VOLUME 39
SMITHFIELD, N. C., FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1920.
Number 75
PRESIDENT WILSON IS NOW
ACTIVELY IN THE CAMPAIGN
Secretary Tumulty Wrrites Documents
Regarding League of Nations
Aid Cox’s Candidacy.
Washington, Sept. 28.—President
Wilson took his first active part to
day in the presidential campaign. He
had Secretary Tumulty write the
first of a series of documents regard
ing the league of nations and other
public questions which it is propos
ed to issue from the White House to
further the candidacy of Governor
Cox.
The document was in the form of a
reply to the letter of E- M. Swartz,
of Los Angeles, Calif., discussing
the league of nations covenant in re
lation to the Irish question. Mr.
Swartz had written the President
that some Republicans contended
that if the league covenant was rati
fied with article X, in this country
“would be bound to support England
in holding Ireland under subjec
tions.”
In his letter of reply Mr. Tumulty
called 'attention to certain questions
and answers with reference to Ar
tie X and the question of self-deter
mination which were made public by
the President while he was on his
Wl stern tour in the interest of the
league a year ago.
The letter to Mr. Swartz follows:
“In-reply to your letter of the 20th
of September, I beg to say that the
identical questions contained in your
letter, with reference to article 10
and the right of self-determination,
found in the covenant of the league
of nations were placed before the
President while he was on his west
ern trip last year and fully answered
by him. The President directs me
to call your attention to the follow
ing questions and answers given by
him to the press at that time which
I think satisfactorily answers your
inquiries.
“The questions and answers are
as follows:
“Q. Under the covenant does the
nation obligate itself to assist any
member of the league in putting
down a rebellion of its subjects or
conquered peoples ?
“A. It does not.
“Q. Under the covenant can this
nation independently recognize a
government whose people seek to a
chieve or have achieved their inde
pendence from a member of the
league ?
"A. The inaepenaeni action ui uic j
government of the United States in
a matter of this kind is In no way
limited or affected by the covenant
of the league of nations.
“Q. Under covenant are those sub
ject nations or people only that are
mentioned in the peace’treaty, entit
led to the right of self-determination
or does the league possess the right
to accord a similar privilege to other
subject nation or people.
’‘A. It was not possible for the
peace conference to act with regard
to the self-determination of any ter
ritories except those who had belong
ed to the defeated empires, but in the
covenant of the league of nations it
has set up for the first time in article
11, a forum to which all claims of
self-determination which are likely to
disturb the peace of the world or the
good understanding between nations
upon which the peace of the world
depends, can be brought.
“Q. Why was the case of Ireland
not heard at the peace conference?
And what is your opinion on the sub
ject of self-determination of Ireland?
“A. The case of Ireland was not
heard at the peace conference because
the peace conference had no jurisdic
tion over any question of that sort
which did not effect territories which
belonged to the defeated empires.
My position on the subject of self
determination for Ireland is expressed
in article 11 of the covenant in which
I may say I was particularly inter
ested because it seemed to me neces
sary for the peace and freedom of the
world that a forum should be created
to which all people could bring any
matter which was likely to affect the
peace and freedom of the world.”
—Greensboro News.
The first of the aviators who un
dertook to fly from Mineola to Alas
ka and back, is expected to arrive in
New York in a few days. A telegram
from the other two, sent from Alas
ka September 1st, stated that they
were returning home. The trip,
which commenced July 16, apparently
has been a success.
KENLY PARAGRAPHS
Services were conducted at the
First Baptist Church Sunday by the
pastor, Rev. C. E. Stevens, of Four
Oaks.
Miss Saidie Morris left Tuesday
to take charge of the music depart
ment in the ShadyGrove School near
Dunn.
Miss Adna Lee Bailey entered
school at Salem College last week,
but became ill owing to injuries re
ceived in an automobile accident
sometime recently.
Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Turlington and
Mrs. Bettie Cobb, of Clinton, Mrs.
Rossie Wrenn, of Goldsboro were the
guests of Dr. and Mrs. R. A. Turling
ton during the week-end.
Mr. H. F. Edgerton and Mr. L. Z.
Woodard made a business trip to Ral
eigh Tuesday.
Mrs. Dr. Foster and little daugh
ter spent the week-end in Kenly, the
guests of Mrs. L. C. Wilkinson.
Miss Gladys Jerome spent several
da^s in Kenly last week the guest of
Mrs. H. F. Edgerton. Miss Jerome
lived here three years ago and every
body was delighted to have her visit
here. She was on her way to Rose
boro where she taught last year and
she has accepted a position in the
school there this year.
Mr. and Mrs. J. W. W. Thompson,
of Wilson, spent Sunday afternoon
with Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Wilkinson.
We were very sorry to learn of the
death of Mr. Peele, father of our
townsman, Mr. Fate Peele. He died
in Wilson Monday and was buried
Tuesday afternoon at his old home
place.
Mr. and Mrs. K. D. Morgan who
have been living in the Dormitory for
sometime have moved in the Bowman
house.
Mrs. E. L. Etheridge left today for
Rocky Mount to have X Ray pictures
made owing to injuries received in
an automobile accident sometime ago.
We have several new school teach
ers with us this yea". We give them
a hearty welcome and hope they will
like our little town and enjoy beirg
among us.
Mrs. Toney Barnes of Dunn has
been spending several days with her
mother, Mrs. J. H. Kirby.
Miss Faye Barnes, of Smithfield
spent Sunday with her parents, Mr.
and Mrs. J. T. Barnes.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Richardson, of
Middlesex have moved here and are
living in the Trotman house. We
are glad to have them return to their
old home, Kenly.
Mr. J. T. Barnes, of Dunn, has pur
chased the house here formally own
ed by Mr. J. C. Bowman the A. C. L.
agent who has recently moved to
Wadesboro. Before their marriage,
Mr. and Mrs. Barnes were residents
of this place and we gladly welcome
them back home. They will move in
at an early date.
Mr. and Mrs. Jones from Ro3eboro
have come tc make Kenly their home
we are glad to note and Mr. Jones is
filling the vacancy caused by the re
signation of Mr. J. C. Bowman,
former A. C. L. agent.
Everybody enjoyed the Radcliffe
Chautauqua which was here three
days recently and a contract was
signed for its return next year.
The William Todd Vaudeville Show
is here this week and is being patr—
onized with much interest.
Don’t forget to attend the Commun
ity fair aj Kenly next Tuesd’y, Oct.,
5th, at the High School building. Pre
parations are in progress for a good
fair and it is hoped to be carried out
successfully.
Kenly, N. C., Sept. 29th, 1920.
U. S. Won’t Aid Crop Holders
Washington, Sept. 26.—The gov
ernment cannot be aparty to any un
dertaking for artificially maintain
ing “war prices” by enabling owners
to withhold their commodities from
the markets, Secretary Houston said
tonight in a formal statement on the
commercial credit system.
On the other hand, the secretary
declares in favor of the orderly mar
eting of all commodities and estimates
that the ccmmercial leans of all banks
during the last year, increased by
about $3,000,000,000 to meet the de
mands of industry and agriculture.
“I am in favor of every legitimate
effort to promote the orderly market
ing of all commodities,” said Secre
tary Houston, “but the government
canot be a party to an undertaking
to hold commodities off the market
to enable the owners artificially, for
speculative purposes, to maintain ws
prices or higher than war prices.”
IGNORANCE OF REVALUATION
ACT NOT ON THE DEMOCRATS
Every Possible Effort Being Made tc
Get Information Before The
Public.
Raleigh, Sept. 28.—If, on election
day .there are those still uninformed
about the revaluation act, its pur
poses and its workings, it will not be
the fault of the Democratic adminis
tration, for every possible effort is
being made to get this information tc
the public. In accordance with the
orders of the special session of the
legislature a large number of copies
of various reports are being distri
buted and in addition to this informa
tion the Democratic executive com
mittee is sending out a large amounl
of literature on this subject.
The special session authorized the
governor to have printed and distri
bute 50,000 copies of his revaluation
message to the special session. The
report of the tax commission to the
governor was also ordered printed
and distributed. The report of the
special committee of the board of ag
riculture was also ordered printed and
distributed to the farmers of the
state. This latter report is especial
ly significient in that it was the re
sult of much work on the part of the
committee of the board which was
appointed for the special purpose ol
looking into the revaluation law te
j see if there were phases of the mea
sure which worked harder on the
I farmer, and forced increases in his
| taxes out of proportion to the increas
es on other classes of property.
The committee indorsed the bill, bul
recommended that the listing time be
changed back to May instead of Jan
uary. There was considerable oppos
ition to this change by members of the
legislature instrumental in making
the original change, because it was
shown that the new date would get a
large amount of tobacco and othei
products in the hands of manufactur
j ers on the books, whereas the May
listing allowed this tobacco shipped
out of the state. The change, how
ever, was made in accordance with
the sugestion of the committee and
of the delegation from the farmers
union which appeared before the leg
islative committee.
In addition to the literature being
sent out, and any one or all of these
reports may be had by application to
the Democratic executive committee,
the governor, Commissioner A. J.
Maxwell and other Democratic speak
ers are taking the stump to explain
the tax reform worked out during the
Bickett administration. The gover
nor is on his way to the western part
of the state. Commissioner Max
well makes his first speech of the
campaign in Pender county this week.
Register! And vote for a League
of Nations which will keep your sons
out of war.
Mr. S. A. Peedin Celebrates Birthday
Words cannot express trie joy ex
perienced by Grandpa Peedin last
Sunday morning, September 26, when
the crowd of children, grand-children
and' great grand-children began to
gather at the old home with birthday
greetings and presents of every de
scription. Of course it was a great
surprise to grand-pa and how in the
world was grandma going to feed all
that crowd on such short notice.
Grandpa and Grandma have five
children, nineteen grand-children and
three great grand-children. Every
one was present with Mr. and Mrs. J.
E. Woodard and family as guests.
At the noon hour the mystery was all
explained—this was grandpa’s 70th
birthday and everyone was happy.
Grandpa is hale and hearty and a
thrifty farmer yet.
A long table was prepared under
the stately old oaks and as the con
tents of the baskets was spread
grandpa was not .sorry. It was in
deed a happy crowd that gathered a
round the groaning table with bowed
heads and humble hearts while Grand
pa thanked the ear at! er for the
many blessings which have been re
ceived. Then we eat till we could
eat no more. Even Bronco was too
happy to object, when the babies pull
ed his ears. In the afternoon ice cream
was served and last but not least a
large basket of apples with the grape
vine as back ground. I hope the
doctors were not disturbed of their
slumbers Sunday night.
The parting hour came all too soon.
We bade Grandpa goodbye wishing
for him many more happy birthdays, j
ONE PRESENT.
MRS. BARBOUR HOSTESS TO
CHARLES McNEIL BOOK CLUB
Ladies Aid Society Held Regular
Meeting—Local and Personal
Items of Interest to Benson
Miss Velma Finch spent a few days
with her sister in Oxford this week.
Mr. John H. Baueom, of Littleton,
spent the week-end here with his sis
ter, Mrs. J. W. Whittenton.
Mr. and Mrs. M. T. Britt visited
Mr. Britt’s parents at Newton Grove
this week.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilton Smith drove
to Henderson Sunday to see their sis
ter. Miss Leola Smith.
Mrs. Louie Stancil died at her home
in Elevation Friday and was buried
Saturday, the funeral being conduct
ed by her pastor, Rev. E. M. Hall, of
Benson. Mrs. Stancil was a devoted
member of the Methodist church, and
a noble character. Her relatives in
Benson and Elevation have the sym
pathy of the entire community in
their loss.
Mrs. H. A. Jones, of Clayton spent
a few days here this week visiting her
daughter, Mrs. Parlie Hudson.
Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Johnson of Ox
ford, spent the week-end with their
parents here.
Mr. J. W. Whittenton spent Sunday
in Montrose.
Mrs. C. C. Canaday, Mrs. R. C.
Canaday, Mrs. M. A. Peacock and
Mrs. H. H. Utley attended the funer
al last week of Mr. P. H. Hawley at
Falcon. Mr. Hawley was well known
here having made Benson his home
for several years.
Mrs. John Hobbs and Miss Mary
Lee went up to Raleigh Sunday to
see Miss Ruby Hobbs who is in school
Miss Julia McNeil leaves this week
for Roanoke, Va., where she has ac
cepted a position. Miss McNeil has
been connected with the Benson Re
view for the past several years and
has a host of riends who regret to see
her leave.
Mr. and Mrs. T. T. Lanier are
spending a few days at his home in
Chalybeate Springs.
Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Dixon, of Smith
field were in town Sunday.
Mr. Ezra Parker and D. L. Massen
gill went to Raleigh Tuesday.
Mrs. Loomis Debnam, of Selma,
visited her daughter, Mrs. A. S Oli
ver this week.
Mrs. ». d. Barbour was hostess to
the John Charles McNeil Boo!; Club
last Thursday afternoon at he- home
on West Main Street. After the
transaction of all business, the presi
dent, as chairman of the program
committee announced that the club
would continue the study of Southern
literature, this year taking up South
ern Short Story ’Writers. Mrs. Las
siter itad an interesting paper on
“The Development of the Short Story’
and this was followed by one of Poe's
short stories read by Mrs. M. T.
Britt. Rev. Mr. Wheeler was then
asked by Mrs. Barbour to give the
club a poem or two, which he does so
well. He gracefully complied, de
lighting everyone with one of Frank
L. Stunton’s poems and then “Bed
time” by John Charles McNeill. At
this meeting new books for the year
were put in the club. Prof Wells,
Benson’s new Superintendent of
Schools, was present and talked to
the club members for several minutes
asking their co-operation in bringing
about needed improvements in connec
tion with the school, and commending
the club for the loyalty and support
the school has had from it in the past.
The club voted to send flowers to
two of its members who were in hos
pitals, a committee was appointed to
meet with the executive committtee
of the local Post of the American
Legion, at which committees from ot
her organizations would be present
for the purpose of perfecting plans
by which Benson can be made and
kept in a more beautiful and cleanly
condition.
After adjournment of the club, re
freshments consisting of Neapolitan
cream and cake were served, followed
by seuppernongs, passed in pretty
baskets. Bsides the club members,
others who enjoyed this delightful oc
casion were, Prof, and Mrs. Wells,
and the other members of the school
faculty, Rev. and Mrs. Wheeler, and
Mrs. W. T. Martin.
The Ladies Aid Society of the Me
thodist Church held its regular meet
ing Friday evening from eight till
ten o’clock at the home of the Presi
dent, Mrs. W. R. Denning. On en
tering the spacious reception hall the
guests were served with punch by
(Continued on page 8)
PRINCETON—BOON HILL
Princeton, N. C. Sept. 29.—Miss
Annie Keen, of Goldsboro is visiting
Miss Stella Mason.
Miss Salie Wright, of Smithfield,
was a visitor in town Sunday and
Monday.
Mr. Clyde Shipp from Clinton was a
visitor here Sunday.
Mr. Jadin Langley from Rocky
Mount came down to spend Sunday
wit'll his sister, Mrs. D. T. Sasser.
Miss Bertha Woodard, of Selma,
has been spending a few days with
her brother, Mr. J. R. Woodard.
Miss Pearl Toler and Gladys Gur
ley have been visiting friends in
Smithfield.
Mrs. John W. Massey, of Clayton
was the guest of Mr. Ledbetter last
Sunday.
Mr. and Mrsi Bob Raines from
Apex are visiting their parents, Mr.
and Mrs. H. B. Field near town.
Mr. Clarence Whitley has been
spending a few days with friends at
Hillsboro.
Young, Doctor Bill Massey has gone
to Washington City to enter a medi
cal college.
Mr. and Mrs. R. D- Woodard from
Roxboro are visiting their sister, Mrs.
J. W. Wright.
Miss Sarah Blackman, a pretty
young girl from the Neuse section
has been visiting Miss Mildred Mas
sey.
Mr. Barna Woodard, of Selma,
while here visiting his son, Mr. John
R. Woodard, was taken sick and car
ried back to his home Monday by Mr.
Thad Woodard.
Mr. Howard Oliver went over to
Buies Creek Sunday to see bis son,
Robert and other Princeton boys.
The Princeton Post Office has been
designated an International Money
Order office, by the Department at
Washington, D. C.
Unknown parties set fire to Mr.
Albert Worley’s gin last Friday night
A large quantity of bagging and ties
had been received that day and also
several barrels of oil. The entire
outfit was destroyed and was a total
loss, as there was no insurance car
ried.
Miss Leona Holt will leave here
Saturday to join the old veterans
special train at Raleigh for Houston,
Texas. She will go from Houston
to visit Drexel M. Holt at Dallas, Tex.
and then to Oklahoma City to visit
Geo. M. Holt. She will return over
the same route, covering a distance
of six thousand miles and her stay
will extend over a month.
Work at the Hospital
Mr. John Kemple was brought to
the Smithfield Memorial Hospital
Monday evening, in an extremely
critical condition. An immediate op
eration for appendicitis was deemed
imperative. Dr. Tyner performed
the operation assisted by Dr. Noble
and Dr. Rose. The appendixs was
found already ruptured, and pus-in
fection was imminent. The patient
stood the ordeal Well, and is now re
ported to be making'altogether satis
factory progress.
Two nurses are now at the hospital
temporarily, and Dr. Tyner is making
every effort to secure a full equipe
ment of permanent help. He has al
ready engaged a most competent sup
erintendent. She is Miss Schmick,
now supervisor in the famous Belle
vue Hospital of New York. She
could not leave her present position
without giving 30 days notice, but
Dr. Tyner expects her to take up her
duties with the Smithfield Memorial
by November 1st.
Meeting At Pleasant Grove Church
Rev. H. W. Baucom assisted by Rev.
R. L. Gay will begin a revival meet
ing at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church
in Pleasant Grove township on Mon
dya night October 4th, 1920.
They cannot begin this meeting on
Sunday night as was first announced
as they have other arrangements, but
have planned for Monday night at
7:30 o’clock.
Everybody invited; come and bring
others with you.
Chautauquas
They say of chautauquas, that there
are twenty-five thousand of the
things in the United States, working
five hours a day for seven days to the
week for every week in the year. A
little figuring will show that there
results from all of them thirty-six
million four-hundred-thousand solid
hours pf fiddling and talking each
year.
THE YOUNGSTER THOUGHT
HE COULI) REVIVE BUSINESS
The Proprietor Said It Was Hope
lessly Gone.—Did Not Mind An
Experimental Project.
I know a man, who, when he was
younger than he is now, one day just
sort of stumbled into an old rundown
business that simply could not deliver
the goods. The proprietor of that
business said it was hopelessly gone.
But the youngster said that he
thought that he could revive it. The
proprietor did not mind a little exper
imental projecting; so he told the fel
low that the coast was clear and for
him to go after the business, and af
ter it he went. To-day that concern
is one of as good businesses of its
kind as can be found anywhere in the
State. Every invested dollar is a
profit bearing dollar. But it took
work, work of the brow sweating
kind, to put new life back into that
old dead business. Fourteen, fifteen,
sixteen hours of work a day, each day
that is how the feat was performed.
Quite recently I heard this man
make a few remarks about the great »
labor unrest that is now prevading
this country, which struck me as be
ing worth listening to, worth heed
ing, and worth passing along to oth
ers. In a very casual way he re
marked, “In my mind the great cause
of the unrest that has so perverted
the minds of the laboring classes is
the fact, that they have too much
time in which to invent mischief and
revel in it. A busy man seldom grac
es the court as defendent; a real busy
man seldom ever calls a doctor to
cure him of ills; a busy man never
materially supports the non-essential
industries. I am ‘tooth and toe-nail’
against the theory of eight hours'
work constituting a day’s work. It is
a false standard.”
That is what a working man thinks
ails creation to-day. I strongly sus
pect that he is right. When the time
comes that men are willing to buckle
down to old-fashioned from sun-to-sun
labor, much of the high priced labor
will be dispensed with, and we shall
all be a little happier. H. V. R.
Would Have Supported Mr. Bryan
Omaha, Neb., Sept. 27.—Governor
Cox, democratic presidential candi
date, tonight gave out a statement
that he would have supported William
Jennings Bryan for the presidency
had the former Secretary of State
been nominated, and added that he
was fostering progressive ideas gain
ed under Mr. Bryan’s leadership.
The statement of Governor Cox
was in response to an inquiry from a
local newspaperman regarding the
position in the campaign of Mr. Bry
an, who has withheld support from
Governor Cox.
“I have known Mr. Bryan political
ly and personally for many years,”
said the governor’s statement. “He
has been an influence for good. I
supported him three times for the
presidency with my newspapers, my
voice and my vote, and would have
done so again this year had he been
the candidate of the Democratic par
ty instead of myself. As a matter
of fact, as a young man,I gained from
Mr. Bryan’s leadership many of the
progressive ideas which I since have
endeavored to propagate.”
First Woman Registers in Johnston
Miss Martha T. Smith has the proud
distinction of being the first woman
who registered in Johnston county.
Her grand-nephew, Registrar George
Ross Pou, resigned early this morn
ing, and Mr. Charles Creech was ap
pointed in his place. But before re
signing, Mr. Pou took the book around
to Miss Smith’s home and had her to
swear that she would support the
constitution of the United States, and
the constitution of the state, not in
consistent therewith, that she had
been a resident of the state two years
of the county six months and of
Smithfield township four months.
When Mr. Pou asked if she was over
21 years old, Miss Smith proudly
answered that she was over 91 years
old. When he inquired what party
she belonged, her prompt reply was
“The Democratic party.’* Miss
Smith and her great-nephew made an
appointment for him to come in his
car at sun-rise on the second day of
November and take her to the polls.
She is anxious especially of course
to vote to return her nephew, Hon.
Edward W. Pou to Congress and de
clares that she will put in a straight
Democratic ticket.