North Carolina Newspapers

LETS GO "ALL-OUT FOB VICTORY! THE ENTERPRISE IS MARTIN 1; , COUNTY DOING ITS BEST? VOLUME XL\ .NUMBER 10 JPilliamtton. Martin County, North Carolina, Tuesday, February .'I. I') 12. ESTABLISHED 1899 Pick-up Trucks Not Eligible For Tires, County Board Rules ? Fifteen Tires Are Allotted by Board in County Last Sat urday and Monday ? That farmers operating pick-up trucks for general use are not eligi ble to purchase tires for those vehi cles was recognized as a certainty when the county tire rationing board here yesterday in Its Second meeting within three days refused certifi cates of purchase to several appli cants. "We are not trying to deny anyone the right to purchase a tire or as many tires as one may need and want." Board Chairman C. C. Martin, of Jamesville. said, explain ing that according to instructions given his board only those operators whose vehicles are included in the varied classifications are eligible for certificates of purchase. The problem was explained to Farmer Hugh Bennett who had ap plied for a certificate granting him the right to buy tires for his pick up truck. "It's all right." Farmer Ben nett said, adding that he would have to get along some how possibly on tires retrieved from the junk yards or on foot. Purchase certificates were also held in the following cases: E. R. Turner, Palmyra, tire and tube for car used in pulling farm^trailer: Martin County Transfer Company, two tires and tubes for a small truck used in servicing larger trucks: R D. Perry, Williamston Route 1, two truck tires for use in hauling produce to retail dealers and livestock to wholesale dealers. Last Saturday the board withheld a certificate applied for Dr. Chas. A. Leonard, Sr . the missionary stating that he wanted a tire for his car which he used for Christian work. Apparently the mis sionary had little hope of getting a certificate as he had already shopped around for used tires and made ready for a trip to California and on to Hawaii. Completing its work for January last Saturday, the board allotted its full quota with the exception of one passenger tire which reverts back to the State quota. L. F Warren, Williamston, was granted permission to buy two obsolete tires and tubes for his trailer Roberson Slaughter House was allotted two truck tires and tubes for use in making whole sale meat deliveries S. T. Everett. Robersonville, was given a certifi cate for the purchase of two obso lete tires for his trailer, and the Rob ersonville Funeral Parlor was allot-1 ted four tires and tubes for its am bulance At its meeting, held in the clerk of court vault while the commissioners were in session, the board this week allotted tires to the following: Al bert Roberson. Jamesville, two truck tires and tubes for a truck used in hauling hands and feed to log woods; Martin County Transfer Company. Robersonville, one truck tire and four truck tubes for truck used in hauling oils and fertilizers to deal ers; L. R Ausborn, Robersonville, truck tire and tube for general haul ing. The first tire for a piece of farm machinery was allotted to Julian L Mizelle, Palmyra The farmer will use the tire on a disc tiller, a mech anized land breaker. Applications filed by J. L, Knowles, Dardens, for a truck tire and tube, and by Vance Benjamin Respass, Robersonville, for a trailer tire and tube, and one by Clarence Wallace, peace officer, were carried over for later consideration. The tire rationing board's work is gradually tightening up. Some appli cants are said to have questioned previous allotments In one or two cases after they were unable to class ify their own individual needs. It is quite likely now that an appeal to the State rationing board will be filed by an unsuccessful applicant in this county, but the appeal has not been perfected 1 While the general public is pay ing little attention to rationing be cause its tires are still holding up, the rubber pinch is gradually spread (Continued on page six) > No One Is Hurt In Highway Accident No one was hurt but considerable property damage resulted early last Sunday evening when an old model car believed to have been driven by Louis Roberson, colored of Par mele, sideswiped Captain LeBpron Colt's new 1M2 Mercury about two miles west of Robersonville on U. S. Highway No. M. After striking the Colt car, Rob erson apparently increased the speed of his car, lost control and then fled after the machine jumped a ditch, turned over and came to a stop in a cemetery. LeRoy Roberson and Jim Codfield. riding with the driver in the old model ear. did not tarry long after the accident and they could not be questioned immed iately by Patrolman Whit Saunders who investigated the accident. Ac tion la said to be pending against Roberson. It* left wheel torn down and body and fenders bent, the Mercury was damaged to the extent of about $150. be damage to the other car was es i at $100. ? Spread Of Measles Is Nearing Epidemic Stage In the County The spread of measles in several sections of the county is rapidly ap proaching the epidemic stage, accord ing to a report based on an incom plete survey and coming from the office of the county board of health this morning. At least fifty cases have been reported recently, and it is reasonable to believe that as many if not more cases have not been re ported despite laws calling for a quarantine. At the present time the measles are centered among both races in Bear Grass, Williamston and Robersonville areas with a few scat tered reports coming from other sec tions. Seven cases of scarlet fever have been reported and there have been a few cases of diphtheria in the county during recent weeks. It isn't at all likely at this time that any of the schools will be closed in an ef fort to check the spread of measles, but new cases should be reported im mediately to the health office. A meaningful drive against health law violators has been launched in the county, the health officer stating today that fifteen or more defend ants were in the courts yesterday for failing to take treatment for venereal diseases. Other cases will be dump ed into the court hopper if the vic tims do not report for treatment. Dr. Williams said. Reporting over the week-end, Dr. Marvin Evans. State Health Depart ment dentist, has started a series of dental clinics in the county He is in the Oak City schools this week and i will visit as many schools as possi- i ble during the next four weeks. While in the county Dr. Evans and Mrs. Evans are making their home at the Geo. Reynolds hotel here. Adopt New Ordinance For Civilian Defense SMOKEHOUSE KEY | / Carrying on the tradition maintained for so many years by their father, Mr. Ira T. Col train, Mrs. Jean Bedwell and Tilghman Coltraln found the key to Martin County's 1942 smokehouse last Friday after noon when they dipped the first herrings from the Roanoke at Jamesville. Taking advantage of the first break in the weather, the two young people dipped two of the fish from the river with a net in a very short time. While farm ers are packing their smoke houses with choice meats, thous ands of others, including those who enjoy "good eating" will depend on the herring run for their main source of food sup ply. It will be several weeks be fore the fishing activities get underway on any large scale, but the feat accomplished last Fri day heralds the approach of mil lions of fish later on in the sea New Study Course Is Instituted in the Loeal High School I -e Will Encourage Healthful Liv ing Ami Prepare Youth For Emergency By D. N. HIX, Principal Following the suggestion of the State Department of Education, the local high school this week institut ed formal courses in Health and Nu trition, First Aid, and Safety. De signed to encourage healthful living and prepare youth in a greater meas ure for the demands being imposed by the present emergency, the spec ial courses will be offered daily throughout the remainder of the school term, and will be a part of the regular course of study next school year. Ninety-seven juniors and sen iors are enrolled in the new courses. Teachers have organized subject matter for the studies from mater ials at hand and from experiences gained in other classes. The units to be taught have been prepared by faculty members in charge, and have been evaluated after careful discus sion by all teachers meeting as a group. All materials used are design ed to re-emphasize good health hab its, develop greater understanding of disease and safeguards against con tagion, to acquaint students with the relation between nutrition and good health, and to develop a sense of in dividual responsibility in the mat ter of preserving and building up our resources in good health. Girls in the classes will give special at tention to home nursing. In First Aid the Junior course of the Ameri 1 on page six) - -? Permits Necessary J For Burning Brush Working for a more effective for est fire protection in the county this year, Forest Fire Warden Marvin Leggett today urged all farmers and others who must burn brush, ditch banks or foreign material to apply for a permit either from their dis trist wardens or from one of sever al just appointed. Four persons, Messrs. J. L. Hasseil and W. B Dan iel, Williamston; A. P. Barnhill, Ev eretts, and W. H. Gray, Roberson ville, have been named to issue per mits in addition to the regular dis trict wardens. Supported by a possible fine rang ing as high as )50 or thirty days in jail, the law requires one to get a permit before burning brush be tween now and June 1. No charge is made for the permit. Roy T. Griffin Is To Replace Peel As Commissioner First Tangible Taken For Knlurging the Public Onirlrry Here Meeting in regular session last evening, the local town commission ers passed a civilian defense ordi nance calling for an enforced "black out" at the direction of the proper authorities and creating a council to handle any emergency. Adopted for the duration, the ordinance ap pears in full elsewhere in this paper and all citizens owe it to themselves to read the new law. The? new de fense set-up is centered around the mayor, chief of police and fire chief. Appearing before the board, Fire Chief G. P Hall explained that a test blackout for the Williamston district may be ordered within the near fu ture by the Army or Navy authori ties, that no attempt woultj be made for a black out of Williamston alone. The district is made up of most of Martin, Bertie, Washington and Tyr rell Counties. Instructions for han dling the blackout have already been posted and wardens have been named. Certain steps have been tak en to black out th? town, but no def inite signal has been formulated for [ uoundtng""H" warding for a blackout. The defense chairmen are meeting this evening to name members of the several committees for handling work and assigned duties during any and all emergencies.. Roy T. Griffin, by unanimous ac tion, was appointed to the board of commissioners to succeed M Luther Peel, who resigned several months ago to accept the newly created posi tion of county tax collector. Asked this morning if he would accept the appointment, Mr. Griffin explained that he had not been notified and it | could not be learned if his accept ance would follow. Mr. Griffin was | nominated by Commissioner L. P. Lindsley and seconded by Commis sioner G. H. Harrison. Rv request. | Mayor J L. Hasscll nominated Mrs. Jim Staton for the seat, but the nom ination went without a second. The first tangible Jictjon for ori larging and improving the public cemetery was reported to the meet ing last night. Mayor Hassell stat ing that two pieces of property had already been purchased and that deals for other property were pend ing The commissioners propose to extend the cemetery on the north west to Gurganus Street. Miss Mary Coltrain Passes In Griffinsl Miss Mary Coltrain, highly re spected and aged citizen of Griffins] Township, died at the home of Mr. and Mrs, Otis Wainwright there last) lowing a stroke suffered the evening before. Assisting in the preparation of supper Saturday evening, Miss Coltrain was stricken and lapsed in to unconsciousness I The daughter of the late James and Clementine Coltrain, she was bom in Griffins Township 84 years ago the 19th of this month. She had been unusually active for her ad vanced age up until she was taken suddenly ill. Miss Coltrain was well known in her community and held in high esteem. Funeral services were conducted yesterday afternoon at her late home ?nd intei nielli was Tfi the Roberson Cemetery in the Farm Life com munity. Elder Joshua Ross and Rev. W. B. Harrington conducted the last rites. Miss Coltrain is survived by two half-sisters, Mrs. A. R. Corey and Mrs. Ephraim Peel, and four half brothers. Messrs. J. J. Roberson, H. T. Roberson, Jos. A. Roberson and Claudius Roberson. all of this coun ts* ' :. ~ UNCLE SAM BATTLING TO UPHOLD America's Freedom EIGHTH WEEK OF THE President Roosevelt and Prime | Minister Churchill created three An glo-American boards to pool Ameri can and British munitions, shipping and raw materials. The boards will confer with representatives of the Soviet Union. China and others of the 26 United Nations as necessary "to attain common purposes " U. S representatives afe Harry Hopkins. | Munitions Board; Rear Admiral Em ory S Land. Shipping Board; and I William I. Batt. Raw Materials | Board. The President told his press con ference great progress has been made in unification of American Army and Navy commands, lie said such unification has t>eon going on for the past two months and does not | result from the Pearl Harbor inquiry I board report Mr Roosevelt said he! is still studying this report, which | placed the blame for tack of Amen can alertness at Hawaii on Admiral | Husband E Kimmel and Lt. Gen. Walter C Short, but Presidential Secretary Early indicated further action in regard to the commanders will rest with Navy Secretary Knox and War Secretary Stimson. Price Control Legislation Signed President Roosevelt signed the Price Control Rill which provides for a license system to enforce price regulations, calls for a single admin ) istrator and contains provisions to permit farm prices to rise as high as 110 per cent of parity. The President said, however, he may ask Congress to correct certain gaps in the bill, particularly the agriculture provi sions. He said the prohibition against farm price ceilings at less than 110 per cent of parity is a direct threat to the cost of living, although the li censing. rent control anil ottoel |>E0 visions are useful weapons against | inflation The Department of Agri culture reported the average of farm product prices on January 15 was | 102 per cent of parity. The War Front _ The Army-reported the Japanese were making heavy reinforcements | in the Philippines piepaialiuy to sumption of a large scale offensive against Gen. MacArthur's forces which were continuing to hold strong positions in the Bataan Peninsula. In the Philippine area U. S forces de stroyed a 5,000-ton enemy vessel and at least five enemy planes, while in the Macassar Straits. Army and Na vy forces sank three large enemy | transports, set two more afire, tor pedoed an aircraft carrier, blew up another large ship and scored hits which probably sunk others. The | Army announced United States Army forces, arrived in Northern Ireland .and Ma J Gen James E. Chancy took over command of all U. S. Army forces in the United Kingdom. President Roosevelt told his press conference this force is one of six, eight or ten American ex peditionary forces outside the U. S. in various parts of the world U-boat activity resulted in tin- sinking off the Atlantic coast of two American ships and a Norwegian tanker. The U. S. garrison at Midway Island sank an enemy submarine attempting to attack the islam 1 Army The President signed Jhe Fourtl Supplemental National Defense Bil carrying a $12,600.000.000 aopropria tion lor 33.000 Army planes anc equipment War Secretary Stimsoi announced plans to speed training of 30.000 pilots, observers, navigator and other personnel to match air plane production. War Secretary Stimson announced 20,000 men havi been released for duty with comba troops since the Army began replace ment of enlisted men engaged 11 clerical and housekeeping activitie by civilian employees, some of then women. He said entrance require ments for officer candidate school, have been changed to allow qualifier enlisted men from 18 to 45 to wii commissions within six months. Navy The House passed and sent to tin (Continued on page six) DAY OF PRAYER By MRS. J. I.. GOFF For Ihe fifth consecutive year the churches of YVilliamston arc 'planning to observe a World Day of Prayer. The date for this service is February 20th. The theme for this service Is "I Am the Way." The Christian wo men who prepared this pro gram came from (.ermany, France and China. ' T? people of our town need these glorious rrrtalntles of our faith which other countries have learned through recent testing. Our earnest prayers should rise dally for the safety of valiant followers of our Lord. May we put a super abundance of devo tion and Joy Into our own 1942 observance that February 20th may become a memorable eg Commissioners Invoked Penalty For Late Tax Listing In County At Regular Meet Here Yesterday Unexpected Demand Depletes Supply of Vehicle lax Stamps A lust-minute rush completely wipyri out the supply of motor ve hicle tax stamps hen- last Saturday I and left 'more than a hundred ear j owners grumbling in the raili at tin post office door. It was one of those eases where the federal tax authori ties bun tiled their plans, the faulty and haphazard system of distribu tion causing unnecessary trouble for many and delaying the general tax plan. There was more grumbling against the stamp shortage than . there was heard against the $2.05.1 tax itself When the distribution plans were, first announced, it was fairlv evi dent that the supply would 1m haustod and that unnecessary delay anTt TrnTMivVnu'Tuv would result. Post offices wore allowed only so many stamps, and the supply was exhausted several times before addi tional orders could be filled, Last Saturday there were approximately ] 150 persons crowded into and around the post office hero trying to get stamps Tw o hundred of the stickers, letvived at noon that day. were sold out m less than 20 minutes and oth er activities in the office were block ioL. ; : ?n An additional supply of stamps has been received, the office reporting today that more than 1,000 had been sold and that approximately 300 were ready for sale Complete Plans For Vietor> Hook Drive Asking Citizens 01 T The County To Live Thousands Of Books (!IiiiitIi<'f>, SrliooU. St-r\ ice ami Ci\ic Or^iiili/alion To \i11 M<>\iniciil Martin County through-its schools, churches, service and civic organi zations "and other interested agencies and citizens, will start its Victory Honk Campaign next week .aCCotd ing to It. H. tJoodmon, United Serv ice Organizations chairman, who has been called upon in Cooperation with J: C. Manning, superintendent of schools, to see that several thous and good books an collected and made available to members of the ! armed forces in camps, bases, on the high seas and in foreign lands "It is a right big order," Mr (lood mon said this morning, "hut when we realize that good reading is very essential to high morale in tin arm ed forces, it wilt he an easy task to collect several thousand Imoks m this county," lie added The various school principal will meet m the office of superintendent ( of schools Thursday afternoon and they, after hearing a discussion of the plans, will address the appeal for books to the several thousand'school children. Rev John W Hardy, pr< ident of the Williainston Ministerial Association, is to contact all mini: tors in tin- county who in turn will' address an appeal for bonks to tin several congregations next Sunday, the books to he delivered the follow ing Sunday right to tin- churches ??Women's-clubs,- hook-Wtrhs, thr Lr - J gion and Legion Auxiliary and nth ers are being asked to cooperate in every way they possibly can A public depository will he mam tamed on Williamston's main street rn front of the Virginia Electric and 1 Power Company's office, and hook. will also be received in the office of the county superintendent The campaign is to get underway as of next Monday, February tlfh, , and close one week later. The eollec lions will be centered in William, ton, transferred to Washington mfd"! then to Raleigh for distribution among the armed forces in this and other states While most any type of book will I (C<intinued on pagejux; Fire Destroys Home Here This Morning Fire of undetermined origin de stroyed the home of Willie Speller, colored, on South Railroad Street here this morning at 10:10 o'clock, scorched another and slightly dam ged a third one Nr. t.n?> u.-;.*, .,t home, and when it was discovered the fire was breaking through the roof. Only one or two small pieces of furniture were saved. No insur- j ance was carried on the two-story i six-room house or the contents Fanned by a strong wind, the fire swept over to a neighbor's home and scorched it badly but no material damage resulted. .Falling a block away, sparks fired the dry roof of > the home occupied by Joe Mills, re cently moved here from Roberson ville. An irresponsible wrecking crew, volunteering its services, tore down the man's front door and wrecked much of the furniture car tying it out. Firemen moved* to the scene and put out the two small fires burning on the roof. Speller's loss was estimated at about $600. INCOMK IIKIP Admitting that it is a difficult task in filing income tax returns properly as well as raising the wherewithal! in meeting the ob ligation, the government has made arrangements to have an income tax expert assist Mar tin County income tax payers in preparing their returns. The representative will he in the I lost office at Williamston due iug the week of February 1G 21. Deputy Collector Jack llinton will he glad to assist State in come tax payers prepare ? their returns at his office in the court house. World \waits Next Ste|> l>\ Japanese In The Far Pacific Mn< Vrlliiir'? Imlomitiiblr Sol dier- 11 < -1 > 111 -a- \ I la > 111 a-1 Mil? \llark lb Ju|i? Withdiaw'.i-iifrom tin Malayan I'? iiinsula, the defenders of Singa pon an confident t.liey will tiold oul. hut the world is now guessing as to whether the Japs will attack Ho half hillion dollar?ha He fhriifi l aimn or >>y pass it an<t move on to othei areas in the Southwest Pacific Much pr? tjge i wrapped up in the small e land of Singapore, and about the only way the Japs can tear down ' that 'prestige is to sacrifice countless numbers of "mm imd much equip-~j ment The Japs say they will have it by Wt (hiesday of next week 'hut \ the -defenders are confident as tin siege of the hase gets underway. lie va ion feelers Were wiped out yes ierday ?a-ffor->fto -British had -wreck j ? mt the tiTTli long causeway connect j ing the mainland with the island Tin Drill h defenders are said to tie scratching itching fingers on rifles an/1 machine guns around the ap proximately 70 mile long coast iim """Geieial Douglas Mac'Arthur and his mdomitahle men have gone and registered a mighty success against another mighty attack hy the Jap, suicidal forces A double flank at tack by Japan's shock troops Wa$ wiped--out * otr the bloody Bntairrr Peninsula yesterday, and the defen ders. are making ready for another assault Making little or no progress in the Philippines irow, the Japs are push ing on toward the Netherland East Indn v capital <>i natavia where the ituation is considered critical by (Continued on page six) AilCJiilircrs Wreck Five Illicit Plants Working in three sections 6f the county last- wn k. Martin County ABC Officer J. H Roebuck and Pep uty Roy Peel wrecked five illicit li quor plants and poured out about 700 callous of beer Two of the plants re found along the Beaufort-Mar tin boundary, two in Williamston Township and one in Bear Grass. Officer Roebuck stated that oper ations were ta ing maintained on a cheap and small scale by the man ufacturers. Old gasoline barrels were used for kettles' and the equipment was crude. Very few supplies were found at any of the plants which with one exception had not been in operation dunn^thc past few days. Lalt* bisters W ill IhtvrTax Vrcounts Boosted III Percent Will In \c*?ll*rn|io??al for I \|Kinililiu I irr I'rolcc I ion in I In* ( oiintv I litldl i? g an aU*da\ si ssion here yesterday 1 ist fiviiv to various re ports and handling routine matters, tin- Martin County CuinmissioiW'rs t row nod upon lato tax listing and invoked a penalty against those who neglect'd 01 iMin,iWI>t' tailed to get their nanus on the tax hooks with in the allotted time A ten per cent penalty carrying a $1 minimum was placed on late listing m accordance with the law Commenting on the tax listing Commissioner C l> vCarstarphen stated that the task was 99 per cent complete in tin- conntv as a whole In Williamstou Township there were about a dozen property owners who had not listed their holdings before the dead line. There are quite a few names missing, hut the commission er tax supervisor explained that pbs sihly those belonged to tin yoang men m the armed service or to oth ers who had moved away. The lists will be carefully checked during the next two months No clerges will he brought against those young men in the army, the supervisor explain ing, that poll taxi's will he forfeited and that in those eases where a serv ice man had property the listings would he ranied forward The tax accounts in those eases are not pay able as long as the young -men are in the army or until six months at' tor they are discharged No definite trend .on the 11)42 tax values has yet been established, the superx isor commissionei explaining that gains ranging from a few dol could he expected m possibly Jill but two townships The board had quite .i lew callers (luring the long meeting, but the business discussed was regarded as I bring of no great importance. Jesse Mix) I in. Janu sville Town ship, was relieved of .i SI poll tax listed in error in I 940 The hoard ordered the acceptance ol $4j.7f> tor taxi s on 17 1 2 acres of Wlilt ley land li. ti d fn J f Crisp's j nanii?hrr?w\ rial yea I aTill now charged in th> land salt - The hoard accepted S425 as full payment tor 77 I 2 acre.- of l.ancjxin y'foss Koads Town hip and ordered a deed made to J I) Leggett CommissiiuuuC Ahram Kobef son. Joshua I. Co.lt rant and H. A. Ilaisllp ti? inVe. tigat' file fighting equipment now on display in Tar horo and report t" the full board at its next meeting. Many counties in the ,tatr aif equipping .small trail ers with spei lal tire lighting appara tus which is being use I very sue cess fully- m combatting forest fires. With several of the ( specially equip ped?UaiU-.ivs- in it m this county, it" is believed thap an effective forest lire control program can ho effoct 7x17 J W Watts was refunded Ujxes paid on a $J00 lot listed in ernrr for 1941 in WiHiamstpn Township filial ai i angeineiits were, made fc i' funding ylt.noo Cm Roads Town ship load bonds, hut no date for th proposed sale has been fixed Throng Present \t Church Dedication The dedication, of tlie new Mace donia Churcli of Christ on Highway -N-u^_LZ in Bear- (.trass Township, last Sunday attracted an unusually large crowd, the event climaxing activities in the religious field in the county during recent years The crowd, coming from various denominations and fro mover a fair ly large urea, overflowed the ichurch and standing room was at a premium around the walls and in the door ways. A few hundred found it use less to even try to gain an entrance, and some turned away and went to their hoineii svhih imiii.v WdllCfl but sidc for the .service to end. A timely and fitting program had been carefully prepared by the pas ter. Rev. Dennis Warren Davis, and although badly crowded the congre gation listened attentatively to ev ery number including special music by the Farm Life and Bear Grass quartets and a number by members of the Williamston hnrld R,CV r)?vi? interestingly reviewed the history of the Macedonia Churph, and touched on its spiritual progress and values. It was a great day for the faithful little group of members who had united in their efforts to build one of the county's finest rural churches. Follow ing the service, a picnic din ner was served, the hungry throng leaving on the tables equally as much delectable food as was con sumed.