North Carolina Newspapers

ESS THE ENTERPRISE VOLUME XXXV—NUMBER 30 LITTLE HOPE FOR NEW POST OFFICE IN NEAR FUTURE Congressman Warren Says Bill Will Meet Defeat In the Senate That the proposed erection ol a new post office here and others in adjoin ing towns in this section is little more than a dream right now is evidenced in a recent letter from Congressman Lindsay Warren to Postmaster Jesse T. Price. Mr. Warren writes as fol lows: "I have your letter of May 28 en closing clippings about Speaker Gar ner's relief bill. It contains many projects in the First Congressional District, but I have so far not given any publicity -.to same, for I realize that in view of President Hoover's de nunction of the measure that it will never become a law. It provides for post offices at Williamston, Hertford, Ahoskie, Farmville, and Plymouth, as well as many waterway projects in that section, and then my road bill, which I got through the House, has been in corporated bodily into Speaker Gar ner's bill. "Ai you understand, the present law about public buildings is that no place will be considered postal receipts are at least $20,000. It docs not mean that a town will get a build ing when the receipts reach that fig ure, but does mean that they can be considered. Congress has done noth ing whatever about unemployment, and my road bill is the only measure that has so far been passed in either House that will give a job to a single human being in the nation. It is my opinion that the Speaker's bill will pass the House, but if the Senate should pass it I am sure that we could not pass it over the President's vet." ONLY 2 CASES IN COURT TUESDAY One of Two Cases Is Most Pathetic Ever Called For Trial Here ... There were only two cases called in the county recorder's court here last Tuesday, but one of them was the most pathetic probably ever docketed for trial in the court annals here. John Griffin, 80 years old and so feeble he can't walk alone, was there to answer as defendant in 4* case charging him with an assault. It seems as if the old man threw an axe at a member of his family, causing no great injury, it is understood, but creating enough friction for a warrant to result. Well, the court just nol prossed the case, this action resulting when it looked as if the old man was going to die of a weak heart right there in the court room. The court halted its work in anbther case long enough for Griffin to rest, all the while the court officers worried over the welfare of their charge. The free-for-all fight it Corey'i ■chool house in Griffins Township several days ago was aired out, and the court found Claude Peel, Dawson Corey and Sherman Peel guiUy of an assault. Claude Peel, who cut Corey, was taxed with one-third of the costs and ordered to pay S2O on Corey's medical bill. Corey was fined $lO and taxed with one-third Sf the costs. Judgment was suspended as to Sher man Petl, but he was charged with one-third of the costa. And then they all appealed. - .. • ■■ ■■ ■ ■ John W. House Died Near Hamilton Last Wednesday John W. House, 67 years old, died at his home on a farm near Hamilton last Wednesday of heart disease. The son of Win House and wife, Annie House, he was born in Edgecombe County. He moved to this county 20 years ago and farmed until his health began to fail. Two daughters, Mrs. Tom Harper, of Leggetts; Mrs. Mills Ayers, of Hassell; and one son, Raymond House of Baltimore, survive. He also leaves one brother, B. F. House, of Edge comeb County, and two grandchildren, Robert and John L. House. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday afternoon and interment was in the family plot at Lawrence church in Edgecombe County. Announce Curb Market Prices for Tomorrow * Last week the women telling on the curb market here received $36.37 for their produce. We are hoping the sales will continue to grow. A partial list of the prices for the day follows: Eggs, 12 cents a doxen; string beans 3 1-2 cents a pouad; new potatoes, 2 cents a pound; sweet poatoes, 1 1-2 cents a pound; meal, 1 cent a pound; garden peas, 4. cents a pound; car rots, 5 cents a bunch; onions, 3 cents a pound; beets, 3 cents a bunch, and strawberries, 3 quarts, 22 cents. Costs of Superior Court and Recorder's Court Compared Democrats Hold Meeting Here Sat'day A goodly number of politicians from all parts of the county arc expected hare for the county Dem ocratic convention in die court house tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'- clock, according to information coming from the county chairman, Elbert S. Peel. A county organisation will be perfected and delegates to the state convention Will be selected. According to reports, a lew pre cincts have held their meetings and selected {their delegates to the county meeting tomorrow. Coun ty delegates will go to Raleigh next Thursday for the Stat* con vention. While there is some doubt as to whom the county delegstes will be instructed to vote for for presi dent, it is generally believed that the county will favor j Franklin Rooeevelt's nomination. GUESSES CLOSE TO ACTUAL VOTE W. H. Biggs Misses Total By Margin of Only Thirty-six Votes That primary last Saturday was a baffling one in that more than fifty guessers found it difficult to estimate the size of vote before hand. Some thought there would be no more than 2,200 votes cast and others thought there would be no less than 3,300 cast during the day. But Messrs. W. H. Biggs, of Williamston; H. S. Everett, Oak City, and J. F. Martin, James ville, thought between 2,810 and 2,925 votes would be cast, Mr. Biggs fur nishing the best estimate. Mr. Ever ett was second with a guess of 2,820 and Mr. Martin was third with 2,810 votes. Mr. Biggs estimate is offered in comparison with the actual vote cast last Saturday by precinqts, with the 1930 primary vote offered as good measure: Pracinct Estimate Actual Vota Vote 1932 1930 Jamesville 3SO 368 317 Williams 12S 149 137 Griffins 300 279 312 Bear Grass ' 150 184 205 Williamston 7OO 714 776 Cross Roads » 250 282 274 Robersonville ... 500 369 464 Gold Point 100 82 92 Poplar Point 50 94 82 Ham.-Hassetl 200 162 202 Goose Nest 200 189 215 Total - -2,925 2,889 3,076 HEALTH REPORT FOR PAST MONTH Report Oiie Smallpox Case in the County During The Period 'Twenty cases of contagious diseases were reported to the county health of ficer during the month of May, it was announced by Dr. J. H. Saunders' sec retary, Mrs. Erah Cobb, this week. Fifteen whooping cough cases were reported, 7 in Bear Grass, two in Cross Roads, 3 in Griffins, and 3 in Rober jsonville. The disease has been unusu ally common in the Bear Grass sec tion during the past few months, a goodly number of cases having been reported there during that period. And to add more misery, there was one smallpox case in Bear Grass Town ship during May. One diphtheria case was reported in Williams Township. Jamesville reported one measles vic tim, Bear Grass reporting two cases. No deaths resulted from any of the diseases in the county during the month, it was stated. Five County Girl* Finish Work at E. C. T. College - Martin County was well represented in the East Carolina Teachers' College graduating class a few days ago, five of its young girls completing the course of study there. They are Misses Lela Brown Bamhill, Susie J«nkins, Josephine Harrison, Daisy D. John son, and Mary L. Rodgerson. The county was also represented in the graduating classes at several other colleges in the state, E. C. T. C. hav ing the largest number from this county. Williamston, Martin County, North Carolina, Friday, June 10,1932 PROFIT SHOWN BY LOWER COURT UNTIL RECENTLY Depression Is Reflected in Amount Fines and Costs Collected From May 1, 1931, to May 1, 1932, Martin County spent $2,8&) to oper ate its recorder's court, it was learned from a study of Clerk of the Court R. J. Peel's records, Mr. Peel having assisted in the survey. Whether that amount is too much or whether the court it an unnecessary tribunal for the trial of certain crimi nal and civil cases has been discussed by many citizens during the past sev eral weeks. The figures and conclus ions derived from the study of the court are offered not in behalf of the court or against it but are offered as they are found. In actual figures, the recorder's court has been a paying proposition up un til several months ago, when unfav orable economic conditions developed to affect the court's financial status even more than they affected general business. Many defendants, who sev eral months ago would have preferred paying a SSO fine, now accept sentences on the roads, and in numerous cases they are glad to get on the roads, where food and shelter are provided them. During the one-year period ending the first of May, the court tried and actually disposed of 317 cases, 10 of which were civil ones. The court col lected during the period $828.20 in fines and $603 in fees. There remain uncollected approximately that amount a majority of which is not due until September and October of this year, the defendants being allowed until then by the judge to raise their fines. Approximately SSOO of the unpaid fines and fees will be collected, while some of the defendants, finding it impossi ble to pay then, will face the roads. Taking the amount of fines actually paid in, $828.20, the amount of fees, $603,, and the anticipated collections, SSOO, and subtracting them from the cost of the court, $2,880, there is a deficit of $671. Saving Made Possible And then there is another side to the court beside the cost, and that > s the saving made possible by it. This saving can not be measured in actual dollars.and cents, but a few facts will show that money has been saved for the county. On Tuesday, May 12, 'there were 12 prisoners awaiting trial. When the court completed its work for the day, 8 of the number had been 'removed from the jail. Some went to the roads, others were fined and still others were found not guilty. The main point is that 8 prisoners were turned out of the county's hotel to find I their own food and shelter or share , that provided by the State. The fol | lowing Tuesday, there 13 in jail and 7 of them were removed by the court. Several more were removed last Tues day, and in the course of a year, it is believed the jail costs would amount to more than SI,OOO yfearsly should the prisoners be held for months in jail awaiting trial in the superior court. Unable to raise bonds, even small ones, a majority of the prisoners would certainly find it necessary to await trial in the superior court. There are a few whose cases are not within the jurisdiction of the recorder, and many of them wait for months at a time for trial. j Many fines imposed by the recorder I are unpaid, but while a few have been paid in that court during the past 12 months, not one of the very few im posed in the superior court has been | paid in almost a year. The defendants in some of the superior court cases were allowed so much time in which to pay, and in some cases the time has been extended by the judge, while in others warrants for the arrest of defendants have been issued. Superior Court Coats And while the recorder's court was operating at a cost of $2,880 during the past year, the following figures show what the superior court cost for the years 1930 and 1931: - . , 1930 1931 Stenographers' fees $ 717.60 $ 534.00 Witnesses' fees 969.60 973.37 Jurors' salaries - 3,675.90 2,780.35 | Special attorney 100.00 50.00 ! Lodging and meals fqr. jurors 121.35 14.25 Totals 45,580.45 $4,351.97 As the state pays the judges and solicitors of the superior courts, that cost ia not considered here. On an average the higher court disposes of a smaller number of cases, but important ones probably than does tWe recorder's Court. Not including the salariea of officers, the recorder's court [ EARLY CLOSING ) A paper petitioning the mer chants of the town to close their doors each Wednesday afternoon at 1 o'clock from June 15 through August 17 ia being circulated here this week. Many of the mer chants have already signed the pe tition, but it was stated that the agreement would not be perfect ed unless there was a 100 per cent sign-up. Store employees enjoyed the half holidays last year, and the agreement waa generally obeerved during the hot summer months. The outcome of the circulation of the petition for closing this year will be determined within the neat day or two, it ia understood. AGENT'S REPORT SHOWS TOBACCO ACREAGE LOWER Dry Weather Limits Yield of Irish Potato Crop In This County I The old live-at-home program has been loudly proclaimed in North Car olina during the past two years, but County Agent Tom Brandon's May report shows that tobacco still con tinues as a center of interest for Mar tin farmers. It might be that every one is acquainted with gardening meth ods and finds it unnecessary to call upon the agent for his services, Any |Way, the agent spent a greater part of the month investigating blue mold dam age and trying to check it. He was called to only four gardens. In connection with the blue mold, Mr. Brandon states that the disease killed more than half the plants and effected a further decrease in tobacco acreage. Dry weather has been injurious to the irish potato crop, limiting it con siderably, the agent said. Several of the sweet potato curing houses were disinfected under the di rection of the agent, and many hogs were vaccinated against cholera dur ing the period. The report in detail follows: Seventeen days spent in field work, 5 days spent in office work, 4 days an nual leave, 136 office conferences, 131 telephone calls, 139 letters written dur ing the month, 40 farm visits made during the month, 754 miles traveled on official duties, I article written for local papers, 420 hogs treated for 22 farmers and their tenants, 13 farmers assisted with sweet potatoes, 23 farm ers assisted in the control of blue mold, 9 farmers assisted in pasture work, and 4 assisted with gardens. START HARVEST TOMATOES SOON Pick Good-sized Tomatoes Prom Vines This Week Near Jamesville With tomatoes already on their vines weighing as much as 5 and 6 ounces, farmers in the Jamesville sec tion are making preparations to start ( shipping within the next one or two weeks, it was learned from Prof, W. T. Overby this week. Tomatoes were pulled from the yines there this week as large as one's fist, and with fav •rable weather farmers will be ready to start picking by the latter part of next week or the early part of the following one, it was said. There are around 200 acres planted to tomatoes in that part of the coun ty and carload shipments will be un derway before July 1. The growers have made arrangements with a mar keting association to handle the crop, Mr. Overby said, and salea will be made on the highest markets. disposed of 317 cases at a cost of around S9OO. In 1931 the superior court costs amounted to $4,351.97. De fendants, it is agreed, are due a trial by jury if they demand it, but much of the trouble is found when an ap peal is noted, not on any substantial grounds, but because attorney's fee* sometimes increase and, in the hurry, sentences imposed by the recorders are j railroaded through the superior court by officers who are in a hurry to go home or somewhere. Reports received here on courts in 1 other counties indicate that longer sen tences are being meted out and smaller fines are being imposed. In Martin, as well as in many other counties, the loudest fowls directed against the cost of courts often come from those who offer little aid in supporting the laws an 4 their enforcement, and who, in some cases, it niisst be admitted, vio late the laws themselves. WILL PROBABLY TAKE OFF BOTH SUNDAY TRAINS • Postmaster Making Plans for Handling Mails On Sundays According to unofficial information received here this week, the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company is plan ning to discontinue all Sunday trains now operating on the Tarboro-Ply mouth branch and possibly all other Sunday trains connecting at Parmele. The proposed discontinuance of the Sunday trains has not been announced at the office of the railroad company here, but it is understood that the gov ernment is considering making other arrangements for handling the Sunday mails when the train schedules are changed. Postmaster Jesse T. Price has re quested t)iat Sunday mail service be arranged with the Norfolk-Raleigh bus owners, but it is not certain that the postal authorities will comply with the request. It was proposed to have the Sunday mails handled by the Bab cock bus line, but Mr. Price believes the other service would be far better than that. The Babcock bus only op erates six days to the week, while the other busses maintain weekly and Sun day schedules. Under the proposed schedules when the Sunday trains are discontinued only one mail will be recei\fed here and one dispatched on Sundays. But if arrangements can be made with the Norfolk-Raleigh line, mail will be re ceived here more than an hour earlier than it is now received. It is not definitely known when the 'Sunday train service will be discon tinued, but the proposed change will, in all probability, be made not later than July Very little passenger traffic is han dled by the Sunday trains in this sec tion, and if mail schedules can be main tained by other agencies, it is believed no protest will be made against the railroad company's curtailment of serv ice here. 17-YEAR LOCUST IS FOUND HERE After Sleeping 17 Years the Cicadas Are Waking Up In This Section After sleeping undisturbed fur 17 years, the cicadas, or 17-year locusts, are waking up, the enmologists pre dicting the air will be full of them before the season is over. The first of the bugs discovered in this county was caught by Vernon Griffin in Wil liams Township a few days ago. The young man identified the big bug yvith the aid of a book on entomology, and his father, Mr. W. W. Griffin, exhib ited the pest here. Although the locusts are expected to appear in great numbers, no great harm is likely to result from their vis it. In only, one instance has damage been reported in the State this year— »n apple orchard in Buncombe Coun ty where thousands of the bugs cov ered the trees. The' cicada caught in Williams 'Township was brought to the Enter prise office and left in a small y>»x. .Lonnie Spruill, the janitor, thought it to confine the bug in so small a box and he turned it out and burned the box. It is hoped another ,of the bugs will be caught and' brought here for inspection. m Christians Announce Their Services for Next Sunday Bible school at 9:45; morning wor ship at 11; Christian Endeavor at 7 p. m. and evening service at 8 o'clock. The public is cordially invited to all service*. It is children's day and all members of the church and Bible school are urged to be present and enjoy the day and take some part in the worship and fellowship. The pastor will preach Sunday morning on "A little bit of heaven and earth," and that evening on "Earth's greatest possessions." young converts who came into the church recently are asked to be present at both services if possible. Special music, a yarm Christian wel come, worshipful atknosphere and gos pel messages that comfgrt and encour age. Sunday Services at the Local Baptist Church "The Evidences of Our Salvation" will be the sermon ihente at the Bap tist church Sunday morning. —• This is a subject in which all Chris tion people are vitally interested. And an attempt will be made to set forth in order some of the reasonable bases upon which the evidences of Chris tianity - rut - ——, The pastor will preach again in the evening, following the sessions of the B. Y. P. U. Peanut Marketing Method Explained Morrison and Reynolds in 2nd Primary Hardly before the last chapter in the (June 4 primary is officially closed in Raleigh today by the State canvassers, political lines were being formed for a second primary the second day of July. Senator Cameron IMorrison and Robert R. Reynolds, the wet can didate, will oppose each other for a seat in the United States Sen ate, Tarn Bowie, Frank D. Grist, and Arthur Simmons having been eliminated last Saturday. R. T, Fountain, second high in the race for the governorship, has not announced his intentions of opposing Ehringhaus in a second primary. He has until next Wed nesday to decide, some of I his friends having already advised him to contest his opponent's SO,OOO or more lead. Others are said to have advised against A second contest between the two men. Other contests are likely to be announced following the official canvass of the State vote by the board of elections in Raleifeh to day. BASEBALL TEAM IS FORMED HERE Play First Scheduled Game with Coleraine Here Next Tuesday Organized baseball was established here this week wheit Williamston or Martin County officially signed as a fourth member of the Albemarle League, Colerain-Windsor, Elizabeth City and Edentou having already en tered before that time. A team is in the making here at the present time and the first game will lie played here next Tuesday afternoon at 4 o'clock on the high school diamond, it was announced here yesterday afternoon. Nineteen young men, many of whom have held positions on various college teams, are working for'regular posi tions on the squad here, and present indications point to a successful sea son as far as good baseball is con cerned—financial support is another horse of a, different color. Players reporting fur practice in clude the following: Howard Earps, of Apex, shortstop; William Mills, of Monroe, pitcher; David Cobble, of Monroe, catcher; Bill Herring, Seven Springs, pitcher; Jimmie lirown, of Jainesville, third base; J.\_-Nettles, Florida, pitcher; Eli Marion Taylor, first base; 'Doc Kugler, Washington, pitcher; John (.attain, Washington, catcher; Howard, Onward, and Broth- er Gay lord, all of Jamesville; Carl and Howard Drown, "Slim" Gardner, Karl Gardenr, of Jamesville; J. B. Wliitp hurst, Robersonviße; Jesse CeffieUl and Jack Frank. Earps and- Herring played with Wake Forest and Mills and Cobble played with Wingate Col lege last season. «, Dr. Powell, of Edenlon, is president of the league and Gus Hughes, also of Edenton, is secretary and treasurer. V. J. Spivey is manager of the local squad; and T. M. Grimes and a man named Rosenthal, of Norfolk,, are the league umpires. A complete schedule of play will be announced later. Frightened by Sfiake, Man Jumps Into Conoho Creek Cuddling a small canoe up Conoho C'reek one day this week, James Her bert Ward and Hubert Cook had their bull-frog hunt suddenly interrupted when a large water moccasin fell from a tree limb into their boat. Before the snake could fall the distance of a few feet, young Mr. Ward had made room for him by jumping head-first, with clothes and all, into the creek. Young Cook, occupying the other end of the boat, made ready to jump, but he gambled on the snake's actions and saved his face, as the reptile crawled over the »ide of thje boat into the wa-| ter. There is a large crop of snakes in the woods this year, especially along the creeks and other small streams, according to reports heard here. Services at Farm Life Sunday Afternoon at 2:30 R«v. W. B. Harrington announced yesterday that there would be.services at the Farm Life School building Sunday afternoon at 2:30. The public is invited to attend. 1 Advertiser* Will Fnd Oar Cat jans a Latchkey to Over Sixteen Hundred Martin County Homes wmmmm ■■■* ESTABLISHED 1898 PRICES TO BE LOWER UNLESS PLANTERS ACT Sign Something or Leave Peanuts in Ground for the Hogs," Agent Advises I nless peanut growers establish some marketing system of their/ own this year, they just as well le;>ve their peanuts in the field fur the hogs," Mr. A. E. Gibson, Federal Farm Board representative warned a few farmers at a meeting held in». t courthouse here yesterday morning. Mr. Gibson, who has talked to hun dreds of growers in Bertie, Northamp ton, and Washington Counties during the past few days, mentioned bis dis appointment at the small group of Mar tin farmers assembled to discuss a matter of vast importance to them. ''We are not here to urge you to sign a contract, but we are here to advise you that unless something is done to handle what promises- Jo be the big gest crop of peanuts ever grown in the United States, you will receive less for your crop that you receive for your last crop," lie said. - But even though there was a small representation present for the meeting the group was 11)0 per cent strong for some type of marketing this year, and plans were formlulated' for carrying the proposition to every community in the county. A series of community meet ings is being planned and the dates will he announced later. During the meantime, farmers are asked to get in touch with the agent and study the* contract proposed foir 'handling the J IW2 crop. Martin County's quota is around j 12,00 bags, reporting coming from oth er counties indicating that the sign-up twill go over with all ease. Exchanges are working to a marked'advantage in several states already, and it now looks as if the only hope for the. 1932 : peanut farmer rests in the organiza j tion of an exchange in the peanut i growing counties of this state. 1 he plan, according to Mr. Gibson, provides for the delivery of, peanuts to a local bonded warehouse. The farm er can sell in the optional pool, or he ! can sell in the yearly pool. The pea -1 nut# are then cleaned by exchange fac tories and sold direct to the large can dy manufacturers, eliminating specula tion, plain out and-out gambling, and excessive 'middle profits, Mr. Gibson said. ■ ~ No high-salaried men will be em ployed, and the cost to the grower j Will be a nominal one, each share of stock selling for only $2. Ihe Farm Hoard representatives said that State agricultural authorities would meet with the community groups aud explain the contracts and answer any questions. County Agent T. U. Brandon is nyikiug a personal call upon farmers in each of the 10 districts in the county, and as soon as the district representatives are named a series of meetings will be held, : A thorough drive is being made in •all-the pea iu»-growing counties in, Eas tern Nyrth Carolina and Virginia, and it is believed the undertaking will meet with success. *lt is hoped* that Martin gro.wers will interest themselves in the movement and support \U Republicans Gathering In Chicago for Convention Already the Republicans are gath ering in Chicago for their presidential convention there next Tuesday, early reports indicating that a wet atmos phere overhangs the jneeting. The selection of a presidential, candidate is a minor issue with the Republicans as they, Will have ttrnomrnate Mr. Hoov er again. The greatest wrangle will be over re-submi'ssion of the prohibi tion question to the several states, it is understood. The Democrats will have the same trouble, it is now beleived, when they meet in the windy city later on this month. And then the selection of a presidential candidate for the Demo crats might cause trouble in the ranks. "Trial of Vivenne Ware" at Watts Monday-Tuesday t— — Hailed as one of the most grippingly interesting pictures of the year, "The Trial of Vivienne Ware," Fox Films production, wiH open its engagement .at tbe Watts Theatre here next Mon day, June 13, where it will remain for two days, the final showing being made Tuesday night. Joan Bennett appears in th,e leading role, that of the society beauty tried for murder. The cast also include* Allan Dinehart, Donald Cook, Lillian Bond, Zasu Pitts, Skeets Gallagher, Ruth Selwyn, William J'awley, and Herbert Mundin.