1
VOLUME 38.
1
SMITHFIELD, N. C. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1919
Number 98
NORTH CAROLINA
PAID IN MILLIONS
Thirty Millions of Income and Profits
Taxes—Leads Southern States—
New York Leads All States In Fed
eral Tax Payments With $929,744,
000,
The annual report of the commis
sioner of internal revenue recently
made public shows that North Caro
lina led all southern states in the pay
ment of federal taxes for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1919. Tar Heels
paid more than a hundred million dol
lars into the federal treasury.
This was indicated in a preliminary
report made by Commissioner Roper
several months ago and the final and
official figures give to North Carolina
the taxpaying championship of the
south and pay tribute to the prosperi
ty of the state.
The Roper report devotes consider
able space to tobacco as a revenue pro
ducer. With liquor taxes now a thing
of the past tobacco is among the prin
cipal revenue producers, the report
saying that “tobacco has become one
of the great sources of revenue for
the government.’’
An interesting comment is that con
cerning the steady gains made in the
manufacture of cigarettes. In 1910,
the report says, there were about
eight and one-half billion cigarettes
and eight billion cigars made. Cigars
have remained practically stationary
and last year there were made approx
imately eight billions, while cigarettes
had jumped to 461-2 billions. The
pounds of leaf tobacco entering into
the manufacture of cigarettes and
cigars last year were, respectively,
177,000,000 and 162,000,000.
A summary of the internal revenue
receipts reveals that during the past
fiscal year North Carolina paid in tax
es $101,278,152.98, this amount repre
senting $30,000,000 in income and
profits taxes and $71,000,000 in mis
cellaneous taxes.
Total federal taxes paid into the
bureau by other southern states in
round figures follow:
Alabama, $12,874,000; Florida, $9,
220,000; Georgia, $30,932,000; Louisi
ana, $31,618,000; Maryland, $67,955,
000; Mississippi, $6,657,000; South
Carolina, $18,660,000; Tennessee, $23,
472,000; Texas, $62,215,000; Virginia,
$45,108,000.
Of course New York led all states
in federal tax payments, its bill being
$929,744,000, or nearly a billion dol
lars. Other big tax-payers were Ohio,
$260,000,000; Pennsylvania, $437,000,
000; Illinois, $323,000,000; Massachu
setts, $245,000,000.—Theodore Tiller,
in Greensboro Neyvs. .
LOSES LIFE TO SAVE
WOMAN AND CHILDREN
Run Down by Railroad Train, John
Campbell Dies In A Fayetteville
Hospital.
Fayetteville, Dec. 9.—John Camp
bell, of Harmony, died in the Cumber
land General hospital here this after
noon from injuries sustained while at
tempting to rescue the wife and chil
dren of his employer from the path
of a train on the Aberdeen and Rock
fish road. Mr. Campbell was brought
to this hospital at an early hour this
morning.
The tragic accident occurred at
Thomas station about 6:30 last night
when the wheel of an automobile be
longing to C. A. Harrelson, driven by
Campbell, became _ “locked” in the
crossing of the railroad. After the
two men had vainly endeavored to ex
tricate the wheel and unfasten the
curtain of the car in order to liberate
Mrs. Harrelson and the children, Har
relson ra» down the track to flag the
on coming train, and succeeded in at
tracting the attention of the engineer
in time to slow up the train but not
soon enough to avert the tragedy.
Campbell was still striving to loose*
the wheel, and his skull and right arm
were fractured when the train hit the
automobile. The woman and children
in the car were unhurt. Campbell was
carried to Raeford anfl later in the
night brought to this city by special
train, provided by the railroad. He
was a married man of middle age and
leaves a wife and several children.—
News and Observer.
Trains Nos. 93 and 94 Taken Off.
In order to conserve coal during
these strenuous times when coal min
ers refuse to work the Railroad Ad
ministration hijs discontinued a great
many trains. In this section they have
taken off the trains that run from
Fayetteville to Rocky Mount. Train
No. 84 which passes here each even
ing at 8:26, northbound, has been tak
en off, as has also the southbound
which passes here each morning at
7:48. Quite a number of other Coast
Line trains have also been taken off.
1.
TEACHING FORCE INADEQUATE.'
Superintendent Brooks Calls Attention
To Needed Increase Of Training
Facilities.
Raleigh, Dec. 7.—The schools of
North Carolina need 862 more teach
ers than the various colleges and ins
titutions of the state supplied last
year, Dr. E. C. Brooks, superintendent
of public instruction, said today, em->
phasizing the statement made in a
speech by President Robert H. Wright |
of the Eastern Carolina Training
School at the teachers assembly. The
figures assembled by Dr. Wright are
worthy of the most serious eonsiderti
tion of every person who has the good
of the children of the state at heart,
according to Dr. Brooks.
“There are 11,730 white teachers in
North Carolina—9,520 rural and 2,210
urban. There are 1,519 graduates
from normal schools. Of these 924
are in the country and 595 in the
towns. There are 2,393 who have at
tended normal schools, exclusive of
summer schools but who have not
graduated. This leaves 7,818 without
normal training except the training
that some have obtained by attending
summer schools. The best data we
can get shows that 3,000 white teach
ers have not had normal training.
That means that at least 25 per cent
of those who are teaching have had
no training for the work,” said Dr.
Brooks.
“Information received from 75
counties would indicate that there are
1,762 teachers working in the state
who have never taught before and
that there is a normal yearly need of
2,624 new teachers for the schools of
the state.
“We must either have more or larg
er normal schools and colleges,” said
Dr. Brooks, again using the figures
compiled by Dr. Wright. “Last year
nearly 1,500 boys and girls were turn
ed away from the colleges and nor
mal schools because there was not
room for them. In view of this ques
tion there is no reason for college
jealousy, but there is every reason
why we should immediately take steps
looking to the broadening of our edu
cational policies and increasing the
room and teaching force at the colleg
es and institutions we already have.
Dr. Wright believes we should imme
diately complete the training school
at Greenville and take steps at once
looking to the erection of three or
four more schools like this at once.
This building program should be un
dertaken by the next general assem
bly. We cannot afford to allow the
children of this and the coming gen
eration to grow up in ignorance be
cause the state has not provided suf
ficient schools for them to get the
higher training in, and consequently
do not train enough teachers to man
the public schools. Even should all
the graduates of all the institutions
of higher education in the state enter
the teaching profession it would not
come halfway meeting the annual de
mand for new school teachers in
North Carolina.”—Wilmington Star.
Superior Court Work.
Superior Court opened here Mon
day morning with Judge Connor pre
siding. The following grand jury was
drawn and sworn in:
J. H. B. Tomlinson, forefnan; P. E.
Tomlinson, Jos. D. Thompson, Julian
Godwin, J. H. Whitley, W. H. Lassiter,
M. G. Olive, E. S. Coats, J. J. Broad
hurst, G. W. Wood, J. V. Mashbum,
W. G. Wilson, L. B. Austin, J. E.
Woodall, H. G. Gray, Claude Hill, J.
Loyd Stephenson and J. M. Wall.
John W. Alford was made officer of
the grand jury.
Quite a number of cases were con
tinued and others were nol prossed.
The grand jury found true bills for
murder against Walter J. Fields, for
the killing of Ed. Harvey, and against
Claudius Barnes, for killing Nancy
Mae Spivey.
Joe W. McLamb, .Frank Wimberly
and Jas. L. McLamb were tried for
making liquor. Jas. L. McLamb plead
guilty and was given twelve months
in jail with leave to the commission
ers to hire out to work on the roads.
Walter McRae, 16 years, was given
a five year sentence in jail for forg
ery. He is to be hired out to pay the
costs.
Rufus Medlin was given two years
on the Smithfield roads fcr assault. J
The court adjourned Tuesday until
next Monday when the civil docket
will be taken up. There are a num
ber of cases set for trial next week.
Good lobacco and Cotton farming.
Mr. P. H. Parson, who lives a few
miles below Newton Grove, was here
Tuesday with his last load of tobacco
which he sold at the Banner. Mr.
Parson had three acres in tobacco this
year and realized $1,715 clear check.
He planted 10 acres in cotton and has
already picked 13 bales and has two
or three bales still in the patch. He
has not yet sold a bale of his cotton.
STRIKE OF COAL
MINERS IS ENDED
Wilson’s Proposal Accepted;—Re
sumption of Work Ordered—Only
One Member of General Committee
Against Adoption of President’s
Plan.—Optimism Is Felt.
Indianapolis, Iiid., Dec. 10.—The
coal miners’ strike is ended. With
but one dissenting vote, the general
committee of the United Mine Work
ers of America in session here this
afternoon voted to accept President
W’ilson’s proposal for immediate re
turn to work pending final settlement
of their wage controversy with ope
rators by a commission to be appoint
ed by him.
Telegrams were sent out tonight
to the 4,000 locals of the union by in
ternational officers of the mine work
ers instructing the men to return to
work immediately. Full instructions
with regard to the agreement will be
sent out tomorrow morning.
Operators tonight predicted full re
sumption of operations Friday and
shipment of coal from the mines be
ginning Monday morning.
Miners, operators and government
officials alike were highly gratified
ever the settlement tonight and all
sides appeared confident of a final sat
isfactory settlement of the fight by
the commission.
The action today ends a tie-up of
the coal industry of more than five
weeks’ duration and one which was
more far-reaching in its effects than
any other in the history of the coun
try. As a result of the strike the
country was fast approaching a com
plete shutdown of industry and wide
spread suffering among its 100,000,
000 inhabitants.
The decision of the miners came af
ter many hours of debate in which
the radical element in the general
committee made incendiary speeches
against operators and others interest
ed in settlement of the strike and for
a time threatened to defeat efforts to
settle the strike at this time. The
conservative element, led by Acting
President John L. Lewis and Secreta
ry-Treasurer William Green, gained
control of the situation this morning
and succeeded in putting down prac
tically all opposition by#the time the
question came to a vote.—Associated
Press.
CLAYTON NEWS BUDGET.
Clayton, Dec. 10.—Mrs. Hugh John
son and little daughter, Rebecca Aus
tin, of Raleigh, visited relatives here
this week.
Miss Julia Austin and friend Miss
Dearmore of Rex Hospital, Ralqjgh,
spent Sunday at the home of Miss
Austin at Wildwood Farm.
Mr. Weisner Farmer spent the past
week end in Greensboro. He went to
see his sister, Miss Eula Maie Farm
er, who is in school at G. C. W.
The members of the Y. W. C. A. of
the Baptist church held its regular
meeting Tuesday afternoon at the
home of Miss Telza Barnes from 3:30
until five o’clock. The program was
very interesting. Miss Margaret
Dolphin had charge of it. After the
lesson in Bible study a report was
made from the bazaar by Miss Thelma
Barbour. The society had hoped for
fifty dollars but the glorious sum of
$103.70 was made above all expenses
and several things not sold until af
ter this report was made. Miss
Barnes served fruit salad and cakes
assisted by Mrs. C. B. Turley. Those
present were Mrs. C. B. Turley, Mrs.
C. D. Bass, Misses Hettie Wilder,
Ethel Talton, Margaret Golphin, Clee
Ellis, Clyde Ellis, Thelma Barbour,
Barbara and Jessie Gulley.
Mr. and Mrs. Hugh A. Page are in
Sanford being called there by the
sickness and death of Mrs. Page’s
mother, Mrs. Riddle.
Mrs. R. B. Ellis spent Tuesday
morning in Raleigh shopping.
Today at 12 o’clock at her home
near Mt. Moriah church Miss Mamie
Sou Poole was married to Mr. Swade
E. Barbour of this place. The marri
age was a very quiet affair. After the
ceremony they left immediately for
their bridal tour.
Misses Aldine Oneil, Blanche Ellis,
Barbara Gulley and Mr. Garland Wall
spent last Sunday in Princeton.
Mr. C. W. Lindsay from Smithfield
spent a few days this week here.
Miss Kittie Poole came home from
Rocky Mount yesterday to be present
at the Barbour-Poole marriage today.
Grace Elected Mayor of Charleston.
Without opposition John P. Grace
was Tuesday elected mayor of Charles
ton to serve four years beginning next
Tuesday. Twenty-four aldermen, six
school commissioners, and two water
commissioners were also elected with
out opposition.
GODLEY MUST GO
TO ELECTRIC CHAIR
Governor Refuses to Commute The
Sentence—Prisoner’s Plea of Insan
ity When Crime Was Committed Is
Not Believed.
(News and Obseiver, Dec. 10th.)
Mercy was denied at the court of
last resort yesterday, when Churchill
Godley, a white man, convicted at a
special term of criminal court in John
ston county last. June on a charge of
criminal assault, appealed to Gov. T.
W. Bickett for clemency, and the pris
oner will pay the extreme penalty of
the la\v at the State Prison next Mon
day morning at 10 o’clock.
A full admission of guilt and a plea
of temporary insanity was made in be
half of the accused in the final effort
to win a commutation of sentence
from the Chief Executive, but the
Governor was unwilling to accept the
statements as to the prisoner’s men
tal state, and declined to interfere
with the judgmud of the court.
Godley was arrested early last June
on a charge of having committed as
sault upon a nine-year-old girl in
Smithfield, and was tried at a special
term of court assembled to hear the
case. He disclaimed any knowledge
of the crime when brought to trial
and only after death had been set as
the price of the crime did he admit
guilt in a final plea to the Governor
for mercy. Attached to the denial of
clemency are the following reasons:
“The evidence that the crime was
committed is ^lear, full and convinc
ing. The evidence that the prisoner,
Godley, did the crime is so conclusive
as to leave not a shadow of doubt.
“The petition for commutation con
cedes the guilt of the prisoner, but I
am asked to interfere with the judg
ment of the law upon the ground that
the prisoner was not mentally respon
sible for his conduct. Upon that ques
tion all the evidence is, that no one,
prior to the filing of this petition, had
ever heard the prisoner say anything
or do anything that indicated any de
gree of mental unsoundness. A large
delegation of representative citizens
of Johnston county, among them two
physicians, appeared before me, and
ail of them testified that the prisoner
had been living in Smithfield for some
ten years, and that no one of them
had ever seen him do anything or
heard him say anything to raise the
least suspicion about his perfect sani
ty. I had Dr. Anderson, of the State
Hospital, and Dr. Knox, physician at
the State Prison, to examine the pris
oner with respect to his mental condi
tion, and they report that they found
nothing abnormal about him.
“On the other hand, Dr. Hardy, at
one time superintendent of the State
School for the Feeble-minded, testified
before me that he knew Godley when
a young man, and that in his opinion
he was a sexual pervert, and he gave
some facts tending to • support this
opinion. The main contention of those
seeking a commutation is that the
crime itself is conclusive evidence of
an unbalanced mind. I cannot assent
j to this view of the case. The evidence
| before me establishes the fact that the
| prisoner, during the ten years that he
I lived in Smithfield, has been an utterly
worthless character, worthless to him
self, worthlsss to his family and
worthless to the community.
“The people of North Carolina,
through their representatives in the
General Assembly declare what are
crimes, and prescribe punishment for
the same. The Governor is not justi
fied in interfering with the judgment
of the people as declared by the law
making power, unless satisfied that
his interference is required by the
highest good of society or the individ
ual prisoner. Under the facts in this
case I am unable to see that either
society or the prisoner would be real
ly benefitted by executive interference.
The petition is, therefore, declined.”
11,030,000 Bales Estimated Crop.
Washington, Dec. 11.—Total cotton
production in the United States in the
1919-20 season will amount to 5,275,
096.000 pounds, exclusive of linters,
which is equivalent to 11,030,000 bales
of 500 pounds gross weight, the De
partment of Agriculture announced
today in its final estimate of this
year’s crop.
The department’s last estimatS,
made on the condition of the crop
September 25, was 10,696,000 bales,
while the first estimate of the season,
based on June 25 conditions, was 10,
986.000 bales. Last year’s crop was
12,040,532 bales, the average for the
five years 1913-17 was 12,847,108
bales and the record crop, 16,134,930
bales, in 1914.
The significance of an agate stone,
worn as a brooch, is that it is sup
posed to quench thirst and to protect
the wearer against lightning.
CAMPAIGN SPLENDID SUCCESS.
Wilmington Association Subscribes
Over $200,000, Or $50,000 Over Its
Quota.
Local Baptists last night were elat
ed when reports reaching W. G. llall,
director of the Wilmington associa
tion in the Baptists’ $75,000,000 cam
paign showed that the association had
subscribed more than $200,000 or up
wards of $60,000 in excess of its quo
ta. Each of the three Wilmington
churches went over the top by several
thousand dollars.
Director Hall last night said that
the total amount reported up to and
including yesterday afternoon amount
ed to $202,01 (i.10. This amount, he
believed, would he increased by sub
scriptions last night, and expects ad
ditional reports today to bring the
figures up to $205,000. He congratu
lated Baptists of the association on
the splendid work accomplished dur
ing tii:' campaign and said that of all
the associations in the state, members
cf none have worked harder in the
interest of the campaign than the
Baptists of the Wilmington associa
tion.—Wilmington Star, 8th.
Land Sales.
Some people wonder why it is that
so much land is being sold in small
tracts at auction, when, as a matter
of fact, if they would stop to think,
they would realize that the popularity
of the modern method 'of selling land
at auction is due to certain well-defin
ed conditions which have arisen within
the past few years. In the first place,
on account of the scarcity and high
price of labor, the landlord finds it im
practical and oftimes unprofitable to
cultivate large areas of land. He,
therefore, in seeking a solution of his
problem, naturally turns to the Auc
tion Company. They sub-divide the
farm in the most advantageous man
ner, put on a short, intensive adver
tising 'campaign and provide for the
land owner a ready buyer and a quick
settlement. Another reason for the
success of the auction method is on
account of the fact that so many ten
ants are becoming able to own their
land. They therefore attend the auc
tion sales, and buy land, because they
find it almost impossible to buy small
farms elsewhere. They find that the
large farms have been vlivided into
small farms with an idea of meeting
the very need that they feel. They
find, also, that the land is offered on
terms that make it easy to meet the
■payments. Is there reason, then, to
wonder that they are such willing,
eager purchasers ? And if, then, the
Auction Company renders a distinct
service to both buyer and seller, is it
strange, after all, that they meet with
the approval of the public? It is
claimed, also, that the sub-division of
a large farm improves a community,
for it is conceded that a community
of small farms, operated by the own
ers, makes for a better class of citi
zenship than a community of tenants.
It is known to be a fact land cultivat
ed by the owner is more productive,
by a large per cent, than land farmed
by tenants. When a tenant becomes
a landlord he has a different outlook
upon life. He works hprder and takes
more pride in his work. The Union
Auction Co., of Smithfield, has con
ducted a number of highly successful
sales in this community, giving satis
faction alike to the owners of the
land sold and the purchasers. Their
next sale near here is the John A.
Johnson farm, which is located about
one and one-half miles South of
Smithfield. They claim that no bet
ter land has been offered for sale in
North Carolina than this. The date
of sale is Wednesday, December 17th,
at 10:30 A. M. The land will be sold
on extremely easy terms. In addition
to the usual dinner, cash prizes, etc.,
the Auction Company will give away
a $100.00 Liberty Bond.
Barbour-Poole.
Clayton, Dec. 10.—A marriage of
wide social interest was solemnized
here at high noon today when Miss
Nannie Lou Poole, the charming
daughter of Mrs. Icana Poole, became
the bride of Mr. Swade E. Barbour.
The marriage took place at the at
tractive country home of the bride,
the ceremony being performed by Rev.
Frank Poole, of Wake Forest.
Preceding the ceremony Miss Kitty
Poole sang DeKoven’s “0 Promise
Me,” and the bridal party entered the
drawing room to the strains of the
Mendelsshon’s wedding Inarch, play
ed by Miss Thelma Baldwin. Imme
diately after the ceremony the happy
young couple left for a wedding trip
to New York and other points of in
terest.—News and Observer.
The stores in Smithfield are taking
on a Christmas look. The windows
with their decorations of red and
green, displaying everything from
fancy articles to fruit and groceries,
present an attractive appearance.
HEAVY RAINS DO
DAMAGE IN SOUTH
People' Lose Homes and Thousand
Said to Be Homeless in Meridian,
Miss.—Street Car and Train Service
Hurt.
General rains in various sections of
the South have brought many riv
ers to the flood stage and caused
heavy property damages at several
points.
A thousand persons were homeless
and train service was indefinitely sus
pended at Meridian, Miss., due to the
overflow of small streams south of
the city. One negro is reported to .
have lost his life. The rainfall of 48
hours in the* vicinity of Meridian to
taled 10.10 inches.
Street car service was interrupted
in Mobile by the inability of storm
sewers to convey the great volume
of the rainfall. Train service on the
Mobile and Ohio railroad between En
terprise and Quitman, Miss., was in
terrupted by washouts. Flood warn
ings were ordered for streams Hjn
southwest Alabama.
The hydro-electric plant of the
Montgomery Light and Power com
pany at Tallahassee, Ala., was*-put
out of commission by a broken dam,
leaving the city without lights or
street car service.. Heavy damage was
reported in the vicinity of Montgom
ery, with railroad service impaired.
Water was rising in North Montgom
ery from the Hooded Alabama river.
High water on the Chattahoochee
river near Columbus, Ga., is said to
have caused property damage, with a
continued rise of the river predicted.
—Associated Press.
KENLY NOTES.
Kenly, Dec. 10.—Miss Susie Sauls
from Goldsboro is the guest of Mrs.
J. R. Sauls.
Mr. L. Q. Lewis and son from Bail
ey are spending some time with Mr.
and Mrs. J. G. High.
Mrs. Dred Sauls and Mrs. H. H.
Walston of Wilson returned home
Monday after spending several days
with- Mrs. J. R. Sauls.
Miss Estelle Ray from Wilson spent
the week end with Miss Beulah Bail
ey.
Mr. H. P. »Edgerton has gone on
a business trip to Texas.
Dr. and Mrs. R. A. Turlington Spent
the week end visiting relatives in
Sampson county.
Mrs. J. C. Bowman’s father, Mr.
James Griggs, and uncle, Mr. Eli
Griggs, from Wadesboro are on a
visit with Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Bowman.
Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Pierce from
Smithfield were visitors here during
the bazaar.
Mr. and Mrs. Z. V. Snipes and
daughter, Grace, from Dunn and Mr.
Hugh Hines of Grizzard, Va., return
ed Monday after spending several
days with Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Griz
zard.
Mrs. Thompson of Wilson has been
on a visit with her sister, Mrs. L. C.
Wilkinson.
Rev. J. E. Holden, the new Metho
dist minister, was pounded last might
by the people of Kenly.
Mrs. H. F. Edgerton has returned
from a visit to Charlotte.
Last night chief of police, Lawrence
made a raid on Joe Kirby’s place of
business (a negro) and successfully
captured a party of several gamblers.
Owing to the shortage of coal and
under the rules and regulations of the
fuel administration the street lights
have been ordered to be discontinued
until further advised. Also strict ad
herence to the rules regarding the
use of lights in stores, households,
etc., are requested.
The annual bazaar of the Methodist
church was held Friday and Saturday
over the Watson Co. store. The arti
cles to be sold were many and beauti
ful, and sold well. Quite a neat sum
was realized. The proceeds will go
to the building fund of the prospec
tive new church.
a woman nas Deen appointed as
member of the board of directors of
the Soldiers’ Home at Raleigh. Miss
Martha Haywood, whom Governor
Bickett appointed, has long been
deeply interested in the work of the
home, and will be approved by the
veterans.
Women and Girls Number 1091.
Raleigh, N. C., Dec. 10.—The pre
liminary report of Mrs. Jane S. Mc
Kimmon for the year 1919 shows that
the girls and women enrolled in the
club work of the Home Demonstra
tion Division have again accomplish
ed great things during the year. The
work has been greatly extended, as
there are now 62 counties organized
with home agents in charge. These
ladies ha\fc established 666 womens
clubs, 425 girls clubs and 226 commu
nity clubs, with a total membership
| of 77,194.