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BOANOKE RAPIDS, NORTH CAROLINA
THE LARGEST NEWSPAPER IN HALIFAX COUNT*
Member North Carolina Press Association
CARROLL WILSON, Owner and Editor
Entered as Second Class matter April 3rd, 1014, at the post offic.
Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, under Act of March 3rd, 1879.
OFFICE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES
ADVERTISING - PRINTING - EMBOSSING
WHAT ABOUT THE LAST QUARTER?
# • A committee from various organizations in
ISte city will meet this afternoon to decide on the
Jatoe of a Summer Recreation program for some
children of Roanoke Rapids.
The program last year, carried on for s ome
Wm weeks during the Summer vacation period, was
mast highly successful. There has, however, been
4®®se talk of curtailing this program because of
&«dk of funds.
Records show that some 1,000 children per
flay-day came under proper supervision last Sum
mer and we would like to know why this same pro
gram should not be carried on again; why the same
iwaneial aid should not be obtained.
It is recalled there were five playgrounds last
«3mnmer; one at each city school; in addition, there
was the Rosemary pool for swimming in the after
amswis. We should have this program, at least, and
we hope the committee will see to it that this pro
gram is carried out as it was last year. We know
of no good argument why not. If there was any
solicitation from private persons or from the bus
mas® places, that part could be taken from Commu
wirty Chest as was the plan and purpose, but other
4»nators should give, at least, as much or say their
®a®ney was not well spent last Summer.
For our part, we cannot see why we should
wgasd a vast sum of money to take care of our chil
•Tirem’s minds, bodies and spirits for nine months
wad then spend nothing or a pittance for the re
awwmng three months. “
JP GETTING SOMEWHERE
• m May we continue our editorial of congratula
of last week on the manner in which Roanoke
Rapids has accepted the results of the recent city
dteetion.
This because of the report received of the fine
feeling displayed by both winners and losers at
tihe meeting of the City Board of Commissioners
fhts Tuesday. Not only was there good feeling
li^played, but also there was much work, much
jfood work, accomplished in a meeting where dif
ferences were forgotten, and the needs of the whole
city became the first and only order of business.
And in only that way can we go forward. With
restraint, sometimes almost impossible; with tol
erance, sometimes almost unattainable.
CLEAN IT UP, COLORED FOLKS
• • The colored folks out in the new section near
the Chaloner School had better start policing on
$faear own, lest they get the reputation that such a
^settlement is not conducive to good citizenship and
as a menace to nearby communities.
We want it clearly understood that we favor
4Rich a settlement and know that as long as the
tetter element asserts itself there will be little
trouble; but the time has come for that better ele
ment to assert itself and show neighbors that it
means to clean up a bad situation. A brutal mur
der, whether in first or second degree, is not to be
ignored by those who want to see us have a decent
city- '••'•■*** x
It has been said of the colored race that they
refuse to tell on each other. That is a good trait
when properly used. But, when used to protect one
who should receive proper handling by the law or
when done because of fear, it no longer becomes a
good trait.
This argument is not advanced in order to get
colored folks to “squeal”, a trait which does not
belong to them alone; but it is advanced with the
idea of trying to tell them that when justice should
be done, their duty is to tell the facts and the truth
in order that justice might prevail and their own
future rights and lives might be protected.
And just to put the bee on those who would
try to tell you this is not written in good faith, we
only ask you to go to the colored folks who know
the writer. They will tell you who their friend is.
BE PREPARED
• • What need to repeat what we have been say
ing in this column for months except for the pur
pose of saying we told you so. War is coming.
Perhaps not tomorrow, but it has been in the
mrds for a long time and the cards grow blacker
as the days lengthen.
We are not trying to scare anybody; we cer
tainly would not profit by war. We just want our
country fully prepared when the time comes and
sve do not make a thin dime out of the program;
as a matter of fact, it will cost us plenty.
As an old Boy Scout, we recall and glory in
that motto: Be Prepared. If it doesn’t happen,
fine; if it does, America will be ready.
IN MEMORIAMS
• • It is remarkable how few people say they
read this page and yet how many people we hear
agreeing with arguments we strive to put forth
each week on this page. Can it be that by some
strange spell, they pass this page and in the pass
ing mysteriously absorb?
Or is it a case of great minds running in the
same channel ?
Our only check is when this page makes a
mistake. Then we hear plenty of booes. So what
does that mean?
Now, for another check which is not nearly so
good. Will our readers and subscribers please
realize that our space is limited each week and we
cannot print long In Memoriams. Little, tiny,
short ones, Yes! But long ones. No! Please real
ize that most newspapers charge money for the
space used, while we do not. Or did we make an
other mistake?
FOR DEMOCRACY’S FALLEN DEFENDERS
(Contributed)
We Americans are thinking more about
democracy and valuing is more highly these days
because its destruction in other countries has made
us consider what life here would be like without it.
We are determined that its institutions of freedom
shall be kept secure for America, no matter what
the cost.
In 1917 and 1918, likewise, Americans did not
count the cost of defending democracy. The cost
for some was their lives. They gave their all in
answer to the nation’s appeal for protection from
autocratic force, then embodied in the might of the
Kaiser.
On Poppy Day, Saturday, May 27, we will have
opportunity to pay special tribute to the men who
died for the cause of democracy. We will be asked
to wear their flower, the
poppy from the fields
where they fell, to show
that we still remember
and honor their sacrifice.
We will have opportu
nity, too, to help those
who sacrificed health
and strength in the con
flict, their families and
the families of those who
have died. Our contribu
tions for our poppies
will help lighten the bur
den for those those still
paying the cost of dem
ocracy’s victory in suf
fering and privation.
A poppy on our coat on
Poppy Day will mean
that we honor the dead
who fell for democracy
and that we are aiding
the living who gave
health and strength in
patriotic service to A
merica.
May 10, 1939
Honorable John H. Kerr
Washington, D. Cl
RE: House Bill No. 270
Dear Judge:
House Bill Number 270
for $300,000 for County
Sanitation, Malarial
Control and Drainage
Supervision is now be
fore the committee.
The minimum neces
sary to carry on this
work is $500,000, the
same amount as appro
priated last year after
$750,000 had been re
quested.
W e folks in Roanoke
Rapids are particularly
interested in this work
because It was not so
many years ago when
the mills, here were forc
ed to close down because
of malaria fever. This
type of work has eradi
cated malaria in our sec
tion but there are other
sections of the county
which need malarial
control and drainage.
Will you please use your
influence to get this ap
propriation raised from
$300,000 to the needed
$500,000?
Yours very truly,
CARROLL WILSON
Household Hint
Extra pieces of linoleum left over
from the floor or walls can be put to
good use as coverings for tables,
window-sills and other flat-topped1
kitchen surfaces. After they have
Ibeen measured, cut and cemented to
the desired surface, they should be
washed with soap and water, dried
thoroughly, then rfaxed like the
Jdtchenfloor,_ _
Household Hint
It is always best to launder new
linens, as they may have been han- i
died by unclean hands. Efficient'
laundering enhances the beauty of I
such household equipment. Linensj
that are packaged are usually ex-'
empt from this rule of washing. ,