THE
Roanoke Reaeon
and
W ashins ton County ISews
PUBLISHED EVERT FRIDAY
In Plymouth, Washington County,
North Carolina
The Roanoke Beacon is Wash
ington County's only newspaper.
It was established m 1889, consoli
dated with the Washington County
News in 1929 and with The Sun
in 1937.
Subscription Rates
■ Payable in Advance'
One year_SI.50
Six months- -75
Advertising Rates Furnished
Upon Request
Entered as second-class matter
at the post office in Plymouth. N.
C., under the act of Congress of
March 3. 1879.
Friday. February 25. 19<iff
“Freedom” and
The Farmer
All these folks who are so concern
ed about "freedom” for the farmer
a; a result of the passage of the new
farm bill might well do a little re
flecting about the " freedom the
farmers had back in the days of 1931
and 1932, before any control pro
grams were passed by the Congress.
During those years farmers were
absolutely free to plant any crops
they desired and as much as they
desired. The only drawback was*
that the crops they did plant would
not return enough to hardly more
than pay for the seed, to say nothing
of the fetrilizer or the labor. There
were no bounties then for soil-im
provement, and the land was being
rapidly worn out by producing money
crops over and over again, without
any regard for future fertility.
Take a look at the figures for
farm income back in the days of un
limited ‘"freedom” for the farmer,
and then compare them with last
year's figures. One way to cure a
lot of this-breast-beating bewailing
of loss of liberty might be to let
those who rant about their freedom
plant just as much of any crop as
they want to and then pay them off
, at 1932 prices. After a couple of
seasons of this procedure little cri
ticism would be heard from that quar
ter, because a man who starves to
death is just as dead as one who dies
from any other cause—the only dif
ference is it sometimes takes longer.
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Changing Times and Tunes
Senator Josiah William Bailey, de
fending his activities since the 1936
election, recently made the statement
that he had not changed; that he
stands for the same things now he
did before his election.
Maybe he hasn’t changed since
1936, but his tune certainly has. And
the one he is singing now sounds
about as much like the one he was
using while seeking votes in the last
primary as “The Rock of Ages"
sounds like “Tiger Rag.”
Watts
WILLIAMSTON
Thur.-Fri. Feb. 24-25
JOAN CRAWFORD and
SPENCER TRACY in
“MANNEQUIN”
Sat., Feb. 26 1 to 11 P. M.
‘The Old Barn Dance’
with GENE AUTRY
Sun., Feb. 27 3 and 9 P. M.
"MERRY-GO
ROUND OF 1938”
with Bert Lalir, Jimmy Savo,
Billy House, Alice Brady,
Mischa Auer, Joy llodges
Mon.-Tues. Feb 28-Mar. 1
Humphrey Bogart, Frank
McHugh, Louise Fazenda,
Nat Pendleton in
“SWING Your LADY”
Wednesday March 2
Danger, Love at Work
with ANN SOTHERN and
JACK HALEY
Marco
WILLIAMSTON
Fri.-Sat. Feb. 25 and 26
‘The HURRICANE’
with Dorothy Lamour, Jan
Hall, Mary Astor, C. Aubrey
Smith, Thomas Mitchell and
Raymond Massey
Mon.-Tues. Feb. 28-Mar. 1
WAYNE MORRIS in
‘The Kid Comes Back'
Wed.-Thur. March 2-3
“52nd STREET”
with lan Hunter, Leo Car
rillo, Ella Logan, Pat Patter
son, Sid Silvers, Zasu Pitts,
and Kenny Baker
Homestead
Exemptions
Back in 1936 the voters of North ;
Carolina ratified a constitutional j
amendment providing for exemption? !
on real estate of homesteaders in an !
amount not exceeding $1,000. After j
lengthy debate at the 1937 session
of the legislature no action was taken
but a commission was named to study j
the question and report its findings !
so the 1939 legislature could base
legislation on the findings presented.
This matter will likely be the cen
ter of a lively controversy at the j
next session. The Association of j
County Commissioners has announc-1
ed its opposition to any legislation j
along this line, and there is some
measure of sympathy for their views, j
because exemptions on homesteads
will mean that a heavier burden must |
be placed on other classes of proper
ty to make up for the loss the coun
ties will sustain.
On the other hand, there are many
things in favor of providing these
exemptions. It will encourage home
owning, for one thing, and it will fur
nish tax relief to a class of people
who doubtless need it most. But the
compelling reason is the fact that the
people of the State have shown their
approval by directly amending the
constitution to provide these exemp
tions.
There was no indirection in this
mandate. The proposition was simp
ly stated: it was submitted at a gen
eral election in which all qualifiel vo
ters were eligible to pass judgment on
it; and the answer was clearly re
turned. Of five questions submitted
at this election, the homestead
amendment was carried by far the
greatest majority, 312,976 to 166,
752.
Regardless of personal views on
this matter, lawmakers elected to the
next session of the legislature should
take steps to provide for homestead
exemptions. It may not be practi
cal to grant the full $1,000 exemp
tion at one time, but a beginning must
be made, and the people would do
well to inquire of candidates for the
Assembly how they stand in this res
pect.
Losing Our
Foreign Markets
The New Oeal is coming in for a
great deal of criticism because of its
so-called “economics of scarify,” in
connection with its farm program.
Almost every night some nation-sa
ver takes to the ether to bemoan the
loss of our foreign markets .and the
daily press is filled with columnists
taking cracks at the same policies of
the administration.
All of which may be exactly as
they say. We do not profess to have
any deep understanding of the sci
ence of economics.
But there is one thing that puzzles
us. Would these critics sacrifice all
farmers—the largest single class of
working people in the nation—upon
the altar of foreign markets? That is
just about what it would amount to
if farmers were not only permitted
but encouraged to plant more cotton,
more tobacco, more wheat, and so
on. It was just such a policy, or
lack of policy, that brought about
the demand for the various forms of
control legislation.
It has been fairly conclusively de
monstrated that large crops of farm
commodities bring ruinous prices to
the farmer. American labor is given
some measure of protection from com
petition with cheap foreign labor
through the tariff laws, and it seems
to tis no more than fair that the far
mers should be given the same ben
efits if possible.
If our foreign markets can only
be maintained by forcing a whole
class of our people into abject po
verty, then it would seem that they
are not worth the cost. Calamitious
it may be to lose these markets, but
it is equally as calamitious to main
tain them at this price.
-<j>
The Rond To the Cemetery
When the final and official figures
are tabulated, it will probably be
found that the automobile death toll
in 1937 reached a new all-time rec
ord, exceeding the 1936 slaughter
with its 37,000 victims.
There is no reason for being sur
prised at the continued increase. Each
year cars are made faster and more
powerful—and a dangerous percent
age of them become the property of
drivers who couldn't be trusted to
operate a bicycle safely. Roadways
and surfaces are improved, thus of
fering a new temptation to excessive
speed.
This doesn t mean that the auto
mobile accident toll cannot be re
duced. It can be—but it is going
to take action, not words. The in
dividual responsibility of each mo
torist when he slides behind the wheel
of a projectile weighing a ton or two
and capable of doing 80 miles an
hour, must be driven home. Law en
forcement must be strengthened. The
"fixer" of traffic violations must be
eliminated. It must be realized that
driving a car on the public highway
is a privilege, not a right to be abused
—and license laws must be more
stringent. Finally, there must be
swift and sure punishment for the
reckless or drunken driver.
There are several hundred thous
and graves in this country that con
stitute mute testimony to our past
laxity in controlling the automobile.
Unless public demand forces a change
you may fill one of the thousands of
new grave that, figuratively speaking,
will be dug by motorists in the years
to come.
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At the Top
-«
Xcws and Observer—
North Carolina, there she stands:
Among the ten top states in high
way fatalities among all the States
of the nation.
There are more than ten states
ahead of North Carolina in wealth.
There are more than ten states
ahead of North Carolina in educa
tion.
But in all those factors that enter
into highway killings, recklessness,
carelessness, favoritism, laxness,
complacency and igjiorance, North
Carolina is running right along.
NWth built ia bunks; sturdy tables and desks; a treasure
cheat in the pirate manner; well-pegged clothes dorctw
dess of drawers; and a work bench. Plenty of elbow room
for Son and his friends; and such a relief for Mother to
know where be is.
Remodelling wMi lumber is not npmdrs—you «■
Uke die results—for Ana wood has a beauty all Ms own—
and waste space put to good nse b an economy la Utah.
Eadmetts on your needs In lumbar gUdfy ghrao.
Waters-Stier
Wood Products Co.
WASHINGTON, N. C.
Rambling
...About
Bv THE RAMBLER
Why 4 Crou d Is Needed—
Everybody who has the interests
of Washington County at heart
should attend the meeting here next
Wednesday, when the attempt to im
press upon the highway commission
ers the importance of paving the
Turnpike road will be made.
The importance of having a large i
attendance cannot be overemphasiz
ed. Highway comissioners and state
officials owe their jobs to votes, and
whenever a good-sized crowd of vot
ers get together and demand some
thing, more attention is paid than
when only a few appear to be inter
ested. If you doubt this, get out
your highway map and check over
the sections that have the most im
proved roads. You will find that
those sections also have the most
voters who are vociferous about their
needs.
So, some to Plymouth Wednesday,
and let's impress upon this group of
highway officials that we not only
know what we want and are entitled
to, but that we are also united in
our determination to secure our
fair share.
-*
Scouting Expanding—
The progress of the Boy Scout
movement during the past few weeks
is indeed gratifying to all who have
the welfare of the boys of the county
at heart. Roper has already organ
ized a troop, and a like organization
is in prospect for Creswell, with the
possibility that Cherry, Mackeys and
other sections may be included later.
Supervision by experienced men in
this work is practically assured as
the result of the commendable ac
tion of the Lions Club in agreeing to
help raise the $300 necessary for of
ficial registeration. This will mean
not only a lot for the Scouts them
selves, but such service is of invalu
able aid to the various local men
wjho have interested themselves in
the Scout movement and are taking
an active part as Scoutmasters and
leaders.
Scouting is well on its way in Ply
mouth and Washington County. Now
show your appreciation for this fine
work by encouraging the boys and
their leaders whenever you have a
chance. It will help the Scouts,
their leaders, and, most of all, your
self—particularly if you give them
just a little time and find out what
it’s all about.
-®
Spelling Lesson—
If you want to know how well
you can spell, have someone read you
the following sentence, clipped from
an exchange, and try to write it:
“It is agreeable to note the
unparalleled embarrassment of
an harassed saddler and ped
dler seated on a cemetry wall
gauging the symmetry of a peel
ed potato with genuine ecstacy.”
If you can do it with less than
three errors you are good.
--S>
“The Status Quo”—
Colored folks usually get credit
Lei tors to the Editor
A FEW QUESTIONS
To the editor:
Dear sir: May I be permitted to ask
a few questions through your excel
lent paper. Viz: Should the anti
lynching bill pass, would it benefit
the Negro race? Should it not pass,
would it harm the race? I have more
logical reasons to fear, should it pass.
Can morals be legislated, X think
not.
We are fortunate to read ‘‘The
Congressional Record'' daily in our
high school which is mailed to us by
our Congressman, Hon. Lindsay C.
Warren.
Respectfully,
J. J. CLEMMONS.
Attorney at Law.
Roper, N. C., February 22, 1938.
for using a lot of big words with
out knowing the meaning of them,
but if anyone has a better definition
than that offered by Parson Brown in
the following instance, we would like
to hear it:
"Parson Brown had concluded his
sermon and was making the announ
cements for next week.
“ ‘And, now, my bred'ren,’ he said,
Next Sunday I will speak to you up
on the condition of the church, and
my topic will be the "Status Quo.”
“ Pardon me, Parson,’ interrupted
Deacon Jones, 'but what does dat
mean?’
“ ‘Well, Deacon,' rejoined the par
son, ’dat's Latin for we's in a hell
of a fix.’ ”
LEGAL NOTICES
NOTICE OF SALE
Under and by virtue of the power
and authority conferred by that cer
tain deed of trust executed to the
undersigned trustee by T. H. Williams
and wife, Helen G. Williams, dated
the 31st day of December, 1936, and
recorded in the office of the Regis
ter of Deeds of Washington County
in book 121, page 147. to which re
ference is herby made and same
made a part hereof, the undersigned
trustee will, at 12 o'clock Noon, on
Monday, the 21st day of March, 1938,
offer for sale to the highest bidder for
cash, at the Court House door in
Washington County, that certain real
property described in said instrument
as follows:
Beginning at Jack Weede’s line
running thence west with Fort Wil
liams Street 100 feet to P. O. Price’s
line; thence, with his line Bowen’s
line; thence, south with Bowen’s and
Weed’s line 150 feet, it being that
same lot or parcel of land conveyed
to T. H. Wililams and J. T. Williams
by D. O. Brinkley by deed dated De
cember 30th, 1925, and recorded in
the office of the Register of Deeds of
Washington County, North Carolina,
in book 82, page 478, to which re
ference is herby made and the same
made a part hereof for purpose of
further description. See also deed
from J. T. Williams and wife to T.
H. Williams, dated September 1st,
1934, and recorded in said Register's
Office in book 114. page 490, which
is also referred to and made a part
hereof.
The bidder at such sale will be re
quired to deposit as much as ten per
cent of the amount bid in cash as a
guaranty of good faith pending con
firmation and the right is reserved
to reject any and all bids.
This the 17th day of February,
1938.
H. D. BATEMAN,
F28 4t Trustee.
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NOTICE OF SALE
Under and by virtue of a power of
sale contained in a certain deed of
trust executed by S. L. Davenport
'unmarried) on the 14th day of June,
1935, to the undersigned Z. V. Nor
man, Trustee, and recorded in the of
fice of Register of Deeds in Washing
toin County, in Book 110, page 481,
and the holder of the bond secured
thereby having directed the under
signed Trustee to sell the property,
hereinafter described, for the satis
facton of the balance due on said
bond, the said Z. V. Norman, Trus
tee, will expose at public sale, at the
Courthouse door of Washington
County, North Carolina, to the high
est bidder for cash, on the 21st day
of March, 1938, at 12 o’clock noon,
subject to all unpaid taxes, the fol
lowing described property:
^A^erhm^ract^j^nujce^j^and
2 PER CENT
PENALTY
ON 1937 TAXES
BEGINS
ON
MARCH dtM
Pay Your Taxes Notv and Avoid
This Penalty
The Law Requires This Penalty
and We Must Collect It
P. W. Brown
Tax Collector — Town of Plymouth
LEGAL NOTICES
Iving and being in Skinnersvillc
i Township. Washington County, and
more particularly described as fol
' lows:
That tract heretofore conveyed to
M. E. Leary, known as part of the
Silas Snell tract and which tract was
i abandoned by the said M. E. Leary
and reconveyed to the said S. B
Davenport by deed from M E. Leary
and wife Deed, particularly described
i as follows: Beginning at a canal
Snell and Holton's line (a gate),
thence running southwardly with that
j line to a point opposite lead ditch,
thence with that ditch westwardly to
the Holly Neck road, thence with that
Road to the E. H. Leary, now Bas
night line, thence westwardly with
Basnight Leary line to Frederick
Phelps line, thence with Phelps and
J. W. Marriner's line northwardly to
J B. Phelps line, thence eastwardly |
with last named line to beginning]
containing 50 acres more or less in
Deeds referred to recorded in office
of Register of Deeds of Washington
County.
Also the 30 acres, more or less of
Chesson Place described as follows:
Beginning in E. H. Leary line on East
side of Holly Neck Road thence
northwardly with said road to lead
ditch leading out of Snell's now Je
thro field, thence eastwardly with said
ditch to Jethro and Holton line,
thence with that line southwardly to
the Snell and Leary corner, thence
with Snell Leary line westwardly to
beginning, it being that part of Si
las Snell land sold Frank Chesson by
said Davenport and wife.
Said property will be offered for
sale and subject to all unpaid taxes,
and the highest bidder at said sale
will be required to deposit ten per
cent of his bid as evidence of good
faith, and to be forfeited to the hold
LEGAL NOTICES
er of said bonds in the event his bid
is not compiled with upon demand
by said Trustee.
This 17th dav of February. 1938.
Z. V. NORMAN.
F28 4t Trustee.
NOTICE OF SALE
Under and by virtue of a power of
sale contained in a certain martgage
executed by John W. Horton and
wife Martha Horton on the 20th day
of May. 1927, recorded in Book 93,
page 14 in the office of the Regis
ter of Deeds of Washington County,
the mortgagors having defaulted in
the payment of the indebtedness
secured thereby, the undersigned
mortgagee will expose for public sale
at the Courthouse door in Plymouth,
N. C. to the highest bidder for cash,
on the 21st day of March, 1938 at
12 o'clock noon the following des
cribed lands:
A tract of land lying and being in
Lee's Mill Township Washington
County, State of North Carolina and
being lots numbers 8 and 9 as ap
pears on the Map of the Sophie and
Richard Horton property, made Ju
ly, 1919 by A. J. Newberry, surveyor,
and recorded in Map Book 1, page
6. in the office of the Register of
Deeds of Washington County, said
lot number 8 containing 3.45 acres
and said lot number 9 containing 3.
41 acres.
The above described land will be
sold subject to all unpaid taxes and
assessements of any kind. The pur
chaser will be required to deposit 10
per cent of his bid as earnest money
at the time of sale.
Dated and posted this the 19th day
of February, 1938.
MRS. T. F. MARRINER
Mortgagee
1. A. Ward Jr. Attorney.f28 4t
Attention:
Mr. FARMER!
We Have the Good Old
Farmers Cotton
Oil Company
BRANDS OF FERTILIZER TO OF
FER YOU THIS SEASON
We have a full supply on hand of al
most any analysis you wish. See our
agents about our special tobacco goods,
which have given good results everywhere
used.
Ricks Tobacco Grower.3-8-6
Carolina Choice.3-8-5
Golden Grade.3-8-3
THE ABOVE BRANDS ARE JUST
AS GOOD AS CAN BE MADE
PLYMOUTH
W. E. Weede.A. R Latliam
ROPER
Dick Phelps.W. T. Freeman
Was the Loss
Irreparable?
Of course money losses are replace
able; more money can be earned to take
the place of that stolen. But what can re
place grandfather’s gold watch, our moth
er’s diary or her favored trinkets? Per
haps these do not have a high intrinsic
value. But their sentimental value is of
ten beyond price. A safety deposit box is
a small price to pay for ease of mind. A
penny a day keeps the burglar away!
Branch Banking
& Trust Company
SOUND BANKING AND TRUST SERVICE FOR
EASTERN CAROLINA