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THE BEACON
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■foa aoa, for country am* for tmwtm.'
VOL. 40
PLYMOUTH, N.C., FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1929
NO. 5
Representative Darden Meets
-J With Committee Proposing
New School Tax Legislation
Finds Possible Reduce Tax
On Property And Have
Eight Months School
SAVE TAXPAYERS
IN COUNTY $20,000
Those Sponsoring Movement
Desire To Reduce Property
Tax By Taxing Luxuries; New
Plan Would Induce Industries
Instead Of Driving Them
Away: Only Feasible Method
Of Cutting Taxes
By WALTER H. PARAMORE
Raleigh, Jan. 10.—It is possible to
reduce taxes on property in Washing
ton county and at the same time pro
vide an eight months school term for
every child, declares J. W. Darden,
Representative to the General As
sembly from Washington county who
has been in conference here with
members of the legislative committee
of the North Carolina Education As
sociation who are dealing with pro
posals for new school legislation.
This committee represents fourteen
thousand organized teachers who be
lieve that a minimum school term can
be so financed that it will not be a
burden to the home owner or the
fanner.
Since this county is enjoying the
eight months school term at the
present, the law if passed would
mean a reduction of about 20 or 2f
cents in the property tax rate thu
making it about $1.90 or $1.95 cent
each year. This reduction would b<
made possible by the equalizatioi
fund being increaed from about $19,
000 to $39,023 for this county. This
fund represents over $20,000 a yeai
more for the county that will come
from the treasury of the State. It i:
the desire of the pedagogians to in
duce the legislature to put this trn
on luxuries in order to supply the ad
ditional $20,000 for the schools in
this county.
This plan would eliminate all spec
ial taxes levied in the various coun
ties to run tne scnuoi uic cAwa wwv
months. This is the only plan suggest
ed so far that will allow the cutting
of the property taxes. It is not the
• business of the school officials tc
advocate any special kind of tax but
to merely show where the money car
be secured for a reduction on proper
ty taxes. This plan of taxation would
avoid heavy land taxation which sonv
\ imes keeps out industries and hind
ers those already in the State an
/fljrT;- expanding.
/|!mcni£e in the equalizin?
/. % ,<i ror the sixmonths term will nc'
help as much as does the^ eight
months plan, since as the size of th<
fund is increased the large countie
come ir. because now every additions
million dollars added to the si
months fund cuts taxes only five
cents in the counties of the State
There will be no increase of tax or
industries. Money must be raised
from luxuries or there ’must be a cut
in the school program and the con
tinuation of already heavy land taxes.
Some of those luxuries that would
likely be taxed if the new proposal if
passed by the legislature is tobaccc
products, beverages, theatres, can
dies, chewing gum, perfumes and
cosmetics and hydro-electric power.
Some of the prominent men in the
county that favor this are, J. W.
Norman, J. W. Darden, George Dix
on and many others.
SUPERIOR COURT OPENED
HERE MONDAY
Superior court opened here Monday
morning with Judge Walter L. Small,
of Elizabeth City, presiding over the
mixed term of criminal and civil court
that will continue here for the re
mainder of this week and possibly
next. Solicitor Don Gilliam, of Tar
boro, was here during Monday morn
ing when the criminal docket was dis
posed of in about a half of a day. A
number of civil cases have been dis
posed of, and there still remains a
large number on the docket for dis
position* ii 11 Mi
Survey Shows Plymouth Is A
Good Place For Textile Mills
City Also Offers Opportunities To Canners. Timber Is One Of
Greatest Assets. Brick And Tile Clay Are Resources.
Climate Industrial Asset. Population 3,000
Taking into consideration all facts
which are shown in an industrial sur
vey made of the town by industrial
representatives of a Washington City
firm, Plymouth is recommended for
the , establishment of the following
types of textile mills: Hosiery, rayon,
cotton yarn, silk weave, knitting, un
derwear and silk throwing mills. Ply
mouth also offers an opportunity of
great value to the canner, with various
types of truck crops successfully grown
inland and abundant fisheries provided
by near-by waters. Canning factories
producing sweet potatoes, peas, beans,
and shell-fish will find a highly favor
able operating location here, the sur
vey states.
The timber of Plymouth territory is
one of the town's largest resources.
Not only are furniture, veneer, box
and crate, and implement handle manu
facturers offered large stands of suit
able timber, but the water of Roan
oke River, from which the town’s sup
ply is drawn, is sufficiently soft and
ree from iron and other chemicals to
render it suitable to paper and pulp
manufacture. Brick and tile clay are
resources of this county. The sur
rounding country is flat.
Two important highways pass
hrough the town of Plymouth. Two
railroads serve the manufacturer and
passenger. Steamship connections are
additional good aids to freight trans
portation. Express rates to Charlotte
oi first-class pracels is $2.20, while
second class costs $1.65.
The highest temperature in 25 years
has been 100 degrees. Average date of
last killing frost in spring was on
April 2. Average date of first killing
frost in fall was on October 31. The
average number of growing days was
220. Thirty feet elevation above sea
level. The annual mean rainfall is
50.37 inches; mean temperature 60.1
legrees; mean maximum temperature
/O degrees; mean minimum tempera
:ure SO.l degrees. Average snowfall
is 8.1 inches.
Among the many industrial attrac
tions of the town of Plymouth is the
ibundant supply of native white and
:olored laborers. There are 200 white
males employed here; 10 white females;
'>00 colored males and 100 colored fe
male, which makes a total of 910 em
>!oyed, based on figures by the survey
ors. Seven industries are drawing up
m the labor resources of Plymouth.
Wages are moderate. Electric power
can be secured. Water supply is de
rived from two deep wells.
Industrial sites are plentiful. Build
ing costs are moderate. The city is
under the commission of six council
men. The fire department is modern,
although it is a volunteer company.
Thirty hydrants cover the town, more
than 1,500 feet of standard fire hose
and nozzles. The insurance rate is
second class. Two policemen patrol
the town day and night. Seven miles
of paved streets. Streets are lighted
good. Sewage disposal is excellent.
School system is based on State sys
tem.
There are four white and four col
ored churches. Hunting and fishing
may be enjoyed. One hotel serves the
town’s guests. One strong bank is lo
cated here. There are eight general
stores, 10 groceries, 6 markets, 2 hard
ware stores, 1 music, 4 men’s cloth
ing, 2 radio, 7 automobile garages, 6
dry goods, 3 drugs, 2 furniture, 1 jew
elry, 1 specialty, 3 shoe and 2 mil
linery stores. Plymouth has the fol
lowing organizations: Chamber of
Commerce, Masons, Independent Or
der of Odd Fellows, Woodmen of the
World, Women’s Gub, and Junior Or
der of the United American Mechanics.
Columbia Township Institute
Program Announced Today
By MBS. W. S. liAKAWAJM
Columbia, Jan, 10.—A program ol
the activities of the Columbia Town
ship Institute which will be held with
the Rider’s Creek Union Sunday
School next Sunday afternoon, Janu
ary 13, was announced here today
by Miss Sabra Sykes, chairman ol
the program committee of the Tyrrell
County Sunday School Association. A
song by the Rider’s Creek choir will
open the program sharply at 2:30. It
will last for about one hour and fif
teen minutes.
Devotional services will be conduct
ed by Mrs. Jerry Brickhouse which
will be followed by the choir and au
dience in a song. Mrs. S. M. Comb;
will discuss the development of the
yoyung people’s movement. The Free
Will Baptist Sound Side Sunday
School will sing a special song.
Sheriff Reynolds will discuss the
buildidng of a standard Sunday
School. A quartet will feature the
FEW INDIVIDUALS FILE
INCOME TAX RETURNS
Only fifty people in Washington
county filed their income tax re
turns covering incomes made during
1926, it was learned here today from
available statistics. The inhabitant
per returns are about 236. This i.
against a return of 10 people in Tyr
rell county filing their returns with
610 inhabitants per return.
Not many farmers file income tax
returns, and most likely not many
fanners have net incomes that are
sufficiently high to be taxed under the
federal law. This aids in accounting
for the lack of persons filing in
income tax returns.
Albemarle Sunday school s part m
the program. The Columbia Sunda>
School will sing. Rev. E. Poston will
explain “What Makes An Efficient
Sunday School."
An efficiency conference was held
at the home of Mrs. S. M. Combs
Sunday afternoon. This conference
was held under the auspices of the
Tyrrell County Sunday School Associ
ation. President D. J. Spruill invited
those present to attend the Teacher’;
Training Class that would be held in
the Methodist Church in the near ft.
ture.
A measure was voted on and car
ried that the executive committee ask
the assistance of each Sunday Sehoo’
ih the county in an effort to make r
household survey of the religious
conditions of the county. Mrs. W. S
Carawan was appointed chairman oi
the committee. Plans are being madr
for this work at the present. Work
will begin in a short time.
COLUMBIA CLUB DECIDES TO
STUDY STATE THIS YEAR
Columbia, Jan. 10.—It was decided
that a course in "Knowing Youi
State" would be studied in the liter
ary department of the local Woman'
Club during this year, at the meetin
held with the president last Monde,
evening. The Town Aldermen gav
the club permission to beautify thf
plot extending down Broad street i
the station during the coming year
The plot will be named Pettigrew’s
Gardens. The first baby of the clul
was presented with a bank book and
account of $2.50.
Gar many has a ship building boom.
&
TOWN’S ASSETS
FOR YEAR IS
$314,031.19
Current fund assets and capital as
sets of the Municipal Light and Water
and Ice Plant at the close of last year
made a total assets of $119,422.15, it
was learned today from M. W.
Spruill, manager of the plant and city
clerk. The total liabilities, which in
cluded current fund liabilities and cap
ital fund liabilities and net water and
light fund surplus for the plant at the
cjme time was $119,422.15. This shows
hat the plant is making money and
is keeping up with its mark as set
before.
Capital assets and current funds
make a total assets of $314,031.19 on
December 31 for the general fund,
.vhich is used mostly by the town's
'flairs. Against these assets are lia
bilities of current funds and capital
funds amounting to $314,031.19. Dur
ing the tenure of office of the incum
bent members of the city council the
.own has been even with its debts for
he first time in years. This was made
possible by skillful financing by these
meh.
All along during the year the water
and light and ice plant and the town
have been in favorable circumstances,
owing to the safe management of the
affairs of the departments of the town
by persons capable of doing this sat
isfactorily. These figures show an im
provement over the previous year,
when the city council was compelled
to raise the tax rate in order to pro
vide for Dills that were being presented
for immediate settlement.
Money expended by the city fathers
during last year included the building
of a wharf and other things that have
added to the benefits of the town. This
money was used to advance civic mat
ters in a commercial or charitable way.
LEGION AUX1L1AKII ttA»
NTERESTING MEETING
Columbia, Jan. 10.—An interestin;
meeting of the Woman’s Auxiliary
of the American / begion was hek
with Mrs. W. H. A cClees Wednesday
evening with Mrs. F. E. Cohoon pre
siding and Mrs. T. W. Armstrong as
secretary. The organization will con
tinue aiding the two soldiers in th
Oteen Hospital. Mrs. L. L. Yerby will
be hostess at the next meeting on the
first Wednesday evening in February
Two objctives decided on for tlv
years includes efforts to get all the
soldiers in Washington and Tyrrel1
counties to register and write a his
tory yof their services during the wa’
so a permanent record can be ker
the courthouses for future records.
COUNTY BOARD OF
EDUCATION MEETS MONDAY
Three of the five school buildings
and lots offered for sale by the Coun
ty Board of Education have been sold,
it was learned in a meeting of the
board here in the courthouse last
Monday morning. Other business
matters that claimed the attention of
the board at this time were not of
much importance.
FIREMEN ATTEND MEETING
OF ASSOCIATION TUESDAY
Delegates from here that repre
sented the local Fire Department at
the meeting of the Eastern Carolina
Firemen’s Association held Tuesday
evening in Belhaven were Chief L. W.
Gurkin, R. S. Tarkenton, Jack Wil
loughby, Surry Wright and Assistar
Chief L. C. Willoughby. The meetinp
was held in the Hyde county court
house.
ALMO THEATRE
TONIGHT
Cecil B. De Mille’s
“King of Kings”
ADM. 25 AND 50c
Saturday Might Only
Conrad Nagel
IN
The Girl from Chicago
Third Episode of Serial
"Mark of the Frog”
M. G. M. NEWS
MONDAY AND TUESDAY
Douglas Fairbanks
IN
‘‘Don Q Son of Zorror’*
County Officials
Hear Report Of
Miss Covington
4
SPECIALISTS TO
VISIT COUNTY
CLUBS SOON
Fiva specialists have been asked to
visit the home demonstration clubs
in Washington county during tht
year, according to information im
parted by Miss Pratt Covington.
Home demonstration agent, in a
meeting of the Washington County
Council which met in the agent's of
fice in the courthouse last Saturday.
The visits of these specialists were
included in the program that was a
dopted by the clubs for the year’s
work.
Mrs. Jane McKimmon, State Home
Demonstration Agent, of Raleigh,
will address the federation meeting
which will be held in Plymouth, j
January 25. Miss Mary E. Thomas,
State College food specialist, wil’
hold a leader’s school in the court-.
house, January 30. Miss Pauline
Smith, of State College, will addrer
a federation meeting to be held Oc
tober 11. Miss Georgia Piland will
formulate plans for beautifying the
courthouse grounds at a meeting in
March. Miss Sstabrook will give a
demonstration on room improvement
In January there will be a survey
of food conditions; February, food
selection, will be demonstrated:
March, yard improvement, and stud;,
of cereals; April, eggs for breakfast
May, milk and its use; June, bas
ketry, value of vegetables in the diet:
July, food conservation, canning fo!
winter use; August, food conserva:
tion, canning for fairs; September
quick bread, for school lunch; Oc
tober, Use of fruit in diet; November
county wide achievement day; De
cember, arts and crafts.
JOHN W. DARDEN HONORED
BY FRATERNAL ORDER
Grand Master J. W. Darden, of
Perserverence Lodge, No. 54, of the
Masonic Lodge, is in receipt of a cer
tificate from the Grand Lodge of Utah
conferring upon him the honor of
membership in that lodge and request
ing that he attend the Grand Lodge
meeting in Boise some time during the
next month or so at their expense. In
asmuch as Mr. Darden is in the House
of Representatives of North Carolina,
lie states that he will more than likely
be too busy to attend.
SOLDIERS GATHER FOR AN
OYSTER ROAST AT COLUMBIA
Columbia, Jan. 10.—One of th
most delightful events of the seasor
was an oyyster roast given by th<
American Legion on the platform o
the Norfolk Southern station la
Friday evening, hose attending were
the Legion Auxiliary members and
all the former soldiers in Washing
ton and Tyrrell counties. This was
the largest gathering of soldiers since
the jubilee was given on their re
turn from the World War.
LOCAL MAN RECOVERING
FROM AN OPERATION
Reports received here today reveal
hat O. H. Lyon, proprietor of the lo
cal O. Henry Drug Store, is steadily
improving after an operation that he
underwent in a Norfolk hospital last
Wednesday. The operation was made
i: his head on account of some chronic
ailment that had been bothering him
for some time, although it was not
’c-rious.
CROWDS VISITING LOCAL GA
RAGE VIEWING NEW WHIPPET
Crowds have thronged to see the
new superior Whippet that was put on
display in the show rooms of the Ply
mouth Garage & Motor Co. last Fri
day. Many nevy features of this light
car that has been invading the small
car field for a number of years were
explained to the visitors by courteous
salesmen. L. W. Gurkin, manager of
the firm, stated that “prospects for bet
ter sales than were made last year
are bright.”
! Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Johnston at
tended the funeral of Mr. Haywoe
Hyman in Scotland Neck Sunday.
Most Of White Families In
County Reached BvCIub
Work In Three Months
WRITES OVER 2,000
LETTERS IN PERIOD
Travels Over 3600 Miles In
Last Quarter Of l928;Makes
324 Hats At A Saving Of
$972; Interiors of Sixteen
Homes Rearranged; Many
New Members Enrolled In
Recent Campaign
Six hundred and eleven out of the
778 white farm families in Washing
ton county have been reached during
the past three months in the pro
gram of the home demonstration
work in this county, it was revealed
Monday in the report submitted to
the County Commissioners in their
regular monthly session here by Miss
Pratt Covington, Washington county
home demonstration agent. These
families do not include the work done
with the families in the towns in the
county.
One hundred and thirty farm homes
have been visited exclusive of the
home represented in the regular club
work. During th months from Oc
tober to January first over 3600 miles
have bean traveled in this kind of
work. Ninety-eight new members
have been enrolled during the past
three months. Sixty-eight families
were visited and helped exclusive of
club members. Miss Covington drove
eighteen miles on one occasion and
helped one woman make hats for her
entire family as she lived too far to
attend club meetings.
As a result of demonstrations in
making felt hats 324 hats were made.
If the same hats were purchased for
a small amount as $3 each, the sav
ing would total $972. Sixteen homes
have rearranged their window drap
_I — _ — 1 /I OOOC*
blAVOy w —- --
have been made along with a number
of Christmas presents as the results
of demonstrations in arts and crafts.
Several members are starting some
of these ideas now, and some are
planning for the spring.
During the December meetings a
membership campaign was conducted
along with the study of cake and cake
decorations. Two leaders were select
ed from each of the fifteen clubs to
attend the Leaders School which was
riven by the home demonstration
agent with thirty-five women present.
Fifty-six new members were enrolled
as a result of the membership cam
paign.
An exhibit at the Coastal Plain
Fair was put on under the direction
of the home demonstration agent 01
the county. Most of the $68.75 realiz
ed was awarded to individuals. Seven
ty-six women and forty girls attend
ed the federation meeting held ir
Creswell during this time which in
cluded representatives from each club
in the county but one. About $10.90
has been realized through rummage
sales to apply on improving the court
house grounds. The principal lecture
to the club members during the pe
iod was made by Dr. B. W. WrT*
Professor of Botany, at State C
lege.
During a one week bazaar $51
was realized for the personal benef
of the women contributing. A profi
of $4.32 was realized from a numbei
of articles that were bought from
a gift shop for resale which will b
added to the fund for the courthouse
grounds. A dinner was given to the
former County Commissioners dur
ing November by the home demon
stration clubs. In December Miss Cov
ington attended the State meeting ol
the extension workers at State Cal
leg*.
SCHOOLS OPENED MONDAY
. More than 3,000 children resumed
their studies in Washington County
schools Monday morning after a re
cess of two weeks for the Christmas
holidays. These students were greeted
by just about a hundred teachers when
they entered the school rooms last
Mondaj __.... ...4^