North Carolina Newspapers

Son of Transylvania Family Is One of Country’s Foremost Investigators In Unusual Field Homer E. Whitmire, Son of Mr. and Mrs. Jordan Whitmire, Has Become Recognized Authority On Non-Poisonous Insecticides. (By Wm. Q. Moore) ST. LOUIS, Mo.. Auk 10—“Local Boy Makes Good”—a familiar line, but, un fortunately, one that seldom holds true among the boys who grow up. leave the homes where they were born and go out Into the world to take a pot-shot or two at Lady Luck. Brevard has one son, however, who Is thoroughly deserving of the phrase, for Homer E. Whitmire, sor. of Mr. and Mrs. E. Jordan Whitmire of the French Broad section, Is making good on a scale that seems to promise nothing but success and well being for the fu ture. At the present time he Is one of the country’s foremost Investigators In the comparatively new field of non polaonous Insecticide chemistry. "Destruction Is my business." said Mr. Whitmire when Interviewed In the small laboratory In St. Louis. Mis souri. where he began his real work with Insecticides—a laboratory that has since been replaced by a new three story building, equipped with the latest In research, manufacturing, and pack aging equipment. Insects Raised for Testing Purposes "I raise 'em, and I kill 'em—the whole process from birth to death takes place right here. C’mere. I'll show you.” He led the way Into a small, dark room filled with hot clammy air, and turned on a light. There on shelves were glass jars carefully label ed and filled with Insects of every kind. Roaches In this one; bedbugs over there; the maggot-lfce creatures were carpet beettles, he explained, and down below there are the flies and mosquitoes. 'This Insures us a plentl A ful supply of whatever we seed.” he ™ explained. "Now, I’ll show you how we test them In the death chamber.” Carefully lifting the lid of one of the Jars, he permitted a number of files to escape Into a screened box with a slid ing door. Then we went out Into an other room. In the center of this was a large wooden box about six feet tall around, with windows In the sides. “This.” he said, 'Is the death chamber. Now watch." Action In the Death Chamber First, he released the flies Into the tTap and let them fly .around for'a min ute or two, and then suddenly from a nozzle protruding into the trap from above, he shot a powerful spray of In secticide. The effect on the flies was Instantaneous. Most of them dropped to the floor Immediately and lay stllL A few took longer to fall, and then lay there, kicking and squirming. Inside of ten minutes, there was no motion In the box at all. "You see?” he said. “That’s why we call It the death cham ber.” "We put the flies or whatever Insect Plumbing — Electric and Sheet Metal Work* Electric Fan* We are agent* for Maytag Washing Machine* Complete line of MAZDA LIGHT BULBS D. GUY DEAN Phone 257 Is being tested In here. The tempera ture Is always 85 degrees, and the humidity Is 46. Twelve cubic centi meters of spray are used, and we note the number of flies overcome at the end of five minutes, ten minutes, and so on. Then at the end of twenty-four hours a count Is taken of all dead files, live ones. If any, and moribund flies and thus the efficiency of the spray Is determined. (Moribund Insects are those which are alive but cannot walk, eat or per form any of the normal living func tions with the exception of breathing. Moribund Insects die In a short time.) A Dieeovcry By Means of the "fTot Walk" Up to the recent time It was thought necessary' that the Insecticide come In direct contact with the tody of the In sect before It would take any effect. One of Mr. Whitmire’s discoveries, however, has revealed the fact that the spray will do the Job equally well even though It comes In contact with the legs of the Insects only. The experi ment which proved this and which has been confirmed by such men as Dr. R. C.. Roark, chief of the United States Rureau of Insecticidal Chemical Re search. and Dr. J. J. Davis, entomology chief of the University of Purdue's ag ricultural station at Lafayette, Indiana, was simple enough. "Simple enough Is right,” said Mr. Whitmire. "Watch." doing back to his fly hatchery_once again, he let a number loose In a small wire cage. Then he painted the strip down the top of the cage with his Insecticide. 'We call this the *hot walk.’ " ho explained. "Tear Gas" lor Insects For a while the flleB buzzed around. Finally one landed on the "hot walk." He walked along for a few seconds, then fell suddenly to the floor of the cage. In another few seconds two more flies came. The same thing hap pened. They would walk along the painted strip, seemingly in the best of health—then suddenly would drop and fall to the bottom of the cage to move no more. A few remained In the mori bund state for a few minutes, but eventually these died too. “That’s all there Is to It,” said Mr. Whitmire. “The poison paralyzes the nerves and muscles In their legs and Is probably Inhaled through the pores as well. In a few minutes the fly Is dead.” Mr. Whitmire’s second discovery is that of Azofumlde, a kind of Insect "tear gas,’’ This chemical which was discovered and developed by Mr. Whit mire has the faculty of giving off vapors that are poisonous to insects but harmless to human beings. Com bined with other chemicals. It acts much In the manner of tear gas on human beings and makes possible an extremely efficient repellent-type In sect spray. It has been definitely established that one spraying of cattle or other livestock early In the morning Is enough to keep Insects off all day. The Shell Petroleum Corporation has the exclusive rights to this chemical, ac cording to Mr. Whitmire, and It forms the chief Ingredient In their Shell livestock Spray. Insecticide Formulas A Closely Guarded Secret Although much Is known about the methods of developing Insecticides, little can be said about the actual con tents, for these are generally trade secrets, and each manufacturer has his own formula. In the case of the Whitmire Research Corporation, only the basic substance in Insecticide Is manufactured—a substance known only by the general class of compound to which It belongs—the rotothereals. This Is then sold to large commercial producers who blend It with lethane. thio-cyanates, and other chemicals, ac cording to their different formulas. Exactly what this base contains Is a rather closely guarded secret. We do know that up to the present time one of the main Ingredients In insecticide basis has been a product called pyre thrum which comes from a chrysanthe mum-llke flower In Japan and is ship ped to this country to be blended Into MACFIE I Drug Company “XX7ISH you were here — going more ” ” places, seeing more things, having nanrs fan, and saving lots more money. Typical One-Way Fares t Hendersonville .40 Greenville 1.60 Augusta 3.65 Asheville .60 Knoxville 2.60 Atlanta 3.60 New York 10.86 Waahlnton 7.40 Swalnsboro 6.00 Los Angeles 86.60 Kf EXTRA Savings as Round Trip* # I TRANSYLVANIA FARMS FOR SALE LITTLE RIVER—<7 Acres, 25 rich bottom, balance pasture and timber. Re-finished dwelling, nicely elevated. $8000.00. p-RENCH BROAD RIVER—50 acres, 11 bottom, balance pasture and woodland. (Travel road through center; also stream, well stocked with fish. Government land, two sides. 6-room cottage, other out* building*. Good small farm, hunting lodge, or camp site. $1,500.00. See J. P. MORGAN, R08MAN, or THE NORTH CAROLINA AGENCY 71 PATTON AVENUE ASHEVILLE, N. C I '< • I c [ • c < t . t <Hl-**»******»*MM nr 8T PHILIPS BOOK TEA TO BE EVENT OF TUESDAY AFTERNOON A book tea sponsored by the Guild of Bt Philip’s Episcopal church will be held Tuesday afternoon from 8 to a o’clock at the home of Mrs. G. B. Lynch on B. Caldwell avenue. An apron sale will also be a feature of the event. The nominal admission charge will entitle the purchaser to re(jfshments and choice of a book. The public Is Invited. TEA HONORS VISITOR HERE Mrs. Jack Trantham was hostess at a lovely tea Friday afternoon at her home on Jordan Btreet, entertaining In honor of Mrs, J. F. Winton, of Slater, Mo„ who was guest of her sis ter, Mrs. Anthony Trantham. Summer flowers In pretty arrange ment decorated the rooms. A pleas ant time was spent In social conversa tion, giving the honor guest an oppor tunity to renew former friendships and to meet new friends. A fruit drink, sandwiches and cake were served dur ing the afternoon. KIWANIAN8 ENJOY DINNER MEETING Members of the board of directors of Brevard Ktwanls were entertained with a dinner Thursday evening at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Fred Zachary. Mrs. Zachary, and Miss Lillian Zach ary served a tempting dinner to the following guests: Dr. E. J. Coltrane. John Bennett, Dr. Harry Bradley, C. M. Douglas, Rev. Yancey C. Elliott, Jul ian Glazener, Rev. CharleB Jones. Pro fessor J. B. Jones, R. T. Kimzey, Harry Sellers, and Dr. Zachary. Following the dinner, matters of business were taken up, including the possibility of establishing a student loan fund for worthy Brevard College students. The question will be pre sented to the club at its meeting Thurs day of this week. GARDEN CLUB MEETING POSTPONED A WEEK The August meeting of the Garden club has been postponed from the reg ular date on the third Friday to Fri day afternoon, August 26. The change In date was made necessary due to the absence from town of the presi dent, Mrs. Pat Klmzey. HOMEMAKERS CLASS MEETS TUESDAY AFTERNOON Announcement has been made of the meeting of the Homemakers class of the Baptist church, which will be held Tuesday afternoon at 8 o’clock at the home of Mrs. John Ashworth. Insecticide formulas. Chief advantages of this, according to chemists, Is Its ability to strike Insects down quickly. Chief disadvantages is the fact that after being sprayed with it, a high per cent of the Insects recover at the eil of twenty-four hours. In other words, Its effect Is not permanent unless used In highly concentrated quantities, and this is impossible because of Its high cost. Chemicals which Mr. Whitmire has been working with for some time now seem to point to a basic Ingredient that will "knock down” incests like pyrethrum, and most important of all. kill them. Another great advantage of this new discovery »ls that it will cost no more than the Japanese product. Partleulai cmphaslfijias been given to work along this line hy the war in China, which has caused the price of pyrethrum to rise tremendously in the past year. With the degree or Doctor or rnarm acy and a diploma In Pharmaceutical Chemistry, ns well. Mr. Whltmlre( real ly Doctor Whitmire) Is well fitted for his work, both by training and Inclina tion. After attending Mars Hill Col lege at Mars Hill, North Carolina, and doing graduate work at the University of North Carolina which led to his re ceiving these two degrees, he worked for some time In the research labora tories of the Vick Chemical Company at Greensboro, North Carolina. Set Up His Oum Laboratory Then he went to 8t. Louis where he was a member of the research staff of Purina Mills. All this time he was carrying on research in Insecticides as a hobby on the side, and, finally, four years ago, he left Purina to set up his own research laboratory in a little two I story building with one man as his as i ststant. Today, he has a new three story structure complete with the latest eaulpment necessary for manufactur ing and research, and he employs about fifty men, including a graduate entomologist and a number of mech anical and chemical .engineers. His commercial customers (for the Whitmire Reserach Corporation does not engage In retail trade) Includes such widely known firms as the Shell Petroleum Corporation, the R. J. Pren tls Drug Company of New York, and the Dodge and Alcott Company, also of New York. Back Borne To Brevard As a member of the National Stan dardization Bureau for Insecticide, Mr. Whitmire helps determine the stan dards which are adopted by the Gov ernment In Its Federal Insecticide laws, a section of the National Pure Food and Drug Act But even an outstanding figure In the field of insecticidal chemistry can have a fly In his ointment Mr. Whit mire misses his home and the friends he left in Brevard. Going Back? "You bet I am,” he said. 'Tm going to take a much needed vacation soon, and when I do, Tm going right back to those green hills around Brevard to my family and the people I’ve missed so long.” Editor's Vote—The above story was written by Billy Moore, former ly news reporter for The Transyl vania Times, but now with the pub licity department of the Shell Pe troleum Corporation. Pay Your Subscription Today METHODIST CIRCLES IN REGULAR MEETINGS The August meetings of three circles of the Methodist church were held Thursday afternoon In the homes of members. Mrs. E. J. Coltrane was hostess to the members of Circle No. 1. Follow ing routine business, In charge of the chairman, Miss Alma Trowbridge, a chapter In the study book, "Women of the Bible," was reviewed by Mrs. J. B. Plckelalmer, telling Interesting facts concerning Lydia. It was decided to hold the September meeting on the first Friday Instead of Thursday to convenience the hostess, Mrs. J. D. Mc Rae. The members of Circle No. 2 met with Mrs. C. E. Buckner, who presided over the business transactions, as chairman, and led the devotlonals. The program was In charge of Mrs. Cordla King and Mrs. Roscoe Nicholson. The meeting of Circle No. 3 was held at the home of Mrs. J. L. Salts, with the chairman Mrs. R. F. Mock, pre siding. The Bible lesson study was conducted by the leader, Mrs. Harold Norwood, reviewing a chapter In the book of Ephesians. Each hostess served refreshments at conclusion of the meetings. 0. E. S. OFFICIAL TO VISIT LOCAL CHAPTER Mrs. Althea Brown, of Tarboro, worthy matron of the Eastern Star of North Carolina, will make an official visit to the local Pisgah chapter Tues day afternoon. It Is expected that other state officials will be present for the special meeting here. SARAH TAYLOR PICNIC THURSDAY EVENING Members of the Sarah Taylor circle of the Methodist church will meet at the home of Mrs. Oliver Orr In Forest Hills Thursday evening of this week at 6 o'clock for a picnic supper. Mrs. Ernest Boys will be assistant hostess with Mrs. Orr. DAUGHTERS WESLEY GLASS MET TVEBDAY EVENING The August business and social meet ing of the Daughters of Wesley class of the Methodist Sunday school was held Tuesday evening In the ladles' parlor. Routine business In charge, of the president. Mrs. E. S. English, was fol lowed by a social feature. Watermel on and cantaloupe were served by the three hostesses, Mrs. J. B. Plckelsim er, Mrs. L. K. Ratchford and Miss Alma Trowbridge. PRESBYTERIAN CIRCLES RAVE AUGUST MEETINGS The August meetings of the three circles of the Presbyterian church were held Thursday afternoon and evening. The meeting of Circle No. t was held at the Davidson River church, con ducted by the chairman, Mrs. Frank Patton. The meeting opened with prayer by Mrs. Arthur Ffoulkes. and a program on service opportunities was led by Mrs. T. E. Patton, Jr. The two hostesses, Mrs. Ffoulkes and Mrs. Clar ence Allison, served refreshments at conclusion of the meeting. Mrs. C. D. Brown was hostess to the members of Circle No. 2 at her home. The chairman, Mrs. C. L. Newland, presided over the routine business, and Mrs. Willis Brittain conducted the program. Devotlonals were led by Mrs. E. W. Blythe. Circle No. 3 met at the hut with the chairman. Mrs. M. M. Feaster, con ducting the business transactions. The program discussion was led by Miss Julia Wood. Each of the meetings concluded with light refreshments. Little Monte Carlo Helping Building Program For Schools Deputy Sheriff Buck McCall used good Judgment last Friday afternoon when he took four extra officers along with him to arrest "two defenseless women” down below Penrose. Armed with a search warran^ and one which set out a rtgamarols about "operating a general nuisance against the peace and dignity of the state," Deputy McCall and his party called at "Little Monte Carlo,” and after a war that was not much different from breaking the Hlndenburg Line In 'U, managed to "bring ’em back” alive, and two of the county’s enterprising "busi ness ladles” rested securely behind the criss-cross windows of (the McCall Hotel Just In the rear of the court house. Professor J. B. Jones now has an extra $100 which the defendants put up as cash bond when they decided that they were sober enough to get out of Jail, and finally came sufficiently to their senses to pack their belongings In an automobile and head west for more >*wlde open” spaces where sheriffs, highway patrolmen, and police officers are less stringent on Just what sort of business shall and shall not operate. The "ladles" did not tell from whence they came, and they left no forwarding address when they left—but Chief Freeman can tell you that they added a lot of new words to the dictionary, but the new words are such that they can’t be printed In The Times. The community probably made two enemies out of the deal—as the same parties were "closed.^out1* a couple weeks ago by Sheriff Shuford after they had started operations up at laur el Cabins on the Rosman highway— then they had Insult added to Injury when they were forced to relinquish their “exclusive tea room” down on the Hendersonville road. BLACK 1A* CARDBOARD.1VC AT THE TIMES OFFICE LOCAL GIRL WINNER IN ART CONTEST MIm Josephine Ramsey has been notified that she Is winner of a cash prise In a contest of "The Captains” a club of amateur artists and journal ists sponsored by Cargo, a Methodist Sunday school publication, of Nashville, Tenn. Miss Ramsey's contribution was an original drawing which win appear in the October 2nd edition of Cargo. In addition to the cash award, Miss Ramsey was presented with a club pin and membership card, entitling her to active membership in The Captains club. Miss Ramsey Is an art pupil of W. H. Oliver. INTERESTING PROGRAM AT BT. PEILIPB AUXILIARY The August meeting of St. Philip’s Auxiliary and Guild was held Thurs day afternoon at Silvemiont, the home of the hostess, Mrs. J. S. Silversteen. The president of the Auxiliary, Mrs. David Ward, led the devotional por tion of the opening, and welcomed the following guests: Mrs. Welzmlller, Mrs. Sullivan, Miss Smedberg, Mrs. Morgan, Misses Annls, Alcesta and Lyda Tu lane. Routine business followed. Mrs. Frank Sledge was program lead er, and presented most Interestingly two topics, "The Christian and War," and “America avid World Peace.' At conclusion of her discussion, there was a forum discussion of the subject. Following the program, the meeting of St. Philip's Guild convened, with Mrs. Harry Bobst. vice president. In charge, In the absence of the president, Mrs. Frank Jenkins, who was 111. The most Important business brought forth was the book tea to be held August IS at the home of Mrs. G. B. Lynch. The following committees were appoint ed by the chairman: General arrange ments, Mrs. Lynch, Mrs. T. D. Grlm shawe, Miss Lillie Holcombe; books. Mrs. Harry Perry and Mrs. Ward; publicity, Mrs. J. M. Allison, Mrs. Harry Sellers. At conclusion of the session, a de licious Ice course .was served and a soc ial hour enjoyed. You’ll Like the Kind of Service We Give. Austin's Studio L22 Broadway '— Plenty of room on the “Hon or Roll”—aend In your renewal today. | Save One-fourth on New, Staple Slips of a regularly stocked line which we are discontinuing. These are REAL VALUES that you will not be able to duplicate anywhere. s Bias cut all-silk Slips, regu larly $1.98, at Bias cut, $1.00 tailored slips, and lace trims, to close out 79. I Haynes rayon knitted slips, regularly $1.39, now only Rayon Knitted Slips by Mun singwear, regularly $1,00 to close out at 79c _