North Carolina Newspapers

The Roanoke Beacon ****** *and Washington County News ******* VOLUME LI1I—NUMBER 34 Plymouth, Washington County, North Carolina, Thursday, August 20, 1942 ESTABLISHED 188S Town opics The local rationing board has been notified that 1,450 gasoline ration books were stolen from an office in Washington, D. C., recently. The books were serially numbered and anyone caught with one of the il legal books in his possession will be arrested. Three types of books were stolen, B, S-l and S-2. Counties in the coastal area of North Carolina are very lax in organizing for civilian defense, according to Norman Chambliss, assistant state director, here last Saturday. Up-state counties, for the most part, are active and well organized, while the opposite is true in this section, where there is much greater likelihood of en emy activity, Mr. Chambliss said. Lyman Mayo, of the United States Navy, home on a visit to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Mayo, turned his speed boat over in the river here this morning, but escaped with only a ducking. A colored man standing on the wharf dived into the river to help Mr. Mayo out, but he swam out with out assistance. H. E. Beam, county chairman uf War Bond sales, said this morning that more than $60,000 worth of bonds had been sold at the bank and post office here this month. The county quota was only $16,500 for the entire month. The county was about $15,000 under its $37,600 quota for July, ] but sales this month have more ! than made up the difference. Miss Marie Hunt, registered nurse, uf Rocky Mount, is now employed in the jffice here of Dr. T. L. Bray. She entered upon the work last week. Miss Hunt was formerly on the staff of Park View Hospital at Rocky Mount. Approximately 1,700 old phon ograph records have been collect ed so far by the American Le gion post. They will be turned in on new records for men in the armed forces. The post here has a quota of 2,500 to raise before the end of the month and mem bers appeal to all those having records to bring them to the po lice station or notify the Legion post, which will send for them. James E. Mizelle and Hugh Rober son returned last Friday after at tending the State Federation of La bor meeting in Asheville last week as delegates from the local pulp work ers’ union. Mr. Mizelle was elected vice president of the state federation lor the Plymouth district. James Wesley Vail, son of the late Jim Vail, of Washington County, is visiting his sister, Mrs Howard Davenport, of the Pleas ant Grove section. Mr. Vail was a member of the crew of the aircraft carrier “Lexington,” which was sunk in the Coral Sea battle with the Japanese May 8. He escaped uninjured from the stricken vessel. John N. Carr expects to return to his work at the pulp mill next Mon day after being out for about three weeks on account of injuries sustain ed when he fell on the porch at his home in the village about three weeks ago. Mr. Carr broke several ribs in the fall. Young Boy Struck By Car Thursday -® Bobby Beasley, 5-year-old son of Mr, and Mrs. Hal Beasley, of Plym outh, was seriously injured last Thursday, when he was struck by a pick-up truck, operated by James Cutler, of Terra Ceia. The young boy ran out on the highway in front of his home right into the path of the car operated by Mr. Cutler, who was unable to avoid hitting him. The youngster suffered a broken thigh and a severe scalp wound, according to Dr. T. L. Bray, who attended him. Carried to a Washington hospital later, Bobby is said to be improving ■steadily, although it will be probably a couple of weeks before he can re turn home. Mr. Cutler rendered all the aid he could following the acci dent. In recorder’s court Saturday, Mr. Cutler was fined $5 and the court isosts for having improper brakes on his car. It was stated that he was not held responsible for the accident. Carl L. Bailey Heads Board On Price Ceilings in County P. Bruce Bateman, county chairman of the Civilian Defense Council. announced Monday morning that he had recom mended the appointment of the following as the county war price ceiling board: Carl L. Bailey, of Plymouth, chairman; W. T. Free man. of Roper: and W. II. Peele, of Plymouth. This board will work in con junction with the county ration ing board. Its functions will be concerned chiefly with enforce ment and supervision of the price ceiling regulations promulgated several months ago by the OPA. One of its first activities is ex pected to be a check on retail es tablishments to see that they have filed their schedule of ceil ing prices, as required by law. So far less than half of those in the county affected by the or der have filed their schedules. Scrap Metal Delivery Shows Upturn Here as Drive Gets Underway I Stamps Nos. 6,7 | Expire Saturday Stamp No. 6 of the sugar ra tion book, good for the regular Vi-pound allotment of sugar per week, and Stamp No. 7, issued for a 2-pound bonus during July and most of August, will expire next Saturday night, according to the local rationing board. Stamp No. 8 will become valid Monday for the purchase of 5 pounds of sugar any time dur ing the 10-week period from Au gust 23 through October 31. This makes no change in the basic ra tion rate, since the Monthly ra tion heretofore has been 2 pounds of sugar per person each month. Tire Quota for Next Month Is Cut 28 Per Cent, Board Advised -$ Applications Increase, Due To Marketing Season For Farmers -$ The local rationing board was no tified this week that September tire quotas are to suffer a 28 per cent cut, according to announcement of Tire Rationing Specialist E. H. Schellen berg, of Raleigh, who added: “This means that throughout Au gust, as well as September, your board will, by necessity, be compelled to Issue certificates only to the top most eligibles in the war effort.” Tire applications are increasing lo cally, due to more farm work being necessary during this season, and 12 applications for tires or retreads are now pending with the board here, having been held up until quotas be come available. The rationing board issued the fol low tire purchase certificates at its meeting Thursday of last week: John Swinson, Plymouth, one re cap for fuel oil truck. J. T. White, Creswell, one tube for farm truck. B. P. Twiddy, Creswell, one tire and one tube for truck used in haul ing farm produce. George Askew, Plymouth, one re cap and tube for farm trailer. Ransom Respass, Plymouth, two recaps and one tube for farm trailer. Certificates for purchase of bi cycles were issued to Annie Myrtle Bateman, of Plymouth; and to Her bert H. Davis, of Roper, a guard at the prison camp. The county had a quota of one automobile last month, but it was not applied for, and this month no cars were included in the quota. -<g> Special Meeting of Grace Church Vestrymen Friday -® There will be a special meeting of the vestry of Grace Episcopal church at the office of C. E. Ayers on Wash ington Street Friday night at 8 o’ clock. All vestrymen are urged to be present Permission Sought To Locate Aircraft Spotting Station in Town of Plymouth p. W. Brown, chief air raid warden for Washington County, lias applied to Major Butler, of the Army Interceptor Command at Norfolk, Va., for permission to locate an aircraft warning sta tion in Plymouth. The county was allotted four such stations, and they have already been lo cated at Crcswell, Pleasant Grove Koper and Wenona. It is nec essary to get permission from Major Butler before another sta tion can be set up in the county. If permission can be secured, Mr. Brown hopes to locate a spotting station on top of one of the buildings here, possibly the city market. It will be manned ■H hours daily by volunteers In shifts. All aircraft observed will be reported by telephone to the interceptor command, which is keeping: close tab on all airplanes observed over the eastern part of the state. If the local station is secured, at least 100 or more volunteers will be wanted in order to dis tribute the work without causing: hardship on anyone. It is the usual practice for volunteers to be on duty in two-hour shifts about once a week. It is believed that Plymouth is one of the most important locations in this sec tion for a post, according to Nor man Y. Chambliss, of Rocky Mount, assistant state director of Civilian Defense, who was here last week. Over 20,000 Pounds Received by Local Dealer in Two Days No Reports Yet Received From Roper, Creswell; Need Urgent -® 'Che scrap metal dfc-ive launched last week by the salvage committee of the Washington County Council of Civilian Defense is having some effect, a survey this morning shows, although there were no reports of progress of the campaign from Cres well and Roper. Richard West, local dealer in scrap iron and steel, said that he collected from 20,000 to 25, 000 pounds of scrap Monday and Tuesday, which is nearly double his collections for an average week. He is paying 45 cents per 100 pounds for scrap metal delivered at the yard here. H. H. McLean and W. V. Hays are co-chairman of the salvage drive in Washington County. A scrap col lection depot has been set up at the store of C. N. Davenport, sr., in Cres well; and it is understood that Mayor Hnery £>. Everett, of Huper, is head ing up the salvage activities there. According to reports, itinerant junk dealers from other sections have been buying much scrap metal in the lower part of the county, for which the Washington County quota does not receive credit. While all scrap metal sold to dealers is going into production of war materials sooner or later, it is hoped that people in the county will make an effort to see that their scrap goes into channels which will be credited to the county. There are scrap collection depots in the three county towns, and C. E. Ayers, of Plymouth, has agreed to send his truck to any place in the county where a full load of seven or eight tons can be secured. There is a desperate need for scrap metals of all kinds to step up pro duction of war materials; in fact, some plants engaged in making es sential war equipment already have been forced to close due to the short age of scrap. The salvage commit tee urgently requests every person in the county—men, women and chil dren—to join in this effort to “throw your scrap into the scrap.’ Test Blackout To Be Called in This Area Friday Next Week -S’ Will Last 30 Minutes; List Of Local Wardens Announced Washington County will have its second blackout practice Friday night of next week, between the hours of 8 p. m. and 1 a. m.. when a 30-minute test will be called throughout the Williamston district, which includes all towns in this county. The first test blackout was held last February 9, and it is hoped for even better success next week. In Plymouth, the fire siren will be sounded for one minute, signalling the start of the blackout period, and street lights will be turned out. All traffic will be brought to a half, all lights must be turned out, or shaded so that no reflection can be seen from the outside, both in the business and residential sections, and local residents, except air raid wardens and other blackout officials, must re main indoors during the 30-period. The siren will also signal the all clear at the end of the test. Between now and time for the test blackout, it is expected that the town council will pass a special ordinance requiring obedience to blackout reg ulations, with violators to be prose cuted. Chief Air Raid Warden P. W. Brown said this week that air-raid wardens appointed earlier this year will continue to serve, with few ex ceptions. Twenty arm bands have been ordered for auxiliary police and 20 more for auxiliary firemen; and they will be clothed with full author ity during periods of tests or actual raids. Following is the list of air raid wardens: Richard Carr, cap tain; W. H. Joyner, R. L. Tetterton, Tarleton Gardner, Richard West, C. C. Craft, Roy Swain, E. H. Blatz, E. W. Ayers, Roy Manning, jr., G. T. Barden. F. Morris Smith, Foy Dav enport, W. H. Peele and W. S. Swain; colored: Ernest James, J. J. Jordan, John Smithwick, John Brown, Joe Mitchell and Jake Harris. Chief Brown plans to call the war dens together early next week-end and go over plans for the blackout. They will also be given their arm bands and assigned definite areas to supervise. More complete details will be given next Thursday. 60 Colored Men Will Leave Here August 27th for Fort Bragg -$.. Number 5 Short of Original Call; County’s Largest Quota Thus Far -s With 34 from Plymouth, 15 from Roper, and 10 from Creswell, 59 col ored men of Washington County have been notified to report at 8:30 a. m. next Thursday, August 27, to the lo cal draft board and are to be sent to Fort Bragg for possible induction into the army under the provisions of the selective service act. This month’s quota for the county is 65, the largest single call yet received by the local board, but those notified to report next week were all that were available for the call There is (See DRAFT LIST, Page 6) Some County Tobacco Being Prepared for Opening Sales Civilian Defense Unit Is Being Reorganized; Plan Active Program Streamlined County Set-Up Aim of P. B. Bateman, Chairman Organizations Planned for Each of Three Towns In County Washington County’s civilian de fense program, which has been lagg ing for the past couple of months, re ceived new impetus last Saturday from Assistant State Director Nor man Y. Chambliss, of Rocky Mount, who came here to make some con crete suggestions about the work on the occasion of P. Bruce Bateman as summing chairmanship of the coun ty council. Mr. Bateman was ap pointed to the post by Governor Broughton last week, succeeding Wil bur M. Darden, who has entered the military services. Mr. Bateman has indicted that he plans to do* „_'y “streamline” the presr’ft cd'-Thty organization by reducing the number of overlapping committees, as well as the number of members on many of the commit tees. It is also planned to set up lo cal units in each of the three county towns, with the mayors of Plymouth, Roper and Creswell designated to head the local set-ups in their res pective towns. One of Mr. Bateman’s first tasks will be to appoint a cordinator for the county Civilian Defense Council. After the organization is completed comes the huge task of impressing upon the general public the neces sity and importance of civilian de fense work and precautions. Every man, woman and child in tne county, white and black, must be made to realize that we are part of a nation at war with powerful and resource ful enemies. However lightly the people may regard the possibility of air raids—or even invasion—in this region, the Army is insistent that civilians be prepared for any event uality; and it is the demand of mili tary authorities than an active ci vilian defense program be instituted in Washington as well as in all other counties of this section. Very little work has been done in the county so far beyond the naming of committees. Practically every phase of war endeavor will come un der the supervision of the civilian de fense council, including sale of war bonds and stamps, the salvage of scrap metals and materials of all kinds, USO. 24-hour operation of aircraft spotting stations, air-raid preparations and tests, sponsoring of Red Cross first-aid schools, and pre parations for emergencies of any kind. Several weeks may be required to complete the reorganization in this (SeTREORGANIZEr^agm Farm Outlook Bestin Yean The extremely dry and hot wea ther prevailing during. June and July, followed by almost constant rains this month, has not been very favorable for some of the farm crops produced in Washington County; but as a whole, farm prospects are about as bright as they have ever been, according to Farm Agent W. V. Hays this week. The corn crop has been hardest hit, reports from all sec tions indicating that the yield will be considerably below that of last year; but recent rains have brought some improvement, and the short age may not be as serious as was in dicated about three weeks ago. Tobacco, one of the leading cash crops, although it is raised only in the upper part of the county, has also suffered from the weather, but it is believed the much higher prices anticipated will more than take care of the difference between this year’s crop and that produced in 1941. Last year it was estimated that ap proximately a million pounds of the golden leaf were produced in the county and sold for about $250,000. This year’s money return should be even larger, because there is a lot of weight even if the quality isn’t there, and the average price should be much higher. The county had total tobacco allotments of 1,171.5 acres this year and practically every bit of the allotment was planted and will be harvested. About 14,000 acres of corn were planted in the county this year, and although it has been damaged some by the drouth, Mr. Hays said this week that if insect damage was not too great, a fair yield would be har vested. Soybeans claim the largest acre age of any field crop in the county. This year there are some 16,500 acres of beans, while in 1941 the to tal was only 15,000 acres. Prospects are bright for a big yield at this time. This is one of the two crops which the government urged farm ers to increase this year, due to the shortage of vegetables oil needed for war materials. Peanuts constitute the other crop which the government wanted in creased, and here also prospects are bright for a splendid yield. The acre age was increased from 6.000 last year to about 6.800 this season. The county has peanut allotments total ing 6,397 acres, but there will be no penalties on the excess acreage if the product is sold to oil mills. This is the county’s largest single money crop, and the price outlook for it is the best in years. Cotton, which had fallen into dis favor in the section in recent years, due to the low price and boll weevil damage, made a strong comeback this season. Last year, it was es timated there were less than 1,000 acres; while this season total allot ments were 2.391.8 acres, and it is believed upwards of 2,000 acres will be harvested. The outlook is for a good yield and a fair price. Around 2.100 to 2,200 acres of sweet potatoes have been planted, it is indicated, with the prospects con sidered very good at this time. The production of hogs in the county is said by Mr. Hays to be greater than last year, but a great many farmers have already sold all they could get ready for market on account of the threatened shortage of corn. The county agent believes the fall pig crop this year will be much larger than usual. Beef cattle production has grown by leaps and bounds. The farm agent estimates there are more than 2.000 head of breeding cows in the county, with the calves and bulls bringing the total to over 3.000 head. Up wards of $50,000 worth of beef cattle has been sold, representing 750 to 800 head, and the annual value of livestock production continues its steady growth. In addition to all these factors, poultry production has been on the upgrade in the county for the past several years. Farm families are go ing in strongly for canning and pre serving, although the sugar shortage will douotless effect a reduction in the amount of fruit put up this year. All of these factors contribute largely to raising the standard of living on the average Washington County farm. Taking the entire farm outlook as a whole, prospects are said to be brighter at this time than they have in years. This is partially offset by the heavy inroads being made on the farm population through the drafting of young men into the army; and the problem of securing adeciuate labor to keep farms producing next year is becoming ever more serious, with no solution in sight. Next Wednesday Last Half-Holiday The last Wednesday half-holi day of the current summer will be observed by local stores and business establishments Wednes day afternoon of next week. Be ginning Monday of the follow ing week, August 31, opening hour of all stores here will be changed from 8 to 9 a. m.; and the closing hour will be 6 p. m. every day except Saturday, when they close at 10 p. m., as at present. The mid-week half-holidays have been enjoyed by both clerks and store owners, but with the approach of what is hoped will be a busier season, they will be discarded until next spring and | summer. •_ Sixteen White Men Accepted by Army From Last Draft List -@ Men Inducted Last Week Are Now Spending Fur loughs at Home -s>—— Washington County's August quo ta of selectees for the Army, which started out originally with a call for 55 men, has dwindled and dwindled until finally 16 men were secured out of the lot, according to information from the local board. Unable to se cure sufficient men to fill the quota of 55, the draft board here started out with 31 on list. Then three temporary deferments were granted to permit harvesting of current crops, which brought the number down to 23; the 28 was reduced 4 by enlist ments in the Navy and transfers, and the 24 men finally left for Fort Bragg last Thursday. The Army doctors at Fort Bragg further reduced the list by rejecting 8 on account of physical or mental impairments, leaving only 16 to be sworn into the service, and 4 of the 16 were classed as 1-B on account of minor physical disabilities. Several others were held over at Fort Bragg for further condideration, but so far as the local board could learn today, only 16 out of the 24 reported last week have been inducted. After be ing sworn in. .the men were allowed to return home for their 14-day fur lough before beginning their train ing.. The 16 men selected last week are as follows: From Plymouth: Hilton Harris. Hartwell M. Mamsey, Frank Wine. ett. Alton C. Davenport (1-), Wilbur M. Darden, Joe D. Cruik shank, John S. Brinkley (1-B), and Albert Ft. Chesson (1-). From Creswell: Henry C. Bateman, Thomas D. Woodley, Joseph C. Dav enport, and Melvin R. Gibbs. From Roper: Benjamin F. Jack son, William L. Dunbar (1-B), and Charlie Frank Swain. From Mackeys: William Halsey Riddick. --j, Revival Services To Begin At Pleasant Grove Monday Pleasant Grove.—The revival meet ing will begin services at Pleasant Grove Methodist Church Monday night after the fourth Sunday in this month, the 24th, with the Rev. A. L. Thompson, of Ahoskie. assisting the Rev. G. C. Wood in the services. The public is cordially invited Quality of Crop Not So Good; Markets of Belt Open Tuesday Growers Generally Expect Average Much Higher Than Last Year -<5> Intermittent rains during the past two weeks have slowed up harvesting operations of the Washington Coun ty tobacco crop, but despite that there will be quite a number of local farmers with offerings on the ware house floors in near-by centers when the 1942 marketing season gets un derway in the bright belt next Tuesday, it was indicated in a survey today. Principal offerings from county farms on the various markets will be sand lugs, it is indicated, and the quality is not expected to be quite as good as last year, when producers in this section had the best crop they have ever had. However, the price outlook is far better than it was on the eve of the opening sales a year ago, reports from the Georgia and border markets giving rise to hopes of general averages ranging from 36 to more than 40 cents. Reports from the border markets earlier this week were to the effect that prices were stronger, and several towns reported general averages in excess of 41 and 42 cents. Markets generally have opened about 10 cents higher than they did last year, when the averages in this belt were from 26 to 29 cents. More than 250 farm families in Washington County produce tobac co, and many of them will take Tues day off to attend the early sales. The number may not be as large as in former years, due to gasoline ration ing and the tire situation, but many of them will “gang up" and visit near by markets. Most of the tobacco produced in Washington County is sold on the markets at Williamston. Robersonville and Washington, with a few farmers selling in Greenville ana a scattering numb r going a , far away as Rocky Mount and Wilson. W. L. Bradsher, tobacco grading expert with the Federal Department of Agriculture, was in the county yesterday to conduct a grading dem onstration at the Westover Farm, and he advises farmers to make as few grades as possible. He says there is so little difference in the price of the various grades that it will not pay to grade too closely this year. He advocates separating the burned and green tobacco from the well-cured leaf with color, but beyond that does not believe a large number of grades will pay for the expense of dividing it up. Masons in New Lodge Quarters -<j> Several score Masons, Eastern Star members and their guests attended the “open house"observance at the new meeting hall of Perseverance Lodge, No. 59, here Tuesday night Although it is called the Masonic Hall, by rights the Eastern Star chap - ter is entitled to much of the credit for the beautiful appearance the lodge room presents, for it was the ladies who raised the money to pay for the carpet and Venetian blinds installed. A number of leading Masons, in cluding several visitors from other lodges, made impromptu talks to the gathering Tuesday night, and all of them enjoyed the punch, ice cream and cake served under the direction of the refreshments committee, com posed of Tom B. Brown, senior war den, and W. J. Highsmith, jr., jun ior warden. J. Lin wood Knowles, mas ter of the lodge; H. H. McLean, dis trict deputy grand master; and John W. Darden, secretary, had leading parts on the informal program. County Agent's Office Has Nailed Out Tobacco Marketing Cards To Farmers Distribution o f marketing cards for tobacco began in this county last week, when they were mailed out to approximately 275 producers, according to County Agent YV. V. Hays. The cards were mailed out this year to savf farmers the expense and gasoline required to rail for them at the county office, as was done in for mer years. It is understood that a few farmers have already carried some tobacco to the border mar kets for sale. It is hecessary for farmers to have their mar keting cards when they place any tobacco on the floors of ware houses for sale. If any of them fail to receive their cards by this week, they should get in toueh with the county agent immedi ately. The 1941 marketing cards are very similar to those used last season, it was said. They pro vide for 10 sales, carry the al lotted and planted acreage and estimated poundage. Additional eards will be furnished on re quest if they are needed, accord ing to the agent's office. So far as known, there are no excess plantings in Washington County, as there was 100 per cent cooperation with the allotment program of the AAA. A few farmers may have unintentional ly planted in excess of their al lotments, but the surplus has since been destroyed.