North Carolina Newspapers

I THE ENTERPRISE VOLUME XL?NUMBER 48 Willimmston. Martin County. North Cmrotima. Tuesday. June IS. 1937 ESTABLISHED 1899 Martins Break Even In Last Four Games; Pitchers Get Tough Stevens Features 1-0 Win| Over Kins ton Yesterday With Home Run While our near neighbors were saying yesterday, "Look out bottom, here comes Tarboro," the Martins are saying today, "Look out top, here comes Williams ton," And that about sizes up the baseball situation since the last report. Goldsboro is temporarily holding to the top rung in the Coastal Plain loop at this time, with Williamstoc trailing in second place by a half game or 12 percentage points. A reversal of positions is expected, and an undisputed claim will be staked out just as soon as recruits are add ed to the team. Manager Ooodmon says. Small numbers of runs have marked defeats and wins for the Martins these past few days, giving evidence to the fact that the pitch ing in the league is really getting tough. Tarboro was shut out 2-0 at Tarboro last Friday, following the 3-0 blanking handed the Combs the day before, and New Bern turned back the Martins the following two days, 3-1 and 4-1. Yesterday, Kin ston ran into 4-hit pitching by Rol lins and was shut out 1-0. Wade and Rollins figured in the shut-out game at Tarboro last Fri day, Wade allowing the Serpents only 6 hits in 6 2-3 innings. Rol lins went the rest of the way and allowed one hit. Earp and McCay led the Martins in number of hits with 2 each, but McCay's single, Stevens' sacrifice and singles by Vil lepique and Sharkey netted the two winning runs in the second inning. Strunk pitched good ball against New Bern here last Saturday but was charged with a 3-1 loss when his mates failed to hit behind him. Flora, using a fast high ball, turned back the Martins with 2 hits, Stevens and Sharkey accounting for them. Biggie and Sperl. the newly added battery for the Martins, worked well against New Bern over in the Crav en capital Sunday, but they brought home a 4-1 loss. Earp and McCay again led the way at bat with 2 hits each, accounting for half the safe ties against the Bruins. Yesterday, Rollins led the Mar tins to victory against Kinston, 1-0, in the only game scheduled in thel circuit. Stevens, Martin first base-1 man, copped the honors on the offen sive with a homer in the second in ning. It was the only score of the contest in which the locals outhit the visitors 6-4. A review of the past five games pushes the pitching staff of the Mar tins back to a commanding position _ in league play. During those games, the opposition made only 7 runs, and three of the contests were shut outs, Jefferson, Wade and Rollins getting credit for one each. Gillespie and Clos have been do ing some good arbiting. and their work has promoted the cause of the game considerably. Fans have di rected few complaints against their decisions, both here and in the oth er towns. Firemen Called To Home On North Sycamore Sfreef | Local firemen were called out yes terday afternoon at 3 o'clock, when fire, started by a spark falling from a kitchen flue, threatened the home of G. T. Hill, colored, on North Syca more Street. Only a small section of the roof was burned, the result ing damage hardly exceeding $3, it was estimated. The resignation of H. D. Harrison, chief, was formally filed Monday morning with the company secre tary and the members made the run without a guiding hand. Acting Chief J. L. Hassell did not report at the station in time to catch the truck and only S of the crew of 17 made the trip. Griffins Citizen Favors Outlet To Williamston\ "We'll be mighty glad to get an outlet in any direction, but ere had rather have a road that will put us close to Williamston," State Rober son, prominent Griffins farmer, said yesterday. "Williamston is our town, and the most direct route to it from our Farm Life section would erson added. Appearing before District High way Commissioner D. C. Barnes in Ahoskic last Thursday, the Martin commissioners recommended that an improved road be constructed in Griffins. No definite route was men tioned by the commissioners, as they wanted the people of the district to have the road where they wa Reorganization of Farmers Association in County Begun The reorganization of the Martin County Agricultural Conservation Aaaociation was started last Friday evening, when RoberaonviLle farm ers met in the grammar school there and named J. R. Winslow, S. T. Ev erett, J. R Daniel, and Reuben S. Everett to head their d'Sli irt com mittee. Last night, farmeis in the Jamesville area named F. C. Slal lings, P. M. Hoiiiday C. C MarUn and J. L. Know les as members of their committee. Messrs. Winslow and S. T. Everett, of Robersonville and Messrs. Stailings Hoiiiday and [ ARKANSAW TRAVEL) Stroud Fields, recently sifned as a member el the Martins burl ia( staff, was delayed Is irtlrax out of Arkansas, bis heme state, and is net expected to report be fore tomorrow, it was learned today. Possibly Fields caafht famous Arkansas slow train rarrish, catcher en the Snow Hill team for the past several seasons, bat until recently with Clayton in the Tobacco State Leafue, yesterday signed with the Martins and la to report at Federal Agency Will Buy Surplus Spuds To Stimulate Prices Growers Are Not Getting Enough To Meet Cost Of Production llie Federal Surplus Commodities Corporation is seeking to boost irish potato prices in Eastern North Caro lina this season by removing surplus spuds from a crop more than twice as big as in 1936. Surplus potatoes will be purchased in an endeavor to stimulate the mar ket and assure the growers a fair re turn above production costs, said A. E. Mercker, who is supervising the purchases With prices down to $1.50 a bar rel, and even lower In places, grow era were not getting back the coat of producing their potatoes and were on the verge of ruin when the FSCC was asked to stabilize the market. Comparatively high prices last year were blamed for the ?8 per cent increase in plantings which brought the crop up to 43,000 acres this year. High yields per acre made the actual production 108 per cent more than in 1936. Mercker haslet up headquarters in the office of W. L. McGahey, the Beaufort County Farm Agent, in Washington, N. C., but farm agents in the potato-growing counties have selected local farmer committeemen to direct the purchasing program in the different counties. The spuds will be distributed to needy families on relief rolls, thus serving a dual fiurpoee by helping the growers to get a fair price and in providing food for the needy. Mercker added. The FSCC is receiving the coop eration of the Agricultural Adjust ment Administration, the Federal Extension Service, and the State College Extension Service in the purchasing program. Shouts for Joy Over Acquittal in Court "Praise the Lord, praise the Lord," Alice Wiggins, colored woman,' shouted again and again in open court when she was given her free dom in the Martin County Superior Court here this morning in the case charging her with the murder at Mary Cotten, colored, near Oak City the early part of last month. A nodding jury was suddenly awakened by the shouts, and the woman, overcome with joy, nearly hugged visitors at the bar before the court officers could quiet her loudly shouted praises. One visitor at the bar was said to have drawn his stick to check the emotional capers of the woman, the court attendants and visitors rtiaring in her joy as Judge A. Hall Johnson directed the ftgy to return a senliit of uut guilty in the case. The Wiggins woman shot and killed Mary Cotten as the latter at tempted to break into her home late on the night of May 1. Her action was declared justified under the dr Alice Wiggins was the third wo man to face trial in the Martin County Superior Court for murder about five yean. Knowles, of Jamesville, were re - 1 - _ a - J riccxcu. The reorganization work of the as sociation will be continued this week as follows: Ayer's store in Everetts tonight; Oak City school Wednesday night; Bear Grass school Thursday, and Farm Life school Friday night. The meetings are beinj held at 8 o'clock. Dates for meetings in Williams ton Poplar Point and Williams Town ships districts will be announced shortly, Mr. T. B. Slade said this Daily Bible School Brought To Close Here Friday Night School Establishes Small Cash Fund for Public Library Here On Friday evening. June 11, at 8 o'clock in the Methodist church, the fourth annual Daily Vacation Bible School of the churches of William ston. directed by Rev. John L Goff. Christian minister, was brought to a formal close, the school presenting its students in a commencement pro gram before a small but apprecia tive audience. Despite outside attractions, the school maintained a fairly good at tendance. the average for the total enrollment of SOS students and workers being 146 4, or 7141 per cent in regular attendance Hie records are not as good as those for the two-week term last year, how ever For the same relative lime last mmmw the.average for the to tal enrollment of 218 students and workers was 160.4, or 73.57 per cent, in regular attendance. The commencement program scheme was complete, in that it por trayed the actual activities of the various departments in their daiiy sessions, presenting a unified ensem ble of song, dramatization, memory work, Bible sword drill, Bible stories, stories of modern applica tion, and exhibits of classroom work and handicraft. The daily offerings. $14 34, and the commencement offering. $13.03, by unanimous consent of the workers' council, will be set aside as an init ial fund for the establishment of a local public library. Director Goff and the other min isters of the town pronounced the school a successful undertaking and wish to commend workers and teach ers for their unselfish interest in Williamston's youth, as evidenced by their cooperative spirit and loyal service. County Board Education Holds Meeting Monday Meeting in special session Monday, the Martin County Boar 1 of Educa tion. called for bids for a two room addition to the colored training school in Parmele and made prep arations to repair the colored build ing at Gold Point. No cost estunates were advanced. Needed repairs to the building at Parmele will be handled by the board of education, U was said. Messrs J D. Woo lard, E. H. Ange, George Griffin, and J. W. Eubanks were present for the meeting and made a ground survey of the build ings. No other business was consid ered by the board Bulletin Lists Crops Adapted To Sections Write to the agricultural editor at State Colelge for a copy of Ex tension Circular No. 108, "Agricul tural Program for North Carolina." This bulletin lists the crops adapt ed to a given section, give the fer tilizer applications recommended, the varieties showing highest re turns, and the system of rotation recommended. It is a valuable bul letin to have on hand. Conditions Control Method Ol Topping Tobacco Crop The proper height to top tobacco depends to a great extent upon soil conditions and the amount of fer tilizer used. On the average soils of the State, tobacco will mature when fifteen to eighteen leaves are left on the stalk On poorer soils the plant should be topped lower and on the richer soils it should be topped higehr Be sure and begin topping just as soon as the seed parts of the plant begin to show. The tobacco will run up enough to top every three days and should be tapped as uniformly as possible so that the plants will mature evenly. Considering Method For Federal Control Of Tobacco Acreage Proposal To Protect Weed Growers If Farm Bill Fails Passage, In view of the fact that the new farm control bill now under con sideration in Congress may not be passed at the present session. Repre sentative Harold O. Cooley. a mem ber of the House agnculutre com mittee, is studying a plan for a separata federal control bill for t bacco. He discussed recently the advisability of such a bill with J. E Winslow. president of the North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation, and J B. Hutson. assistant AAA ad ministrator. Although he does not wish to act inn nmiiiji in puniling ? npaisli bill, he indicated that if prospects for the passage of the general con trol bill continue to grow more doubtful through the next few days, he plans to call a meeting of all Congressmen from the tobaoco-grow ing sections to discuss the situation and the desirability of separate legislation. New demands for immediate crop control have been made by leading North Carolina tobacco growers be cause of the recent crop estimates In the spring it was generally be lieved that the crop would be un usually light this year, but with fairly favorable weather and the great determination of many far mers to get their acreage, the crop has unproved until Mr. Hutson. who two weeks ago said this year's crop would be around 700.UU0.000 pounds for the flue-cured belt, said last week that with continuing favorable conditions he estimated the new crop at 750,000,000 pounds and said that it might even exceed 000.000, 000 pounds. 11 Mr Cooley finds it necessary to call a special meeting of interest ed Congressmen, growers and de partment officials will be invited to attend, it was reported During the meantime, peanut growers are trying to have the pea nut included in the 1030 farm pro gram that is now before the Con gress. There is doubt if the goober crop can be included in the pro gram and additional doubt if the 1930 program will pass this session. Action was taken at a recent meet ing of peanut growers in Jackson, urging that a meeting of representa tive growers from every peanut growing section attend a gathering either in Washington or Atlanta in the near future. Flea Beetle Larvae Attacks Weed Crop The possibility of reduced tobac co production this year loomed bi( this week as a long dry season con tinues unbroken in sections of the bright belt and a new menance was reported to the crop in the western part of the State. There is still hope for the crop here if rains fall within the next few days, and the worms are checked, but in the western section, especially in Surry, Stokes and Yadkin Counties larvae from the flea beetle is said to have destroyed possibly SO percent of the crop. Speaking about the conditions in those three counties. C. H Brannon, State Entomologist, said that in 12 years' experience he had never seen a case like it. There is no way to destroy the pests, he said. Meanwhile stale and federal au thorities reported the insect had de stroyed SO percent of the crop in the counties it had struck. Word from the tobacco test farm at Ox ford said eastern growers could not supply the plants requested for re placing the ravaged areas. Experts did not suspect the white worm as flea beetle because the at tack comes usually at the roots Brannon said dry weather and lack of nourishment at the roots account ed for the insects coming out of the ground and bonng into the stalks Since dust nor spray will reach it, he suggested plowing under as the only course Adding to the picture of gloom, specialists reported the grown Ilea beetle and wire worm were play ing havoc with the plants Law Enforcement OBices Report Quiet Week-end Local and county law enforce ment departments reported the quiet est period last week-end so far this year. No arrests were made, peace and quiet reigned over the section, officers stated. Several raids were leged gambling joints by local lice, but the hutmcss houses visited Judge A. H. Johnson Charges Grand Jury As To Duty Monday Jurist Stresses Importance Of Examining Records j Of Guardians Judge A. Hall Johnson, holding his first term of court in this county since his appointment to the bench by Governor Clyde Hoey just a few months ago. directed an able charge to the grand jury Monday The AsheviUe jurist outlined in detail the duties of the grand jury and par ticularly stressed the importance of examining the records of guardiar.s and making certain that orphaned children in this county are being well cared for. Judge Johnson, in his 30-minute charge, also stressed the importance of making present ments of all law violations that come to the attention of grand jury men Because they come from all parts of the county, grand jurymen should have a knowledge of gros> violations of the law. and it is the solemn duty for them to make pre sentraents, the jurist said In outlining the duties of the jury men, Judge Johnson said they should first investigate and pass upon all bills of indictment. In doing this the jurymen should not try the de fendant but merely satisfy them selves that there is probable cause of guilt or assure themselves there is reasonable ground for suspicion before returning a "true bill" against a defendant. No bills should be brought through malice or for re- ^ ward or hope of reward, the jurist pointed out in calling their atten tion to the oath they subscribed to The jury should see that the names of all orphans are reported to the court, and see if all orphaned children are looked after properly The solvency of guardians" bonds should be examined, and the jury men should see that proper reports are filed by the guardians once each year, showing how much money they hold and places of investment If guardians fail their trust, the judge directed the jury to indict them. Justice of the peace reports, due at each term of court, should be ex anuned that it may be learned what the magistrates are doing, if they are turning in fines, and if they are acting within their jurisdiction in the trial uf VSwT~ ? "If you investigate just to give praise to some person in a political ring, where praise is not due. it would be better that you stay away." the judge told the jurymen in direct ing them to examine county prop el ty, including the county home, jail, offices and public buildings Merited praise should be given, he added. The failurr if ??"r 'lll"n to exe cute the duties imposed upon him as a member of the grand jury, re gardless whether the resulting ac suiting action affects the richest or the poorest, merits the contempt of society, the judge said. Mr. Sam T. Everett, nf Riihrrsnn ville, was named foreman of the jury. Names of other members are Ayers, C. J. Roberson. J Taylor, H. A Jenkins, W E. Rob erson H. S. Johnson, Whit Moore, J T Uzzle, J. T. Roberson, J. R Daniel. L. H Rawls, T E Johnson. Clayton Cowen, Junior Mills. Jos. W Griffin, D. L Roberson and C U Rogers. President Likely To Pass Through Here August 15 According to unofficial informa lion received here this week. Prest dent Franklin D Roosevelt may pas sibly travel through Williamston a bout the 15th of August on his way to the Roanoke Island celebration The information, while not official, was considered reliable and was to I the effect that the nation's Chief Ex jeculive planned to leave his train in Rocky Mount and travel by car to Manteo. j The President is to participate in the celebration on August It. and it is likely that plans for his Irip will not" be officially announced until | just before or on that date Missionary Union To Hold Meeting Here Tomorrow The Martin County-Plymouth di vision of the Baptist Women's Mis sionary Union will hold a quarterly meeting in the Baptist church heFd tomorrow. Beginning at 10 o'clock a. m, the meeting will continue in session during the remainder of the day, it was announced. Mrs. Nunn Everett, of Robersonville, will pre side over the sessions. The visitors will be served lunch in the church basement by the In dies of the church. All iiisiiiIissb of the union division are invited and urged to be present. June Superior Court In Session This Week TOBACCO CROP dry weather ud t?y attacks by www sad pluU react have withered ?urn i well over the 1M mark these peat few days. Larfe purchases of poison are betas wade here dally by tam ers la aa effort to cheek the ia secla aad worms. That pert law at the crop transplanted before the present dry season set in is George Harris, Jr. Is Elected Fire Chief! At Meeting Monday p Shake-up In Personnel Of Two Offices Effected by Company Members Williamston's volunteer fire com panv was reorganized at a meeting of the group last evening with George Harris, jr., as chief and James Herbert Ward as his assist ant Julian H. Harrell was reelect ed secretary and treasurer oi the volunteer organization. Henry D. Harrison, chief of the or gaiuzation for nearly 17 years, for mally offered his resignation, effect ive yesterday morning, and J W Manning withdiew as assistant ehlFn of the department it was pointed out that the retiring officers were necessarily out of town much of their time attending to business mat ten and missed many calls made upon the department. Mayor John L. Hassell headed the reorganization work, and only 10 of the company members were present for the elections. Legally, the elec tion of the company's chief rests *ith the town commissioners, but it is certain they will, at their next meeting, approve the action of the company members ? The mayor, chief and assistant chief of the fire department were directed to prepare new by-laws for the organization and present them to the commissioners for approval William Gurganus and Benjamin Hopkins were elected new member^ of the department, and it is expect ed that other applications will be considered by the present member ship within the next few* weeks. Compliance Viork Will Benin Soon Delayed pending 4he arrival of the proper forms for filing collected data, compliance work in connec tion with the soil conservation pro gram is expected to get underway in this county within the next week or two. according to unofficial in formation received here yesterday No arrangements have been effected for handling the work, and the coun ty agricultural office is awaiting in st ructions from State and Federal authorities before starting the work" The aerial survey scheduled to have been started two weeks or more ago is now slated to get under w ay on Thursdays of this week. No cause was assigned for the delay m starting the survey from the air. ? Crand Jury Finishes ^ ork in Short Order The Martin County Grand Jury made short of its work this term and filed its report with' Judge A. Hall Johnson and went home at noon today. Headed by Mr Sam T Everett, of Koberaonville, the jury offered an unusually favorable report. All the bills of indictment were passed up on. offices, records and public build |s were examined, the jurymen stating that they found everything in good ordei The jury did not find true bill in the case charging J. K Coltrain with an assault with adeadly weep No mention was made this week about the proposal advanced at the last December term to provide a permanent grand jury for the coun ty Action rests with the county mmiwinners, it is understood, and it is quite likely the psxamt grw jury system will continue unless fur iNol Pros Entered in Ollie Page Case; On Docket Two Years Trial of Criminal Cases Is Completed at Noon Tuesday Convening Monday for the trial of criminal and civil cam during a one-week term, the Martin County Superior Court this morning had nearly completed the trial of the criminal docket Several cases were and the rapid trial featured dispos al of others. Judge A Hall Johnson, of Aahe ville. only recently appointed to the bench, is presiding over the term. It is his first appearance here, and the jurist is making many friends among members of the bar ami the general public The last chapter in the OUie Page manslaughter case was written Mon day. when a nol pros was entered in the records Page, driver of the truck that figured in an accident cost ing the Uvea of Marshal] Andrews and John Leavister. near Roberson xille. in September. 1934. had been declared negligent by two juries trying civil actions brought vgainst him and J. I Joyd Corey. of the truck The defense noted an appeal following the completion of the civil case in April, but the ap peal has not been perfected Charged with embezzlement. C. L. McKeel was found guilty of forcible trespass and the court suspended judgment upon payment of the cost and upon further condition ?hat the piusecuting witness be satisfied. Elijah Moore, charged with an as sault with a deadly weapon, was found guilty of assault, the court suspending judgment upon payment of the costs. The case charging Ray Spencer with damaging property was nol prossed. No true bill was returned in the case charging Maurice Whedbee with manslaughter, and the action went off the docket WTirdhn was for mally charged with manslaughter soon after his car struck and fatally hurt Mar la Small, colored woman, on the Hassell-Hamilton road the Jih of last month Clarence Teel. charged with break ing and entering, was sentenced to the roads for 18 months, the court making provisions that he be work in in some county institution. Chatgcd with breaking and enter "il. 1 1- Lloyd was found guilty of violating the "peeping" statute , ditd?the roftdi for 18 months Charged with temporary larceny and drunken driving. Will Modica was found guilty on the second . ?unt and was scntcincd to the roads for four months Modica had served about 72 days in jail before his triaL I Earl Parker; escaped convict, wtlh about 13 years of hard labor due the [ State of North Carolina, pleaded guilty of larceny. He was sentenced [to prison for three years, the sen tence to begin at the expiration of the terms he ran away from. Richard Ewell. the colored man who slipped up behind C B Everett and shot him to death at a church meeting, near Williamston on May 2. was sentence to State's prison for : from 12 to 13 years. Ewell pleaded ' guilty of murder in the second de gree and the plea was accepted by the state. The two cases charging Alvin Mansfield with forgery and breaking and entering were not prnascd. This action was taken when it was learn ed the defendant had been sentenced to 9 years in prison recently by the Bertie Superior Court. Gl w Jordan, highway employee, was granted a divorce from a?I1* Bei nice Jordan on the grounds of two years separation. Penina Biggs was given a divorce from Augustus Biggs on the grounds of two years of separation. Mrs Margaret H Cone was grant ed a divorce against Hennon O. Cone. The case charging Jeremiah Peel with violating the '*t?*? laws ?t* nol priaw.il enticing a young girl from her home fo r immoral purposes, was given a 12-munths suspended sentence *~< [directed to pay the costs of th? case. The court recessed for the day ?d will start work on a short cml docket tomorrow. ?< -hoy.