North Carolina Newspapers

The Roanoke Beacon ******* and Washington County News ******* A home newspaper dedicated to the service of Washington County and Its 12,000 people. VOLUME L—NUMBER 22 Plymouth, Washington County, North Carolina, Friday, June 2, 1939 ESTABLISHED 1889 Town opics Mrs. R. A. Duvall lias received two letters recently from her brother, Dr. Leo Hornung. a college professor in Vienna, Austria, both of which came by the ‘ Yankee Clipper,” the big air plane which made the preliminary flights for the recently inaugurated trans-Atlantic service by air. T. P. Snell, well-known merchant of the Cool Springs section, has been suffering from a heart ailment for several months. For the last three months his physical condition has prevented him from walking the 300 yards from his store to the residence of a brother. Mr. Snell is recognized as one of the best-versed men in Freemasonry in the entire state. Though the town offices will be closed Wednesday afternoons during the summer months, be ginning next week with the oth er business houses here, the var ious county offices at the court house will remain open, it was announced this week. Howevee, the county employees will get their half holidays on Saturday afternoons, when the lawyers here also close their offices. A bright spot in the continued en forced idleness of the North Carolina Pulp Company's plant here is the fact that there are about 15 men on monthly salaries drawing their pay and about 15 others doing odd jobs at tlie plant. M. T. Girren, of Greensboro, is now mail clerk on the A. C. L. train be tween Plymouth and Tarboro. He has located suitable living quarters and will soon bring his wife here, where they will make their home. A total of $35 was realized from the Poppy Day sales, according to Mrs. W. C. Jones, chairman of the American Legion Auxiliary committee in charge. The funds raised will be used for welfare work among disabled veterans and their families. Mayor and Mrs. B. G. Campbells' beautiful flower garden at the corner of Jefferson and Third Streets is the object of much favorable comment by tourists and visitors who pass along the highway. Monday the mayor saw a tourist with a camera taking pic tures of the plot. Joe Leggett, popular young man, has been named assistant cubmaster to help Patrolman Tom Brown in his work with the boys who are immedi ately below scouting age. Joe is a good swimmer and can do many oth er things the youngsters will like to learn to do better. J. Corbitt Swain Is Named Commander Of Legion Post Here J. B. Willoughby, J. R. Carr, J. A. Bratten Elected Vice Commanders -® j. Corbitt Swain, personnel man ager for the North Carolina Pulp Company and well-known former service man, was named commander of the James E. Jethro post of the American Legion at a meeting held by the World War veterans last Fri day night in the Legion Hall. Closely associated with Mr. Swain in the leadership of the legionnaires for the ensuing year will be J. B. Willoughby, J. R. Carr, and J. A. Bratten, who were elected vice com manders in the order named. Other officers follows: J. Lin wood Hassell, adujtant; P. W. Brown, fi nance officer; W. V. Hays, service of ficer; C. L. Robbins, guardianship of ficer; Eli Phelps, sergeant at arms; D. A. Hurley, chaplain; P. B. Bate man, historian; P. W. Brown, athletic officer; B. G. Campbell, child welfare officer; H. G. Simpson, Americanism officer; J. H. Swindell, graves regis tration officer; R. L. Tetterton, em ployment officer; P. W. Brown, mem bership chaiman; Dr. C. McGowan, publicity officer; and C. E. Ayers, chairman of Sons of the Legion. Delegates to the State Convention at Raleigh June 25, 26 and 27 were elected as follows; W. V. Hays, chair man; J. L. Horton, secretary; Dr. C. McGowan, delegate; al ternates J. C. Swain, P. B. Bateman, L. M. Hassell and R. L. Tetterton. Final Exercises in Creswell Tonight Creswell.—Graduation exercises of the Creswell High School will be held at the Baptist church here Friday night, June 2, at 8 o'clock, with Dr. J. Henry High smith, of Raleigh, president of the N. C. Education Association and head of the division of in structional service of the state department of education, as the principal speaker. The seniors and glee club will open the exercises with a proces sional. Following a song by the seniors, Evelyn White will make the salutatory address. Geraldine Smith will read the class will and Principal A. T. Brooks will make the merit awards. H. H. McLean county superintendent of schools, will present the diplomas. The valedictory will be made by Thomas Davis. The glee club will sing several numbers. Over $50,000 in 1938 Soil Conservation Payments Made To County Farmers So far, soil conservation pay ments amounting to §51,241.62 have been received and distrib uted to Washington County farmers for their participation in the program during the 1938 crop season, it was learned today from Stuart Blow, chief clerk in Coun ty Agent W. V. Hay’s office. Even with this amount already paid, it was said there are still a umber of checks to be received for other farmers who kept their plantings within the allotments set out and carried out soil-im provement practices on their farms. Just how many checks had not yet been received was not dis closed by Mr. Blow, but it is un derstood that about 95 per cent of the total number of farmers participating have been paid. It is considered likely that about S10.000 more will be received by the cooperating farmers. Town Tax Collectons For Past Year Good [ YOUNG MUSICIAN "j Phyllis Davidson, 10, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Davidson, is the youngest member of the Plymouth High School Band. She became a member after four months’ instruction on the clari net. Budget Is Prepared For Welfare Work in County Next Year Calls for Total Expenditure of $18,000; County Share $4,956 A budget calling for an estimated expenditure of close to $18,000 for the fiscal year of 1939-40 has been tentatively prepared for the Washing ton County Department of Public Welfare, it was learned from Miss Ursula Bateman, superintendent. If this budget is approved by the State Department and the county commissioners, a total of $12,480 will be used in paying old age assistance and admisistration expense and $5, 508 has been set aside to take care of aid to dependent children and ad ministration expenses. But the State and Federal govern ments make available all of this fund except $4,956 which the county puts up as its fourth. Last fiscal year there were 110 re ceiving old age assistance checks but under the new budget enough is al lowed for 130 persons if this is ap proved by the State and local com missioners. There has been an in creased appropriations for aid to de pendent children which so far there is room for 102 children. There are nine widows in Washing ton County drawing pension checks because of the service of their hus bands or others serving in the Con federate army during the civil war. But only about three of these can qualify under the old age assistance plan of the Social Security. The State and Federal governments will each pay half of this fund for the small number that can qualify. Club Prexy Shows Rocks How, Win 6-4 -$ President Roscoe Bowers donned a uniform and showed the boys how to do it Wednesday afternoon, when Plymouth defeated Windsor, 6 to 4. Bowers, along with McNair, Jack Brown and Clagon, smashed out two hits. Thursday morning President Bow ers returned to the administration end of baseball and announced that Scotland Neck would play a double header here Sunday afternoon, start ing at 2 p. m. He said there would be no increase in admission and that efforts were being made to discontinue grand stand charges so that 25 cents would allow a person to sit anywhere. CRESWELL PERSONALS Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Oliver spent Sunday and Monday in Manteo. Frank Burgess was a visitor in Norfolk Wednesday. “ May Be Reflected in Lower Tax Rate for Coming Fiscal Year -<$> Total of $19,000 Collected; Gain Is Also Shown in Schedule B Taxes -<$> Tax collections for the Town of Plymouth have been very good for the year, according to P. W. Brown, tax collector, who said that he had collected a total of more than $19,000 for the municipality, although the total levy for 1938 was only $21,000. However, the officer explains this does not mean that the entire amount collected was current or 1938 taxes, as some of the collections were for back taxes. The $19,000 collect ed, however, is more than usual, and it may result in a more favorable tax rate for the 1939 fiscal year. Since the fiscal year ends June 30, Chief Brown urges those who have failed to pay their taxes to do so at once in order to build up as large a surplus as possible, which in turn will reduce the levy necessary for opera tion of the town's affairs during the coming year. Another factor which may have some effect in reducing the tax rate is the increased valuation of local property, brought about by the con struction of several new buildings and improvements being made to old ones. It was also announced that $1,800 had been collected in privilege taxes, against an average yield of ,$1,000 in former years. This increase resulted because of additions to the number of business establishments here, as well as paying more attention to this phase of tax collections. -« Creswell Seniors Hear Sermon by Maynard Fletcher -® Commencement Program Is Presented at Baptist Church Sunday -<s> Creswell.—Hard work is required of every successful citizen and the pur pose of education is not to reduce the necessity of work but to enable one to accomplish more with the same ex penditure of energy, Rev. Maynard O. Fletcher, of Washington, N. C„ told the graduates of the Creswell High School in the Baptist church last Sunday in an impressive service. The speaker also emphasized the fact that education without charac ter was of no avail and that educa tion was designed to enable new citi zens to read the signs along the high way of life preparing themselves for the steep ascents "In the Highway of Life.” Following the procession of the glee club and seniors, the Rev. J. T. Stan ford, of the M. E. Church, made the invocation. The boys’ chorus sang "The Lord Is My Shepherd.” Principal A. T. Brooks announced that the commencement exercises would be held at the Baptist church Friday evening at the end of the “School Day” program at the school building. After the glee club sang "The Lost Chord,” the Rev. Mr. Fletcher pro nounced the benediction Bands To Present Open-Air Concert An open-air concert will be pre sented by the combined bands of the Cresweli and Plymouth High Schools in front of the commun ity hall here at 6:45 Sunday eve ning, it was announced today by L. W. Zeigler, director of the lo cal band. There are 28 members of each band and it is expected that about 50 of these young musicians will participate, with Mr. Zeigler and Bob Merritt, director of the Cresweli band, sharing in the di rection of the concert. It was announced there would be no charge and the public is cordially invited and urged to at tend. Sloi Machines Will Likely Be Licensed By Commissioners However, Will Order Con fiscation of All Ruled Illegal Type Relieved of all authority to restrict the use of slot or pin-game machines except from the standpoint of tax ation, Washington County authori ties are expected to authorize licens ing the machines at the board meet ing next Monday and be content with the action of the recent legislature. It is expected that licenses will be issued Monday for scores of machines in this county which are classified as legal, and it is also expected the com missioners will order illegal machines confiscated by local law enforcement officers. According to a ruling made this week by Attorney General Harry Mc Mullen, control of the machines has been shifted from the hands of the commissioners to the courts, where the legality of the machines will be finally determined. It is considered likely the county will assess a tax of $10 per unit on the machines, and then it is possible for the towns to come in for their share by assesing a similar amount. For instance, a 5c machine in Plym outh is subject to a $20 state tax, $10 county tax and $10 town tax. The slot machine owners were dealt what is considered a crushing blow by the attorney general last week, when he ruled that all slot machines which allow free games, tokens or coins for certain scores are illegal un der the 1939 revenue act, which pro vided for the legalization of “amuse ment slot machines’’ after June 1. Score of machines—including all the “one-armed bandits"—now op erating in the county were outlawed after Wednesday of this week and many of them will be slightly “re modeled” to conform to the law. En forcement of the ruling, however, is strictly up to local sheriff and po lice authorities, and it is up to them as to what types of machines will be operated in the various localities. McMullan ruled that the Flanagan Act of 1937 was still in effect and that it forbids operation of any machines on which varying scores or certain combinations of symbols cause the device to automatically vend coins, tokens, slugs, rewards or other things of value which might be used in the further operation of the machine. The word “vend” was interpreted' to mean the same as “give” or “allow.” The 1939 act authorized licensing of machines giving varying scores and tallies or combinations of symbols when played if they “do not cause such machine or device to vend auto matically any slug, premium, prize, coupon, reward, refund, or rebate or other things of value which might be used in the further operation of the device for which no cash value is re ceived.” County Chamber of Commerce Now Has Membership' of 70 Bi-Weekly Meeting Held in Roper Wednesday Night; Discuss Number Matters Increased activity is expected by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce with the announcement of a membership of 70 made at the di rectors’ meeting at Roper Wednesday night, with nine directors present. A delightful meal was served un der the direction of Charlie Mizzell, and the directors planned a meeting with J. L. Rea at Wenona as soon as the Belhaven committee was named to hold a mass meeting to impress state highway officials with the necessity of surfacing the re mainder of the Turnpike road, a dis tance of about 9 miles. Secretary Darden was authorized to answer inquiries regarding this section that come through the bulle tin issued by the State Department of Conservation and Development. Asserting that much of the stock sold on the Williamston market was from Washington and Tyrrell Coun ties, the secretary was urged to take steps to organize an auction market for Plymouth. County Agent W. V. Hays will be consulted. Club women wil be asked to meet with the directors next time to plan for a rose or flower carnival to be held here next May. The attention of the State High way Commission will be called to the fact that the Roper-Cherry Newland road is not being maintained as it should. --V County Scout Camporee Held at Albemarle Beach Boy Scouts from Roper, Plymouth, and Creswell enjoyed a camporee at Albemarle Beach last Friday and Sat urday. About 50 boys attended. Blue ribbons were won by the Flaming Arrow Patrol of Plymouth, with Carl Bailey as leader, and the Cobra patrol, with Ducky Lloyd as leader; the Wolf patrol, under leader Duncan Getsinger, won a red ribbon. Plymouth defeated Roper In a baseball game. No New Developments in Strike Situation at Delair; Plants Both Here and There Continue Closed Local Union May Take Steps To Aid In Settling Strike Ask That Internationl Vice President Be Sent Here For Conference Employees of the North Carolina Pulp Company here who are mem bers of the pulp workers’ union, af filiated with the American Federation of Labor, are considering action to help in settling the strike at the Kieckhefer Container Corporation in Delair, N. J., it was learned this morning, Thursday morning a group of union members dispatched a telegram to John P. Burke, president of the In ternational Union of Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers, at Port Ed wards, N. Y., asking that H. W. Sul livan, vice president of the organi zation, be sent here to confer with them. J. H. Malin, district official, was unable to come when asked and sug gested that the local union ask for Mr, Sullivan. It is the desire of the local union to get some action in Delair, as re ports are to the effect that the unions there and the plant management are as far apart as they were the day the mill closed. The local union men believe that since only the most pleasant of relations have existed be tween the company and the organi zation here that they might be of some service in getting the contend ing factions together on a basis sat isfactory to both. They expect Mr. Sullivan to ad vise them whether or not they have any right, under the constitution of the union, to attempt mediation be tween the two factions; and it is con sidered possible that he may be per suaded to carry their case to Delair and seek some means of getting the strike settled. -® Irish Potatoes Begin Moving in Quantity Middle of This Week -$ 29 Carloads Go Through Mackeys Wednesday And Thursday -« Twenty-nine carloads of irish po tatoes moved through Mackeys from the Columbia and Creswell sections Wednesday night as the marketing of spuds got underway in earnest this week, according to R. H. Chesson, station agent of the Norfolk Southern Railroad at Mackeys. Eleven of the cars Wednesday night went to Berkley, Va., for diversion to northern markets, while two went on to Philadelphia. On Thursday night 14 cars went to Berkley for divert ing, one direct to Philadelphia and one to Charleston, W. Va. Irish potatoes were quoted on the markets as follows Thursday morn ing: Charleston, S. C., and nearby points: demand fair and market slightly stronger; carloads f. o. b. usual terms; 100-pound sacks of cob blers, $1.50; U. S. No. 1, size B, 75 to 80 cents. New York; Market slightly strong er on new stock, slightly weaker on old stock; North Carolina 100-pound sacks, cobblers, $1.90 to $2.35; most ly $2 to $2.25. Local Ford Dealers Offer World’s Fair Trip for $27 Through the cooperation of the Ford Motor Company, which is cele brating its 30th anniversary at the New York World’s Fair on June 15, the Plymouth Motor Company an nounced today that as dealers they are enabled to offer a special trip to the fair for a total of $27. that a mount including transportation, food, hotel expenses, and two days at the exhibition. The trip is being arranged so that those who go leave here June 15, be at the fair for two days and return home within five days. J. R. Man ning is arranging the party and those who wish to go are asked to see him Delay in Checks For Unemployed Men thrown out of employment at the North Carolina Pulp Com pany by the strike in New Jersey were told by the representatives of the North Carolina Unem ployment Compensation Commis sion Thursday morning that checks for their unemployment benefits would not be ready for distribution before next Thurs day. Many of the workers are sore ly in need of the compensation, which ranges up to S15 weekly, and criticism is being heard on all sides for the delay, the men having been promised last week that the checks would be here this Thursday. The commission has been se verely scored in various sections for its slowness on other occa sions; and, with business almost at a standstill here and want fac ing some of the unemployed, steps may be taken to bring the matter to the attention of the governor and other state officials. County To Get $3,186 In Lieu of Taxes on Federal Farm Land -$ Amount Is Reduced by $600 After 221 Acres Turned Over To State Washington County stands to get $3,186.67 as a contribution from the Federal Government in lieu of taxes for 1938 on 7,600 acres of land that was taken from the tax books when the land was bought by the Federal Farm Security Administration for the Scuppemong Farms project. It was at first figured that the county would receive $3,877 in lieu of the taxes, but since that time 221 acres of the land was turned over to the State for the Pettigrew Park and Recreational Project, and $690.33 was deducted from the payment. In exchange for this contribution, the county has agreed to provide the same services rendered by the coun ty and state for the people living in the Washington County part of the Seuppernong Farms project that are provided for all other citizens, includ ing school facilities for the children of that region. The land was purchased by the Federal agency from the A. E. Shore Estate, D. E. and E. S. Woodley, J. L. Phelps, H. G. Walker, A. G. Walker Estate, W. J. Comstock, J. R. Snell, W. T. Phelps, W. S. Ainsley, Mrs. M. E. Smithson, H. N. and W. D. Starr. The total valuation of the land the last time it was listed on the tax books was $156,699. Despite the additions of new build ings and general improvement made to the property by the FSA since it became 'the owner, there is still a sizeable loss in the valuation. It will probably be reflected in a lower total valuation of county property, unless there is an increase in listing from other sections. Listings were made in April, and since the tabulations have not been completed, it is not known whether the county as a whole will show a gain or loss this year. -® First of Wednesday Holidays Next Week Merchants and business men will take their half holidays during the summer on Wednesday afternoons, beginning next week, while the court house employees wil join the lawyers in taking their half day off on Sat urday afternoons. The merchants find it better from a trade standpoint to take their half holiday off during the middle of the week, while the lawyers and court house employees can get away better at the last of the week. The Branch Banking and Trust Company will close on Wednesday afternoons. The ABC store will not be closed either Wednesday or Sat urday. Ninety Per Cent oi County Farmers To Cooperate With 1939 Soil Program Ninety per cent of the farmers in Washington County have signed work sheets indicating their willingness to cooperate with the soil conservation pro gram of the Agriculture Adujst ment Administration for the crop season of 1939, it was learned to day from Chief Clerk Stuart Blow In the office of County Agent W. V. Hays. Such a percentage was made possible by 737 out of the possi ble 819 farmers permitting: their lands to be measured and sign ing the agreements which put them in line for benefit payments provided they cooperate to the extent demanded by the terms of the agreement. Last season there were 72B out of a possible 807 who signed the work sheets, and most of them received benefit payments for their cooperation in the conser vation program. Shutdown Is Now in Its 4th Week With No Settlement in Sight Company Is Awaiting Re sumption of Negotiations By Striking Unions Up to noon Thursday, there had been no material developments in the status of the strike at the Delair, N. J., plant of the Kieckhefer Container Company, and as a result both the mill there and the local unit of the North Carolina Pulp Company con tinue closed. Latest advices are to the effect that it does not appear that an early settlement is possible. Following is a special dispatch to The Beacon from Delair, N. J., re ceived Wednesday: Delair, May 31.—With yester day a holiday, picketing at the Kieckhefer Container Company’s mill was handled by a skeleton crew, since the offices as well as the plant were closed. The strik ers had interests elsewhere, but many congregated about the mill. This is the fourth week of the strik.e with no signs of either side conceding the main point on which the strike was called—that of determining a collective bar gaining agency for certain classes of workers. In the meantime, the mill has been placed in such condition that it cannot resume with a full force when the disagreement is settled. Ashes from the boilers are forming an obstacle, as fires have been kept going. There is not enough stock on hand to keep the boxmakers going for any length of time. Should the strike be settled this week, it is believed another two weeks will be lost by many who must await the production of materials. No Basis for Negotiations The company has expressed its wLiingness to negotiate with the three A. F. L.-affiliated unions which called the strike about a month ago; but there has been no basis for fur ther negotiations since a conference was held in Delair on May 19, when J. O’Neill, representing the truck drivers’ union, abruptly withdrew his approval of proposals being submit ted to the company representatives by all three of the unions and walked out of the meeting. The only disagreement between the company and the workers, it has been reliably learned, is over the status of a few men at the Delair plant. The truck drivers’ union, through O’Neill, is demanding that it be recognized as the bargaining agency for these few workers, while the company, although willing to recognize the truck drivers’ right to represent outside workers, questions if employees in the produc tion department could be represent ed by this particular union under the terms of the Wagner labor act. There is no contention between Kieckhefer officials and representa tives of the other two unions, the company having announced its will ingness to recognize them as bar gaining agencies for the two classes of employees they represent. How ever, when the question of the status of the few workers was raised, and the strike called by the truck drivers’ union, the other union employees were also called out. Since the pulp output of the local plant is shipped to Delair for pro cessing and finishing, closing of the plant there necessarily forced clos ing of the mill here, although rela tions between the company and em ployees here are on a very friendly and satisfactory basis. ottiiu* ui insurance It was learned from an official of the company here this week that ar rangements had been made to can cel the health and accident insurance but to continue life insurance, under the terms of the group policies car ried by practically all employees of the plant. The official explained that the company had no alternative, as in accordance with the provisions of the group health and accident insur ance, coverage automatically oeases after 31 days of non-employment. It was stated that for the benefit of the employees, the company ex pected to continue the gToup life in surance in force for the time being, making the necessary deductions for premiums later. However, if any of the employees wish to discontinue their life insurance coverage, they are asked to write the firm to that effect. It was stated that the health and accident insurance could be reinstat ed when work at the plant is resumed. Creswell Fourth Grade Honor Roll Last Month Viva Cahoon, Ina Phelps, L. A. Hufton, Jay Allen, Christine Ambrose. Mildred Ambrose, Betty Jean Bate man, Prances Harris, Toledo Over ton. Sadie Lee Patrick, Louise Phelps, Betty Swain, Marjorie Tarkenton] Daphne Gray Williams.