V. . . .
Net Circulation
Friday
1,120 Capies
THE WEATHER
Cloudy amd' Colder
Tonight.
.
VOL V.
ELIZABETH CITY, NORTH CAROLINA, MONDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 27, 1920
NO. 236
NORTH CAROLINA
MUST FACE FACTS
Boys and Girls Seeking Educa
tion Turned Away Because
Uo koom In Cclleges It's
Up to North Carolina
! Greensboro, N. C, Dec. 27. Spe
cific figures on North Carolina's
' startling shortage of equipment o
provide higher education for its
youth is supplied for the first time
in the opening gun of the advertis
ing campaign undertaken by the As
sociation for Promotion of Educa
tion in "North Carolina, of which
A. M. Scales, of this city, is general
dlreotor. This advertisement is
making its appearance in the daily
press of 'he State on December 26
vand 27. "Facing the facts" is the
theme of this state-wide campaign
on behalf of the State's' institutions;
and the oaener discloses many facts
calculated to bring the citizenship of
North Carolina upstanding to ac
tion and. the Association hopes, im
mediate actfrn.
Perhaps the thing that will be of
first interest to the people is pub
lication ot 'the-' number of North
Carolina boys and girls who sought
admission te various colleges this
fall and could find no accommoda
tions "whosa hopes," the Associa
tion declares, -"for higher educa
tionaflratning were shattered." The
list follows, the - number opposite
each institution representing the
number who applied for admission
' and could not enter because of over
crowded conditions. .
Kormal and Collegiate (Ashe-
rille)' 300
Flora McDonald 205
St. Mary's 200
North Carolina State College for
. Women , 250
North Carolina State"A. & E. . .100
Salem Female College ....... 100
Wake Forest 40
Meredith 100
Greensboro College for Women 100
Davidson College 175
University of North Carolina . . 250
Eastern North Carolina Traln-
t ing School 40
Trinity 75
Guilford 10
Elon 4
Rutherford 50
Weaver 10
Cullowhee 12
Oxford 40
Louisburg 10
Queen's 144
Davenport 71
Mitchell 22
NOTICE TO OUR
CUSTOMERS
Due to an accident just
occurred' at our, plant
which blew out one of our
generating machines, we
are compelled to close our
plant off for repairs.
This will necessitate clos-
ing gas off town at 4
P. M. today. In the
meantime we are making
every effort to make the
repairs and have gas back
on by noon Tuesday or
sooner if possible.
Southern Gas Imp't. Co.
IS NOT BLAMED '
FOR SHOOTING
Policeman Twiddy Freed Af
ter Investigation Into Killing
of Henry Spencer In Raid
For Bootleg Liquor
Officer George Twiddy of the city
police force was exonerated of all
blame at a coroner's Inquest held Sat
urday afternoon at two o'clock to in
vestigate the killing of Henry Spen
cer, colored, by Twiddy on Friday
nighty December 24th, at about 8
o'clora. Twiddy had given himself
up to Chief of Police Holmes imme
diately after the negro's dearth, and
had been technically under arrest un
til freed b' the verdict of the coro
ner's jury. He has resumed his for
mer place on the police force.
The killing of Spencer was the out
come of a raid upon his home on
North Harney street by Federal Pro
hibition Officers Williams and Fere
bee, accompanfed by Policemen
Twiddy and John Webb. The party
surrounded the Spencer home, Wil
liams, Ferebee and CaDtain Sim
mons going in by the front way, and
Twiddy and Webb by the back, Twld
dv being in advance of Webb. As
Twiddy entered the back door, Spen
cer started toward him with the evi
dent Intention, of making his escape.
Twiddy ordered the negro to halt
and throw up his hands, but the lat
ter kept on advancing, and, accord
ing to one version of the affair,
reached behind himself; ostensibly
for a weapon. When Spencer paid
no attention to a second command to
halt, Twiddy, who had retreated
Total . ..2308 i to the edge of the porch, flred'at
. The terrific crowding of the 9,500 him. Spencer, still came on, and
who gained admission to these in- Twiddy fired again, the negro fall
stitutions is stressed, the point be-ling to the floor. Spencer, with two
ing made that in many instances j bullets in his breast, died a few
these students are packed three and hours later.
four to a dormitory room con-l Investigation of the Spencer kitch
dltion militating againi good work, en revealed a ten gallon still boiling
inducing discomfort v and possible ! away merrrily on the cook stove. It
spread of disease. And yet the in-(was a well-constructed outfit, with
stitutions were unable to receive at , a copper worm, and is now being held
all one out of every five young men j at Marshall Williams' ttfflce.
and women who applied for admis-i According to local police officials,
slon.
Spencer served a term on the roads
People of the state are urged to several years ago for carrying con
take immediate action in order thatjfealed weapons, and was later ar
ssch conditions may be remedied by rested again for stabbing another- ne
tLe next session of tire General As-!gro to death. He was acquitted of
sembly. The institutions are asking intent to kill in the second instance
for approximately 18,000,000 for a' upon his plea that the killing was ac
bulldlng program extending over cidental. I
period of six years; and those who I It was Spencer's son, Walter Spen
would plead state poverty as a bar cer, then an employe of the Prlncae
to such an expenditure are put to Cola Company of this city, who de-
shame by the figures gathered by the parted simultaneously with the dis
- Association. These figures refer both appearance of a considerable sum of
to the untold wealth of the State and money from the company's safe last
to the parsimonious policy that has summer. He has never been appre
always been pursued in the past In hended. It is hoped that the death
providing higher educational equip-1 of Spencer and the circumstances
ment expenditures for the past two surrounding it will serve to put a
and a half centuries amounting to check upon the activities of boot
only $14,000,000. Yet the people of leggers In this city and section,
the State paid over $160,000,000 in- ' :
to the federal treasury last year. MINISTERS TALK
THROUGH DARKNESS
pent $36, 006,000 for new automo
biles and $20,000,000 more for gaso-
llnA nnri thft tinlrpon nf thnaa filraaAtr
In use. And agricultural products1 The beautiful Christmas cantata,
alone for the year were valued at l'star f th ,Eas'' iv0en " B1f
$700 000 000 I wel1 Memorial church Sunday night
The campaign, as it ha. begun. Is undpr th,e dlrect,on of UE- Skln
Pitched on a high plane, the appeal ner as Interrupted, as " haPPened
bei.g made to the best motive rul- Ju8t B ne Pad?ee" nn,shed'
Ing the hearts of lqyal Tar Heels. "nd rlng the interim the pastor,
And these North Carolinians are told Dr' C" W" ,arke' an! 8 l"8"1"
In no uncertain terms that whatever InWeri Rev. Frank Pool Rev.
Is done about the situation Is do.! Ambrose Ward and Rev Elwyn
pendent upon, them,. npon their ac-'True,,00f ,made short
W The General Assembly, they IllU8lcal p.rram continued
re told, is made up of men who rep- 88 n A a the cumn on
resent them; whose will I, to do aIn nd ?" re?tly Oojred-by
theirs. And if these legislators fall ,arfl "owd In spite of the rather
to act In response to the State's edu-. 8t8rmv' weatner'
catlonal needs It will be because the 1
"folks bark home" are Indifferent -to ' NOTED AUTHOR ILL
the matter Indifferent to the future ' Chl'ago, Dec. 27. Emerson
opportunity that may be given their Hough noted author, is reported In
boys and 'girls. a serious condition from pneumonia.
CIVIC IMPROVEMENT
A Board For Making Recommendations on Present
and Proposed Improvements
John Elliott Wood, Assistant to the Engineer Commissioner,
District of Cblumbia
As long as new projects are suggested, so will accompanying
difficulties be found. Few great and worthy results were ever
derived without the encountering of mighty obstacles; and the
victory over these barriers sweetened the fruits thereof. By the
same token, those who interest themselves in the gaining of a
TOWN BEAUTIFUL must be prepared to face not only disap
pointment but also that greater bugbear to progressiveness dis
interest. If public interest could be worked up to the point even
of criticism the realization would be half accomplished.
The study of Civic Improvement is seemingly embodied in a
country-wide movement. .This has reached its greatest realiza
tion and application in the national capital, where recently a
set of Zoning laws recommended by the Commissioners of the
District and adopted by Congress, has guaranteed the proper fu
ture development of the entire District ot Columbia. The term
"zoning" refers to the various sub-divisions that havo been ar
bitrarily established for legulating the respective heights of
buildings, the proportion of property available for structures, and
the nature of use of property whether residential, commercial
or industrial. Together with the regulations existing heretofore,
the future orderly growth of Washington is assured. Only re
cently also the State of Wisconsin has passed legislative action
authorizing each county to plan its future growth, each city
therein to establish its' zoning, etc., so that all effort may be co
ordinated for the entire state. And so it is true of cities and
towns throughout the country; few of the more important ones
that have not adopted vigorous schemes of a natural growth
limited to and dependent on conformity to established ideas of
taste and judgment.
Before legislation may be enacted, it is essential that the
movement be inaugurated in towns which is the unit where
public spirit thrives. This movement is not merely a "hobby,"
but once started will extend like the ripples from a stone, thrown
in stlU waters. Perhaps the most effective as well aa '...modest
means of securing an organized attempt in the beautifieaitlon of
the town has been through a CIVIC IMPROVEMENT HOARD
These boards were the outgrowths of demands made on the city
aldermen or councils for the appointment of the same from citl
x zens qualified through good taste, sound Judgment and public
interest. There are dozens of such individuals in Elizabeth City (
from which three or five could be chosen; and the usefulness of
this board' wctuld be found in the intimate study they would
make, first, towards suggesting Jthe development of present
beauty and advantages; and second, recommendations on future
development. Volunteer boards of this nature have been started,
and have died for lack of support. It is for this reason that It
would be highly preferable to secure agitation for the regular
appointment of aif official board, charged with the presenting of
both periodic and special reports and recommendations.
Elizabeth City has always attracted visitors. The river, the
. clean streets, and the attractive homes have always impressed
such people; the retail stores are on the par with those of any
town in the State. But if one should look for some spot of beauty
for which the town in general deserves credit, would It not be a
difficult task? Is there any one thing in the town that one would
immediately drive a visitor to? On the whole the town is one
of the most, beautiful; but is not this natural beauty? This sug
gests all the more reason why some uniform policy of civic im
provement Bhould be adopted.
In the consideration of the development of present natural
beauty please consider the following: A. There is a prevailing
tendency of removing fences and planting lawns, with astonish
ing results. What formerly was a series of fences varying in
ugtijiess with each fifty feet of property front has been trans
formed into a beautiful lawn as long as the block and as wide
as the distance separating the houses from the street. This
should be encouraged, extended, and enhanced still more by sub-
ortlinating the Intervening walkst B. Parking spots .have been
left between the sidewalks and the curb; these would contribute
materially to the appearance of the street if every neighbor
would care for that in front of his property. C. Some residents
have studied their back yards a most estimable thought; and
from this have grown spots that it would be sinful to hide. In
.any of these dails, the attempts of one here and there laud
able as It Is cannot produce their best results unless commonly
adopted; but an entire street working along the same Idea like
Burgpss street produces real beauty.
Larger cities have not gained their beauty by accident. On
the .ntrary, the smaller the city, the more beautiful It should 1
be. Realizing their handicaps, the larger places have taken steps
to overcome natural faults. Before any structure may be built,
the plans of the project must be submitted to municipal In
, spectors. If the building is either public or like a church, semi
public it cannot be commenced until its relation to its surround
ings and the town scheme has been approved by a Fins Arts Com
mission. This commission was the outgrowth of the civic Im
provement board, eventually developing to the point where pro
fessional criticism was available; Its work, however, has not
been commercialized, si that its recommendations are unreserv
odlv in the Interests of the town's welfare. This function,
namely, of making recommendations on the plaifs of new public
and fcpml-riubllc bu'Idlnps, would be included in the duties of the
civic Improvement board.
One of the features of zoning which Is applicable to a place
of any sbe la that of USE. Certain areas are limited to resi
dences; others permit the conduct of business; the third district
is unrestricted; so luat one may build his home wherever he
pleases, knowing fiom the zone his property is in whether a fac
tory, or a stable may be built on the next lot. This is a slight
consideration; but it is Important to the prospective home builder,
and compensates in tbfct it enhances what might have been fac
tory land
When the new school Is built there Is going to be an Im
portant reason for the existence of a Civic Improvement Board.
Shall this bullcllns:. or group of buildings, be built withiuit regard
to any orderly arrangement without any relation to Its sur
roundings? Mow much better It would be to Incorporate this
proposition Irto some accepted scheme of future development.
While the purpose of such a group demands certain qualities and
conditions, there Is much to be considered outside of the purely
architectural merits. The building may be both beautiful and
perfect In arrangement; Hnd yet total failure result. It Is Im
perative that the surroundings be studied particularly in build
ings of a public nature This might evn form the nucleus of the
future civic center.
Contrary to general opinion, planning Is not bo dependent on
professional architecture as upon only good taste. In truth,
GOOD architecture and It-should not be necessary to use the
adjective Is no more than taste and Judgment combined, based
on precedent. It Is possible to reach a high point of usefulness In
civic work, through properly constituted medium composed of
suitably qualified citizens, long before It would become necessary
to employ professional advice. The fullest realization from the
work of such a civic Improvement board ai suggested can only
be derived from a faithful practice of unity In effort and uni
formity of purpose.
) J. E. WOOD.
Influenza Will
Not Be So Severe
Washington, Dec. 27. Influenza
attacks carry a definite immunity to
subsequent attacks lasting several
years, according to a public health
service announcement made today
after Intensive study. '
The statement declares that since
the epidemic of 1918-19 affected
such a large proportion of the popu
lation, it seems reasonable to sup
pose that should the disease become
prevalent this winter It would not
assume the epidemic proportions of
the last two years nor be in such se
vere form.
PARTY LEADERS
CLASH ON BILL
STORM WARMXG
Washington, Dec. 27. A storm
from Cape Ifatteras to New York in
creasing in Intensity and mnv'ng
northeastward will cause strong
west and northwest winds and gules
tonight. ' .
FALL OF FIUME
IS IMMINENT
Italian Government Troops
Forcing D'Annunzio's Forces
Back Into the Outskirts of
the City Reports State
London, Dec. 27. Italian govern
ment troops are believed to be slow
ly closing the iron ring around
Fiume, where D'Annunzio's forces
are besieged.
Reports from Flume are meager,
but it appears that the soldiers have
forced D'Annunzio's lines back Into
the outskirts of the city and the fall
of Fiume will not long be delayed.
Democrats Charge Republic
ans With Attempt to Rush
Through House Emergency
Tariff Bill
Washington, "Dec. 27. Republic
an and Democratic leaders in the
Senate clashed today on the Houso
Kmergency Tariff Bill. Senator
Hitchcock. Democrat, characterized
the measure as an embargo bill and
a proposition to restrict American
commerce. He charges that the Re
publicans proposed to rush through
the measure practically without con
sideration. Republican leaders to
day denied that the legislation con
templated eiiiijurgoei for the rostrlc
t.ou of commerce.
OLE SIS TURKEY HEX
WAS DOING HER REST
BLACK WELL MEMORIAL OIOtR
KINGS CHRISTMAS CAROLS
According to their custom, the
choir of Blackwell Memorial Bap
tist church, under the direction of
L. E. Skinner, went about the city
at midnight, of Christmas eve sing
ing the carols of the Christmas sea
son and carrying the Christmas mes
sage of cheer to the pastor, members
of the church and others. They
especially visited those who have
been sick or bereaved, and much ap
preciation has been expressed of the
beautiful service of song so thought
fully rendered.
DE VALERA NEAR N. Y.
Worcester, Mass , Doc. 27f De
Vulera, president of Ireland, is not
far from New York, according to his
secretary, who says he hopes to ar
rive in New York tonight and see
Valers,
NEGOTIATIONS BROKEN OFF
Copenhagen. Dec. 27. A Warsaw
dispatch ays Hussian-Pollsh peace
negotiations bave been definitely
broken off, the head of the Bolshevik
delegation declared today.
He said the International situa
tion with Russia Is so good that it
is unnecessary to treat further w'th
the Poles.
Henry Pool, proprietor' of the
Southern Hotel. Barber Shop, tells a
Christmas story that's 'most as in
teresting as Santa Claus himself,
and It's really true, he says.
Pool got his Christmas turkey, a
hen. from G. R. Harrell. a farmer
living three miles from the city. Mr.
Harrell brought the turkey hen to
town about noon and Pool put her
in a coop until next morning when
to his astonishment h discovered
that she had laid two eggs In that
short time. When the turkey was
killed two fully developed' eggs were
found inside and a whole setting of
eggs coming on
Now' everybody knows that ole sis'
turkey hen does her laying in the
spring' timb and that she's never any
too gonerous or accommodating
about It, either, so It'would certainly
seem that Pool's turkey deserved a
blue rlhbor .and victory medal in
stead of the tragic fate she met on
Christmas Eve along with the rest
of the ordinary turkeys.
PREMIERS MEET AT
NICE NEXT MONTH
Paris, Dec. 27. Newspapers here
declare that the British, French and
Italian premiers meet at Nice 'next
month.
WOMEN AND CHILDREN
OVERCOME BY FIRE
Cincinnati, Dec. 27. A score of
women and children were partially
overcome by fire in the Burnett
House after midnight last night.
The flames were confined to the
basement.
GERMANY CAN HAVE
NO CIVILIAN GUARDS
. Paris, 'Dec. 27. A Mayence dis
patch to the Petit Parlsien states
that the inter-Allied high commis
sion has decided to ' break up all
German military organizations such
as civilian guards.
LIGHTS OUT SPOIL
CHRISTMAS MUSIC
A large crowd had packed the
First Methodist church Sunday jght
to hear the beautiful Christmas mu
sic, hut the program had barely got
under way when the lights went out
and when telephoning to the e'ectrlc
l'"ht p'nnt brought fie answer that
"ihe kU'uiu had Just gone dwn and
it would take half an hour to get It
up again," the -congregation went
away sorrowfully. The pastor and
people of the First Methodist church
were particularly disappointed be
cause they had Invited the pastor
and people of City Road Methodist
church to be their gueHts at this
special Christmas service.
The entire program, however, will
be given at City Road church next
Sunday night, and both congrega
tions will attend this service.
FATHER DIES SUDDENLY
irs. L. D. Case received a tele
gram this morning stating that her
father, Mr. Waller L. Pearce, of Chi
cago, died suddenly last night. Mrs.
Case hat But recently returned from
a visit to him and other relatives In
Chicago
TOLD WAVE C'OMINCI
Washington, Dec. 27. Cold wave
warnings were ordered today for the
Ohio Valley, Tenne;see,and the Hast
Cult states. The weather bureau
said that much colder weather will
spread over the country east of the
Mississippi in the next thirty-six
hours.
Bonus Bill Would
Cost Billions
Washington, Dec. 27. Passage of
the soldier .bonus bill would cost the
government $2,300,000,000, Secre
tary Houston estimated today before
the Senate finance committee.
Firebugs Invade
Uniontown, Penna.
Unlontown, Pa., Dec. 27. Fears
that Fayette County's arson ring" has
Invaded Unlontown was expmsed by
the authorities today whnn fire In
the business district, destroyed it
with a loss approximately of $150,
000. The owner of the store was ar
rested, but was released for a hear
ing later.
Albert Smith, arrested In connec
tion with fires In the vicinity of Fay
ette City, is under observation as to
his sanity In the county Jnll here.
SAVINGS RANK & TRl'ST CO.
EllznlM-th City, N. ('.
The annual meeting of the stock
holders of the Savings Bank & Trust
Company will be held at Its Banking
House, Elizabeth City, N. C, Mon
day, January 10, 1921, between the
hours of three and four P. M. for
the purpose of electing Directors and
for the transaction of such other
business as Inay be brought before
said meeting.
II. O. KRAMER.
dec27.30 Jan3,7 Cashier.
Hunter Sawyer, of New York City,
li visiting relatives at Weeksvllle.