North Carolina Newspapers

The Carolina Watchman PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY MORNING BY The Carolina Watchman Publishing Co. SALISBURY, NORTH CAROLINA Established in 1832 99th Tear of Publication j E. W. G. Huffman_Editor S. Holmes Plexico_Business Manager A. R. Monroe__Advertising Manager PHONES: News and editorials __ 695 i Advertising and circulation_532 Business _532 SUBSCRIPTION RATES I Payable in Advance ! One Year __ $1.00 Three Years _ 2.00 j Entered as second-class mail matter at the postoffice at Salis- ! bury, N. C., under the act of March 3, 1879. "If the choice were left to me whether to have a free press or a free government, I would choose a free press.”—Thomas Jefferson. THURSDAY MORNING, SEPT. 24, 1931 POPULATION DATA CITIES AND TOWNS Salisbury _ 16,951 Gold Hill _ 156 Spencer _ 3,129 Granite Quarry _ 507 E. Spencer _...... 2,098 Rockwell _696 China Grove _ 1,258 Faith _ 431 Landis _“... 1,388 Kannapolis_ 13,912 TOWNSHIPS Atwell _ 2,619 Morgan _ 1,327 China Grove_ 8,990 Mt. Ulla _ 1,389 Cleveland _ 1,445 Providence_ 2,589 Franklin_ 2,246 Salisbury _ 25,153 Gold Hill _ 2,642 S. Irish _ 1,251 Litaker- 2,562 Steele _ 1,142 Locke- 1,904 Unity___ 1,406 ROWAN COUNTY_56,665 J * OUR RETAIL STORES Salisbury is rightfully proud of the retail establishments which make up its business dis trict. For the most part they are operated by efficient merchants who seek to give to their customers honest value for their money. The local retail merchants deserve the support and patronage of our citizens. Our local merchants are a part of a gigan tic retail system of retail establishments ex isting throughout the United States. The Cen sus Bureau announced recently that there were 1A49,168 such stores in the United States, do ing a tcftaP business the year 1929 exceeding^*" fifty billions of dollars, a per capita sale of slightly more than four hundred dollars. Oth er interesting facts ascertained by the survey of the government are summarized as fol lows: "Census of Distribution figures show that of the 1,549,168 retail stores in the United States, 497,715, or 32.13 per cent, are engag ed primarily in the selling of food products, and the net sales of these stores in 1929 totaled $11,310,627,359, about 23 per cent of the $50,033,850,792 total retail sales. The figures also reveal that of the $407.52 per capita re tail sales $92.12 was spent in 1929 in stores selling primary food products. "Automotive establishments were next in number and total sales—253,322, with net sales of $9,546,897,913, about 19 per cent of the total retail sales. Per capita automotive sales amounted to $77.76. General merchandise stores stand third in importance, with a total of 70,263 stores, and net sales amounting in 1929 to $7,140,515,384, or 14.27 per cent of the total. The per capita sales of general mer cnanaise stores amounted to >)».16. "Country general stores, which are a com bination of food and other merchandise stores, numbered . 87,683, with net sales of $1,927, 622,967, about 4 per cent of the total sales; their per capita sales were $15.70. The coun try general stores classification is used only in places of less than 10,000 inhabitants. "Net sales of the apparel stores, including women’s apparel and accessories and men’s wear, amounted to 8.62 per cent of the nation al total; furniture and household stores, 4.57 per cent; restaurants and other eating places, 4.19 per cent; lumber and building, 7.27 per cent.” ♦ THE COST OF CRIME While many elements in the cost of crime are indefinite and not subject to an estimate, the Wickersham Commission in one of its re ports estimates that crime in one year exacts a toll of considerably more than a billion dollars from the people of the United States. This has been summarized as follows: "Federal criminal law admin istration _$52,768,000 State police_ 2,000,000 State penal and correctional institutions _,__ '51,720,000 Criminal law administration in 300 cities _247,700,000 Private industrial police in Pennsylvania__,_ 1,280,000 Private protective service in large cities_ 10,000,000 Private watchmen _159,000,000 Armored-car service _ 3,900,000 Private correctional treat ment of criminals_ 850,000 Insured losses due to crime _ 47,000,000 Mail-frauds_ 68,000,000 Insurance against crime_106,000,000 Safes, chests, vaults_ 4,227,000 Bullet-proof glass ....._ 311,000 Known incendiarism _ 2,000,000 Burglary of banks _ 1,800,000 Thefts from jewelers_ 2,000,000 Railroad freight thefts _ 1,100,000 Forgeries ___ 40,000,000 Indirect cost through loss of productive labor_332,000,000 Total _$1,124,314,000” We refer often to the "high cost of arma ment and the terrific burden of expenses in connection with war. Side by side we should keep before our minds the enormous waste in money caused by crime. Every citizen in this country can help re duce this charge. Every mother and father in Salisbury entrusted with training of children can share in the task of instilling proper ethical conceptions and moral principles to guide the conduct of their children through life. GOING TO THE COUNTRY Many economists are questioning whether the tendency of population to concentrate it self is not coming to an end. It would seem to be logical that, with the advent of the automobile and good roads, mak ing the problem of individual transportation less difficult, many workers in cities would reside in less thickly populated sections to se cure the advantages of more room and small er rentals. While the census figures do not yet indi cate that the larger cities of the nation are showing signs of a decreased population, there are indications of unquestionable significance that there is a decentralizing process going on, which is adding to the number of those living in rural sections as against those living in the smaller towns and cities. The number of inhabitants living on farms in the United States dropped from 31,614, 269 in 1920 to 30,447,550 in 1930. This was a decrease of the number of persons living on farms of 3.8 per cent. This group constituted 29.9 per cent of the total population in 1920 8 p*-1 cent in 1930.-* £»■>' r However, the number of inhabitants living in rural territory increased, notwithstanding. During the same period the population in rural sections but not on farms increased from 20, 047,377 to 23,662,710, representing an in crease in the total population from 19 to 19.3 pyt cent. The rural non-farm population in creased 18 per cent during this decade. The city dweller, faced with high rents and other high living expenses, can now live in a rural community or town and by using a car and the modern highway be just as close to his work as when he formerly walked or waited on the street car even though the distance in miles has been increased ten fold. If industry adopts the shorter working day, as it will in the 'course of time, such workers will have ample time to supplement their industrial oc cupation with the production of a limited amount of foodstuffs at a home in the coun try where sufficient room for a garden, a cow, and poultry is to found. ROADS FOR FARM RELIEF Since 1915 the number of automobiles in use in this country has increased at the rate of 1,000,000 a year. It is estimated that 28,000, 000 cars are now in operation. Vast sums have been spent for road build ing, with the result that fast, well paved high ways carry us from city to city, from state to state. The average city dweller thinks that the United States is adequately provided with good roads. As a matter of fact, however, only an in finitesimal fraction of roads in use have been extensively improved. Five million farmers, according to an authoritative survey, are cut off from their markets during a part of each year by impassable roads. Good roads that keep the farmer in con tact with his markets at all times and allow him to transport goods quickly and economi cally, are an essential factor giving agriculture | a sound economic foundation. EXEGETICAL (From The Toledo Blade) Men who argue that anything can be proved by the Bible should be delighted with this sentence from Psalms: "The rebellious dwell in a dry land.” "Who Owns the Air?” inquires an edi torial caption in the Goldsboro News-Argus. Frankly Ye Paragrapher doesn’t know; so many people have been told to take it.— Greensboro News. — -- I The | ! Watchman j I Tower | + ♦ +++++++++++++++++++++♦+++♦ To the Lovers of Nature in Salisbury and Rowan County: My dear Friends: September’s here, prelude to the brilliant tapestry of autumn weaves. Already nature has prepared those golden days which are a joy and de light. Late apples ripening. Chrysan themums, autumn’s own flowers, are inclining to buds. Maples and sweet gums on high ridges are showing faint touches of color scarcely discernible among the lusty greens of oaks and sycamores. Tall meadow grass has gone to head and the sumac’s fruity spikes are darkening. Birds are congregating to discuss the flight southward, scampering squirrels invite a speaking gun. The long evenings of midsummer have already gone, and the early dawns are following them into the far south. Bird dogs grow restless, pumpkins are turning yellow and the ears are hang ing heavy in the cornfields. Soon will come Thanksgiving, snow. But be tween August’s heat and October’s frosts remains September, season of beauty and nature’s benevolence. Extend yourself, exercise your soul. It’ll keep your morale up. Governor Matthew Rowan. Mr. C. L. Neel, R. F. D., Salisbury, N. C. My dear Mr. Neel: Allow me to congratulate you on Rowan’s Neda, W. S. R. 103803, a cow bred by you, which established a new Guernsey record for milk and butter fat. Your product has surpass ed all records in this field and I am sure all dairy men in this county, as well as in the state, are proud of you. I extend my best wishes and wish you continued success in the future in your dairy activities. 4 Governor Matthew Rowan. To the Promoters of the Daniel Boone Trail: Gentlemen: Blazing of the Daniel Boone trail across this state to Kentucky is a note W'prthyachievement. It assures us that wonderful road systems 5i" this" state and country are nor merely lay outs of hard surface consisting of rock, sand, lime, cement and tar, but that it is also a thing of beauty, senti ment and a work to be appreciated. It is especially pleasing to those of us who are fortunate to live where Daniel Boone lived; where he made his home and had his being; where he bought land and sold it, (as shown by the records in the office of the register of deeds of Rowan county), and where he lived during an import ant period of his life. We not only wish to thank those of you who have made the Daniel Boone trail a reality, but to assure you of our appreciation. Governor Matthew Rowan. To the Merchants and Manufacturers of Salisbury and Rowan County: Please allow me to heartily endorse your plans for an exposition in Salis bury during the week of Sept. 26 October 3. It will be an inspiration not only to all business-minded peo ple of our city and county, but also an inspiration to all of us who have faith in the future progress, wellbeing and continued growth of our com munity. If the exposition does nothing more than to instill into our beings the as surance that the depression is waning, the event will be well worth its while. I wish you success. Governor Matthew Rowan. State Highway System, Raleigh, N. C. Gentlemen: I was glad to learn that you plan to mark the county highways through out the entire state, directing the travelers to all places of importance and interest. This is a work that will prove ben eficial, and I extend to you my fe licitations. It will further boost the highway system of the state in the eyes of the world. Governor Matthew Rowan. To the Owners of Vacant Lots in Salisbury: Driving about over the city, one sees here and there vacant lots grown up in tall grass and weeds, not only being very unsightly but making fine breeding places for mosquitoes if we should have a period of wet weather. One can find places in high class resi dential sections where the grass and weeds are so tall alongside the paved walks that a pedestrian would have to get out into the street after a rain or heavy dew to avoid getting his cloth ing wet. By all means the grass and weeds should be cut off all such va cant lots, as a matter of civic pride, to say nothing of sanitation and mos quitoes. There are many men hunting work and being aided by charity who would be thankful for such jobs. Governor Matthew Rowan* Sanitary Department, Salisbury, N. C. It is gratifying to learn that your department is making a determined effort to clean the mud off the side walks in the residential sections, where it has been washed down from higher abutting ground. As I have pointed out in previous letters, pedestrians in some of our best residential sections have to leave the sidewalks in places after rains and walk out in the streets to get around the beds of sticky mud. I am glad to note that the situation is being remedied as rapidly as possible with the force at your command. It will be appreciated. Governor Matthew Rowan. _ To Salisbury and Rowan County Motorists: For the past several months there has been no occasion for slowing down of automobiles when passing through the various school zones. But it is very important now since the schools have opened. Special efforts on the part of city and county police are being made to properly regulate all traffic in school zones and your co-operation is not only requested but is imperative. It is up to the motorists to form the habit again of taking extra pre caution when passing schools. Governor Matthew Rowan. COMMENTS Please be brief. As a rule 200 words should be enough. Your name and address must accom pany each communication as an evidence of good faith. Your name will not be published un less you wish it, but signed let ters will be given the preference A PLAN TO PRESERVE SURPLUS VEGETABLES and FRUITS FOR RELIEF WORK THIS WINTER. To the Editor: In Philadelphia a plan has been put into operation whereby the fruit and vegetables which the farmers have not been able to dispose of are being gath ered in trucks loaned by merchants and distributed to the ^various churches and synagogues. A fund has been col lected fcerjars and^sugar and volun teers from the congregations sff«Lput ting up in the church kitchens quan tities of food to be distributed to the poor when needed. Could not some energetic woman ■ with executive ability start some such i plan here? I am sure there would be 1 plenty of willing volunteers were there only a capable leader to get things started. A Woman. WHY SOME MARRIED WOMEN WORK, AND NOT FOR LOVE OF IT. To the Editor: Why are so many married women working? Because the mother is re sponsible for the children’s appearance and health to the teacher and health investigators. Milk is $5 a month for one quart daily. Toothpaste, shoes and numerous other items which are be coming compulsory must be purchas er! W/tiore is fbf- wnmjn voin? to ob tain the money to buy them? How many of the working mothers are go ing to work in automobiles daily? Fathers spend two-thirds of their salaries on automobiles, which some times are a necessity, but not always. | Where will we ever find some one hon- ( est enough to admit the necessity of | help in a home where there are chil- . dren, as they require complete care J until the age of 18 years? . How can anyone think that after ( a mother prepares breakfast and lunch- | es for five people every morning year in and year out, does all her house ( work except the heaviest laundry, and still must leave home 8 o’clock every ( morning she does so for the love of work? There does not seem any other j way to obtain a peaceful living. Until some one will compel the em ployer to send part of the salary di- j reedy to the mother there is not go ing to be any great improvement in ' the business world for anything but automobiles. Such conditions are oft en the cause of divorces also. A Slave. ' ORTA BE A LAW TO PREVENT , ANYONE UNDER 21 YEARS OF ; AGE BEING GRANTED A LI- i CENSE TO DRIVE A MOTOR CAR, HE THINKS. To the Editor: This thing called American freedom c is all very well, but when it is so abused by youngsters of 15, 16 and 17 it’s time that something was done to that freedom. I allude to the reckless driving of automobiles by these young, irrespon sible hoodlums. A yellow roadster with four or five youngsters ranging from 15 to 18 came along at a breakneck speed to : the left of the street car in which I was riding and speeded by just in time and missed being hit by the car by perhaps a foot. Everyone in the car gasped, yet these mere children kept right on going without "batting an eyelash,” so to speak. I would urgently surest that a bill be introduced in the Legislature that no licenses should be issued in this state to any under the age of 21 years. Perhaps automobile accidents might be decreased thereby. A Motorist. WOULD HAVE US GO BARKING GOOD TIMES. To the Editor: Young men who are not old enough to remember the Reconstruction pe riod following the Civil War between the States, know nothing about hard times. We of the Southern States, lost every thing but our land as a conse quence of the war; we had no money of any kind. Business was transacted by bartering or swapping with each other. The farmers who had more wheat than the family could consume, would swap for corn, potatoes, etc., with a neighbor who had a surplus of such commodities. This was the way business was carried on. Asheville was the mountain metropolis and the clear ing house where the big exchange bus iness was carried on in western North Carolina. The writer would drive a four-mule team from North Bun combe, for his father; which would be loaded with corn, wheat, oats, etc.. and barter the whole load for salt, domestic cloth, and whatever was there for bartering, and we did not look upon it as a hardship; but as a great blessing that the war; which had been going on for four years, was over and everybody gone to work. If every man, woman and child in North Carolina, job or no job; would go to work and go to bragging about what a good country North Carolina is; and how plentiful provisions are for everybody; hard times would be over right then. The writer will admit there is cause for our economic de pression; but that cause is principal ly in the mind of the people. Now let’s everybody quit howling depres sion and hard times and go to barking for good times and prosperity, and see what will happen. J. R. Sams, County Agent at Large. Davidson, N. C. Kidnapped Bookie i Returns To Home Gary, Ind.—William C. Flanagan, lorse-race bookie kidnapped five days igo while exercising his wife’s Pek nese, returned to his hotel apartment lome. He immediately retired to his rooms ind refused to discuss the terms of lis release. His attorney, J. Glen Harris, who laid he negotiated with the kidnappers, -eported that they released him at a filling station at Tolleston, a suburb. Harris said no money had been paid :he kidnappers. "I obtained information,” he said, 'from a rival gang and bargained with :hem on the basis that I would ex nose Flanagan’s hiding place unless :hey returned him.” Harris intimated, however, that a irnall amount would be paid over now hat Flanagan had returned unharm id. Feed Cows More, As Pastures Decline As pastures decline and the grasses jecome tough and woody, the dairy row needs an additional allowance of roth grain and forage. If this allow ince is gradually increased as the pas ures fail, the milk flow will be main lined. If not, dairymen will have a rostly job trying to get the milk, flow jack up to normal later on. , This is the opinion of John A. Arey, lairy extension specialist at State Col ege, who asks dairymen in all parts >f the State to keep an eye on their jastures. Usually in September and October, the milk flow begins to drop, rhe main cause for this is that the -razing is short and more fibre and ess protein are in the grasses. Where -ood fall pasture, such as provided by espedeza or other legumes, is avail ible, the cows will provide an eco romical milk flow with only a light -rain ration if they are allowed to -raze day and night. Even then, he says, the animal hould have at least one pound of grain :o each four pounds of milk produced, rhis may be continued until the graz ng begins to fail, when the grain hould also be increased. Mr. Arey says i good grain mixture for this season jf the year and which is also suitable or w-inter feeding when plenty of le gume hay is available, is made up as rollows: 400 pounds of corn meal; 100 pounds of cottonseed meal; 200 rounds of wheat bran, and, 100 rounds of ground oats. One-half of his corn meal may be replaced by :rushed wheat or barley on farms vhere these two are available and corn s scarce.