"THE ETES OE THE ARMY."
How the Aircraft and the Artillery
Cooperate in Modern Warfare.
Wireless Is Used to Aid In Giving
Location of Enemy.
(By Edwin Smith Pou.)
It is useless for anyone to deny that
the presence of airplanes in the pres
ent war makes the fire of the heavy
artillery or "Heavys" very accurate.
Without them the shooting would Lave
to be done almost at random. The gun
ners never sec the objective at which
they ar^ directing the fire, but the ob
jective is seen by "The ey^s of the
Army" in a manner which I will at
tempt to describe.
Each r.irplane is equipped with a
wireless apparatus capable of "send
ing" only. It would be useless and im
praticable to attempt to use a receiv
ing apparatus in an airplane on ac
count of the constant roar of a power
ful motor which would drown the
weak "buzzing" of a wireless. Of
course each machine is armed with
two machine guns ? a Vickers gun
with a synchronized fire through the
propeller, and a Lewis gun on a pivot
by the Observer. The Pilot and Observ
er cqmpose the "sense" of the machine,
the Pilot is seated nearer to the motor.
The Observer mokes the artillery cor
rections, the Pilot having his hands
full dodging shots of the Huns and
flying the machine. The Observer has
a map of the immediate country sur
rounding the objective, which is drawn
on a scale of 3 inches to a mile. This
may is divided and subdivided into
sections and sub-sections, but I will
describe this more fully later. The
map is used for "pin pointing" the ob
jective. This is done by the Observer
who locates the objective from above.
The batteries, outside of their regu
lar equipment of guns, etc., are equip
ped with instruments for receiving
the messages sent down by the ma
chine making observations for that
battery. Each battery has a certain
machine assigned to it for each
"shoot." You will probably wonder
how the receiver distingushes the
messages meant for him and those
meant for the batteries adjoining.
This confusion is avoided by tuning
each instrument differently, so that
to a practiced ear each tone is easily
distinguished. Ground strips, which
are nothing more than large white
panels used in making figures or let
ters on the ground, are used in sending
communications to the airmen. Of
course a code is adopted and each
letter means probably a whole sen
tence. The strips are large enough
so that they may be easily seen from
the altitude at which the observations
are made, which varies with the clear
ness or foginess of the day. Each
battery is equipped with a map ex
actly the same as the one used by the
Observer. This map is divided into
30 sections, numerically numbered
Each Numbered section is divided into
four smaller squares, wheh are letter
ed A, B, C, D. Each of these lettered
parts are subdivided lagain into a
hundred smaller squares which are
numbered. By the aid of this ar
rangement , the observer may send
down the exact position of the objec
tive within 25 yards, if he is anything
of a map reader. Let us have the
Kaiser seated on a stump which is
located in square "5," subsection "b,"
and in the center of "b," which would
be designated by "55." His exact po
sition, with the aid of a good obser
ver, may be made known to the gun
ners by the simple code message
"5B55."
Now we will start from the aer
drome back of the lines and go over
the German lines making corrections
and returning to the aerdrome as soon
as the objective is demolished.
First, obtain altitude, at least 5,000
feet, which is supposedly out of the
reach of the anti aircraft guns. Now,
test your wireless to see that it is in
good running order by sending down
to the "tester" at the aerdrome any
kind of a message, if he acknowledges
it with ground strips you may fly
over the battery assigned to you.
You are assigned to battery "RR,"
call "RR," give your number "9," see
if they are ready "BBB." If they ac
knowledge it, you may fly over the
lines in hope of locating some camou
flaged ?un or ammunition base. Sup
pose you locate a big gun exactly
where the Kaiser was seated a few
minutes ago. You immediately begin
describing big figure eights sending as
you approach your battery "RR," your
number "9," the location of the objec
tive "5B55" then call for the guns by
"GGG." That message would be sent
going towards the battery "RR95B
55GGG."
Now, turn and watch for the flash
of the first shell. The "clock code" is
used in describing the spot where the
shell burst in reference to the objec
tive. You imagine the face of a clock
on the ground covering the target, the
figure "12" pointing north always.
This gives the direction from the ob
jective that the projective struck.
Also imagine circles around the ob
jective, the radius of each being 50
yards longer than the one inclosed
in it, we should have eight of these.
This would cover 400 yards, and
American gunners don't often get off
further than that. In case of bad am
munition or high winds we will use
the letter "w" to show that the shot
was unobserved or outside of the 400
yard zone. The first shell burets 200
yards due north from the objective,
we turn and call the battery "RR" de
scribing north by "12" and the 200
yards by "D" circle, calling again for
the guns by "GGG", then turn again
and watch for the next shell. After
gradually hitting closer and nearer to
the objective the gunner finally de
molishes it. We send down "RR,"
battery call, "OK" meaning bull's eye,
"CICI" for going home, "9" name of
pilot. We then, return to the aer-/
drome to have a much needed jest
from the strain. The signals
given here are> by no means
standard, they are changed every day
or so in order to keep the Huns from
getting them.
The Germans very seldom make
observations over the Allied lines now.
This is a very different condition from
those which existed at the beginning
of the war. The Allies now hold
superiority in the air, and with the
aid of the Liberty motor we hope to
drive the Huns from the heavens.
The 9019 Declamation Contest.
Durham, N. C? Dec. 1, 1917. ? In the
Eighth Annual Inter-Scholastic Decla
mation Contest held in Craven Memo
rial Hall under the auspices of the
9019, H. G. Epstein, representing the
Goldsboro High School, won the medal
which is given by the 9019.
There were about sixty contestants
in the preliminary contests. These
contestants were divided by lot into
four grounps. Three men were chosen
from each group yesterday morning
in the preliminary contest. Last night
the twelve men selected spoke in the
final contest.
Nearly all of the speakers got to
Durham Thursday. They were met
by representatives of the 9019 or by
students other than members. The
speakers were entertained while at the
College by students who were assist
ing the 9019. All speakers were taken
through the Erwin' Cotton Mill in West
Durham yesterday afternoon. After
the final contest a very informal re
ception was given to the speakers in
East Duke Building.
The only school in Johnston County
sending a representative was Smith
field High School, which was repre
sented by John A. Grimes.
Below is a list of the speakers who
made the final contest and the judges:
Wright Wiggins ? What America is
Fighting For.
Aloncous Hinton ? My Mother, My
Country, My God.
Dewey Crews ? Signing the Declara
tion.
Orville Haynes? The Crime of Ger
many.
Dan Byrd ? The Beginning of the
World's Last Legacy.
Simon Moscovitz ? Give Me Liberty
or giVe Me Death.
Ralph Lee ? Men and Memories of
the South.
Dink James ? Honor and Flag.
J. Wayne Grahl ? America, a World
Power.
Will P. Anderson ? McAdoo's Ad
dress at Madison High School, Wis.
Julius Tickle ? My Country's Call.
H. G. Epstein ? President Wilson's
War Message.
Judges: Prof. T. P. Harrison, Ral
eigh, N. C., Rev. R. H. Willis, Oxford,
N. C., Mr. W. L. Foushee, Durham,
N. C. ?
The reports for the week ending No
vember 23, show that there was a
slight 'improvement in the health con
ditions in the national guard and na
tional army camps. The total deaths
reported for the week among the 374,
672 men of the national guard was 97,
and the total number among the 426,
310 of the national army was 60. In
an epidemic of measles and pneumonia
this is regarded as a good showing.
THE EM) OF A BUSY LIFE.
In Memory of Mr. Claude W. Smith
Who Died in Smithfield Last Week.
Tuesday morning, Nov. 27th, 1917,
Mr. Claude W. Smith died at hn
home in Smithfield. He had been in
declining health for some time, buf
his death was unexpected by his
family and friends. Monday after
noon he was able to be up and about
bis home as usual. During the early
part of the night he grew worse and
continued to do so until the end.
Mr. Smith was prominently con
nected on both sides of his family.
His father was Major W. A. Smith, of
Johnston County, who, for many
years was prominent in the business,
political and social life of the State,
a member of Congress from the Ral
eigh District, President of the North
Carolina Railroad Company, and dur
ing the Civil war, commander of the
Johnston County Home Guard, and
was in command of the Home Guard
when the County was invaded by the
Federal armies of Generals Sherman^
and Schofield.
The mother of the deceased was
Polly Anne Peacock ,of Wayne Coun
ty, and who was twice married. Her
first husband was Elijah Atkinson, to
which union were born five children,
all girls, Mrs. Green, of Washington,
D. C., the mother of Mr. W. A. Green,
of Smithfield; Mrs. H. B. Pearce, of
Greensboro, N. C.; Mrs. William Rich
ardson and Mrs. Clem Richardson, of
Selma, N. C., and Mrs. McCauley. By
her marriage to Major Smith there
were two sons, the deceased and his
brother Dr. R. A. Smith, of Golds
boro, N. C.
After attending various schools in
this State, Mr. Smith completed his
legal education at the University of
Chicago after which he was admitted
to the bar of this State. He soon
afterwards received an appointment
in the Interior Department as Exami
ner of Pensions and took up his resi
dence in Washington. After holding
tnis position for some time he resigned
and accepted appoirftment as clerk of
the U. S. Territorial Court at Butte,
Montana, which position he held for
about three years when he resigned
and returned to Washington and re
ceived another appointment in the
Interior Department, Division of Cen
sus, as an Examiner of Mortgage In
debtedness, the duties of which re
quired him to travel over North Caro
lina and a number of the other South
ern States. He later resigned this
position and in 1896 was elected as a
member of the General Asembly from
Johnston County. He was 'Soon after
wards appointed Legal Claims Agent
for the Southern Railway Co., his
territory including the state of North
Carolina and a part of the state of
Virginia. He held this position for
ten years until he resigned on account
of the condition of hjs health. All
these positions he held with efficiency
and fidelity.
Mr. Smith was one of the largest
real estate holders of Johnston County
and after resigning his position with
the Southern Railway Co., he resided
in Smithfield. In December, 1910, he
formed a partnership with Mr. James
D. Parker, of Smithfield, for the gen
eral practice of law which business
connection continued until the time of
his death.
As a lawyer, he was careful and
conservative and in all respects up
right, and his advice was sound and
reliable.
In March, 1904, Mr. Smith was
married to Miss Ina F. Foust, the
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Foust,
of Mount Vernon - Springs, Catham
County, N. C., a family of prominence
in business and educational life of the
State. He is survived by his wife and
one son, Claude Smith, Jr.
Mr. Smith was a consistent believer
in and a regular attendant of the Epis
copal Church, and his remains were
laid to rest in the Sm'thfield cemetery,
Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 28th, Rev.
Milton Barber officiating.
A FRIEND.
A report is sent out from Washing
ton that a great machine is being or
ganized for building the national
army. The police throughout the na
tion will be instructed to take into
custody men who fail to report for ex
amination when culled for by the
exemption boards. They will be asked
to arrest all those who fail to entrain
when ordered to do so by the exemp
tion boards. The post office depart
ment is planning to give the fullest
co-operation in the work of building
up the national army.
THAT MUNICIPAL WOOD YARD.
An Explanation from the Mayor
of Selma.
I would be glad for all to know
Who are expecting cold and snow,
I've been, am now and still uphold
The Wood Yard problem strong and
bold.
I wish to call attention to an article
published in The Smithfield Herald of
the 23rd inst., which was copied from
the Greensboro Daily News and was
headed " Municipal Woodyard at
Selma." The portion of this iu-ticle
that I pm referring to, and which I de
clare to be misleading and untrue,
reads as follows: "Mr. Moser told
friends that a number of prominent
business and professional men of
Selma, including M. C. Winston, N. E.
Edgerton and N. E. Ward, had taken
the lead, called r mass meeting, and in
this manner 'put over' the municipal
woodyard plan, despite the disinclina
tion of the Mayor."
I can not believe the writer intended
ito de me an injustice, therefor I will
explain my position, and the facts as
they were with the very best of feel
ing in justice ty myself and all others
concerned.
In regard to the woodyard there has
been no discord or unpleasantness
in any way. The point we pleasantly
considered was how could we best
guarantee our people plenty of fuel
during the coming winter. The truth
of the matter is I was the first man
that I knew of who advocated a public
woodyard for Selma in order to meet
the stringent needs which seem to be
ahead cf us in the way of a wood and
coal famine. I called a mass meeting,
as referred to in the above article of
my own free will and accord, without
any solicitation from any one, how
ever, I did call on Mr. Moser before
I called the mass meeting and con
sulted with him in regard to calling
the mass meeting.
These gentlemen, Messrs. M. C. Win
ston, N. E. Edgerton and N. E. Ward
and other business and professional
men referred to above are some of my
best friends and I am glad to consult
with them about matters of impor
tance and it is also my pleasure to
serve each of them together with every
citizen of our town to the very best of
my ability.
None of us are infallible but rather
all of us are liable to mistakes, there
fore it is well for us at times to counsel
together for our mutual good.
In justice to Mr. N. E. Edgerton I
will say that he is one of the best men
I ever had the pleasure of meeting,
but he was not at the mass meeting
herein referred to and I have never
heard him express his ideas relative
to the woodyard. After considering
the situation well from every view
point I am pursuing the course that
my own judgment tells me is best.
My sole motive in calling the mass
meeting was for us to exchange ideas
and to consider the very best ways and
means by which we could supply our
people with wood and coal during the
coming winter,
When the cold winds, blows up big
snows
Pinches our ears and bites our toes,
When winter's dark and dreary days
Are calling for a cheery blaze.
When nights are cold, damp, dark and
long,
The bitter north winds sing a song,
When winter's breath freezes hard in
* ice
Hot checrful stoves are very nice.
I have thought and I really now
think that it would be best for our
business men to take the lead and put
up a Community Woodyard sufficient
to supply all our needs. I like the
community woodyard best because the
records of this town show that it has
never made a succqss in handling
electrical supplies or any other com
modity in which they have undertaken
to deal in for a profit and to accom
modate the people. I had rather go
into my own pocket and help put up an
adequate woodyard and run it on busi
ness principles than for the town to go
into something I feel sure she will
sooner or later lose money on. How
ever, none of our business men were
willing to take the lead by putting up
the woodyard. Our Aldermen have ex
pressed their willingness to do their
best to supply our people with plenty
of wood and* coal. You may be sure
that I shall do my part in supplying
the needed fuel to the town. We have
now plenty of good wood in the Muni
cipal YVoodyard, comc and buy or let
us saw it up and send it to you.
? Now, this is all I have to say about
the matter. I hope no one will feel
that I have written with any degree of
malice or criticism but merely wanted
my position in the matter understood,
and I hope my explanation will be re
ceived in the same friendly feeling in
which I have written.
J oin thy sour to God's uplifting
power,
P luck it to thee each day and every
hour.
4k
T ell the winds which misconstrue
and decoy,
E ver repent and be a "Still Small
Voice;"
M ark well thy steps and glorify thy
mind,
P roud man in discord can no comfort
find;
L ive not with spirits which are
black with sting,
E ternal pages stand with each good
deed we bring.
BKOGDEN SCHOOL NOTES.
Brogden school opened on the
twelfth with Miss Lucy Culbreth, of
Fayetteville, principal;. Miss Ada
Perry, of Barium Springs, intermedi
ate grades, and Miss (Alice McGee, of
Mout Olive, primary grades. Our
school work has been progressing
nicely. A moonlight school and a
literary society was organized on Fri
day night. Let all the parents come
out on Friday night and help in this
work. We are hoping to made this
one of the best school terms in the
history of the school, and to do this
the teachers must have the coopera
tion of the parents and pupils.
Miss Beatrice Gardner, who is in
ichool at Goldsboro, spent Thanks
giving with homefo'ks.
Miss Alice McGee left Wednesday
afternoon to attend the Teacl^rs As
sembly in Charlotte.
Mrs. G. L. and Miss Ruth Jones, of
Smithfield, spent Thursday at the
home of Mr. J. Rufus Creech.
Mr. J. Rufus Creech and family
spent Sunday in the Sanders Chapel
neighborhood.
Mr. Junius Creech, who is in school
at Buies Creek, spent last Saturday
and Sunday at home.
The people of the community will
soon place a bridge across Philip's
Hill creek, as it is impassable in rainy
weather.
People in this section are most
done picking cotton, and "corn shuck
ings" are in order now.
"Sally."
In Memory of Mrs. Mollie Mitchell.
Mrs. M. L. Mitchell was born Octo
ber 19, 1896, and died November, 1917,
making her stay on earth 21 years and
one month.
She was a faithful member of the
first Baptist church at Goldsboro. She
has bten a true member to her church
and Sunday school. We know we shall
miss ner so much, but we can bear in
mind the Lord had a higher work for
her to do. May we all be faithful and
do our work here that we may meet
her in the great beyond.
The funeral services were conducted
by her pastor, Rev. Mr. Watkins, of
Goldsboro.
The floral offerings were many and
beautiful.
She was laid to rest in the Mitchell
graveyard near Princeton. She leaves
a father and mother and a host of
brothers and sisters and friends, and
a devoted husband, of Goldsboro.
'Tis hard to part with those we love,
'Tis hard so hard to speak the word:
We must forever part dearest loved
one;
We must lay thee in thy peaceful
grave's embrace.
That thy memory will be cherished,
Till we see thy heavenly face.
We feel like she is waiting for us
on that beautiful shore. J,et's try to
meet her there.
Written by her sister and friend,
FANNIE and RITTIE.
Many troops have recently arrived
in France and every State in the
Union is represented in our oversea
army. Those who have lately gone
over have gone into training near the
battle lines, getting ready to get in
the fight when the proper time arrives.
While no definite news as to the units
that have been sent over is disclosed,
the authorities report that every man
who sailed from the United States has
arrived safely in France.
WOMAN'S STATUS IN THE WAR.
Wise Women Will Win War Declares
Dr. Harvey W. Wiley.
One of the soundest expositions, so
far published, of woman's status in the
war appears in the December issue of
Good Housekeeping where the cele
brated food specialist, Dr. Harvey W.
Wiley, writing on "Paying for the
War," declares that a nation is uncont
querablc only so long as its women are
unsubdued. To quote: " The house
wife is the one who seems to be most
keenly affected. I am writing this war
article in the hope that, in view of the
facts which condition the present state
of affairs, she will hereafter not grum
ble at the increased prices which she
is now called Upon to pay. It is not
good for the country to have any large
class of our people complaining. Pa
triotism means more than taking off
one's hat to the flag, standing up when
'The Star Spangled Banner' is played,
and shouting oneself hoarse at the'
passing procession. This is ebullition,
not patriotism. True patriotism con
sists "tn doing something which is a
sacrifice, \>r something that touches us
both in pocketbook and in sentiment in
behalf of our country.
In my mind, there is no question of
the constitutionality of the Food Ad
ministration Act. If the government
can run the post-office, control the
militia, and requisition our soldiers
and sailors for service, under the con
stitution, then the same principle can
be applied to every material thing.
The great danger of our present law
is that it is discriminatory. Such
things as food, fuel and beverage are
now to be nationally controlled. A
law of this kind should apply to every
commodity; so that no class of our
citizens could enjoy any advantage
over another.
I have just read what seems to be
reliable statistics showing that the
actual death-rate on the battle front
is only about one per ccnt of all who
are engaged. It is true that that one
may be the one that some orje of us
loves. On the other hand if for tvery
man that dies in battle, a dozen lose
their lives at home by reason of famine
or insufficient food, and especially if
this be children, then the desolation is
appalling. It is difficult to realize that
our battles are fought at home; we
hardly realize that it is the women of
the world who are really its fighters.
We do not understand as fully as we
should, that a nation is unconquerable
only so long as its women are unsub
dued."
Death of a Young Bride.
1 A sad story comes from Charlotte.
A young bride of six months, who lived
at Parkersburg, West Virginia, left
her home Tuesday evening of last
week to visit her husband, a private in
Camp Greene. While on her way to
Charlotte she was stricken with pneu
monia and when she reached that city
Wednesday morning she was uncon
scious and did not recognize her hus
band. She was rushed to a sanitorium
where she died early Friday morning
without regaining consciousness. She
left her home on Tuesday apparently
in the best of health. Friday night she
was taken back to her home a corpse.
She was 24 years old and was the wife
of Private Joseph W. Hoce.
Community Meeting at Live Oak.
We are requested to announce that
there will be a meeting at Live Oak
school house Friday night, December
7, at 7:30 o'clock. Mr. A. M. Johnson,
Farm Demonstrator, will be present
to entertain the people with a worth
while talk. A pleasing program will
be presented by the school also, after
which ice-cream and candy will bo
sold for the benefit of the school. The
public is given a cordial invitation to
attend.
About the Beet Record Yet.
About the finest record on tobacco
raising we have yet heard of was
made by Mr. Paul Lee, of Ingrams
township, who made and sold from
one acre $597.75 worth of the golden
weed. To call it golden weed this year
is no misnomer. Mr. Lee sold at the
Banner Warehouse.
A shortage of salt in some sections
around Spencer l&st week caused
some pork to spoil. The farmers kill
ed the porkers and when too late
found they could not get salt from
the local markets.