THE ELKIN TRIBUNE '
AVT> RVHVFRO RKCORI>
Published Every Thursday by
KLK PRINTING COMPANY. Inc.
Blkin. N. C. .
THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 1933
Entered at the post office at Elkin. N. C.. as
matter.
• V I
C. 8. POSTER I'resldem
H. F. .....Secretary-Treasurer
SUBSCRIPTION RATES, PER YEAK
•to the State, »i.50 Out of the State. $2.K»
Maybe Japan will have a harder time getting
out of China than she's now having in getting in.
Just as soon aS^,Charlotte gets the Mint ques
tion settled, the Mefcklenburgers can then turn !
to the other makings.
When the Leas are finally landed in our!
state prison, they being brothers in the great
newspaper fraternity, we will have to refer to
them as house-guests rather than in-mates.
The Wisconsin guy who went home to din
ner and found nothing to eat and his frau sitting
at a table fitting together a jig-saw puzzle, gave;
the table a kick that scattered the jigs to all
corners of the room. Whattaman!
Officers seem to think the fact that a car
comes from the State of Wilkes is prima facie
evidence that liquor is a part of its cargo. The
law stopped one the other day, and, finding no
booze, the driver was arrested under the claim;
that his Adam's apple contained hard cider.
Huey Long is not only a liability to the:
United States Senate but an expensive toy. Last
week he came back from his election contest in
Louisiana and took up thirty-three pages of the
valuable Congressional Record and a day's time
in telling his colleagues about it.
This from Frederick William Wile: "The
story is told that a wild-eyed applicant for admis
sion to the United States made the surprising
statement that he was a citizen of heaven and
that the paper he presented was a passport signed
by St. Peter. When asked if he had his passport
vised by an American consul, he replied: "There
is no American consul in heaven!'"
It Must Let Up
That the people of the state have just about
reached the end of endurance in the matter of the
present tax burden, was never more evident than
by the sentiment that was displayed when a
large number of the business men of Elkin
gathered at Hotel Elkin Wednesday to tal over
the problem, and plan for a remedy.
It seems to be the idea of our legislators
that the function of Jtheir office is to tax to keep
up with the expense of operation, rather than to
make the expense fit the income.
The slogan of the Elkin meeting was: No
increased taxation! Economy in expenditures!
Balance the budget! And this is the cry of every
tax burdened citizen of the state.
With the reduced income of our industries
and farmers, further tax burdens, whether in the
form of a sales tax, income tax, property tax or
what not, cannot be shouldered by the taxpayers.
Our representatives at Raleigh, as demon
strated by this meeting, should know in no un
certain manner just what is expected of them.
Bqpiness cannot stand further taxation.
Appearances Deceive
Visitors from abroad passing through our
cities, towns and rural sections profess to see
little indication that we have passed (or are
passing as the case may be) through a depres
sion. Employing two or three times as many
motor cars as all the rest of the world combined;
more provisions in'storage than any nation on
earth; more acres under cultivation, and more
hoarded money, maybe we shouldn't be growling
a lot about our unhappy condition.
The truth of the matter is that we are de
termined to look upon the dark side, and culti
vate a frown for those who are inclined to voice
optimism. Dr. Julian Miller, relating the obser
vations of a Charlotte citizen back from Eng
land puts these wOrds in his mouth: "The Brit
ish seem to be happier than we are. Playing at
their games, attending the theatres, giving win
dows to their aspirations, the English at least
have their heads up. It may be that they have
been down in the dumps so much longer than
Americans that new skin is growing over the
old wounds. Or it may be that they have devel
oped a system of dealing with the burdens of
the times that beats ours, if we have any. Or it
may be that they know better than Americans
how to take it on the chin."
Americans are noted for 1 their sportsman
ship, but it is hare} to be a good sport with an
empty stomach, and there are a lot of these es
pecially in the congested centers. Most of our
grief may come from the fact that our flivver is
afflicted with yellow fever, and must be stored
for a season. We. yearn for the wide-open
spaces, and are temporarily out of humor.
But the clouds will lift, beginning Satur
day, the date of the inaugural. Mr. Roosevelt
has promised us a new deal. As the deck is
stacked now we have too few jobs and too much
taxes. Maybe the new administration will be
able to shuffle a better hand. Some of these
days the job problem will be solved, and some of
these days our taxpayers will get the ear of our
leaders and something will.be done about taxes.
In the meantime, let's take it on the Chin,
standing up.
Would Harness the Streams
Our readers will remember that in these
columns we have said right much in advocacy of
farm fish ponds. We continue to believe that
around half the farms in Surry county could em
ploy them to the help and profit of the owners.
But "a prophet is not without honor save in his
own country," and so far as we know, none of
our farmer friends have gone to the trouble to
prove that we are wrong.
' But here comes a Charlotte man with a dou
ble-barrel proposal that ought to work. What
Mr. Roosevelt plans to do with the Tennedee
Valley development project, Mr. Hughes, of
Charlotte, hopes to do some day in a small way
with the hundreds of tiny .streams criss-crossing
the South. While Roosevelt would build sea-like
lakes, Hughes would build fish ponds with little
poWer houses at the dam to light farm houses
and turn rural machinery.
Mr. Hughes would impound the streams at
the springheads, the ponds acting as a sort of
reservoir and a place for food fish. These ponds
would empty ihto larger lakes down stream at
the junction with other streams, where small
power plants would be installed, the units fol
lowing in sequence until the streams enter into
the great power developments now in operation.
'The day is not far distant when we will
realize the value of this suggestion. Piedmont
North Carolina is especially adapted to the pro
ject and simplified electrical equipment will be
built to meet the need when it is apparent that
our people are awake to the possibilities embodied
in the plan.
In a neighbor county a few days ago we
were privileged to inspect a clever arrangement
that is possible on many other farms. A farm
home perched on a hill has running water from
an excellent spring below by a home-made ram.
On the other side of the home a small stream
has been harnessed and a miniature power plant
installed which lights the home and turns mis
cellaneous machines about the home. For more
than fifty years water had been carried from
t the spring for the dinner table and kerosene
i lamps had furnished light to read the bed-time I
prayer. An enterprising young buck back from
college caught the vision that changed these
things, and the initial cost was not only meager,
but it was practically the only cost for years to
come.
What this young fellow did to make things
easier for his parents can be done on many other
farms. It would pay our ruralists to try out
some of these suggestions. It is essential that
they blaze new trails to meet the needs of this
new day.
The Trials of a Politician
Senator Robert R. Reynolds, "Our Bob" is
beginning to know something of what it means
!tobe a politician. Having undergone the pain
1 attending his recent house cleaning among his
office force, made necessary because of the jeal
ousies and cross purposes of those supposed to
provide a smooth-working office machine, Sen
ator Reynolds was next faced with the patronage
problem.
And there was the rub. His advance notice
that he would recommend two personal friends,
both from Asheville, for two of the choicest
plums, has brought forth a storm of criticism
that will likely develop into open revolt unless
Robert finds a way to change his mind and back
track.
Mr. Reynolds authorized the statement that
he would recommend the appointment of McGee
Cooper for United States Marshal, and Marcus
Ervin for District Attorney. They are both
from Asheville, but neither are considered rep
resentative of their party.
Democratic leaders in Senator Reynolds'
own county, and those of adjoining counties are
up in arms about it, and the error is so plausi
ble that it takes only the best of the tom-toms
to arouse other antagonisms, especially in sec
tions where other candidates for these juicy
places are surrounded by fighting friends.
We have great faith in Bob's ability to ad
just himself in the Senate, and deem it a pity
that he must be faced with these vexing ques
tions on his honeymoon, or maybe, that he has
undertaken to solve them the way he has.
The Elkin Schools
The Elkin school has made marked progress
during the past session. In the opinion of those
Who are in touch with the situation it is a matter
of general comment that our citizens are getting
to be better informed as to the finer points of
school operation, and are taking a greater in
terest in the educational development of our fu
ture citizens.
The credit for this better understanding of
school work has, in our opinion, been brought
about by the active and constant work of Super
intendent Walter R. Schaff, with the able assis
tance of a well prepared and sympathetic faculty.
Mr. Scfcaff has set an example of tireless effort
in public service to his co-workers and to this
community. Under his leadership we are looking
forward to continued success in our school sys
tem.
Elkin is to be congratulated that the Board
of Education of Elkin has re-elected Mr. Schaff
to serve for the 1933-34 term.
If the legislature keeps messing with our
marriage laws we will have to quit referring to
! marriage as a union, because it will be an open
shop.
Add to the list of cads: the fellow who bor
rowed money from a Florida bank to buy real
estate in California.
Those interested in demolishing the game
laws in North Carolina, should remember that
the closed season for lame ducks expires March
4th. '
THE ELKIN TRIBUNE. ELKIN. NORTH CAROf JNA
Now For Some Wood Sawing b j A&eri T - Raid
♦ i i M . ——
m
PEOPLES' COLUMN
The Tribune does not necessar
ily endorse any article under this
heading bat welcomed at all times
communications of interest to its
readers and the general public.
'
REAL ESTATE
Real estate is the foundation of
wealth. Up until comparatively re
cent times real estate was the per
manent investment sought by prac
tically all who were fortunate
enough to have a surplus.
Frequently a citizen wanted only
the land that joined that which he
owned, watching for an opportun
ity to get a mortgage on the land
adjoining in order to ultimately
own the property. The careful in
vestor preferred above government
bonds obligations secured by real
estate, not with the expectation of
taking over the property, but to
| keep his funds at work—bringing
I him a moderate income without
risk or anxiety.
Land reached the highest price of
all time in 1919 and 1920 when
farms were at the highest. Farm
and timber lands never recovered
from the slump of 1920 while city
property held its own. In fast
growing cities the real estate soared
to unheard of prices, but during the
period 1921 to 1931 farm acreage
continued to decline in price while
city property did not drop until
about 1928 when it declined rapid
ly.
Indications are that the depres
sion has spent itself and that bet
ter times are ahead for all.
Real estate, especially farm land,
has taken on much activity during
the past six months. One is safe in
asserting that more farms have
changed hands within that period
than in five years proceeding. The
hopeful fact is that those who have
been investing in farms recently
have done so with the ultimate ex
pectation of living on the land.
Small tradesmen, salaried and la
boring people are turning to the
farm, taking advantage of the ex
tremely low prices prevailing.
This country has not gone to the
bow wows when people are willing
and anxious to work the soil in or
der to make an honest and credit
able living, and to establish homes
for themselves and children.
The farmer is coming back and
whdn he makes good the small town
shall also prosper. Farm land is
the lowest in 20 years and stands
today as the best investment possi
ble.
—A READER.
Elkin, N. C., February 21, 1933.
Hamptonville Route 1
News
Mrs. Connie Smith Is very ill with
the flu at this time.
Mr. apd Mrs. V. M. Weatherman
spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. E.
V. Southard.
J. V. Anthony visited W. F. Ash
ley Sunday.
J. C. Southard was the guest of
Miss Nellie Swaim Saturday night,
at her home near Swan Creek.
W. M. Southard spent Saturday
night and Sunday with Mr. and Mrs.
C .H. Haynes, at their home near
Jonesville.
Mr. and Mrs. Jones Seagraves
visited Mr. and Mrt. A. M. Johnson
Saturday night*
Mr. and Mr?. Ralph Talley are the
proud parents of a fine baby boy.
BRUMMITT PEEVED
ABOUT JURY ACTION
Expresses Distaste Oyer
Way Election Fraud
Case Handled
Stating that his office is without
authority to act further, Attorney-
General Dennis G. Brummit, in a
statement made Saturday at Ral
eigh, said that "practices such as
those indicated by the evidence" of
his investigation into last year's
primary in Surry county "assails
government at its very source."
In referring to the matter, the at
torney general expressed his distaste
for the way in which the Surry
county grand jury had handled the
case, returning no true bill and
ending the matter there insofar as
the jury was concerned.
"In the summary and analysis
sent Solicitor Higgins", he said in
part, "this office expressed its will
ingness to present its views with
respect to the particular statutes
violated, and aid and assist in pre
paration of the necessary bills of in
dictment, if desired by the solici
tor."
"We, of course, can proceed no
further in the matter. Only a soli
citor can send a bill of indictment to
a grand jury. Under the constitu
tion this office can not and does not
seek to do that."
Brummitt said only one present
ment had been made to the Surry
county grand jury, against F. F.
Riggs, registrar in the Dobson dis
trict who was charged with rece v
ing $l7O from N. S. Mullican, can
didate for the Democratic nomina
tion for state senator, but the grand
jury did not find a true bill.
He said his investigation had re
vealed a "very general disregard of
the requirements of law with res
pect to procuring a handling and
casting of absentee ballots," and
cited instances of alleged violations
of the absentee ballot law.
The attorney general concluded
his statement by saying no action
had been taken to prosecute.
Cycle News
Chopping wood and sowing plant
beds is the businesss of the farmer
at this timd.
A large crowd attended church at
Mountain View Saturday and Sun
day. Mr. Blaylock, reurned mis
sionary of the Independent Baptist
church, was with the Oak Grove
people Sunday evening.
Mrs. M. C. Dobbins is still im
proving slowly, after suffering a
second relapse from influenza.
Frank Groce is in feeble health
from the infirmities of age.
Rev. W. V. Brown and some of
the Mountain View people held a
service Sunday afternoon in the
home of James Shore for his , sick
wife, who has been an invalid for
10 years. The service was enjoy 3d
by ail who were present.
Mr. and Mrs. T. N. Vanhoy were
visitors Sunday in the home of Mr.
and Mi's. John Vanhoy.
Mi&s Carrie Fuik, of Winston-
Salem. spent the week-end with
Mißssea Rachael and Lillian Stokfes.
Perry Morgan, our state Sunday
school secretary, and Mr. L. L. Mor
gan, field worker in the Sunday
Thursday, March 2, 1936
schools of North Carolina, spent
Sunday evening at the home of Rev.
W. V. Brown. They are working in
the interest of a Sunday school re
vival in the Brier Creek and South
Yadkin associations.
The Oak Grove baseball team
played the Shore team on the lat
ter's diamond Friday afternoon; the
score being 24 to 4 in favor of
Shore. While Shores seems to be
very much in the lead the Oak
Grovers played well, and we are ex
pecting to hear more from them in
the field of athletics.
Arlington News
3
A large crowd attended Fall
' Creek Sunday School Sunday.
5 Miss Dina Swaim, of Swan Creek,
r visited her brother, Herman Swaim,
! last Wednesday.
1 Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Haynes spent
3 the week-end with Mrs. Haynes'
mother, Mrs. Frank Swaim, of
; Knobs.
l Mrs. Frank Myers, of Pea Ridge,
• spent the week-end with her daugh
t ter, Mrs. William Ashley.
> Miss Shirley Shore, of LongC&wn,
■ spent Friday with her sister, Mrs.
■ Willie Bell.
Rev. I. W. Vestal and family
spent the week-end with Mrs. Ves
i tal's brother, Jesse Adams, of Bur
lington.
Miss Esda Ashley spent Sunday
with Miss Shirley Shore, at Long
town.
The young people surprised Miss
Angle Haynes with a birthday party
last Saturday night.
Miss Mae Ashley spent the week
end with 'Misses Fannie and Addle •
Myers at Pea Ridge.
Mr. and Mrs. Willie Bell visited
in Longtown Sunday.
Mrs. Gene Haynes visited friends
in Arlington last Wednesday.
The many friends of Gus *ost6r
will be glad to know that he is is
much improved.
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Haynes
and little son, Larry, of Elkin, spent
Monday evening with Mrs. Gene
Haynes.
Jonesville Basketeers
Defeat Courtney Team
In a fast game Friday the Jones
ville boys basketball team defeated
a strong aggregation from Courtney
by a score of 41 to 20. The Jones
ville girls reversed the victory by
losing the same date to the tune of
16 to 68.
Jonesville boys will play tomorrow
(Friday) evening a fast team from
Walkertown. The girls will play
Boonville. Saturday Jonesville plays
Walnut »Cove at Elkin.
S. P. U. To Stage
Demonstration
Housewives of Elkin, Jonesville
and vicinity are invited to attend a
demonstration of small electrical ap
pliances which will be staged at the
Southern Public Utilities company
here Tuesday afternoon at 2:30
o'clock.
Miss Charlotte Mobley. of Char
lotte, will be in charge of the dem
onstration and will show the
economy and convenience of tfmall
electric appliances as 'well as the
proper way in which they should be
used for best results.