North Carolina Newspapers

m n ii 1 Wane* Lab£ on Tow ~-£gar dm Pats VOLUME XXXIII—NUMBER 10 MANY HEAR B. P. M*LENDON HERE FRIDAY NIGHT Paifious Evangelist Attacks The Centralization Of Wealth URGES LEGISLATION Iftdlt'A Decided Success; Parker*! Orchestra, of Rocky Mount, Furnishes Entertainment - . "By engaging in unfair, unequitable, circumventing competition, the great combines of the country are gradually 'killing off' the local business man," Rev. B. F. McLendon declared in his address. ' "The Centralization of Wealth,"" delivered to more tfean 1,000 people in the Planters Warehouse here last Friday evening. The meeting, ar ranged by t"hc Community Builders' League, was a decided success, the en tertainment by Ed Parker's orchestra and the address being subjects for much favorable comment. For more than an hour the speaker exposed the practices of the great com bine*, often illustrating his points, and assuring his audience that he could well substantiate his every statement. Mr. McLendon predicted that when the ruin, destruction, and utter disintegra tion of local industry shall have been consummated, the masses who now are patronizing the combines will be "re duced t> economic slavery and serf- - - —— —— - The speaker mentioned the several gvfat combines in the various fields ol industry, stating "home people be croahed and closed out by a horde of grasping, covetous, parsimonious, sor did penurious, rapacious, niggardly, il- Iberal, money-grubbing, pinch -gutted, curmudgeon and blood-sucking Wall Stmt mill (Makes who pay no taxes, support no orphan homes or churches or preachers, and pave no streets." Their interest in a town where they squat is identical with a turkey buz zard on a dead dog, "to fill their slaws," he declared. Continuing, the speaker declared that the centralisation of wealth re sulted in tha fall of the great Roman Empire, that the present-day central izers would crush bones, tear flesh, and wade through blood in order to pile np their millions while they fllled the country with rags illiteracy, hunger and aarfdom^ "The country, with all its rich re sources and supplies for man, is so manipulated by human greed and sel fishness that millions of people lhre in misery snd die prematurely because of the lack of proper nourishment, hous ing and clothing and go up to God to bear witness before Him of the mis management, starvation, and slaughter that are going on in this fallen and sinful world." The matter of competition was ex plained when Mr. McLendon said, "Merchants could meet honest com petition, but they can not compete with a horde of rapacious, mendacious, predacious, pilfering, filching, pillag ing, peculating, furacious, light-finger ed crooks. Throughout his speech, "Cyclone Mack" demonstrated the practices fol lowed by the combines, assuring his hearer* that he could support every al legation made by him. At no time in his bitter attack on the combines did the champion of home induatries ex press a fear. In conclusion, the evangelist urged the local interests to meet the compe tition by a vigorous overhauling of their stores. "Get in touch with the Senators, Congressmen, and legislators, governors, and urge the passage of legislation limiting the operation to a fair basis." New Concern Reports Good Opening Here Last Friday The Norfolk Underselling Company, opening their business here last Friday, report a good start and a rush busi neaa so far. Fr. Frank, says a capacity crowd visited his store, taxing the clerks to an unusual extent. He stated that he was well pleated with the opening. • Marital Laws in India Are Changed Today It is now against the law for girls under 14 yaars of age to marry in India, a law preventing marriages an der that age having been passed today. There arc hundreds of thousands of OHI of seven Co eight years of age married in that country. There are said to be more than 100,000 widows under ten years of age there. • Commencement Held At Cross Roads Last Friday The Cross Roads School held its Commencement exercises there last Thursday evening Rev. A. Corey, of JiwiTf't. delivering the principal ad dress at 11 o'clock Friday. Mr. Corey lu liel on "The Tour of North Car olina," which was greatly enjoyed. Following the commencement ad dresa, a basket picnic was prepared. According to reports, the school bat enjoyed Avery successful year, main taining ia average daily attendance tfagt entitles the school to three teach* en mm year. > THE ENTERPRISE Federal Agents In Judge Sinclair's No Arrests Made in Case, Judge Declaring, When Ques tioned at Sanford Yesterday, That Affair Was A "Frame-Up'; Local Boy Is Accused N. A. Sinclair, superior, court judge, ! after holding a two weeks term of court here, was stopped by Federal pro hibition authorities on Highway No. near Tarboro Sunday afternoon, the officers finding a pint bottle partly filled with liquor and a pocket flask containing a very small quantity oi whisky in the man's traveling bag. No arrest was made, but the case was re ported to district prohibition authori ties, Mr. C. S. Coats, the agent in charge of the raid, stating yesterday that he was awaiting advice concern ing the search. Agent Coats, believing that the judge was carrying liquor took Assistant J. H. Roebuck and trailed the car to Mildred where the search was made. Introducing himself, Agent Coats sUted that he had reason to believe tl.at liquor was in the grip and asked the judge for permission to make the search, after talking with the court of ficers as to the necessity of a search w&rrant was unnecessary, but told the two raiding officers that they ought not to do it. When asked why they should not do it, the judge repeated, "Yoa just ought no to do, it." The officers stated that it was a very un usual case, but that it was their duty t> make the search. Mr. Sinclair explained just before the agents searched the bag that if liquor was concealed there he knew nothing about it. In further explain ing the pretence of the liquor in the grip, the judge stated that he did not pack the grip himself. Shortly after the search was made, the news spread rapidly. Hundreds TEACHERS HOLD FINAL MEETING • Sixth Session Held Last Saturday Afternoon at Robersonville • The Martin County teachers held their tixth and laat meeting of the 1929-30 term in the high tchool build ing at Robersontille last Saturday aft ernoon, the body receiving various re ports of the delegates attending the State meeting held in Raleigh the week before. Principal W. R. Watson reported Dr. Highsmith's talk, in which the ii& portance of telling the public of its mott important inititution —the tchool. Five means of handling this work were mentioned. Telling of Mr. Allen's talk or. taxation, Principal Aimley reported tha State superintendent as stating that the schools are coating too much and to what extent the cott should he limit ed. Mr. Coltrane, of the Salitbury Schools, suted, according to Principal Plyler, that the tituation is unusual but it not a drastic one. The remedy tug gested would have all teachers prove that they give 100 per cent service for! every dollar they receive. Principal Pol lock made a general discussion of the happenings at the State meeting. Following the report!, Superintend ent Pope instructed the teachers at to centut and attendance figures and tab ulations. Mrt. Davenport, of the Jametville School, entertained the assembly with a Crazy Kit orchestra. • Episcopalians Announce Service for the Week Meditation service, Tuesday after noon at 4:30. Holy Communion service, Wednes day morning at 10. Litany tervice, Friday afternoon at 4:30 o'clock. Sunday tchool, Sunday morning at 10 and Evening Praytr and termon, Sunday evening at 7:30. Holy Trinity Miaaion Evening tervice every Friday at 7:30 Sunday tchool, Sundays at 2:30. Evening Prayer and Sermon Sun day at 3:30. You are cordially invited to thete services. * > Local Seniors ITo Present Play Here This Evening The tenior class of the local high school wil present "The Path Acrou the Hill." a three-act comedy drama, in the new high tchol auditorium thit evening at 8.-00 o'clock. The play it being staged under the direction of Mitt Pearle Haywood, teacher in the n-frwO- The procecdt will be uted in the pur chate of a fare-well gift to the high school, it wat ttated. Prohibition Officers Raid In Bear Qrass Section Federal prohibition officeri, raiding in the Bear Grass section yesterday afternoon, found a large steam plant and 1,500 gallons of beer and three gallons of whisky. The plant waa cold and no arrests were made. Eight hun dred pounds of sugar were confiscated along with the complete outfit. Williamston, Martin County, North Carotina, Tuesday, April 1, 1930. of citizens attending the commence ment sermon were informed of the happening, but the report that the judge had been jailed was incorrect Early yesterday morning the unfortu nate incident was verbally described in practically every town in this part of the State. According to Associated Press re ports a pint of whiskey found in the bag of Superior Judge N. A. Sinclair Sunday afternoon when Prohbition Agent Coats secached it,' was placed there by William H. Everett, of Wil liamston, Martin county. Everett sign ed a statement tonight saying he put the pint in the bag, it was learned here, meaning at Rocky Mount. The report continues: "The reason for Everett's placing the whiskey in the bag was not learned, but he said in the statement, it was understood, that he put the liquor in the bag just be fore the jurist left Williamston, and that Judge Sinclair knew nothing at all oi its being there." Statements made by Sinclair when questioned in Sanford yesterday after noon read: "I have a pretty good idea who did it, and I am investigating it now. I packed my bag in my hotel room, which was not locked, and shortly after breakfast went out and left it in the coom. When we left early in the afternoon for Rocky Mount I had no idea any liquor was in the bag, I certainly had put none in it." The judge is said to have termed the matter a "frame-up, put-up" job, that somebody evidently put it in the bag as a prank. FIRE AT OAK CITY WRECKS STORES Loss Estimated at $3,000.00; Other Buildings Were Threatened Oak City suffered a fire loss estimat ed at $3,000 early last Sunday morn ing when a garage-blacksmith shop, a storage warehouse and a store building burned. A bucket brigade, formed shortly after the fire was discovered limited the blaze to the three buildings, although a large part of the business district was threatened at one time. Several hundred people turned back their bed covers at the early morning hour to attend the fire, it was stated. The fire, origin of which is un known, is believed to have started in the blacksmith shop, spreading rapidly to the other buildings. The garage belonged to Jesse White hurst and the warehouse, containing goods, belonged to J. T. Daniel. R. C. Jones, colored, owned the ttore build ing- START SURVEY TOMORROW • ■■ ■ Twelve Enumerators Are Are Appointed to Make Survey in This County o Enumerators, thousands of them start out tomorrow to gather informa tion in the fifteenth U. S. census. All who live through today will be count ed tomorrow or when the enumerators call, but all who are born after today will have to wait ten yeart before they can figure in the country't popu lation, as far as the censua itself is concerned. The enumerators in this county in clude the following, each working in the assigned territory: Jametville townthip, Mrt. Fredda M. Fagftn; Williamt townthip, C. L. Daniel; Griffint townthip. Marion Griffin; Bear Gratt townthip, Wm. A. Brown; Crott Roadt townthip, Wm. Autbon; Robersonville town, D. R. Chandler, township, C. L. Vlclc; Goose Nest township, J. H. Ayers; Hamilton townthip, Frank Carttarphen; Poplar Point townthip, Herman Harriaon; Williamston town, Mrs. O. S. Ander son and townthip, Walter Halberttadt. Approximately 60 dayt are given the enumerator! to complete the survey, it is underttood. The question! are varied and are many. Resume Seine Fishing at tbe Jamesville Fishery While fishing operations have been reiumed at the Jameiville fishery, catche! are said to be unusually small. Operations will be started at the Camp Point fishery on the Roanoke tomor row, it was itated today. Low water ii laid to have delayed operation!, and is limiting the catchet to small numbers. Machine and net fithermen all along the itream are reporting amall catchet to far, but with favorable condition! from now on, they anticipate a fair aeaaon. COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS IS APPOINTED To Appoint Registrars and Judges of Election at an Early Date WILL MEET MONDAY County Board Will Have To Make New Arrangements for Handling' Vote Under "Australian" Law • Appointed by the State Board of Elections last Saturday as members of the county board, Messrs. Sylvester Peel, of Williamston Route 1; J. R. Winslow, of Robersonville, and C. B. Fagan, of Dardens, will meet here within the next few days to appoint a registrar and two judges of election for each of the eleven precincts of the county for the primary to be held on June 7. The County Board of Elections will also have to make complete ar rangements for handling the primary in the several precincts, meeting the re quirement* of the new Australian Bal lot Law as to the use of booths and ballots. The appointment of county members hstf created much criticism in certain parts of the State, and campaign managers in several cases have attack ed the action of the State Board. The appointments in this county, however, have give cause for no criticism, two of the members, Mestrs. feel and Fagan having served on the board be fore. Mr. Winslow comes in as the third member of the body for the firat time. The primary thia year it expected to attract much attention as It is the first State-wide one to be held under the new Australian Ballot Law, passed by the last Legislature. HOOVER RELIEF PROGRAM NOT SO SUCCESSFUL • Farm Board Continues Plea For a Reduction in Crop Acreage FARM PRICES LOWER Outlook For Tobacco, Cotton and Other Crops Oloomy, Agricul tural Department Says • Washington, March 30.—With the general level of farm pricet at the general levl of fram pricet at the lowest point since May 1927, according to the Federal department of Agricul ture, President Hoover's farm relief program is indeed in a bad way. The worst part of the sad story is that it declined five points from February 15 to March 15, and at the latter date waa 14 points under the general lsvel at the time President Hoover took office a year ago. The Farm Board has ben function ing for nine months and instead of farm conditions getting better they are getting worse. Faced with continu ing disaster, the Farm Board hat taken refuge in the familiar exhortation to the farmer to reduce production. Reportt coming from Kentucky to the Department of Agriculture indi cate an expected increase of 15 per cent, in burley tobacco acreage. The Farm Board immediately dispatched a message to the growers that this would be suicidal. With no increase in acreage, pricet are likely to be lower than last year, and the tituation now developing probably will mean pricet at low at in 1926 when growert averaged 13 centt a pound. While no warning message hat been tent to the tobacco farmeri of North Carolina, the Bureau of Economic! of the Department of Agriculture hai is sued an outlook statement in which it is stated that an intended increase of two per cent, ii reported in Southeast ern North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. Even with no increaae in production thit year, the department reports there would be larger aurplut thit fall than latt, and unlett the quality improves, the average price per pound it likely to be tmaller thit year than latt, and they were ditattrontly small latt year. There it little hope held out for the production of flue-cured tobacco to make any money this year. While the Federal Department of Agriculture it prohibited by law from itsuing reportt on intentions to plant, it paintt a gloomy picture from facts developed under exittlng conditions. Prices declined a cent a pound from February 15 to March 15, the quotation fot the latter date being 13.8 centa, and were five cents under a year ago. | February itatistics show a 34 per cent, reduction in export! of cotton, and a 17 per cent, reduction in domes tic coniumption, at compared with Feb ruary, 1929, reaulting in an increase of 18 per cent, in March 1 stocks. In the face of these condition!, Con gress has just turned out the highest tariff bill in history. The House boost ed the general average of duties 8 per cent., the Senate cut down the Howe, average but left it at more than four per cent, higher than the average for tbe preient law, according to the Tariff ■ ' • (Continued on page 4) Verdict Favoring Plaintiffs In Church Case Set Aside By Judge Sinclair In Court Here Final Evidence Is Famous Church Case Here BODY FOR TAX RELIEF FORMED IN THE STATE Messrs. Lilley, Slade, Cox, Salsbury and Staton Represent Martin 356 ATTEND MEETING Will Not Aak, But* Will Demand Re. lief at the Next General Assembly Meeting In Raleigh in 1931 • A North Carolina Tax Relief As sociation was formed in Raleigh yes terday when 356 representatives from 44 counties assembled in Raleigh to di.scuss the tax situation and to demand a substantial tax reduction from the ~GcneraF"AsaemßTy of 193 L Th~e ai scciation will carry on a campaign in every county of the State to reduce taxes. Messrs. R. W. Salsbury, J. Eason Lilley, T. B. Slade, G. H. Cox and J. G. Staton represented this county at the meeting, having been appointed by the county commissioners several weeks ago. Reports from the meeting: "The three sessions of the day were sur charged with a determination which by the late afternoon had swamped the suspicion and bickering which at first threatened the success of the meeting. At last organized and ready to take their fight into the counties, the associ ation passed resolutions calling for the following remedies: "State support of the constitutional school term. State maintenance of all public roads and bridges. State, coun ty and municipal economy in govern ment. Reduction of land valuation on county tax books. Complete reform in method of land value appraisal. A tax reduction pledge from every member of the Legislature. Repeal of the tax exemption on foreign stocks. "Though frequently urged and never fought during the morning and after noon session, the matter of a sales tax was not presented to the body by its joint resolution and organization com mittee. The committee, however, ask ed for further time to consider other resolutions submitted to it. "Invited to address the assembly by a unanimous resolution, Governor O. Max Gardner told them last night, told the delegates that he believed North Carolina land was taxed too high but reminded them that each year knd bore a smaller proportion of the total revenue needed to run all gov ernments. The problem, he said, was made more complex by the fact that the State government even now faces a deficit and the next General Assem bly will have to raise $4,000,000 more than the last if the State is not to go backwards in the matter of State proj* ecti." COST IS HEAVY IN CHURCH CASE | • Complete Report on Costs of Case Have Not Been Made • While there have been very few tickett filcjl in the Smithwick't Creek Church cate, it is believed that the costs of the proceedings will go into hundreds of dollars. It it estimated that the twelve men serving on the jury will receive around S3OO, a small sum for their services. This cost will be partly offset, however, as the plain tiffs are said to have agreed to accpet the additional cost incurred when the jury was called from an adjoining county. Judge Sinclair, just before the set tlement »vith the jurymen was effect ed, ttated that he had arranged to pay them every pottlble cent allowed by the law. Improvements Made at the Baptist Cemetery A new fence it now encloting the Baptist Cetftttery, thereby much im proving the appearance of our "City ol the Dead." A permanent improvement will be noticed and maintained if in dividuals will keep clean their plota, and when cleaning them, be careful not to leave gratt, leavei and weeda in the Wallet and drivewayt. Having heard that many whose loved onet tleep there would like to con tribute towards tbe recent expense ni curred by tha building of the fence, tbit it to advite them and all othert intereited that any contribution, be it much or little, will be received with appreciation. MRS. FANNIE S. BIGGS. LAST EVIDENCE IS HEARD LATE LAST FRIDAY Resume of the Proceedings From Thursday Noon To Late Friday 15 WITNESSES IN CASE Belief in Absolute Predestination Is Uphsl| As Vitally Necesaary by Many of the Witnesses * 7* Evidence in the Smithwick's Creek Church case was completed in the su perior court here last Friday afternoon after fifteen witnesses had been examined by the defense and plaintiff attorneys. The proceeditvgj from Thursday noon until the lawyers started their ad dresses follow: The defendants re-called Elder F. W. Keene, who, substantiated the defini tions of Elders Gilliam and Hutchens, saying that thosy who denied the pre destination theory as it was in Canada arc not true members of the Primitive Baptist Church. He stated that P. E. Getsinger had told him at Tarboro that the creature had to repent, which was surely outside the Primitive Bap tist doctrine and was the same as! Arminianism. On cross examination, he stated that God created things that get men | in disorder and crime. He denied that 1 he got angry at the Tarboro associa tion, but did admit that he refused to preach. He did not remember leaving. He admitted that he was grieved at J. C. Moored, the moderator, that the two of them did not agree on predes tination, but that Moore was in good standing. He also stated that Elder Roberts was in good standing. Eldet Denny was said to be in good stand ing although he did not agree with him. W. M. Stubbs, of Pinetown, next called, stated that he was a Primitive Baptist preacher and preached predesti nation of all things in the sense of all good things, not of wrong things, ex cept as He permitted them. The wit ness stated that he believed that God knew that Adam would fall but that God did not make him do it. He ex pressed his opinion that most differen ces come from misunderstanding, that he knew he often misunderstood things himself. J. _W. Wyatt, of Selma, stated that he had been a preacher for 26 years, and that the explanation Hutchens, Gilliam and others had given as to the Primitive Baptist doctrine was correct lie stated he had heard Harrington say Jie advocated general r atonement In explaining the chance system, the witness illustrated his belief by saying i that when you put water on fire, some times it boils, some times it freezes* that is chance. J. L. Ross, of Stokes, stated that he was a Primitive baptist Elder, that he had heard Harrington preach sev eral times, that he had heard others call him down and reprimand him on several occasions, that at the council in January 1930, the defendants urged Harrington to defend himself. On cross examination, he stated that he was notified to meet on December 6, but heard there was going to be fight, that they had their sleeves rolled up, that he would not go. Upon being asked who had told hifei, he wiggled and fail ed to answer. described the coun cil on January 11 in about the same manner as others, except that he stated a person might be led off by hearing , wrong doctrine and not know it, that man can't endorse that which he knows nothing about. Carl Goerch, editor of the Washing ton Progress, was the next witness. He read two articles from his paper written from interviews held with El der Harrington. Elder J. S. Corbitt, of Greenville, who for 48 years has been a Primitive Baptist minister stated that he had heard Harrington preach several times, and that he did not preach in accord with the Primitive Baptist Faith. The witness explained that the purpose of the council was to bring the accuser and the accused face to face. The com plaints made were general, mutual one with another, same by the minister and some. by the laity. Harrington was called upon to answer the com* plaints, but he did not answer a single question, except by quoting Scriptur% the witness said. He was asked to ex* plain difference between regeneration land conversion lour times, but be did not answer. Continuing, the witness stated that some one had said his doc trine was the same as Catholicism. On • (Continued on back page) I AdMrtbm Will Find Oar Col umns • Latchkey to Over 1.600 Horaea of Martin County ESTABLISHED 1898 VERDICT SAID TO BE CONTRARY TO EVIDENCE GIVEN Case Back to Where It Was Before Proceedings . Were Started JURY RESENT ATTACK I» Fourth Verdict Ever Set Aside by Sinclair; Future Developments In Controversy Not Known Returning a verdict favoring the plaintiffs, the majority faction, twelve Pitt County citizens forming the jury, were reversed when Judge N. A. Sin clair declared that the decision was contrary to the weight of the evidence gathered during five days in the Smith wick's Creek Primitive Baptist Church controversy,' the action leaving the case just where it was when the pro ceedings were commenced more than a week ago. . ~ ¥ _. At -12:05. Sunday the jury filed into its box in the county court house, weary after a week's stay in the courtroom and a deliberation lasting around eight hours. Approximately 100 people, a majority of them being „ from the country where the case had its beginning, heard the announcement ol the verdict. The two questions, "Are the plaintiffs entitled to the ex clusive use and possession of the church building and property of Smithwick's Creek Baptist Church?" and "Have the defendants wrongfully occupied and withehld possession of the same from plaintiffs?" were answered in the af firmative. The decision was calmly re ceived, but the defense was quick to enter an objection, stating emphatical ly that the verdict was "contrary to the weight of the evidence." For al most an hour, Defense Attorney A. R. Dunning argued the cause. Attorneys Paul and Peel replied to the argument, maintaining the jury system and men tioning probable issues upon which the jurors reached their verdict. Mr. Paul complimented the coyrt upon its man ner of hearing the proceedings, adding that the cast; had been carefully tried, that the verdict should stand. J In a brief introduction to his action. Judge Sinclair stated that in all his years on the bench, he had reversed juries but three times, that he respect ed the systm and regretted to find it necessary to alter the decision. Then he stated that the verdict was contrary to the evidence, and" that he would be forced to set it a side. An attempt by Attorney Paul to have the Judge reconsider the action prov ed useless, Mr. Sinclair stating that the senior attorneys in the case, had an op portunity to be pre>fftt when the de cision was rendered, and that the re versal should be final. The method of procedure waxed warm at times, but as a whole the spec tators remained quiet, expressing their doubt as to what really was going on and what had been done in so short a time. The jury composed of Messrs. J. L. Jenkins, J. E. Humble, A. F Rowe, VV. D. Owen, H. S. Ragsdale, C. M. Smith, W. IX Bailey, George Dail, J. H. Byrum, WgT. Allen, E. H Hooks and L. C. Fletcher, accepted the harsh criticism of the court without a word at the time, but mem? btrs of the body are said to have re sented it later. However, they were conservative in their remarks, it was said, but expressed no great desire to ever return to court in this .county. Following the last of the proceedings, it was reported that the first count in m (Continued on page four) 8-MONTHS TERM FOR BEAR GRASS Election In Favor Tax Levy Carries by Only a Majority of 19 An eight-months term was provided for the Bear Grass School yesterday when 134 voters out of 249 registered voted for a special tax of not more than 35 cents with which to operate the school during the two extra months. The election, the second to be held in this county under the new Australian ballot system, carried by • very small majority, 134 voting against and nine not voting, making the count stand 134 for and 115 against the tax. The passage of the measure makes possible the continuance of the school for one more month this year, the school being in its seventh month now. Had the election failed to carry, it ia understood that the school would have automatically stopped, as the teachers had agreed to continue in the antics pation of the scheduled election. According to reports coming from both sides, the voting system recently introduced wu favorably received at the polls there yesterday.