When You Do Your Holiday Shopping Remember Your Year Round Neighbor?The Local Merchant
Watch the Label on Your
Paper, As It Carries the Date
Your SutJcription Expires.
THE ENTERPRISE
Advertisers Will Find Our Col
umns a Latchkey to over 1,600
Homes of Martin County.
VOLUME XLII?NUMBER 101 illiamston, Martin County, \orth Carotin*. Tuesday. Itevemher /V. 19XL ESTABLISHED 1899
Last Rites Held For
Mrs. Martha Beach
Sunday Afternoon
Widow of W. A. Bcacki Died
Friday al Her Home
Near Humiltoil
Last rites for Mrs. Martha Cherry
Beach were conducted at the late
home, near Hamilton, Sunday after
noon at 2:30 o'clock by her pastor.
Elder William E. Grimes. Interment
was in the Hamilton Cemetery.
Sixtv-nine years old Mrs Reach
had been in declining health for
some time, but she was able to be
up until just a short time ago when
she suffered an attack of pneumonia
death following a few days later on
Friday.
The daughter of the late Mr. and
Mrs. Mack Cherry, Mrs. Beach was
bom in this county. In early woman
hood she was married to Mr. W.
Abner Beach, who died several years
ago. After living in the Everetts sec
tion of the county for a number of
years, the family located on a farm
between Hamilton and Oak City
where she readily made friends and
where she was held in high esteem
as a good nighbor and a Christian
woman. She was a firm believer in
the Primitive Baptist faith and was
devoted to her church. She was a
-good?woman and a thoughtful
ther.
She is survived by four daughters.
Mrs. Fannie Moore, of Hamilton.
Mrs:?. B. Jones, of Git'ensbmu, Mis
-J?-P, Rr>^bnrki of (?reenville, and
Mrs. D. A. Whitley, of Hobgood; ancT
seven sons, Messrs. W. J., Roy and
M. D. Beach, of Hamilton; A. L
Beach, of Greensboro; Minton
Beach, of Hobgood, and H D. Beach,
of Ahoskie. She also leaves one
sister. Mrs. J. R. Beach, of Everetts,
and four brothers. Messrs. A D.
Cherry, of Rooersonviue; J W.
Cherry, of Everetts; W J. Cherry, of
Conway, S. C.; and D. A. Cherry, of
Springfield, W Va. and twenty
grandchildren and one great-grand
child.
?
Illicit Manufacture
Of Liquor Wailing
A definite progress in curbing the
illicit liquor manufacturing busi
ness in this county according to re
ports coming from Special Officer
J. H. Roebuck, head of the enforce
ment bureau for the Martin Alcohol
ic Beverages Control Board The
business this December, the officer
points out, is hardly fifty per cent
of what it was a year ago.
'.The old-time operators are gracTr
ually quittin gthe business, and few
manufacturers are making any mon
ey," the officer said. Quite frequent
ly plants are wrecked before they
are used more than a ^eek or two,
and the operators just can't make the
business show a profit under such
conditions, the officer added
During this week, the officers
wrecked two plants, one in the Pop
lar Point section of Hamilton Town
ship and one in Bear Grass. The
Poplar Point plant was equipped
with a 50-gallon capacity copper ket
tle and was well hidden. The officers
poured out 100 gallons of beer. The
Bear Grass plant was of the steam
type. Nearly 700 gallons of beer were
poured out at that plant.
Social Security To
Begin Payments
A bright spot on the business hori
zon for 1940 is the fact that Social
Security pj>y start..on January
1. It is estimated that, throughout
the nation, at least 1,000,000 elderly
people?men and women over 65?
will become eligible during ii*- next I
year for monthly annuities to be
paid them the rest of their lives. Al
ready thousands are jamming the
regional offices of the Social Secur
ity board to find out when they get
their first checks.
Thaw payments ought to filter
down into trade channels pretty
rapidly. They will put back into ac
tive circulation some of the money
that has been held out of trade chan
nels the last few years by the social
security taxes on paychecks and pay
rolls. Much of the money will be
spent by the oldsters for better food
ahd Clothing.
Under the changes Congress made
last spring in the original social se
curity legislation, any worker 65
years old can qualify for monthly
payments for the rest of his life ?
even though he hasn't worked since
S. S. went into effect three years
ago?if he now gets a job and holds
it for 18 months. If he earns $25 a
week for that period, and is married
he can retire and get a monthly
check of $38.25 as long as he lives. An
interesting and heartening develop
ment of this provision is that many
-companies now are voluntarily pro
viding joba for retired employees so
that they can get the extra months
of work needed to qualify for a
monthly S. 8. cfieck.
Benefit Show for Kiddies at
The Watts Theatre Friday
Cooperating with the local civic!
clubs in sponsoring the annual
Christmas Cheer drive here this
year, J. W. Watts, manager of the
Watts Theatre, announces every
thing ready for a big benefit show
on FTidaymomrnf oflhis weelf "aF
10 o'clock.
All children from miles around
will be admitted for a toy or bag of
fruit, the collection of toys and food
to be distributed to the needy in
the community. No one will be ad
mitted for cash.
Mr Watts is hooking nne of the
greatest children's programs ever
seen m this section, and hundreds of
little tots are expected to attend the
showing. Scheduled to be held in the
Watts Theatre, the program consists
of three color cartoons, two "Our
Gang' comedies, Betty Boop. Pop
eye, two Terry Toons, Krazy Kat,
Scrappy. Merry Melody and Looney
Tunc.
These benefit shows have bfcOTT
held with marked success in past
years, and a great time is anticipat
ed at the one on Friday of this week.
All the kiddies are invited and urged
to attend the show. A bag of fruit or
a small toy will admit each child to
the theatre.
The ml lection of?fruit and toys
will be added to the list of articles
already on hand and made ready for
distribution that afternoon and the
following morning
CASE LIST
A *llst of needy cues in this
community is being prepared
by a special committe working
in cooperation with the sponsors
of the Christmas Cheer move
ment. It is possible that some
rases will escape the attention of |
the committee and the general
public is asked to point out
needy families to either James
C. Manning or David N. Hix.
The committe is anxious to
Include every needy family in
the list, and the general public
can render an important se
in pointing out such cases.
For Oilers Seven
Point Program As
Political Feeler
Opinion I* That \^riciilturi*t
Would Makr <?ood Hnn
For (fovernor
Raleigh v G on oral mobilization of
all North Carolinians to make this
a rich state is the supreme need of
the next four years, Dr. Clarence
Poe, editor of the Progressive Far
mer, agricultural expert and one of
the many Tar Heels prominently
mentioned as gubernatorial candi
dates, said last week in a statement
regarded everywhere as something |
of a trial balloon regarding his
Chances.
In order to accomplish best results
from this mobilization, he pointed
out North Carolinians must "for four
years forget the factions and schisms
that so easily beset us."
?To-the task of making North Car
olina rich, Br, Poe pledgedhis best
efforts for the next five years "whe
ther as governor or private citizen."
In his formal statement he repeated
ly returned to the theme of a "rich
state," pointing out that nature has
blessed North Carolina with all the
assets necessary to make it so.
He envisions a state not only rich
in the nalionaT sense, but "in mcreas
ed intellectual and cultural values."
The statement falls something
short of what had generally been
thought would be its bearing on
Dr. Poe's possible candidacy. At no
point, except in the opening sentence
did he indicate even remotely his
intention to run for governor. The
whole tenor is that of a "feeler" to
learn which way the political winds
(Continued on page four)
Series of Cases Are
Handled By Mayor
Activities in the court of Justice
John L. Hassell hero during the past
few days reflect a pro-Christmas
rush, the court handling eight or
nine cases in a short time.
Charged with hunting without a
license, Jimmie James was fined $5
and taxed with the costs.
James Wynn and View Nicholson,
charged with public drunkenness,
were sentenced to jail for thirty
days, the court suspending the sen
tence upon good behavior antTpay
ment of the case coats.
Doris Pike, charged with being
drunk, was taxed with the case costs.
Jim Dixon was taxed with the
cost in the case charging him with
being drunk and disorderly.
Charged with disorderly conduct
in Jamesvillc, Jack Neal and Jesse
Askew were each fined $50 and tax
ed with llie cost.
B. F. Davis was fined $5 and tax
ed with the cost in the case charging
him with public drunkenness
Board Of Health
To Hold Meeting
Meeting in special session here
tomorrow afternoon at two o'clock,
the Martin County Board of Health
is slated to name a successor to Dr.
F. E. Wilson, who is tendering his
resignation as health officer for the
county. Chairman John E. Pope ex
plained that it may not be conven
ient to hold the meeting at that hour,
but that he was issuing a call to the
members to be present if possible.
Several candidates for the position
were in the county yesterday and to
day looking over the field.
Dr. Wilson is resigning the posi
tion in this county to head the Edge
combe-Creene district health de
partment"
?
No County Court
lipid Motulay; Judgp Sirk
Held at his home in the Tar Heel
Apartments by illness, Judge H O.
Pee) was unable to occupy his seat
on the bench and no session of the
county court was held Monday.
There were comparatively few new
cases on the docket for trial.
According i#> an announcement
coming from the courthouse, the
tribunal will hold its next session
on Monday, January 1.
An Appeal
. Appeals. pitiful as _c.an be and disgi lifting. in tlussecUcin at.
plenty and self-claimed humanity, are coming in rapidly daily,
the appealers pleading their cases before the Christmas Cheer
workers, and expressing earnest hopes that their little children
describing the pleading heard by the sponsors of the cheer move
ment. At the" present Time, cash eontribution^ are far from ade
quate to meet, even in a small way, the actual needs existing in
this community. ,
There are nearly 100 people living in this county who receive
$2 or $3 a month, and they live on that amount, plus what a gra
cious people may be inclined to give them. For them the fast ap
proaching Christmas season is just another period of the year, a
period devoid of all hope and happiness
There are many fatherless homes with many children entirely
dependent upon others. There are those who are mentally defi
cient, and who are denied a place in institutions. There are those
who are afflicted and who bear their sufferings without complaint,
hoping against a hope long gone that they may enjoy the blessings
That you and I enjoy. -
A growing list of appeals is taking form day by day, the list
carrying the names of nearly 100 little children, not to mention
older people who are entirely dependent. Most of the' cases are
not subject to direct relief.
Sufficient toys have been received, it is believed, to go around,
but the people of this community have not responded even half
heartedly with cash contributions, and the last appeal is being
made today. If you have not already made a contribution, and
you think it humanly possible to participate, won't you leave a
small donation for the cause at The Enterprise office today or turn
it over to Rev. John L. Goff, fund treasurer.
Pleas for old clothes are also being heard, and while the Cheer
Fund sponsors did not plan to include the collection and distri
bution of any wearing apparel, the need is so great that the orig
inal task has been enlarged. If you have any old clothes that can
be spared and you wish to spare them, just call The Enterprise,
and a messenger will be sent for the bundle.
County Dairymen
Hold Meeting On
Friday Afternoon
Plan Group Organisation In
The Fount) in the
Future
Realizing the dairy industry in
Martin County is rapidly coming to
the front, and that the dairymen are
becoming more interested in the
production and distribution of the
best milk obtainable, a meeting was
called Friday afternoon by Dr. F. E
of the health department.
Dr. Wilson acted as temporary
chairman and took up the problems
of the dairymen from the health1
standpoint. It was shown that 16 per j
cent of the American diet is compos
ed of milk and milk products, and
that milk is the only thing in nature
intended solely for food. Milk is al
so the hardest of all foodstuffs to
harvest, handle, transport and de
liver, and is the only standard arti
cle of diet of animal origin that is
taken raw. There is also a problem
because there is a constant supply
of milk needed, and yet it cannot be
stored for future use.
By means of an experiment it was
shown how much mud a bottle of
milk could contain without any no
ticeable change in color. Another ex
periment was earned out to deter
mine if the dairymen could detect
the difference in tasle between Grade
A raw milk and pasteurized milk.
Most of the dairymen were able to
determine the difference, but all
were agreed lhaV The difference* was
neghgtbh^ and that one was as good
as the other, but that pasteurizpd
milk was the safest.
The problem of pasteurizing milk
was brought up but it was decided
that 4he milk market in the country
was not sufficient yet to establish a
plant, huwovci, it was hoped that a
plant could be built here in a few
years.
It was the unanimous opinion of
all present that a permanent organ
ization of dairymen and others in
terested in milk and milk products
be formed and meet quarterly. Mr
Charles "Leonard,? sanitary offieeiy
was appointed to call the next meet
ing at which time an election of offi
cers will be held. Mr Tom Brandon,
county agent, offered the facilities
of the agriculture building and ail
possible help in getting experts of
all phases of the dairy business on
future programs It was believed
that the formation of such an organ
ization will be of mutual benefit to
all milk producers, and will stimu
late an even closer f+dlowship among
the dairymen.
Milk is the most important single
article-of-dick and -from?a- beak h
standpoint it should be advertised
in preference to the many soft
drinks which have no food value.
Children and adults should drink
more milk.
Santa Will See Martin
Teachertt Tomorrow
=#=
Santa Claus will make his debut a
bit early for the nearly 200 Martin
County teachers tomorrow, the of
.fiee- of the superintendent annimnc
ing today that special arrangements
had been made to release the fourth
month salary checks a few days,
ahead of time. Approximately $21,
000 will be released.
"It'll be a long time to wait for the
next check, but without one before
Christmas we'll find the? holiday sea-,
son a dull one," a teacher was quoted
as saying, .
(an tat a /* Well Received
Here Sunday Evening
The Christmas Cantata in the
Church of the Advent here last Sun
day evening was well rerrivrd by a
record-size crowd. The choir was
made up by representatives of the
various religious and ciyic_organi*a.
ns and appeared under the dirrf
torship of Mrs. Wheeler Martin.
Hold Young Men For
Alleged Theft Of Ear
Hubert PagCy Paul Dennis Terry
and Dennis Crisp were placed un
der $200 bond by Justice J. L. Has
11 Monday for the alleged theft of
Jasper Roebuck's Ford car in Rober
sonville last Saturday night The car
was recovered by Deputy Bill Hai
slip and Patrolman Whit Saunders
in_fl?ar Grass later that night
APPLICATIONS
' . ? 6
Approximately eight per cent
of thoae Martin County farmer*
participating In the soil conser
vation program have filed their
applications for benefit pay
ments, according to T. B. Slade,
assistant in the office of the
county agent. The application*
were received In the field, the
agent explaining that late appli
cations will be handled In the
agricultural building.
will be ready for distribution
some time during next Febru
ary or March.
Series Of Rohlieries
Re|)orted To Poliee
Over Past Weekend
Crilrhrr ami Maiinii^ Suffer
l.?? K-i imaii'd al Miout
!*r>l HU Ml
Entering g itxim wmdou, rob
bers made a sizable haul at the
Standard Filling Station, corner of
Main and Huughton Streets, here
early last Saturday morning, the
proprietors, Roger Critcher and Jack
M.t nmng, estimating the loss at
about $500.
Thirteen tires, four ot them ToF
large trucks, were stolen along with
six storage batteries.. Tfto robbers
also took ton cartons of cigarettes
and quantities of candies, chewing
gum and a fruit cake.
Gaining an entrance through the
rest room, the robbers opened tlw
front door and loaded down their
car. Reports state that a Standard
station was robbed last week-end in
Washington County under" similar
circumstances. Officers, unable to
establish a clue in the Case, are of
the opinion that the robbers' were
from outside the State.
No insurance was carried on the
goods, and the two young men suf
fered the loss with little hope of re
covering any of their property.
About 2 o'clock yesterday morn -
ing the station was re-entered, of fi
rm Mating thrrt they well- mil an ml
hut that it was Possible the robber*
wgre the same ones who entered the
station two nights before Yester
day. the robbers entered the front
door possibly with a pass.key No
glass was broken and no goods were
stolen on*the second visit, Officers
Ramie and Gurganus running the in
truders away. The officers were un
able to get the number of the car
license, but the ear was believed to
have been a Chevrolet.
The robbery was tin* most nmtly
reported here in recent months
Sometimes during late last night
or early this morning, robbers en
tered the Jack Daniel service station
at the Jnmesville and Washington
Road intersection and crashed the
back door of Pard.qn's Department
Store here on Mam Street An eh
trance To the tilling slatmn -was
forced through a window, the rob
hers stealing a quantity of cigarettes
and possibly- a few other articles.
Knocking a sizable hole in the back
door of the Darden store, the rob
hers are said to have stole an over
coat and a suit of clothes
Police stated this morning that
they believed the last two robberies
were the work of local talent
Mrs. Rattle Dies
In Halifax Countv
Mrs Paltie Pope Battle, mother
of Mrs. Garland Colt rain, of Wil
liamstqn, died at her hofflc m llali
fax County, near Tillery, last Sun
day afternoon at 3 o'clock. Funeral
services were conducted at the late
home yesterday afternoon -at?two
o'clock and interment followed in
the Scotland Neck cemetery. The
tery.
pastor of the Scotland NeiCTnkptist
church conducted the last-writes'
Mrs. Battle was the daughter of
the late George and Patiie Spires]
Pope. She lived in Halifax County!
all her life and was a member of
a family long prominent* in the af ;
fairs of that county. Sixty-one years j
of age, Mrs. Battle had been in fee '
hie health for some time, the end
coining yraduatty
Besides her daughter here she is :
survived * by it daughter,- Mtss- Pat-ttr*]
Battle, of Halifax County, and a
brother^jind sister, hoth of near Til J
lery.
Nainboir Family Unable To (
Till SfJu'dldi'tl ifipoiiiLment.
The Rainbow Family, a Kroup of |
Russians scheduled to appear in a 1
program at the Baptist t liurch line
thi* evfnidfl Will h?. nimhln f|||
the appruntmenf, Rev J. H. Smith
announced this molding.
Two Lives Are Lost
In Highway Accidents
CIIKKK FIJNI)
Keifivin* an increased sup
IMirt front individuals, civic and
religious groups, the Christmas
Cheer fund is now approximat
ing $130. the sponsors pointing
out. however, that this amount
is far from adequate in meet
ing the needs of the less fortu
nale. A last appeal is being di
rected to a thoughtful people
Names of contributors:
Previously reported S 54.00
llarry Biggs 30.00
l>red Harden 1.00
James Manning 3.00
Silver offering 32.30
Men's class. Baptist ch. 10.00
Christian Endeavor Soc.,
Christian Church 1.00
P. P. Peel 1 00
j s Whitley 5.0?
Total $127.30
Roll Of Honor For
The Second Period
\
Nnnil's of Our ttniTftrfft und
Si\l\ PiipiU Arc On
Lalrsl last
Tlii' ii.inns of 162 pupils 112 in
tlie elementary and an even half,
hundred in the high school depart
ment appear on the local school
1 u on ii mil lur the second SIX weeks
period recently ended, Principal ?I>.
N Mix reported .this week as fol
lows:
First grade- Bobby Davis. Helen
Chesson. Louise Cprey, Elizabeth
Cat"iffin. Betsy Page Morton, Jane
King, Mary Carolyn Leggett; Sarah
Peele, Ruby Dare Savage, Harriet
Ward, Ann Page Woolai'd, Carroll
Barbel, Cord Bovveti, Charlie Cut-;
lipber. I.iI. m (Jodard, Bobby Gur
ganus, Joseph Nicholson, Bob Swain.
Haywtnid Williams, Joyce Andrews,
Marie Griffin, Betty Sue Gurganus,
Alice Mae Hardison, Mycel Holliday,
Alice Peaks. Cnttie Perry. Hetty Iaui
Wobbleton, Nellie Faye Wynne
Second grade: Riish Bondurant.
Charles Carver, Asa Manning, Frairk
Wynne, Shirley Ann Heacham, Ra
chel -Chesson." Elizabeth Whitley.
WaiTaTiirrCtTOSsi?11, Ma I'tlia Maejyrn
zip, Nancy Robertson, Alice An
drews, Mai aim Cherry, Henry Gray
Corey, Jimmy lloarl, Norwood Keel,
Benjamin Moore
Third grade: .Sallie Bet Hardison.
Polly. Manning. Jack Booker, Billy
Edwards, David Griffin, James Coin
er, Julian Mason, Paul Peele, Zack
Piephoff, Bobby Taylor:?
Fourth grade Eunice Brittbn,
Mary I.on Coltraine. Edna Had.ley,
Barbara Murgolis. Gertrude McLaw
born. Carrie?Dell?Peaks,?Laura
Peele, Lucy Robertson, Doris Sav
agr^ Margaret Waid. John Uurkm.
Gilbert Hopkins, Harry Jarman,
Dennis Moore, William Rogers, Sal
ly Hardison, Magdcline Bowen.
Fifth grade: Dan Bowen, Melbin
Godard, Charles Siceloff, Lucy? An
drews, Glloria Hayman, Elizabeth
Hopkins, Elizabeth Manning, Jean
nette Myers, Elizabeth Parker. Max
me Phelps, Melba HeVels, Elizabeth
Taylor, Hugh Morton, Iconise Grif
fin, Louise Mines, Joyce Taylor,
Vernon Whitfield
Sixth grade: John Daniel, Hal
Diekens, Charles Mines, Billy Myers,
Edwood OlcL Dollv Bowen. Svlvki
Green. Frances Griffin, Pearl New
born, Dora Twiddy. In he Peel, Jes
sie Gurgamis, Mollie Peakes, Leila
tay Wynne
Seventh?gi.nl" CuHim?Hopkins
(Continued on page four)
Highway Accident Record
Idle ?in Che county for several months, the Grim Reaper went
into action surely and swiftly last week on thfc highways of this
county and claimed two lives, pushing the total number of road cas
ualties to ten for the year to date. The victims, *both colored, were
said to have gotten into the .paths of ihe vehicles and death Was sud
den in botn cases. Fflt* several mTrnttnr the highways uf this cuunty'
had lil'l'M fl/'e of death, but the happenings last week caine 10 the
front to mar the records and place the county in line to equal if not
surpass the old figure of thirteen killed just a few years ago.
It was a bad week on the county highways, Patrolman Saunders
stating that several others were hurt in wrecks and that the proper
ty damage figure was materially increased. With a marked in
crease already evident in highway traffic, safety authorities are
again directing appeals to all motorists to exercise1 greater care in
operating cars and trucks on the highways this Christmas season.
A comparison of highway accident records for the past week and
for the period prior to that time follows,
Accidents Injured
Week ending December 17 4 1?
Prior Period 67 59
Killed
- 3
Property
Damage
( 410.00
12.125 00
8
TOTALS 71 60
10
$12,435.00
Ten People Killed
H\ \ chicle s in the
(lojitih This Year
Fml k?-x? I* 111~l.11111\ killed
Nciir Harden- Kridax
VfieriiiMtn
U'LTU
killed on the highways in this coun
ty last week end. running the total
number of road casualties so far this
ar to ten in the county One other
person was hurt and considerable
property .damage resulted in a ser- t
? f accidents reported by Patrol
man Whit Saunders during the
eek-end
1"1 ank Keys, colored farmer in
Jamcsv.ille Township, was killed in
stantly about 3:30 o'clock last Fri
day afternoon when he got off a
truck neat* Hardens and walked into
the path of another one. Keys, about
50 years old. caught a ride in James
ville and had started to the Free
Ti n ton .Section. Hegotoff the truck,
;iIn.>11 ;irntind the haek of th'p ma
i'hllh- Mid cu pped into Ihe highway
directly in the path of a big truck
traveling from Plymouth to James
villc. Patrolmen investigating the
'kllluu: lield u was unavoidable on
the part of the driver. Keys leaves
a large family of small children. '?
John Howard Fleming. 17-year
old colored hoy was fatally injured
when he ran his bicycle into the path
??f a ear driven by Johnnie Andrews
I near Gold Point last-Thursday He
died a feu hhiuiUm. .dtor?reaching
a doctor's office in Hobersonville.
i ually quitting Ihe business, and few
; James Clayton Yancey, South
Boston, Va., man, escaped injury
when his car skidded and turned
oyer "hear Moblcy's Mill early last
Friday morning Damage was esti
mated at $150. the man iunkiny the
ear-and purchasing a new one.
Mrs. Delia Anderson, 80 years old.
was painfully cut on the forehead
and suffered bruises on her leg and
arm last week when Jhe.car m which
|;khe was riding crashed into another
j driven by William Wynne in the
I Spring Green section of the county.
Mrs A'id* ? i son was riding with Wi
| ley Waters. Damage to the cars was
(estimated in excess of $250.
j ()ne or two other minor accidents
j were reported during the week-end.
I hut no one .was hurt and the damage
was, said to he negligible in. those
Plan .Community
V
Christmas Event
lilt1 I I'OI t'iitlt'Mitl council?for local
colortxl children will hold a com
munity Christmas tree and program
at the recreational center near the
ceriH'tery _ Friday evening at six
o'clock, it was announced by wel
fait- wtrrkers today. ToVs and smalt
articles for the less fortunate chil
dren in tin- community will be plac
ed on the trie, and an interesting
program has been arranged.
Several of the local colored lodges
have already advanced fairly sizable
donations, and others are cordially
urged to participate in the under
taking
The general public is invited to
witness the program and-participate
111 the exercise. -
Business Prospects
Continue Bright
a :
III Hying Hi gauge mil iinly?llie
current state of business, but also
Ibo pinsp, ola for weeks Mini months
ahead, retail sales volume is per
haps the best single source of en
lightenment For the degree of
InosrnrsK?of John Pgfabc'i, -pmw -
strings gives a reliable clue to the
earnings of workers?and the pros
pects they see for , themselves of
steady or improving incomes.
Siu there is grounds for optimism
in the report of the National Retail
Dry Guuds Association, based, .on ? -
telegraphic poll of members, that
department store sales fur the first
10 shopping days of December sliow
ed a 4 per cent gain over the same
period of 1938. Unseasonable weath
er in some sections, naturally, ac
counted for some lagging spots In
the picture, but in a number of in
stances stores icpqaAd they were
exceeding not only their 1929 rec
ords, but were having the best
early-December rush in their his
tory. Some southern cities reported
"phenomenal" increases; on the
west coast stores were breaking a
little better than even with 1938 and,
as in New England where decreases
were still frequent, a last-minute
flood of customers was expected. In
the Middle Atlantic States the De
cember showing was fair, but im
proving fact.