BUY AND SELL IN ROCKY MOUNT, TRADE CENTER OF EASTREN CAROLINA
m. ■
p VOLUME 1. NO. 28.
Talking Tobacco With
The Tobacc
Every Effort Is Being Made
To Take Care Of The
(. Small Grower
Hlh ' _____
(By Ben Kilgore)
A flood of letters from tobacco
i, farmers has poured into the Tobac
co Section of the AAA since the
passage of the Kerr-Smith Tobacco
Act. Since this far-reaching and
.pioneering measure appears to be
(uppermost in your minds right
now, I'd like to give you my ideas
•. on some of its important provi
sions. You can disagree, if you like.
This is a friendly personal visit
and not an official lecture.
Huma|i nature forges to the
front in most of these letters. Noa
; cooperating tobacco farmers are
seeking * loop-hole t 0 escape the
tax and are asking that their case
be made an exception. A great
many of these are doomed to disap
pointment. If they can secure an
equitable base under the reduction
contract, the law clearly states they
will not be allotted tax-payment
warrants, unless they sign a con
s' tract. Large growers, especially,
who wish to escape payment of the
tax, should take advantage of the
extension of time to sign a reduc
tion contract. The final day is July
28 or thirty days from the signing
•of the bill by Preisdent Roosevelt.
This seems fair enough to me. I
see no logical reason why large or
| .small growers who can qualify for
an equitable base, should fare bet
ter than cooperating growers, who
have reduced acreage! and have
made higher prices possible. In my
opinion these growers should sign
•wp or should take their medicine
without complaining.
Every effort will be made to take
care of small growers who, through
circumstances beyond their control,
were unable to qualify for an equi-.
table base, under the reduction
program. This is right and is the
human thing to do. After all the
"New Deal" stresses human values
and the greatest good to the largest
number.
Contracting growers will receive,
without applying for them, tax
payment warrants to cover their
poundage allotment under their
contracts. Additional allotments, up
to six per cent of those issued to
contracting growers, will be issued
to non-contracting growers, who
could not qualify for a fair allot
ment. Non-contracting giCwers—
tenants or landowners—should
make application immediately for
these tax-payment warrants to
their county agent or their county
tobacco committee. Two-thirds of
the warrants to non-contract sign
ers shall be to small growers,
whose allotments are 1500 pounds
or less. The balance ca n go to small
growers, also, if the county tobacco
(Please turn to page four)
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THE HERALD.
The Rocky Mount Herald
Merchant Found
Dead At His Safe
Rocky Mount Police Think He
Was Killed Just As He
Opened Depository
George E. Spruill, 59, formerly a
Baptist minister but more recently
operating a grocery store here, was
found crouched before his safe ear
ly Monday, his skull crushed with
blows from a sharp instrument that
police think was an axe.
Receipts of Saturday's sales were
missing and a jury hastily
moned by Coroner W. C. Gulley of
Nashville, concluded that he was
murdered and fixed robbery as the
motive.
The body was discovered at 7
o'clock Monday by Henry Gray, Ne
gro, who went to the store to make
a purchase. Police think Spruill was
killed as he opened the door of his
safe. John Ellen, son-in-law of th(
slain man, said that he drove
Spruill to the store at 11 o'clock
Sunday night and that afterwards
he heard him moving about, ap
parently preparing for bed. He
slept in the store regularly. The bed
had been slept in and Spruill was
fully clother when the body was
found.
Bowen Dorsey, state prison fin
ger-print expert, was summoned
from Raleigh to aid in the investi
gation and blood hounds were used
in a fruitless hunt in a wooded sec
tion near the city in which officers
believed that the killer was hiding.
Chief of Police O. P. Hedgepeth
declined to comment on whether the
police had suspects in mind but in
dicated that several persons would
probably be questioned. No arrests
have been made.
Funeral services *were held here
Tuesday afternoon at 4:30 with
Rev. J. W. Kincheloe, pastor of the
First Baptist church and Rev. W.
O. Ros.ser, Baptist minister of
Smithfield, in charge.
Spruill was an alumnus of Woke
Forest College of the class of 1900
and was formerly a student in the
Baptist Theological Seminary in
Louisville, Ky. He had been in
business here for a number of
years.
He is survived by one daughter,
Mrs. John Ellen, of this city.
Captaift Bowen Dorsey, State
Prison* finger-print expert, who
was called on the Spruill murder,
said he was unable to obtain any
clear prints from the safe. He did
obtain some prints, however, but
they were not distinct.
o
GEORGE BURTON WILL
DISCUSS TRIP ABROAD
AT ROTARY MEETING
George A. Burton, local tobac
conist, will address the regular ses
sion of the Rotary Club Friday
night at 6:30 o'clpck in the Ricks
hotel dining room, according to
announcement by Dr. W. B. Kin
law, chairman of the program com
mittee.
Mr. Burton will discuss interna
tional relations as observed on his
recent trip abroad.
o
.NO ARGUMENT
Atty-General Dennis G. Brum
mitt and Commissioner of Revenue
A. J. Maxwell are the State Capi
tal's best-known debaters. But on
one important state question they
agree. Mr. Maxwell says: "I agree
with him that the absentee voting
privilege should be repealed out
right." More and more citizens are
joining them i n their belief. No
other feature of North Carolina's
election laws is more dangerous to
fair elections in the state.
ARSENIC KILLS GULLS
Portage la Prairier, Man.—Arse
nic, put out by farmers to kill
grasshoppers, has caused the death
of thousands of gulls in the Delta
Marshes. A colony of 20,000 gulls
, is said to have lost 18,000 birds.
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA, FRIDAY. J
State Board Of Elections Reports
The State Board of Elections, after visiting Carteret coun
ty and hearing evidence, state "that the Board does not find
evidence of corrupt practices in the primary election of June
2nd, but does find evidence of disregard of the requirements
of the elections laws, which, if persisted in, are calculated to
destroy the confidence of the people in the integrity of the
elections." The statement "that violations and disregard of
elections laws by the elections officials of Carteret county
are to such an extent, that if persisted in, are calculated to
destroy the confidence of the people in the integrity of elec
tions," is probably the strongest indictment that the Board
could have made against abuse of the elections laws and the
Absentee Ballot law, and if conditions had not been bad, the
State Board of Elections would not have made this statement,
for before making this statement they stated that the Board
did not find evidence of corrupt practices, even though they
stated that the condition was such that unless it was desisted
in, it would destroy the confidence of the people in the integ
rity of elections.
According to press reports, Carteret County has about an
equal amount of Democrats and Republicans, and in the re
cent primary, voted more Democrats than there were both
Republican and Democrats registered in Carteret County.
The State Board of Elections found, from evidence, that the
Absentee Ballot law was absolutely disregarded, as to the re
quirements in issuing same, and the Chairman of Carteret
County stated that he estimated at least twelve hundred
Republicans voted in the last primary. As many as fifty
absentee ballots were sent to one man, without even a receipt
being given for same. Mr. McLendon further stated, accord
ing to press reports, that he had found that one Justice of the
peace alone probated 246 affidavits in one day which he found
absolutely impossible for one magistrate to do. Yet, the board,
in its generosity, finds there was not evidence of corrupt
practices, but there was such an utter disregard of the law in
the voting in Carteret County, that if persisted in, would de
stroy the confidence of the people in the integrity of elec
tions. This report alone, shows that the absented ballot law
should be abolished, except in cases of extreme illness.
In the recent primary for Congress in the Fourth Judicial
District, we were informed that as many as five hundred
votes by absentee ballot were sent out of Washington, and
practically all of them were marked in favor of Mr. Pou, the
machine being in favor of Mr. Pou, and when the machine is
in favor of a candidate, they control the absentee ballot, and
they are generally issued in favor of the candidate that the
machine favors.
PATROL SHOULD ATTEND DUTIES ON HIGHWAY AND
NOT LEAD PARADES
In a recent editorial, appearing in one of the leading State
papers, the following statement was made: "The Mayor of
Chicago has put an end in that city to flying parades of dig
nitaries behind motorcycle officers roaring behind sirens "
This practice, th e i,aid, fs "small town." The report
further says: "That Chicagoans generally welcome the edict
as a relief to ears and the nerves and the elimination as an
affront to dvic dignitaries." North Carolina, too, would wel
come the elimination of this "small town" pageantry to
which too great an extent the Highway Patrol has devoted
itself."
This practice of having the Highway Patrol to proceed in
front of the Governor and other lesser dignitaries at a high
rate of speed and the blowing of trumpets and sirens, was
iirst inaugurated by Governor 0. Max Gardner and is still
being used by his successors in office, which has been desig
*/r ? ve ' Mayor of Chicago, as "small town" stutf.
Mr. Clark, of the Statesville Landmark, stated that if the
Highway Patrol, which h e called "State Paterrollers" would
go on and attend to their duties on the highway, instead of
parading on special occasions, travel would be safer and there
would be less accidents and casualties upon the thorough
lares. We do not know who is responsible for this, whether it
be under the direction of Captain Farmer, the Chairman of
the Highway Commission o?the Chief Executive, but it looks
like it has become too general and in some instances, quite a
nuisance. H
Recently the Governor was expected in Rocky Mount, to
attend Rocky Mount s gala event, the June German. Some
of the officers and patrolmen took up their beat along some
ot the principal streets and were there a long tim e before the
Governor was even expected, asking people to not stop on
that street, that the Governor was expeced to pass that way
On reliable information, we are informed that one of Rockv
Mount s most prominent ladies drove down Church Street
about six o'clock in the afternoon and wanted to stop lonir
enough to make a call, and she was informed by one of the
traffic group that she could not stop in that street, as the
Governor was expected to pass that way. This was about six
o clock and we are reliably informed that the Governor did
not appear until about seven o'clock, or later. Now this was
not the Governor s fault, but it is the condition that those in
authority should see that it is not repeated, as it might put
Rocky Mount in the "small class" group.
Funds Awarded For
Finishing Airport
Definite assurance was given to
day from Washington Rocky
Mount's airport would be complet
ed, when the Federal Relief Ad
ministration announced the allot
ment of $100,677 for completion of
airport projects in North Carolina.
No estimate of the exact amount
this city will receive has been
made.
The airport will not be finished
any sooner than planned, Mrs. R.
D. Bulluck, director of relief activ
ities here, stated, but many unex
pected improvements will be made
possible by the FERA allotment. It
is hoped, at the present, that the
(Please turn to page four)
Plan Program
For Farm Week
Several Thousand Expected
To Go To Raleigh For
Farm-Home Week
Several thousand North Carolina
farmers and farm women are look
ing forward to an "educational va
cation" at Farm and Home week at
SUte College, July 31 to August 4.
Periods of study in which they
will learn more about living an
abundant rural life, will be alter
nated with deightful recreational
activities and informal gatherings
in which they can chat with one
another about their experiences
(Please turn to page four).
LY 27, 1934.
Consider Street
Paving Program
Sections of Ten Streets Af
fected In Program To Be
Presented to Board
A pavfng program which will
embrace sections on ten different
streets in the city including ap
proximately 30,000 square yards or
more than two miles, will be pre
sented to the board of aldermen in
session on August 2 at which time
en ordinance will be considered for
the adoption of. the program, City
Manager Leslie B. Aycock an
nounced today.
The approximate cost of the pav
ing program has been placed at be
tween $B,OOO J*nd $lO,OOO with
money for labor expected from the
emergnecy relief administration.
The city has a sum of $B,OOO set
aside for such a program, the city
manager pointed out, while the
board of aldermen will be asked to
assess one-fourth of the total costs
against the property owners.
In a letter being mailed today to
property owners wh 0 will be af
fected the city manager calls" at
tention to the fact that any pro
pery owner who wishes to be heard
concerning the matter is invited to
be present to offer his views either
in person or writing at the August
2 meeting of the board.
The construction, Mr. Aycock has
pointed out, will be of a type simi
lar to that now being used exten
sively by the state highway com
mission in and around Rocky Mount
and is considered the least expen
sive.
By paving a small portion of the
unpaved streets each year, Mr. Ay
cock shows that no bond issue will
be necessary. He said that he was
hopeful that no serious objection to
the paving program as outlined will
be forthcoming.
The streets to be paved under the
present set-up, which will be pre
sented at the August 2 meeting of
the board, are as follows:
Western avenue, Villa to Pine
streets.
North Grace street, Thomas
street to Falls Road.
Villa street, Nash to Hammond
streets.
Pine street, Western to Sunset
avenue.
Clark street, Edgecombe street
Marigold street, Cokey road to
to Redgate avenue.
Edgewood street.
Buena Vista avenue, Clark street
to Cokey road.
Edgecombe street, Branch t 0
Marigold street.
Eastern avenue, Lexington to Ra
leigh streets.
Washington street, Bassett street
to A. C. L. Railway.
DOCTORS HOLD NO
HOPE FOR RECOVERY
OF MARIE DRESSLER
Santa Barbara, Calif. July 24.
The condition of Marie Dressier,
veteran film actress, critically ill
with cancer and heart trouble, was
reported unchanged today.
Dr. Franklin R. Nuzum said she
was in no immediate danger, but
holds no hope for her recovery.
o
DEMONSTRATION AGENT
TO SUPERVISE CANNING
Tarboro, 24.—Miss Cather
ine Millsaps, Home demonstration
agent, announced that the relief
workers who are aiding in canning
will can vegetables for those people
who desire t 0 have them canned
under the supervision of the can
ning leaders of the county. If it is
impossible for the vegetables to be
brought to Miss Millsaps' office in
the courthouse they will be called
for.
o
COUNTY AGENT SENDS
OUT COTTON CHECKS
Tarboro, July 25.—Herman W.
Taylor, Edgecombe county agent,
today announced that 602 cotton
checks amounting to $33,842.47
have been delivered from his office
here during the past three days.
All the cotton rental checks have
been received with the exception of
about 300 and all the tobacco rental
checks have been received with the
exception 0 f about 85.
PARAGRAPHS
PROBLEMS AT
Child Survey Is
Near Conclusion
Mrs. W. G. Williams Directs
Survey of Children in
City
Next week will mark the conclu
sion of a survey of children of
World War veterans and physically
handicapped children which began
six weeks ago under the direction
of the American Legion and Aux
iliary Child Welfare Service.
A period of three weeks was al
loted for the survey but as it wa3
not dbmpleted in that time an ex
tra three weeks was granted. Mrs.
Ruth Ricks Duty had charge of the
survey during the first three weeks
and Mrs. W. Gray Williams is now
directing activities with the assis
tance of Miss Sally Shoemaker.
The purpose of the survey is to
obtain an accurate and complete
record of the number of children
c f veterans and physically disabled
children in this section. Mrs. Wil
liams is directing the survey with
the aid and cooperation of various
local organizations including the |
Salvation Army, Welfare depart
ment, and churches of the city.
Information gathered in the sur
vey includes records of the child's
health and disabilities, approxi
mate income of veteran if employ
ed, need of the children, details of
veteran's war service, and mental
condition of the children.
Mrs. Williams reports that a
large number of children have been
found but that all have not yet
been reached and urges anyone who
knows any children who should be
included in the survey to report the
cases to her.
- o
CIVIL SERVICE
EXAMINATIONS
The United States Civil Service
Commission has announced open
competitive examinations as fol
lows:
Associate meteorologist, $3,200
to $3,800, assistant meteorologist,
$2,600 to> $3,200 a year, Weather
Bureau, Department of Agricul
ture. Closing date, August 21, 1934.
Community worker, and super
visory, head, and assistant com
munity workers, with salaries
ranging from $1,620 to $3,800 a
year, Indian Field Service, Depart
ment of the Interior. Closing date,
August 21, 1934.
The salaries named are subject:
to a deduction of not to exceed 5
per cent during the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1935, as a measure
of economy, and also to a deduction
of 3 1-2 per cent toward a retire
ment annuity.
All states except lowa, Vermont,
Virginia, Maryland, and the Dis
trict of Columbia have received less
than their quota of appointments
in the apportioned departmental
service in Washington, D .C.
Full information may be obtain
ed from A. D. Cuthrell, Secretary
of the United States Civil Service
Board of Examiners, at the post
office or customhouse in this city.
TOBACCO BARN
DESTROYED BY FIRE
Tarboro, July 23.—A tobacco
barn near Leggett belonging to Ru
rick Gammon was destroyed by
fire Friday night about seven
o'clock. The loss is estimated at
$7OO.
NOTICE
Those desiring to subscribe to The Rocky Mount
Herald may do so by sending $l.OO with name and
address to The Rocky Mount Herald, Rocky Mount.
N. C.
Town .State -Route No. ..
$l.OO PER YEAR
ON NATIONAL
WASHINGTON
TO CUT POWER RATES
COMPANIES* AMAZING ACTI
VITY
SENATORS WATCH KENNEDY
INVESTIGATION PAID
OPERATE RELIEF CANNERIES
NRA TO BE PERMANENT
WHEN BUSINESS LOST HEART
HULL AT HIS DESK
REVIVING WORLD TRADE
TASK OF GREAT PROBLEMS
TO SELL ONE MUST BUY
In an effort to secure cheaper
electric rates for industrial, do
mestic and agricultural consumers
the President has appointed a spe
cial committee to develop a. plan
for unified policies for private and
public power interests. Several
surveys are in progress and the
new board will attempt to outline
legislation regulating holding com
panies and interstate trade in elec
trical current.
Robert Healey, wh 0 has done
splendid work as general counsel
for the Federal Trade Commission
in its prolonged investigation of
the power companies is on the
board. Meanwhile the newly creat
ed Federal Power Commission is
studying rates all over the nation,
with an idea of letting the people
of various sections know the va
rious rates being charged. In many
places these are said to be exces
sive and creating s. wide demand
for entry by the Federal govern
ment into the power situation and
the rapid development of munici
pal power plants.
The ramifications of the leading
power companies of this country
during the past twenty years is a
record of amazing activity, em
bracing the hiring of legislators,
social leaders, editors, newspaper
writers and others in position; to
maintain the power companies hold
on the territories that they servo*
Through various corporate devices
the power rates have been exces
sive and the effort t 0 maintain the
advantages thus gained har.
amounted to practical corruption in
many quarters.
Joseph P. Kennedy, now chair
man of the Stock Exchange com
mittee, participated in a Wall
Street pool which netted its opera
tors a profit of $395,000, says a re
port of the Senate committee which
investigated the stock market. This
was the reason for objection to his
connection with the newly created
agency and it is reasonably certain
that his official conduct will be
closely scrutinized by many sen
ators before he is confirmed at the
next session.
It may be interesting to note
that the Stock Market investiga
tion conducted by a senatorial com
mittee, cost $250,000 and that, as a
direct result of its disclosures, the
Bureau of Internal Revenue has
levied assessments and penalties
exceeding $2,000,000. I n addition, a
great many income returns have
been voluntarily amended and ad
ditional payments made since the
public hearings began, So, it ap
pears, the $250,000 was not squan
dered but produced a handsome
profit to the government.
Federal relief funds will be used
in many counties to operate can
ning establishments for the purpose
of packing meat, vegetables, fruit
(Please turn to page four)