THE ENTERPRISE
VOLUME XLI?NUMBER 23 Williamston, Martin County, North Carolina. Tuesday, March 22,1938. ESTABLISHED 1899
Number Employed
Persons Increasing,
District Office Says
Unemployment Is Less in
This Section Than in
Parts of State
A pick-up in employment condi
tions in the counties of this section,
indicated by increased numbers se
curing jobs, is reported this week
by the Williams ton office of the
State employment service.
Jobs for approximately sixty peo
ple have been located in the past
two weeks by the Williamston of
fice, mainly in private employment
of regular duration. During the
month of February?a "slow" month
for employment locally, eighty-sev
en placements were reported by
the Williamston office. During Feb
ruary, the Edenton office placed 47
and the Elizabeth City office placed
74 in jobs.
Increasing numbers of farmers,
landlords, and others, have recently
called on the Williamston employ
ment office for "wage workers,"
gardeners and farm hands, for tem
porary and regular jobs. Usually,
the calls can be filled on reasonably
short notice. Unemployment is less
in the immediate Williamston sec- [
tion than in some others, the figures
show.
The local office in the Town Hall
building, has at this time, many
qualified workers, male and female,
white and colored, to fill jobs as
gardeners, cooks, clerks, salesmen,
farm hands, truck drivers, delivery
boys, etc., as well as other workers
of professional and clerical qualifi
cations. Almost any type of worker
to fill about any requirement, can
be secured by the employment of
fice, either out of local registrations
or through the state-wide clearance
order system, an interchange of calls
with other offices over North Caro
lina.
Fishermen Report
Increased Catches
Fishing activities are now under
way in the Roanoke on a large
scale, reports from the fisheries at
Jamesville and in the lower part of
the county stating that operations
are going forward smoothly, that
the catches are increasing daily.
However, it was pointed out that
the catches are not very large, but
compare favorably in size with those
of the same date a year ago.
A bright spot was found in the re
ports reaching here today, the fish
ery operators at Jamesville stating
they had already taken more shad
this season than they did all last
year.
Herring are being taken in fairly
large number in the river at this
point and the market prices is now
eight for s quarter. Several shad'
have been caught in machines op
erating on the river here.
Judge W. J. Bone Raps
A. B. C. Profits Motive
RAPS PROFITS
Judge Walter Bone, presiding
over the current term of Mar
tin Superior Court, predicted
yesterday in his charge to the
grand jury that the present li
quor control system will fail if
emphasis is not taken off prof
its.
Two Schools Ask
For Gymnasiums
In Martin County
Jamesville and Oak City
To Seek Aid-from
W. P. A.
Preliminary plans were consider
ed last week by committees from
Jamesville and Oak City in a meet
ing in the office of the county board
of education for the construction of
gymnasiums in the two towns, au
thoritative reports released today
stating that no definite action in
advancing the projects had been
taken at this time.
According to reports reaching
here, citizens of the two towns are
planning to raise funds for the pur
chase of the lumber and appeal to
the Works Progress Administration
to construct the buildings. Some aid
is to be expected from the county,
but no definite amounts have been
mentioned. It is thought by some
that the county will participate in
the program to the extent of about
$2,000 or approximately $1,000 for
each building.
Committees in the two towns are
said to be making a canvass of the
school patrons in their respective
communities and urging them to do-1
nate the fifty or sixty thousand
feet of lumber necessary for the
(Continued on page six) '
System Must Stress
Enforcement Rather
Than Sales Profits
Reckless Driver a Menace
to Society, Judge Says
In Jury Charge
Judge Walter Bone, addressing
the Martin County grand jury here
yesterday, took a fearless stand
against the evils that have grown
up with the Alcoholic Beverages
Control system and referred to the
slaughter on our highways as a
shameful blot on our civilization.
The charge was without sensation,
but dealt with the plain facts and
the duties of grand jurymen. He
pointed out that the jury could do
little about these conditions, that
he did not want to criticise, "but I
do want the public to think about
them," he continued."
"If the liquor is to be sold, it is
true the State should have a profit,
but when a county goes into the li
quor business for profits only, it
will fail," the jurist said, declaring
that if the plan is to succeed it
must stress law enforcement.
"'I don't know if these evils are
present in this county, but there has
been too much emphasis on profits
in some counties." he said
A second evil that has been re
ported in the system by some coun
ties is the sale of legal liquor to
bootleggers, the store operators
knowing them to be bootleggers.
"This evil practice cannot be jus
tified There's no justice when a
county sells liquor with one hand
and turns and arrests with the oth
er," the judge commented, adding
that the stores should refuse to sell
to bootleggers.
'"The liquor problem is as old as
Noah, and may have given trouble
prior to that time," Judge Bone said
in pointing out the two evils men
tioned in his charge. "We may nol
like the present law, but it is the
plan under which we are operating
and it is our duty to enforce that
law."
The reckless automobile driver
came in for some stern criticism,
the jurist stating that we must rec
ognize the reckless one as a menace
to society. "I do not mean that an
alleged violator of a traffic law
should be denied trial. I know there
are cases when fatalities result and
there's no criminal negligence, and
in such cases no one should be con
victed, but there are others who are
wantonly reckless and they should
be tried and punished." the judge
said. "Slaughter on the highways,"
Judge Bone continued, "is a shame
ful blot on our civilization, and it is
time we gave the conditions some
constructive thinking. We must edu
cate the public and show that it is
unprofitable to drive recklessly. We
should frown upon the one who
boasts how quickly he can go places
and how daringly he drives."
During the first part of his 45
minute charge, Judge Bone out
lined the duties of the grand jury,
pointing out to the jurymen their
opportunity to render a valuable
service to their county and State.
After explaining the plan of bring
(Continued on page six)
Final Preparations Made
For Brotherhood Dinner
The Brotherhood Dinner which is
being participated in by the Wil
liamston Christian church on Wed
nesday evening, March 23rd. prom
ises to be a period of fine and rich
fellowship. The dinner will be serv
ed at the Woman's Club at seven
thirty and the program will be pre
sented around the tables. Various
committees are completing detailed
plans to make this an outstanding
experience in the life of the mem
bership. Every member of the con
gregation is expected to attend.
The observance of this occasion
is Churchwide, in that it is attend
ed by every group in the church's
life; Brotherhood-wide, participated
in by every church; and World-wide
in participation and vision.
The Rev John L. Goff, pastor
will preside. Mr. Elbert S. Peel wilJ
bring the layman's message, '"Dm
Life of the Brotherhood." Mrs. G
G. Woo lard will speak on "Thi
Work of the Brotherhood." The
young people will be represented bj
Mis Reid White who brings the
message, "The Church and the
World Today." Mr. Goff wiH con
dude these ten-minute speechai
with '"The Answer of the Brother
hood." Greetings that are air sad)
arriving from the various churchei
will be presented.
Milk Ordinance Will
Be Enforced Locally
Board Of Health
Works To Effect
Supply Increase
?
Efforts Made Not to Work
Hardships on Any
Producers
Williamston's milk ordinance, lit
tle heeded since its passage several
yean ago, is now receiving atten
tion and its enforcement by state
and local sanitarians can be expect
ed in the future, according to a
warning sounded this week by the
county health officials. It is not the
aim of the health department to
work hardahips on anyone, and
everything is being done to increase
the local milk supply rather than
curtail it. No concerted drive to put
ungraded dairies out of business is
anticipated, but special efforts will
be made to improve the supply and
have all milk sold within the town
property graded. There is little de
mand for ungraded milk, reports
Following the passage of the milk
ordinance here several years ago,
the milk supply eras greatly im
proved and grade "A" requirements
were met to have Williamston ap
pear on the United States honor
roll. Since that time, milk consump
tion has increased rapidly and
lie following has just been re
UPSET ' I
j
Bootlegging activities within
Williamston's corporate limits
last week-end were upset Sstur
day afternoon when Officer J.
H. AUsbrooks found and coafis
qated twenty-three gallons of
the R. F. D. spirits. Twenty gal
lons were found hid in a clump
of bushes just off Sycamore
and Railroad strpets, and three
gallons were found ip the un
derbrush just off West Warren
street, where little children are
said to have been known to
have peddled the raw liquor in
?nail quantities.
No arrests were made, bat the
officer Is of the opinion that the
operators will be thrown eat of
balance economically in the fu
ture.
Evan Griffin Wins Martin
County B. And L. Contest
Evan Griffin of Farm Life high
school and Doris Andrews of Wil
liamston high school were the only
contestants in the county finals of
the essay contest held here yester
day morning. Evan Griffin was de
clared the winner by Mrs. H. E. But
ler, Mrs. John Hardy and Mayor
John Hawe 11 who acted as judges
The winner will speak here
Thursday in the district finals to be
held In connection with the district
meeting of the building and loan as
sociations.
Few Cases Handled
In Superior Court
Up To-Noon Today
More Than a Day Is Spent
Trying Hardison
Liquor Case
Convening here yesterday morn
ing with Judge Walter Bone, of
Nashville, on the bench, the Martin
County Superior Court soon struck
a snag in the trial of the liquor case
against C. B. and Perlie Hardison
and up until noon today the sheet
of completed cases was almost
blank.
Defendants in two cases pleaded
guilty, and it was thought the court
was off to a good start, but the Har
dison case blocked action in the oth
er cases, and there is doubt if the
criminal docket will be cleared to
morrow.
Alex Bonner, charged with the
larceny of a tire, pleaded guilty in
the case, and the court suspended
judgment upon payment of the easts
I *? to ,he Prosecuting witness,
I J- R. Wins low.
Pleading guilty 0f a dynamite
crusade in the Parmele, Roberson
ville and Bear Grass communities
on January 15. Roy Bowers, Jr.. and
Francis Carson, two young boys,
were fined $15 each, taxed with the
court costs and directed to repair
( damage done to a tenant house be
longing to Penina Nelson in Par
mele. The two boys, out for fun
when they fired several charges of
dynamite in the three towns, looked
a bit sheepish when they appeared
before the court.
Called yesterday morning short
ly after 11 o'clock, the case charging
and Per'm Hardison, young
white men, with violation of the li
quor laws, was still going strong
just before noon today. Tried in the
ci jnty court early last month, the
case was recognized as of little im
portance, but .t bobbed up as a ma
jor one in the high court this week
Attorney R. L. Coburn was employ
ed to assist the prosecution, and
dozens of witnesses were summoned
from two counties, the testimony
conflicting at times, drawing siz
able crowds to the courtroom.
Defendants Hardison are alleged
to have been operating a car load
ed with liquor in the Spring Green
section of this county last January
?- The car operators were chased by
Officers Roebuck and Haislip, and
when they saw it was a losing race
or them, the two men abandoned
?he car and escaped across Lester
Lverett s cotton patch. Hardison and
Hardison were tried and convicted
in the county court, and they ap
pealed from the $250 f.nes and six
months road sentences. Bond was
set at $500
Calling a large number of wit
nesses, the defense maintained that
?he car, admittedly owned by Har
dison, had been stolen and that it
was operated by parties unknown
'?,m ?n the evening of January
4. that they were in Washington at
or about the time the officers cap
ured the load of liquor. It was
pointed out by the defense that
Hardison cashed a check in a Wash
ington drug store on the night of
January 4 about 8:30 o'clock. Wit
iness, after witness maintained that
h7.*?W. ""rdUon in Washington
about 9 o clock on January 4. The
state, calling half a dozen witnesses,
(Continued on page six)
Subsidies For 1937
Cotton Approved
The senate agriculture committer
last week approved a bill to haster
?he payment of $130,000,000 in sub
sidies to growers of the 1937 cotton
crop.
The measure, introduced by
Chairman Smith, Democrat, South
Carolina, as an amendmert to the
new agricultural adjustment act.
would provide immediate payment
of subsidies of three cents a pound
The requirement that cotton pro
ducers shows actual compliance
with the 1938 cotton production pro
gram. which would have delayed
payments until this summer, would
be waived by the Smith measure.
Instead, cotton growers would re
ceive the subsidy payments as soon
**reed to comply with the
1938 program.
The Smith bill, in addition to |
clarifying certain passages of Ui
new farm act, would increase th
cotton acreage allotments in "bor
der-line" counties where little o
?he crop has been grown in the pasi
Secretary Wallace has not ye
fixed tl?e amount of the 1937 croi
to which the subsidy payments art
to apply. In the past, such payment
have been limited to cotton produc
ed on 85 per cent of a farmer's bast
?creage.
Political Line-up in County
To Start Taking Shape Soon
Quietness surrounding the politi
cal front for some time in this coun
ty is certain to end before the cur
rent week is spent, if reports circu
lated here yesterday and today
prove true. No definite announce
ments could be obtained today, but
reliable reports clearly indicate that
the political line-up in the county
will be shaped to a certain extent
between now and Friday.
With the time limit for filing can
didacies just a month away, devel
opments in the political realm are
expected to break rapidly during
the next few days. Already plans
are underway for setting up the
election machinery, and to date no
official announcement has been
made by a candidate for a county
cffice:- Reports state that with one
Beloved Citizen
Dies Early Today
In Robersonville
Funeral Services Will Be
Held Tomorrow for
Mrs. Chandler
Mrs. D. R Chandler, highly re
spected citizen and greatly beloved
by all who knew her, died at her
home at six o'clock this morning in
Robersonville. She had been in de
clining health during the greater
part of two years, and about two
weeks ago her condition became
suddenly worse, the end coming
peaceably and gradually. Heart
trouble was given as the immediate
cause of her death.
The daughter of Mrs. Fate Peel
and the late Mr Peel. Mrs. Chandler
was born in Robersonville 60 years
ago In 1900 she was married to
Mr Chandler who survives with two
sons, Wilmer Chandler, of Philadel
phia, and Randolph' ~ Chandler,
teacher in the Oak City schools, and
one daughter. Miss Katherine
Chandler, of Robersonville. She al
iso leaves three sisters. Mrs. Joe Mi
zelle, of High Point; Mrs. H. C.
Norman, of Robersonville. and Mrs.
Ethel Anderson, of Raleigh, and one
brother, Mr Will Peel, of Philadel
phia.
A member of the church for more
than a quarter of a century, Mrs
Chandler lived a noble life, a life
that enriched the community where
she was born and lived. Her sympa
thetic understanding, her love for
her home and family and friends,
gained for her a place in the hearts
cf everyone. She interested herself
in the religious activities of her com
munity. and her acts exemplified
the finer ideals of life.
Funeral services will be conduct
ed tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock
by her pastor. Rev. J. M Perry. In
terment will follow in the new cem
etery there.
Pre-School Clinics
Underway In County
A series of pre-school clinics wi
off to a good start at Jamesvil
last week when 30 little folks wei
examined there by the Martin Coui
ty Health Department staff. "T1
general health of the children wt
unusually good," Dr. Furgura
said. "A few physical defects wei
found, but in nearly every cm
they can be corrected, making
possible for the children to enb
school on an equal basis with the
! more healthy companions," the ck>
| tor added.
A clinic is underway in the Fari
Life school today, and on Thursdt
the examiners go to Bear Gras
Next Tuesday, children planning 1
enter the Oak City school next ten
wil be examined at the school ther
Parents are urged to cooperat
with the health authorities and hat
their children at the clinics in the
icspective districts.
exception the incumbents will seek
it-nomination in the June primary,
that they will place their names be
fore the people within a short time.
Representative H. G. Horton. ques
tioned a day or two ago about his
plans for announcing for a third
term as a member of the State Gen
eral Assembly, stated that he had
not definitely decided just what he
would do, that he was weighing the
matter and would possibly reach a
decision shortly.
No one can tell just now what to
expect in the way of a political bat
tle, but to date no great interest has
been shown in any race for a county
office. Recent rumors clearly indi-^
cate that no office will go begging
for candidates, that there is an am
ple supply to fill all positions.
District Building and
Loan Meet Thursday
State Association
Heads To Address
Meet on Thursday
More Than 100 Representa
tives Planning Are to
Attend
Plans were announced complete
today for entertaining the annual
district meeting of the North Car
olina Building and Loan League
here on Thursday of this week, Mr
Wheeler Martin of the local build
ing and loan association, stating to
day that more than 100 represen
tatives of the 30 associations in the
second district are expected here
for the sessions
The first of the sessions will get
underway in the Woman's Club at
4:30 that afternoon, the program to
center around informal discussions
of building and loan activities, and i
a review of the Federal Housing Ad-!
ministration by Fred Willetts, for
mer president of the State associa-J
tion and now secretary-treasurer of |
the Cooperative Association, Wilm-I
ington.
That evening the visitors will be,
guests of Ihe Martin County asso
ciation at a dinner. Mayor J. L.
Hassell welcoming the group. The
evening program is certain to at
tiact considerable attention as it
lists prominent leaders in the build
ing and loan field. Mr. N. Mitchell,
president of the North Carolina
Building and Loan League. Mr. O.
K: LaRoqlie, president of the Fed
eral Home Loan Bank, both of Win
ston-Salem; George W. Crone, dep
uty insurance commissioner in
charge of building and loan units
and Henry Gregory, Jr., treasurer
ol the First Federal Savings and
Loan Association, Rocky Mount,
have parts on the evening program.
Each of the speakers has been al
lotted ten minutes, and their ad
dresses will be heard with much in
terest. Their topics have not been
released, but their remarks will be
centered around current problems,
common "10 all building and loan
(?ssociations.
Following these addresses, the
Keesler Memorial Essay contest will
be held. At least five contestants
are expected to compete for the $30
prize and two smaller ones Evan
Griffin, of the Farm Life School,
winning out in the semi-finals here
yesterday, will represent the Mar
tin County unit. Other speakers will
come here from as far away as Ral
eigh.
Headed by Mr. Wheeler Martin,
president, the second district of the
organization is comprised of thir
ty-three building and -loan associa
(Continued on page six)
t
Williamston Native Dies
At Home In Birminghai
Augustus Ray. Williamston na
tive. died last week in Birmingham.
Alabama, at the age of 48 years.
The son ot Mrs. Hannah Benja
min Ray, he was born on Ray street
here, leaving when a young man for
Norfolk. Mr. Ray later went to Bal
timore and finally located in Bir
mingham.
He is survived by his mother, Mrs
Hannah Ray, of Norfolk and Wash
ington; his wife, Mrs. Nellie Ray, of
Birmingham; a son. William Ray.
of Birmingham, a daughter. Miss
Anne Ray, of New York City, and
two sisters, Mrs. Essie R. Wilson, of
Washington, and Mrs. John Henry
Butcher, of Riverview, Norfolk.
Mrs. John Cooke, of Williamston,
is a first cousin.
POSTPONED I
/
A meeting of the Martin
County tax list-takers and su
pervisor, scheduled to have
been held here yesterday, was
postponed by Supervisor S. H.
Grimes who pointed out that
the court was occupying all
available space in the court
house at the time
According to the supers isor
the list-takers will meet here
Friday morning of this week
at 9:30 o'clock to determine a
schedule of values.
Christian Workers'
School Closes At
Methodist Church
Large Number Receive Cer
tificates of Credit
Friday Night
The local Methodist church under
the leadership of (he pastor, Dr. S.
A Maxwell the past week engaged
in a Christian Workers' School as a
feature of the Aldersgate program
The course, "Understanding Peo
plea," enlisted an average attend
ance of fifty-three pupils. Thirty
one of these met the standards set
up by the General Board of Chris
tian Education and received credit
for the work. This school is design
ed definitely to prepare the leader
ship of the local church for the "Al
dersgate Preaching Mission" to be
led by the pastor Holy Week. Group
graded evangelism is the distinctive
feature connected with the preach
ing missions. The following are
among those awarded certificates of
(Continued on page six)
Farmers To Get Crop
Quotas About April 1
MEETING j
The Martin County l)emo
cratic Executive Committee, K.
S. Peel, chairman, is expected
to recommend candidates for
places on the county board of
elections at a meeting here this
evening. Republicans, headed
by Wheeler Martin, are expect
ed to recommend candidates for
a third position on the board.
Just what action the meeting
will take tonight cannot bt>
guessed, but some believe the
present board, Sylvester Peel,
chairman; A. T. Perry and J. R.
Winslow, members, will be rec
ommended for re-appointment
by the State committee in Ral
eigh on Saturday of this week.
Soda Fountains Ready
For New Health Ruling
Anticipating a law requiring the
use of sterilized glasses or paper
cups at soda fountains, operators
here yesterday placed sterilized
equipment in (heir places of busi
ness. No regulation has been effect
ed at this time, but it is understood
the County Board of Health will
direct an appeal to soda fountain
operators throughout the county
urging them to adopt sanitary meth
ods in serving cool drinks.
The enforcement of the practice
will rest on ordinances that the sev
eral law making bodies will be ask
ed to pass locally.
Local Office "Not
Ready" To Reveal
Quota For County
Cotton Allotment Delayed;
Tobacco Quota Already
Given County
Cotton and tobacco marketing
quotas for individual farmers will
probably be announced by April 1
or sooner, according to E. Y. Floyd,
AAA executive officer at State Col
lege.
No official information on the de
velopments in connection with the
assignment of quotas could be had
from the agricultural office in this
county today, but it was reliably
learned that the county's tobacco
allotment was assigned yesterday,
i report stating that the office la
'not ready" to reveal the size of the
allotment. It was further
that the cotton allotment for
tin County had been delayed. No
reason could be learned for the de
lay, but unofficial reports from Ral
eigh indicate that the State au
thorities are experiencing
trouble with the various
vanced by the several counties, that
the claims, in possibly some eases,
exceed the cleared acreage.
The Martin County committee is
expected to start work at once ea
(Continued on pegs six)