Watch the Label On Tow
ftqwr As It. Carrie* tbe Data
Won Yoor Babsulptluu Ixpini
VOLUME XXXV—NUMBER 29
COUNTY INSTRUCTS FOR ROOSEVELT
Total Valuation of Properly in County Is $390,941 Under Last Year
LITTLE CHANGE
IN VALUATION
OF REAL ESTATE
• -
A ,5-Cents Increase in Rate
Will Be Necessary To
Offset the Loss
• ■
Property values in Martin County
for the year 1932 are $390,941 less than
they were in 1931, according to an
early review of the tax scrolls turned
in by the list-takers in the several
townships recently. And goodness on
ly knows what the decrease would have
been had there been a revaluation of
real estate allowed this year.
While there were a few variations in
the real estate values, the changes were
small, fire affecting a drop in some
districts and improvements adding a
little on in other townships. But there
were radical losses in personal prop
erty values, nearly everybody in Mar
decreased, nearly everybody in Mar
tin County will have less than nothing
in three or four more years. How*
ever, the decrease in both real and per
sonal property value* was let* thia
year than it was in 1931. Last year
there was a 23 per cent drop in per
sonal property values this year. The
loss in real property values was negli
gible this year as compared with the
12.3 per cent drop reported last year.
The bad feature about the loss is
that it will affect the tax rate this
year. It- is estimated that the $390,-
941 drop, or about 3.45 per cent, will
call for around a 5 cents raise on the
SIOO property valuation. In other
words, before a reduction in the rate
can be made, the commissioners will
have to effect economies to offset the
5-cent per SIOO property valuation loss
resulting from the decreased valuation.
Well, that is their problem, and they
will start on the rate-establishing task
next Monday, when they meet as a
board o fequalixation and review. The
officials can expect little aid to re
sult from that work, because many
property owners will be inclined to
enter protests against high valuations,
and none will appear to have any in
creased. It is the right of the prop
erty owner to object to the assess
ments placed on hia property, but it
so happens that changes can be made
only in personal property listings this
year with the exception that where
losses fire or other causes have re
sulted, or improvements made, the
board of equalization and review. The
make the heeded alterations in the lift
ings. -~,
Goose Nest led the list with the
largest single loss in real estate val
ues, that district reporting real values
for 1932 at $1,331,312, as compared
with in 1931, a resulting loss
of $19,504, or 1.4 per cent. Williams
s was second with a $10,417 loss, or a
decrease of 2.97 per cent. Four town
ships reported in real estate val
ues, as follows: Jamesville, $294; Bear
Gran, $1,999; Williamston, $6,575; and
Poplar Point, SIOO.
In the personal property column,
every township reported a lost, the
marked drop in coddity prices failing
by $347,124 to offset the increase in
the various commodities grown. Rob
ersonville reported a $103,773, but it*
percentage of decrease, 27 per cent,
was not as great as that for Hamilton,
which was 35 per cent. Williams re
ported the smallest percentage of
in personal property values, the drop
there being 9.3 per"cent. Jamesville
was next with 9.6 per cent loas.
County Accountant J. Sam Getsing
er is now facing the huge task of
checking the listings and calculating
the rate. Until that work is complet
ed and the budgets are prepared and
approved, the county-wide rate can
not be learned.
Frank Barber Killed In
Wreck Near Aulander
Fr»nk Barber, Aulander white man,
was kilted and two of hi* companion*,
Clarence Barber and Bob Knight were
badly injured in an automobile wreck
on highway 30, near Aulander, last
Sunday night. Robert Eaaley, of the
U. S. S. "Kendola," driver of the Ford
car, started to pas* a truck and see
ing an approaching car he turned back
and- crashed into the rear of the truck.
Easley escaped with minor injuries.
■■ - •!,
JHecklenburg Farmer Is
Making Profit on Alfalfa
B. J. Hunter of DeriU, Mecklen
burg County, has been selling his fine
alfalfa hay In Charlotte for S2O to $23
a ton this winter and spring and says
it is the most profitable crop on hi*
farm.
THE ENTERPRISE
1931 and 1932 County Property Listings, by Townships
& ■
The following tables show, by township*, the 1931 and 1932 valuations of real and personal property in Martin County, separately and collect
ively, also the decrease in valuations under the 1931 mark, as well as the percentage* of increases and decreases. The figures are preliminary and
will probably be slightly altered by the county commissioner* making adjustments next Monday, when they meet in the courthouse as a board of
equalisation and review. * Indicates loss. $ Indicates gain.
REAL ESTATE VALUES PERSONAL PROPERTY VALUES TOTAL VALUES
Township 1931 1932 Change *, 1931 1932 Loss fcLoss 1931 1932 Loss Loss
Jamesville I 977,711 $ 970.005 9 2»4t .03± $ 170,575 $ 154,122 $ 16,453 9.6 1 1,148,286 $ 1,132,127 $16,159 1.5
Williams ' 360,372 349,955 10,417* 2.97* 45,998 41,612 4,386 9.3 406,370 391,567 14,803 3.6
Griffins .... 544,166 537,431 6,735* 1.25* 147,131 121,440 25,691 17.5 691,397 658,871 32,526 4.7
Bear Grass „ 560,715 562,714 1,999$ .3 t 127,205 86,294 40,911 32. 687,920 649,008 38,912 5.7
Williamston r . 1,856,778 1,863,353 6,575$ .4 i 442,676 396,171 46,505 11. 2,299,454 2,259,524 39.930 1.7
Cross Roads ... 621,255 614,751 6,504* 1.5 * 85,861 61,541 24,320 28. 707,116 676,292 30,824 4.5
Robersonville _. 1,986,532 1,977,357 9,175* .55* 424,773 321,000 103,773 27. 2,411,305 2,298,357 112,948 4.7
Goose Nest „ 1,350,916 1,331,312 19,604* 1.4 * 117,112 100,331 16,781 14.3 1,468,028 1,431,643 36,385 2.5
Hamilton 954,636 954,386 250* .03* 170,605 110,397 60,208 35. 1,125,241 1,064,783 60,458 5.6
Poplar Point 347,10? 347,205 100* .03$ 38,230 30,134 8,096 21. 385,335 377,339 7,996 2.8
County Totals I 9,560,186 $ 9,516,469 $ 43,717* .04* $ 1,770,166 $ 1,423,042 $347,124 10.96 $11,330,452 $10,939,511 $390,941 3.45
OPENING GAMES
IN ALBEMARLE
LEAGUE TODAY
Colerain Plays Locals Here
on High School Grounds
At 4:00 P. M. Today
The Albemarle League opens its
season this afternoon with Colerain
meeting Williamston on the high
school diamond here, and with Eliza
beth City playing Edenton at Eden
ton. Williamston goes to Windsor
tomorrow and to Edenton Thursday,
returning home to play Edenton on
the local diamond Friday afternoon, at
5 o'clock.
Manager V. J. Spivey announced
yesterday that the following line-up
will probably he used in the batting
order named: B. Gay lord, left field;
H. A. Earps, shortstop; E. M. Taylor,
first base; Jimmie Brown, third base;
Latham or Coble, catcher; Coffield,
right field; Whitehurst or H. Gaylord,
centerfield;• H. Brown, second base;
and Kugler, pitcher.
An admission fee of 25 cents will be
charged, children under 12 years of
age entering free.
In handling thrfinances of the local
team Business Msnager W. Joe Tay
lor said that no accounts will be recog
nized unless accompanied by an order
given by the management.
The official schedule of games in
TUESDAY, JUNE 14th
Elizabeth City at Edenton.
Colerain at Williamston.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15th
Edenton at Elizabeth City.
Williamston at Windsor.
THURSDAY, JUNE 16th
Elizabeth City at Colerain
Williamston at Edenton
PRIDAY, JUNE 17th
Colerain at Elizabeth City
Edenton at Williamston
TUESDAY, JUNE 21st
Elizabeth City at Williamston
Colerain at Edenton
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22nd
Williamston at Elizabeth City ,
Edenton at Windsor
THURSDAY, JUNE 23rd
Elizabeth City at Edenton
Colerain c at Williamston
PRIDAY, JUNE 24th
Edenton at Elizabeth City
Williamston at Colerain
TUESDAY, JUNE 2Sth
Elizabeth City at Colerain
Williamston at Edenton
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29th
Colerain at Elizabeth City
Edenton at Williamston
THURSDAY, JUNE 30th
Elizabeth City at Edenton
Williamston at Windsor
PRIDAY, JULY IH
Edenton at Elizabeth City
Colerain at Williamston
MONDAY, JULY 4th
Elizabeth City at Edenton (10 a. m.)
Colerain at Williamston (10 a. m.)
Edenton at Elizabeth City (4 p. ro.)
Williamston at Colerain (4 p. m.)
WEDNESDAY, JULY 6th
Elizabeth City at Williamston
Edenton at Windsor
THURSDAY, JULY 7th
Williamston at Elizabeth City
Colerain at Edenton
PRIDAY, JULY >th
Na Games Scheduled , • '
TUESDAY, JULY t>th
Klisabeth City at Windsor
Williamston at Edenton
WEDNESDAY, JULY 13th
Colerain at Elisabeth City
Edenton at Williamston
THURSDAY, JULY 14th
Williamston at Elizabeth City
Colerain at Edenton ,
(Continued on back page)
Williamston, Martin County, North Carolina, Tuesday, June 14,1932
Look for Fireworks at State
Democratic Meet Thursday
Reports received from many of
the counties in the State indicate
the State convention In Raleigh
Thursday of this week will strong
ly favor Franklin D. Roosevelt as
the Democratic nominee for the
presidency. While political lead
era in the State are "harping" on
harmony, it ia believed a regular
old rukua will develop when the
several thousand delegates, alter
nates, and spectators gather %t
Raleigh for the convention, which,
if patterned after the 1928 meet
ing, will be more of a monkey
show than a meeting to discuss
A. L. THIGPEN
DIES IN PITT
Was Brother To Dr. J. F.
Thigpen; Last Rites
Held Saturday
A. L. Thigpcn, prominent farmer of
Pitt County and a brother to Dr. J.
F. Thigpcn, of this place, died at his
home in the Belvoir community of that
county early last Friday morning, fol
lowing an illness extending over a
period of six months.
Mr. Thigpen was born and reared in
the community in which he died. He
was a successful grower and contrib
uted greatly to the development of ag
riculture. He served as deputy sher
iff of Pitt County for a number of
years, endearing himself to hundreds
of people with whom he came in con
tact through impartiality in adminis
tration of his duties.
Funeral services were conducted
from his late home Saturday morning
by Rev. A. J. Crane, Presbyterian
minister, of Tarboro. Interment was
in the family cemetery in Belvoir
Township, Pitt County.
RATING OF HIGH
SCHOOL RAISED
•
Institution at Everetts Now
Now Included In An
Accredited List
The Everetts High School, hereto
fore in the unaccredited list of high
schools in the State, has been recog
nized and is now enjoying a place in
Group 11, Class B, of the high schools
of North Carolina, it was announced
this week by Principal D. N. Hix. The
rating was given the school by the
State Department of , Education re
cently after the annual reports had
been carefuly studied and approved
in the Raleigh office of the department.
Mr. J. Henry Highsmith, director
of the division of school inspection,
announcing the rating, said, "I con
gratulate you (Principal Hix) and the
community upon this achievement.
The rating now enjoyed by the
school entitles its graduates to enter
caliege without taking entrance exam
inations, and give the school prestige
among others in similar classes and
groups, it is understood.
Woman'a Auxiliary Meets
in Bear Grass Friday at 3:30
"»■ ■ ♦
The Woman'a Auxiliary of the Bear
Graaa church will meet Friday after
noon at 3:30. All the ladies of the
community are invited. Those who
plan to attend are asked to read as
mnch of the book of Mark as pos
sible.
matters of vital importance to the
people of the State and nation.
Already the Republicans are hav
ing their national pow-wow in
Chicago, trying desperately to
concoct some plan on how to
"aell Hoover to the nation again."
The notice about to be given wet
iaauea ia likely to overshadow more
Important problema.
And when the Republican* com
plete their ahow, the Democrats
will muster their forces to meet in
the same Chicago hall the latter
part of the month in an atftempt
to outwit their recognised, oppon
ents.
FEDERAL TAXES
UP NEXT WEEK
Gasoline, Automobile Tires
and Postage Rates Are
Included in List
Beginning next Tuesday,
consumers will start paying a one-cent
federal tax on gasoline, two per went
more for candy, three per cent more
for automobile tires, and two cents
for every hank check drawn. And
then beginning July 6, postal patrons
will pay three cents to mail a first-class
letter and two cents for a postal card.
Other postal rate increases will be
announced later, it was learned this
week from Postmaster Jesse T. Price.
Congress passed the Federal excise
tax schedule week before last, the new
schedule receiving approval of Pres
ident Hooover last week.
Of these taxes, the bank check item
is. unknown heretofore in this country;
the others, however, having been at
one time or another in effect, particu
larly during the years immediately fol
lowing the World War.
There are numerous other excise
taxes imposed by the new Jaw, but the
items listed above are the ones that
will affect most"people, particularly the
bank check tax,>although the latter will
yield nothing like the revenu? it would
have before the wholesale closing of
banks during the last two or three
years.
Parker Grocery Company
Opens Store Here Today
The Parker Grocery Company, the
town's newest enterprise, opened for
business today under the management
of W. Henry Gurkin, an experienced
merchant. Mr. Gurkin will be associ
ated with his brother, Mr. John
Parker, formerly of Norfolk where he
conducted a mercantile establishment
for a number of years.
The new concern has renovated the
building next to Harrison Brothers
and Company's store, and is rapidly
preparing a nice stock and display of
groceries and general produce.
While the company will operate on
a strictly cash basis, deliveries will be
made every hour of the day, it was
stated by Mr. Gurkin this morning.
Ai Smith May Rup For the
Presidency as Independent
A third party, with Alfred E.
Smith as its head, was rumored in re
porta received here early this morning.
While only a few details were released
early today, it Is understood that some
prominent and wealthy Philadelphia
man would finance Smith's campaign.
The wet plank is said to t>e one of the
main features in the former New York
governor's platform.
SHOWERS OVER
WEEK-END BIG
HELP TO CROPS
V >
Few Farmers Continue To
Transplant Tobacco in
This Section
Showers falling intermittently in
this section over the week-end and
yesterday are said to have been of un
told value to crops that were suffer
ing from the dry weather experienced
for weeks. Farmers were more opti
mistic today as a result of the rains,
several stating that all crops grew
inches oyer Sunday night.
In some quarters real optimism pre
vailed, for there a few farmers com
pleted their fast transplanting* of to
bacco. If favorable seasons can be
had from now 041, the late settings
will, turn out to be about as good as
the' crop transplanted early, it is l*be
lieved. Plants set out early in the
season show little uniformity, and
those with any height at all have leaves
similar to ral»bitsl ears, as they are so
small , and straight. Transplanting
during the past day or two has been
carried on on a very, very small scale,
and will not affect the sire of the acre
age hardly any, it i 9 believed. No
well-founded estimates have been of
fered lately in connection with the
number of acres planted to tobacco in
lliis county, but it is still believed by
many that not more than a 50 or 6(1
per cent of the size of last year's crop
will be cultivated this season.
All plant life took on pdded color
over the week-end, and the outlook
right now for better crops, even'though
smaller ones, than were cultivated last
yeafc. is far better than it was "only a
few days ago.
FIREMEN WILL
SPONSOR MOVIE
"Firemen, Save My Child"
Is Title of 'Picture at
Watts Next Week
Through the courtesy of the Watts
Theatre management, the Williamston
Volunteer Fire Company is making
arrangements to sponsor the picture,
"Fireman, Save My Child," with Joe
F-. Brown, at the Watts here Thurs
day and Friday nights of next week,
June 23 and 24. The firemen and their
representative* will make a drive with
tickets, and it is hoped the community
will support the movement.
Proceeds from the sale will go into
the firemen's relief fund, which is used
in case of injury and personal losses
generally suffered "by the individual
members. No increase in the admis
sion prices, ind all sales will be di
vided equally between the fire com
pany and the theatre management.
Few direct calls have been made by
the fire company here upon the gen
eral public, but every call upon the
fire company, regardless of when it
was received, has been willingly an
swered by the volunteers. In mak
ing this call, the firemen are anxious
that a ready and willing response will
result. Tickets will be offered for sale
next- week.
Mrs. Marshall Talks On
Japan Here Yesterday
Mrs. George Marshall, recently re
turned from Japan, made a very in
teresting talk before an attentive au
dience in the Episcopal church here
yesterday afternoon. Mrs. Marshall
was accompanied by relatives and
while here they were the guests of
the Andrews'.
Reynolds Advocates
Control Convention
THREE-AND-ONE
Mullins, S. C.—Tobacco grow
ers in this immediate section, hav
ing had many troubles locating
plants due to the ravages of bliw
mold and hail, have according to
H. B. Harrington, jr., a local plant
er, coined a term to describe th«
year's crop.
Riding to his farm today, Mr.
Harrington gav* a young white
boy a lift. The young boy asked
Harrington if he had ever seen a
year produce more "Three-and
one" tobacco. Asked just what
specie of tobacco this was. the
young man solemnly replied,
three bad hills and one good one."
He stated his folks had a large
crop of this three-and-one this sea
son.
GRIST PLEDGES
HIS SUPPORT TO
CAM MORRISON
Interest In State Politics Is
Increasing; Fountain to
Make Decision
State politics began to warm up a
bit over the week-end and yesterday
when county conventions attacked the
present Gardner administration and
wliert Frank D. tirlit, defeated candi
date for the United States Senate,
pledged his support to Senator Cam
Morrison in the second primary to he
held July 2. Then the prohibition
question promises to add more interest
to the already aggravated situation.
Lieutenant Governor R. T. Fountain
has until tomorroW to announce for
a second primary to contest the lead
gained by J, C. B. Khringhaus for the
governorship nomination in the June
4 primary. Activities in some of the
conventions last Saturday are said to
have encouraged Fountain to make a
be known tomorrow.
It was first claimed by Reynolds
that War Veteran Crist would jup
port him in the primary, but
in a statement issued* today, the war
veteran pledges his support to Mor
rison, The Crist statepient
"After mature consideration 1 have
te ided to support Senator Morrison
in the run-off primary for the Demo
cratic nomination for the United States
Senate. In ability and character Mr.
Morrison is far superior to his oppon-
*'l do this in a sincere belief that it
is in the best interest of the Demo
cratic party. I am laying aside my
personal feelings in this decision and
am looking to the best interest of the
State and nation.
"A man who deserts his country in
time of war, after being trained for
military service at the expense of the
country, has no right in timcof peace
to ask to be honored by election to
the United States Senate as Hob
Reynolds has done and is now doing.
"As a World War veteran who suf
fered the loss of my own blood on
Flanders Field, I appeal to the patri
otic sincerity of all true Americans to
defeat a slacker who failed to serve
his country in time of need."
LITTLE GIRL RUN
OVER BY AUTO
Bernice Roebuck Seriously
Hurt at Home of Her
Parents Last Friday
Bernice Roebuck, 10 years old, was
serious hurt last Friday when she was
accidentally run over by an automo
bile driven by her father, Mr. Herbert
Roebuck, at the Roebuck home in
Cross Roads Township. She suffered
painful injuries to her shoulder, and
it is believed she was hurt internally.
The little girl was playing unseen
by her father just back of the home,
and as Mr. Roebuck was passing she
darted in front of the car, seeing the
machine too late to turn back. She
tripped and fell directly in the path
of the car, two wheels passing over
her shoulder and breast.
Although her condit'on is consid
ered critical, attending physicians be
lieve she will recover provided no com
plications result. V
Advertisers Will Fnd Our Ci>l
ums a Latchkey to Over Sixtssa
Hundred Martin County Homes
ESTABLISHED 1898
SECOND PRIMARY
DISAPPROVED BY
VOTE OF 45 TO 15
: —-•
Pass Resolution Favoring
Candidate Reynolds'
Wet Stand
Under the Democratic banner, Rob
ert R, Reynold*' supporters held a
political convention in the courthou*
here last Saturday afternoon. The
principles advanced there were as far
removed frorti democracy as east is
from west, the "steaw roller" Hatten
'nK the spirit of fairness and harmony
to push forward resolutions endorsing
Mr. Reynolds' wet plank and his nom
ination as a candidate for the United
States Senate. One spark of harmony
glittered when the 45 Reynolds' men
and the 15 Morrison men (there were
no women present) unanimously a
greed to instruct the 19 county votes
for Roosevelt's nomination for the
presidency.
V\ 11 h the resolutions already pre
pared, A. R. Dunning, county manager
for Reynolds, made certain his audi
eiue and railroaded thohl across de
spite the picas for harmopy made by
County Chairman K. S. Peel. VVink
iiin his rye and. making light of the
cause of the minority,' Mr. Dunning
called for a vote, but not until Mr. L.
!' I'owdeii charged the Reynolds lead
ers with unfair tactics. The Reynolds'
supporter denied that there had been
any drumming on the streets for the
strength 'with wliith to dominate the
convention, Farmer Pleny Peel, occu-
pying a prominent seat, tapping his
walking stick in approval of the denial.
The action, it is believed, will result
in a split aNhe polls next November,
even though both sides pledged their
support to the n6minee, whether he be
Reynolds op Morrison.
Advancing liis resolution endorsing
Reynolds! iioniinalion without a sec
ond primary, Mr. Dunning said it wilt
cost SIO4,(MX) to decide the contest.
He did Hot say that tfiere is a contest
•or the CDUiHiiSaiatier of labor lumiitia
tion arid that' many of the 100 coun
ties will hold second primaries to de
cide their local political issues.
the convention did not name any
delt'gWs to the State meeting, leav
-1 "tf the trehl npen {or any Democrat
in good standing to go to Raleigh next
j hursday. Those who attend, how
ever, must abide -f>y the convention's
instructions and favor Reynolds' wet
platform, his noifnuation without a
second primary and Franklin D. Roose
velt as the next presidential nominee,,
how nrany are planning to at
tend "from this county is not known,
hut it is believed that a goodly num
ber will he on hand for anything that
might happen in Raleigh's new audi
torium.
Klbert- S. I 'eel was reelected chair
man of the county Democratic Execu
tive Committee and I'leny secre
tary. The precinct organisations re
ported last Saturday are:
Jamesville: R: O. Martin, chairman;
J. F. Jordan, ('. W. Mizelle. B. E.
l.illey, and H. B. Barber, members.
Williams: Joshua L. Coltrain, chair
man; Jno, W. Hopkins, Stuart Tet
terton, VV. W, Griffin, 3ml Lucian J.
Griffins: Pleny Peel, chairman; W.
B. Harrington, T. C. Griffin, J. Eason
Liltey, anil Louis Peel.
Bear Grass:'A. B. Rogersoo, chair
man; H. C. Green, Kneezer Harrison,
Calvin Ayers, arid J. D. Wynn.
Williamston: Leslie Fowden, chair
man: }. L. Hassell, W. J. Taylor, Mrs.
Carrie Rhodes and Mrs. S. R. Biggs.
Cross Roads: J. S. Ayers, Chairman;
J. S. Peel, Lester Peel, C. B. Riddick,
and L. A. Clark.
Robersonville: Ed Jame?, chairman;
I. M. Little, F. L. Roebuck, J. C.
Smith, and V. L. Roberson.
Gold Point: J. L. Croom, chairman;
W. A. Vanderford, J. Henry Rober
son, J. W. Perkins, and J. W. Tay
lor.
Poplar Point: VV. S. White, chair
man; Roy Taylor, Herman Harrison,
W. S. Leggett, and Harrell Everett.
Hamilton: J. A. Davenport, chair
man; Harry Waldo, Paul SaUbury, Di
G. Matthews, and F. L. Gladstone.
Hassell: J. W, Eubanks, chairman;
G. S. Haiflip, C. L. Nebon, E. R. Ed
niondaon, jr„ and H. L. Purvis.
(Continued on the back page)