Newspapers / The Roanoke Beacon and … / Jan. 16, 1931, edition 1 / Page 1
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MmuwuuuiiHuiiifiiuimiiiiijiiiiiiimiiuiiiuiiiiiimimiii^ = A home newspaper dedicated = = to the service of Washington = = County and its 12,000 people, i g.iiMmiiimiiimmiMmimimiiimiimmiiiimiuiiiiiimiif? The Roanoke Beacon ★ ★★★★★★★★★ And Washington County News ★★★★★★★★★★ § Advertisers will find Beacon § = and News columns a latch-key to | § 1,100 Washington County homes, g VOLUME 42—NUMBER 3 Plymouth, Washington County, North Carolina, Friday, January 16, 1931. ESTABLISHED 1889 NORMAN THINKS LEGISLATURE TO REDUCE TAXES Representative Says Body More Conservative Than Usual -a That the present session of the gen eral assembly will find some method to effect a reduction of property taxes was the belief expressed last Satur day by Zeb Vance Norman, Washing ton County's representative, who spent the week-end at his home here. Mr. Norman said it was rather early yet to get any line on the type of legislation to be expected from the present ses sion, but certain general trends of thought are easy to distinguish, and there seems to be an almost univer sal determination to effect a reduction in tax rates. Another noticeable feature even this early in the session, the Washington County representative said, was that the legislature was going to put its foot down on any proposed bond is sues, for permanent improvements be ing authorized by the assembly. On the whole, Mr. Norman said the legis lature was composed of capable and substantial men, perhaps more conser vative than the usual gathering. the governors message was almost] universally approved, although op-j position to some of the reforms sug gested is almost certainly to result.! The 10 per cent reduction in salaries j suggested by Governor Gardner, to become effective July 1, 1931, has a; good chance to be enacted into law,: Mr. Norman said. This saving of $4,-! 000,000, it is thought, will be reflected ] in the reduction of property taxes, probably by being added to the equalization fund and returned to the counties in that manner. Mr. Norman s tid he doubted if there was enough sentiment to secure a general sales tax at this session, al-] though the plan has a few supporters, mostly from the eastern counties. It is possible, he said that there may be levied a sales tax on some of the more expensive luxuries, such as automo biles, radios, electric refrigerators, and such items, but he does not look for, a tax on cigars, cigarettes, candies, i etc. The proposal to ad one more cent to the gasoline tax has a number of friends, but there will probably be opposition to this, and it is too early to make any forecasts, Mr. Norman said. SOLDIERSNOT TO GET BONUS NOW Little Hope for Redemption Adjusted Compensation Certificates Until 1945 Some time during the past year a large number of World War veterans in Washington County signed a peti tion requesting Congressman Warren and Senator Simmons to support the bill introduced in Congress which would pay off adjusted compensation certificates at the present time instead of waiting until 1945, when they are due. Sheriff Reid last week received a letter from Congressman Warren ptating that he had been an advocate of this measure for two years and that he believed it would do more than any thing else to aid the present financial distress. ; However, the Congressman conti nues, “President Hoover and Secretary Mellon and the Republican organiza tion have come out strongly against this bill, and as they have 190 majority! in the House I do not think it has a chance whatever to ever be consider-1 ed. The only other way to get consi deration is for 218 members to sign a petition, and so far we have been | able to secure 100 signatures. It is1 my opinion that so long as the Re publicans are in power we will be un able to get any legislation on this matter.” Captain C. E. Mizelle, of Roper, stated Monday that he had received a letter along the same lines from Se nator Simmons, and there appears lit tle hope of the ex-service men “cash ing in" on these certificates before they become due in 1945. -* New Schedule of Bus Line Becomes Effective Today Effective today, the Babcock bus ;line, which has been operating, be tween here and Bethel, will begin running its busses on into Rocky Mt. The change was made in order to se cure better mail facilities for other points on the route, although Ply mouth mail is not greatly affected by the change. I ! A slight change in schedule is also bfcing made, the bus reaching here now at 12:15, in time to snake connec tion with the Norfolk-Southern train. The bus leaves Rocky Mount at 9 o’ clock, bringing mail from train 75 to Plymouth and intermediate points. The bus will continue to leave here on its return trip at 3 o’clock in the afternoon reaching Rocky Mount at 6. Norman Gets Appointments To Five Major Committees Representative Zeb Vance Nor man was very fortunate in his committee appointments at the le gislature in Raleigh, particularly so in view of the fact that he is serving his first term. He was named on five major committees, being third ranking member of the committee on public roads and chairman of the committee on re gulation of public service corpora tions. Appropriations, education, and judiciary No. 1 constitute his other major committee appoint ments. He was also named on the committee on drainage and joint committee on revision of laws. The appointments were announced by Speaker Willis Smith Tuesday. Senate committee appointments were also announced Tuesday, and Senators E. S. Peel, of Williams ton, and H. S. Ward, of Washing ton, from the second district. which includes this county, also landed places on important com mittees. Senator Peel led in being placed on the largest number of important committees, including the chairmanship of the committee on public roads. His other appoint ments were to the committees on finance,, judiciary No. 2, congres sional districts, corporations, com mercial fisheries, insurance, sena torial districts, and insane asylum; joint committees on justices of the peace and library. He is serving his second term. Senator Ward, for his first term, drew the following assignments: Chairmanship of committee on constitutional amendments; mem ber of committees on finance, claims, judiciary No 2, penal insti tutions, internal improvements, railroads, and pensions and soldiers’ home. “Just As Much Enforcement Of Law As Citizens Desire,” Judge Says in Charging Jury PROCEEDINGS IN SUPERIOR COURT Criminal Docket Completed Tuesday Noon; Session To End Today -® Rapid progress was made in the trial of criminal cases scheduled for superior court this week, and when the court recessed at noon Tuesday, the docket was entirely clear. A number of cases originally appearing on the docket on appeals from the recorder’s court were marked off when the de fendants withdrew their appeals, and several actions were continued. The court began the trial of civil cases Wednesday morning, and indications were that the entire business of the session would be completed by today. Appeals from judgments rendered by the recorder’s court were with drawn by the following: Cheek Doug las, for a ding and abetting assault with deadly weapon; Henry Fields and W. A. Everett, violating prohibition law; and Joe Hardison, violating traf fic law. Cases against Jack Peele, on bad check charge, and Cottie Spruill, for false pretense, were nol pressed. The case against Roy Watson, Donald Watson, and Wilmer Watson, for as sault with deadly weapon with intent to kill, was continued under a new bond. Other cases continued were against Watts Rhodes, for assault with deadly weapon with intent to kill. Gus Moore did not resist verdict of assault with deadly weapon and was assigned to the county roads for 6 months. The State took a non-suit in the ac tion against Providence Cox, charged with assault with deadly weapon. Pleading guilty to forgery, Mahlon Parnell was given a suspended sen tence of six months on the roads, conditioned upon payment of the costs. I ucorge ragon was touna guilty on a charge of entering and larceny and sentenced to the county roads for 12 months, the sentence to date from October 28, 1930. B. F. Chambers was found not guil ty of violating the game law. Providence Cox entered a plea of guilty to larceny and was assigned to the county roads for 3 months. Non suit was taken in the case against Curt Arnold, booked on a count of entering and larceny. Wilson Partin was found not guilty of trespass. Cheek Douglas, found guilty of rob bery was given a sentence of 12 months on the county roads. -* Home Agent's Schedule For Week Is Announced -« Miss Pratt Covington, county home demonstration agent, announces her schedule for the coming week as fol lows : Monday, January 19, Chapel Hill; Tuesday, Pleasant Grove and Mac keys Clubs at Pleasant Grove; Wed nesday, Swain; Thursday, Creswell; Friday, Alba; Saturday, curb market. -& Important Meeting of Junior Order Monday -* There will be an important meeting ! of Plymouth Rock Council, No. 213, Jr. O. U. A. M., next Monday night, January 19, in the lodge hall here, it was announced this week by the secretary R. I- Tetterton. There are a number of important business mat ters to be attended to, and every mem ber of the local council is urgently re quested *o be present. CRIME INCREASE 15 NOT FAULT OF OFFICERS ALONE ■<^ Judge Harris Makes Very Favorable Impression by Charge to Grand Jury -*— Judge VV. C. Harris, of Raleigh, be ginning his first term of superior court in Washington County, made a very favorable impression in his charge to the grand jury here Monday morning. Discussing the various phases of law enforcement, he told the jurymen that the attitude of any community could be determined by the manner in which the law was enforced there. “There will be just as much enforcement of the law as the citize' '-ip wants,” he said, pointing out that a law was sim ply codification of pubile opinion. Judge Harris cited statistics on the increase in crime, particularly among young people. "And if you think the increase is confined to colored people, I invite you to examine the records at the State prison," he said. From 75 to 80 per cent of all crime is com mitted by youths from the ages of 16 to 23, and 60 to 80 per cent is com mitted by white persons, according to his figures. The increase in crime is accounted for in a large measure, the jurist stated by the fact that there is generally less respect for law than ever before. En forcement officers are not principally responsible for this loss of respect, but the average individual’s absolute indif ference is, he said. All laws should be respected, but there is a general tendency for each person to select the laws he likes and obey them, while j disregarding those he does not like,! and this state of affairs brings about j general disrespect for all laws. coming to tiie remedy, Judge Har-j ri^ made several suggestions. First, and most important, he declared, was the need for every one to study crime its cause and effect, as there can be no remedy applied until a diagnosis is made. Another need mentioned was for better home training. When a boy reaches 16, he said, unless he has been taught discipline and respect for law in the home, there is little hope for him, and when he does run foul of the law, it is not his fault because he has never had a fair chance. As an evidence that the schools and churches are donig their part, Judge Harris said it was indeed seldom that a boy who had as much as a high school education ever appeared in the courthouse. He made an appeal against any crippling of the educa tional system in misguided attempts to reduce taxes. In conclusion, the judge explained the duties of grand jurors, requiring them to make thorough investigations of all departments of county activities, including the operation of school trucks, and asking them not to return the usual stereotyped report. His charge was closely followed not only by members of the jury, but by a large crowd in the court room, and there were a number of favorable comments made afterwards. -9 Bank To Close Monday Account Lee’s Birthday Although next Monday, January 19, ; is the anniversary oi the South's grea ' test leader, Robert E. Lee, no particu lar observance of the day has been planned locally. The Branch Banking & d rust Co. is the only local institu tion to observe the day as a holiday, all oi the other business establish ! ments remaining open. REPORT GRAND JURY IS FILED IN COURT TUESDAY Several Recommendations Made As Result of Investigations -<3 Tlie Washington County jury, se lected here Monday, made its report to Judge Harris in superior court Tues day afternoon, several recommenda tions for improvements being suggest ed as the result of investigations con ducted by members and committees of the jury. An unusual feature was the report of a thorough investigation made of all school trucks in the coun ty The trucks were found to be gen erally in good condition, although a number were without proper lights, and several had broken window glasses. Brakes were reported weak on three trucks, and two had no horns. The jury reported that the county had a full-time mechanic to look after the trucks, and that repairs are made as rapidly as possible by this man. It is expected that the defects found by the members of the jury will be remedied within a few days. une section oi tnc report reads, /\n trucks seem to have schedules which give ample time for their trip. Truck No. 1 is reported as reversing its route without notice which causes irregular schedule at given points. It is recom mended that route be made the same way each time.” The committee named to investigate the road camp at Cresweil stated that it was in fair condition. Some win dow glasses were out, and it was re commended that bed covering should be laundered more often. The pri soners stated they received good food and were well kept. The entire jury visited the road camp and county home near here in a body. Quarters were found to he sanitary, prisoners well kept and at work on county roads and prison farm. The report states “The county’s poor have good quarters well kept. A milk cow, which was recommended by the last grand jury has not been purchased, but the county por, which number only three, are being supplied with milk purchased from a local dairy. We recommend that door steps to the colored quarters be repaired.” It was also recommended that the board of county commissioners have necessary repairs made to the court house to prevent leaks from damag ing further the upper stories. The final recommendation was that the school board have an inspection made of the school building at Cres well to determine whether or not it should be condemned. Reports were made to the jury that on account of leaks in the roof and walls wooden timbers were rottong at their inter section with the brick wall, and caus ing the building to be unsafe. Judge Harris commended the mem bers of the jury very highly, declaring their work had been very thorough, and they were discharged with the thanks of the court after their report had been received. -® Will Make Cooperative Shipments Poultry Again Cooperative shipments of poultry will be made again this year from Plymouth, if plans now being made by County Farm Agent K. E. Dun ning are realized. The shipments are usually made during the latter part of February and March, and many far mers in the county have cooperated in shipping poultry by this method. Mr. Dunning asks poultry raisers to keep this in mind, and be prepared to cull their flocks for shipment during this period. No indications as to the prices to be paid have been received by the agent. -® Eight Firemen Attend Meeting in LaGrange —-<*—— Eight members of the local fire de partment attended the meeting of the Eastern Carolina Firemen’s Associa tion held in LaGrange Tuesday night. Those attending said it was a very in teresting meeting, with Sherwood Brockwell, of Raleigh, the principal speaker. The next meeting will be held at Mount Olive. Those attending included Mes>rs. L. W. Gurkin. J. B. McNair, R. A. Peal, J. E. Ausbon, L. D. Junes, C. T. Robbins, P. G. Dixon, Bill Waters, and G. K. Harris. -# Quarterly Conference at Creswell Church Saturday - It was announced this week that the first quarterly conference of the Co lumbia circuit will be held in the Cres well Methodist Episcopal church Sat urday morning at 11 o’clock by the presiding elder, Rev. O. \V. Dowd, of Elizabeth City. Re. Dowd will also preach at the Creswell chiA.,1 at 11 o’clock Sunday morning. A cordial in vitation is extended to the public to attend this service. | COUNTY AUDITOR ] V> And this, folks, as most of you know, is George W. Hardison, chairman of the county board of commissi mers and county accoun tant. Mr. Hardison took over the duties of auditor January 1, and is already beginning to feel at home in the courthouse. AGENT TREATING AND RECLEANING TOBACCO SEED —®— January Best Month to Sow Beds; Care Advised in Selecting Location -<s> County Agent R. E. Dunning has turned his attention to the planting of tobacco plant beds, which will take place on many Washington County farms during the next few weeks. Ac cording to the farm agent, January is the best month for planting beds in this section, and a number of farmers tire already making preparations to have their seed in the ground within a few days. Mr. Dunning cleaned and treated the first seed of the season last Sat urday when a small hatch was brought in by one grower. He stated that he was going to set aside the following dates, January 17. 19, 24, 31. for clean ing and treating seed, and asks that farmers desiring this service bring their seed in time for him to do the work at that time. He also asks those desiring seed treated to bring the seed to him in a cloth sack, as it is neces sary to soak them in a solution of formaldehyde anil then wash them several times during the treatment. The agent stated that he would not be able to furnish the sacks this year. I Mr. Dunning stated that great care should he used in the selection of a | location for a plant bed. A loamy, I fertile soil, such as is usually found on original growth timber land, along hedgee rows or ditch banks is de sirable. This soil should be friabli with sufficient moisture, but good drain age should be provided in case of pro longed wet weather. A well drained friable soil will warm up quicker than a water-logged soil and produce earlier plants. A south or southeastern exposure is pieferable, the agent stated, and it is important that the soil be in good condition when prepared. If it is too wet the chances for good healthy plants are materially reduced. Burn , the bed if necessary to kill the grass j and weed seed. Lay ott the bed to hi [lie covers ai- , ready on hand, if they are to be used. If old covers are to he used they should be sterilized by boiling. All leaves and trash should be raked off clean, and everything grubbed out of tl'.e bed except the large stumps, as it is much easier to prepare a clean bed than one full of sprouts and small stumps. Use a colter or some light plow to ( break up the top layer of soil. A disk harrow can be used if the land has been cleared of stumps. A spike-tooth harrow is also useful in preparing the bed. After sowing the fertilizer broad cast at the rate of 100 pounds for ' each 100 square yards, plow and drag as before. Then use the same amount of fertilizer again and plow and drag until it is thoroughly mixed with the soil. Care should be taken not to bring up the clay, but stir the top two or three inches until the fertilizer is well mixed and the soil has be come fine and smooth. Dr. Bray Elected County Health Officer Monday At a meeting of the county board of health held Monday of this week, Dr. T. ]„, Bray, of this city, was elected county health officer for the ensuing two-year term. This was the first meeting of the new board of health, composed of George W. Hardison, chairman; J. W. Norman, secretary; R P. Walker, all of Plymouth; and Drs. J. W. Speight, of Roper, and W. H. Harrell, Creswell. Other business before the meeting was purely routine. i Revaluation Work In County Stopped OUTLOOK MEET HELD THURSDAY “Farming for a Living’’ Is Topic of Speakers; 200 In Attendance -® County Outlook Program Is Held One ot the most interesting pro grams ever put on in Washington county was launched here Thursday with Miss Pauline Smith, district agent, and Troy B. Ferguson speaking before 200 men and women on "Farm for a Living.” Miss Smith, in a very forceful man ner, discussed the nutritional needs of the family, showing that all the daily foods for the family can be produced on Washington county farms, with the exception of sugar and salt. Mr. rergusons valuable larm out look presentation was followed by a round-table discussion of probable prices and tbe advisability of decreased acreage of certain cash crops. Miss Pratt Covington, R. E. Dun ning, Mr. Rabon, \V. C. Manning, Thomas Swain and J. \V. Norman made some valuable comments on the outlook for Washington county and hacked them up by statistics on re sult demonstrations. Immediately following the program the home demonstration clubs of the county served to the entire crowd a ive-at-home luncheon. Mrs. W. H. Harrison, president of the county fe deration, had charge of this luncheon and it truly measured up to the ex pectations of 200 hungry people. The Alba home demonstration club did itself proud at the close of the meeting by marching to the front -jf the auditorium about 25 strong and singing for the crowd a “Smile” song. This was a very attractive addition to die program. -« Sunday School Teachers Of Skinnersville Meet The Skinnersville District Sunday School Teachers Association met at Oak Grove Baptist Church Sunday afternoon, January 11, at 2:30, Mrs. Henry Norman, of White Chapel Christian Church, was elected presi dent to succeed Mrs. Ida Brickhouse, who died in October. Mrs. Brickhouse had been president of the association for three years prior to her death. Mr. Henry Norman, also of White Chapel church, was elected secretary to succeed Mr. H. L. Swain, of Reho both church, after the latter had pre sented his resignation. Mr. Ephraim Pritchett was elected treasurer and Rev. J. C. Russell, pastor of Relio both and Creswell circuit, was named temporary chairman. An interesting program was present ed, and Rev. Russell made a short talk from a reading of St. Luke’s gospel. A motion was made and carried that the association meetings be held quarterly instead of monthly. The next meeting will be held on the sec pnd Sunday in April. -A Year Book ior Club Members Is Prepared -$ Miss Covington, county home de monstration agent, has just recently rompleted the compilation of the 1931 ► ear book for the home demonstration :!ubs of Washington County. The booklet is well prepared and one of the most attractive being issued in the State. It contains much information :>f value to club members, including an outline of the year's work, schedules □f meetings, programs, and many other particulars. The booklets will be distributed to all of the clubs with in the next days. -<g> Pleasant Grove Aid Society Holds Meet The Ladies Aid society of Pleasant Grove met at the home of Mrs. W. B. Chesson on Wednesday afternoon. Mrs. J. C. Tarkcnton presided. The meeting was opened with singing "What A Friend We Have In Jesus” accompanied on the piano by Miss Myrtle Tarkcnton. The 3rd. chapter of Col. was read responsively, followed by The Lords Prayer. The minutes were read by Miss Myrtle Tarkenton. At the roll call, each member render ed an appropriate Bible verse. Due to the absence of the treasurer there was no financial report. A splendid and striking poem on “The New Year” was read by Mrs. Dennis Chesson. The time was taken principally in laying plans for the New Year. After the social hour, the guest were served a delightful course of cake and fruit salad. The February meeting will be with Mrs. N. T. Everett. ACTION ON BILL BEFORE SOLONS NOW IS AWAITED Believed That Legislature Will Postpone Work for One or Two Years \\ ork on the revaluation of all real property in Washington County was ordered stopped last Sautrday by County Tax Supervisor John W. Dar den, alter several day.-' work had been put in by some of tlie township boards 01 assessors. The halting of the work was caused by the bill intro duced in tiie legislature proposing postponement ut the revaluation until February 15. It is expected that this measure will be passed by the general assembly, and the county supervisor ordered the work stopped to save the county needless expense. I he township boards of assessors had begun work last Tuesday, and the Plymouth Township board had al ready done tour days’ work when the work was halted Saturday. It is un derstood that the other township boards had put in only one days work each. Should the revaluation be post poned for a year or two, as it is ex pected to be, the work already done by the assessors will he of no value whatever. It is understood that the reassessment has been halted in other counties in this section also. I here is considerable demand for postponement of the revaluation, as it is felt that no fair valuation could be arrived at this year, and any ap preciable decrease in valuation would i mean an increased tax rate. Represen tative Zeb Vance Norman, who was at home Saturday, stated that he thought the reassessment would be postponed until 1932 or 1933, on ac count of conditions existing at this time. CRESWELL HIGH SCHOOL BOY DIES Robert Bateman, 19. Victim Of Heart Trouble January 1 1 he senior class of Creswell High School was deeply grieved to learn of the death of a former member of the class, Robert Bateman, on Tuesday evening, January 1. He was the son of Mrs. Ida Bateman, of near Cres well. He had suffered with heart trouble for some time and was tem porarily out of school because of ill health. However, his death was sud den and unexpected. Robert was 19 years ot age and had lived all of his life in the community, where he was highly respected by every one. His cheerful disposition and generous nature made him a favorite among his schoolmates and friends. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Ida Bateman; one sister, Mrs. Joliff Cross, of Newport News, Va.; and live brothers, Tom and Dan, of New York; and Bruce, James and Roy, of Norfolk, Ya. 1 he burial service was conducted in the Creswell Baptist church Thursday morning. January 3, at 10 o’clock. His Sunday school and high school clas ses attended in a body. Interment was made in the old Spruill cemetery near Creswell. He will be greatly missed in school, church, and community.—Re ported. Roper Cage Teams Win Four Games in Past Week Playing the teams of Creswell High School here last Wednesday evening and those of the Plymouth High School the following night, Roper's two teams registered four victories, taking the two doubleheaders with ease. In their game with Creswell, the local girls won by the uneven score of 41 to 11, the work of Peacock and Spruill supported by a splendid team work faturing the victory. The boys’ game was even more interesting, the locals turning back the Roper five by a 13 to 6 count. Coming here Thursday night both the girls' and boys’ teams of Plymouth met defeat, the girls losing 47 to 18. and the boys taking the small end of a 37 to 1 score. The large marginal win by the local grils came somewhat as a surprise as the Plymouth sextet had been defeated by Roper in a pre vious game only one point. Peacock and Spruill led the attack for the locals while Gurganus tossed 16 of the 18 points for her team. It was an easy victory for the local boys when they turned Plymouth back the second team taking the cour in the second half to hold the visitors to one I point. I
The Roanoke Beacon and Washington County News (Plymouth, N.C.)
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Jan. 16, 1931, edition 1
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