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The Roanoke Beacon * * * * * * * and Washington County News ******* For Victory... Buy ffNITED STATES DEFENSE BONDS * STAMPS VOLUME LIV—NUMBER 10 Plymouth, Washington County, North Carolina, Thursday, March 11, 1943 ESTABLISHED 1889 < Town opics The Woman's Club will meet to morrow (Friday) afternoon at 2 o’clock instead of the usual time. The change in hour is due to the World Day of Prayer Service to be held at 3:45 Friday afternoon in the Christian Church. Ensign James Harold Ward, of the United States Navy, is spending a few days here with his mother, Mrs. Sid ney A. Ward. He received his com mission last week after graduating from the Midshipman’s school at Northwestern University in Chicago and will report to New York for as signment to a ship within a few days. Next .Monday is the final day for filing income tax returns— both state and national. Al ready a far greater number of returns have been filed from this county than ever before, ac cording to those who are helping with the work. Lieutenant Walter C. Burgess is spending a few days here with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. C. Burgess. He graduated from the officer’s can didate school at Fort Belvoir, Va., and received his commission last week. Meliftn Boyd, formerly of Plym outh, visited relatives and friends here Saturday. Enlisting in the Unit ed States Navy last year, he is now an aviation machinist’s mate, third class, and is stationed at Norfolk. B. Troy Ferguson, of the State Agricultural Extension Service, said while here yesterday that he believed there would be an increase in acreage planted to farm crops this year. .He said that an increase had already had been reported on irish pota toes, May peas, and some other early crops. Lieutenant William E. Hays, of the United States Army Air Corps, is visiting his parents, County Agent and Mrs. W. V. Hays here for 10 days. Lieutenant Hays has been stationed at Wilmington, Dei., with the Ferry ing Command. Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Cox, Jr., re turned Tuesday to their home In New London, Conn., after visiting Mr. Cox’s parents here, Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Cox, sr. The younger Mr. Cox is a machinist’s mate, first class, in the Navy. Friends will be glad to learn that Mrs. W. B. Cox, sr., is much improved following a recent illness. -® Everyone Urged To Be Ready for Test Blackout Next Week -- Meaning of Various Signals Reviewed by Chief Air Raid Warden The second practice blackout to test operation of the new system of signals will be held in this section on Friday night of next week, March 19. Chief Air Raid Warden P. W. Brown calls on everyone to familarize him self with the different signals and be ready to make the test 100 per cent effective next week. There was some confusion about the first test, held two weeks ago tonight, and it is hoped to eliminate all misunder standings before the next one is held. The exact time for the various sig nals, and their meanings, are as fol lows: The first “blue” signal will be sounded at 8:50 p. m. This will be a steady two-minute sounding of the fire siren; all house and street lights are to be turned off: auto traffic may proceed slowly, with lights on dim or depressed beam; pedestrians may continue, but should be prepared to take cover immediately when the “red” signal is sounded. The “red” signal will be sounded at 9 p. m. by short rising and falling blasts of the fire siren. Everything must be blacked out; autos proceed to curb or side of road and turn out lights; pedestrians must get off street.s Second “blue” signal will sound at 9:10 p. m.; steady two-minute blast of fire siren; conditions same as first “blue" alarm; autos proceed slowly, with lights dim; house and street lights remain off; pedestrian traffic may be resumed. The “white,” or “all-clear” signal will be sounded at 9:22 p. m. Steam whistle at pulp mill will sound this signal. Street lights will be turned on, marking end of test blackout. County Farmers Urged To Test Seed Cotton And Peanuts for Germination B. Troy Ferguson, district agent for the State Agricultural Extension Service, was a visitor in Plymouth yesterday. Mr. Fer guson warns fanners in this section to be particularly careful this year to have all cotton and peanut seed tested for germina tion before planting. He said that the unusually wet weather last season lowered the per centage of germination. Some lots he has tested has run no higher than 24 per cent. Mr. Ferguson was in the coun ty in connection with a survey being made to determine the actual production costs of oer tain vegetable corps which are or may soon be subject to price ceil ings. The investigation is be ing made at the instance of the OPA at Washington, and it is expected that dollar-and-cent price ceilings will soon be estab lished for many vegetables, in cluding beans, cabbage, sweet potatoes, and the like. He said that Irish potatoes and lettuce were not included in the survey, as they come under special crop ceilings. He was here only one day, to secure a cross-section of opin ions about the cost of production of many vegetable crops. County Board Will Meet Next Monday To Hear Complaints on Tax Valuations The Washington County Com missioners will meet in the courthouse here next Monday morning at 10 o’clock as a board of equalization and review to hear complaints about valuation of property listed during Janu ary for taxation and to make ad justments in the valuations where necessary. Those who wish to make com plaints about their valuations are urged to see the board members next Monday, as it will be diffi cult to have adjustments made after that time. Those who discover errors in the listing ab stracts are also urged to be pres ent to have them corrected at the meeting Monday. There have been very few in stances of valuation changes from two years ago, when the quadrennial revaluation of real estate was made. _It is not be j lieved that there will be any ma terial change in the valuation be tween last year and this year. The total valuation of all tax able property in the county last year was 56.431,643. The few changes that will be made this year is not expected to material ly change this total- as most of them will deal with real property where improvements have been added, timber cut off, or damage has been done by fire or other like cause. No genera! revalu ation will be made. > War Board Will Pass On Farm Registrants 12,008 War Ration Books No. 2 Issued The final report on the regis tration for War Ration Book No. 2 week before last shows that a total of 3,143 declarations were made and 12,008 No. 2 books were issued, according to Mrs. J. K. Reid, secretary to the Wash ington County War Price and Rationing Board. Excess cans, bottles and jars of processed food declared totaled 1,123 in the county, and 345 pounds of excess coffee were reported on hand last November, when rationing of that product began. Draft Board Work Is Made More Difficult By New Directives Difficulty Being Experinced In Obtaining Sufficient Number for Calls -® Receiving new orders or directives almost every day, the V&rhington County Selective Service Board hard ly knows now just where it stands, so far as filling the next two calls for white men are concerned. Lo cal board officials express doubt that sufficient men are available to fill the call for 55 men to leave on Friday, March 26. Then on April 12 the board is suposed to send another 35 men to Fort Bragg. The board is reopening the cases of men deferred because of depen dency incurred on or after December 8, 1941, and some fathers in this lot will very likely receive summons to answer the April 12 call. All of the 18-19-20-year-olds remaining in class 1-A will get their traveling orders next week to report for possible in duction on March 26. Conflicting statements from men high in government circles have been reported in the newspapers during the past week or so. Manpower Boss Paul V. McNutt was quoted last week as saying that local draft boards had no authority to call up men with children at this time. Yet the week before that, the Washington Coun ty board received an order to begin reclassifying, for immediate induc tion, men whose wives had become pregnant after December 7, 1941. The local board also received a di rective week before last stating that dependency was not to be consider ed as a claim for deferment after April 1. Yet this directive did not specifically repeal a previous order which stated that men with children born before December 8, 1941, should not be called for induction. These two orders are apparently in direct conflict, and an interpretation will be sought from the state board before any men in this latter class are call ed. However, the order relating to men whose wives became pregnant after December 7, 1941, was clear enough, and many of those in this class who are not farmers can expect a trip at governmemt expense to Fort Bragg on April 12. Then this week, the board received (See DRAFT BOARD, Page 6) New Orders Certain To Complicate Farm And Draft Problems May Mean Temporary De ferment, at Least, for Many Farmers Drafting of manpower from farms for service in the armed forces is believed halted, temporarily at least, as a result of orders received in the past few days by the Washington County Selective Service Board. Tire new orders add to the importance of the County USDA War Board, since claims for deferment based on a reg istrant being engaged in farming must be passed on by this group; and the draft board is barred from calling for induction men who claim farming as their occupation until the war board determines their status. The new orders, received this week, have created new problems for both the draft board and war board, and it is probable that a joint meeting of the two groups will be held in the immediate future to decide on the method for handling farm regis trants. Draft calls for most farmers will be delayed for 3U days at least, and during that time the two boards are to study the problems. .Just what the outcome will be is not quite cer tain, but it is apparent that the farm and draft problems will become more complex as the program progresses. Tlie USDA War Board for Wash ington County is composed of W. D. Phelps, of Creswell, chairman; W. V. Hays, of Plymouth, secretary; S. F. Darden and J. H. Allen, of Plymouth. The draft board is composed of Rob ert L. Tetterton, of Plymouth, chair man; O. A. Chesson, of Roper; and A. W. Davenport, of Cherry. In the past, deferment of farm workers has been decided by the se lective service eboard, based on the number of “war units” produced. Un der the new order, registrants who do not meet the requirements for clas sification in 2-C or 3-C will be re ferred to the war board, which will determine whether the man affected can change his production schedule in order to be eligible for deferment. If the registrant is not producing the required number of units, he will be given so many days to make other plans. Briefly stated, the farmer who '•''aims deferment or a lower clas sification must either produce or an swer the draft call. Farm registrants who have been placed in class 1-A will have their cases reviewed by the war board. If the war board finds that the regis trant is not meeting the production requirements, then he will be noti fied that he is subject to call unless he makes arrangement to go into production on the required scale. If he meets the requirements, his clas sification in 2-C or 3-C will follow. If he does not, or is unable to meet the requirements, then the draft board will be so notified at the end of 30 days and classification in 1-A will follow. In the final analysis, the new or ders provide at least a delay in draft ing men from farms. The farm reg istrant must convince the war board that he is producing sufficient units to support a claim for lower classi fication. It is understood that the equirements will remain about the ; ie as they were when classification \ solely in the hands of the draft b.-.-.id. If he isn’t meeting those re q ;irt ments, he will have 30 days in V!i: :i to arrange to do so. If he s . .weeds, he will escape the draft, for t ._‘ time being; if he fails, he will t referred to the draft board for i ssification in 1-A. Rev. W. L. Clegg Will Preach Here Sunday The Rev. W. L. Clegg, district superintendent of the Elizabeth City district of the Methodist church, will preach at the local Methodist church Sunday evening at 7:30. This will be Mr. Clegg’s second visit to Plym outh, and those who heard him be fore will be delighter to hear him again. After the sermon, he will hold t’ second quarterly conference for th ocal church. Rev. ■ \ L. Hardwick, the local pas tor. preach at 11 a. m., and the pub •; cordially invited to attend Used Tires Soon To Be Made Available; Classed as Grade III -v New Tires Will No Longer Be Available for Grade III Certificates -® Grade III tire purchase certificates, issued to a large number of Washing ton County car owners in the past two weeks by the rationing board here, have so far proven practically worthless, as dealers have been un able to secure any tires of this class. It is stated, however, that this will be remedied soon, although grade III tires in the future will not be new tires made of reclaimed rubber, as in the past, but used tires taken in by the government recently, when all tires over five for each car were required to be turned in. The reclaimed rubber tire is now classed as a grade n tire, available only to car drivers engaged in certain essential occupations. Grade III tires—used tires bought in by the government under the “idle-tire” purchase plan—are being released to dealers and will be made available shortly to those with the proper pur chase certificates. Most of the cer tificates issued during the past few weeks have been turned over to deal ers who are holding them until they receive their stocks of grade III tires. It is pointed out that certificates 'See USED TIRES, Page 6> High School Band To Present Concert Here Friday Night -$ Program of Patriotic Music To Be Given; Thirty in Band This Year <s> Despite all handicaps, the Plym outh High School Band has con tinued to make a great deal of prog ress during the current school term, according to L. W. Zeigler, director. Due to war-time conditions, it has been impossible for the band to make any of the out-of-town trips as in former years; and it is not likely that the district and state band fes tivals will be held this year, Mr. Zeigler said. The director said that practice sessions are being held daily for 45 minutes, and some local parades are being planned just as soon as the weather becomes more favorable to outdoor programs. An indoor con cert will be given tomorrow night (Friday) in the courthouse at 8 p. m. The program will be of a patroitic nature and will feature songs of the various branches of the armed for ces. The public is cordially invited and urged to attend. Following is the program to be presented Friday night: “National Emblem,” march, by Bagley; “Ameri ca Exultant,” march, by Hayes; “Vic tory Selection,” medley, by Paul Yo der. Various service songs: "Semper Pa ratus,” Coast Guard; "Army Air Corps,” Army Air Corps: "Semper Fidelis,” Marine Corps. "The Bu gler’s Overture,” by Bennett. Marching Along Together,” W. A. A. C.; “Anchors Aweigh,” Navy: "Marines’ March” Marine Corps; "Cassion Song,” Field Artillery; "Star-Spangled Banner,” This year the band is composed of 30 pieces, much smaller than usual, but it has maintained the balance of a larger organization. Members of the band are as follows: •trumpets ana cornets: stunner Ayers, Charles Brown, Ralph Howell, Raymond Sawyer, Hazel Heynen. Clarinets: Jack House, Frances Bassinger, Iris White, Dewitt Dar den, Robert Swain. Joe Reid, Marie Davenport. Drums: Sonny Williford. Charles Robbins, Jack Horton. Trombones: Edward Westray, Bob by Collins. Baritone: Harry McLean. Saxaphones: Frances Spruill, Jun ior Leggett, Phyllis Davidson, Helen Darden, Eunice Holliday. Bobby Dunning. Tuba: Myron Woodley. Alto horns: Shirley Sexton, Fian ces Ange. Drum major: Billy Winesett. Drum majorettes: Martha Mann ing, Anne Cahoon, Oracelyn Reid. Flag bearers: Thomas Hampton, Bosay Owens. Joseph M, Crowder Died Unexpectedly Here Monday Night Prominent Merchant Victim Of Heart Attack; Final Rites Wednesday Joseph M. Crowder owner of Wes tern Auto Associate Store and very prominent in business and civic cir cle of Plymouth, died very suddenly and unexpectedly from a heart at tack Monday night about 9:30. Com ing here about two years ago from South Hill, Va., Mr. Crowder had made many friends throughout the county who were stunned by the news of his sudden passing. He was a member of the volunteer Are company here and went with the truck to answer an alarm shortly af ter 8 o’clock Monday night. It was a minor fire, doing very little damage, and on his return he went to his store, remaining there for a short time with a group of his firemen friends. He then went to the office of Dr. Claudius McGowan, who was treating him for a slight rash that had broken out on his arm. It was while at the doctor’s office that he was stricken, and he died within a few minutes after suffering the at tack. So far as known, he had not previously had any heart trouble, and the sudden attack was said to be a shock to both his family and friends. Son of W. H. Crowder and the late Mrs. Ruth Crowder, he was born in South Hill, Va., on November 16, 1912. He was in business there for a num ber of years, moving to Plymouth about two years ago to open the Western Auto Associate store here. He was married to Miss Mildred Gor don on December 26, 1933. and they have one daughter, little Rosa Mae Crowder. Affable and friendly, Mr. Crowder quickly established a nice business here. He entered whole-heartedly into the life of the community and could always be depended upon to do his full share in any civic undertak ing. In addition to the volunteer Are department, he was an active member of the merchants association and an officer in the local Lions Club. He was also a member of the Plym outh Methodist church. The body remained at the Horner Funeral Home until Tuesday after noon, when it was taken to South Hill, Va„ for the Anal rites yesterday. The funeral was held at the Crews Funeral Home there and Interment was made at Oakwood Cemetery in South Hill. A number of local peo ple attended the Anal rites Wednes day afternoon. The services were conducted by his former pastor, the Methodist minister at South Hill. In addition to his widow. Mrs. Mildred Gordon Crowder, and daugh ter, Rosa Mae Crowder, he is surviv ed by his father, W. H. Crowder; step-mother, Mrs. Lucy Crowder; and four brothers, John H., Walter L., Willie C., and James W. Crowder, all of South Hill, Va. Rector Local Church Ordained at Service Held Here Tuesday Bishop Gribbin and Other Prominent Episcopalians Here for Ceremony -® The Rt. Rev. Robert Emmet Grib bin, D.D., S.T.D., Bishop of the Dio cese of Western North Carolina, or dained the Rev. William B. Daniels. Jr., to the priesthood last Tuesday at Grace Episcopal Church. Bishop Gribbin acted for the Rt. Rev. Thomas C. Darst, Bishop of the Dio cese of East Carolina, in the ordina tion service. The ordination sermon was deliver ed by the Rev. W. Harvey Glazier, rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Wilmington. The Rev. Edmund T. Jillson, rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity, Hert ford. presented the candidate for or dination. The Rev. Charles Williams of New Bern extended a welcome to visitors on behalf of the Plymouth parish. The epistle was read by the Rev. Lewis Schenck, Edenton, and the Rev. John Hardy of Williamston read the Gospel. Tire Rev. Sidney E. Matthews assisted Bishop Gribbin in the administration of the Holy Com munion. Several clergymen acted with Bishop Gribbin in the layin. on of hands. In connection with the ordination service, Bishop Gribbin administered the Apostolic Rite of Confirmation to Miss Lois Meunier. The candidate for confirmation was presented by the Rev. William B. Daniels. Following the service a luncheon for clergymen, members of the ves try, presidents of the parish organi zations. and out of town guests was held. P. Bruce Bateman, junior war den of the Grace Church vestry, spoke on behalf of the local parish, expressing his appreciation to Bishop Gribbin for the inspiring service and extending a welcome to out-of-town guests. The Rev. Lewis Scheneck responded to Mr Bateman's talk The luncheon was concluded with the benediction by Bishop Gribbin, Red Cross Campaign To Raise $2,700 Gets Under Way in County IN CALIFORNIA ■ Private Wilbur M. Darden re cently graduated from an in tensive course in aviation me chanics at Sheppard Field, Tex., and is now stationed in Long Beach, Calif. He was clerk of the Washington County Super ior Court at the time he entered the service last year. Plane Identification Classes To Begin at Courthouse Monday -S’ Mrs. Claudius McGowan Is Teacher; All Observers Urged To Attend -® Mrs. Claudius McGowan, who at tended the airplane identification school, conducted by the Army Air Corps in Norfolk last week is now busily engaged in organizing a class to take the identification course here. All volunteer observers of the local aircraft warning post are urged to re gister and take the course in plane identification which Mrs. McGowan will teach. The first session of the class will be held next Monday night at 8 o'clock in the courthouse. There will be two classes each week. Mon days and Thursdays, and Mrs. Mc Gowan hopes to complete the course in about three weeks. Meetings were held Monday and Tuesday nights at the courthouse to explain the nature of the course and to enroll as many volunteers as possible. Approximate ly 30 or 40 out of the 250 or more volunteers have agreed to attend. Mrs. McGowan explains that the classes will start promptly at 8 p. m. each Monday and Thursday. Those who complete the course and serve 25 hours as spotters wil receive an arm band, and those who serve 200 hours will be given some form of special recognition by the Army. The course of study, of course, cen ters around the recognition and iden tification of the various types of mil itary airplanes, both friendly and enemy. Examinations will be given several times during the course; and shortly after its completion, those who take th ceourse will be expected to recognize and identify the various types of planes observed while on duty at the observation post. Those who desire to attend are re quested to be preseent at 8 o’clock Monday night, in the courtroom and bring a notebook and pencil. Ice Cream Supper at Woodley’s Chapel Friday -® Tile Woodley's Chapel Ladies Aid Society will give an ice cream and chicken salad supper at the chapel, near Johnson Spruill's store, in the New Land section. Friday night, March 12, at 7:30 p. m. The public is cordially invited to attend. Naval College Training Offered High And Prep School Students, 17 To 20 High school and preparatory school seniors and graduates in Washington County will be given an opportunity to qualify for the Navy College Training program April 2. when examinations will be given at the high school here, it was stated this week by R. B. Trotman, principal of the local school, who will give the exami nation here. Known as the V-12 program, its purpose is to produce officers for the United States Navy. Young men between the ages of 17 and 20 are eligible to take the examinations, and Mr. Trotman urges them to give their names to him immediately if they are interested. High school seniors and graduates and college stu dents who appear to have poten tialities for ultimate selection as Naval ocicers will be chosen for college training. Those selected will receive college training while on active duty, in uniform, re ceiving pay, and under general military' discipline. Only the following are eligible: ble: High school and preparatory school gradutes, or seniors who will be graduated by July 1. 1943, who have attained their 17th but not their 20th birthdays by July 1, 1943: whether or not they are now attending school or college. ’Men now enlisted in any branch of the armed services, including V-l, V-5, V-7 reserves on inactive status, are not eli gible to take the lest. Need More Urgent Now Than Ever; All Asked to Contribute -,. Leaders Hope To Top Goal Set for County Before Saturday Night -® Canvassers for the Red Cross War Fund campaign will swing into ac tion throughout Washington Coun ty today, with the object of raising the quota of $2,700 or more before they stop Saturday night. Although the drive will continue throughout the month of March all over the na tion, county leaders decided to wage an intensive three-day campaign in the hope of winding it up this week. The campaign was started Monday by the Creswell unit of the county chap ter and splendid progress toward raising that section's goal of $450 was reported. Mrs. T. W. Earle is chairman of the War Fund Drive this year, and workers have been delegated to cover every section of the county. Can vassers are determined to double last, year's record if possible, whicn would put the county well over its quota. The need is much greater at this time; and one of the strongest points in favor of doubling last year’s con tribution is the record of the Red Cross on all fronts where American soldiers are now fighting. Letters from the men at the fronts are lavish in their praise of the work being dme by the Red Cross, and with Wash ington County men engaged in fighting on practically every from in the world it is believed that few will turn down the request for a liber al donation. The Red Cross is furnishing the blood plasma that has already saved countless lives; it is furnishing com fort kits, extra clothing, candy, ci garettes. writing materials, books, and countless other items that con tribute to the well-being of men in the fighting lines. This county's quota is considered small in the light of the number of men it has in the armed forces who will benefit from activities of the Red Cross, and it u difficult to see how anyone can turn the canvassers down. It is hoped that every person in the county, both white and colored, will contribute. Those who give $1 or more will be enrolled as an annual member of the Red Cross. Larger contributions are solicited, but small er amounts will be gratefully accept ed. The campaign is being conducted through the white and colored schools, as well as through a house to-house canvass in the business and residential sections of the towns and the farming section of the county Every employer and employee of in dustrial establishments will be aSk ed to contribute. It is the aim of the 1 drive in this county to miss no one , Individual quotas are as follows: Plymouth Township, white, $1,300; ; colored, $250; Roper, white, $250; colored, $200; Creswell, white, $250; colored, $200. In addition, the coun ty schools are expected to raise $250 Canvassers for the white people were listed last week. Mrs. Betty are good only for 30 days after date of issuance: and if they are not turned over to a dealer within that time, the county loses that many 'See RED CROSS, Page 6' Canning and Block Leaders Meet Here Friday Morning All canning leaders and block lead ers in the county are urged by Mrs. Mary Prances Darden, home demon stration agent, to attend a meeting at the agricultural building tomor row morning. Friday, March 12, at 10 o'clock. A canning demonstra tion will be given by Miss Martha Smith, associate home management I specialist, of Raleigh, it was stated
The Roanoke Beacon and Washington County News (Plymouth, N.C.)
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March 11, 1943, edition 1
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