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JTOP SMHDIHt?SAVt HHUUtS
THE ENTERPRISE
Special Civilian
Defense Section
VOLUME XLV?NUMBER 38 Williamston, Martin County, North Carolina, Tuesday, May 12, 1942. ESTABLISHED 1899
Civilian Defense Organization In This County Perfected
Special Council Directs County Defense Program
Officials Ban Element of Chance
In Preparing For Home Defense
Heads of Official and Civic
Organizations in Charge
Of the Program
With no assurance that the people
and property right here in Martin
County will escape the wrath of
the enemy or that death and destruc
tion will not be rained down upon
them, and at the direction of Na
tional Civilian Defense authorities,
numbers of citizens in this county
under the guidance of Chairman
Hugh G. Horton and Coordinator W.
Iverson Skinner have volunteered or
otherwise willingly agreed to per
form to the best of their ability cer
tain duties in direct connection with
the defense on the home front. Very
few of the group are experts in the
assigned fields, but they are study
ing leaflets, even books, and pre
paring to serve in any way possible
their respective communities and
county during any emergency.
No one has said that this good
county wlil be bombed, gassed or
attacked. But, on the other hand, no
one has said this good county will
not be bombed, gassed or attacked.
There is an element of chance, and
it was only after much thought had
been given to the reports that came
out of bombed London and torn
Coventry that defense leaders agreed
it would be little more than supreme
folly to gamble with chance.
Appointed Civilian Defense Chair
man for Martin County by Governor
J. M. Broughton, Hugh G. Horton,
Williamston attorney, with the aid
of Defense Coordinator W. I. Skin
ner, has perfected an able defense
set-up. one that hopes it'll never
have to function, but one that is
ready and willing to function should
the emergency present itself.
The defense program in Martin
County is headed by a council. This
council, subject to call at any time
by the chairman, will pass on -var
ious matters pertaining to defense
such as ordering the transfer of
workers and materials from one
part of the county to another, and
to direct the general program of de
fense activities. Headed by Attorney
Horton, the council is made up of
the following: W I. Skinner, coor
dinator; D. N Hix, Williamston Ki
wanis Cluh president; K P Ijnds
tey, WtBiamstun Lions Club presi
dent; J. K. Winslow, American Le
gion Commander, Robersonville;
Chas. L. Daniel, Farm Bureau Pres
ident, Williamston RFD No. 1; Mrs.
E P Cunningham, Williamston Wo
man's Club president ;Mrs. C. L. Wil
son, Robersonville Woman's Club
president. W H. Gray, Robersonville
Rotary Club president and Fire De
partment chief; Mrs Mack Wynne,
American Legion Auxiliary presi
dent; G. P. Hall, Williamston Fire
Department chief; Robert Lee Per
ry, chairman Martin County Board
of Commissioners; J. C. Manning,
superintendent County schools; Dr.
John W. Williams, Martin County
Health Officer; Mrs Eddie Trahey,
Williamston Junior Woman's Club
president; L. B. Wynne, clerk of
court; F. M. Manning, newspaper,
and W. V. Ormond, of the colored
schools. The several mayors in the
county will be consulted from time
(Continued on page six)
COORDINATOR
Coordinating the efforts of the
various councils and rounding
out group organisations for the
various towns in the county, W.
Iverson Skinner feels certain
that Martin County has an able
and efficient defense set-up
ready for action.
Organizations Will
Deal With Haiders
And Enemy Agents
1'iirpoM' Ih To Build Hp
Pattitivr Defentw unit To
Combat 'Total War'
By W. IVERSON SKINNER
Coordinator
The idea and plan of Civilian De
fense is an outgrowth of much study
on the part of our government offi
cials and in it has been incorporated
all the ideas that could be had from
the various European countries now
at war and those that have been in
volved in this war. The Office of
Civilian Defense hrnr tried In map
ping our plans to avoid the errors
and mistakes that were prevalent
with the fall of France and the less
er European countries.
Informing, advising, and instruct
ing the people with regard to the
war effort is an urgent necessity as
well as a matter of duty to the citi
zens of the United States. With a
view to effecting these ends, with
respect to Martin County, there has
been set up a local Civilian Defense
Council composed of volunteer
workers who are giving freely of
their time in the interest of this
worthy cause. This Council is charg
ed with the general duty and respon
sibility of keeping the people of Mar
tin County advised of developments
relative to the war effort and of in
ternational, national and regional
affairs insofar as they affect our lo
cal picture.
The basic purpose of this local or
(Continued on page three)
NANCY
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Thit Space Contributed By
Slade, Rhodes & Co
HAMILTON, N. C.
The United Service
Organizations Part
In National Defense
County Unit Treasurer John
Hardy Reviews Work in
C.ountv and Nation
?
By JOHN HARDY
Martin County I'SO Chairman
The United Service Organization
was the first branch of Civilian De
fense organized in Martin County.
Over a year ago Ray Uoodmon call
ed a meeting of representatives from
the ten communities of our county
to set up an organization to raise
$350. our national quota. We doubled
the goal in order to have funds in
the county to take care of local
needs. Due to the faithful work of
the community committees we rais
ed $838.91. The purpose and work
ings of the organization can best be
shown by what it is doing today
The purpose of the United Serv
ice Organization, as it is common
ly known, is to help boost the mor
ale of the men in service by offer
ing them wholesome entertainment
when not on duty. This is done by
clubs set up in towns and cities
near military camps and Camp
Shows which give performances in
side the camps. The clubs are never
inside the reservations. These clubs,
which are well equipped and man
ned by trained workers give our
boys u wholesome place to go when
off duty and off the post. Here the
service men can just sit and rest; take
n shower, get ins clothes pressed, use
the kitchen to cook something spec
ial for himself; ho can listen to music
at the radio or phonograph or play
the piano; at dances and parties he
can renew his contacts with ordi
nary civilian life. These are only a
few of the ways the USO serves our
boys who are on, or preparing them
selves for the battle front This is
what the $350 sent by the people of
Martin County to the National Or
ganization is helping to do. You are
helping to cheer the hearts and make
life easier for nearly 500 boys from
our county in the service.
What has the organization done
in the county? The committee spent
$3,10 for postage, telegrams, etc.,
during the raising of the funds.
$485.81 of the total amount raised
remained in the county. Of this
amount $80.00 was turned over to
Robersonville to provide shelter and
meals lor boys spending the hfghT
in that town. In Williamston shel
ter has been given to 64 boys spend
ing the night, at a cost of $79 00.
Meals have been served to- 32 boys
at a cost of $12.24. Just after Pearl
Harbor a contingent of soldiers
camped here over-night; with the
cooperation of Mr. Watts, a good
many of these boys went to the thea
tre, the USO sharing in providing
this entertainment to the extent of
$3.75 A few weeks ago a contingent
of the 30th Engineers, U. S. Army,
spent three weeks with us, survey
ing the county With the help of Mrs.
E. P. Cunningham, who received the
generous support of the ladies of the
community, a banquet was served to
the entire company of over 200 men.
The Army furnished the food but
the ladies prepared and served the
delicious meal which was thorough
ly enjoyed. The American Legion
gave the use of its hut as a recrea
tion center during the entire time
the men were here. Under the able
supervision of Miss Katherine Har
dison the Hut was kept open every
night for reading, writing, listening
to the radio, and playing cards or
table tennis. The young ladies of
the town were cordial hostesses at
each of the Saturday night dances,
even making sandwiches for the first
dance. This was sponsored by the
USO and was well worth the $65.58
contributed toward making the
company feel at home while here.
(Continued on page four)
Farmers Lead the Way in the
War Effect in Martin County
Possibly none of us here in Mar
tin County has acted in accordance
with the seriousness of the situation,
but it is fairly apparent that the far
mers, as a whole, have and are still
playing a leading part in the war ef
fort on the home front. A few un
selfish citizens?those who have led
the organizational work, kept open
and worked in the Red Cross sew
ing rooms, and others who have
participated in fund-raising cam
paigns and handled willingly other
assignments have done an able
work, hut the basic accomplish
ments with 110 one individual stand
ing out from the other are, so far,
traceable to the farmer, in this coun
ty at least.
The only black mark in the rec
ord centers around peanut produc
tion While the farmers have agreed
to materially increase the crop, they
ran hardly reach the goal of 11,000
additional acres. In other fields of
endeavor, the farmers, as a whole,
have cooperated splendidly. They
came through early with large scrap
iron deliveries. Many of them pledg
ed sizable portions of their income
in the purchase of war savings
stamps and bonds. They have and
are increasing production on near
ly every front wtih poultry and egg
production now approaching record
high productions. There are more
hogs in the county now than ever
before. Beef cattle numbers have
been greatly increased, and even
there are more milch cows than there
were a short time ago.
There is little doubt but what the
war before it is brought to a suc
cessful end will require a far great
er effort than that being advanced
at the present, but in the procession
toward that greater effort the Mar
tin County farmer holds a command
ing position.
Progress Being Made
For Civilian Defense
Authorities Expect
Everyone To Help
In The War Effort
I'luiiH Forwnril To Kn
linner (liviliun Defense
In This County
<$>
By HUGH G. IIORTON
Chairman Martin County Civilian
Defen.se Council
Hugh G. Horton was appointed
Chairman of the Martin County De
fense Council by the Governor of
North Carolina, by official appoint
ment, on August 11, 1941, and with
technical assistance in the four aux
iliary fields active in the National
Council Office df Civilian Defense,
and with the cooperation of public
spirited citizens of Martin County,
the county has been organized for
Civilian Defense activities, as well
is the municipalities of the County
forming Local Civilian Defense Or
ganizations.
Civilian protection is one of the
most - important responsibilities of
;he State and L?cal Defense Coun
cils. The War and Navy Depart
ments, the Department of Justice
ind other Federal Agencies are co
operating in preparing detailed
technical information concerning ci
/ilian protection.
Subjects relating to Civilian De
'ense of vital importance to the
County of Martin and the munici
palities located therein are:
1. Protective construction.
2. Air Raid protection.
3. Medical care and sanitation.
4. Air Raid warning system.
5. Blackouts.
6. Defense against chemical war
rare.
7. Fire protection.
It, of course, is the responsibility
)f our county and municipal defense
>rganizations to outline defense
plans and programs of importance,
and to give guidance and direction
:o the efforts of the citizens who
make up these organizations in the
ievelopment and execution of such
plans. Programs for such activities
ire now in preparation and our lo
?al organizations are now getting
more cooperation from the State and
National offices than before.
The county and municipalities have
lad the good fortune of some of its
(^ontinued on page three)
DUCK?QUICK
There's a vast quantity of
poisonous it as beiiiff manufac
tured in the world today. And
some observers believe it will
be spilled in a last desperate ef
fort to check defeat. Should the
poison stuff start coming your
way, duck and duck quick. The
home is possibly the safest place
to be in this war, and if gas
starts floating down, close the
doors, stop up the holes and lie
on the floor.
Airplane Observers
Are Doing Splendid
Job In This County
>
Have Led tlic Way in Heinler
ill}! Voluntary Service
To the War Kfforl
Removed from the public eye and
holding to their posts into all hours
of the night, the airplane spotters
m this county have led the way on
the home front with their voluntary
support of the war effort and civil
ian defense. Little has been heard
from the faithful little group that
goes on the wires from one or two
times on up to a dozen times in a
single day and night. They are on
the alert, one observer stating only
this week that he was up at six a.
m. and at his post until midnight.
The other six hours are spent in
uncertain sleep in anticipation of a
stray traveler. "It should be a 24
hour watch, for during those off
hours, an enemy plane can or may
break through the system," the ob
server said.
There have been days when as
many as fifty planes were reported
over Martin County in a single day,
the post at Williamston reporting on
an average of seven a day during the
past three months. The spotters are
supposed to be on the job 24 hours
a day, and it is now apparent that
if the system is to function efficient
ly and properly many assistants will
have to volunteer their services in
this county. Plans are being made
to bolster the service possibly by
constructing observation towers on
(Continued on page six)
If Air-Raids Come ">IU)I"1 AYI?"
I
In our coastal cities whenever
two or three peoples are father
ed together, there is one subject
that is always under discussion.
Will the eominf months bring air
raids? Feelinf rides high on this
subject as those who say "Impos
sible" and those who say "Certain
ly" thrash out their respective
strategies.
But, while we prepare national
ly and locally for air raids, let us
reason it out. II an air-raid comes,
what will the enemy hope to at
tain? We all admit that the de
struction would be comparatively
small considering the vise of the
country?though that thought is
of small effort to those who are
bombed.
The enemy, however, has one
bigger object in view?to create
panic. There are those among ua
who aay that would be the caae.
I do not think ao. I have infinite
faith in the ability of onr people
to face a crista or a crushing trag
edy with calm fortitude. We have
always risen to the need of the oc
casion ari we will not fall.
But the enemy feels that we will
become jittery, that our morale
will be shaken, our nerves upaet.
That is what they want to accom
plish. Are you going to give in?
How can we face the crisis when
and If It comes? We know the
rules. We can obey the physical
ones?that Is merely a matter of
intelligent cooperation. Bat how
can we conquer our instinctive
reactions? How can we remain
cool? How can we beat the Axis
nations at their own game?
One way we can do this is by
Kit-control. No air-raid can laat
forever. We can't run away from
It. But we can obey orders and
then hang on for Just a little long
er. It may call for all our staying
qualities, but we can do It?if we
face the unescapeble facts that?
we are In a war. It la a war which
must be fought until It Is won.
There must be no retreat on the
home front.
There Is one abiding thing that
will help us hold firm. We can fol
low the command of Him Who
said, "Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let It be afraid."
For in the words of the Psalmist:
"He that dwelleth In the secret
place of the most High, shall abide
in the shadow of the Almighty. I
will say of the Lord, He Is my ref
uge and my fortress. My God, hi
Him will I trust."
Volunteers Ready For
Action On Home Front
CHAIRMAN
As chairman. Hugh G. Norton. I
of Williamstoii, is directing the j
general civilian defense effort |
in .Martin County. Many of the I
agencies i?e already functioning,
and others are ready for any
emergency.
Suggested Methods
For The Treatment
Of War(*as \ ietims
Hoped I'eopte W ill Ifr Spared
Sueli Horrors Out (ruling
k,(!iiti Happen Here"
Kxprossing the earnest hope that
all people will be spared ""'the hor
rors of war gassing, W Iverson Skin
ner, coordinator of defense for Mar
tin County, points out that it is far
better to be prepared for any event
uality and never need the prepara
tion rather than need the prepara
tion and not he prepared. The fol
lowing facts taken from the Red
Cross First Aid Textbook are not of
fered to unduly excite any one, but
they are printed here in the hope
that our people will find time to
study them rarcfully, and be pre
pai'ed
? The sirbrdttnres used In chemical
warfare may he employed as clouds
of vapor liberated from cylinders
and carried with the wind; or as li
(piids and solids contained in bombs,
shells or grenades, which after ex
plosion liberate poisonous or irri
tant vapor or droplets. Similar sub
stances may be sprayed or dusted
from airplanes They are all spoken
>f as "gas", and may affect the body
by being breathed as fumes or mist,
by being sprayed or splashed on us
droplets or fine particles. Persons
also may he dangerously affected
by coming in contact with contami
nated objects, such as ground, fol
iage, plants, hushes, implements and
other objects, and even the skin and
clothing of other persons who have
been contaminated with gas. The
chemicals used may irritate the eyes,
nose and throat, damage the lungs,
or burn and blister the skin, nose,
(Continued on page three)
Leadership Chosen
To Take Action In
Defense Emergency
I'liblic I rged To Sillily De
feiiMe Set-up anil Cooper
ate in Everv ^ av
Should bombs begin to fall and
the people of Martin County exper
ience the agony, death and destruc
tion suffered by the thousands across
the sea. consolation and possible re
lief can be had by calling on the
men and women who have volun
teered their services to extend ev
ery possible aid and succor during
an emergency. These men and wo
men have been appointed and em
powered to handle definite tasks as
signed them, and the public is urg
ed to post the names of the respect
ive councils that they may know who
to call or go to in an emergency.
There are many angles to civilian
defense, some of which will be han
dled possibly by higher officials. Tor
instance, the evacuation of hundreds
of thousands of people from the
coastal areas to inland points and
possibly through Martin County, will
be handled by higher officials, but
Martin County people will be asked
to aid the work. But the tasks and
problems on the home front will
have to be handled by the home
folks Departmental heads have hern
named For instance, the chairman
of the rescue and bomb squads will
he iff, full charge of removing vic
tims from wrecked buildings, or re
moving or combatting various types
of bombs These xhiTirn i en a re study
ing in preparation for any such grue
some task, and the yare empowered
to commander workers and proper
ly
Auxiliary firemen, police, -fire
watchers and others have been nam
ed to handle assigned tasks, to pa
trol streets and homes, to enforce
blackouts, clear streets and offer ev
ery protection possible to life, limb
and property. Then there are those
who are charged with preparing and
maintaining first aid stations, ga
thering stretchers, commandering
ambulances, distributing medical
care, and looking after emergency
food and housing problems.
The volunteers are listed Dy coun
cils. Learn who they are and coop -
crate with them in every way possi
ble. The defense volunteer workers:
(?old Point Council
John I. Croom General Chair
man.
Harry Koberson?Fire, Police and
Air Raid Warden Chairman.
Mrs. Elmer Parrisher? Emergen
cy Medical and Fibst Aid Chairman.
Parmele Council
John Roebuck?Mayor.
J Q Andrews Fire and Police
Chairman.
G. C. James An Raid Warden
Chairman.
Mrs. Will Carson ? Emergency
Medical Service and First Aid Chair
man.
Mrs. Hugh Speight Emergency
Medical Service and First Aid
Chairman.
C. Fowlers?Public Works Chair
(Continued on page four)
DICK TRACV
ttS oust a LrtTLt
Piece op paper- W/T
ITS OUR PASSPORT
Jfo HAPPINESS ANO
'we'ae piedoiwu1
L pv?mtv uMcle.
PLENTy/
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This Space Contributed By
J ohnson?Matthews
HAMILTON, ly. C.