The Enterprise
Published Every Tuesday and Friday by the
ENTERPRISE PUBLISHING GO.
WILLI AMSTON, NORTH CAROLINA
W C MANNING
Editor ? 19M-19M
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Entered at the post office in Williamston, N.
C-. as second-class matter under the act of Con
gress of March 3. 1879 ?
Address all communications to The Enterprise
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Tuesday. February II. 1941.
7/ie ( asr ??/ Aluminum
Thai private enterprise has brought the world
to its knees developed" international chaos, and
paved the way to its own doom is soon in the
case ol aluminum. In addition to controlling pat
tents. fixing production and prices, the private
enterprise group in the industry placed profits
before principle, before till welfare of their fel
lowman and before patriotism.
It is apparent that the industry, working 111
defiance of the anti-trust laws, has done more
to slow down the production of vital war ma
terials than all the labor strikes combined
Those who not so long ago were gloating about
the glories of free and unrestricted private en
terprise do not bother with the all-important
task of informing the public about the serious
ness of the aluminum case or similar cases in
other industries. Let a dozen men who appeal
for the bare necessities of life and a few of the
luxuries walk from a plant, and the strike is
paraded before the public in the press, over the
air and in the legislative halls throughout the
land
The aluminum case is now headed for the
courts, but not until huge profits have been ex
acted at the expense of the public and not un
til democracy's common enemy, Hitler, is giv
en a four-to-one advantage in the manufacture
of vital war materials over the United States.
Vet. the officials of the industry have the ef
frontery to insist how pure and noble they are.
The aluminum company case will have its
repercussions in years to come when private
enterprise fights for its life at the hands of an
enraged public
Slurl building lite Haeklon /Voir
It is well to direct every physical energy to
the task at hand, but as we struggle along we
should start building a backlog for the period of
added confusion certain to follow the present
conflict Regardless of the outcome of the pres
ent war, trials and tribulations will be numer
ous for all peoples in all lands. A German vic
tory will surely aggravate the trials and tribu
lations that are certain to come, but even with
a British victory democracy will be taxed to
capacity to withstand the shock caused by a
lapse in world sanity.
We must guard against the evils that present
themselves in times of confusion and uncertain
ty. In times of confusion we are prone to dodge
the ideals and obligations we would ordinarily
accept in normal times. It is quite evident that
there are those of us who are using the present
situation to rationalize their natural desires to
escape hard work by letting their ideals and
ambitions lapse. There are those. feelmg sorry
for themselves in these confused days, who will
turn from the tasks of the day and play one
more hand of bridge, take one more fling at
life and refuse to prepare themselves for any
eventuality.
It isn't the uncertainty of times that is causing
worry. If we face the future with determined
minds and willing hearts, we are certain to
work ourselves out' of any adverse situation
that might present itself. But to do that wt;
must start building a backlog now. That there
will be many sacrifices is certain. That there
will be times when all hope is lost is certain too.
The solution of the problem depends upon our
willingness to work, to build up our moral
fences ,to recognize anew the value of religion
and high ideala, and lastly to build a fortitude
similar to thathpossessed by our forebearer^
when they worked themselves frbm under the
trials and tribulations experienced at Valley
Forge and during the American Civil War and
the reconstruction days that followed in the
South.
Winston Churchill not so long ago offered
his people sweat and toil and blood and tears.
Those words of cold, pessimistic truth stirred
the spirits of the British people and they re
sponded to the call of the hour. Will we be able
to respond to our call when it comes? The call
if it does not come before the present conflict
is ended is certain to come when the weapons
of war are laid down and the whole world turns
its attention to rebuilding a confused economic
Super highways and billion-dollar projects
will help to maintain an economic balance, but
if we are to successfully face the situation we
must have character and determination to car
ry on no matter what befalls us Some will turn
to suicide Others will likely feel sorry for them
selves and take no part in rebuilding cracked
foundations. Those who would help make their
country stronger, cleaneAtnd even more unit
ed and leave an undisputed heritage for their
children must prepare for the ordeals ahead.
M hut Are the Heal Fact*?
The several counties in North Carolina are
being subjected to the idea that the great State
of North Carolina is giving them all the good
things in life free What are the facts behind this
idea'.'
In 1939. general sales in Martin County were
almost four million dollars. These sales were
subject to a three per cent sales tax. It is ad
mitted that there are a few exemptions, but
figured roughly at 2 per cent, the revenue to
the State would approximate $100,000. That
item alone goes a long ways in paying for the
county schools, but the fact that revenue is
derived from sales in Martin County is never
mentioned. We are told that the schools are
State-supported. Then there is the income tax.
the intangibles tax, the schedule and license
taxes, the liquor tax, the beer tax. the wine tax.
privilege tax Just how much all these taxes
amount to in Martin County no one seems to
know.
It is possible that Martin County is not pay
ing as much-into the State treusury an it re
ceived through the several agencies But it is
sincerely believed [Hal the
raised in this county more than meet the costs
of the public schools and other agencies main
tained expressly for this county, share a fair
proportion of the State government costs and
that there is some to spare.
What are the facts? The public is informed
through costly tnrttetins and pamphlets
this agency and that agency is doing Much of
that information is trivial compared wtih some
real facts, facts that show the amount of taxes
collected, the amount of money returned to
the county for schools and other agencies( and
the amount of money used to support such
agencies as the State Alcoholic Beverages Con
trol Board and an ever-increasing number of
office holders, commissions and employees.
If the facts were known as they really are
and not as they are doctored by commission
chairmen, it is believed bv many that nearly
every county in the State is paying out more
than it is getting back
No flare To Crawl
News and Observer.
The report of a majority of the commission
authorized by the 1939 General Assembly to
recommend wage and hour legislation can
hardly be called a step in the right direction.
The recommendation that the 1941 General
Assembly content itself with simply removing
the indefensible exemptions placed in the 1937
act limiting hours to 55 a week for men and
48 for women is. of course, aimed in the right
direction But it provides for traveling such a
short step that the move could more properly
be termed a crawl than a step.
This is no time for crawling and legislation
designed to end oppression of underprivileged
citizens in the State is no place for crawling.
The reports of both the majority and minority
members of the committee afford ample evi
dence that there has been oppression. Citizens of
the State have been required to work inexcus
ably long hours for pitifully meagre returns.
North Carolina is full able to work. Perhaps
it would be the part of wisdom to walk slowly
in this matter. But there is no excuse for crawl
ing. The recommendation of the majority that
a minimum wage of 25 cents per hour and a
maximum work week of 48 hours be establish
ed is a very modest proposal. It represents the
minimum of what should be done at this time.
Even at the rate of progress proposed by the
majority iL_wuuld be a very long time before
the standards set by the State for labor even
approached those already set by the Federal
government for workers in interstate com
merce. Those standards already provide for a
minimum work week of 40 hours and for min
imum wages of 30 cents per hour. The mini
mum wage is constantly being increased for
the Federal act. Already the largest group of
laborers in the State, cotton mill workers, are
receiving 32 1-2 cents per hour as a minimum
wage.
At the rate of progress recommended by the
minority, the millennium would probably ar
rive before North Carolina attained labor stan
dards on a parity with those of the Federal gov
ernment.
Conservatives in this State will do well to
ponder the wisdom of such * course. The Fed
eral government has already provided for liv
ing wages and fair hours for a large percentage
of the toilers in this State. If the State refuses
to make reasonable progress toward making
the same provision for those engaged in intra
state commerce, there will arise an irresistible
demand for quick and far-sweeping action. And
if a mandate is given by the people for such ac
tion it will not be given to the present conserv
ative forces in this State.
H'hal It Advartity?
Say this for adversity?people seem to be
able to stand it, an' that's more'n I ken say for
prosperity.?Kin Hubbard.
fitsl Signs
4
Sftmg
AT BELK'TYLER'S
gorgeous spring dresses
Feelint; jju> t <fOI llw iirp:c to -plurtcc '! Dome -ce
llic-e c>e-CHlrhiii|: Spring ilrcnM-n . . . -iii|: about their
low price-. I!Ii<mim' uay intillieolor print-. floral mo
tifw. "tiny" prints, ??oxelty or patriotic star print-.
Pick eri-p lingerie nuwen or black- . . . Miftly feminine
Sprint; pa-tel-. See their peacefully pleated -kirt-.
new neckline-, other -mart detail-. Wear them now
'ilealli your coat . . . right on through Sprint:.
$1.98 to $9.95
Thr very nriml styles in
Spring HIoiihck
Out-and-out eliariners . .
blmi?o to make you look
frisli as Spriiiyi-linie. See
their lurked inset yokes,
dainty hliirriiiftN inwail
iiifi laey frills . . . details
you find iu expensi\e
blouses. Have several!
48c-98c
Pretty New Spring SKIRTS
New Pretty Spring Hats
New lull for Spring. 1941, make
% on "pretty un a picture." See
tliem today . . . frt'nh from their
^ tissue w rapping-. Fu-liion nr*>
in their deep hudl-down hacks.
I their hi?ch or -hallow crown*, their
( hifr or little hrini*.
98cto$1.98
You'll Know By The?e Kay
SHOE STYLES!
Besides lilt' first blade of |(riisH anil
first robins. you'll Liioh Spring
i? here liy tin- gay colors taken on
It) shoes, the exquisite styling ami
their graceful lines, liel your uch
Spring shoes now. while the crop
is still fresh . . . Dress Shoes . .
Sport Oxfords . . . Play Shoes . . .
Patents . . . (iuherdines ami com
binations in solid colors and com
binations.
$1.98-$2.95
A wide of llir wry nt-wol >lyli> in
hkirlx. Vtorn v* illi a new Spring Itloiiw llirv
make a \cr* allractiw >prin^ riiwinlilr.
98c to $1.98
ISeiv Spriiifi I'nltern* in
Print*. Woolens. (iahcrdiiicK
Seic yourself gome new
Spring Frocks at
Ureal Savings.
New Spring Silk
l'rinl? !Wc yd.
5 l-iiirii Spring Wool
en?, Pluidx and Solidtt
98c In 8 I . Ul yard
39-incll Gaberdine,
Solid ('oloro _ ,'!9r yd.
Flaky -SliaHSport
Fabric. Solid
(ioloni 29c yd.
Spring i* juat around ihc comer
. . . ami here** luur chance to gel
thai new ?uit y?u need at a real
moiiey-naving price. New ntyle*.
new pattern* and new color*.
$12.95$ 14-75
$16.50
DRESS SHIRTS
i greal Helection of nhirU in u
vide range of pattern*. Fa*t col*
>r* and guaranteed agaiiiHt nlirink
97c
MENS SPRING SUITS
LOVKIA NEW SPUING COATS
A beautiful M-lrHinn in all
. tin- uewe?l Sprint: creation*.
y Smart uhli' change* make
them more beautiful than
ever.
$7.95 $9.95
$16.50
^ Short Sport ('.oats
$ $2.98
For Valentine Give Her
HOSIERY"
Filmy kIiimtk to thrill your
"Im-sI (tirl"! Resilient pure
silk ulnrkinitK with pieot tope,
reinforeetl heel*. toe*.
48c pr.
Or Give Her
Nylons $1.35
ISeir Spring
Dress Prints
10c- 15c
19c
Printed
Clianihravs
29c
Belk - Tyler Co.
WILLIAMSTON, N. C.