[arch 14, 1924
imunity about
[her products
js. We haven’t
fducts, nor tar.
Geneva Gor-
\m/
VOLUME
lan s
!heck
your
lilks,
with
lorse
this
ition
Itiva-
LDEN
HT
THE
PILOT
NUMBER
18
Is a Paper Devoted to the Upbuilding of the Sandhill Territory of North Carolina
, y Address all communications to
THF. ■ HOT reiNTlNG COMPANY. VASS, N. C.
HcLEAN nakes
SPECIFIC PLEDGES
Leav'S Platform Building to
Siiiie Convention, Saying He
Vrill stand on Party Plank
iring to give the state “a safe.
\ and yet thoroughly administra
tion ' Angus Wilton McLean, in a
statement issued Monday setting forth
his V H \vs on matters of public policy,
went suong for the program of prog
ress j business efficiency and economy
in g^>^ ornment, agricultural develop
ment, law enforcement and reform for
the judicial system. His statement
follows:
To the Democratic Voters of North
Carolina: ‘
I submit the following statement
with respect to my candidacy for the
Democratic nomination for Governor
of North Carolina:
I shall seek the nomination in the
primary on June 7th at the hands of
the Democratic voters, and if nomina
ted 1 will stand on the platform of
the party as adopted by the Conven
tion to be held on April 17th. I shall
not attempt in advance of the Con
vention to adopt a platform of my
own. I deem it proper, however, that
I should at this time declare my per
sonal views with respect to some of
the matters of State policy in which
our people are interested.
Let me say at tUe outset in all sin
cerity, that I feel a very unaffected
sense of responsibility in aspiring to
the office I seek, believing as I do
that it is the highest position of hon
or, trust and service within the gift
of the people. Moreover, the office
is one in which the people have a
most vital interest, and they have the
right to expect that any man who as
pires to it shall'give a pledge of un
selfish service. I, therefore, solemnly
declare that if I am nominated and
elected I shall subordinate every per
sonal interest, and laying all other
thing's aside, strive earnestly and
whle heartedly for the up-building of
our beloved Commonwealth in all of
its material, moral and spiritual
values. If I did not believe I could
render some constructive service at
this time, w'hen governmental acti
vities have so broadened as to inti
mately touch the life of every citizen,
I would not care to undertake the ar
duous duties of the office. I have long
had a desire to serve the people of
my native State in a constructive ca
pacity, and I feel that the Governor’s
office offers an unusual opportunity
for such service.
The Democratic party has been in
continuous control of the State for
twenty -three years. During all that
period its record of useful and pro
gressive achievement has been unpar
alleled in the history of government.
We must remember, however, that
progress in government, as in all other
human activities, is the result of con
stant striving for better things, and
that perfect accomplishment is always
in the future.
North Carolina has entered upon a
new era, and it is with pardonable
pride that we view her present posi
tion among the states. The program
of constructive achievement entered
upon a few years ago has necessitated
not only great expansion in the ma
chinery of government, but also has
largely increased our governmental
activities to meet the new and con
stantly increasing demands for a
greater measure of service to the peo
ple. A mental review of what is us
ually termed the State will disclose a
great business as well as a great civic
organization. In its business spec*:s
the State may be likened to a great
enter])rise with several hundred mil
lion dollars invested for the benefit of
Its owners, the people of the State.
Aniofiu its assets is a great highway
system threading every county in the
otate.
. 1^ vf l y intelligent citizen must real
ize that with the constantly widening
SfO])e of governmental activities new
methods must be applied if the busi-
" (if the State with is many depart-
bureaus, commissions, institu
tions and other branches is to be man
aged wisely and efficiently and at the
same time for the common good. Jn
^y judgment, a safe and sane, vet
tnoroughly progressive business ad
ministration of the State’s affairs is
tne pararnount need at the present
time. It IS my ambition to give the
btate such an administration.
It is manifestly impossible to refer
here to every matter of public con-
cern. I may, however, mention the
following policies which, if elected
vrOA^rnor, I shall endeavor to support
with all the power and influence at
my command:
Continued improvement in our sys
tem of public education, keeping in
mind as the ultimate goal that equal
opportunity shall be given to every
child to enjoy the best educational ad-
vantages, both academic and vocation
al, that the State can afford.
2. The development of our agricul
tural industry, so as to produce pros
perity and contentment among our
farmers is at this moment our most
pressing problem. Among the things
v^hich may contribute to the solution
of this problem are: (a) fostering
means whereby worthy tenants may
become land owners; (b) establishing
a research laboratory in the cotton
sections of the State for experimental
work in boll weevil control; (c) pro
viding a more comprehensive system
of agricultural training in the rural
schools and making these schools the
centers of activity for rural better
ment.
Taxes and Economy in Government
3. Taxes on both land and personal
property are too high in many of the
counties and municipalities of the
State. There is admittedly a lack of
uniformity in the valuation of lands
for taxation, and this imposes an un
equal and often too heavy a burden
upon individual taxpayers. Often in
tangible property escapes taxation,
thereby increasing the taxes upon
tangible property. In many cases,
lands are valued too high for pur
poses of taxation. A close study of
the whole situation should be made
in an effort to devise some plan where
by these heavy burdens existing in
some of the counties be relieved and
the defects and inequalities eliminat
ed. The present system whereby land
and personal property are assessed
for taxation, and taxed by the local
authorities for local purposes only, is
the declared policy of the democratic
party and has been approved by our
people.
I believe that' the time has come
when & careful and comprehensive sur
vey should be made of all governmen
tal expenses, both State and local, to
the end that they may be reduced
wherever this can be done, without re
tarding wholesome and h'ecessary
progress. Obviously, one of the most
practical ways of reducing the ag
gregate amount of taxes and thus the
amount paid by each taxpayer is to
reduce expenses in the administration
(Continued on page 8)
REACHESNILLION
DOLLAR CLASS
Bank of Pinehurst Has Made
Unusual Record for the
Community
FRIDAY, MARCH 21,1924
WORLD’S PREMIER
IN THHANDHILLS
Picture to be Shown at Carolina
Carolina Theatre for First
Time Anywhere
nes
nif
PROGRAM
For the week of the
CAROLINA THEATRES,
I*’’fnurst and Southern Pines
'ociety Scandal”— Pinehurst,
J'!;day, March 21st. Matinee
‘'‘‘■^urday.
''Uhern Pines, Saturday, March
^:20 p. m.
‘ Knchanted Cottage”—Pine-
jst, Monday, March 24th.
>^atmee Tuesday.
►southern Pines, Tuesday, March
n, 8:15 p. m.
' -I u Brummel” — Pinehurst,
Vvednesday, March 26th. Mati-
Thursday.
^2^ithern Pines, Thurs’dy, March
:h.
‘‘1*
(A. S. Newcomb)
When a statistician desires to ascer
tain the rate and nature of the growth
of a village and its surrounding sec
tion, he usully begins by studying its
banking resources. •
While the amount of freight and ex
press handled, the business done by
the local post office and the number of
homes and business institutions added
to the community are all vitally im
portant considerations, there is noth
ing that indicates stability and per
manence of growth like substantial
and consistent increase in bank re
sources.
All banks in the Sandhills have de
veloped steadily and rapidly, and a
study of their experience during the
past ten years is interesting and most
reassuring to all who have the welfare
of this section at heart.
The Bank of Pinehurst is a con
crete example of such development.
Founded in 1914, it has grown steadi
ly and consistently and a short time
ago its total resources passed the mil
lion dollar mark. When this bank was
organized, the promoters believed that
the deposits would amount to $100,-
000, and hoped to do somewhat bet
ter than that, and some of the more
optimistic ones were sanguine enough
to prophesy that at the end of a decade
the resources w’^ould amount to five
hundred thousand dollars. But if, at
that time, anyone had predicted that
(Continued on page 8)
A world’s premier in the Sandhills!
This may not mean much to some
but it is a distinction that is sought by
almost every theatre in America and
accorded to very few except the larg
est cities. But to have the world’s
premier of one of the year’s greatest
productions, starring America’s great
est actor, is something to crow about
and something which every Sandhiller
should take pride in.
Ever since the completion of “Beau
Brummel” and its private pre-view in
New York, the “big four” in New
York: the Strand, the Rivoli, the Ri
alto and the Capitol theatres have had
a merry little war over which would
get the first run in New York which
threatened to result in legal proceed
ings, but the plum was finally award
ed to the Strand which will be the
first to show it after it has been seen
in the Sandhills.
It really isn’t necessary to say any
thing about the play itself. Beau
Brummel has been a famous charac
ter ever since the reign of King
George III., and the play was made
famous by Richard Mansfield which,
incidentally made Mansfield famous.
“Beau Brummel” is a complete
story of the rise and fall of this extra
ordinary man who rose from penniless
obscurity, became the friend of Prin
cess, and clung for years to position
of Europe’s dictator of fashion. His
name for more than a century and a
quarter has been a synonym.style and
the manner in which he virtually ruled
the social life of England’s Court dtir-
ing most of the madness of George
III., is still a marvel not quite under
stood.
There are many photoplays this sea
son which entertain or thrill or amuse.
There are also a few productions no
table for beauty, adroitness of devel
opment, fine acting, deft direction and
sustained interest. The season of 19-
23-24 has brought the fulfillment of
promises of “better pictures,” and
with those which are merely better
have come to light a few productions
of real beauty and distinction, a few
film plays which will probably run for
years.
One of these productions of singular
power and haunting beauty is “Beau
Brummel,” starring John Barrymore,
in the title part, has never had a role
which suited his looks nor his abilities
so well. As Brummel, the lover, he is
superb; as Brummel, the climber, he
is daring and charming and agile of
wit; as Brummel, the “first gentle
man of Europe,” he is insolent, vain,
overbearing; and as Brummel, the ex
ile, he is as marvelously transform
ed as he was in the part of “Dr. Jek-
yll and Mr. Hyde.” Willard Louis, as
Prince George, gives a performance
second only to that of Mr. Barrymore.
Fat, round-faced, stupid, vain, loving
flattery, servile even in the face of af
fronts from the gorgeous Beau whom
he has made powerful by his favor,
this Prince George is a great fellow.
The cast is long, and of no member of
it can it be said that either he or she
was poor or merely adequate. Every
part, however small, seems to have
been given the same attention as
though it had been one of the princi
pal roles.
“Beau Brummel” is a wonderful
production. A masterpiece. Probably
one of the most elaborate and beauti
ful productions of the year, certainly
to date.
Mr. Picquet says:—
“It is one of the few which we will
remember long after we have seen it.
It is the most costly picture ever
shown in the section and it will doubt
less be next fall before it will be seen
again outside of the largest cities.
“A world’s premier is an event in
any city and is doubly so in the sand
hills. Theatre managers from all over
the territory will be here to view it.
Even from as far south as Atlanta
they are coming. Every trade journal
in the United States will have mention
of this premier showing.
“The Carolina Hotel has loaned its
orchestra for the occasion at Pine
hurst. The music will be especially
arranged for the orchestra after view
ing the picture.
“At Southern Pines will be staged
a real fashion show and what could be
more appropriate with a picture like
“Beau Brummel?”
“This will be an outstanding and
probably the last big event of the
season and will equal any social event
ever held in the Sandhills.
“There are two reasons why the ad
mission prices had to be raised: One
is the fact that it is the most costly
picture we have ever shown and the
limited capacity and population com
pels a raise. The other is the fact
that to secure this production we wei'e
obliged to sign a contract to charge
certain minimum prices. The distri
butors at first tried to insist that we
charge a minimum admission of $1.65,
but that we rufused to do.
“Of one thing our patrons may be
sure—the picture is well worth the
money no matter what price you
choose to pay.”
At Pinehurst, Wednesday, March
26th. At Southern Pines, Thursday,
March 27th.
PLANNING FOR A CANTA
LOUPE CROP
(Dr. R. G. Rosser)
Last week an article appeared in
The Pilot concerning the culture of
cantaloupes with reference to my
ideas as to such a crop diversification.
I wish to state that I am not the au
thor of the article, but to acknowledge
the fact that it does conform to my
sanction in almost every particular.
The culture of cantaloupes might well
be carried on by the farmers of the
Sandhills on a small scale in connec
tion with other crops^nd can be made
profitable, as they are not an expen
sive crop, do not conflict to any great
extent with other crops, grow quickly,
improve the soil where grown, and re
turns can be gotten early in the sea
son from such a crop. Besides these
advantages Moore county and the sec
tion around Vass have shipping facil
ities not rivaled anywhere in the
South, also a soil that will produce a
cantaloupe superior in quality to any
cantaloupe in the world. These facts
being true the people should not neg
lect to take advantage of such natural
and other advantages to get profitable
returns from their Ibor.
McKeithen & Co., are considering
handling seed, fertilizer and crates,
and will also investigate shipping in
iced cars to the proper markets. Call
in and talk it over with Mr. McKeith
en.
SAYS HE BELIEVES
I IN STATES RIGHTS
j Chancellor McCormick, of Uni-
j versity of Pittsburgh, Talks
I to Kiwanis Club
At the meeting of the Kiwanis Club
at Aberdeen on Wednesday another
prominent speaker took up a perti
nent theme. This was Chancellor S.
B. McCormick, of the University of
Pittsburgh. The Chancellor started
out by confessing that he was a re
publican, which he said was no crime
up in Western Pennsylvania. But he
then went on to say some things in
defense of the rights of the, states as
distinguished from the encroaching
authority of the Federal government,
which would have sounded mighty
logical as an argument in this sec
tion sixty years ago.
Dr. McCormick referred to the wis
dom of the writers of the Federal con
stitution when they provided for cer
tain duties and certain rights of both
the general government and the sev
eral states, but he told the big gather
ing that the existence of the common
wealth is as important as the exist
ence of the general government, and
that on the day when the states cease
to have their individual rigiits and
their separate and substantial identi
ty the end of the republic is not far
off.
He regretted the tendency to turn to
the Washington government for so
many things that have no real basis
for lodging in the general government.
The united action of the states for
common defense, and for the greater
(Continued on page 8)
SUBSCRIPTION $2.00
PEACH PROSPECTS
STILL LOOK GOOD
Big Crop Indicated With Lots of
Soft Peaches for all of the
Neighborhood
While this has been a rather ec
centric winter, the peach man has not
been sitting up nights shedding tears.
April is almost at hand and peach
buds have scarcely begun to show col-
lor. From the first of January up to
the present time no excessively cold
weather has been experienced, but on
the other hand, the average tempera
ture for the three months has been
below the normal and warm days to
start vegetation have been extremely
few. The winter has been a good
one on the whole, with just two or
three little dashes of snow and a fair
amount of sunshine. As a result the
orchards appear to be in the best pos
sible shape. Unless unusual condi
tions should prevail between now and
Easter everything points to the big
gest yield to the tree that this peach
belt has known. Spraying^ and prun
ing are well up. The trees appear to
have wintered well. Already the rail
roads are arranging their plans for
moving an extraordinary crop, and as
soon as the blossoms open the peach
men will be dancing until the last
shipment goes to market in August.
Unless all signs fail, the orchard
season this year will be one in which
everybody who is willing to work can
find a job. The truth is that right
there is one of the problems fruit men
will have to struggle with. Pickers,
packers, trucks and drivers, railroad
hands, loaders at the station and ev
erybody who can do anything will be
needed. Many people will come from
other places, for if everything goes
right, it is possible that a million
crates of fruit or more will be harvest
ed and shipped from this section.
While soft peaches and culls are never
spoken of as a great product, anybody
who has kept up with peach produc
tion knows that a fair percentage of
the fruit is rejected under the rigid
Sandhill inspection. Beyond a doubt
thousands of bushels will be set aside
out of this enormous crop and people
will come in here in all directions with
cars and trucks to secure the soft fruit
at a price that will be an attraction.
As the orchards -Will be busy with
their marketable fruit they devote lit
tle attention to the grades that will
not permit shipment. This gives the
people within a hundred miles of the
peach belt a chance to get fruit of ex
cellent quality for home use almost at
their own prices. This opportunity
has been pretty generally understood
but with a large crop this year. the
grades that will be set aside will in
clude so much more fruit than ever
before that everybody who can get
around and secure some of it will find
a profitable bargain.
Some of the most excellent fruit
that was ever raised will be on the
bargain counter this summer. Magni
ficent Georgia Belles and Elbertas
overlooked until they are a little too
ripe to forward to market but in the
pink of condition for immediate home
use will be there for anybody who is
willing to pay a nominal price. It is
this quality of fruit that the people of
the Sandhills use and because it is
ripe before it is picked it is better for
local use than the harder, greener
fruit that must be picked while firm
enough to stand shipment and market
ing. Peach men expect to see the
roads alive with trucks from every
where during the season carrying
away tremendous quantities of fruit
of this kind which must be market at
home or thrown away.
The prospects seem to be for a sat
isfactory dewberry crop, although
some of the planters say that in places
the vines have not made as good
growth during the winter as they
might. The Sandhills dewberry is at
tracting the attention of farmers in
other sections, and a large number of
plants raised in this county have been
sold for delivery in other sections.
Cotton planters seem to think the
(Continued on page 8)