North Carolina Newspapers

giiiwiiiiiiMimiiiiimiiiimiimiiiimmmimiiiimiiimiiMti = A home newspaper dedicated | 3 to the service of Washington i = County and its 12,000 people, § ftiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii? The Roanoke Beac *.****** and Washington County News ★★★★★★ aiiiiimiimmimmiiimiiinrainmfmiHmmimmnitmiiii | Advertisers will find Beacon = i and News columns a latch-key to h 3 1,100 Washington County homes. jiiiHimmmmmiiimimiiiimmmimmiimmhT VOLUME XLIII—NUMBER 51 Plymouth, Washington County, North Carolina, Friday, December 16,1932 ESTABLISHED 1889 PEANUT GROWER WRITES VIEWS ON DARK PROSPECTS -$ Says Acreage Should Be Cut and Peanuts Stored For Better Prices Here is a tetter written to the Bea con as a reaction to the publication of a symposium of views of peanut growers that appeared in the Beacon last week. The name of the writer is purposes deleted, but the reader may rest assured that it is a prominent grower's letter. Mr. Editor: Quite a bit has been said of late regarding the growers of pea nuts of eastern North Carolina and Virginia and the remedies advanced to overcome their financial condition resulting from the low prices. The writer of this article desires in no wise to advertise himself or give him self any publicity whatever, as his name will not be published. The im pression that prompted me to write on this subject was gained from your published statements last week ap pearing in your paper. Summing up the answers as you gave them, it would appear that it was a hard nut to crack and they all preferred that the other fellow would be welcome if he could plan a relief measure that would work. That farmers should organize as other business does is as old as the hills, and the theory of organization sounds good, appeals to their fancies, lends him an incentive), and Jopens the door of hope to him; but experi ence teaches him he must have been following false policies or at least he finds himself placed in a position where he and his family are on the verge of starvation, yet the farmers of the country are producers of over five bil lion dollars of the wealth of our coun try, and it was only three years ago that his raw products sold in the open markets for more than ten billions of dollars. That the peanut growers of eastern North Carolina and Virginia are in a desperate plight is an acknowledged fact and you can’t find a man who knows anything about the growing of peanuts who will not agree with you here. What are the factors contribut ing to this condition and is there no remedy? Is it overproduction, more than the channels of trade will take up? If so, where is the remedy. Can we increase the purchasing power of the people with the number of them out of employment estimated between 10,000,000 and 12,000,000, with the con tinued reduction of wages in all lines of work. It would be a fallacious ar gument to contend that the consump tive demand would eventually take up this overproduction or excess over consumption unless we stopped rais ing them. So much for this view of the situation. The plan of county organization with their suggestions of storing the crop and marketing as the cleaners need their product looks like the only plausible plan that can be put forth at this time with any degree of hope as an aid in preventing them from reaching a lower price level. The first amendment to the consti tution of our country provided the right of the people to assemble and petition their Congress for a redress of grievances. No one questions this right if it is done in an orderly man ner and never will. The exercise of this right is used only when there is some pressing need for it. Does this need now exist? If so, why not use it? With county and township or ganizations perfected already, rules and regulations governing the system of marketing of the present crop, it suggests itself that a petition might be circulated asking Congress to take a hand in and render such aid and re lief as may be consistent. If our sta tistical report can be relied on there is a crop in excess of our consumptive demand, and yet the major part of the crop is in the hands of the producers. This places the burden upon the grow' er and the ways and means for his re lief must come from him. The stor ing of peanuts in accepted warehouses with the added expense of insurance and storage charges must be also borne by the grower, while it gives at the same time the cleaners a certainty to reckon from and relieves them oi providing such facilities for their an ticipated needs. The peanut growrer, like those hi other lines, has looked to the machine to relieve him of the slow methods ol obtaining the ends of his objective Again, he has been misled into be lieving this method or process has helped him. Suppose the entire cror of peanuts made in Washington Coun ty were to be picked by hand froir the vines. Think just how many mors men and women wrho are without worl and unable to buy the necessary fooc and clothing that this would have giv en employment to and means to sup ply their needs in this particular, ye we wonder w'hy the farmer can’t givi employment to the unemployed in oui Postmaster Gives Rules for Mailing Christmas Greetings Postmaster A. L. Alexander this week made public the following bulletin from the Post Office De partment relative to the mailing of Christmas greeting cards this year: “Printed greeting cards mailed under cover of unsealed envelopes are chargeable with postage at the third-class rate of 1 1-2 cents /or each two ounces or fraction of two ounces, regardless of whether ad dressed for delivery through post office boxes or general delivery, or by city or rural carrier; the 1-cent drop letter rate applicable at non letter carrier offices does not ap ply to such cards in unsealed en sealed envelopes. “Printed Christmas and other greeting cards in unsealed envel opes may bear a simple written inscription not in the nature of personal correspondence, such as “sincerely yours,” “Merry Christ mas,” “Happy New Year,” “with test wishes,” etc., together with the name and address of the send er and of the addressee, without subjecting them to more than the third-class rate. “Greeting cards, sealed or un sealed, bearing written messages other than the simple inscriptions above mentioned, as well as all cards sent in sealed envelopes, are chargeable with postage at the first-class rate of 3 cents an ounce or fraction of an ounce, except when the 1-cent drop letter rate applies. I ALMOST RICH V> Tom Freeman thought he had a fortune. While rummaging around in his father’s trunk for paper to start a fire with, Mr. Freeman came a cross a note on the Reichbank in Berlin that was issued in 1923 for 100,000 marks. (Before the World War this would have been worth about $23,000 in American money. Now it is absolutely worthless, according to officials of the Branch Banking and Trust Co., who in vestigated. The bank note was found in the paper of H. L. Free man, who died in 1926. It is not known how the elder Freeman ac quired the note. SEVERAL CASES IN LOCAL COURT LAST TUESDAY Bad Check Cases Brought By State Officer Are Dismissed Proof that some of the “hard-boiled’’ state officers need some instructions as to when they should embroil peo ple in court procedure is evident as the result of a case in recorder’s court here Tuesday when the bad check case against Edgar H. Harris was dis missed. The charge was brought against Mr. Harris by A. McKenzie, automo bile inspector, for issuing a worthless check for $3(1.59 to the State Reve nue Department. The check was signed by Mrs. Harris. Evidence in the case brought to light that there was no malicious intent. Mrs. Harris gave the check to the in spector expecting a check that she was to receive or had at the time from another party to be worthy, but when the state check came back no funds were in the bank, as the check to Mrs. Harris from the other party was bad. It seemed from the evidence in court that a warrant was issued for Mr. Harris, or perhaps Mrs. Harris, before it came up for settlement, and as soon as possible Mr. Harris sent a money order for the check. Action had already been started by the anx ious state officer. Mr. Harris’ case was dismissed. The dismissal of a bad check case made a cost on the county of sheriff’s fee for arrest $1.50; witnesses of a bout $2.60; jury of $4, if one were to be used as is done in many cases; justice of the peace fee, 75 cents; clerk of court fee, if collected, $2; and al lowing $10 for recorder and prosecut ing attorney, if it was allow'ed and collected. A warrant was issued for Fate Swain, white, for issuing a worthless check to A. J. Maxwell, commissioner of the State Department of Revenue, for $4.88. He was found not guilty. Again the county paid the bill. Frank Green, 28, colored, was charg ed with violating the traffic laws in a warrant issued by L. V. Chesson. The defendant was found not guilty of this charge, which rvas dated as occurring on October 21. Roy Howard, 16, colored, was giv en 60 days on the roads with a sus pension of this if a fine of $10 and costs were paid as he was found guil ty of assault on Sullivan Lilley. A. R. Watson’s case, in which he was charged with an assault with a deadly weapon on Goldie James on December 10, was continued. cities and towns throughout the coun try. Another idea can be advanced, even though it may be tainted with selfishness if viewed from that stand point; yet it might prove a complete solution of the entire problem. Let every peanut grower for next year cut his acreage 50 per cent and be sure he has enough storage room on hi? farm to store his entire crop and let the cleaners get their statistical reports from him or his organization and not from the warehousemen. PROTEST GIVING NEGROES USE OF SCHOOL HOUSE White People in Chapel Hill Section Want Building For Themselves --• It appears now that a petition will be circulated in the Chapel Hill com munity of Plymouth Township seek ing the signatures of taxpayers re questing the Washington County Board of Education to reconsider their previous disposition of the school building. The men and women of the com munity are opposed to the action of the Washington County Board of Ed ucation in agreeing to allow the ne groes of the Macedonia school district the use of the white school building. The education officials stated that the negroes must “repair and improve the building of their own volition and ex pense. The patrons of the old school are dissatisfied that the officials would let the negroes use this school where it stands, as it would mix the races too close together, as the Chapel Hill school is located in a white communi Also they are ot the opinion that the men anil women of the community should be allowed to retain the old school building as a public meeting place for the community, as when the schoolhouse is done away with then there is no place for public gatherings. Another objection is that the school was built at the expense of the tax payers in the Chapel Hill district some time ago, and they feel that after they have put their money in it through taxes and public subscriptions that it should not pass out of their hands en tirely. It is the hope of some of the people that the building will be used for white school purposes again at some time or another. This now seems will never be the practice but time will tell all things, and the men and women arc ijealous of the disposition of this old building. And many of the patrons assert that when the county-wide uniform system of taxation was passed then this district was the only one with a surplus and they turned over to the school officials a good building and a surplus of over $1,000. Ibis has not been confirmed, however. So the people are “riled” over the matter, and they will possibly send around a petition to demonstrate their attitude in the matter, and they are especially anxious to keep the school building now as it is understood that another building in the vicinity that has been used as a public meeting place will be sold. Again, it is noticeable that one of the largest Sunday schools in Wash ington County is being held there each Sabbath, and it is thought that after the present occupants of the school, who use it as a dwelling have moved out then the people will use the old school building to house the 132 that gather for Sabbath School. Few Women at Sunday School Here Sunday -- Something new under the sun has happened in Plymouth. Not a single adult woman was present at the Methodist Sunday school Sunday morning. But there were 23 men present in Z. \ . Nor man's Bible class. Two girls were in Mrs. B. G. Campbell’s class, but the teacher was absent. Superintendent J. AY. Norman call ed attention to the absence of the women. Forty-nine members were present and 76 were absent. A com mittee composed of P. \V. Brown, J. F. Ausbon, T. C. Burgess, Miss Lu cille Parker, Mrs. Lawrence Jones, and Mrs. B. G. Campbell, was named to submit a re-organization program in an effort to improve the attend i ance next Sunday. GIVES FACTS ON LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT COSTS -$ Secretary and Treasurer of School Board Writes of Financial Condition By Dr. C. McGOWAN Secretary and Treasurer, Plymouth School Board It is a fact that the secretary-treas urer of the Plymouth Graded schools receives $300 per year for his serv ices. It is also a fact that the audit of June 30, 1032, stated in Exhibit D the following: “All cash receipts were found promptly deposited in the bank and disbursements were found regu lar and supported by cancelled checks, invoices, etc., issued in the regular course of business. No irregularities were disclosed in our audit of the cash account, and we believe the funds have been carefully and honestly han dled." It is also a fact that the Ply mouth Graded School District is bond ed for $120,000. No interest iias been paid since November, 1931, “the pay ments due March 1 and May I. 1932, have not been paid.” The sinking fund of $2,119.20 is the yearly amount necessary to retire the bonded indebtedness of the graded school in the years 1950-51. Ibis has not been paid in the last three years, neither has the interest. The county collected one-third of last year’s bud get, which would give $700 for the sinking fund of last year. IN hat be came of the amount, or who got it? NVe do not know the percentage col lected in previous years, although we do know that a larger percentage was collected for the previous two years. What became of that? There was $1,800 asked in the bud get over a period of four years to take care of fire insurance due November 4, 1932. Certainly there was a per centage collected, but we are now un able to secure funds for insurance. Washington County owes the Ply mo...h Graded School District $20, 000 that was taken from the sinking fund, both notes are due, no interest lias been paid on either, and we are unable to collect either principal or interest. Quoting the audit of this year. “You are contingently liable in case the county defaults.” It is a fact that the following items are due the graded schools from Washington County: note, $20,000; interest on note $2,907.66; sinking fund installment for three years, $6,357.78; making a total of $29,265.44. It is a fact that the board of educa tion owes the graded school $8,013.29, of this amount $3,634.99 was extended term levy, $604.30 supplementary levy, $3,609 debt service requirement, $165 for capital outlay. “We verify the amount shown on this schedule with the office of the county superintend ent of schools, and the items are in accordance with county records.” We are unable to secure any of the above, and we have salaries amounting to $2, 827.80 that are unpaid, and bills pay able, $365.69. Mr. Hicks’ travel expenses for last year were $60.01, and that of J. W. Norman was $300.00. The county furnished a car and all operating ex penses for the county superintendent, while in case of the city superintend ent only gas and oil are furnished. When placed on a comparative basis the city received one-fifth as much travel allowance 'as the county. The audit for the year 1931 -’32 as shown on schedule 6, page 1, is $75.00 and not $150.00. The office expense of the city schools was $65.07. Please note that this did not include an office assistant or a $1,000.00 mechanical system of book keeping. If it had, we would have had a more permanent record of all transactions. As to salaries, the principal of the graded school should have received $1,980.00, which was $560.00 less than the amount received the year previous ly, less ten percent. During previous administrations the principals of the graded schools have received a salary for both white and negro schools, these included J. W. Norman and L. H. Hubble. In both instances the principals of Roper and Creswell re 1 ceived a salary based upon the super vision of white and negro schools. As to economy, why not have the representative of Washington County introduce a bill in the General As sembly to relieve the State of N. C. of $200,000.00 by abolishing the of fice of county superintendents and provide for supervision of the schools through the principals, or consolidate small counties? Twenty-Three Farmers Aid in Rat Campaign -® Twenty-three farmers cooperated with J. W. Johansen, of State College, and R. E. Dunning, county farm agent in the campaign on rats in \\ ashing jton County. The exact results of the war have not been determined as yet, although it is expected that large numbers of rodents were destroyed. TO HAVE ANNUAL FATHER AND SON BANQUET FRIDAY -« Creswell Chapter of Young Farmers Preparing for Big Event Creswell.—Sparkling jokes will be mingled with the stunts and the sober part of the program when the Creswell chapter of the Young Tar Heel Farm ers of North Carolina entertain their fathers at their annual banquet here on Friday night, December 16, at 7:30 o’clock. The invocation will be made by Rev. \V. H. Hollowell, pastor of the Baptist church. A toast to the dads of the students will be made by Jesse Craddock with Eli Spruill responding for the fathers. A harmonica solo will be rendered by Ernest Davenport. For the first time since the inaug uration of this work in the Creswell school the boys will open their meet ing with the ritual of the Future Farm ers of America, of which the chapter is a member in conjunction with the North Carolina organization. Hilton Chesson, president of the club, will make a report of the work of the chapter for the past year. Ira Alligood will talk for a short lime on “The Future of the American Farm er." Soil improvement will be dis cussed by Dockie Davenport. A quartet composed of Junior Spruill, Jesse Craddock, Glenn Daven port, and C. H. Rabon will render some selections. Stanley Ainsley has chosen the subject of "Soil Acidity’’ for his short talk. The Future Farm ers creed will be recited by Mercer ouunian. E. N. Meekins, of Raleigh, super visor of the northeastern district of vocational agriculture instruction, will be present at the meeting and will make a short talk to the hoys as well as James W. Norman, superintendent of public instruction of the county. Other invited guests will be George W. Hardison, E. R. Lewis, and O. R. Armstrong, county commissioners; T. J. Swain, C. N Davenport, and L. E. Hassell, members of the county board of education; L. W. Farabee, C, H. Aderholdt, and R. L. Leitchfield, and others, ■-® A. L. Owens Attend Peanut Meeting in Suffolk Tuesday A. L. Owens, of Plymouth, chair man of the central committee of the Washington County Cooperative Pea nut Growers association, is back home today after attending a meeting of growers and cleaners of peanuts in Suffolk Tuesday. It was decided at this meeting that the grower-representatives were to return home and advise the growers to stop indiscriminate rushing of nuts on the market and also to in augurate a curtailment program of 40 percent, reduction in acreage. The Federal government through the Reconstruction Finance Corpor ation will he asked to purchase two million bags of peanuts at two cents a pound for the best to distribute among the needy for food as flour is now distributed and if this fails then the American Red Cross will be ask ed to buy these nuts through the gov ernment. --^ Mrs. Margaret Norman Died Last Saturday Roper.—Funeral services were held at Zions Chapel Church, near here, Sunday for Mrs. Margaret Norman, 75 years of age, who died Saturday aft ernoon of a chronic illness that be came severe a week or more ago. The Rev. Mr. Atkinson, pastor of the Meth odist church, officiated. Mrs. Norman was the widow of Charles H. Norman, who has been dead since 1917. Burial took place at the old Norman burying ground near here. Surviving Mrs. Norman are two sons, W. O. Norman, of Roper; and Shelton Norman. Mrs. Norman was a member of Zion Chapel Christian church. Schools To Close Today For Christmas Holidays The Plymouth Graded Schools will close today, December 16, for two weeks for the Christmas holidays. They will re-open on January 2 for the second semester. The rural schools, both white and colored, will close December 23. E. H. Liverman Buying Produce During Sale E. H. Liverman here has started a novelty in business, as he is offering to buy peanuts at an eighth of a cent a pound higher price than the com 1 modity is quoted on the Norfolk mar ket. He is also buying corn and soy beans to be traded out. This is a j help to the farmers. Business Picking Up ^4s Christmas Nears I IT’S UP TO YOU I v/ Just another week and'then it’s Christmas, and those whose hearts are concerned can picture the pathos of an empty stocking. The dismay, disappointed tears, and heart-breaking sobs of the little ones who have for so long looked forward to this day of days in their young lives. Many families in Washington County are looking to you to help fill these little hearts with glad ness, and the urgent call is sent out to get in touch with your wel fare workers. Adopt a family of children for your own and see what joy it will bring you. If you can not take a family, do what you can with your donations of fruits, candy, toys and money. Let all work together to see that none are left out and begin sending in your contributions for this fund now. If you have a family that you are providing for, register the name with Mrs. W. C. Brewer and avoid duplications. If you will a dopt a family, select the one you want from the prepared list in the welfare office in the courthouse. No one can give all, but every one can give something. Lees Mill Township Sunday Schools Meet -- Pleasant Grove.—The Lees Mills Township Sunday school convention met with the Sunday school at Pleas ant Grove church on December 11. Despite the bad weather, a number were present and the program was ! very interesting. The president called the meeting to order and conducted the devotional service. Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Brewer, of Plymouth, rendered special music. After the reports of the Sunday schools were given, it was found that Zions Chapel had the largest number present. Mr. Brewer made a very interest ing talk, which was followed by a mes sage from the township president. ' Then part of the junior choir from Zions Chapel rendered some special music and Doris Chesson recited a poem entitled, “A Christian’s Goal.” -- Senior Class Presents Play In Creswell Last Friday -« Creswell.—The senior clas of the’ Creswell IliKrh School presented “The | Bashful Mr. Bobbs” last Friday night. It was a three-act play that presented the students in a panorama of laugh ter, seriousness, and good acting. Characters in the play were Sarah Jane Liverman, Stewart Phelps, Es ther Spruill, Dokie Davenport, Minnie Davenport, Zylphann Oliver, Bill Jor dan. Dorothy Woodley, .Stanley Ain slcy, Mary E. Woodley, and Rachel Stillman. Winslow's Store Full of Articles For Christmas Winslow’s store here ha" got the Christmas spirit, as it is crammed with gifts for the kiddies and inex pensive gifts for the older folks, who like something that can be used. He has fruits, toys, and other appropriate things, and his place is well decor ated. To Have Service At Zions Chapel Sunday Roper.—Rev. Malcolm Perry, of Elizabeth City, is expected to preach at Zions Chapel Church Sunday morn ing, December 18, at 11 o’clock. Firemen Entertain Large Crowd With Play Here -«. Firemen with their troupe of local talent highly entertained a good au dience last Friday night with their play, “Happy Valley.” Mrs. \V. 1. Nurney directed the successful play. The cast included Miss Donnie Clif ton, Bill Styron, Charlie Jackson, Frank Spruill, Miss Opal Lilley, Bob Tarkenton, Miss Charlotte McNair, and Miss Nancy Bateman. PLAY IN ROPER TONIGHT -v Roper.—The Junior class of Roper High School is presenting its class play, the “Path of True Love,” on Friday night, December 16, at 8 o’ clock in the school auditorium. The characters are portrayed by Russell Chesson, Mildred Blount, Os ! borne Marrow, Maure Peacock, Bill j Davenport, Minnie Dillon, Elsie Ches ! son, Margaret Vail, Elmer Turner, i and Peggy Peacock. LOCAL STORES STOCKED WITH GIFTS FOR ALL Merchants Are Prepared for Seasonal Increase in Business Retail trade continued today to take a new lease on life as a bracing wind from the northward put a sharp chill on the air, as if heralding the Christ mas season, as the Yuletide spirit is gradually seeping to the core of the people in Washington County. The downtown shopping district of Plymouth has been invaded by large crowds in this pre-holiday season as purchasers gather from every section of the county to take advantage of the bargains offered by merchants in an advertising campaign through the Beacon. Clothing stores, including Liver man's, Gilbert Davis, Adler’s, Thomp son’s, and Young’s, are making a strong bid for Christmas trade by of fering the so-called “necessary” things which have a great appeal in the time of depression—such as hos iery for men and women, shirts for men, lingerie, coats and gloves for women, household linens, and so on. Grocers, including Williford's, Campbell’s, and Winslow, are boosting their stock of foods for the Christ mas table, such as ingredients for the usual fruit cake; turkey and litl^er meats for the table; oyster dressing for filling; fruits for Santa Claus to deliver and nuts to be distributed also. U. H. Lyon has come along with his unusual reductions in drugs for season, and it is thought that kodaks, toilet preparations, and other gift val ues will be reduced for this event, to far, his is the only drug store to ai - vertise any reductions in the Beacon. Toys are available in many of the stores, but it is said that R. H. Liver man and Winslow carry the largest lines in town. Anyway, this is the way the advertising has run in regard to the favors for the little tots. Other stores are showing them in their win dows, but these men have advertised their merchandise in this line. Then there are the many electrical appliances that are boosted by the Virginia Electric and Power Company for Christmas gifts that include water heaters, ranges, refrigerators, toasters, waffle irons, and many other such con veniences that are really good gifts for a friend in town. And one of the most important items is the advertising of the Branch Banking and Trust Company of their annual Christmas savings clubs which are now being started for next year. This is one of the best items and sav ing through this method, with the in terest added, is a sure way to have money next Christmas. The Central Garage has been ad vertising Goodyear tires and tubes all the year, and in the last issue of the Beacon pointed out what excellent gifts a tire would be to a motorist and Firestone products advertised by the Sinclair Service Station are also appropriate. In view of these good ads, and the bargains offered by other stores who have not patronized the Beacon with their Christmas specials, many of the tightwads who only last week de clared that “there will be no gilts” this year are already beginning to re tract their statements. Christmas is in the air, and it can not be stopped. It’s that little some thing you get while noticing brilliant ly decorated shop windows or watch ing fast-moving crowds of individuals carrying bundles or hearing little chil dren exclaim over a particularly fas cmating toy. No matter how much it is said that "the depression’s still on, so I'm not going to give any presents,’’ the mon ey will come from somewhere ’round about Christmas Eve, and many of those who said this will be going home laden with bundles sneaking them into the attic for a surprise gift on Christ mas Day. -® Supervisor Commends Local Welfare Workers -<♦> Here is a letter received from Miss Mary Ward, supervisor of the dis trict welfare work in North Carolina, to Mr. and Mrs. \Y. C. Brewer, wel fare workers in Washington County: "Thank you for your very nice let ter and your splendid report. I hope those from a'l the counties in this dis trict reached Raleigh as promptly and in as good condition as yours.’’ This shows to some extent what the State people think about the work of these two workers.