THE ENTERPRISE IS READ BY OVER 3,000 MARTIN COUNTY FAMILIES TWICE EACH WEEK THE ENTERPRISE 55 THE ENTERPRISE IS READ BY OVER 3,000 MARTIN COUNTY FAMILIES TWICE EACH WEEK VOLUME LI1—NUMBER 19 Williamxlon, Martin County, North Carolina, Tuesday, March ft, 19V) ESTABLISHED 1899 Activity Review In The Assembly During Past Week -.<». For Every Law Passed, Two More Were Proposed In The Period The 1949 General Assembly shifted into high gear last week. If quantity of legislation acted upon is taken; as the criterion, three steps were lost for every two gained because many mort bills were introduced last week than in any previous period. If quality of legislation be the stand ard, real progress was in evidence, since many of the measures that prove to be perennial stumbling blocks were receiving decisive ac tion: the Revenue Bill with com mittee amendments has reached the House floor, the State Person nel Bill has reached the floor of the Senate, the Supplemental Ap propriations Bill has passed both houses, and both liquor referen dum bills have received unfavor able committee reports. Revenue Act Amendments The Revenue Bill committee substitute which reached the floor of the House on Thursday bore little resemblance to the original. Gone were the provisions reduc ing the franchise tax on non-util ity corporations from $1.50 per $1,000 of net worth to $1.25 and those changing the sales tax on farm machinery to the wholesale rate of tax. Added were provis ions giving municipalities 1-8 of the franchise tax on utility cor porations attributable to the busi ness done within a municipality; taxing co-ops on the same basis as corporations in respect to income not distributed or allocated to patrons; increasing the income tax deductions for dependents from $200 to $300, and allowing deductions for payments of ali mony up to $1,000; and exempt ing sales of fuel to farmers from the sales tax if the fuel is used for farm purposes. Supplemental Appropriations Flat 20 percent pay increases retroactive to October 1, 1948, were granted all State employees and teachers last week as the General Assembly passed SB 31, the Supplemental Appropriations Bill for the biennium 1947-1949. As introduced the bill had tied all increases to those which would be recommended for the biennium 1949-51, but a committee amend ment inserted the automatic raise for the rest of the present bien nium despite modification efforts in the Senate. Personnel Rill On Tuesday SB 51, the State Personnel Bill, came out of com mittee where it had been since January 19, with is face consider ably lifted by amendments which the committee had recommended. If adopted the amendments would have the Personnel Director ap pointed by the Personnel Coun cil rather than the Governor, re quire that two members of the Council be personnel specialists not in State employment, two from industry and two from the positions covered by the Act. Pub 'fit. L 1 .--oM.-•**■■■■,'A be required, and a clear right of appeal from the Director’s decis ions would be provided. On Tuesday SB 193 and HB 560, identical bills setting out the Foundation program recommend ed hv “i i‘ic"STd e ' 'jRTucTa'iuTi CT/rlT mission, were introduced. This program calls for an 85 percent contribution by the State, and 15 percent by the counties to ■ meet the cost of instructional service, current expense and capital out lay for the schools. The costs of . (Continued on page eight) ALMOST Williamston’s schools have almost reached the 1,000 en rollment figure and Principal B. G. Stewart is almost cer tain the round figure will show up any day now. Yes terday, the enrollment figure stood at 999. The school man thought he had reached the figure last week when three new pupils came in, hut since they checked out three days later they were not included Red Cross Drive Nearly Half Complete In Chapter The annual Red Cross Fund drive in the Martin County Chap-' ter was announced almost half complete yesterday by Chairman Garland G. Woolard, who again predicted that the people in the five townships comprising the chapter would carry the drive' over the top. / At the end of the first five days of the drive, $1,157.10 had been collected and reported. It is con servatively estimated that several hundred dollars more have been collected and will be reported shortly, leaving about half of the territory yet to be canvassed. Williams, going over the top the first day of the drive, exceeded its quota, Mrs. Joe L. Coltrain re porting $64. Bear Grass has raised $173.10 of its quota. Williamston yesterday reported $925 collected and turned in by the following canvassers, Mrs. Vella Wynne, $15; Mrs. Helen Roane, $10; Gene Kimball, $38; Mrs. John A. Manning, $8.50; Mrs. Titus Criteher, $38; Miss Eliza beth Manning, $12; Mrs. C. D. Cav enaugh, $5; Mrs. Lee Reynolds, $62; Mrs. Vernon Bunting, $42; John Hatton Gurganus, $41.50; Mrs. J. W. Watts and Mrs. R. L. Ccururn, $50.50; Mrs. Wheeler Martin, Jr„ $35 25; Mrs. J. L. Har ris, $46; Mrs. Leman Barnhill, $59.75; C. D. Cavenaugh, $15, and Reg Simpson, $15. Mrs. J. Eason Lilley, Griffins chairman, announced the follow ing canvassers, Mesdames Virgil Lilley, Roland Lilley, Carlyle Stallings, Leon Earl Griffin, Ken neth Harrington, Fenner Hardi son, Ben Roberson, Arthur Rober son and Raymond Gurkin, and said that the drive is well under way. Mrs. Camille F. Rawls said yes terday that work on the canvass is progressing very well in James ville. SURVEY Although it is believed any dispute over boundary lines will have very little bearing in the case, defense counsel for John R. Coltrain, defend ant in the Roberson murder case, last Saturday made a survey of the property near the spot where W. Tom Rob erson, Griffins Township far mer, was fatally shot on Jan uary 26. A civil engineer whose name could not be learned im mediately came to the county from Greenville to make the »w/,ev. Tiar findings"-fart*” not been liiscloseS. " ** ' Sale Of Purebred Swine Held Last Friday in County First Sale Very Successful; Breeders Plan Second Sale In Fall The old Martin County fair grounds at Williamston took on an old-time fair atmosphere last Fri day afternoon when more than 250 farmers attended the county’s first purebred swine sale held there un der the auspices of the newly or ganized Martin County Purebred Swine Breeders Association. Buyers from several counties were in attendance and a surpris ingly large number of Martin County farmers interested in bet ter livestock, participated in the event. The association, organized by and whose membership is limited to Martin County farmers, is plan ning to hold a second sale some time during the early fall, it was learned. Twenty-one purebred boars and gilts were offered for sale, and while no fabulous prices were re corded the sellers wer&^aji^^ have been well pleased and the buyers were impressed by the movement to make available bet .the f'f •: section. With prices ranging from $27.50 for a 12-week old boar to $110 00 for a bred gilt, the sale of 21 $.115° m. Very little expense was attached to the sale, the owner of the fair grounds, D. M. Roberson, offering the property free. Jack Kelly, Extension Division swine special ist, and Harry Hamilton, auction- \ eer, offered their services without cost and greatly helped the asso ciation in making the sale a suc cess. The association, headed by Jul ian H. Fagan, veteran farmer of Jamesville, as president, and George Ayers, high school senior of Oak City, as secretary .and treasurer, has about twenty mem bers at this time. However, only six, J. H. Fagan and Howard Gardner, of Jamesville; George Ayers, Jr., of Oak City; Jack Wil liamson, of Bear Grass; Bennie Ray Hopkins and R. W. Gardner, of Williamston, offered hogs for sale. Most of the hogs will be kept in Martin County to promote a fair Move Department To New Building Various departments moved in to the recently completed high school unit on North Smithwick Street last Thursday, Principal B. G. Stewart explaining that a great deal of shifting followed the ini tial move. The band and commercial de partment moved into the building last Thursday. The home eco nomics department is in the pro cess of moving and the science de partment will follow just as soon as equipment can be installed. Miss Mav.t,hn,.Whj,trhur st's sixth . grade 'has mwwWB*., the gram mar building to the high school. The home economics department had shared part of its quarters in the old high school building with Mrs. Ann Corey's eighth grade, making room for Miss Erma Ben son's sixth grade. Mrs. Gene Kim ball’s third grade moved from the basement to Miss Whitehurst’s room in the grammar building. A third grade was created and the new teacher, Mrs. Mary Bell Gay lord moved into the basement room vacated by Mrs. Kimball’s third grade. The creation of the new grade and the addition of a new teacher earned almost a year ago reduced the teacher load. Mrs. Matthews’ Funeral Monday Funeral services were conduct ed at the home near Robersonville Monday afternoon at 3:00 o'clock for Mrs. Addie Harrison Mat thews who died suddenly at her home there last Saturday after noon at 1:00 o’clock. Elder A. B. Ayers and Rev. J. M. Perry offi ciated, and burial was in the Rob ersonville Cemetery. Mrs. Matthews was handling her household duties about 12:00 o’clock last Saturday when she suffered a heart attack, dying about an houF fater’ or'Tust 'anef1 medical aid reached her. She had been troubled with high blood pressure for, some time, but her condition was not regarded as serious. The daughter of the late James and Mozeiia Coburn Harrison, she wat born near Robersonville 56 years ago on September 6, 1890. Except for a few years spent in Scotland Neck and Wilson, she spent all her life on the family farm. She was married to J. Frank Matthews 41 years ago and had been a faithful member of the Robersonville Primitive Baptist Church for thirty years. Surviving besides Mr. Matthews are a son, Thurman Matthews of Williamston; and two daughters, Miss Eunice Matthews of Balti more, and Miss Ella Louise Mat thews of Robersonville. -s. To Assist In Filing State Income Ret nr ns E. Ross Froneberger, Deputy Collec tor for the State Depart ment of Revenue will be in his of fice at the Martin County court house on Saturday of this week and Monday and Tuesday of next week from 9 00 a. m. to 5:00 p. m. to assist anyone in preparing their iMfigJJUBlWJLlJffniJ. ■'< County Board In Regular Session Monday Mornin Plans Arc Made for Hand ling Dog Vaccinations Next Month Cf<3 fleeting in regular session Mon day morning, the Martin County Commissioners listened to a num ber of delegations appearing be fore the board in the interest of improved roads, made arrange ments for having all dogs in the county vaccinated and drew jury members for the second week in March and the special term of superior court convening in April. Dr. J. S. Rhodes, Sr., discussed with the board the importance of a mosquito control plan for the county, but no definite plan was advanced and no action was taken by the officials. The medical man explained that while vaccinations serve to check many diseases, the elimination of the mosquito can control malaria. The Federal gov ernment offered a plan some time ago, but the project was consider ed too costly and it was passed by at that time. The government j proposed to furnish a truck and the spray if the county would fur nish a pump spray and two men to handle the work under the sup ervision of health officials. Following is the ol der passed by the board, calling for the vaccina tion of all dogs in the county next month: “It is ordered that all dogs in Martin County be vaccinated against rabies during the month of April under the supervision of Dr. \V. F. Coppage as provided by law, tlie county to pay 75 cents for pwieJrijk»r*wBrt»&d. 'frts*t3ra&f;. By Patrol Force Being Proposed Enforcement of INew Law Almost Certain Id Cause Miirli Indignation A new inspection law to replace the traffic lane inspection system is being proposed in Raleigh with the possibility that the enforce ment of the new plan will cause more indignation and criticism than the recently discarded sys tem. It was also pointed out that the new plan would make it pos sible for some vehicles to travel the highwyas without being in spected year after year, since an early interpretation of the plan describes it as a “hit-and-miss” method, at the best. Proposed by Senators Sam Campen from this district and Roy Rowe of Pender County, the pro posed law would require members of the highway patrol to spend at least one fifth of their time in spot checking motor vehicles. No copy of the proposed law is avail able here at this time, and all of its provisions could not be learn ed immediately. It is recognized, ho'. ever, as a continuation of the determined plan advanced by 111• • 1947 legislature to value human life and rolling stock on the high W cl V iS The tackled by the Senate Roads Com mittee last week when several .-iC n a COVn'.i C«ggv'"“ CC ,. ‘i i. U11' <»" : r — ly jui. tern be provided with lanes oper ating in each county. No decision has been reached, but present indications point to the adoption of some kind of in spection law. If the spot check as proposed by Senators Campen and Rowe revealed defects in the vehicle, the patrolman would direct the driver to have them corrected. The driver would be required to file with the patrolman within 10 days a statement from a garage saying the defects had been cor rected, or if the motorist made the repairs himself he could have his car re-checked. A provision intended to prevent used ears from other states from being dumped into North Carolina would require them to be inspect ed before licenses are issued. Automobiles condemned under the old inspection system would k.'* ikkimrnt.rH k ■ ■■—— placed in operation again. ^mqWTmn "problem wu* Regular Road Day Held At Meetin Of Board Monday lli^lmay (iommissioner Ev ans TVlIs Board (>ood bye; Petitions Heard It was a regular road day pro gram at the regular meeting of the Martin County Board of Com missioners this week when several delegations petitioned the officials for road improvements and when First District Highway Commis sioner Merrill Evans and Engineer J. T. MeKim discussed briefly a proposed road program in the county for the new year. Mr. Evans, explaining that the visit, in all probability, would be the last one he would make with the board as a member of the State Highway and Public Works Commission, expressed his appre ciation for the cooperation he had received from the board and the people of Martin County. “My re lationship with the board and the people of Martin County has been very cordial, and I have enjoyed working with you,” Mr. Evans told the board. Members of the board expressed the hope that he would continue as a member of the highway com mission, but. Mr. Evans declared that he could not accept the job for another four years even if it was offered to him. Mr. Evans assured the board that he had tried to play fair with every county, and he also declar ed that Martin County had receiv ed its share of road construction money. Board Chairman John Henry Edwards expressed the board's ap preciation for the work handled by Mr Evans, and Commissioner o' o" .soty ; aid ' ffit board had received every consid eration possible and that he was certain the program had been ad ministered justly by Mr. Evans. Even before and after Mr. Evans and Engineer MeKnn ap peared in the meeting, delegations and others were petitioning the commissioners for road improve ments. Most of the road improvement projects asked for centered around the county’s famous ”’ta ; ter ridges”, but a few petitioners asked that a small mileage be add ed to the State system. Included in the projects asked to be widened: The Perry Road leading off Highway 17 at the Bear Grass Road intersection to the Griffins colored school, near Dewey Per ry’s store on the Smithwiek’s Creek Road, a distance of about 3 13 miles. The road serves about 31 families and six school busses travel the road. The road leading off the Hamil ton Palmyra Road at the John Anderson Baptist Church and run ning westwardly via Spencer Bur nett’s, Sidney Mallory’s and oth ers to Highway 135, also from Spencer Burnett’s to Oak City, a combined distance of about seven miles. The road serves between 40 and 50 families. A road in Goose Nest Township ■ egfig. . r 1 ’A .soJ fork and running westwardly via Hardy Council's and Tyson farm and others to Red Oak, a distance inice The road beginning ne