THE ENTERPRISE IS READ BY OVER 3,000 MARTIN COUNTY FAMILIES TWICE EACH WEEK THE ENTERPRISE THE ENTERPRISE IS READ Bf OVER 3,000 MARTIN COUNT! FAMILIES TWICE EACH WEKE VOLUME LI—NUMBER 24 Williamslon, Martin County, North Carolina, Tuesday, March 23, 1948 ESTABLISHED 1399 T County Farm Bureau To Support Program Directors Pledge $1,060 For Plant * Disease Research Plans Made Friday Night For Annual Barbecue In The County May 7 -o Meeting in the county court house last Friday night, directors and members of the Martin Coun • tv Farm Bureau recognized the need for intensive research in the fight against plant diseases and pledged $1,060 as the organisa tion's part in supplementing a $35,000 research program. While in session, the group made tenta tive plans for holding the annual meeting and barbecue in William ston on Friday, May 7. Tom Bran don, Johnny Gurkin, Mayo Hardi son, Joe Winslow and Van Taylor were named members of a com mittee to handle the arrangements for holding the meeting and pro viding the refreshments. The place for holding the meeting will be announced later along with other plans. Addressing the meeting, Farm ^ Bureau President Chas. L. Dan iel said that the proposed plant disease research program had been discussed and explained at a meeting of the State directors in Raleigh a short time ago. “Gentle men," he said, “it boils down to this: We have had some good men heading up the plant research work in this state, but hardly be 0 fore they complete a projet t other states come in, offer them more money, double and even triple the amount they are receiving and take them away from us. “North Carolina farmers are losing sc . ml milli' n dollars eac h year in plant diseases,” Mr. Daniel pointed out, adding that the dis eases are spreading and the cost 0 will become greater in the future, and we should do all we can to combat it." Continuing, Mr. Daniel said, "Had it not been for the research scientists on plant diseases, some sections of our state would not be able to grow tobacco.” Farm Agent T B Brandon said that certain plant diseases were making inroads into this county, ># that new seed and plant strains were being developed, and that new poisons were being tested, “but we have got to learn the tesidue effects, and it will be im portant to advance the work as rapidly as possible under a cap able pathologist." County Commissioner C. Abram Roberson, speaking in behalf of the proposal for this county to raise $1,060, said that North Caro • lina developed good men, but could not pay enough to keep them. "I believe that the Farm Bureau, for selfish reasons, if no other, should do everything to make it possible to keep good men in such vitally important posi tions.” Before the group accepted the obligation, several advanced the question why the State of North ^ Carolina did not pay higher sal aries to the scientists. It was ex 4 plained that the State had a fixed salary schedule, that if one per son's salary were advanced, ail others would have to be increased. Assistant Agent Jesse Sumner explained that other groups are (Continued on page eight) t Minor Accident Last Saturday —*.— No one was hurt and damage estimated at less than $200 result -! ed in a minor highway accident between Williamston and James- \ ville on U. S 64 early last Satur-' day afternoon. Both vehicle;: were 'traveling | toward Jamesville. Mr. Griffin uriving a pick-up truck, started to Wacjafift-8 left turn just as S. A. Van Landingham started to pass in his1 mail truck. The vehicles side .VA'.i.ded “ach other, doinf about' $ia0 lamapt t'* tfrc" Grrffin mach ine and about $25 to tne mail truck. I BUSY r v. j I Delayed by unfavorable weather conditions existing l'or weeks, Martin County farmers started preparing their fields for new crops this week on a big scale. A few ventured into their fields last week with turning plows, | “breaking” the high spots. Spring came in over the week-end along with sum mer-time weather, and yes terday spring plowing was unde;' wav rn 98 percent of the farms, it was conserva tively estimated. Although | they are starting from two to three weeks late, farmers, with their modern equipment, are almost certain to get back on schedule within a short i time. Jury Hears Two Cases In Court Here Yesterday -<$ j $500 Wriliot I** K«'Iiii‘ikmI Lair In Afternoon In 82,500 Dainaur Suit j ^ -o-■ I Spending much of the day] studying the calendar and hearing] motions, the Martin County Sup erior Court, going into its second] week with Judge R Hunt Parker j of Roanoke Rapids on the bench, j prepared only two cases for the jury yesterday. And one of the two was a divorce action, inquir ing only a few minutes of the court’s time. Two women jurors, Mrs Edna Laughinghouse and Mrs. W. C, Manning, were excused on ac count of illness in their families. Judge Parker recommended that their names be included in a later juiy list either for service in April or June Considerable time was spent hearing a motion in the case of Lyna J. Taylor against C. C. Tay lor, the plaintiff appealing to the court for appointment of a referee. The proposal was opposed by de fendant’s attorney, Paul D. Rober son. who explained that all the facts were available. Judge Park er listened attentively to the argu ments and suggested that the case be placed in the hands of a referee who is to hear and record all the evidence and submit it to the court in June. Each party to the action was assessed $150 to pay the expenses of the referee and court reporter. E. S. Peel was named referee. Wheeler Boston in his cases against Cristobell Boston was giv en an absolute divorce, the action being based on two-year separa tion grounds. After continuing quite a few cases on account of the illness ol Attorney Robt. L. Coburn and for other reasons, the court called the case of Mildred Ray against Grace W Maynard at 11:00 o’clock. Al leging she was the victim of a pis tol attack at the hands of the de fendant the evening of last July 5, the plaintiff asked $1,500 actual and $1,000 punitive damages. More than an hour was spent hearing the plaintiff’s evidence, but the defendant did not take the stand. Attorneys in the case completed ! their argument before the noon I day recess, and Judge Parker charged1 the juiy for nearly an hour. Deliberating the four issues presented it for about twenty five minutes, the jury allowed the plaintiff $500 damages, including $200 actual and $300 punitive, the (Continued on page eight) Save Money By Renegotiations Keiiegotiated war contracts sav-■ ed the nation about $2,770,000,000,) according to a navy announcement issued in Washington a few days 24.000 contracts. total iijg about $7tilb00!b00,00b, v.'t*reJre-' viewed. Of tries ■, savings were made in about 6,000 cases. Last Rites Held Here Sunday For Thomas Sullivan —•— County Voting Man Gave His Life In Naval Battle Off Gmulaleanal Last rites were held at the graveside in Woodlawn Cemetery here Sunday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock for William Thomas Sulli van, Martin County young man, who gave his life for his country in a naval engagement just off Guadalcanal November 12-14, 1942. On account of the illness of Iris mother, the services were pri vate, only immediate members of the family and a few friends at tending to pay fitting tribute to the young man’s memory. Rev. John L. Goff, local minister, and Rev. J. M Perry, pastor of the Robersonville Christian Church where Thomas worshipped as a youth, officiated. There were no military rites, Billy Biggs, under taker and veteran of World War II, folding the flag that draped the casket and delivering it to the young man's mother. Buried in a United States ceme tery on Guadalcanal, the body was disinterred and returned to this country, arriving in Sun Fran cisco on February 11. It was de livered here with an escort last Thursday bv government motor car, having made the long journey home with that of William Free man Haislip, 11, who was buried in Hamilton on March 11. His was the fifth body of a Martin County man to be returned from overseas for burial in native soil. Transferring from the battle- j ship, "Texas” in March, 1942, the first class seaman visited here and leported to New York where he shipped out on the new cruiser, "Atlanta.” The ship moved into the Pacific and he was mortally wounded while in the line of duty on Nov ember 111, 1942, dying two days later on Guadalcanal without re gaining 'consciousness. A year or more before war broke out the young man joined before the draft was established and was in line for promotion at the time he lost his life. He was a son of Robt. L Sulli van and Mrs. Blanche Britton Sul livan Jones, and waS born on Nov ember 25, 1919, in Robersonville where he spent most of his life. He lived in Williamston several years before going to Elizabeth j City to make his home and where he enlisted m the service. Surviving besides his mother, | are a sister, Mrs. James Bullock, I and a brother, Jack Sullivan, both of Williamston. CAA Equipment Flight Checked -a The installations for the Inter state Airways Communication Station located in the City Hall ' here were flight checked Friday ly/ flight control pilot, William C. I Ball, who arrived Wednesday from Columbia, South Carolina, to make the necessary inspections1 and tests. After the tests proved j satisfactory Mr. Robert Henry an- j nounced that he with Mr. L. C. I Jackson, who have been in Wil- j liamston since January 22, would 1 complete arrangements and in- j stallations for the remote radio! control center today and leave for j Charleston, where they will fin ish a partially completed station. , Mr. Tilghman, of the Civil Aero- I riautics Administration, was here yesterday handling details with Manager McGee. The range find- , or near Jamesville will be placed in operation and controlled from! this point just as soon as a direct | line can be built by the telephone) company. Fretl Hardison On Tlio Doan's List At DiiLo -®— Aiming thr 145 North Carolina students at Duke University who made tin. dean a liat last semester \ is Frederick Leon Hardison, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Hardi- j son of Route No. 1, Williamston. Membership on tiie dean s list, numbering 528 students, is given' a ^ av<‘i’aae grade^i. and entities them to ax c-las-s cuts during the semester instead of the regulation three absences, j Large Number of Vehicles Pass Inspection Tests Here The North Carolina Inspection Lane, operating in this county for the first time, approved approxi mately 550 motor vehicles last week, Superintendent Porter stat ing last Saturday that the per centage of cars passing inspection at the lane in this county was higher than at any other point they had operated. Porter said that possibly the owners in this county took better care of their vehicles than those do in other places, the chief inspector politely overlooking the heavy run made on the garages by owners trying to get their machines in shape during the past few weeks. It was stated that 364 of the ve hicles receiving the O. Kelt stick ers passed the initial inspection, that 60 percent of the 166 receiv ing red stickers returned before the lane was closed at noon Satur day to pass final inspection. No cars or trucks were condemned, and the idea that one must have a new car and that it must be ini perfect shape from stem to stern' was dispelled. Defective lights accounted for most of the trouble, but a few wore found to have been operating vehicles with inade quate brakes. Superintendent Porter declared that the people were very friendly and cooperated with him and his men. Plans are being made to have the lane located on the property at the radio station on Highway 64, but there is some doubt if the strip can be made ready when the lane is reopened in this county on May 14. * Motorists whose ears are wear ing the red stickers have until May 14 to have the defects re medied. They may, however, re port to any other lane during the meantime. There'll be no charge for the second inspection. | ELECTIONS BOARD Messrs. Sylvester Peel of Griffins, Hassell Worsley of Oak City and Wade Vick of Kobersonville were named members of the Martin Coun ty Board of Elections by the State Board in Kaleigh last Saturday, the Oak City man succeeding Alvin Hasty of Ilobersonville as a democratic member of the county group. It will be Mr. Peel's elev enth term as an election offic ial in the county. Mr. Vick, the Republican on the board, has also served, and served well, for a goodly number of years. No definite date for an or ganizational meeting lias been announced, hut the group is expected to meet on or before April 10, name a chairman and make ready for the pre primary registrations and May 29 election. During the I meantime, Mr. Peel is rcceiv- j ing candidates’ filing announ cements and fees. While Worsley is listed as succeeding Mi. llastv, the record actually shows that Mr. Hasty never qualified for the appointment on account of a conflict, leaving Messrs. Peel and Vick to handle the work. County Fishermen Have Narrow Call -qr Fishing in Scuppernong River not iar from Columbia, Charlie and Albert Gurkin and Elmo Lil-1 ley, Martin County men, had a narrow escape from drowning when their boat overturned while ] they were fishing last Thursday. Albei t Gurkin, standing up, lost his balance when he stepped back ward and got lus foot hung in the fishing poles and line. When he fell he caused the small boat to turn over. Lilley, unable to swim,1 was just close enough to the bank to grab a tree limb and save him self in the eight- or ten feet deep water. Albert Gurkin, putting in to use and without delay the old dog swimming stroke, pulled into the shore, while Charlie Gurkin rode the overturned boat to shore. The fishermen were opening the spring bathing .season a bit early and they found it necessary to build a big fire and dry out their clothes—and quite a few paper money bills. Most of their equipment was saved, but they came back with the same old story: most of the fish got away. -o— Flies Humber IItune From lliloxi, Miss. Flying a B-25 from Biloxi, Mis sissippi, Lt. Luo Mallory accom panied by Sgt. Gruve of Gcoigia, and (.'apt. Epley of Texas visited hfc mo the;, Mr.-:. Effic Mallory, real- Oak City last week-end Making the run in about six hours, the fliers landed in Green ville. The young lieutenant sig naled his mother from the air bv cujchnu their hoim^ early last Sat ur .,a-3:--s._sn.. ,-s,am! n.:, ,• 1 thi family went to Greenville for, him and his company. | Parents-Teachers Name Committee A T. A. Founder's Day pro gram, "The Tale of Three Letters,” under the direction ot Mrs. Joel Muse, was presented at the P. T A. meeting held last mght at 8 o'clock in the local high school auditorium. During the business session pre ceding the program. Principal B. G. Stewart brought out the facts concerning the over-crowded con ditions in the local schools. After some discussion a committee was chosen to see that a resolution is taken before the County Board of Education requesting an investi gation. Members oi that commit tee include Joseph Griffin, Hil dreth Mobley, Francis Manning, B. G. Stewart, Mrs. Harrell Ever ett, Mrs Irving Margohs and Mrs. C. B. Hassell. Miss Ida Huberts’ 9th grade won the attendance prize. Others taking part on the Foun dor's Day program were Mrs. Jos eph Griffin, Mrs. M. M. Levin, Mrs. (’. 1. Harris and Miss Grace Talton. Following the adjournment by the president, Hildreth Mobley refreshments were served. Wife Critically Hurt Bv Husband Climaxing a fuss, William B. Hill, ex-convict, stabbed and nearly killed ins wife, Mary Bell Whitehurst Hill, at their home here on Griffin Street early last Saturday night. A cripple, the wife was cut on the face and arm and stabbed in the side. She was given first aid treatment here and removed to a Washington hospital where her condition was describ ed in last reports as critical. Details of the attack could not be learned since no preliminary hearing has been held. Making a hurried investigation local police expressed the opinion that Hill, 35-year-old colored man, attacked his wife with a pocket knife, that she, acting in self defense, poured a pot of boiling coffee on him, tak- j ing fairly large patches of skin off I him about the neck and chest. He was given medical attention and' placed in jail to await the outcome of his wife’s condition before bond is fixed. It was reported that afti r the wife poured the coffee on him the, husband then attacked her with a butcher knife. While being book ed at the police station, Hill tie dared that she fell an the- knife. Officers, riding a regular beat, saw Hill run when he recognized the police ear, and they chased I him a goodly distance before over- j taking hirn for questioning. He, admitted that there had been I trouble at home. Attorney H ill Manage llrou^hlttn s I.amimi^n Clarence W. Griffin, !••• . ! prai Being attorney, has been named to manage- tin- campaign of J Mel ville Broughton in Martin Coun ty, it t'.WlR )Un i d thi. .-( !•: 1. « Broughton’s state manager Jeff L>. Johnson. Bmugliton.. ^nrry^r , * a-pposi<*g »» dilute B. Umstead for a seat in tin- United i i I States Senate. Present Petition To Place Name Of Wallace on Ballot Mrs. \. V. Ward, National (oiimiittoenoinaii, W ill ('imitate Paper Despite' stringent rules and re gulations advanced by the North Carolina State Board of Elections in session at Raleigh last Saturday to block the- action, plans are go ing forward to place the name of Henry A. Wallace on the presi dential ballot. Mrs. V. A. Ward of Robersonville, recently named national committeewomen for the Wallace party, is circulating a pe tition in this county in behalf of tin* Wallace candidacy. Briefly stated the petition pro poses only to place the name of Wallace on the ticket in North Carolina, and when one signs it it does not mean that he will vote for Wallace in the election. The petition proposal, meeting with opposition almost characteristic of the police state, makes it possible for a voter to support the candi date of his choice. While it is quite i vident that the State Board of Elections is trying to make it dif ficult if not impossible to have Wallace's name appear on the ticket, there is some doubt as to the legality of the board's action. Announcing she would circu late the petition, Mrs. Ward said, in part: "Those of us intending to support Wallace because we be lieve he is sufficiently honest and reliable to make effective appeal to the dormant honesty abiding in the souls of foreign despots and demagogues are being called a ‘motley’ crowd.” Mrs. Ward then asks, “Can (anyone) supply me with the names of candidates for president and vice president whose follow ing cannot be described by the same epithets?” She continues, "At any rate 1 do not count my self deserving of being called ‘motley’. I do not consume alco hoi, tobacco, opium or other stupefying drugs, and I make a point of refraining from partici pat ion in man-made gambling en terprise. 1 believe 1 have acquired the kind of habits of personal liv mg which enables me to contri bute more good influence than evil to causes I support. "If 1 do not learn of any other voluntary movement to enlist Martin County electors on the ‘Wallace-for President’ petitions before April 1, I shall proceed to do as good a job as my spare time and talents permit following that date, and take the consequences with patience and forbearance . 111i.-> country’s founders provid ed for everyone to vote for whom he pleased, but in the very seat of “democratic" democracy, the of ficials are fighting such a provis ion. The petition circulators are not asking any one to support the Wallace candidacy with votes; they arc merely asking that they make it possible for the people to vote for the man of their choice despite the action taken in an ef fort to deny the people that light. To get Wallace’s name on the Presidential ballot, petitions, car rying 10,000 or more names, must be submitted to the State Board of Elections at least ninety days he lore the election m November, One may disagree with the Wal lace movement, but that group has a right to express itself if Demur racy means anything. Services Being Well Attended The; fir&t in the series of union religious services for Holy Week here were well attended yester day morning and this morning at 10:00 o'clock in the Watts theater. Rev. Stewart B. Simms led the service yesterday morning, talk ing on Christ's visit to the Temple and how He took a determined stand against the money changers there. Rev K. R. Shuller, Meth odist minister addressed the group this morning. Following the theater services a similar program is being held in the high school. I ■■(■►addition to the scheduled! union services the individual: churches are hoiih ng.. speeiyi vie:.: elurind the week, reports stating that fairly large 1 ; jwds j are attending. Politics Shaping Up For County Offices * M<; WKI K Vi-; The sale of new automobile and lrucks is increasing fair ly rapidly in this section, a re port from the state license bureau maintained here in the offices of Harrison and C'ar starphen by the Carolina Mot - or Club stating that more tags were sold last week for new vehicles than in any other week since the war. . There were 33 tags sold for new ears and trucks, mostly ears, N. K. Harrison, one of the bureau managers, said. Sales went to car and truck purchasers in Windsor, Plym outh, Kobersonville and Wil liamston. V isitin^ Baudots A Grand Welcome In Parade. Concert --# I'li/.alxlll (lily 11 i<4!i School Oroiip Vttracls lliif'c Crowd Here Itiilas A welcome in the grand tnanuei was given the Elizabeth City High School band here Friday after noon and night when they parad ed along Main Street, put on aj show in front of the post office,! were given a picnic supper at the school cafeteria and gave a very fine concert in the school audi torium at 8 o’clock. Although they arrived .1 bit late because of trouble with one of their buses on the road, the band j put on its parade and full how ! just the same. The parade began at the corner of Watts and Main when Miss Sarah Page Jackson, one of the' classiest drum majorettes ever to twirl a baton, swung under Ihe stop light and gave the signal for music. As the visiting bund mov ed into the second block the Wil liainston High School band, now grown to 411 pieces, moved along for its (list appearance since the football season and gave the mer 1 chants, business men and other friends who had contributed to their uniform fund a chance to sec how the money was spent. Reaching the (iuaranty Hank Building the William ton band re turned to the post office block while the Elizabeth City unit turn ed about at the llaughton Street junction The Green clad young., tors of Williamston, led by Bobby Clayton, formed a line surround ing the space in front of the post office and the visiting Gold and Black marched into the enclosure to put on a series of drills and specialties that kept the crowd almost breathless for about half an hour. Everything moved with exact timing but Miss Jackson was the star ot the show. Immediately aftei the show in the post office block the band moved out Snuthwiek Street to the school cafeteria where a picnic supper was served to members of both bands and visiting official.-.. The “eats were prepared and served by the Williamston Band Parent;, Club and they made a lug hit with the young musicians. It was estimated that over 200 were' served. Although tiie band arrived late and everything else moved behind schedule through the supper, the' concert was started almost on the minute anil was one of the finest ever heard here Opening with a march during which the major-; ettes performed in a cleared space in front of the stage, the band (Continued on page eight) \«t> Hon-tutors Sri l ft 7 (‘infittrai \ Station Urn HoitiiiIci Joins (.uni assistants opened .t ieinpornrv navv recruit -; mg .station in iront ol tin post of-, fiee here yesterday. The station,1 open each day tins week, is inter viewing applicants front 17 to JO years of age. istments have lieen lauly ito -ill some sections, hot that few signed up in Plymouth lust week. * —* Members of Board Annoimee Plans To Botin1 This Term -- > S«*M‘ral (.undulates VIready Yiiiiniiiiee for Various (ioinitv ( )f fires With the gubernatorial, con gressional and other state contests lined up, county politics is now jockeying for the various public positions here at home. So far no contests have developed for any of the county offices, but it is fair ly certain that one and possibly three places wilj be contested. Following the definite an nouncemems by Attorney Edgar Gurganus foi the State House of Representatives from this county and Farmer W, Tom Roberson for county commissioner from the Uriffins-Bear Grass district, the only tangible acts were the with drawals of Messrs. R. A. Haislip, representing the Goose Nest-Ham ilton disti irt, and Joshua L. Col tram, representing the Jamesville Williamston district on the board of county commissioners. Com missioner Coltrain, having served almost twentv-two years as a mombi" of the board of commis sioners. stated yesterday that he planned to retire at the expiration of his present term. Commission el Haislip is now serving his fifth or sixth term, both men, having given freely of their time in the interest of county affairs, explain ing that then health is not so good as it used to be, that they were willing to step aside for other candidates, possibly younger ones. No name, as far as it could be learned here, has been advanced in Commissioner Haislip's district, but Jnmesville citizens, learning that Commissioner Coltrain was planter to ret!!", went into ac tion immediately yesterday and proposed C C. Frosty" Martin for the place, While no report has been received from Mr. Mar tin, it was learned that lie is fav orably eonsidei mg the position and that lie is expected to make an announcement very shortly. None of the three other mem bers of the board of commission ers has made an official announce ment, but it is fairly certain that Commissioner C. Abram Rober on. representing the Cross Roads Robn sonville district, and Hoard Chairman John H Edwards, will be without opposition if they en ter the primary, leaving Commis sionei W M Harrison opposition in tiie Griffins- Bear Grass district m the candidacy of Mr. Roberson who lias already filed wuth the board of elections. With one candidate already an nnounced for a seat in the State assembly', it is likely that a contest will be developed by Mr. A. Corey of Jamesville. Mr. Corey has not formally announced his candidacy but he is seriously considering the position, it was learned yesterday. He has made no official an nouncement but C'has. Manning, attorney, is considering the posi tion of recorder's court judge. No announcement has been made by Judge J. C. Smith, the incumbent. (Continued on page eight) Britain Halts Its Naval Building n —»_.. The British government an nounced on February 24 it has stopped all new naval construc tion and ha.-, cut naval appropria tions ior the coming fiscal year l>,\ 43,700,000 pounds t $154,800, 000). The total naval appropria tions for 1948-1949 will amount to 153,000,000 pounds f$012,000,000). The personnel strength of the Koval Nav> and its adjuncts is 18'. 80 reduction of 13.000 over la..! j vui. la;- March al ol tlus \ ear the strength will be down to 139, 500. The cancellation of new con struct ion will pietion ol oo, !»c* veil marinoe wul March 31,