Watch The Label On Your Paper, At It Carries The Date 1 Your Subscription Izplrea 1 1 J 1* Advertisers Will Pind Our Col J I urans A Latchkey To Over 1,600 1 1 Homes Of Martin County. VOLUME Mill?NUMBER 30 W iUiamtton, Martin County, North Carolina, Friday, April 12, 19 W. ESTABLISHED 1899 Slight Decrease In County Property Values Tax Structure,! n County Is Likely to Remain Unchanged Personal Property Values in County Reflect Continued Decline Martin County could have used its 1839 list and been within one-tenth of one per cent correct in setting up its personal and real property values for 1940, according to a preliminary report recently released by Tax Su pervisor S. H. Grimes showing the comparative values as set up on the books for last year and for 1940 The most striking feature of the new listings is found in a reversa of the trend in values. For the first time since the depression the early part of last decade, Ux valuations are smaller for the new year than they were for the preceding one. The de crease is small, to be sure, but try as hard as he could, the supervisor fell short $11,870 in bringing the to-, tal county valuations this year up to the 1939 figure. It is apparent from the figures that the decrease is so small that it is hardly expected to in fluence a change in the basic tax rate for the county this year. Any change in the rate will be due to other fac tors, and thoae factors will hardly present themselves within the next two or three months or until about the time the commissioners start studying the budget for the new fis cal year In fixing the rate for the next fis cal year, the commissioners will have a property base slightly in excess of to stand .on The total real and personalvalua tion this year is estimated at $10,239, 308 as against $10,251,178 for 1939. These figures do not include corpora tion listings which in all probability will exceed one and three-quarter million dollars. A study of the district valuations shows that the personal property decrease this year is less than half the amount recorded in the loss col umn in 1939. A decrease of more than $90,000 was reported in 1939 as com pared with the personal property listings the ytar before, the decrease iranngo m?- j - - - - - ? this year_in values placed on that type of property standing at $48, 025 In 1939 ever township in the county except two, Jamesville and Williams ton, reported decreases in their personal property listings. This year all but three townships, James ville, Williamston and Cross Roads, report gains. Making a personal investigation in those districts where losses were re ported, Supervisor Grimes found shrinking inventories accounted for a major portion of the decreases. In Jamesville Township, the North Carolina Pulp Company reported a substantial reduction in iU inven tory listings. In Williamston the idle factory of the Columbian Peanut Company reported decreased inven tories to the reported tune of nearly $35 000. Stock inventories were con-, siderably less at the plant of Saun SlCIL'IHUiy ?CD. cat V..W , ? , ders and Cox, the supervisor report- < ed. Harrison Brothers' stock did not show up on the books for the first time in many years, the firm having been liquidated. Harrison Wholesale Company had lowered its inventor ies to a new low point. Supervisor Grimes said in a way of explaining the losses Slight gains were reported by other personal property owners, but those gains were not sufficient to offset the heavy losses centeredln the inventories of the new firms. The decrease in Cross Roads was report ed generally _ Robersonville shows a substantial i (Continued on page six) Young People To Hold Conference The third annual adult conference of the Disciples of Christ for North Carolina will be held at Montreat, North Carolina, on June 10-16. The conference faculty and subjects have just been released by C. A. Jarman. director of religious education for the state, and also for the conference. They are as follows: C. C. Ware, Wilson, state secretary and conference director; Mrs. H. H. Settle, Greenville, state secretary of missionary organizations and confer ence director; Harry J. Berry, Ashe ville, minister First Christian church and conference dean; Miss Florence Carmichael, St. Louis, Mo., national director of children's work, supervi sor in "Serving Children in the Lo cal Church"; Mrs. W. A. Ryan, Greenville, instructor in "Serving Children in the Local Church"; Miss Anne Harper, Raleigh, instructor in "Serving Children of the Local Church" George Oliver Taylor, St. Louis, Mo., national director of young people's work, instructor in "Train ing Young People"; Ross J. Griffith, Indianapolis. Ind., professor in But ler Uni., instructor in "The Rural Church" Joel E. Vauae, Spray, min ister First Christian Church, instruc tor in "Evangelism in the Local Church." , Miss Carmichael will conduct a laboratory school for junior children which offers teachers in this depart ment an excellent opportunity. 1939 and 1940 County Property Listings, by Townships The following tabulations show, by townships, the 1919 and 1949 valuations of ml and personal property values in Martin County, separ ately and collectively, the decrease in total valuations over the 1919 listings, and also the percentage of increase or decrease by townships. The figures are subject to minor change and do not include corporation listings. Asterisk (*) indicates loss. All others are gains TOWNSHIPS. Jamesvillr Williams Griffins Bear Gram Williamston Cross Roads Robersonville Poplar Point Hamilton Ooose Nest Count; Totals II PERSONAL PROPERTY 1939 1940 Gain-Loss Pet. $ 577,781 8 548,408 829,373* 5.1* 33,095 35.340 2,245 6.7 150,777 155,585 4.808 3.2 125,804 133.830 8,026 6.4 701.490 021.275 -80,215* 11.4* 128.888 121.927 6,961* 5.4* 503,227 541,088 37461 7.5 68.130 75,099 6.969 104 182,143 191,341 9,196 5.0 217,383 218.800 1,417 6.5 82.688.718 82,642,693 846.025* 1.7* I REAL ESTATE 1939 1940 Gain-Low Pet. $ 781,143 S 781.980 $ 837 .1 255,890 255,640 250* .1* 392.849 393,850 1.061 22 437,630 440,388 2.758 .6 1,757,569 1.782,480 24.971 1.4 446.541 446,450 91* 0.0* 1,565,408 1.511,703 6.295 .4 260,049 260,299 250 .1 723,346 722,009 1,337* .2* 1,062.695 1,001.816 279* .0* S7.562.460 S7.596.615 $34,155 .4 REAL AND PERSONAL 1939 1940 Gain-Los Pet. $1,358,924 $1,330,388 $28,536 2.1* 288.985 290.980 1,995 .7 543.626 549,435 5,809 1.1 563.434 574.218 10.784 1.9 2,458,999 2.403,755 55.244 2.2* 575,429 568,377 7.052" 1.2* 2.008.635 2,052,791 44.156 2.2 328,179 335,398 7.219 2.2 905.489 913.350 7.861 .9 1.219.478 1.220.616 1.138 .1 10.251.178 $10,239,308 $11,870* .1* r ANNOUNCES i C. D. Carstarphen, local young man who for a number of years was prominently connected with the section's hank nit; business, today announced his candidacy for county commissioner from the Williamston-Poplar Point district. He is opposing Mr. John E. Pope, incumbent. Personnel Named For Cancer Drive Here Next Week Shortage in Printed Material (lausrfi Delay in Starting Annual Drive Delayed by a shortage in printed naterial, the annual drive for funds :o fight the dreaded disease of can :er is scheduled to get underway tere next week, Mrs Joel Muse, head it the army for cancer control in ;his county, said today. In the event the printed material ioes not reach here by next Monday, he drive will likely be advanced vith the understanding that those lubscribing to the movement will lave the booklets and other litera ;ure delivered to them immediately jpon their arrival. An earnest appeal is being direct ed to local people, urging them to tupport the movement in the hope :hat a greater progress will follow n the fight against cancer. The names of the canvassers and die territory assigned them are: Mrs. E. T Walker, Mrs Curtis Leg jett and Mrs Irving M Margolis, Wain Street. Mrs. J. H Saunders, Jr., Church Street. Mrs. J Paul Simpson, Academy Street. Mrs. G. H. Harrison, Jr., Simmons \ venue. Mrs. James H. Smith, Smithwick Street. Mrs. R. G. McAllister, Watts Street. Mrs. A. J Manning, Jr., Williams 3treet. Mrs. K. D Worrell. Marshall Ave lue. Mrs. C. H. Godwin, Jr., Tar Heel \partments. Mrs. Edwin Peel, Works Progress \dminiitrstion offices. Misses Mary Taylor and Sara Cone, Mary County courthouse and agricul (Continued on page six) REBATES Martin County farmer* who use gasoline in carrying on their farming operations have until next Monday to file their appli cations for tax rebates, Mr. G. H. Harrison of the Harrison Oil Company here announced today. These rebates ordinarily run in to the hundreds of dollars, and all fanner* pons rasing valid claims to the refunds will find it profitable to present them not later than next Monday. Repre sentatives of the local oil com pany will gladly omisf any far mer la tho proper filing of the claims. The clalnw cover the > during the first quarter of sat year. Greatest Naval Battle Goes Down In History BOOSTING COTTON Cooperating with the Nation al Cotton Council in increasing the use of cotton and cotton goods. William a Reily and Company are offering 3,000, 000 22 by 44-Inch bath towels to housewives during the course of the next few weeks. The attract ive offer is explained in a page advertisement carried by the Reily firm in this isue. Judge H. 0. Peel Calls Ten Cases I n County Court |uH|?t>r Williams Gets Three Months in Hamilton Aammll Case ?Calling?ten onsen lit the regular session of the?county?recorder's court last Monday, Judge H. O. Peel cleared the docket and adjourned the tribunal until April 29th, the superior court to hold forth during the two weeks' interval. Interest in the proceedings center ed around the Hamilton assault case against Jasper Williams. Alleged to have assaulted /his estranged wife with a shotguyf, Williams was sen tenced to the roads for a term of three months. Pleading not guilty in the case charging him with an assault on a female, William Bowen was ad judged guilty and sentenced to the roads for sixty days. Charged with drunken driving, Willie Davis was fined $50, taxed with the case costs and had his driv er's license revoked for a period of one year. He entered a plea of not guilty in the case. Peter Spruill and Herman Sanders were charged with larceny. The de fense counsel at the conclusion of the state's evidence made a motion for judgment as of not guilty and the motion was granted. The case charging J. T. Perry with bastardy was continued until the first Monday in June. Charged with non-support, Joseph Harrell was adjudged not guilty of the charge as it related to his wife, but he was adjudged guilty of not supporting his son. The court direct ed him to pay $10 a month for twelve months for the child's support and to reappear at the end of that tirnp for further judgment. Ben Wilson was fined $60, taxed with the cost and had his license to operate a motor vehicle revoked for one year in the case charging him with drunken driving and operating a motor vehicle without a driver's li cense. Two civil cases were heard during the comparatively short session, the court granting Sallie Kettrell a judg ment in the sum of $200 with inter est from last September against the C. and W. Motor Company, and a judgment in the sum of $80.48 with interest from last September against H. C. Woolard. The defendants were taxed with the trial costs. ? Youthful Attacker Before The Courts Crime, ordinarily centered around the seasoned and hard-boiled group, broke out in the tender ranks of the local school first grade this week when Mayo Beacham attacked his teacher, Miss Josephine Harrison, and directed a verbal attack against her that would have pushed into the shade most any old sailor man. Beacham. repeating the first grade for the fifth or sixth time, was be ing corrected when he openly re volted. He was said to have tripped Miss Harrison and threw her to the floor. She was not hurt, however. Carried into the juvenile court by school authorities. Beacham, who is about 11 years old, was ordered placed in an institution, possibly the training school at Rocky Mount. Conflagration Now Anticipated Along The Western Front Hundreds of Germun* Drown ed Ah Eight Transport* Sink in North Sea ? What many believe to be the great est naval battle in all history was Norwegian coast this week when the allied fleet moved to block an inva sion of the little Scandinavian coun tries by Hitler's Germany. So great was the destruction that no official inventory of the losses has been re leased. It was said that 200' ships moved into the sea battles as 2.000 planes fought from the air. advance estimates placing the losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars and possibly several thousand lives. From the little country of Sweden whose indtiprnriftnrf is threatened daily, reports state that many Gtf-n man bodies are being washed ashore over a large front. The first reports striking close to an official release today stated that twenty German ships had been sent to the bottom, including six troop transports, sev eral warships and a number of sup ply ships. Claims, unconfirmed of course, maintain that Germany steamed four troop ships through the battle lines and landed 20,000 additional men in Norway late yesterday. Today, the Germans manned the land forts at Oslo Fiord, but England declares ev ery German ship in the Skaggerak will be sunk and the Germans driven out of Norway. There is talk today that Germany might invade Sweden to send aid to her men if they are trapped in Norway. Sweden declares she will meet any invasion of her ter ritory by force. Despite reported heavy reversals suffered at sea, Germany declares her plans of invasion were advanc (Continued on page six) Pre-School Clinic Here Next Week A clinic for children who will en ter school for the first time next fall will be held at the Williamston gram mar school next Wednesday and Thursday mornings, beginning at 8:30. The county health physician and nurses, assisted by members of the local parent-teacher association, will make physical examination of the beginners and complete records nec essary to school enrollment next September All children who will be six years old by October 1 are eligi ble to enter school next fall, and should be brought to the clinic by their parents. Principal D. N. Hix is sending out letters to approximately 75 parents today, but complete information as to the exact number of children eligi ble for the clinic is not available. Parents whose children meet the age requirement are urged to bring their children in accordance with the fol lowing schedule: Wednesday, April 17, 8:30, out-of town children. Thursday, April 18, 8:30, Williams ton children. The clinic will continue through each of the two mornings. ? I Eight Martin Youtht Enter Civilian Campn This Week Eight Martin County boys enter ed the Civilian Conservation Corps this week and are now stationed in Dare County, near Manteo. Reporting In Washington Wednes day. the following boys were ac cepted: Arthur Crisp, Hassell; Jos eph H. Daniel, Oak City; Dallas Biggs, Everett*; James W. Bo wen and MarvinTIanning, Williamston R. F. D. No. 3; James Willie Knox. Ham ilton; James Earl C as sell, R. F.D. 1, Williamston, and Hubert A. Bunt ing, Parmele. Trenton Woman On Lon? Bicycle Hide To Florida Resort Mr*. Margery Serafine (Outli er* Duta for Book During Short Vi*it Here Out to gather first-hand data for a book. Mrs. Margery Serafine stopped here for an over-night rest Tuesday on her long bicycle trip rrom Trenp ton, New Jersey, to Miami. Florida Traveling well ahead of her planned schedule, the young woman was look ing fine as she checked off the more than 425 miles of her trip of approxi mately 1,000 miles. She plans to reach Miami by May 1, and if she pedals as vigorously as she dfd from 'SaTTstniry,?*OT3T.T to NorTolk, she will have time to spare as she nears the end of the long trip. Starting out with the best wishes of Trenton officials and a personal note from Eleanor Roosevelt, the cyclist left the New Jersey capital on April 1. She was in no hurry, for shr planned to make 208 stops in~ eight states and gather data for a book she will write upon her return home. However, about the sixth day drove from Salisbury to Norfolk, a HiMtaiiri- of 1(14 miles nu:. stngk- day That day's run will pussibly stand as a record, for the lady explained that she was a bit tired the follow ing morning. Leaving Norfolk Monday morning. Mrs. Serafine was nearing the North Carolina line when a medium-sized shepherd dog .dashed out of the dis mal. Apparently lost, the g pledg ed his friendship for a ham sandwich and signed up as a faithful partner for the remainder of the trip. The trip to Williamston had been without interruption or incident, and it was apparent that Mrs. Serafine was enjoying the ride- and the dog, too, even though they were working their way under their own steam. Asked why she chose U. S High way No. 17 as her route of travel, Mrs. Serafine explained that the territory served by the main north south road was rich in historical in terest, and that it was unusually lev el, "and that means a lot to a person pedaling a bicycle," the young lady added Commenting further, she said, "I find the people courteous and unusually cordial. The people in Wil liamston and others all along the route have been just as nice to me as anyone could be, and I am enjoy ing the trip wonderfully." Mrs. Serafine will record facts of a historical nature in her book and express the reactions that are hers during the long journey. About two weeks before starting the trip, Mrs. Serafine started train ing by riding so many miles each day on her bicycle, and by swimming and running. But she inherited much of the gift of being able to travel the hard way. Her father, B. O. Tilden, a retired pottery manufacturer of New Jersey, was the first man to make a round trip to California in Jn auto mobile. Before continuing her trip Wed nesday morning, Mrs. Serafine stated that she certainly was not planning on pedalling back to New Jersey, that she would probably return by train to her home at 202 E. Hanover Street, Trenton, New Jersey. Peanut Allotment Given To Counties Allotted an additional 9,000 acres of peanuts by the U. S. Department of Agriculture this week, the State office of the Agriculturad Adjust ment Administration In Raleigh has "broken down" the acreage increase to counties, and some work has al ready been advanced toward iron ing out apparent inequalities. Most of the allotment was center ed in those counties listed in the non-commercial group, the authori ties pointing out that the growers in those counties are now subject to control penalties whereas they were privileged to grow an increased pea nut acreage without penalty. The approximately 1,400 acres allotted to the commercial counties in addition to their regular 1940 allotments are being used to iron oiif apparent in equalities. Martin County was given an additional 141 acres, increasing its total peanut allomtent to 18,274 acr,es this year. Polities Beginning To Pop In Martin County FORJUDGE W. II Coburn, well-known local attorney, yesterday an nounced his candidacy for judge of the Martin County Recorders court. .Mr. Coburn. for several terms solicitor of the court, is thoroughly experienced in duties of the tribunal Colored Church At Rohersonvilie Asks For Worship Right ? i Drf.'tnluulH Uli'trrd To llavr l.orki-d I'laiiitiffs Onl Of Itiiililini; Church disputes'heretofore confin ed to white religious groups have broken out among the colored breth ren mid sisters in this countV. At torneys Peel and Manning filing this week a complaint in the superior court for a group of members of the Colored Holineiw; Church of Hod in Christ against four defendants. Pi'iitiTiiif! around little house of Worship on Cochran Street in Rob ersonville, the suit was instituted by Deacon Henry Brown. Clemmie Capehart, Church Mother; Mary Harris, deaconess and trustee, and Members J. A. Edward, Sam Terry, Columbus Perkins, Williams Sutton. Ruth Ann Jones, Sweetie Bell Per kins, Elnora Brown, Lena Sutton, Carrie Elizabeth Jones, Inesa Grimes, Beatrice Howard, Irene Sheppard, Rosa Lee Chance, Elnora Little, Isaac Sutton, Thelma Mae Daniel, Ella B Brown, Jessie Mae Sutton, Rosa Sut ton and*~Sallie Mae Brown against Jasper Andrews, Mamie. Jenkins, Maggie Pointer and Thurston Jen kins, a former parson of the Church of God in Christ .>*h=s" Organized in 1931, the complaint reads, the church bought a lot on the west side of Cochran Street in Rob ersonville and soon thereafter u building was erected. The complaint makes no mention of the happenings in the religious or ganization from its beginning until Brother Andrews and Parson Jen kins pulled out and with Mamie Jen kins and Maggie Pointer became members of Jesus Only Holiness Church in Greenville. Declaring that the fourth broth ers and sisters are no longer mem bers of tin- Church of God in Christ, the complaint declares that the de fendants have committed acts against the authority of the Church of God in Christ by taking wood from the church to the home t>f Mamie Jenkins, that defendants locked the door to keep the plaintiffs out The complaint claims that Mamie Jeh kins claims she has a note against the church for an unknown amount, but the plaintiffs deny any such debt is due her. It is also alleged in the complaint that the defendants have moved a small building from the church property, and that defendants dispute the right of plaint.i/fs to hold services in the church. The plaintiffs are appealing to the court that they be declared the only members and officers of Church of God in Christ and that the defen dants be enjoined from molesting them in their religious services and be restrained from interfering with (Continued on page six) PROGRESSES Work on the Goldman Park ace Manufacturing Company's new plant here Is progressing rapidly, Messrs. Milton I,. Gold man and M. M. levin, members of the firm, stating upon a visit here this week that they were well pleased with developments. Mr. Goldman, who will be asso ciated in thr management of the business at this point, is now making his home here at the Dunning Place. Mr. Levin be for returning to his home In New Jersey stated that machin ery shipments would likely get underway within the next two weeks, that the firm was still planning on starting operations within the next three months (lohiirn Announces For Judge County Recorder's Court CaiuliduU'* \iiiioiiiicc for All Place* Fxeep! on Boar?l Of Mil neat ion Politics art- beginning to pop in this county as the time for filing can didacies draws to a close tomorrow evening at 6 o'clock But despite late developments three seats on the Mar tin County Board of Education are still open. The last public office in the county other than on the educa tion board received a bid yesterday afternoon when W. If, Coburn. well known local attorney, announced his candidacy for judge of the county recorder's court. Whether he will be opposed in the primary by Judge H. O. Peel, incumbent, is not certain, no public announcement having been made to date by Mr. Peel as to his plans The Coburn candidacy was said to have been pledged a strong sup port in some quarters, and should Mr Peel niinnimci? for ri?n