North Carolina Newspapers

PAT PAT WAR BOND DAY tm tnmm?uvt toum THE ENTERPRISE OVER THE TOP J FOR VICTORY ' UWTED STATES WAR ' BONDS-STAMPS VCfLUME XLV?NUMBER 49 Williamtton, Martin County, North Carolina, Friday, June 19, 1942. ESTABLISHED 1899 World Traveler To Speak In Baptist Church On Sunday Joseph Cohen Is Just From The War-torn Areas In Europe Joseph Cohen, world traveler and author, will speak in the local Bap tut church Sundav evening at 8*0 o'clock His subject will b^ "7? Bible, The Jew, Hitler and Christ An advance press release quotes TrSsK. just a few sol diers fighting-it's the whole peo ple. Even the injured fight on. tv eryone including the children has a job to do to help win the war and is doing it gladly. He told of secm? brigades of children in Moscow help ing extinguish incendiary bombs. They argued among themselves over who should have the honor of put ting out the next fire; so eager were they to do something for their coun try, he said. Religion is very much alive today in Russia, the country, and, what is more the churches are 100 per cent against Fascism The famous traveler said he naa visited many churches during his recent visjt to Russia, churches well filled with worshippers. What he saw convinced him the Soviets are living up to their constitutional guar antee of the freedom of religion. Russians who want to attend church may do so without fear of molesta tion in any way. He pointed out that there are more than 1,000 Baptist churches in Rus sia to mention one denomination. There are also Jewish Synagogues, Moslem. Mosques, Holiness churches and a wide variety of other faiths, all actively practiced Dr Joseph Cohen said the churches are wholeheartedly supporting the war because worshippers know that if the freedom of religion is to con tinue in Russia, the Nazis must not win. He cautioned, however, against nntmn that Rusaia_ia-* raligioue - country! Russia doesn' tencourage religion. In fact, it discourages it. It isn't taught in the schools and the people as a whole seem more concerned with other things; but if anyone wants to go to church, he is free to do so. Dr. Joseph Cohen, who just visit ed Russia 10 years ago, found on his return to that country shortly before the invasion, that remarkable prog ress had been made in industrializa tion. While the mcehanical efficiency of the Russians is still not equal to that of this country, their skill with the machine has greatly increased as is evidenced by their ability to hold the Germans He is very much impressed with the power of Russiu. Hitler will nev er be able to conquer Russia Russia doesn't encourage religion, a lot of our ideas about Russia were just propaganda stones. We saw only the bogey, of "Commun ism." But Russia is too busy mind ing her own business, to bother with the rest of of the world. I think she realizes she has too much to do at home to try to force her ideas upon other nations. Purchase Of Federal Auto Use Stamps Is Ration Prerequisite Change* Will Make for Strict Gas Rationing After July 15th Learning in a preliminary check up that ten per cent of the motor ists did not buy the federal excise automobile stamps last fall, govern ment authorities have ruled that no gasoline rationing cards will be issued the early part of next month unless the applicant proves he has purchased one of the new excise stamps. It is now quite certain that the automobile, owner will pay the special federal tax or store his car, that the new ruling will make for a complete sale and for a strict gas rationing system. Placed on sale at all post offices last week, a few of the stamps have already been purchased. Valued at $9 each, the stamps carry a serial number, and places to fill in the make of car,-model, engine number and state license number. The sale of stamps last fall was interrupted by an inadequate distri bution, but this year a sufficient number has been made available. The local post office has 1,400 of the stamps on hand now, but motor ve hicle owners are advised to purchase the stamps as early as possible and avoid the rush. A dozen or more of the stamps have already been sold by the office hare. The stamps are good for one year from July 1 to June 30 of next year. During the meantime, prelimi nary plans are being advanced for holding the second gasoline ration ing registration on July 1, 2 and 3. No definite arrangements have been made in this county, but rationing authorities are expected to com plete them within the next week or ten days. Drive For Discarded Rubber GainingMomentumlnConnty After getting off to a slow start the early part of this week, the drive, for discarded rubber is gaining mo mentum rapidly in the county. Ap proximately 15,000 pounds of old rubber tires, hose, boots, heels, tubes and similar items have been collect ed during the past four days and the old material is still moving to the collection centers at most of the fill ing stations. At noon today, the Sinclair Serv ice Station here reported right at 8,000 pounds of old rubber collect ed and piled on the main street Davenport and Hamilton in James ville reported 2.500 pounds deliver ed there up until an early hour yes terday afternoon. Large collections have also been reported at Hamil- I ton, Robersonville and other cen ters in the county, but definite amounts could not bo determined One or two of the collection cen ters report that much of the salvage rubber was donated, but in most cases the material, worthless to the owners, was closely checked for weights and in a few instances the sellers slipped in a few articles that hardly resembled rubber. A few of the patriotic sellers complained about the weights, and in most of the cases it was the penny-a-pound offer that brought results. An efficient state committee has named a man to head the rubber drive in this county, but the man moved away some weeks ago. The drive will continue through next week and all persons are urged to deliver every old tire and all other old rubber articles at once. It is planned to have the oil distributors to collect the material, pay the fill ing stations a penny a pound and place the collections into reclamation channels. First Quarter Liquor Sales Set New Reeord CENTRALIZATION Their activities greatly cur tailed during recent months, WPA authorities are discontin uing one of its divisions in the offices here and moving it to Raleigh as a part of a state wide centralization program. It could not be learned how many of the local office personnel will be transferred or what steps will be taken on or about July 1st to further curtail the WPA organization. Thousands of rec ords are being transferred to the Raleigh office today. Recommend Sate Of Wines Be Confined To County's Stores Belter Food ami Adequate Medical Attention for Tu bercular Patients The Martin County Grand Jury broke away from age-old precedents this week when under the guidance I of Foreman Henry S. Johnson. Jr., it pointed out needs and recom mended that those needs be attend ed to by the proper authorities. The action of the jury this week was recognized as a forward step in good government, the definite value to be determined when the jury meets and follows up its recommen Total Of $907,876.45 Ls SjH'iit For Liquor Since Stores Opened ? Sale* l^aat Quarter More Than A Thin! Greater Thau A Year Ago <*> Despite pleas and repeated appeals to the people to invest every avail able penny in bonds for the prosecu tion of the war, patrons snent more money for liquor last January, Feb ruary and March than they* did in any other first quarter period since | the legal stores were opened nearly seven years ago There wasn't a slight increase in sales last quarter j over those of the corresponding quarter a year ago; the increase re flects a gain of more than 35 per cent. Only in two other quarterly per iods?the one ending December 31, 1937 and the one ending December 31, 1941?were the sales greater than in the first three months of this year, j Reports state that sales in more re cent months show an even larger ' percentage gain. In the first quarter of this year, j the liquor sales totaled $53,152.95 as (compared with $35,152.95 sales're ? ported in the corresponding period, a year ago Profits jumped from $9, 089.93 in the three months of Jan uary, February and March, 1941, to i $14,178.95 for the more recent per I iod in comparison, according to the [official audit made for the Martin j County Alcoholic Beverage Control I Board and released just a short time ago. | Add the beer and wine and illegal liquor sales to the above, and the | figures will approximate $100,000 or j possibly more. It is fairly apparent | that more money is still being spent for alcoholic beverages than is be ing spent for education, religion and war bonds combined Liquor prices, it is pointed out, are slightly higher than they were a year ago, but the price increase is negligi ble compared with the gain in sales and the resulting consumption. A break-down of sales by stores shows that the marked increase was fairly general. The sales were re ported by stores, as follows for the first quarter in 1941 and the first While much of the report deals with routine inspections, the mem bers directly called to certain con ditions that should not be tolerated in a public-supported institution. "We recommend better toilet facili ties, better sterilization for kitchen and dishes, better nourishment for patients and also better medical at tention," the report reads in refer ence to the county tuberculosis san itarium. No one was called to an swer, but it is quite possible that some explanation will be asked if those conditions are not remedied before another grand jury inspec tion is made. During the meantime, public taxpayers are asking ques tions in an effort to learn why there aren't adequate facilities, nourish ing food and adequate medical atten tion provided for the patients. Coun ty authorities have made liberal ap propriations for the support of the institution and few taxpayers have ever grumbled about the expendi ture of funds at the institution. The grand jury pointed out in its good condition with the equipment at hand. Apparently recognizing the prob lem caused by promiscuous wine sales, the grand jury said, "Upon in vestigation, we wish to recommend that the county commissioners have all wine sales confined to ABC stores only, and all 1942 licenses refund ed." Other recommendations embodied in the report and in detail follow: (Continued on page six) RECORD SALE A land sale, reminding one of the land boom of a quarter cen tury ago, was confirmed by the courts here this week. Sixty seven acres of land In Griffins Township, about thirteen of which is cleared, was sold for M,tU The strategic location of the land with other holdings, was said to have boosted the price, one report stating that the farm, a part of the Alee Peel ?state, had very small allot The land was offered for sals several times, the bid being raised such time until just ? few weeks ago. (Continued on page six) # Fire Burns Tires Off Big Trailer Spreading in loose peanut hulls at the plant of Hie Wllllamston Peanut Company here, fire burned two and badly damaged two other large tires on a large transport truck Wednes day afternoon at 12:35 o'clock. No definite estimate on the damage could be had immediately, but the loss will approximate $450 The truck, owned by a Richmond firm, was being loaded with peanut hulls when the driver and workmen stopped for lunch. During the mean time, the hulls scattered on the ground caught fire in some way, the fire spreading to the rear part of the trailer. Called out, the fire de partment kept the fire from spread ing to the trailer body and although two tires were still inflated they were considered of little value af ter going through the fire Disconnecting the trailer, the driv er returned home in the truck. ? Geti Divorce After Lonft Period Of Separation The marital life of Lee King Wil liams and his wife, Naomi, was short lived but it took the husband a long time to sever the matrimonial bonds. Married in 1931, the couple separ ated within three weeks. Last Mon day, the husband applied for a di vorce in the superior court of this j county and got it. UNCLE SAM BATTLING TO UPHOLD America's Freedom THE 27TII WEEK OF THE WAR The Office of Price Administra tion fixed July I. 2 and 3 us the dates for motorists in the Eastern States and the District of Columbia to register for their new gasoline ra tion books The permanent rationing system in the East becomes effect ive July 15th, and the unit value of existing ration cards was doubled to six gallons to carry motorists to this date The OPA said motorists who hold A or B cards and hav? used all the units on them will not be able to get any more gasoline for the next 30 days unless they show need to a local rationing board. Only A books will be issued by school registrars. Supplemental B and C permanent ration books, and bus and truck's books, will be issued by local rationing boards any time between July 1 and 15. These books will be "tailored" to fit needs of in dividual motoristfc and companies, the office said. B^books containing 16 additional coupons will have variable expiration date; (' books containing as many as 96 additional coupons will be issued for three I months, but coupons in excess of mo torists actual needs will be ivmov ed before the book is Bus and truck's books will be good for I four months and'will cover just en ough fuel for the mileage allowed in forthcoming ODT regulations. Gas oline service station operators will be required to turn over to suppliers the exact number of stamps for the amount of gasoline delivered to their stations. Rubber and Oil President Roosevelt ordered an m tensive -drive this week and next to collect from homes, offices, farms and factories all articles of rubber tli.it have been oi can be discaided The scrap rubber is being collected by the nation's gasoline filling sta tions, transported to central collec tion points by petroleum industry trucks and sold to the Rubbery Re covery Corporation. Filling stations are paying a cent a pound for the rubber. Under-Secretary of War Pat terson reported Army and Navy crude rubber requirements during the 21 months after April 1, 1942, will be tons, compared with the present U. S. reserve of 600,000 tons. He said he hoped the differ ence would be made up by the syn thetic production program. Commerce Secretary -ones said the RFC will finance the construc tion of a 24 inch pipeline from Loitg view, Texas, to Salem, 111., at an es timated cost of $35 million. The pipeline will be completed Decem ber 1 and will have a capacity of 300,000 barrels a day. II will require 125,000 tons of steel, the WPB said, but will not interfere with steel de liveries for Army. Navy and Mari time Commission heed Mr. Jones said necessary personnel to con struct and operate the line will be fdrnished by the industry. Civilian Supply The WPB limited the use of steel in the manufacture of baby car riages and prohibited the use of any other metal, rxcept gold and silver in such manufacture'. The Board placed similar restrictions on pro duction of liturgical articles such as crucifixes, chalices and candlesticks. Deliveries of welding rods and elec trodes were restricted to orders with high preference ratings, or to speci fied government agencies and ac credited schools of welding. The board prohibited use of any but low alloy steels in manufacture of chis els, hammers, punches\ and other teels, and prohibited after Septem ber 1, production of mattresses or pads containing iron or steel. Office of War Information Established President Roosevelt created an Of fice of War Information, headed by Elmer Davis writer and radio-com Imentator, who was given authority to direct all the war information functions of the government. The new agency will consolidate the functions and duties of the Office iof Facts and Figures, the Office of Government Reports, the Foreign In formation Service of the Office of the Coordinator of Information, and certain activities of the Division of Information in the Office for Em ergency Management, ?? Foreign Relations The White House announced the President and Russian Foreign Com missar Molotov reached "full under standing with regard to the urgent tasks of opening a second European front?in 1942" at discussions held in Washington from March 29 to June 4. In addition, the President and Mr. Molotov discussed measures for speeding y. S. war aid to the I Soviet Union and the fundamental problems of postwar cooperation to safeguard "peace and security to the freedom loving peoples. Both sides state with satisfaction the unity of their views on all these questions," the announcement said. The State Department reported the U. S. and the Soviet Union have signed a lend lease agreemeilt similar to those be tween the U. S and Britain and (Continued on page six) Civilian Defense Is Stressed At Meeting Kemp Battle Pleads For Cooperation In All-Out War Effort Wi-iIiwmIu) Mi't'tiii): ill Com-I Iioiim' SIiohi- l'|> Weak Spols in I'.ffort Martin County lias done much to promote the war effort in the way of collecting two and a quarter mil lion pounds, of scrap metal and buy ing slightly in excess of its bond quo tas, but at .1 civilian defense meet ing held in the county courthouse on Wednesday evening the sad part of the program was frankly admitted, representatives of the state civilian defense office pleading at that time for a greater and more willing co operation on the part of everyone in an all-out war effort behind the front lines. Called at the direction nf Hugh G Morton, county civilian defense chairman, and his coordinator, W Ivcrson Skinner, the meeting was fairly well attended. Mayor John I. Hassell welcoming the visitors from various parts of the county Chair man Hbrtcrn catted for two or three reports on the progress of the de fense effort. C. D. Carstarphen, county bond sale chiarnvan, stated that the May quota was more than subscribed, but he did not say that June sales were lagging. Tom Bran don, county agent, reported that 2, 250,800 pounds of scrap metal had been delivered up until a short time ago N V. Chambltss, of the State OCD, was introduced,'and he compliment ed Martin County for the work that had?boon?done,?but?-4he sad?part about it is that you have had only 52 persons to volunteer their serv jees and 8? of them worn womim " Chambliss said. He pleaded with the group to volunteer, explaining that many were needed to aid in manning the observation posts. "We come here to tell you the why of civilian defense. You may take it or leave it, hut don't get the idea that you won't need it," he concluded. Major Dewey Ilorriii, U. S. A , ex plained the air raid warning sys tem, explaining that the Army had arranged to notify the people of the approach of the enemy, but when the warning had been sounded, it was up to the individual community to look out for its own defense. Of course, the army will do all in its power to turn back and defeat tin* enemy, hut in the event enemy bombers get through and lay waste to your town it will be up to you to dig from under the debris and (wire for your own victims. _ ''Only-tine time in-history-haii the American flag been pulled down in defeat," the major, referring to Cor rcgidor, said in prefacing a detailed explanation of the air raid warning System. He pleaded for a greater co operation that the defeat might be avenged. "On an average there is an observation post every six square miles or about 11,000 in North Car olina," the Army man said, explain irig thai in addition to information picked up in distant places ;?nd hy Navy and Coast Guard patrols and mechanical detectors, the observers report to their "filter" centers the movement of planes. "If enemy planes are spotted," Major Herrin continued, "they are reported to the Civilian Air Raid Warning Officer who determines where and when on the basis of the information receiv ed to order a warning. He offered a detailed explanation of the system which prove'd interesting, and add ed that the system was working well until it got to the control centers where the civilian defense had mis (Continued on page six) b Stations Closing Barely struggling along under normal conditions, at least ten fill ing stations in this county have al ready closed as a result of the war. Their deliveries reduced fifty per cent and more in some cases, the op erators found it impossible to keep their doors open. Several of the proprietors and some of their em ployees have joined the ranks of de fense workers. Very few stations are making more than their operating expenses, and some are actually remaining open at a loss, It is quite likely that more stations will suspend opera tions in vthe course of a few weeks or months. ? Loral Man'* Relative l? Hero fn Midway Battle Lieutenant Harry Hunter Fitts, of Macon, N. C., and a cousin of D. R. Davis, of this place, has been ranked as North Carolina's No. 1 war hero. Serving as a bombardier in the nose of an army B-17 bomber, the 25-year-old University of North Carolina graduate is credited with sinking a Jap plane carrief in the battle of Midway. MISSING Wilmer Thomas (Hover, 22 year old son o| Mr. and Mrs. F. I,, Clover, ol near Oak City, was re|ior(e(l missing Ironi the carrier "Lexington" last Satur day following the Coral Sea bat tle on May K. Despite the dis couraging report, the young man's family still clings to the hope that he was saved. An eve witness to the battle had the fol lowing to say about the young man and his 1,888 mates: "From the keel to the Admiral's bridge on the 33,000-ton carrier there was no man who failed to rise far above normal human cour age." Yoini^ Man Loses Lei I Leji ^ lien Hit By Train Sunday l^iy llosidc Truck For Sever al Hours; In Kx|mtI<mI To KecoYer His left leg completely severed from lus body when struck by a train near Plymouth some time early Sunday -morning, James Clarence | flardison, 22, was said today to be resting well in a Washington bos Ipital, where be was taken after lie had been found several hours after | the accident Attending physicians | give him a splendid chance to reeov I cr from Ins injuries, although it is regarded as a miracle that lie was ever found alive. Young Hafdison, still suffering f rom she >ck. has ?oi_ been ah In to re member all the events loading lip tp the accident, and his story becomes all tin more remarkable when at tempts are made to piece together such details as are known. It is un derstood that young Hardison, son of Mr. and Mrs. Will Hardison, for merly of this 'county, who live on the farm of Sidney A. Ward about three miles each of Plymouth, left Juih.ipcr Lodge some time after mid night Sunday and started down the "Norfolk Southern railroad toward his home. It is believed that he may have gone to sleep on the tracks and was struck by a train which passed some time between 2 and .r) a m. QQ Sunday His left leg was completely severed about the knee, remaining between the rails, while he was knocked or fell on some weeds-down a slight embankment. Hardison says he remembers ly ing on the ground and calling for help for several hours However, it was after (i o'clock Sunday morning before he was found, the son of La ate Roebuck, who lives nearby, hearing his cries and making the discovery. Hardison was conscious when approached by the Rnebnck hoy and asked for water Young Roe buck brought him a drink of water and thun rode his bicycle to the home of Hardison's parents, who secured an ambulance and returned for the injured young man. It was nearly 7:30 before he was finally carried to the office of I)i T L. Hray, where In- was given first aid and then sent (Continued on page six) BOM) SAI.KS Aligned a quota of $24,500, Martin County people last month bought a total of $37,543.75 worth of war bonds or $13,043.75 In excess of the designated obliga tion. This month the quota for the county is $36,100 and unleaa business picks up and picks up in a big way the purchases will fall far short of the goal. Bond Sale Chairman C. I). Carstar phen stating yesterday that It is evident now that the excess for May will not offset the decrease in June. Several large purchases were made in Ihe county last month, boosting the total. No such pur chases have been made so far, and It Is now up to thr little man to take over and pat the county over the top. Another Momentous Turning Point in the ^ar Believed Near |{ii?ftiuii? Hurl liark Cermun* \t Sfvanlnpol; Hriti*li I?m> in I.ihva Ear-reaching developments are making for another momentous turning point in the war as the fate of the woild now hangs in the bal ance i?n far flung battle fronts and in diplomatic eireles thousands of miles apart I ate news front the war fronts is both encouraging and disheartening, making it almost impossible for one to realize the real meaning of pend ing developments Russia, its forces bleeding and pledging to fight to the last soul" has hurled the Germans back at Se vastopol Allied force, .-.cored a suc cess tn a Mediterranean sea battle, but the convoys reached Tobruk too late The Supreme Soviet has rati fied a pact with the British and the United States, and Prime Minister Churchill is in Washington presum ably to discuss plans for opening a second front. It is virtually admit - ted: that the Germans hav< won the Libyan campaign The situation outline holds the fate of the world for years and years to come If the Allies are suc cessful there is still hope for sav ? "U something from the wreckage ? If Germany pushed on into Egypt, takes the Suez and gains control of the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, the preview of another and far reaching story will have been, writ ten. With the main British army chas ed out of Libya, Tobruk is now sur rounded and under attack, the de fenders admitting that their resist ance will hardly hold out for any length of time Given Tobruk. the Germans will have moved then supply line northward by at least 700 miles and offer marked :iHv;iii tages in starting a drive into the middle east Any pl.-ms tin- (Iminnv n< m: . hun-. for an autumn onslaught depend on their ability to divert sufficient men and armor from Europe. Should the Middle East fall, the Axis not only Would gain the food and oil resources of this area, but both the east and west gates to the Indian Ocean, thus opening the way for Germany to get much needed rubber, tin and other materials from the far Pacific territory controlled now by Japan. That is why holding this gateway is so vital to Allied victory and why there may be American armored troops here by fall to supplement the American air combatant:- already here That the Axis in a little mole than (Continued on page six) Rev. John VL Hardy Heads Second I ISO Campaign In County 1 Citi/.ciiH of Founty Are AhIumI To Kaine S I, KM) For I SO Program <?? Reporting u growing need for an enlarged USO program to care for the needs of young men in the arm ed services. National leaders are making extensive plans for a sec ond drive for funds The Rev .John W. Hardy, William ston minister, has accepted an ap pointment from Governor J. Mel ville Broughton to lead the USO drive for Martin County The an nouncement was made last week by William Gaither, chairman of the district. Governor Broughton is honorary chairman and George M. Ivey of Charlotte is state chairman for North Carolina. ? MartinCounlv's miotn for this? year is $1100. The goal in the nation wide USO War Fund Campaign, which will be launched throughout the country on May 11, is $32,000, 000. Of this sum, North Carolina has been asked to contribute $444,000. Last year, with a state quota of $125,000, the national goal being $10,000,000, this state oversubscrib ed its goal by raising $170,000. Mr. Ivey and his chairmen are confident that North Carolina can be counted on again this-year to raise, or sur pass, the new total which has been set. John D. Rockefeller, Jr., is honor ary chairman in the nationwide cam paign and Prescott S. Bush, of New York City is national campaign chairman. The USO is not an end in itself, not merely an instrument of a number of social agencies, but in effect " a civilian arm of the Am erican Government, and representa tive body through which the Amer ican people, themselves, can support our lighting forces^ said Mr. Rocke feller, in accepting his appointment. Six agencies known throughout the nation for their effective works as welfare agencies comprise the unit ed effort, including the Young Men's Christian Association, the National Catholic Community Service, the Salvation Army, the Young Woman's Christian Associations, the Jewish Welfare Board, and the National Travelers Aid Association.