State Trooper J. C. Pierce Jr.

said Mrs. Barbour backed from a private driveway into the path of a car driven by Thomas Ray Keith of 401 Trail 8, Burlington. Damage was estimated at about $650 to eacn automobile. Admitted to Alamance County Hospital with a rib injury was Mrs. Zilla Boger of Rt.

1, Graham, a passenger in Mrs. Barbour's car. She was reported in satisfactory condition this morning. Others treated and released at Alamance County Hospital, also passengers in the Barbour car. were William Keith Strickland, with scalp and back bruises and abrasions; Rita Ann -i LJL UAOV.O CILJI cioiuiio.

ivitd iiini erous new fibers and textures, Barb ith complaints of each which has a place. Also, jn shoulder; and Mrs. Vectra's lack of interest in the Bessie Neese of Haw River with low-price end of the market and I 5 eens rigid standards means it will abrasions of the face. Group Strikes Today Railway Service Continues Here The trains were running today in spite of a strike being staged against Southern Railway by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen. Local officials of the railway said one eastbound train went through Burlington on schedule this morning and one or two more trains are expected to make their runs later today.

LOCAL AND COMICS SPORTS AND WANT ADS Christmas Business At Record Boom Expected To Continue Into New Year Christmas business was better than ever this year. That seems to be the consensus of opinion of local merchants when they evaluate stock this week. George D. Colclough, manager of the Burlington Merchants Association, said "Every merchant that I have talked with tias been enthusiastic about this year's business. According to every indication, it was the best year ever." Merchants indicated that hopping was spread over a longer time period this year, with many people starting even before Thanksgiving.

"The shopping started early and did not slow up," Mr. Colclough said. He indicated that shopping is still heavy, with many persons attending after- Christmas sales. Clem Moseley, manager of the Chamber of Commerce, echoed the enthusiastic reports rom merchants. "I have heard only excellent reports from all businessmen and merchants with whom I have spoken," he said.

"From all indications, this was a great CHRISTMAS, Page 8-B) rail schedules and deliveries here. The st mw i strike against Southern Railway was announced effective at 6 o'clock this morning. J. W. Jennings, vice president of the Brother Yet, the strike is affecting the hood of Locomotive Firenien Burlington office.

Picketing began early this morning by a local representative of the union, and was expected to continue. In a statement shortly before noon, railway officials said it was "not too clear what the result will be" in Burlington. It was too early to tell, the strike having begun only about i hours before the local office was contacted for a statement. Officials said their i knowledge of the strike a when they arrived at work this morning. They knew nothing of how it would be handled in Burlington or how it would affect and Enginemen, said in Washington, D.

the walkout resulted from a company move to operate without firemen. He said the company move was a breach of contract. Reports of picketing came from Washington, D. Birmingham. New Orleans.

Memphis, St. Louis, Mo and Louisville, Ky The strike is expected to directly affect 1,200 locomotive he pers on the Southern's line and its oubsidiaries. The union estimated that Southern a about 16,000 employes altogetn- er. It presents a vast multitude of! be challenging cheaper Apartments, an employe of Aircraft Armaments special events committee; and J. Mark Leggett of 21A Brookwood Garden Apartments, an employe of Hay Hosiery division of Burlington Industries, treasurer.

back in 1940, professes to be A'few years ago, volunteers in unworried. Du Point insists its large. towns and cities all over this country began to band together to meet some of these problems to provide treatment a care designed to help the cere- scientists have examined hundreds of fiber forming materi- and have found nothing to match nylon's performance in hosiery. bral palsied became productive The United Cerebral a a self sufficient, und raising campaign is be-1 In 1949, some of these local ing sponsored this year by the groups joined together in Unit Burlington Junior Chamber of ed Cerebral Palsy, to help eac! Commerce. oiiiei strengthen their local pro "That these people are will- grams, and to pursue certai Is Expected To Continue New GI Insurance Plan weather Veterans Scheduled ing to take time out from common national aims, such a busy schedules to help the cerebral palsied of our area is a tangible indication of their deep concern," Mr.

Carroll a i research and training of person nel. Today, as then, the aim United Cerebral Palsy is to provide more and better services "I am certain their enthusi- for cerebral palsied. ALAMANCE NOTEBOOK By Don Bolden Fire Brings Thoughts From Past As we stood watching the fire at Glamor Shop last week, our thoughts went back a few years ago to a summer afternoon here in the city. It was on Spring Street that we encountered a surprised visitor in our city, and actually, he probably had reason to be surprised. Fire trucks were rolling down the street, sirens screaming, and from appearances, it seemed that a major fire might be in progress in the city.

Most all of the big equipment was in operation. "Where's the fire?" asked the visitor. "No fire," we told him. "They're just practicing." By this time the huge aerial ladder was being run up over one of the buildings, and the visitor's mouth fell open. "You mean they're going to all this trouble just to practice?" he asked.

He could not take it in that a Fire Department would go through such full scale activity just to get a little practice. Chief Roma Fortune and his department used many summer afternoons in years past for practice on actual buildings in the city, laying plans for the day when they might have to do the real thing. They knew where to lay hose, where to place ladders, how to gain access to the buildings. There was nothing they overlooked. As we stood watching the fire, we wished that visitor could have been present He could have seen then that an those drills were so worthwhile.

The firemen knew their actions as well as if they had held several dress rehearsals. They had in fact, on many downtown buildings in the past. The fact that the fire was so well and so quickly contained in a single area attests to the suggestion that the firemen knew their job. There was another thought as well. We recalled hearing people talk of the big fire that Wt that iameWock back in 1918, Mort lEWSi'APER of the block was lost that day.

Mrs. W. D. Pack of James Street recalls it also. On that day she was working in McLellan's.

and she had gone into the store with another lady and the manager to begin their work for the day. Suddenly, fire changed the course of the day. The area became a mass of flame, and before the fire had run its course, much of the business area was burned. Mrs. Pack recalls that Greensboro helped out in that fire, sending their fire trucks to Burlington on railroad flatcars.

One of the flatcars jumped the track at Glen Raven, but the fire engine rolled off unharmed and was driven on to Burlington. She also remembers the show cases being taken out of Neese's Jewelry and carried into the streets, where guards protected the jewelry while the fire raged. Her husband came to the city a little while after that fire, and Mr. Pack remembers Burlington as a city of burned buildings when he arrived. The blackened ruins of that fire remained, as did the ruins of the railroad shops across the railroad tracks, and the Williamson Wholesale House, a building which once occupied the area where Belks now is located.

Not long after that, the city's first fire truck was purchased. It now has seen its best days and is in retirement in City Park. However, the next truck, a 1923 model affectionately known as "Old was hard at work in last week's fire. She still is quite an old "fire and 'Then the big ones hit, she is right there working just as hard and just as effeciently as her younger counterparts in the Department. Speaking of "fire that 1918 fire was fought with equipment that was pulled by horses.

In those days, a fire might have to wait just a bit until the horses could be rounded up. They used by the Street Department until there was an emergency, and then they became "Fire hones." Warner Is Elected To Zone Post GRAHAM Tom Warner of Graham has been elected president of Zone HI of the N. C. chapter of the Soil Conservation Society. He will be officially installed in the new position on Jan.

15 during a dinner meeting at 7 a.m. at Ballentine's Restaurant Raleigh. Highlighting the installation program will be an address by Lt. Gov. elect Robert W.

(Bob) Scott of Haw River. Other recently elected officers will also be installed at the meeting. Mr. Warner has served the Department of Soil Conservation for 30 years and he will attend the annual national convention of the soil conservation society next year in Philadelphia, Pa. Zone III is composed of 10 Vorth Carolina Counties.

OSCAR S. CHANDLER Dies Today Chandler Rites Set Tomorrow Oscar Scales Chandler, 70, of 602 Fountain Place, prominent local feed mill executive, died thls morning at 5:30 o'clock in a Durham hospital follow in- msht was 32 degrees, and even the North Carolina Veterans i eve premium plan before the lhree months of failing health The fog of last night and early this morning is expected to end today, but overcast weather will continue. The weatherman says that it will not be quite so cold tonight and tomorrow as it was WINSTON-SALEM A new plan of permanent GI insurance --called "modified being made available to all holders of National Service Life Insurance through the new law which re-opens National Service Life Insurance for disabled veterans of World War II and the Korean Conflict. However, the one-year limitation does not apply to the is- night No precipitation is ex peeled The low temperature surance without a medical examination. Mr.

DeRamus said this "modified plan" is offered as an inducement to NSLI term policy- 1 a D. DeRamus, manneer of holders to convert to a lifetime- ipolicies. They will continue to be issued after Mav 1966. though the air was, full of ture. there was no rain.

Taken From Home DALLAS, N. C. (fl Harold Arrendale told Gaston County Rural Police today that $85,000 cash was taken from a little safe in his home on the highway between Gastonia and Dallas. In Dallas, Police Chief Theodore Jenkins said a suspect was picked up. He said police recovered $74,000 believed taken from Arrendale's home.

No charges were filed immediately. Arrendale told police that the money represented his life's savings. He operated an upholstery shop next door to his home. Authorities said Arrendale told them he discovered the robbery this morning and that it curred sometime during the night. Ztbulon Pike never reached he summit of the peak which bears bis name.

His try in 1806 was a failure. Reminder About Excise Taxes Issued GREENSBORO Manufacturers, retailers, and others, who are liable for more than $100 of excise taxes for November must place such taxes in a Administration Regional Office premiums on renewable term here, said the VA plans to notify insurance become prohibitive all term policyholders at the time of renewal of the opportunity to obtain "modified life" policies. Mr. DeRamus said any type of National Service Life Insurance, including policies already issued, may be exchanged for or converted to this new plan which will be issued at lower premium rates than the present permanent plans. as the policy holders grow older.

There are still some three million NSLI term policyholders who have not converted to a permanent plan. The opportunity to secure these "modified life" policies becomes effective May 1, 1965, Mr. DeRamus said. depositary. They must use a The "modified life" plan pro- OYSTERS AND PEARLS Form 537 for this purpose ar.divides a level premium through make this deposit no later than tie life of the insured.

Although clams, common oys-j the face value will be reduced'ten and other two-shelled mol- automatically 50 per cent when lusks sometimes may all grow the insured veteran reaches the pearls, most of our gem pearls December 31, 1964. Deposits must be made in local authorized banks or a Federal Reserve Bank. More detailed information on this subject is available upon request from the Internal Revenue Service. age of 65. come from "pearl oysters" At that time, the policyholder found mainly on America's Pa- will have the option of restor- cific Coast, off northern Ausing the full amount of coverage tralia, in the East Indies and by puchasing ordinary life in-1 in Gulf.

A native of Durham Count the son of the late Charles C. and Mrs. Nannie Gooch Chandler, he had served as president of Acme Feed Mills for the past 35 years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, wher he was active for many years. He also was a former director of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce and served as president of the N.

C. Feed Manufacturers Association He as a member of the Burlington Club He is survived by his wife Mrs Minnie Edwards Chandler of the home; one daughter, Mrs Robert A Gilliam of Greensboro one son, William S. Chandler of Burlington; four sisters. Mrs. Edgar Ferrell, Mrs.

Graham Hester and Mrs. Dan Alex(See CHANDLER Page 8-B) BULA LODGE OFFICERS New officers of Bula Lodge No. 409, A.F. and A.M., are shown here following their installation to serve for 1965 On the front row, left to right, are 0. G.

Hughett, installing officer; Donnell Tate, senior warden; James P. Dollar master: C. V. Howenon, junior warden; and W. N.

Stansell, secretary. On the second row, same order, are C. D. Forrester senior deacon; H. B.

Boyd, junior deacon; Billy Max Loy, steward; F. F. Hope, tyler; and E. M. Pendergrapfa, marshal.

Not present when the photo was taken was J. F. Tunstall, treasurer. (Photo by Rufus H. Shelton)..