North Carolina Newspapers

Watch The Label On Your Paper. Aa It Carries The Date Your Subscription E z p i r ? a THE ENTERPRISE Advertisers Will Find Our Col umns A Latchkey To Over 1.600 Home* Of Martin County. VOLUME XLIY?NUMBER 3 ir illiamston. Martin County, North Carolina, Friday, January 10. I'tll. ESTABLISHED 1899 Four Are Charged With Robbery Of Jamesville Store Hearing Await* Outcome of Condition of Man SJiot At Belhaven ? Warrants, charging Jack Caison, Dennis Gray Woolard, "Bug" Veach ey and Watter Wittoughby with the robbery of the Martin County Alco holic Beverages Control Store at Jamesville on December 12, were drawn here yesterday afternoon by Sheriff C. B Roebuck. A hearing in the case is being delayed pending the outcome of Steve Cromwell's condition, the Martin County officer explained. Cromwell, a member of a large robbery ring, was critically shot while attempting to rob the Norfolk Southern station at Belhav en early last Saturday morning. Cromwell was removed to the State Prison hospital from Washington and is said to be getting along very well, late reports stating that he will recover barring unforeseen com Following Cromwell's arrest, rail road detectives, State Bureau of In vestigation and county officers in several North Carolina and Virginia counties started closing in on the ring. Eight persons have been ar rested in connection with a series of thefts in Eastern North Carolina, in Norfolk and other Virginia points. It is understood that members of the rings are wanted in two more counties in this State and in Nor folk. The various officers are still working on the case and they are ex pected to hold a meeting shortly for prosecuting the members of the ring. Sheriff C B. Roebuck stated that ev idence in the case in which Caison. Woolard, Veachey and Willoughby are charged with robbing the store in this county could not be divulged at this time. Apparently sufficient evidence has been gathered in the ease to procure a conviction in the case originating in this county. At the present time, members ar rested and charged with participat ing in the ring, are being held in separate jails. Woolard is in the jail in this county. He has not talked to l,./.nl ..ff U. , ? kn A , A wish that Cromwell would "pike out". Woolard is said to have been at liberty under a parole. Caison is in the Greenville jail where Billie Hammons, the woman in the case, Js also being held. Veachey and Walter Willoughby, two of the Tour defendants in the Jamesville rob bery case, are being held in Nor folk, a report received by the sher iff's office here state that they would fight extradition During the meantime, special de tectives working with Norfolk po lice are tarrying on an investigation ;n Norfolk in an effort to recover some of the stolen property. Sour Note Heard In State Economy Pointing out after a pleading fash ion that it was Governor Hoey's last request, that he must not be disap pointed, legislative leaders in the North Carolina General Assembly in their first act of the new session pushed through a salary increase for four State officers. Instead of get ting $6000 a year, the secretary of state, superintendent of public in struction, auditor and treasurer, will get $6,600 in the future. In addition to jacking up the salar ies of the four constitutional officers who were left out in the cold two years ago when padded pay envel upei weie handed to uthera of the Raleigh clan, the legislature Wed nesday appropriated $2,000 for fi nancing the inaugural and a general big time yesterday. An effort was made to reconsider the action at the house session yes terday. but the opposition was "snowed under," but not until legis lative leaders went on record as will ing to consider the merits of school teachers to salary increases. After ramrodding the salary meas ure through the legislature called for a rest period, and little will be done until after the announcement of committees next Monday night. Few Contagious Diseases Reported Contrary to general reports, there are comparatively few cases of con tagious diseases in the county at the present time. Only three such cases were reported during the entire month of December, but there has been an increase in the number of whooping cough cases during the past few days. Last month a lone whooping cough case was reported among the color ed population in Robersonville. Since the first of this month, five cases of the cough have been reported in the Hassell and Williamston areas. It is believed by some that there are quite a few cases that have not been re ported A chickenpox case near Williamston, and a scarlet fever case in the Parmele section were report ed in December. Unofficial reports state that there is a bountiful crop of lice on the heads of quite a few young'uns in some of the schools of the county. Plans Go Forward for March Of Dimes and Birthday Ball Plans were announced virtually complete today by County Chair- i man. Dr. E T Walker, for handling the March-of-Dimes and holding the i President's annual birthday ball in j this county as a part of the nation- | wide drive to raise funds in the I fight against infantile paralysis. i To be handled locally under the ; direction of the Jtmtor Woman"* - Club, the March-of-Dimes gets un derway on Saturday of next week, the county chairman announced i The birthday ball will be held in the Williams ton gymnasium on Tues- . day night, January 28. Hal Thurs- i ton and his band have been employ ed for the special event, and admis- ; low former figures "We are inter ested in getting more people to sup port the campaign against infantile paralysis and we believe an admis sion fee of $1 will cause more peo pie to attend the dance," Chairman Walker said in explaining the reduc tion from $1.50 to $1.00. Efforts are being made to advance the drive on a county-wide basis, and the general public is urged to participate District chairmen have been named and they are expected to cooperate in every way possible and to support the March-of-Dimes. Fhe names of the ehuirmen are D. N. Mix. Williamstdfi; 1. W. Ander son, Robersonville; J Q Patrick. Everetts; T. O. Hickman. Bear Grass; Mrs Marion W. Beach, Gold Point. J. T. Uzzle. Jamesville. R P. Mar tin. Farm Life; B. B. Castellow, Hamilton; H. M Ainsley, Oak City, and George Haislip. Hassell. throughout the nation. In years past this county has raised comparative ly small amounts for financing the drive against infantile paralysis. A better showing is anticipated in the -ounty this year Mew Olid Outlines Program For State I'KANt IS IVanut deliveries to houses at this |>oint after reaching an all time record just before the holi days are dragging at this time, a report from the government stor age house operators this morn ing stated. Ivcss than 1,000 bags had been received up until that time since Monday, and it is fairly certain that deliveries will continue small during the re mainder of the season. Showing added strength, the open market is reporting slight ly increased activities, one re port stating that sales had been made at 3 1-4 cents and that in exceptional cases 3.40 cents had been paid the farmers. President Asking $212,000,000.00 For Parity Payments' Action Seen As Concession To American Farmers li\ The I'rcnhlcnl President Roosevelt was reported authoritatively this week to have broken precedent by putting in his budget message to Congress $212, 000,000 for farm parity payments for the first time. That is the same amount voted by Congress in 1040 despite the Pres ident's omission of the parity item from last year's budget. Persons who already have seen his detailed recommendations for next year's agriculture department appropriation bill said that the big fund was included primarily as a "further concession to the farmer" and because Congress has appropri ated about that much anyway for several years. The President was reported to have decided to ask that Congress make the full sum available for par ity at his discretion hut to appro priate only $50,000,000 in cash and authorize the agriculture depart rwnnt ?/> hnm.ii/ the rest as needed from one of the government's lend-j ing agencies. "That will help keep the total of the money request down to a lower figure" said one of the Presi dent's advisers privately. "It will look much better on paper." The parity fund would be in ad dition to the $500,000,000 in basic soil conservation benefit checks that have become a part of the adminis tration's farm program. It is generally understood that the item in the budget message will take care of added parity provided for tobacco farmers under the Flanna gan Act passed by the 76th Con gress. The $212,000,000 item is a neglig ible one in the budget when compar ed with the huge amount a.sked for defending the nation against aggress ors. Approval is keenly anticipated by agriculture. Child Passes In Tarboro Hospital Jerry Harrell, two-year-old son of Francis and Mra. Blonzie Pearson Harrell, died in a Tarboro hospital last Tuesday afternoon. In ill health for some time, the little fellow was taken worse on Christmas day and was later removed to the hospital for treatment. Betides his parents, he leaves a sister, Barbara, three years old. Funeral services were conducted at the home of his grandparents, Mr and Mra. Dave Pearson, in Oak City yesterday afternoon by Rev. Mr. Leggfett, Bertie County Baptist min ister. Interment wafc in the Oak City Cemetery. Brou?htoii Delivers Impressive Message To New Legislature Slate .mil Federal (iiaern iiientn Are Marnioiii/ed l$> !Se? (nuernor Governor J. Melville Br ltotv, in his inaugural address at Raleigh yesterday afternoon, made a mark ed impression on the minds and hearts of the common people when he applauded the national admin istration and touched on the second ary road system of the State His is a broad program, to he sure, but in it is seen the opportunity of ad vancement for the State and nth the people A great celebration was held to mark the passing of Clyde R lloey from the chief executive's seat and to usher in Mr. Broughton. Compar were present for the extensive and formal program which got under way shortly before noon yesterday and lasted well into the night The new governor's program is centered around 4(1 recommenda lions which are grouped under 20 major points. He recommended that the legislature. I Continue a balanced budget 2. Keep the sales tax but add ex emptions for "essential food for hone consumption," and make no substantial changes or additions in taxes. 3. Provide retirement Programs for all state employees, including teachers 4 Enact immediate laws prohib iting the unrestricted and unre strained selling of so-called fortified wines. 5. Adopt a resolution immediately appl. uding President Roosevelt's de fense and aid-for-Britain programs. (1. Provide a new congressional dis trict and reapportion legislative membership. Both on the basis of the 1940 census. 7. Provide adequate appropriations for higher educational institutions, public schools, vocational education, adult education, reasonable expan sion of the public health urogram, state hospitals and institutions, and for reasonable increases in teacher salaries if it can be done within avail able revenues. 8. Provide reasonable security for teachers in their jobs, set a goal for a standard nine-months school term and a 12th grade; consider advisabil ity of submitting a constitutional amendment to vest a board of edu cation with all of the state's author ity in school administration; and con sider raising the age for compulsory school attendance from 14 to 16 years. 9. Provide state aid for public li braries. 10. Provide for strict adherence to the ,"principle of a state highway system"; take note that "much of our primary road system must be entirely revamped or rebuilt"; pro vide a budget which would not ne cessitate highway fund diversion; and make adequate provision for farm-to-market and home-to-school (C ntinued on page six) Sicknenn Striken Mote In Employment Office Sickness all but disrupted activi ties in the State Employment office here during the past few days, but scheduled activities have been car ried by night work on the part of the skeleton force. Mr. Mark Ross is quite ill in a Washington hospital where he was carried for treatment last Friday. Cyrus W Bazemore, office chief, is confined at his home with influen za. Miss Natalie Gould just returned from a Richmond hospital last Tues day after undergoing treatment there for a few days. Staggering Vmoiiiit Asked In FinaneiiiK r Country's Defense l'r?>|Mi-iil Would IVrmit Itril-j tell W :ir?lii|i? To Knter Shipyard* for K<'|inir? While domestic needs continued to hold their position, attention of the Congress this week was directed to the necessity for a "total defense" by President Roosevelt in his annual budget message. Asking for $17,485. 528.041), the President would use | eleven billions of the amount for building up the nation's defense. And ( these figures do not include needed monies for financing aid to Britain. Greece and China, some political oh servers estimating that the aid pro gram will require from two to five more billion dollars in the next fis cal year. By the end of June 30. 1942, it is estimated that the national deficit will approximate fifty-eight billions of dollars Only once be hue has a budget larger than the one this week been proposed?Spending reached eighteen and one-half billions dur ing one year in the first World War Action in Washington this week opened the eyes of many and proved beyond all doubt that war in Europe does affect us and tends to wreck our economy. While the President was prepar ing the nation's finances for total defense, military leaders were bring ing their forces into line. Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox announces that the navy will have three fleets. ! that 42.000 more men would be cull ed in manning the Atlantic, Pacific and Asiatic fleets, Oil the war front attention still t enters in the Balkans. Reports state that Hiler is marching his men in to Bulgaria preparatory to starting a drive against Little Greece. The situation there isn't as clear as that however, as one report states that Germany and Russia have not yet ironed out the problem According to some dispatches, Hitler plans to encircle Greece beginning within the next two weeks. Correspondents on the scene declare that little can be accomplished by Hitler m that territory before spring because of deep snows and weather conditions. That the Bulgarum situation has not been agreed upon by German and Russia is borne out in late reports which claim that Hitler has not yet Germany denies the report that she had invaded Bulgarian, and it is be (Continued on page six) Dispose 01 Ki<?;hl (lascs In County's Court List Monday Drunken Miixiiit: Costs !)<'? fVmlnnt .S7."> Willi ( aM* (iosls Aililnl - ?- ? Calling eight cases, Judge W H. Coburn and Solicitor Don K. John son worked until one o'clock last Monday clearing the docket in the county recorder's court. Drunken driving was frowned upon by the judge when lie increased the mini mum fine from $5U to $75 in one case. Proceedings in the court: The case charging Samuel Wil liams with bastardy was nol press ed with leave. It was after this case had been handled by the court and before a second one against him could be caller! that Williams escap ed from Constable Charlie K. Moore who tried to accommodate trie de fendant. Accompanied by the con stable, Williams went in search of money and a bond and left the of ficer reading a detective story In the case charging Alton Lilley with an assault with a deadly wea pon, Judge Coburn adjudged the de fendant guilty over a plea of inno cence and fined him $10. The costs were added and Lilley appealed to the superior court. Bond in the sum of $100 was required. At the trial evidence wan offered tending to show that James Holliday, the pros ecuting witness, was the aggressor. Holliday was said to have interven ed when Lilley allegedly attacked a small boy in a Jamesville store some weeks ago. Holliday was dangerous ly cut. The case charging Joe Lanier Godard, Jr., with operating a motor vehicle while his license was revok (Continued on page six) OKKKk FlINI) Receiving another urgent ap peal for the embattled Greek* arid suffering civilian*, local peo ple are again offering aid to the little country. Reporting $10.50 ci llected fust prior to the Christ mas holidays, the local commit tee, headed by Rev. John Hardy, now haa $$7.50 in the fund. A report of the donations fol low*: George Sfetsos $15.00 D. R. Davis 1.00 Mrs. A. R. Dunning 1.00 Previously reported 10.50 Total $27.50 Official Population Figures For Martin County Released Showing a gain of 2.711 persons' Martin County reported one of the largest population increases of any of the strictly rural counties in this section of the State, according to of ficial figures released this week by the Bureau of Census. Washington. I). C While the increase. 11.6 per cent.- for the past decade vt as slight ly smaller than that for the 1920 1930 period, it stands way out in front as compared with percentage gains for most of the neighboring coun ties, Bertie reporting 1 4 per cent. Beaufort 4 per cent, Edgecombe 2 6. Halifax 6 1 per cent. The several towns in the county reported a com hmed percentage gam of 27 4 per cent while the strictly rural com munities supported an increase of almost 6 per cent All but three of the ten towns re ported population gains. Jamesville arid Williamston reporting gains of 45 pel cent each. Parmele a gain 22.3 and Robersonvillt* an increase of 19 per cent over the 1930 figures The population in the ten towns jumped from 6.27 in 1930 to 7.996 in 1940. a gain of 1.719 or 27 4 per cent The following figures show the 1940 and 1930 population by towns, rural communities combined and 1940 1930 Gain James v die 499 344 155 Bear til ass 114 131 17* Williamson 3966 2731 1235 Everotts 265 270 5* Robe rsonvi lie 1407 1181 226 Gold Point 142 121 21 Parmele 417 341 76 Hassell ifiii UiQ 19* Oak City 512 481 31 Hamilton 524 508 16 Town Totals 7996 6277 1719 Counts Rural 16115 17123 992 Grand Totals 26111 23400 271 I .arge Increase Sear In Property V allies Hardly A Tenth Of Owners Have Listed Personal Property <?>?? I,iiIt- li-tini: \\ ill lit' Sultjt't'l To Doiiltlf Valuation-. \titl IVowprulioiii. Completing their test listings Wed nesday, the Martin County proper ty assessors are now working in their respective townships, incomplete and unofficial reports stating that real estate values in many cases are be ing materially increased. The first report from an individual township board of assessors indicated that a gain of ten per cent in rural real edate cad been recorded on an av erage in twenty two cases. A test listing for a residence in one of the county towns points to a marked in crease in values for town proper at $3,500 four years ago a certain piece of property in Williamston was appraised by the assessors working in a group at $H,()00, mean ing that the property was actually listed at $4,800 The gam in this case is approximately 37'pel cent. Ih polls hum ilif j ? TsonaI proper ly list-takers indicate that owners are listing in fairly large numbers in several townships Up until this morning hardly more than 200 of the personal property owners in Williamston Township had listed their holdings, List-t; ker Hugh M. Hurras stating that every minute of every office hour between now and February would be required to han dle the listings for tin approximate ly 1.800 personal prop, rty owners in 1 lie district. While the listing is pos sibly proceeding more rapidly this year than la? I the 11? ' taker frank ly points out tjii?t long delays can be expected during the wish that is cor tian to develop during the last few days of the month. "I have pleaded in behalf of late listers in years past, but it will be impossible for me to do so this year," List-taker Hurras said this morning. The list-taker will hi- busy handling the real listings as prepar ed for him by the hoard of assessors and the name of nun-listers will be handed.over to the County Tax Su pervisor for double listing after Jan uary 31. Those owners who fail to list their personal holdings and those citizens who fail td give in their polls will be subject to prosecution in the courts. A warning has been issued to those citizens over 21 years of age who have not been listing their holdings for taxation or giving in their polls. It has been learned from reliable sources that a close check of the books will be made soon after the listing period is ended and that those who fail to comply with the law will be prosecuted in the courts. Commenting on the trend of val ues for that type of property, List taker II. M Hurras in this township said today that he was fairly << r tain there would be a substantial in crease. He would offer no estimate, however. It has been pointed out that the personal property owner must visit his respective list-taker and list his property, that the board of assessors are handling only real estate list ings. School (wirl In Hurl In Fall llerc YPMterday Lethia Gardner, fifth grade pupil I in the-local school, was badly hurt , in a fall at the grammar building I yesterday noon. Runnnig toward a | side door, the girl stumbled and hit her head on the concrete, inflicting an ugly wound in her scalp. Several stitches were necessary to close the wound, but doctors stated that it was not serious. The accident was one of tha most serious reported in the school dur ing the term. COMMKIU l MKKT Ail important meeting of (lit* Un a I Chamber of Commerce will he held in the organization's office in the (iuarantv Hank Building this evening at 7:30 o'clock. The future of the organ ization will likely he determined at that time, and there are sever al important matters of interest to the town to he considered. All members and directors of the reorganization are urged to attend. (]lul>Members Vjjree To Fxteml Help To Eurow' s Ref ugees lli'^uliir Mcolinn of Woman'* 4 lull ll.-l.l Il. r. \\ rilnr* ?llliv \fll lllOOII Tin- January meeting <>f the Wo man's Club was held Wednesday with a small crowd attending After singing "Clod Bless America." and repeating the elub collect, a short business st'ssion was held The club voted unanimously t?? help back a Red Cross Production Unit lor tnak ing articles to send to tin- war suf ferers Mi Harry Biggs, chairman of the county chapter, will he in charge of the organization of the unit, such as procuring a place to work and requisitioning supplies The American Legion Auxiliary, and the Farm Women and 4 II clubs have also signified their inte-ntion to aid m this worthy work The club decided ti? buy a $5 baby bond t*? Assist in tuberculosis work. Reports from various committees j wen* very gratifying Mrs. N C [ Cireen reported on the Highway I Beaut if icatam project and she ex | pects the work to begin m xt month Mrs. W. K Parker announced the I e lementary art exhibit on display at the grammar school and invited i the members'.to atte-nd. She also said there would he an exhibit of the old masters' works during February at the- high school and the admission fees Would l)<- used for ge tting some prints leu the sehe??ls. Mrs. Joel Muse1 had" a very fine repeirt on work done among under privileged children. She has given clothes and shoes tei 30 children, the* things being give n by the people e>f the- town with a eieinatiein from the Reel Cross A vote of thanks was given Mr F J Margolis for his generous support in this work. The Christmas Cheer fund was turhed ove r te> Mrs. Muse- fen the- use- of her committee Mrs Martin, the- president, read a piece, "Our Community Interests,'' and asked the club te? consider spun soring a campaign for immunization against diphtheria. Mrs. Harre-ll Everett, chairman of the education department present ed Rev. Z. T Peiphoff, Who showed lwe? pictures, one depicting the cher ry blossoms in Washington, and the other the preparation of soup, from the growing of the- vegetables tei the- finished product. -Reported. Sheriff Files His December Report Sheriff C. B Roe buck and his force had Another busy month during Dc ceinUbr. Tax collections fe>r the per iod approached a ne w high record, and other duties in the office kept the- force moving rapidly. The report in eletail, follows: Amount of tuxes collected, $18, 978 28; warrants served, 18; capias, 7; subpeonas served, 17; civil papers served, 19 48 copies; claim and de liveries served, 3-5 copies; executions served, 5; ejectment proceedings, 1; investigations made, 13; names on jail record, 54; miles traveled 2 cars, 3,793 Croup Organized To ()|H'rate Ball Club Next Season ? I V?>|?!r \re To Deride Wheth er Tohii all lla\e Club B% Krbriinrv lib A dozen or more fans in a meet ing here last evening perfected an organization for the operation of Williamston'g entry in the Coastal Plain loop this coming season, but other fans and the public at large will determine between now and February 4 whether the franchise will be held here or surrendered to other towns eager to gain a place in the league Briefly stated, the or conization perfected at the meeting Last night will undertake to keep Williamston in the circuit only upon the condition that fans will under write ;i stock issuance to the tune t $15,500 or make outright donations in that amount. That the issuance ean be and v\ ill be subscribed is considered possible hv some: ? ire not so optimistic, but the public will decide the question during the next three weeks or before the league concludes its annual meeting in Greenville on the night of Tuesday, February 4th r\ strong support was pledged the undertaking at the meeting last night, hut it is quite evident that the final decision will lost with the pub lice, as a whole: At the meeting, Pete Fowden was elected president, Kenneth P. Linds ley. vice president, and Dick Smith, secretary trUesurer The new direc tors are Fowden. Lindsley, W. E. Dunn, J Kason Lilley, T B. Bran don and J. C\ Manning. The officer a ltd d i rector assignments were more or less "planted", the selected ones accepting the posts reluctantly, but pledging their best efforts in the movement, to try .to hold the club franchise in Williamston. The action was taken last night when Mr J Easoh I.illoy, president, owner and chief bottle-washer of the club for the past two seasons, defi nitely told the group that he simply could not operate the Martins this season. He did pledge his support in cooperating with others in keeping" tin franchise in Williamston. He has offered to sell his equipment at a sacrifice', or he explained that the plant could be rented. Details for taking over his equipment will be w or ken out hy the newly-elected club officer? and directors A search for a club manager has already been started, but all con tracts and plans will be advanced subject to the answer the public will give between now and February 4 Vrin\ Kcjwts First Martin (iounty Mail Robert Claborn Harris, volunteer ing for service under the Selective Draft system, was rejected an ac count of physical defects by Army doctors at Port Bragg Wednesday, lie was the first volunteer under the Selective Service Act from this county to be rejected Showing his honorble discharge to county draft board officials here yesterday, the young man stated that he was sor ry he could, not stay at Port Bragg. He explained that during his short .stay there he had received good treatment One report stated that the young man almost wept when he learned hat he had been rejected. R. A (lilbreath, captain in the medical c orps, stated that the young man was physically disqualified by rea.son of | wn... 1. .fiti ml iu in, generalized-, meaning that the young in.in bad some trouble with his gum tissue or pyorrhea of the gums. A replacement is being called and Joseph Pender, Jr., is the next vol unicer m line for duty. It could not }>? learned definitely when young Pender would he called, but it is likely that he will leave the early part of next week for Fort Bragg. View Vister Nicholson, young white man of Williamston R.F.D. No 3, was rejected yesterday for Army service on account of defective eyesight leaving fourteen of the sixteen men tfrho went from this county last Tuesday in camp at Fort Bragg Herman Clayton Wil liams, also of Williamston Route 3 and a volunteer, is being called to take bis place at. the Fort. Two Men Caught At Still Thursday Night ??? Robert Bailey, white man, and Red" Rogers, colored, were arrett ed while allegedly operating a liquor still in Bear Grass Townahip about 10 o'clock last night. ABC. Officer J H. Roebuck, assisted by special officers from Pitt and Beaufort Counties, made the arrests. The still was destroyed and ten or twelve gallons of liquor were poured out. The arreata were the first made this year by membera of the liquor law enforcement bureau in this county. According to information coming from the courthuuae just before noon today, the two men will be given a preliminary hearing before United States Commiaaionar Walter Halber stadt this afternoon at I o'clock.