Newspapers / The Roanoke Beacon and … / March 20, 1931, edition 1 / Page 1
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E A home newspaper dedicated = = to the service of Washington S = County and its 12,000 people. = smiiiimiuiimiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii? The Roanoke beacon ★ ★★★★★★★★★ And Washington County News ★ ★★★★★★★★★ ^iiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiitiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimy M Advertisers will find Beacon E 1 and News columns a latch-key to = §§ 1,100 Washington County homes. S fiiiiiiiimmiiiiiiiiHiMiiiuiiiimiiiKiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiii? VOLUME 42—NUMBER 12 Plymouth, Washington County, North Carolina, Friday, March 20, 1931. ESTABLISHED 1889 NORMAN THINKS HOUSE TO STAND BY M’LEAN BILL Adjournment Not Looked For Now Before April 1, Representative Says Representative Z. V. Norman, who spent the week-end at his home here, stated that there was no chance for adjournment of the legislature before April 1st, and that the body would possibly be in session even longer than that. While a great number of bills have been passed, a great many of them are purely local character or are of minor importance. None of the revenue measures had been reported out of committee up to the week-end, although the house expected to get the main revenue bill early this week. The matter that is holding up pro ceedings more than any other one thing is the finding of tax revenue to support the constitutional six-months term from sources other than by ad valorem taxation. Mr. Norman said the house would probably pass the general sales tax bill, while the senate, if it passes any kind of sales tax, will more than likely hold out for the se lective of luxury feature. The revenue bill will then probably go to con ference, the outcome of which no one is willing to predict. The senate is opposed to any kind of sales tax, and it may pass a bill re pealing the McLean law, which was passed early in the session by both houses. However, the Washington County representative believes that the house will “stand pat” with reference to the MacLean law, which requires that the State finance operation of the schools for the six-months term. Should the two houses become hope lessly deadlocked over this proposition, the chances are that they will adjourn without providing any revenue for the * operation of the schools. under tne ivicuean taw, me Luum/ commissioners can not levy a tax for the support of the six-months schools and if the legislature adjourns without making provision for raising the neces sary money, either a special session will have to be called by the gover nor or there will be no school next fall. Adjournment without providing revenue for the schools will put the whole matter up to Governor Gardner, who, so far, has played a “hands off’ policy in regard to the school pro blem. Mr. Norman believes the house will stand by the MacLean bill to the last ditch, as it is the only measure so far offered this session that will materially lower taxes on land. He also believes the house will pass the gross sales tax bill, but its fate in the senate is pro blematical. Both senators from this district, E. S. Peel, of YVilliamston, and H. S. Ward, of Washington, are for the sales tax measure also, but re cent polls of the senate have indicated that the vote will be very close, if not against any form of sales tax. LOW PRICE PAID FOR TOBACCO —4-* Average for 1930 Crop Is 30 Per Cent Under Price For Previous Year North Carolina tobacco farmers were paid 30 per cent, or 4.5 cents per pound, less for their tobacco during the 1930-31 season than for the year before, the federal and state crop re porting service announced recently. With only six warehouses yet to re port, producer’s sales for the season amounted to 560,728,517 pounds, or ap proximately 90,000,000 pounds. more than was sold last year. The final fi gures are expected shortly. The aver age price paid for the tobacco was ap proximately $12.90 per hundred pounds, as compared with an average of approximately $17.50 for the previ ous season. Juniors To Have Big Meet Monday Night ■ —<%> R. L. Tetterton, secretary of the Plymouth Rock Council, Jr. O. A. M., announced this week that a class ini tiation would be staged at the hall of the local lodge Monday night, March 23. All members of the order are in vited to attend, and a large crowd of visitors is expected at the meeting. --— Creswell Teachers To Present Play March 27 i Creswell, Mar. 18—‘The Man in the Green Shirt,” a play in three acts, will be presented in the school auditorium here Friday night, March 27. The pro duction is sponsored by the faculty of Creswell High School, and a very com petent cast has been selected. Provid ing plenty of comedy, with a thread of mystery pervading throughout, the play promises to be one of the best ever presented here. Mr. and Mrs. D. P. Sallinger of Nor folk spent a few days of last week as the guest of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Rod gers. L. E. Hassell, of Roper, Is Named to Board Education Will Succeed Capt. C. E. Mizelle, Also of Roper, Whose Term Expires April 1st; Appointment Before Legislature This Week L. E. Hassell, former county trea surer, of Roper, has been nominated as member of the county board of education by Representative Zeb V. Norman, it was learned this week. The new member will succeed Capt. C. E. Mizelle, of Roper, whose term expires April 1. The other two members of the board Chairman T. J. Swain, of Plymouth, and H. H. Bateman, of Creswell, will retain their places, as their terms do not expire this year. Appointments are made for six years, xthe term of one member expiring every biennium. There were three candidates for the .vacant position in the primary last June, George W. Dixon, of Roper, re ceiving the highest number of votes cast, Sidney A. Ward, of Plymouth, being next, and W. B. Davenport, of Mackeys, third. It is understood that the condition of Mr. Dxion’s health will not permit him to serve, which is the reason he was not appointed. Cap tain Mizelle did not run for reelection, as he was a candidate for representa tive; and Mr. Hassell was a candidate for treasurer in the same primary. ! The omnibus bill, making appoint ■ ments to county boards of education throughout the State, was favorably reported to the house by the committee on education Tuesday, and action on the measure will probably be had this week. The new member in this county will be sworn in at the meeting of the board on April 6. Two Pouches Mail Stolen From Depot Here Monday Spring Will Officially Begin Saturday, 21st -$ Springtime, the inspiration of poets and the busy season for farmers, w*H officially get under way tomorrow morning, Satur day, March 21, at exactly 7 min utes past 9 o’clock, according to the old reliable Turner’s North Carolina Almanac. This is the season when the days and nights are approximately the same len gth, with the days gaining a few minutes each day over the night follow/'ng. Last Tuesday the sun rose at 6:09 a. m. and set at 6:09 p. m., which made the day exactly 12 hours long. And the “old timers” are now holding their breath for the equinoxial storms, which ire supposed to temper our enthusiasm for the arrival of spring. SALVATION ARMY MAKES REPORT FOR FEBRUARY Large Number Influenza ; Cases Causes Increase In Amount Work -®. Envoy and Mrs. W. C. Brewer, in I charge of the local post of the Salva tion Army, this week made their re port for the month of February, showing among other things, that groceries were furnished to 63 families during the period, 227 garments were distributed, 7 pairs of shoes w^ere giv en out and medicine was furnished for 7 people. Mr. and Mrs. Brewer stated that the large number of cases of in fluenza aggravated conditions during I the month, but that the coming of war mer weather a distinct improvement should be noted. The army workers also made 86 vi : sits to the homes of sick, prayer meet | ings were held in 26 homes, and a 1 number of investigations were made. Mr. and Mrs. Brewer again praise the people of the county for their coo ! peration in caring for the needy, stat i ing that they had some splendid assis tance from people in Creswell and Ro : per, as well as Plymouth. Personal help was rendered in several instances, for which the relief workers are very grateful. jCROP ROTATION j EXPERT HERE -• Several Projects Are Under Way on County Farms; Agent Assisting -1— - E. C. Blair, extension agronomist, of State College, Raleigh was in Ply 'mouth Wednesday in connection with I some soil improvement projects being I conducted in the county by several farmers under the direction of Coun j ty Agent R. E. Dunning. Rough maps I are made of the farms where the pro jects are under way, and a definite pro , gram of crop rotation for each field is outlined through the cooperation of the agent and Mr. Blair. Results of the demonstrations will be made in de tail at the end of the period consider ed necessary. Mr. Dunning stated that demonstra tions of soil improvement by crop ro tation were being conducted on farms of L. E. Hassell, of ljoper, E. H. Liverman, of Plymouth, the Westover farm under the supervision of J. T. Robbins, and at several other points in the county. ALL OF STOLEN MAIL RECOVERED FOLLOWING DAY —®— Federal, County, and Town Officers Are Working On Case Two locked pouches of first-class mail were stolen from the union sta tion here early Monday night, the thief or thieves gaining entrance to the station by unlocking the door. The pouches, which had been cut open and the contents rifled, were recovered about 2 1-2 miles from here near Mor rattock church Tuesday afternoon by local postal workers. Postmaster A. L. Alexander stated yesterday that so far as could be ascertained by post of fice employees, very little, if any, mo ney was obtained by tbe robbers, al though the pouches contained several thousand dollars in checks and money orders, almost all of which have been accounted for since tbe recovery of the stolen pouches. Federal county and town officers are now working on the case, although no arrests have been made. The two pouches, which did not contain any registered mail, were made up at the local office Monday night for the Norfolk Southern train v hich arrives here at 12:26 a. m. They were locked up in the station, and the robbery was not discovered until the porter from the train went to the sta tion for the bags. He immediately no tified Mail Messenger J. T. Weede that the pouches were missing and an investigation was started. Tuesday afternoon Rural Carriers G. K. Harris and E. G. Harrison, accom panied by Postmaster Alexander, started combing tbe roads of tbe coun ty for the missing pouches, which were found near Morrattock church. The bags had been cut, practically every letter opened and then thrust back in to tbe pouches, and evidently thrown into the woods, as they were found hanging on a small bush about 15 or 20 feet from the road. Tbe mail was brought back here and every- effort made to straighten it out and forward the various letters to tbe persons ad dressed. A letter was prepared to be enclosed with the rifled mail, ex plaining why the seal had been brok en. A large proportion ot the matter m the two pouches came from two or three local firms, members of which assisted the postal employees in sort ing the mail out. The Branch Bank ing Company had about 175 checks in the pouches, totalling around $14,000, and Mr. Beam, the cashier, stated yes terday that all but 5 of them had been accounted for. There was also a large number of money orders in the bags, and Mr. Alexander believes that prac tically all of them were recovered. Sheriff J. K. Reid, Chief of Police P. W. Brown, a Norfolk Southern Rail road detective, and a Post Office De partment inspector are now working on the robbery, although they were not willing to make any statements yesterday as to the progress made. -• Revaluation Postponed To April 1 By Assembly The quadrennial revaluation, sched uled to have been this year, starting January 1. was again postponed by the legislature last week, this time un til April 1. When the assembly first convened the matter was put off until March 15, and there is a bill pending before the house that would postpone the work until 1933. The assessors of Washington County have already put in several days, and their work will go for naught if the revaluation is post poned for two more years. BETTER PRICES FOR POULTRY AT CAR MONDAY Colored Hens Are 2 Cents Higher Than Before; Broilers Same The North Carolina Division of Mar kets, through the cooperation of County Agent R, E. Dunning, will operate its second poultry car of the year in this county next Monday, when the car will he placed On the siding at the A. C. L. Station here fur the day. The prices as announced are higher on several types of poultry, and Mr. Dun ning is looking for probably the largest loading ever to be made here. Broilers will again bring the highest price, 25 cents a pound, the same as at the first car. Colored hens will bring 18 cents per pound this time, however, which represents an increase of 2 cents. Roosters will bring 9 cents, ducks and geese 8 cents, and No. 1 3'oung turkeys 23 cents per pound. Guineas will continue to bring 30 cents each. Leghorn hens and old toms or No. 2 turkeys will he worth 15 cents, with capons quoted at 17 and 23 cents per pound, depending on size. lespedezaTs BEING TRIED ■ ■<$ Recommended by Agent for Both Hay and Soil Improvement County Agent R. E. Dunning said this week that he had secured 400 pounds of lespedeza seed to be used by county farmers this year. This amount will plant only about 16 acres, and is not as large as the agent hoped for, but it is regarded as a step in the right direction, and it is believed other far mers will take it up next year when they see the results obtained. Lespedeza in this section is usually regarded as a grazing crop, but the agent pointed out that it was highly regarded for its hay-producing and soil-improving qualities in the western part cf the State, where it is grown extensively. Experiments have shown that it will yield front 3,000 to 5,000 pounds of high grade hay per acre. It is recommended that lespedeza be broadcast on land where rye or oats have been planted. These crops can then be cut off in the spring without damaging the lespedeza, which is not harvested until August. Besides giving two feed crops a year under this plan, the lepedeza will reseed itself if left in field until August, and usually from 5 to 10 bushels of seed can also be harvested per acre. The hay compares very favorably with alfalfa, it is under stood. willTagain ship CARP FROM HERE Schwartzman To Construct Pounds Here; Ship Fish In Tank Cars -— Mr. I. Schwartzman, representing New York fishing interests, was in Plymouth Tuesday making arrange ments for shipping german carp to Northern cities again this year in tank cars. Last year was the first time this scheme was tried out in this sec tion. and the success of the venture assures its continuation. Besides buying carp from local fishermen, Mr. Schwartzman is plan ning to construct several pounds for catching the fish himself. Only carp are shipped in this manner. They are put in tank cars and kept alive until they reach the markets in the northern towns, where they command a good price. A few years ago, the carp was not considered a very desirable fish, and thousands of them were thrown away by fishermen. They are caught in considerable quantity- all along the Roaonke River, and are said to be considered quite a delicacy in the north. I HITS BOTTOM I \-' Washington, March 16.—Far mers received less for their pro ducts last month than at any time during the last 20 years. The Agriculture Department announced today the general price level had dropped two points below the index figure of 92 recorded in 1911. Comfort was found for farm ers, however, in a lower level of prices paid by them for neces sities. February 15 the index of farm prices was 90, four points under January 15, and 41 points lower than February, 1930. Sight ad vances were indicated for the first two weeks of March. The department said the gen eral lower level reflected to some extent larger supplies, but prin cipally was due to bus/ness depres sion, curtailment in buying power of consumers, and reduced demand for feed because of a mild Winter. BILL TO EXTEND CITY LIMITS HAD SHORT LIFE IN HOUSE LAST WEEK 18S7 Newspaper Tells How To Make Crows Commit Suicide Ever since Egypt had its pla gues, subsequent generations have had theirs in one form or another. Today the farmers have the boll weevil, corn borers, and numerous other insects to prey upon and destroy their crops. Back in 1857, crows were ap parently one of the pests, for Au gustus Moore, ed/tor of the Democratic Banner, a newspaper published in Williamston, offered the following remedy in his issue of June 25 that year: “Take a horse hair two inches long, tie a knot at one end, run it through a grain of corn and throw the grains broadcast over your farms. The crow will swallow the gra/n, the hair sticks out at the mouth, and produces irritation and inflammation, which causes the crow to commit suicide by claw ing his throat for relief. This is no humbug.” The above item was taken from the Democrat/c Banner, issue of June 25, 1857, now owned by a Williamston citizen, who has a large collection of old newspaper, some of which are more than 100 years old. Slade and Kitty Hawk Fisheries To Begin Operating Monday; Capacity Of Both Places 750,000 Fish Daily 60 TO 125 MEN TO BE EMPLOYED DURING SEASON Visitors From All Parts of State Expected; New Road Is Built The Kitty Hawk and Slade fisheries, owned and operated by \Y. H. Hamp ton & Son. of this place, will begin the 1931 fishing season next Monday mor ning. it was announced this week by \Y. R. Hampton, who will be in active charge. The two fisheries will operate with a crew of about 60 men for the first few weeks, the force gradually being increased until about 125 men are employed at the peak of the sea son. which is usually reached during the last two weeks in April. The fisher ies are located on opposite sides of the Roanoke River, about two miles west of Plymouth. Aside from providing one of the most spectacular scenes in this sec tion, attracting hundreds of visitors from all part of the State, the fisheries furish seasonal employment for a large number of people, and the money paid out for wages and salaries usualh makes all lines of business better in the town. The industry is quite an as set to Plymouth, and the opening of the season is always hailed with de light by local people. A new road Mas just recently neen completed to the fishery property, the work being done largely by a crew of convicts from the county road camp, and thousands of cars will doubtless make the trip up the river between now and May 10, when the season ends. The "Nellie Bly,” a boat owned by the Hampton interests, will also make regular trips to and from the fisheries to carry sight-seers and pros pective purchasers. Everything was declared to l)e in readiness for beginning operations Monday by Mr. Hampton in an inter view yesterday. The big seines used by the fisheries have been repaired and tarred, the grounds have been cleaned off, bins and storage houses put in condition, and tentative crews select ed. Mr. Hampton will be in charge of the Slade fishery, on the Washing ton County side of the river, while H. Robbins, who has been associat ed with him for many years in the bu siness, will direct operations at the Kitty Hawk Fishery, on the Bertie side. Each ot the two semes is 800 yard9 long, nearly half a mile, while the depth ranges front 24 to 42 feet, with a mesh of 2 to 3 1-2 inches. Over a mile and a half of rope is required for the operation of each seine. Casts are made alternately, one fishery putting out its net while the other is pulling in, and the two outfits combined have a daily capacity of "50,000 fish. Herring naturally constitute the hulk of the catches, with large quanti ties of rock, perch and shad, in the order named, coming next. An occa sional sturgeon is landed, although this fish is becoming more rare every year in the Roancfke. The usual catch of the two fisheries runs from 1,500,000 to 2,750,000 pounds each season. As high as 125,000 herring have been landed at a single haul. All of the fish except herring are shipped fresh, packed in ice boxes. The herring are cleaned, some are salted and others cured in vinegar, then pac ked in kegs and shipped. The salted herrings are usually sold in North Carolina, while the vinegar-cured kind 1 are shipped principally to New York and Chicago. The roe is removed at ' the fisheris and usually canned at the local canning plant. It is presumed COLORFUL FAMILY 1 v/ Kinston, March 15.— James Brown today boasted of belong ing to one of the country’s most colorful families. Brown, whose home is in New York State, is descended from the Flatbush Greens on his mother’s side. He married a Gray. Blacks at New Haven are among hjs wife's rela tives. One of his sisters married a White. A brother married a Thann, which is pronounced Tan. “There is always a lot of jok ing when one of us has a family reunion," Brown said. “We used to have clam bakes on Long Island, and sometimes the male contingent would paint the vi cinity red, so to speak. Old Abe Redd and a lady named Yellow ley usually attended, but they were unrelated.” FIVE CASES TRIED IN RECORDER’S COURT TUESDAY Two Colored Women Sent To Workhouse for 60 Days for Assault Five cases were on the docket in re corder's court here Tuesday, and the session lasted the better part of the morning. One appeal was noted front the recorder's judgments, one defen dant was found not guilty, one case nol prossed, and judgment was sus pended in another action. Captain L. L. Basnight won’t have to worry about cooks for the next two months, as Judge Owens sent two colored women out to the workhouse for that length of time. Cases disposed of follow: C. T. Riddick entered a plea of guil ty on a bad check charge and judg ment was suspended upon payment of the check and the court costs. Mary K. Ford and Essie Snowden were charged with assault with deadly weapons as a result of an altercation between the two, during which both received some scars of battle. They plead not guilty, hlht the recorder disagreed with them after hearing the evidence and gave them 60 days at the county workhouse to think matters over. L. \v. Uverton was tound guilty on a bad check county after he had en tered a plea of not guilty. Judgment was suspended upon payment of the check, a fine of $10, and the court costs. The defendant noted an appeal, and bond was fixed at $75. Thurman A. Reddick was found not guilty of violating the traffic law. The charge against \V. J. Spruill, alleging violation of the traffic laws, was nol prossed. that this will be done this year, al though definite announcement as to the operation of the canning plant has not yet been announced this season. The Slade Fishery is probably the oldest in this part of the state, as deeds for it are on record as far back as 1813, and it is believed that it was operated more than 15U years ago. The property has been in possession of the Hampton family for at least 60 years, and it has not missed a season’s opera tion in that time. Mr. Hampton said yesterday that in quiries were already being received from the trade and that no difficulty would be encountered in disposing of the catches. When asked about pros pects, he stated there was no way of -ce (Continued on page four) KILLED FRIDAY AFTER HEARING BY COMMITTEE Large Delegations From Here, For and Against Measure, Heard The bill introduced in the house last week proposing extension of the city limits of Plymouth had “a short life but a merry one," if the amount of argument, pro and con, stirred up by the measure is any indication. The bill itself was killed by an unfavorbale re port of the house committee on coun ties, cities, and towns Friday after noon, following a hearing attended by large delegations representing both sides of the question. The bill was drawn up by W. L. Whitley, special attorney for the town, following an adjourned meeting of the Town Council last Tuesday night, members of the council unani mously favoring the proposed exten sion. Representative Zeh Vance intro duced the measure in the house Wed nesday, and it was referred to the house committee on counties cities and towns, which fixed Friday afternoon for a public hearing on the bill. Mr. Norman stated at the time the bill was presented to him that he would re main neutral on the question, and he did not take an active part in the hearing Friday. Proponents and opponents of the proposed extension marshalled their forces for the hearing Friday, Attor ney W. L. Whitley making the prin cipal argument for the bill, which was opposed by attorneys for the Norfolk Southern Railroad, Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, representatives of the Chicago Mill and Lumber Co., the Na tional Handle Co., W. H. Clark for the Plymouth Peanut Co., and several local citizens. Senator H. S. Ward and i several local citizens also spoke for . the bill before the committee. Follow ! ing the hearing, the committee went j into executive session, when the vote ; was takn. Conflicting accounts as to the vote are reported, the acting chair man stating that the unfavorable re port was reached unanimously, while several citizens who attended stated that the vote was 4 to 1, Representa tive Lumpkin, of Franklin County, voting to report the bill favorably. The unfavorable report kills the bill, so far as practical purposes are | concerned. It can be revived by a | majority vote of the house to remove i it from the unfavorable calendar, but I such action is not likely to be taken unless drastic amendments are added. The principal argument for the mea sure was that the area proposed to be added was needed by the town to pro mote its natural growth, and that the people of the greater part of the ter ritory were enjoying many of the bene fits of the town at the expense of the taxpayers inside the city limits. It was pointed out that the extension of the limits would add approximately one-third to the present valuation of ■ taxable property, thereby enabling the town council to maintain the present tax rate, which will have to be increas ed one-third or more this year unless , the valuation is increased. ! opposition was voiced dv tne several corporations on the grounds that they were already contributing in an in direct manner to the institutions of the town by providing employment for a large number of persons who spend their money in Plymouth. They do not consider further taxaiton justifiable for the benefits they would receive. I The proposition has evoked more argument than anything that has hap pened here for some time. Following the introduction of the bill Wednesday of last week, it became almost the sole topic of conversation locally. Senti ment here is generally in favor of the extension as many town people see l in the proposal a means of reducing j town taxes, or of holdnig the rate ; down. Officials believe the rate will lie around $3 this year unless property , is added to the books from somewhere. I However, there are enoug h who be | ljeve differently to furnish an argu ! ment, and the entire matter has been threshed out in discussions hundreds ! of times in the past week, j Among those attending the hearing in Raleigh last Friday were: For the I bill, D. O. Brinkley, S. A. Ward, J. T. | McNair, A. L. Alexander, A. I.. | Owens, Harry Stell, and Attorneys E. I L. Owens and W. L. Whitley; against j the bill, A. H. Stier. C. L. Groves, W. H. Clark, E. R. Jackson, J. M. Hor , ton, J. A. Getsinger, H. L, Horton, | and Julian Brinkley. PARACHUTE JUMPER KILLED Jesse Exum, parachute jumper, met death near Tarboro last Saturday i when his parachute failed to open and j he fell 1,000 feet to the ground. Up un i til yesterday none of his relatives had I been or could be reached. i
The Roanoke Beacon and Washington County News (Plymouth, N.C.)
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March 20, 1931, edition 1
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