Trade at
Home \\
An It
VOL. 54, NO. 24
U. S. Is A
DECLARATION IS
MADE FOLLOWING
NIPPON ATTACK
' I
Congress Acts Swiftly To Declare
War After Treacherous
Attack By Japanese On Possessions
in Pacific; Toll of
Lives and Property Is Great
Washington, Dec. 8.?America declared
war on Japan today after that
nation's air bombers had dealt the
navy the severest blow in its history
and inflicted losses which raised the
harsh possibility that the .Japanese
fleet may now enjoy a temporary
superiority in the Pacific.
Some details of the savage Japanese
attack?which admittedly cost
the navy a battleship, a destroyer, a
number of smaller craft, and killed
or wounded 3,000?was given to the
nation last night by President Koose
V I-l VHis
speech supplemented the brief
message with which he asked congress
for a declaration of war Monday?a
request which both houses
followed up with action that was
breath-lakingly swift and, save for
one vote, unanimous.
In addition to the president's address,
the chairman of the two naval
committees, Senator Walsh of
Massachusetts, and Representative
Vinson of Georgia, made simultaneous
speeches Tuesday revealing as
much of what happened in the Pacific
as the national safety would per- .
mit.
These developments come at the
close of a day which saw this country
not only declare war on Japan,
but also accuse Germany of doing its
utmost to push the Japanese into the
conflict, with the purpose of impeding
the program of American assistance
to Great Britain.
But. a White House statement
said, the program of American help
to the British "will continue in full
operation." The announcement
caused some surprise because a
short while before Winston Churchill
had said a diminution of such
help was to be expected.
"Obviously, Germany did all it
could lo push Japan into the war,"
a White House statement said. "It
was the German hope that if the
United States and Japan could be
pushed into war that such a conflict
would put an end to the lease-lend
program. As usual the wish is father
to the thought behind the broadcasts
and public announcements emanating
from Germany with relation
to the war and the lease-lend program.
"That such German broadcasts and ?
announcements are continuously and ?
completely 100 per cent inaccurate is V
shown by the fact that the lease- JJ
in full operation."
The statement was issued soon
after President Roosevelt had signed
leiiu program is, and will continue, 10
the declaration of war in a short and U
solemn ceremony attended by lead- ly
as ui ooin parties irom tne nouse tv
and senate. _
Earlier ,a grim-visaged congress,
united by the shock of battle and a'
aroused by startling losses to the stl
American forces in the Pacific, ap- bi
proved the declaration by an all out S<1
unanimous vote and did so in rec- be
ord time. s'!
President Roosevelt, forecasting de
"an inevitable triumph," requested
the action in a brief, pointed speech fit
solemnly delivered before a mem- 8?
orable joint session of the house and of
(Continued on page four)
ne
Red Cross in Great ^
Need of Buttons
The war production committee of
Watauga chapter, American Red
Cross, Mrs. Mae Miller, chairman, is afi
in great need of buttons so that Swork
may be completed on the fol- ed
lowing garments: 120 children's an
woolen dresses, 54 women's woolen C.
dresses, and 40 hahv's snnw siiixs fiv
Large, medium or small buttons I foi
can be used, it is said, and any col- i foi
or. Anyone having buttons which I let
they would be willing to donate to lea
this worthy cause is asked to leave | ;
them at The Democrat office or the gei
Dixie store. Ch
I sei
P.-T. A- Group To Hold b
Meeting on Tuesday Ho
ba;
Boone Parent-Teachers Association
will meet in Boone high school building
Tuesday, December 16, at 7:30.
The theme for the meeting will be
icharacter building agencies. Rev. ' '
John I. Rhea will have charge of the ga'
program and all ministers of the Ja]
town are invited-to attend and have the
a part in the program. pui
ZATA1
idependent Weekly A
BOONE, Wi
t War W\
K
Newsmen Quiz Japat
This picture- was made after Ja
State Hull in one of liie "final" pe?
deoartmpni ? * -
? .oittuiy io repress
Ambassador K. Nomura and ai ri<
Santa Claus Makes I
Are Turned On and
Season Starts; Numt
Wataugan Believed
On Ill-Fated Ship
Louis Glenn Farthing, son of
Mr. and Mrs. Ben W. Farthing of
Valle Crucis. was a member of
the crew of the battleship West
Virginia, which is thought to have
been destroyed in the Japanese attack
on Pearl Harbor. Hawaii,
which began Sunday, but up until
Tuesday afternoon, the anxious
parents have had no word
as to the fate of their son.
Bern Adams of Boone, and Lee
Bobbins of Blowing Rock, both
members of the United Stales
navy, are at Pearl Harbor, and
pcumps omer xocai sailors and
soldiers. Mr. B. G. Leake, whose '
family remained in Valle Crucis
while visiting here fhis summer, 1
only recently arrived in Manila.
Pbillippine Islands. Relatives and
friends of these people are anxi- 1
ously awaiting word as to their (
safety.
1
(ay Burn Jap Toys |
The bitter resentment felt in this c
cality over the assault by Japan on j j:
nited States territory, is striking- L
reflected by a conversation bejPAn
cniriP mnri'Knnte n" I ?
??? ...v.vuumo Kfll UiC OUCCi ?aesday.
They agreed to sort out s
1 toys and trinkets trom their ?
acks, labeled "made in Japan" and r:
irn them in a demonstration on the K
uare. Other merchants will likely z'.
: approached on the bonfire propoLion
before the date and hour is
finitely set.
One large retailer stated that his ,
m had quit buying Nipponese
ods many months ago, regardless "
price consideration, not waiting
r a major demonstration of Japase
infamy. JP
ominger Boys Visit b
Homefolks in County
Sergeant Clyde Rominger, a n
filiate officer of the 51st Air Base tc
oup. West Palm Beach, Fla., visit- di
in town last Monday. The serge- ta
t, who is a son of Mr. and Mrs. M. di
Rominger of Matney, N. C., has ; iti
e brothers in the U. S. armed j b<
ces, and while here, had the good th
tune of seeing two of them, Dex-1 cs
and Grady, who were enjoying i bi
ives from the Charlotte air base. I m
& nntVior Km) Vior* TnKn**tr I ---
V>UV1>?.1, VU1UI11J' JIUI11H1" W
r, is stationed at Fort Bragg, yt
arlie, who has seen eleven years' m
vice with the U. S. army, is at
?sent in Denver, Colorado, with J?
mpany H, 22nd infantry, while
ward is at the Augusta, Ga., air
>e.
P EFFORTS TO LAND ec
IN ISLANDS REPULSED ac
ev
rhe war department Wednesday hi
/e out the information that all
oanese efforts to land troops in ic:
; Philippine Islands had been re- T1
Ised. T>r
UGA.
Newspaper -Estabhed
YTAUGA COUNTY, NORT'AHC
ith Japai!
*'s Diplomatic Envoy |i
X,
1
wBBI^ agg
JBBpjg
fl8BBS8vi'3^^^
;iaL mVJg
' '-. Wl KK'i'^'aHsHKHm.
pan's envoys had seen Secrelr of ;
ice talks. Shov/n leaving the ate ;
mtatives of the press are, aeft, 1
jht Saburo Kurusu, special coy. i
lerry as Yule Lihis
Chrisimas Shoping
ier Gifts Distribted
Opening of Shopping jason I
Finds Merchants Well Scked 1
With Goods at Old rices;
Early Buying Particlarly
Urged at This Time
Santa Claus came to towr last
Wednesday afternoon at four Cclock
distributed gifts to about sixdumdred
children and provided a Klghspot
in the most largely attendbd opening
of the Christmas shoppirg season
Boone has ever known.
rpu _ -
jlui: exercises loon place at the
city hall, and the street was jammed
with men, women and children, all
anxious to see Santa Claus, and to
witness the initial illumination of the
lavish decorations parallel with and
icross the streets of the town.
At the same time the Merchants
Association members gave away a
lumber of prizes during the exer:ises
as follows:
Mrs. Gerd Henson, $25; Betty New
on $15; Arthur Smathers $5; E. N.
lahn, $5 repair credit at Dacus Ralio
Shop; Mis. Tom Beach, blanket
rom Belk's store; Mrs. S. II. Yelton
amp from the New River Light &
'ower Co., A. L. Jones, end table,
ompliments Boone Tire & Bargain
itore; Mrs. Lee Gross, rocking chair
rom Quails Furniture Store; Amos
lotson. necktie from Elite Shop;
Irs. Clerence Cook, shampoo with i
ompliments of the Artistic Beauty |
hop; Mary Doris Hodges, facial iiv- j
n uy atusuc rseauty Shop; Nrs.
iucy Davis, percolator from Farirers
[ardware & Supply Co.; Mi's. Joe
[orris, bottle perfume, Boone Irug
'o.; Reeves Eden, lamp, a gift torn
le W. W. Mac Co.
Gift Stocks Complete
A careful survey of the stora of
re city, and conversations withthe
lerchants, reveal that never in the
istory of the city has there beer of:red
the buying public a more omrehensive
line of gift merchanlise.
he great majority of the mercianise,
through the foresight of the
uyers, is being sold at the same
rice as a year ago, and a heavy ;urn
ver of merchandise is expected
Early Buying Urged
Those who have been accustoned
i waiting until the last minute to
j their Christmas shopping shiuld
ike notice that due to the defense
emands on raw materials, many
ems which are now in stock, cainot
: replaced, and some merchants say
ley expect a complete sell out of
irtain lines. There is plenty for all,
it at the last minute some articles
ay be gone. Do your shopping now,
hile stocks are complete, and while
>u stand no chance of disappointent.
>r. Ratchford to
Address Forum Here J
Dr. B. U. Ratchford, professor of
onomics at Duke University, will
Idress the pubic forum Thursday
ening at 8 o'clock, in Appalachian
gh school library
Dr. Ratchford will use for his top:
"Defense Finance and Inflation."
le public is cordially invited to be
esent for this informative address.
DEM<
' in the Year Eighteen
5LINA, THURSDAY, DECEMBI
COMMERCE BODY "
CONDEMNS JAPS
FOR OUTLAWRY
I
[iesolulion of Chamber Commerce
Pledges to Government
Everything in Prosecution of j
War; Many Make Brief Talks |
at Meeting
The Chamber of Commerce in an I
enthusiastic and well attended meet- !
ng held Tuesday evening, passed |
resolutions vigorously condemning
the unprovoked attack of the Nip- j
.loncse government on the United
states and pledged to the govern- 1
nent "everything at our command
n the prosecution of this war to the
;nd that this threat to civilization
shall be removed from the earth.""
The resolutions follow:
"Whereas, an unprovoked and dastardly
attack was made upon the,
United States of America by the
Japanese member of the trio of inernational
outlaws who are now trying
to subjugate the free peoples of
the entire world, and
"Whereas, the United States of
America by request of her President i
and tnroueh the ant of the mtinrocs
has declared that a state of war does |
now exist between the United States |
and Japan, and
"Whereas, wars are won by the
united efforts ot a united nation ;
whose citizens are willing to make
whatever sacrifices are necessary to
win, now, therefore, be it resolved
by the Chamber of Commerce of
Boone, N. C.:
"First, that we recognize the gravity
of our position and our respon- i
sibility as a nation in view of outnatural
resources and wealth.
"Second, that we pledge to our
government anything and everything
at our command in her prosecution
of this war to the end that
this threat to civilization shall be removed
from the earth.
"Third, that a copy of these rcsoutions
be sent to Congressman
Doughlon, Senators Bailey and Reynolds
and a copy be given to the j
Watauga Democrat for publication.
"Boone, N. C., December 9, 1941."
\boul 50 business men, tobacco
wrehousemen and buyers were
prsent at the meeting which was'
Iprsided over by H. W. Wilcox. Mr.
Rocoe Coleman, operator of the
r>,. - r. 1 ,
uuiiuiML UU111.7 wmuiiuiu^, illlQ it I
niubcr of the buyers made brief |
tals. An interesting feature of the 1
muting was the presentation of a
filt, "North Carolina, Variety Vacatioiland,"
by Dr. Southard, through
thrcourtesy of the State Department
of Conservation and Development.
local Red Cross Cha
$1,500 of Emergen
Stores To Remain
Open Until 9 O'clock
Member stores of the Boone
Merchants Association will begin j
staying open until 9 o'clock each j
evening starting Friday. Decern- j
1Q +1? 1 Ki - * I
*w> mc uciieiu oi me
Christmas shoppers of the area,
many of whom find it impossible
to do trading until after their, regular
hours. The announcement
was made Tuesday by Russell D.
Hodges, president of the Boone
Merchants Association.
Legionnaires to
Hold Meeting Friday
A joint meeting of the American
Legion and American Legion Auxiliary
is to be held Friday evening
at 7:30 o'clock in the Legion hut.
It is urgently requested that all
Auxiliary members and Legionnaires
be present at this time. The
announcement of the meeting states:
"We want to demonstrate to the
county, state and nation that we are
100 per cent for God and country and
against the outrages perpetrated by J
Japan."
Other very important business is j
to be transacted at the same time, j
it is said. i
XMASSEAL SALE
ENDS THIS WEEK
Due to the emergency requirements
of the American Red Cross,
the local committee on the sale of
tuberculosis Christmas seals, decided
Wednesday morning to wind up
the sales of the stickers this week,
so as not to conflict with the war
relief activity.
The committee requests that all
reports on Christmas seal sales be
turned in this week if possible.
DCRA
*
HunS d and Eighty1
/ I
X ? ,cco Sales Appn
As^aies Go Into 6th D
Beyond 30 Cents; Fa
What's the News?
H& bhHH i
Laurence A. Steinhardl, U. S.
ambassador to Russia, is pictured i
as he arrived at the While House
to report to his chief. President
Roosevelt. He returned to the U.
S. on the first west-bound flight
of a Pan-American clipper from
Africa.
BART R. BRYAN
DIES SUDDENLY
Well Known Citizen of Boone
Dies From Heart Attack;
Rites Conducted Tuesday
I
Bart It. Bryan, age 57, member of |
one of the town's oldest families. I
died suddenly at his home early |
Sunday morning from what was be-!
lieved to have been a heart attack.
Mr. Bryan had been in ill health for
| a iong time, but recently had been
l considerably improved.
Funeral services were conducted
from the home Tuesday at 2 o'clock
by the Rev. J. C. Canipe, pastor of
the Boone Baptist church, and interment
was in the family cemetery in
me cireen Heights section, ReinsSturdivant
Funeral Home being in
charge of the arrangements.
Active pallbearers were: W. H.
Grngg, Clyde. R. Greene, G. K.
Moose, Paul A. Coffey, Kenneth Linney
and Rob Rivers. Honorary,
(Continued on page four)
pier is Asked For
icy War Relief Fundi
Roll Call Organization to Function
in Providing Huge Budget
for Caring for Armed
Forces and Civilians as Re
suit of Jap-American War
The Watauga County Chapter of
the American Red Cross was called
upon Tuesday through a telegram to
its chairman, Mrs. E. E. Garbee, to
raise $1,500 of a fifty million dollar
fund for the relief of the nation's
armed forces and civilians as a result
of the needs growing out of the
American-Japanese war.
The telegram which Mrs. Garbee
received from Norman H. Davis, the
president of the American Red Cross
says:
"Again the nation is called upon
to serve our nation in war. Both nationally
and locally we face vast and
definite responsibilities for services \
to our armed forces and for relief j
to distressed civilians. To provide essential
funds, the Red Cross today is |
launching a campaign for a war fund
I of a minimum of fifty million dollars !
j The President on Friday will issue a '
proclamation supporting this appeal.
Your chapter quota is $1500. Chapters
may retain fifteen per cent of
their collections for local war relief
expenditures. Chapters should at j
once devote full efforts to raising
their quotas in the shortest possible
| time. Please report action taken. We
must not and shall not fail in this
urisjs.
Mrs. Garbee immediately set about
perfecting an organization to raise
the money required in the shortest
possible time. Mrs. W. M. Matheson,
who has performed so well the duties
of Red Cross Roll Call chairman
immediately pledged the efforts of
herself and the other members of her
organization, to the emergency campaign
and will act as chairman of
this activity, with Mrs. Russell D.
Hodges co-chairman. The organization
will be strengthened and a des(Continued
on page eight)
''"P 12 Pages
JL 2 Sections
Eight
$1.50 A YEAR
)ach 700,080 Pounds
lay; Season Average
rmers Weil Pleased
Prices Continue Strong Today as
Floors Arc Again Filled With
Weed; Ashe county Man
Makes High Record Wednesday
Morning; Other Sales
The Mountain Burley tobacco
warehouses went into their sixth
sale this (Wednesday) morning, with
the prospect that by the close ot the
auction this afternoon, an additional
125.000 to 150,000 pounds of the
weed would be sold, bringing the
grunu loiai 01 saics since tne market
opened to more than 700,QUO
pounds.
The market a! noon today continues
strong, the weed is consistently
good, and the prices are maintaining
the average of the season, which
is well above 30 cents per pound.
Numbers of farmers from Watauga
and adjacent counties were contacted
today, and expressed themselves
as being highly pleased with the
prices they are receiving for their
tobacco, and the courteous treatment
being accorded them by the
warehouse force, and the business
men of the town, scores of whom
mix and mingle daily with the growers
on the warehouse floors.
Monday was the banner day for
the market, when 175,000 pounds of
tobacco was sold, and throughout the
day, warehouse driveways were
jammed with trucks loaded with the
weed, and the vehicles crowded
North Depot street to Main, many
of them seeking parking space on
Queen street. On Tuesday almost
the same condition existed, but the
splendid organization at the warehouses
clicked smoothly, and the
weed was placed on the floor with
no appreciable delay. Today many
trucks have to wait for brief periods
outside the driveways while the
baskets are being filled, but the
farmers speak highly of the splendid
service they are receiving.
hast week's three days' sales amUiintf>d
to 235 OOfl nnnnHc molrintf
the total 574,000 up to closing time
Tuesday evening.
Mr. Luther Powers of Lansing,
Ashe county, established something
of a record this morning when he
sold his entire crop of 450 pounds for
an average of 38 2-7 cents per
pound. Mr. Powers states that he
has been a patron of the Boone
market since its establishment, and
that he has found that the local
warehouse always pays the farmers
more money than any other house
he has ever patronized. Mr. Powers
states that his fine crop of tobacco
was grown on 2-10 of an acre of
land, only half of which was fertilized.
Beech Creek Men Do Well
Spencer Phillips of Beech Creek,
made one of the best of the recent
sales, getting an average of 36
cents for his 688 pounds of tobacco.
W. M. Harman, also of Beech Creek,
sold 860 pounds for an average of
32 Yi cents.
Ashe County Man
* f TV - *
Learns or JJeath
Of Son in Hawaii
Winifred Hart of Lansing, Ashe
county, member of the United States
coast guard, was reported to have
been killed in action during the
Japanese raids on Pearl Harbor, T.
H.
The young man's father, Mr. Ira
Hart, well known Ashe county
farmer, was in the Mountain Burley
warehouses here selling his tobacco,
when the word of his son's death
reached him. Mr. Hart stated that
he had been informed also that his
late son's life-long friend, Scott
Gamble, also of Lansing, had been
killed at the same time. The two
young men, he said, grew up together,
went into the service together
and were side by side in the defense
of their country, when the dastardly
attack was made by the Japs.
I-1 i r a m i ?
r aurer or mrs. J. 1V1.
Gaither Dies in Ga.
Mrs. J. M. Gaither returned home
| Friday from Newman, Ga., where
she had been called on account of
| the death of her father, Mr. X. H.
I Bagley, 63, prominent citizen of
| that town, which occurred on Noj
vember 28th, after an illness of sev|
oral weeks.
I Funeral services were conducted
from the Methodist church in Newman
on the 29th, and interment was
in the cemetery there.
Three daughters survive: Mrs. J.
M. Gaither, Boone; Miss Kathryn
Bagley, Newman, Ga., and Mrs. Richard
Lester, Mobile, Ala.