North Carolina Newspapers

The Roanoke Beacon + + ++ + + + and Washington County ^ews ★★★★★★★ VOLUME LIII—NUMBER 3 Plymouth, Washington County, North Carolina. Thursday, January 15, 1942 ESTABLISHED 1889 Town opics P. H. Modlin, manager of the M. H. Mitchell Furniture Company here, plans to attend the High Point fur niture market next week. James W. Norman, of the Norman Furniture Company, and E. E. Harrell, of the Plymouth Furniture Company, also expect to visit the market. 'l Men who, by reason of age or dependents, have been exempted from military service, may be called upon to take their place with the North Carolina militia in case of invasion, riot or in surrection, if Governor J. M. Broughton deems it necessary. ‘ The Beacon is like an old friend.” writes Mrs. N. E. Armstrong, of New York, in renewing her subscription recently. “My father was a subscrib er from the beginning. W. F. Aus bon, a former editor, was a good friend of our family. I hope it will come to me every week as long as I live. It keeps me in touch with my old home county and friends who are woven into the happiest moments of my ilfe.” Those who have waste paper to contribute during the campaign now underway for national de fense are urged to notify James VV. Norman, chairman of the Lions Club committee, which is cooperating with the Boy Scouts in the collection. Rumors have been circulating here ) to the effect that Herbert R. Leary, of Edenton, may not oppose Herbert Bonner as Representative from the First District in the June primary. This would leave the field open to Mr. Bonner, incumbent, and Marvin K. Blount, of Greenville. However, the last official statement from Mr. Leary was that he would be a candi date for the congressional seat. Inspector M. J. McCloud, of the Highway Safety Division, said today that 4 out of 11 persons who took the examination for driver’s license failed. Regula tions governing the issuance of licenses are becoming more strict. Since Mr. McCloud resumed com ing here each week to examine ing here each Thursday to ex amine aplicants, Corporal T. B. Brown of the Highway Patrol, will not issue any more licenses. Chief of Police P. W. Brown warns that a 1 per cent penalty will be im posed on unpaid 1941 taxes in Feb ruary. Local Government Commis sion officials have advised town of i* flcials that it will be impossible to remit penalties to persons paying de 1 invent taxes in the future. H. M. Carr, manager, and Hansel Davenport, clerk, of the A. & P. Food Store here, atended a meeting of the Eastern Carolina A. & P. Managers Association at Goldsboro last Tues day night, when executives of the company were speakers on a pro gram. Arthur J. Spruill Dies at Home Near Creswell Sunday -$ Funeral Held Monday Aft ernoon for Prominent County Farmer -e Funeral services were held at the home near Creswell Monday after noon for Arthur J. Spruill, 57, who died at his home Sunday morning at 1 a. m. The Rev. L. B. Bennett con ducted the last rites and interment took place in a cemetery near the home. The Philippi Christian church choir sang three songs. A native of Cherry in Washington County, Mi-. Spruill spent his entire life in this county. He was a promi nent farmer and was well known and highly regarded throughout the sec tion. Surviving Mr. Spruill is his widow, three sons, Robert D. and Carroll Spruill, of Creswell; Jesse Spruill, of Portsmouth, Va.; and two daughters, Mrs. Myrtle Mae Edwards and Mrs. Mae Spear, both of Portsmouth, Va. He also leaves a brother, W. E. SprulU of Norfolk, Va.; and one sister, Mrs. T. L. Sawyer, of St. Brides, Va. The pall-bearers were Paul Saw yer, Norfolk, Va.; Thomas Sawyer, St. Brides, Va.; Phillip Spruill, Wood ley Ambrose and Harry Barnes, jr., all of Creswell; and Mayo Hardison, of Williamston. Town Board Names Committee Which Will Consider Buying New Fire Truck A committee composed of G. R. Leggett, A. J. Riddle and Fire Chief Miller Warren was ap pointed by the Town Council in session here last Thursday night to secure bids on another fire truck to improve the fire-fighting facilities of the Town of Plym outh. The councilmen learned that a small fire truck, with a pump er engine, could be purchased for about $3,500, and asked the men named on the special committee to investigate the possibilities of the low-price truck. The big La France truck now in use cost the town about $8,000. E. F. Still told the councilmen that if they would purchase a new truck and equipment to im prove local fire-fighting facilities, the Plymouth Box and Panel Company, the local plant of the American Fork and Hoe Com pany, and the North Carolina Pulp Company would contribute S1.000 toward the expense. Tobacco Growers Get 10 Per Cent Increase j HEADS CAMPAIGN | John W, Darden, local post master, is county chairman oi me campaign to raise funds for use in the prevsntlon and treatment of infantile paralysis. Home Is Completely Destroyed by Fire Here Last Sunday -«s> Occupied by Families of E. H. Harris and Charlie Platt; Loss $2,500 Fire of undetremined origin de stroyed a dwelling on Monroe street occupied by E. H. Harris and Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Platt Sunday aft ernoon causing a loss of clothing, furniture and the house totalling $2, 400. Mr. Harris, who lived in the front part of the residence, discovered the fire after Mr. and Mrs. Platt and their six children left home. The blaze started in the kitchen but Mr. Harris was not sure what caused the fire, as the kitchen as blazing when he attempted to enter the room. Mr. Harris saved some of his cloth ing but lost much of his furniture and some clothing. His wife and children were also away from home. It was reported that Mr. Harris’ loss was about $800, Mr. Platt’s loss about $300, including clothing, a stove and household possessions. John L. Phelps owned the house which was valued at about $1,500. It is understood that neither Mr. Platt nor Mr. Harris had any in surance on their household effects and it is said that Mr. Phelps did not have any insurance on the house. It is reported also that Mr. Phelps will rebuild the house immediately. -<s> Announce Services for Methodist Church Here -® The Rev. O. L. Hardwick, pastor, will preach at the Plymouth Metho dist church Sunday on the topic, “On Being a Gentleman.” He will preach again in the evening at 7:30 o’clock. Church school at 9:45 a. m., and Epworth League at 6:30 p. m. Gum Vending Machines Yield Sizeable Amount lor Blind Work by Lions Club Gum ball vending machines placed in public places in and near Plymouth has become an important source of income for the blind fund of the Plymouth Lions Club according to a report by Secretary - Treasurer T. C. Burgess and Committeeman P. VV. Brown. During the month of Decem ber the gum ball vending ma chines obtained a revenue of $76.30 with 20 per cent, or $15.27 accruing to the Lions Club. Eighty per cent of the money goes to pay for the replacement of the gum balls and to pay for the machines, which are owned by a cooperating company. The thirteen machines took in amounts ranging from a low of $1.85 to $25.15, the latter be ing the maximum taken in from any one machine. It was re ported that during this month the machines had the highesit average revenue for any machine in the United States. The Lions Club is to use the profit from the machines for paying for glasses for needy per sons who are unable to pay for them, and for other purposes in connection with their blind pro gram. The machines have been op erating for several months in this community, and their in come has been one of the most steady and profitable the club hM. Added Allotments To Be Mailed Out Within Two Weeks -<*> Not Necessary To Request Additional Acreage from Local Committees All tobacco growers in Washington County will receive official notice in about two weeks of an increase in their tobacco acreage allotment for 1942. The increase will amount to 10 per cent of the acreage allot ments previously mailed to tobacco producers. County Aegnt W. V. Hays said this week. Tobacco farmers will receive the 10 per cent additional acreage with out having to make any requests whatever to local and county com mittees. No part of the increased acreage allotment is available for in dividual adjustments by local and county committees. The increase will apply as follows: Farmers with one-tenth of an acre allotment will receive two-tenths of an acre; farmers with from two tenths to l’/2 acres allotment will re ceive an additional one-tenth of an acre; farmers with allotments of from 1.6 acres to 2.5 acres will re ceive two-tenths of an acre allot ment increase. A grower with a 5 acre allotment will receive V2 acre increase; and a grower with an allot ment of 10 acres will receive an ad ditional allotment of 1 acre. Growers with fractions of acres will receive 10 per cent additional over their 1942 allotments, the rule of fractions to be followed being that five-tenths or less be dropped and six-tenths or more to be carried, to an additional tenth. In other words, a grower with an allotment of 3:5 acres will re ceive an additional three-tenths of an acre; and a grower with 3.6 acres will receive an additional four-tenths of an acre. Tire county agent’s office will pro ceed immediately to make the nec essary calculations and the necessary records to be approved by the state office and mail to each individual grower throughout the county. As stated, it is contemplated that it will take approximately two week to perform this work and get the no tices to individual growers. The additional 10 per cent will provide Washington County growers with approximately 1,172 acres of to bacco this year. The original 1942 rllotments to county farmers totaled 1,065.7. ___ Turn in Red Cross Work by Saturday All those who have been working on articles of clothing and knitting for the Red Cross are urged to turn in their work by Saturday, if possi ole, and in no case later than Tues day, January 20, Mrs. J. K. Reid, production chairman of the Wash ington County chapter, said today. Those who have knitting are urged :o take the completed garments to Mrs. Addie Brinkley and those doing ;ewing are requested to turn it over to Mrs. P. Bruce Bateman. Tire chairman said an effort is be ng made to make a shipment of clothes to Red Cross headquarters next week. Mrs. Reid said that the recent co operation and response of the work ers had been splendid and that as chairman she appreciated very much :he efforts of these women in mak ing garments for the Red Cross. She urged the workers to continue their efforts, as material for the new quota is expected soon and that much of the next quota will be articles for home defense. Will Attend Meeting of State Board in Raleigh W. R. Hampton will go to Raleigh next week for the regular meeting of the State Board of Conservation and Development, of which he is a mem ber, on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 20 and 21. Mr. Hampton advises that anyone who has busi ness with the board will be heard at this time. Three Persons Gel Permits for Tires From Board Here Two Physicians Are Allot ed Three Auto Tires; Meet Next Week Con-idering their first aplications tor automobile and truck tires and tubes under the recently instituted rationing system, the Washington l County Tire Rationing Board met Wednesday in the first of its sched uled weekly metings. Dr. J. M. Phelps, Creswell physic ian, was given permission to pur chase two tires, and Dr. C. McGowan. Plymouth physician, was given a cer tificate to purchase one tire. Re ports from inspectors indicated the tires were needed by the physicians. Dr. Phelps had an application in for 3 of the 7 tires and 6 tubes allotted to the county for January. The board cannot allocate more than 25 per cent of the total county quota in any one week. J. E. Davenport, county tax col lector, was given a certificate for the purchase of one truck tire. The county quota for January is 16 tires and 13 tubes for trucks and buses. W. L. Whitley, chairman of the board, said that another meeting would be held next Wednesday. Tire doctors, as practicing physi cians, claimed their classification was above that of others and that they were entitled to the tires they applied for. The board informed Dr. Phelps if would probably be unable to grant him a certificate for the purchase of more than four tires, and that he would likely have to wait awhile lor the two tires needed on cne of his two cars. Dr. Phelps ap plied for the six tires on the grounds that his wife was a registered nurse and also needed an automobile in her work. Seek Total $165 for Infantile Paralysis Fund in This County Dance To Be Held at Local Club 31st; Schools Also To Take Part An intensive campaign will be put on in Washington County for con tributions to the fund for fighting infantile paralysis, according to John N. Darden, county chairman, who has appointed campaign managers in the various communities. The quota for the entire county is $165. School children in both the white and colored schools are canvassing for contributions through the "March of Dimes” program, under the lead ership of H. H. McLean, county sup erintendent of public instruction, who has asked the teachers to help him in the campaign. A subscription dance wil be held at the Country Club of Plymouth on Saturday night, January 31, start ing about 9 p. m., the proceeds of which will go to the fund. A Lloyd Owens, chairman of the club’s en tertainment committee, is in charge of arrangements for the dance. Mr. Darden said that the follow ing would be in charge of the adult campaign in their respective com munities: Mrs. E. S. Woodley and Mrs. W. B. Gaither, Creswell: and Mrs. Isa Johnston, Roper. They will handle the solicitation for funds in any manner they deem wise, and may or may not stage dances as part of the President's Birthday Ball pro gram. It was said by the county chair man that onehalf of the county quo ta, or $82.50, had been asigned to Plymouth: with one-fourth the quo ta, or $41.50 each, being assigned to Roper and Creswell. A percentage of the amount, raised in each community will be retained in that community for infantile paralysis work, the remainder going to the national organization for use in aiding children suffering from the disease, for the training of nurses, and for research work in connection with the malady. 22 New Members Of Club Secured Since a locally formed stock com pany took over operation of the Country Club of Plymouth January 1, an intensive campaign for new members has been in progress in Plymouth, J. R. Manning, chairman of the memberships committee, stat ing today that 22 new ones had been secured here so far. This does not take into account any new member ship applications received in Wil liamston, Washington, and other near-by towns, where the campaign is also in progress. It is hoped that at least 75 additional members will be secured for the club Persons who apply lor membership during January are not being charged the usual $10 initiation fee. In ad dition to the full membership, which includes golf privileges, a number of house members are being signed up. Tire house membership costs only 1 $4.16 per quarter. Ausbon Resigns as Clerk of \Superioi Court, Due to Illness Burning Permits Must Be Secured for Burning OH Land Alter February 1st Brush - burning permits must be obtained before fire may be lawfully started in woodland areas protected by the State Forest Service in Washington County, in the period between February 1 and June 15, Stuart F. Harden, county forest ward en, warned today. The permits do not cost a sin gle penny. Mr. Darden said, but those who fail to secure them and are convicted of violating this law are subject to a fine of S50 or imprisonment for a per toil o» not more than JO days. The law specifically provides that no person shall fire or ig nite any material in woodland areas under the protection of the State Forest Service between the dates mentioned, unless a permit i is first obtained from the forest warden or his deputies. Mr. Darden said today that there were deputy wardens in practically every community in the county and those who wish permits may apply to them at any time. Assets of Building & Loan Double in Year 1941 Was One ol Best Years in History of Local Organization Total Assets Rose From $47,228 To $85,510 Dur ing Past 12 Months -9, Assets of the Plymouth Building and Loan Association practically doubled during the past year, the total on December 31, 1941. standing at $85,510.93, making the fourth complete year of operation of the organization one of the best in its history, according to a statement of conditions prepared by Secretary and Treasurer M. W. Spruill for submis sion to the State Insurance Com missioner. These annual reports are required by law to be made at the end of the calendar year to the Insurance Com mission of the State and to the Fed eral Home Savings and Loan Insur ance Corporation, officials of which organization have charge of super vising the building and loan associa tions. A comparison of the reports for the local association for the past four years shows that on December 31, 1938, when the organization had been functioning only about 14 months, total assets were $11,461.70; on December 31, 1939, the assets had grown to $22,805.29; on December 31. 1940, the assets had grown to $47, 128.63; while during the past year he assets nearly doubled again, standing at $85,510.93, on December 31, 1941. Another striking feature of the re port is growth of undivided profits, representing earnings which will be applied to installment stock at its maturity. On December 31, 1938, un divided profits totalled $149.70; on December 31, 1939, this had grown to $852.27; on December 31, 1940, the undivided profits had reached $1,180.17; and at the close of busi ness on December 31, 1941, the total was $4,161.58. Officers of the association are es pecially proud of the mortgage loans made by the association in its four years of operation, the total out standing amounting to $66,535.00 on December 31, 1941. These loans and the interest are being paid off in weekly installments by the borrow ers, while the loans are secured by first mortgages on local improved real estate, and in no case does the amount of the loan exceed 70 per cent of the appraised value of the property. Loans made by the association have made it possible for a number of people to build or buy their own homes, while others have made ex tensive repairs to their old houses through financial assistance render ed by the organization. A total of $49,011.11 has been paid to the association on installment stock and $25,900 on full-paid stock. Interest is paid on the full paid stock at the rate of 4 per cent, while the installment shares are expected to earn in excess of 5 per cent. Tax Listing Very Slow in County E. F. Swain, county tax super visor, said this week that listing of personal and property taxes was proceeding at a very slow pace throughout the county. The books have been open for 15 days —half the listing period—but on ly a small fraction of the total number of taxpayers have listed. The supervisor urges those who have been putting off listing to see their list takers at once, so as to eliminate as much of the last minute rush as possible. Mr. Swain did not have a re port as to how many had listed in each township; he only said that the returns were very slow in being made. RESIGNS AS CLERK C. V. W. Ausbon, clerk of the Washington County Supprior Court for 35 years, ye '■. da' re signed, due to the state oi his health. His term of office has until December to run, and a successor for the unexpired term will be appointed by the resident judge of the district, Walter J. Bone, of Nashville. Blackout Here Last Friday Is Called Off; To Try Again Later Must Get Permission From Army Authorities Before Test Can Be Made Everything was in readiness for Plymouth's first test blackout last Friday night when information was received that Civilian Defense Head quarters must first give their permis sion for such tests, and Chief Air Raid Warden P. W. Brown called the whole thing off. When the information reached Chief Brown, he imediately called lheodore S. Johnson, state chairman of civilian defense at Raleigh, and asked permission to hold the test olackout, but Mr. Johnson said that such permission could only be secured from headquarters of the First In terceptor Comamnd at Norfolk, Va., and that it was too late to make the request then, as 24 hours' notice is required. Mr. Brown has since made formal application to stage a test blackout, and is awaiting a reply from Mr. Johnson setting the date. The ’ocal organization will remain intact, and plans for the official test blackout, when it is approved, will be about the same as those made for last Fri day night. It is understod that a blackout may be arranged for the entire area in the near future, and the air-raid wardens here are awaiting word from headquarters of the First Interceptor Command. _ Warn Car Owners To Gei Town Tags Chief of Police P. W. Brown said today that he had been instructed i by the town council to “crack down" on owners of cars who live in the city limits of Plymouth who have not bought their 1942 Town of Plymouth license tags. So far. local authorities have been : very lenient with the delinquents, | but they believe that everyone has ; had ample time to secure plates and ! arrests are likely to follow. Over 400 plates have been sold so far, but it was said today that about 100 owners still have not bought their plates. The cost is $1 each, and they may be obtained at Clerk M. W. Spruill’s oiJice Wilbur M. Darden Endorsed for Place By Bar Association Judge Walter J. Bone Will Make Appointment for Unexpired Term After 35 years as clerk of the Washington County Superior Court, C. V. W. Ausbon Wednesday morn ing submitted his resignation to Judge Walter J. Bones, cf Nashviile, resident judge of this district, it was learned this morning. The Washing ton County Bar Association, in a called meeting the same day unani mously recommended Representative Wiibur M. Darden to succeed the vet eran court clerk. Mr. Ausbon's resignation is to be- ' come effective March 1. Ill health was assigned by the clerk as the rea son for his action. He was unable to attend the January term of civil and criminal court last week and this week on account of the state of his health. Mr. Ausbon is believed to be the oldest superior court clerk in the state in point of service. He made his resignation effective on March 1 in order to give himself time to re cover from his present illness and get the affairs of his office in shape for his successor to take over. Mr. Ausbon was bom in Washing ton County and has been a resident here all of his life. Now 79 years of age, he became clerk of the superior court here on December 1, 1906. Since that time he has been reelected ev ery four years, usually piling up a larg majority over his opponents, al though he seldom canvassed for votes during the campaigns. For years he and his brother, the late W. Fletcher Ausbon, owned and published the Roanoke Beacon. Mr. Ausbon. in his sick bed at home this morning, stated that he •'hated to give up the job as clerk of court, because I need the earn ings of the office,” but he said that upon the advice of his physician, who is concernedaboutU^^^y^tf JBfre Mr. Ausbon wld that during his 35 years in the office hehad never failed to have his records ready for a term of court, until the January term this month, when his health prevented him from carrying out the clerk’s duties. The appointment of Mr. Ausbon’s successor is in the hands of the resi dent judge. Walter J. Bone, of Nash ville. Mr. Darden, who was recom mended for the post by the bar asso ciation, is said to be well trained in law, which should especially qualify him for the post. He is the pres ent representative from the county in the lower house of the North Car olina General Assembly. While he was in the house at the 1941 session of the legislature an act was passed which places the office of clerk of the court on a flat salary of $1,500 a year. The salary is to become ef fective on the first Monday in De cember. 1942, when a new term be gins for the clerk of court. The ap pointment made by Judge Bone will be for Mr. Ausbon's unexpired term, which has until December to run. The office will be at stake in the pri maries and election this year. The clerk of superior court here al so serves as judge of juvenile court and clerk to the Washington County recorder’s court. Program of Services at Local Episcopal Church Services wil lbe held at Grace Episcopal church Sunday as follows: Sunday school at 10 a. m.: morning worship at 11 a. m.; and Young Peo ples Service League at 7:30 p. m. DON'T TAKE THIS LYING DOWN . . . / mM When, men are fighting and dying, you must do your part. Be sure you enlist your DOL LARS for DEFENSE. Back our armed forces—and protect your own life—with every single dol lar and dime you can. America must have a steady flow of money pouring in every day to help beat back our ene mies. Put Dimes Into Defense Stamps. And put Dollars into Bonds. Buy now. Buy every pay day. Buy as often as you can. Don't take this lying down.