North Carolina Newspapers

VOLUME 42 SMITHFIELD, N. C., FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1923 NUMBER 2 OPENING SESSION ! OF GEN. ASSEMBLY # - i Dawson Chosen Speaker of The House; No Legislation Opening Day North Carolina’s General Assemb ly met Wednesday at noon and after ■ a brief session adjourned for the 1 ' day without starting the grind of the mass of legislation which is said to be slated. The following extracts from the Raleigh letter to the Greensboro News give the gist of what transpired in the brief sessions of both the House and Senate: “Chief Justice Walter Clai-k admin istered the oath of office to 110 mem bers of the house, 92 counties answ ering the rollcall. Rev. Arthur Huffman, of the Lutheran church, led in prayer. Principal Clerk Alex Lassiter call ed the body to order. Speaker Daw son was in the speaker’s room await ing his election, which began with the nominating speeches of Connor, of Wilson, and Parker, of Alamance. Jackson of Surry and Coffey of Wa tauga, named Owen, of Sampson, as the minority leader and candidate for speaker. Dawson received 93 votes ar.d Owen four. “Messrs. Doughton, of Alleghany, Warren, of Beaufort, and Peterson of Mitchell, were named to notify Mr. Dawson of his election and to escort him to the chair. Mr. Lassiter pre sented the speaker with a new Bible and gavel. On the book Mr. Dawson took the oath and with “I thank you, gentleman,” as his only speech, he took the chair. Judge Clark admin istered this oath and Speaker Daw son swore in all clerks. Mr. Alex Lassiter was selected as chief clerk; D. P. Dellinger, as Read ing clerk; L. F. Burkhead, sergeant at-arros, and Jj$|as Rosa , Munda. as engrossing^cferTc.w * “Associate Justice Stacey admin istered the oath to 48 members of the senate, James L. Griffin, of Chat ham, and Rufe Haymore, of Surry, being the only absent members. Mr. Griffin is ill and Mr. Haymore, one of the three Republican senators, sent the request for an indefinite leave of absence. “Rev. W. W. Peele, pastor of Eden ton Street Methodist church, offered prayer immediately after Lieutenant Governor Cooper swung the gavel formally opening the session, “Contest by Senator Hany Stubbs of the election by acclamation of the president pro tempore and senate clerks led to r roll call election of the list from W. L. Long, the Demo cratic caucus's choice to Assistant Sergeant-A t-Arms J. A. Bryson. The Republicans nominated Senator Hay more to oppose Senator Long but they had no candidates for the cleri cal places. Fred Hackett, of Wilkes. w?as formally elected principal clerk, Judge Phillips Cocke, of Buncombe, reading clerk, Joe Mackey, of Bun combe, engrossing clerk, and W. D. Gaster. of Cumberland, sergeant-at arms. Judge Cocke received the votes o£ the two Republican senators present, but they voted negatively on the other Democratic nominees.” laeut-Governor Cooper announced 1 efore adjournment, the appointment of 43 committees and the chairmen. Messrs H. B. Parker of Wayne and Paul D. Grady, of Johnston were both given chairmanships. Senator Farker was appointed chairman of the committee on game law's, and Senator Gradv, chairman of the com mittee on judicial districts. KENLY LIVERY STABLES BURNED THURSDAY Fire Disccver‘*d About 3:?0 Thursdav Morning- Twent.\-f*.iur MuVs Burned. KENLY, Jan. 3.—'The livery sta i les here in charge of Mr. C. f. Lawrence ' were burned Thursday morning about 4 o’clock, resulting in a total loss. The night policeman first detected the fire about 3:30 a. 'n., and made an alarm, although ev ery effort to blast the flames was in vain since the fire had made such headway before aid could be secured, resides the loss of the building there were 24 fine mules owmed by Mi. Lawrence which could not be saved that succumbed in the flames. This was a real tragedy and one which will remain in the minds of the peo ple for some time. The loss s heavy. NORTH CAROLINA HAS HIGH RANK IN CROPS State in Fifth Place Among All Those of Union In Value of Its Products. RALEIGH, Jan. I.—“North Caro- j lina holds her high position in the 1 total value of field crops for 1922. j With a rank of fourth at $293,094,000 ■ for the value of the 22 most import- t ant crops of the United States and fifth in rank of all rops valued at $342,637,000. North Carolina, with a cultivated area of less than 25 others, surpasses 13 states in the value ol crops. This off cial announcement was made today by officials of the North Carolina and U. S. departm°rts (f agriculture. In the crop value inti cntcd livestock, timber and irnovve mint of land are not inNuded. Fore casts that the state would maintain its position were made several weeks ago, but the final figures were not obtained until today. “Such a high rank is of consider able credit to the Tar Heel state,” reads the announcement, “even if most of the credit is due to cotton and tobacco. It should be recalled that the middle western progressive farming states had good crops and better prices for grain than in 1921. That we also improved is evident from the $80,000,000 increase in crop value over last year—a gain of about 20 per cent. 1921 crops showed a de crease of $90,000,000 from the 1920 value. The 1919 census valuation was $503,229,000, when we ranked 11th in total value. The rank if fourth in the value of our 22 importfnt crops, is of course, very creditable, but with the acjvof Ihe bol' evil damage we w.H 'c=e an advantage. > tier too, our yields ptr .’.ere of the i ofi aim jV-,d crops ate dis■ essingly .-w. If we eliminate the increased usage if commercial feitili'.ers. our yields ^nll'-perha-ps* n. be m»ne than they vo ve 10 or 12 year: ago The furm i.V p1 aetises in North Carolina offer op,.oitunity for va ,t improvement “If we were to give more consid eration to the basic practices, of ‘feeding the soil,’ growing our feed . and food, making much more of the livestock products and then make the cash crops net, we would soon be better off economically and would hold' a higher rank in farm pros perity. “In traveling through Pennsylvania on December 26, the statistician no ticed quite a contrast in the pleasing pasture lands, the livestock and gen j eral indications of neatness and effi j ciency. With our longer seasons, ! greater diversity of crops available, freedom from continued winter eon I .'I'txons, the conve: ience of all year i automobile and ’cad travel th:-ro is no reasonable excuse for the present backward conditions in North Caro lina. “We cannot possibly hold our 1922 ! rank if we do not become agricul | turally more efficient by working , more effectively and safe. “Co-operative methods of farm [ production and distribution must be inooipcrated. We have unlimited advantages, but we are u t..icrc: 'tiliy abusing tnese privilege Wo neith r ‘hink ter apply thoughts and hands iffectively enough Is it jus1 | laziness, ignorance, or simply be cause we don’t have to?”—Associated i Press. FLYING CONGRESSMAN LANDS AT WILMINGTON WILMINGTON, Jan. 2.—Manuel i Herrick, Representative of the 8th Oklahoma District in Congress ar : rived here this morning in an air plane from Americus, Georgia, en route to Washington. He will resume , his journey toward the capital at ’ noon today. Mr. Herrick is accorn panied by another plane driven by j S. W. Crane. Herrick’s plane is pil . oted by J. W. King, formerly with | the 65th Squadron, British ‘ Royal i Flying Corps. Taft a Grandfather. j CINCINNATI, Jan. 1.—Chief Jus l tice Taft, of the U. S. Supreme | court, became a grandfather for the I second time in as many days when ! a son—was bom tonight to Mr. and I Mrs. Robert A. Taft, of this city. ' Charles P. Taft, 2nd, another son of | the chief executive announced the birth of a son yesterday. ’ Robert A. Taft is a representative in the Ohio general assembly. INFLUENZA CAUSE OF THREE DEATHS Mother and Daughter Vic tims in One Week; Two Two Sisters Pass Away Influenza is still prevalent in parts of Johnston county, and while not as bad as the epidemic during the World War, the disease continues to take its toll of human lives. Mr. J. L. Stafford, who lives on Smitthfield R. F. D„ two, was in the city yesterday and told us of the death of three of his relatives which occurred in less than a week—all victims of pneu monia following influenza. His niece, Miss Martha Thompson, aged eighteen years, died on Tuesday of last week. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Deb Thompson who live near Princeton. The death of one so young is always sad and the fact that she was soon to have been married adds pathos to her passing. On the following Sunday, Dec. 30, the young girl’s mother, a sister of Mr. Stafford, also passed away about three o’clock in the afternoon. She was confined to her bed less than a week. She leaves a husband and several children. The interment took place in the Thompson family bury ing ground, Monday, Jan. 1. While Mr. Stafford was attend ing the burial of hie sister, news was brought to him of the death of another sister, Mrs. Eliza West, who lived in Wayne county. She also died on Sunday, December 'id. During the epidemic in the World War, it was a frequent occurrence for influenza to wipe out even whole families, and these deaths reported to us remind us forcibly of past periences. SECRETARY FALL WILL QUIT HARDING CABINET Chief of interior Department Leaves Public Office Next March 4 WASHINGTON, Jan. 2—Secretary Fall of the interior department will retire from office March 4, it was announced today at the White House, to return to the practice of law and the conduct of private business af fairs in New Mexico. President Har ding, who is not yet prepared to name his successor, was declared by an administration spokesman to have made every effort to retain the cabi net officer in service, and to have tendered him, withoot avail, an ap pointment to the Supreme court bench, to fill the vacancy caused by the recent retirement of Justice Pit ney. Secretary Fall said later that the only impelling cause for the step was the condition of his own affairs, and took occasion to deny report that he had resigned to accept a place as counsel for an oil corporation, or that any friction existed between him self and associates in the adminis tration. He will go to his cattle ranch in New Mexico immediately upon leaving office and after a short vacation, resume the practice of law, and the administration of his busi ness interests. FIRST GERMAN AIRPLANE SINCE WAR IN ENGLAND Of Only 185 Horsepower, Brings Four People Across Channel. CROYDON, England, Jan. 1.— The first German airplane piloted by a Germain airman to land voluntar ily in England since the war, arriv ed at the airdrome here this morn ing. The machine, built by the Zep pelin Company was the first all-metal plane to cross the channel. It car ried three passengers, but is built to accommodate six besides the pilot, although it has an engine of only 185 horsepower. Owing to the Interallied control of German aircraft the Germans have been compelled to experiment with low-power engines, and as a result have developed planes with 185 horsepower, able to carry the same number of passengers at the same speed as British machines with 400 horsepower. The Come-Back. First Boy (contemptuously)—Huh, your mother takes in washin’. Second Boy—Sure she does! You don't s’pose she’d leave it out all night so Ion’s your father ain’t in jail, do yer? BUSY MEETING OF TOWN BOARD TUES. Parking Ordinance Passed; State Health Dept. Says City Water Is Pure — i The regular monthly meeting of the town commissioners are always , busy occasions, but the session held Tuesday night had an unusually full program, and several things of gen \ eral interest were discussed. The matter of parking cars on Third st., , between Johnston and Bridge streets 1 came up, and by request of Mr. j Northcot, representing the State i Highway Commission, an ordinance ; was passed requiring all cars on the ; street designated to park only on , one side of the street. The ordi nance carrys with it a provision for parking first on one side and then on ; the other—a ruling which no doubt | meets with the approval of the mer j chants on that street, and one which . will prevent the pavement from wear i ing more in one place than another. | In connection with the discussion ! asto automobile traffic it was deck - ! ed to instruct the chief of police to j enforce the law already enacted . which requires all cars to stop at j the painted lines at the First and j Citizens National Bank corner. Dr. H. E. Miller of the State De j partment of Health was present at j the meeting and made a report on | the city waterworks system. He re ported the water to be fine. Twice j each month the water is examined, i to see if disease germs are present, : and the report given by Dr. Miller ! commends the town management of , this department which has such a yital bearing upon the health of the j community. Before adjourning the commis sioners decided to retain a civil engi neer who will look alter the interests of the town when the State Highway ebmmission shall lay the j face road through its borders. Mr. j Geddens, of Wilson, was chosen to | fill this place. I | TO PIERCE MONT BLANC WITH NINE-MILE TUNNEL Plans Complete for Passage Connect ing France and Italy. GENEVA, Jan. 1.—Plans of the i French and Italian engineers for the | proposed double tunnel under Mont i Blanc, which have just been announc j cd, contemplate the opening of the ! tunnel to traffic within five years. It will be nearly nine miles long, en tering Mont Blanc at Chamonix and emerging at Mont Chetif, in the Valley of the River Dora, with seven I short tunnels on the French side ar.d six on the Italian side leading . up to the main passagt. i The new tunnel will afford the shortest route between Paris and Mi j lan and be a direct competitor of i the Simplon tunnel.—Philadelphia Record. HOUSES RAZED AT WAGRAM BY CYCLONE; MAN INJURED LAURINBURG, Jan. 1—The storm which crossed Scotland coun ty did considerable damage at Wa gram this morning about 4 o’clock. S. H. Dunlap, who owns the tele phone company there, had three ribs broken and his leg badly bruised. He was sleeping on his sleeping porch which was torn from his dwelling, and the house was slewed around. The Wagram Mercantile building had its roof rolled up and blown off. The stock of goods, belonging to Black er Brothers was considerably dam aged by the rain. The front of the bank was blown out. The large warehouse of J. P. Shaw was dam aged. The store building belonging to S. s. Thrower, was partly turn ed around. J. R. Bundy’s windmill could not stand the pressure and was bent double* Several small build ings were blown down or blown from their foundations. The storm made about a 300-yard path in which it did most damage. It Seems Peculiar. Our elevator boys says: “Newspaper guys are funny. When ever they meet they always ask, ‘What do you know?’ The other says, ‘Nothing,’ and then the paper riex; morning is filled wi1h news.”—Chi cago Ledger. Renew and get a Turner’s Almanac, i PROPOSED CALENDAR WITH 13 MONTHS IN YEAR PROPOSED Congressional Rill Stirs Debate in New York; 365th Day Would Be January 0. A resolutios endorsing the Con ; gressional bill providing for an in ! ternational conference to improve the j Gregorian calendar and establish a i fixed international calendar of thir teen months of four weeks each will be discussed at a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York on Thursday. The bill provides that the extra day to make 365 be designated as Jan. 0. The International Congress of Chambers of Commerce has voted resolutions urging calendar reform since 1908, the Committee on For eign Commerce and the Revenue Laws, of which' William E. Peck is Chairfan, reported. Mr. Peck’s re port said: “It is the purpose of those in this country seeking an international eon ferference to recommend a calendar reform which will divide the year in to exactly thirteen months of twenty eight days each, that is a month of four weeks of seven days each, the extra day to make 365 to be Jan 0. a holiday; leap day to be an inter national holiday, and transferred from February to a month when the weather is likely to be pleasant, as •June or July. It is proposed also to insert the new month between June and July. “The present calendar presents many inconveniences resulting from its irregularities as to the number of days in the month. We never know on what day of the week New Year’s Day or other holidays fall, only by consulting the calendar. “By making uniformity in the num ber of days in a month, statistics can be made truly comparative, re in better facilities for effi affairs.*-- .. Y. Times. TOE FOR EVERY MAN WOULD STOP UNREST Henry Ford Tells Delegation ’ of League of Nations Money Will Not Bring About Peace. DETROIT, Mich., Jan. ?.—Henry Ford believes that “the one sure cure” for world unrest is “to create for every able bodied man in the world a job of some sort,” the manu facturer told a delegation represen ting the international labor office of the lea^ie of nations whose mem bers held a long conference with him at hi* Dearborn offices. The delegation which came to th.s councry recently to obtain ideas that might be introduced n other coun tries for the benefit of workers, is heated by Albert Thomas, of France, director of th international latrjr (lire During the interview M. Thomas deplored the present unstable condi tions in many parts of Europe and suggested that equalization of ex change rates might have beneficial results. Mr. Ford replied that in his opin ion the question of bringing the world back to peace and prosperity could not be solved through money, declaring his belief that the solution rested in expansion of industry, im provement of agricultural methods, and education of the workers of the j world. “The solution is ‘a job for every man,’ ” the manufactorer said. “Let the people of the world once get the idea that all they need is to do a good day’s work six days every week and that in this way they can make j their own prosperity, and there will j be no more talk about unstable con- j ditions for unstability will cease to j have existed.” BERNHARDT VERY WEAK FOLLOWING A RELAPSE Failure to Heed Physicians Puts Life ' in Jeopardy. PARIS, Jan. 1.—The condition of j Sarah Bernhardt, whose convalesc- ! ence from her recent breakdown was j halted this morning y a series of fainting spells, was aid tonight to ' continue unchanged, the actress re maining very weak. Bernhardt’s reluctance to obey her doctor’s instructions for absolute re pose and quiet is greatly hampering her recovery, according to her in timate friends.—Associated Press. RECORDER’S COURT HAS FULL DOCKET Report of the Day’s Proceed ings; Only One Blockade Case Before Judge The Recorder’s Court here Tuesday had a full docket, twenty-five cases or more coming before Judge A. M. Noble, who presided over the court for the second time since his induc tion into office. About half of the cases were continued but the follow ing were disposed of before the day was over. Slate vs C. B. Byrd, charged with obtaining money by means of a woi th less chock. Found guilty and fined $:fi) and costs. State vs Ruffin Hill charged with trespass. Found guilty but judgment was suspended upon payment ot cost. i*tate vs. Allen Altman and Phere by Clark-adultery. Not guilty. State vs Tom Matthews, charged with cruelty to animals and wanton and wilful destruction to personal pnu ercy. Matthews, who is a color ed man, was indicted*for shooting two mules belonging to different parties. On each count he was found guilty. He was fined $50 in each count charging cruelty to animals and was sentenced to three months in jail for each count charging de struction to personal property. The jail sentence was suspended on con dition that the defendant report ev ery six months for two years good behavior. An appeal to the Super ioi court was taken. State vs John Exum charged with blockading. Found guilty and sen ! tenced to four months on roads and payment of costs. The .defendant ap pealed to the Superior court. State vs J. C. Richardson charged with slaughtering and selling diseas ed meat. Not guilty. State vs George Atkinson, chargr -ed- mm -carrying <nnpi4HfUi jijhn).— m Found guilty and fined $50 and costs. State vs Grant Alvin charged with carrying concealtd weapon. Guilty. Fined $50 and costs. State vs Earp Dublin charged with larceny. The defendant was charged wiith stealing $50 worth seed cotton from J. C. Ennis. Probable cause found and defendant bound over to Superior court under a $300 boi d. State vs Haywood Day charged with stealing lumber from the Vir ginia-Carolina Chemical Plant at Selma. Found ghilty and sentenced to four months on the roads. State vs John Hill and Rebecca Best charged with fornication. Guilty. Fined $10 and sentenced 3 months in jail. Jail sentence as to Hill suspended upon condition that he shows good behavior for !2 months. Capias to issue as to Rebec ca veft oil Jan. 9. Slate vs Willie Green and P» ssit Hackney, charged with fornication. Found guiby and same sentence im posed as in Slate vs. John Hill and Rebe.a Pest State vs 1 j Wooten am Li/aie Taylor charged with fornication. Found guilty and same sentence im posed as in State vs John Hill and Rebecca Best. FATHER DRIVES OAR OVER OWN DAUGHTER Little Girl Falls Through Open Door Underneath Machine; Lived Only Short Time. LUMBERTON, Jan, 1.—A horrible accident occurred at McDonald, Rob eson county, Sunday afternoon when Grace Greyard, 3-year-old daughter of T. S. Greyard, was run over and killed by a Buick auto driven by her father. The child was in the front seat of the car with her father. He was backing the car when the door came open and the child fell out, the front wheel of the car passed over her body before it could be stopped. She lived only a short time. The funeral was conducted this after noon. . How Papa Was Betrayed. Mother—Come, Bobby, don’t be a little savage; kiss the lady. Bobbie—No, she’s a naughty lady. If I kiss her she may give me a slap just as she did to papa. A subscription to some good farm and home journal makes a good Christmas present for the boy and girl on the farm.