Watch The Label On Your Paper, As It Carries The Date Your Subscription Expiree THE ENTERPRISE Advertisers Will Find Our Col umns A Latchkey To Over 1,000 Homes Of Martin VOLUME XLIV?NUMBER 70 - Williamston, Martin County, North Carolina, Tuesday, September 2, 1941. ESTABLISHED 1899 Advance In Tobacco Prices Is Noted On Local Market Today; More Than Million Pounds Sold Average Price Here Holding Well Above General Belt Figure Block Sale Yesterday Cleared This Morning; 185,000 Pounds on Sale Today While general averages have weakened slightly since the opening a week ago on account of the in creased volume of tips and other in ferior grades, the price trend on the Williamston Tobacco Market today is upward. There is a noticeable add ed strength on a number of grades, principally in the lower brackets where the Export and Imperial are taking a definitely stronger stand Prices in the upper brackets are re maining, for the most part, virtual ly the same as they were last Tues day, but the companies are "break ing over the fence," so to speak, more often and when the fancy tobaccos are reached the price jumps over the heretofore top of 39 cents. Sales of the genuine type have been noticed today in the 40- and 41-cent class, and even an higher price for the very best types is to be expected Sales are running smoothly and steady on the market this week. A small block yesterday was cleared early this morning, and the market will clear its floors this afternoon, as suring the growers a quick and steady sale. The market passed the million-pound mark yesterday, and it is estimated that 183,000 pounds ?re on the floor with tips and infer ior types predominating the offer ings Yesterday, Sales Supervisor 1 Henry Johnson reported 271,412 J pounds sold for a guaranteed aver age of $28 17. The selling organiza tion was in action about thirteen minutes over the schedule yesterday trying to clear the block, and when it was learned that 15,000 pounds or more were then to be sold, sales were stopped until this morning Farmers continue well pleated with their sales here, and new cus tomers are making their appearance daily. Many old customers who have traveled far and wide in times gone by are on the market this season and they have assured warehouse operators they will be here until the season closes. Most of the eastern counties are represented on the four warehouse floors here today Reports coming from individual farmers this morning stated that prices were equally as strong for nearly all grades now as they were last week, and that an advance was noted for some grades. Hiese reports are borne out by government grad ers' figures which show that the av erage for the belt through last Fri day was $28 32. The average here ranges around two cents above that figure. Supporting the individual reports that the price trend is upward on a number of grades, are the govern ment reports released for the sales yesterday. A comparison of a few grades and prices on opening day with those tabulated by the govern ment graders yesterday follows: Grade Description 8-26-41 9-1-41 Lemon Leaf: Good $37.00 $39.00 Fair 35.00 35.00 Orange Leaf: Good 36.00 36.00 Fair 31.00 32.00 Low 24.00 18.50 Contmon Red Leaf: 14.50 18.50 Common 9.00 13.25 Green Leaf (Orange Side): Low 14.75 18.00 Common 9.00 11.75 Orange Smoking Leaf: Good 37.00 38.00 Fair 34.00 35.00 Low 28.00 30.00 L saaaa Cutters: "Good 4000 ?nw Fair 39 00 39.00 Low 38.00 38.00 Orange Cutters: Fair 39.00 39.00 Low 38.00 38.00 Orange Lugs: Fine 37.00 38.00 Good 35.00 35.00 Fair 27.00 26.00 Low , 18.50 1850 One Hurt In Street Intersection Wreck Magellan Duggins, young colored man, had his elbow cap ripped partly off in an automobile crash at the corner of Church and Smithwick Streets about 8:19 here this morning No one else was hurt, but damage to the cars was estimated at about $275. Duggins was driving out Smith wick Street and Herman Bowen, lo cal banker, was driving east on Church Street when the cars crash ed in the intersection. No investiga tor's report could be had immediate ly. Knockef completely around, the Duggins' car tune to a stop on the sidewalk and partly in Pete Fow den's and Miss Susie's yard. Fill Project Delayed When Big Paving Mach ine Breaks Down After approaching maximum pro duction last week, the Roanoke River fill pavers were much delayed by a mechanical breakdown yesterday, unofficial reports from the job stat ing that activities can hardly be re sumed before repair parts are receiv ed from the factory in Milwaukee, That the representatives of the con tractors are doing all they can to remedy the trouble and resume op erations is certain, one report stat ing that numbers of long distance calls to the factory were executed this morning in an effort to get the repair parts in here by airmail. The nature of the delay could not . be learned, but it was stated that a magneto went out of repair yester day, and that a cylinder head gasket | gave way this morning Reaching the Conine Creek bridge last Saturday, the big paver poured a few hundred feet on this side be fore breaking down yesterday after noon and again this morning. Trucks and men are standing by waiting for the repairs to be made. During the meantime, traffic is experiencing de lay and difficulty in crossing the fill. Several hundred cars were said to have been bottled up there last Sat urday afternoon when one of the big machines blocked the road_for sev eral hours. Highway men said today that they were informed of another traffic tie-up about two o'clock on the fill this morning, indicating that it might be advisable to hold the road open to local traffic only. Town Board To Seek Lower Interest Rate Average IN umber of Marriage Licenses Issued In County tight Lirenar* Are IhmkmI to White and Five to Color ed Coupler l-uel Month Thirteen marriage licenses were issued in this county last month, eight to white and five to colored couples. The number of licenses was about an average for the particular month, the records showing that not less than ten and not more than 14 licenses had been issued in any Aug ust since 1932. Striking a low point in 1932, the number of marriages in the county climbed to an August high in 1937 and has remained fair ly constant during the nine-year per iod. There were comparatively few draft age young men in the group. It was the third month so far this year that the number of marriage licenses issued to white couples was greater than the number going to colored couples. Licenses were issued by the office of the county register of deeds last month. a? follows White William Henry Leggett, of Route 1, Robersonville, and Fannie Mae Wynne, of Route 3, Williamston. Carroll C. Coltrain and Betty Louise Lilley, both of Williamston. Earl Patrick Bonds, of Williams ton, and Ruby Peaks, of Route 2, Williamston. Jack Roberson, of Route 3, Wil liamston, and Mildred G. Harrison, of Route 2, Williamston. Julius liiomas Barnhill, Jr., and Ruby Elizabeth Harrison, both of Williamston. William Clarence Morse, Jr., of Elizabeth City, and Dorothy Bruton Hurley, of Williamston. Roger Wilson Drake, of Williams ton, and Shirley Victoria Porter, of Branchville, Va. Colored Ivory Hemmingway and Carrie Mae Williams, both of Williamston. J. T. Briley, of Williamston, and Fannie Mae Brown, of Route 2, Wil liamston. Harvey Lewis Perkins and Arwil der James, both of Robersonville. Larry Thomas Ruffin and Lilly B. Eason, both of Robersonville. David Reid and Rosa Lee Man ning, both of Williamston. Order Delinquent Taxes Advertised First Of October Simly Oiui'tfry I'riiji'i-l and Order l)ri\e A^caiiiMt Nini Tax-lister* Meeting in regular session last eve* ning, the local town commissioners took preliminary action to lower the annual bond interest charges by re funding an $K2,500 issue. Due in 1952, the issue -is carrying intercut at the rate of six per cent. It is generally believed that the bonds can be re called and sold for about three per cent less A resolution ordering the sale is being prepared, and the board is expected to meet in special session within the next day or two and pass it. It is estimated that the action will save approximately $2,500 annually. Appearing before the board, the directors of the local baseball club asked the town authorities to ad vance $700 to meet pressing obliga tions, the spokesman. Mi 1.. T Fow den. explaining that the sale of at least one player was pending and that the note would be taken up at that time. No action was taken at the meeting. Advised that little had been ac complished, the mayor?renamed a cemetery committee, and instruc tions were issued ordering the pur chase of land for enlarging the local graveyard. In the event purchases cannot be effected, the town attor ney will be directed to start con demnation proceedings. Commission ers N C. Green, Luther Peel and V. D. Godwin were named on the com mittee to advance the project. Very little time was devoted to the problem, but it was the wishes of the meeting that action be taken against those persons in the town who have not listed for taxation. A list of the alleged* tax dodgers will be retrieved from the county ab stracts and action against them is to be expected in early October. * The sale of real estate for delin (Continued on page six) Vacation Days Are Drawing To a Close Vacation days are rapidly drawing to a close for more than 7.000 young folks in the county, the ole professor having ordered an all-out return to the thirty-three white and colored schools on Thursday of this week. Last year there were 7,465 pupils ?3,572 white and 3,893 colored?en rolled in the ten white and 23 color ed schools. Not that many reported for study the first day because quite a number of the youngsters were kept at home to help with the farm work during the busy harvesting sea son. School authorities believe the enrollment this year will be about the same as it was a year ago with a few minortains here and there. The gains are predicted mostly in the col ored schools. Principals of both the white and colored schools met here yesterday to get materials and books and to discuss final details in anticipation of the opening. Quite a few new teachers are re porting for work in the white schools but the turn over of colored teach ers is limited to less than half a doz en. jy The total enrollment for the 1939 40 term was 3,443 white and 3,780 colored pupils; the enrollment for the 1940-41 term was 3,572 white and 3,892 colored. Mrs. Fannie Biggs, Beloved Resident. Dies At Her Home Funeral Services Tomorrow For Respected Citizen Ami Church w oman ? Mrs. Fannie Spruill Biggs, beloved citizen of Williamston for nearly three-quarters of a century, died at her home on Biggs Street here yes terday morning at 8 o'clock, the end coming peacefully with members of the immediate family at her bed side. Death was not attributable to any one cause, the infirmities of the years exacting their toll following a long period of declining health. Despite a failing eyesight. Mrs Biggs was very active until last No vember when the weight of years forced her into retirement. But even since that time she was able to get [out in a rolling chair for brief in tervals. Her condition, while recog nized as serious during recent months, became grave only a few hours before her death. Members of the family were summoned to her bedside yesterday morning shortly after 3 o'clock. The daughter of the late Joseph A1 exander and wife, Caroline Spruill Alexander, Mrs. Biggs was born in Tyrrell County on June 1, 1851. Fol lowing the death of her mother and at the age of nine years, she moved to this county to make her home with an aunt, Mrs. Dennis-Simmons; at Astoria, near Jamesville. She attend ed the schools in Jamesville, but her early childhood was again dark ened by war During the struggle between the States, she moved sev eral times with her relatives, spend ing brief periods in the old Eli Tay lot home, near here, and with other friends near Hobersonville and Spring Green. Soon after the war, Mrs. Biggs moved with the Simmons iamily-Willlumstun-tittd-located -m the home now occupied by the Sta tons on the corner of Mam and llaughton Streets. She was educated in the Louisburg Female College, and on December 29, 1871, was married to John Dawson Biggs, who died m 1905. Three children. I)r. John D. Biggs and Harry A Biggs, both of Williamston, and a daughter, Mrs Carrie Biggs Morrison, of Virginia Beach and Williamston, survive. She | also loaeos ;t grtnwl-dmiflhtor Mi-, Charles Herriott, of Washington Exemplifying true motherhood, Mrs Biggs endeared herself to the people of this community, lite influ ence of her Christian character reaching out to many in all walks of life. Her .life reflected all that is good and noble, and her acts, beauti ful in their spirit and marked by un selfishness, impressed themselves deeply m the minds and hearts of those whose pleasure it was to enjoy her companionship. To hear her voice which was void of criticism for others, to observe her humble way of life and to know the kindness and thoughtfulness ever present in her daily living, one was made to rec ognize and appreciate those fine qualities inherent in a Christian like character While holding membership in the Baptist Church here for many years, Mrs Biggs was interested in relig ion not necessarily from a denomina tional standpoint but from the hope and good it held for all mankind. She was devoted to her church, and the Williamston Memorial Baptist Church, the product of her liberal ism, stands today as a monument to her goodness and to her memory. While she was never outwardly ac (Continued on page six) ? Fire Bug Strikes Farm Backhouse Fire of incendiary origin burned a small packhouse and about 4,000 pounds ul tobacco on the Whitley farm near here about three o'clock yesterday morning. Another fire started by the fire bug in a nearby packhouse was put out before much damage was done to the contents. Whitley that the fire caused approx imately $1,700 damage, $1,000 to the nearly three and one-half acres of to bacco and about $70U to the building The property was partially covered by insurance. Neither Mr Whitley nor Farmer Eli White could offer any informa tion whatever that might lead to an arrest. Neither one has never made anyone mad as far as they knew, and neither thought they had an enemy that would strike from behind. William Ewell, a tenant on the farm, had been instructed to get up early and get a quantity of tobacco off to market. He discovered the fire and called for help. Answering the qall. Henderson Norfleet, another tenant who lived nearby, stated that he was so badly frightened that he was actually too heavy to run. He managed to reach the second pack house where the fire had gained lit tle headway and brought it under control. Fresh tracks were found around the second packhouse, but officers, called to investigate the case, report ed no progress today. The local fire department was call ed, but without ample waiter the firemen were able to render very lit tle assistance. l'ASSKS HERE Funeral services fur Mrs. Fan nie S. Biggs, greatly beloved and esteemed citiien who died at her home here yesterday morning, will be held tomorrow afternoon at 6 o'clock in the local Baptist Church. Sale Of Real Estate For All Delinquent Taxes Is Ordered By The County Commissoners More Than 500 Lose Lives In Labor Day Holiday In Nation Millions of Americans, celebrating the long Labor Day holiday left home last Saturday for the beaches and other resorts, late but still incom plete reports stating at noon today that more than 500 of them never re turned home. Highway accidents claimed nearly 400 lives, and more than one hundred others lost their lives by drowning or in freak acci dents of vanous types. California ac counted for the greatest number of i lives lost. This county went through the week-end without an accident, but motorists did little to interrupt the [gradual trend toward an increased | number of accidents during other days in the week. L_ The holiday was littli' rwitirod io_ this immediate section, but in the [lower part of the county, the hun dreds of employees at the North Car olina Pulp Company plant took the day off and participated in a big pro gram which was featured by Repre sentative Herbert Bonner's ad dress. "Following tlu' long week-end holi ] day. defense plants today reported a greater spark 111 labor activities, j industrialists declaring that real' progress is more evident today than i ever before in the"1 factories. That some of- the l.abor Day ob servers experienced difficulty was (evidenced by the following wire from the Enterprise janitor Who ap parontly is stranded in Philadelphia "Am lost. Know nobody. Please wire $B Au iiel_ hiimt- mi." I ncreased Enrollment Predicted In Schools L1 I ~ 4 'Schools To Operate! On Day light Saving Schedule in CouMv ? " Informal IVoKrann, To Mart 0|>?'iiiiigH in INcurly \|| I lie SclloilU ? ? A small increase hi the school cn "'Hmenl figures m tins county was | t predicted l.y several ..I the principals follow""; a iimJuMi ul the school heilchrTjeiv yesterday "moTi iTngrsrv -f eral others staling that thev were an licipating no material change hi the figures from last year at the! opening Thursday morning of this Week No crowded conditions sum I." to ttiu.se reported in defense cell ters in various parts of the State an expected, the school men explaining '??'?leases would be minor ones and that tin; equilihrum of the plants would hardly be affected Except loi Imal arrangements to be discussed at teachers' meetings in the several schools tomorrow, plans are completed for starting the term I both the white and colored schools isday morning One or two facul V appointments are still pending but arrangements have been made to dill thuse positions temporarily ,.ai, cr by substitutes or by cooperating 1 members of the faculties. Woodrow bugg will supply for a regular teach er at Oak City A contract is virtual iy.closed with a teacher for the Bear Grass school George A Robert's last minute resignation leaves a position vacant Hi the Wilhamston High ?School, hut several applications are I being considered and a successor is I expected by the week-end. j Informal exercises will mark the opi ning of the schools, but the pa Irons and general public are invited to at end, meet the teachers and help get the youngsters off to a good start All schools and events connected with the schools will be operated on a daylight saving time schedule, and parents who are not observing that schedule are asked to get their ehil ien ready for school just an hour earlier according to old time. Several schools m the county operated an as 1 year' the st'hedulc (Continued on page six) ? School Bus Routes Remain The Same ? r? Tlie forty school bus routes 37 White and three colored, have been little changed for the new term from last year, Superintendent J C Man ning said yesterday: With very few exceptions, the schedules will be identically the same Bus patrons are asked to note the opening schedules for the schools on Thursday and re port to their stations accordingly. Every effort has been made and will continue tn be made by the school authorities to throw a greater safety around the little folks who ride the busses. Instructors from the Safety Division of the North Caro hna State Highway Patrol conducted two schools here last week for the ?bua drivers and_ substitutes All young men applying for driver as signments were required to pass cer tain written and road tesU, reports stating that the young men in this! county made splendid records. The I general public is urged to cooperate with the bus drivers in every way possible that every one of the seve^ al thousand children riding the buses may do so during the entire term without injury. MOKK STAMPS Spending nearly $7,500 in cut ton stamps during the past few weeks, Martin County farmers cooperating in the surplus tot ton marketing program have an other supply to draw on. The o! fiee of the county agent reported the receipt of $8,550 worth of stamps this morning. Arrange ments are being made to place the stamps into the hands of the cooperating farmers as rapidh as possible. A complete check on the amount ?of stamp purchasing power has not been completed, but the total will exceed $20,000 and possibly approach $25,000. Russia Starts First Counter Attack Against The (Nazis ?? (.crmaiiH Pulling Divisions Kroin \\ rslrrn Front lo Dr frml Tlicir Positions Staging their first big counter t?f fcnsives in three sectors along the the ttussians today were smashing the Nazis in what one commentator described as the- bloodiest battles of the war. Few details were offered by either side, hut Germany admitted ttiat the Russian forces were counter attacking fiercely. Another source declared that the Germans, appar ently hard pressed on the Kustern Front, am pulling divisions from (lo west to. help defend then costly gains in Russia The Soviet reports indicated that the Red army's counter attacks, aid ed by heavy rains turning the battle fronts into seas of mud in some places, hud stemmed the; German "pincer" drive on Leningrad, swept the Germans hack great distances on the central front and halted tin- Ger mans at the Dnieper River in the* Uk raine The Re d Army, now in its eleventh week of war against Germany, is said to have wiped out two and one half million Nazi soldie*rs, and pre - sented Hitler with his fjrst great problem of the* war. While Hit In is now hard pressed, the* success of the Russians cannot be war More reverses are to be expect ed by the Alius, and there is much reason to believe th.it the* effects of tin- struggle acrOSB the* MAS will not i?e- ended until we directly oi indi rectly taste* the fruits of war and world-wide disorder. A settlement has supposed to have been reached in Iran, giving Russia and Britain control of the* little coun try. Confusion surrounds the situation in Japan. One repent stated that Ja pan is complaining about the ship ment of war supplies to Russia An other report dee lares that an agree ment has been reached whereby Ja pan is to permit the movement of supplies to Russia unmolested President Roosevelt*' Labor Day addiess in which he reiterated his stand against Na/n>m. was well re ceivfd in this country and in other countries fighting Hitlerism. He voiced the possibility that the strug gle against Aggressor Hitler may be long and arduous. The United States Senate today is starting work on an all-time high tax bill which calls for four billions in revenue. Passage is expected within (Continued on page six) Board Takes Action To Collect $21,000.00 I npaid Pax Account Counts (.ommi*Floiint Tor the proj^~~ eels, and $50 was allowed in this case The minutes of the meeting did i not dwell at length on the particular matter, hut it was learned that the WI'A w-ill Wtwcontmue the project nt cooperation with the Koberson ville Woman's Club, and that new ponsois are being sought. The trou ble, it was unofficially learned, .was i ivatcd when ;t complaint was di reeled t?? State headquarters of the WI'A about the multiplicity of super visor.- A two-page letter written by a representative of the WPA was said to have been placed before the [commissioners by Mrs. Ward but the ("ident.s could not be leaj'jH'ci im mediately The Monday session was carried well into the early hours of the eve j+y+mt by a discus>ion-of unpaid per sonal property accounts, the author ities studying possible action that j should be taken to collect approxi mately $24,otm dtm from approxt nlately 1,500 citizens During the years of 1935 to 1939, inclusive, the delinquent of "insolvent" personal property accounts climbed to around $36,090. Special collector S. H. (ii iiihas collected approximately $12,000 ot that amount, $3,600 of which was allowed him in commis sions, leaving around $24,000 due the county. The commissioners made a study of the names in the delinquent list, and it was agreed to take some definite action to force collections. It is expected that every person whose name appears on the list will be furnished a statement of his tax account with a direct warning that j unless payim-nt'/is made by October 1st, tiie sheriff uill be directed to i.d t? ps i ? force collection either | by the garnishee method or by the I confiscation of personal properties. While it is possible that the present tax collection system may be tight c in d up, literally speaking, there is some talk ot changing the collection .ystem by appointing an all-time col c lor AciibTf-in ihi, connection Is expected at the next meeting, it was learned. I hrcc Arc Injured In Parmele Wreck Mrs L. H Matthews, of Parmele, and K R White and Coen Wessen, both of Windsor, were painfully but not seriously hurt in an automobile truck accident at Parmele last Thursday evening about 8:30 o'clock. Mrs. Matthews was cut about the face White suffered deep lacerations about the face and a chest injury, and Wesson was cut across the head. Driving east op Highway 64, Mrs. Matthews ^tatted to make a right hand turn at.Parmele when White, driving a pick-up truck in the same direction, crashed into her car. Detained on a reckless charge, White was unable to appear before Judge W H. Cobtlrn ln-jhe county recorder'i court Monday.'' Damage, estimated at $700, waa distributed about squally between the two vehicles, members of the highway patrol said.