Want To Sell
Something ?
Try a Want Ad
The Alleghany Times
You Will Profit
If You Always Read
Times’ Advertisements
DEVOTED TO THE CIVIC, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF ALLEGHANY COUNTY
Volume No. 14.
GALAX, VA. (Published for Sparta, N. C.) THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1938.
Number fl.
by Hugo S. Sims,
Washington Correspondent
The purge that failed in South
Carolina resulted in the renomina
tion of Senator E. D. (Cotton Ed)
Smith. Of course, in South Caro
lina, the Democratic nomination
in August is equivalent to elec
tion in November.
Early this month, Senator Smith,
together with other senators from
the cotton states, met in Wash
ington to use their efforts to se
cure higher Government loans on
cotton. They were joined by
some senators who want higher
loans on wheat.
After their conference, the
Carolinian wanted to confer with1
the President at the White House,
but Mr. Roosevelt, engaged in a
Cabinet meeting, referred him and
his wanting group to officials of
the Department of Agriculture.
This made Mr. Smith very indig
nant. He did not think the Presi
dent Was showing due deference
to a committee of “duly elected
senators, representing sovereign
states.” Political commentators ob
served that the incident might
widen the breach between the
President and some of the sena
tors he opposed in state primaries.
Despite the Senator’s theo
retical espousal of state’s rights
and his talk of “sovereign states,”
he is considered the veteran com
mander of the cotton brigade and
always leads its charge against
the United States Treasury. Just
now, he wants the Government to
increase its loan rate on cotton
from 8.3 cents a pound to ap
proximately 11.9 cents. Failing to
get this, he wants an outright sub
sidy payment of three cents a
pound on the 1938 crop.
“Cotton Ed” warns that “al
most universal bankruptcy” is
threatened in the South because
of the financial plight of cotton
growers. Press reports o f
the conference of the cotton con
gressmen tell of predictions of
“revolution” in the Cotton Belt
unless farm prices rise.
Of course, the South is not
rolling in wealth this Fall. It is
feeling the pinch from the enorm
ous crop of 1937. The 19,000,
000 bale crop created such a
surplus that this year it was
necessary to cut the production
considerably. An estimated crop
of 12,000,000 bales, according to
Sacre.tary Wallace, will bring
§865,000,000 this year which is
only $117,000,000 less than that
of last year. Thb figure, of
course, includes Government pay
ments of about $265,000,000.
The record of Senator Smith is
something worth observing. He
has been lukewarrp in support of
all Administration farm measures
since 1933. As chairman of the
Senate Committee on Agriculture
he has been in a position to blpck
farm legislation. He did this very
effectively in 1937, when cotton
growers, freed from all restraints
by the Supreme Court decision of
1936, produced the enormous crop
that has wrecked the market.
While Smith has championed
the cotton farmer for about thirty
years, his contention in 1937 was
that he did not know what the
fanners wanted, that it would be
necessary to hold hearing^
throughout the country before
preparing a bill. With this idea,
the Senate made no progress
toward a farm bill in 1937, but
“Cotton Ed” when the first early
crop estimate sent the price of
the staple* hurtling downward, led
the cotton brigade in a march to
the President for help.
Subsequently, when the hearings
that he scheduled showed that the
farmers were in favor of the Ad- j
ministration plan, the Senator |
grudgingly observed its passage in 1
the Senate, although proclaiming!
that it was not his bill but whatj
the farmers wanted, and insisting
that “if it failed,’* he was not
responsible. On the floor of the
Senate, he candidly confessed that
he could not explain the bill bo
Western senators.
In brief, if “Cotton Ed” had
legislated in 1937 instead of wait
ing until 1938, > the cotton grow
ers, for whom he now mourns,
would not have produced 19,000,
000 bales in 1937 and there would
be little occasion for him to beat
his chest before the White House
or to berate the Government for
its failure to make a loan which
many experts consider economical
ly unsound and likely to do the
cotton growers as much harm as
good.
Senator Joseph C. O’Mahoney,
of Wyoming, chairman of the
temporary National Economic
Committee, insists that the com
mittee’s efforts to “find out what’s
wrong with our economic system”
is not a punitive expedition against
(turn to page two, please)
Many preventable
fires occur in
North Carolina
—every year. According to
R. D. Gentry, Alleghany
County Forest Warden, dur
ing the first six months of
1938, 455 forest fire9 burned in
Western North Carolina. Of
these 455 fires, three were caused
by lightning. In other words,
452 of the fires were man-caused,
and thereby preventable, it has
been pointed out. An article con
cerning, forest fires and their pre
vention has been issued recently
by Mr. Gentry as follows:
These 452 man-caused fires cost
the State and Counties of West
ern North Carolina thousands of
dollars in damage to timber and
wild life to say nothing of the
effect that fires have on soil
erosion and the aesthetic -value of
our woodland.
During the summer months in
Western North Carolina, our for
est floor is covered with a carpet
of green vegetation. The trees
are covered with green foliage.
Consequently, the forest is ren
dered fairly safe insofar as for
est fires are concerned. Already
with the first signs, of Fall and
W.nter, the grasses in the forests
are dying and the foliage is los
ing its glossy green color and
beginning to fall. Therefore, the
floor of the forest will soon be
covered with a layer of dead and
highly inflammable material sub
ject again to the risk of more
man-caused forest fires.
It is encouraging, however, to
know that the number of the man
caused fires in Western North
Carolina for the past several years
have been steadily decreasing.
You, as a citizen of Alleghany
County, can render valuable as
sistance to your County, State
and Forest Warden Organization
in bringing about a still further
decrease in our loses from forest
fires. Here are a few of the
ways in which you can help:
1. Don't toss a lighted cigarette
or match out of your car. If you
do so, your cigarette and match
might land in inflammable ma
terial causing a disastrous fire.
2. While hunting, be sure that
your match and cigarette are fully
extinguished before you throw
them away. Also be sure that,
when your pipe is emptied, the
contents- are completely extinguish
ed.
3. In building warming and
Turn to Page 8, Please
A big increase
in the naval
budget for 1939
—was seen Tuesday, when
President Roiosevelt an
nounced that the United
States will speed up, rather
than retard, its national defense
program. The chief executive, in
Washington, indicated that an in
crease of the naval budget for
1939 of $150,000,000 will be
needed.
The proposed increase, which
Mr. Roosevelt said at his press
conference is necessary to carry ]
on new warship construction,
would bring the naval appropria
tion for next year to a record
peace-time high of more than
$700,000,000.
The President’s decision to ac
celerate his “second-to-none” navy
program was interpreted as an
answer to German Chancellor
Adolf Hilter’s speech at Saar
brucken last Saturday when the
fuehrer warned the world that
Germany would continue her
armament program because she
can not trust Great Britian and
France.
This declaration, in the opinion
of foreign affairs experts, pre
cludes the possibility of a world
disarmament -conference for at
least another year and is regard
ed as a blunt negative answer
to proponents of a conference at
this time, including Under Secre
tary of State Sumner Welles who
a few days previously had issued
an official “feeler” on the sub
ject.
The increased naval construc
tion program may be accompan
ied by larger expenditures for the
army, particularly for coast de
fense and antiaircraft batteries
which are said to be insufficient
for national security.
Livestock Judging At Alleghany County Agricultural Fair
Posed during the livestock judging at the recent Alleghany County Agricultural Fab- are (left
to right): R. C. Halsey, Sparta, Chairman of Department 5—Horses and Mules; F. H. Jackson, Agri
culture Teacher in Sparta High School; J. W. Cassell, County Agent of Carroll County (Va.), and
i Herman Moore, Baywood, Va.—Photo by H. B. Zabriskie.
Look At The Smile
C. R. Roe, principal of the
Sparta High School, laughs at an
amusing incident during the judg
ing at the recent Alleghany
County Fair.—Photo by H. B.
Zabriskie.
Colonel Lindbergh
was silent when
he was questioned
—in Berlin, Germany, Tues
day concerning bitter
charges made agiainst him
by a group of fc>rlominent
Russian aviators. The “Lone
Eagle” arrived in Berlin Tuesday
by plane to attend the annual
meeting of the Lillienthal Society
for Aerial Research.
The American airman declined
to comment on the soviet fliers’
accusation that he belittled the
Russian air force and thus en- j
couraged Anglo-French capitula-!
tion to Adolf Hitler’s demands for1
Czechoslovak territory. j
Lindbergh and his wife were j
greeted by Lieut.-Gol. Truman
Smith, military attache of the
United States embassy, who will1
be their host while in Berlin. I
The Lindberghs spent a quiet |
afternoon at Smith’s home and
then went to dinner at the Neues
Palais in Potsdam.
Eleven soviet fliers published
a letter in Moscow Monday, al
leging that Lindbergh made “in
solent anti-soviet utterances” fol
lowing a trip to the soviet union.
The airmen charged that Lind
bergh stated before guests of
Lady Astor, member of the Brit
ish house of commons, that the
soviet air force was inefficient.
Lady Astor said Tuesday there
was “no truth” in the statement
and that the Daily Worker, Lon
don communist newspaper, was
responsible for the report.
An old-time barn
dance is to be
given in Sparta
—at the Sparta High School
Gymnasium on Saturday night,
October 15, beginning at eight
o’clock, and continuing until
eleven.
A small admission charge will
be made, and the proceeds are
to be used for improvements on
the School grounds.
National And World
NEWS
At A Glance
GIRL GIVEN JAIL TERM
Lexington, N. C., Oct. 5.—Lula
Belle Kimel, the blonde, buxom,
22-year-old jailer’s daughter who
gave youtig% desperadoes James
Godwin and* Bill Wilson their
freedom because she feared the
one she loved would die in the
state lethal gag chamber, wept
aloud tonight when she was
sentenced to serve 60 days in
jail.
MAY ABANDON PURGE
Hyde Park,; N. Y., Oct. 6_
President Roosevelt was repres
ented today by an authorative
source as having decided to make
no campaign speeches iu any
state with the possible exception
of New York, where a test of
extraordinary importance is in
prospect.
HITLER IS INJURED
Berlin, Oct. 7.—Germans es
timated tonight that by October
10 Germany will have annexed
nearly one-fifth of Czechoslo
vakia.
Reichsfuehrer Hitler himself
toured his new territory and was
scratched on the face' by rose
thorns when struck by a bouquet
thrown by an admirer.
20 KILLED IN AIR CRASH
Soest, Germany, Oct. 10_
Twenty persons were killed today
when a Belgian airliner lost a
wing in mid-air and plummeted
to earth m flames near this Ruhr
valley community in Northwest
ern Germany.
ROYALTY TO VISIT CANADA
London, Oct. 8.—King George
VI and Queen Elizabeth will be
come the first reigning British
soverigns ever to set foot in “the
new world” by a visit to Canada
next summer which may take
them to the United States.
A singing meet
is to be held at
the Methodist
—Church here on Sunday,
October 30. The program,
as now planned, will include
spiritual and sacred songs
sung by male choruses and
quartets from Wytheville, Va.,
Mount Airy and other places.
Hymns, also, will be played on
Hawaiian guitars.
Announcements concerning the
completed program will be made
later, and will include a list of
the different groups which will
participate.
The public is cordially invited
to attend this singing convention.
The Methodist Church
W. M. S. will hold
its October meeting
—tomorrow (Friday) afternoon,
at 2:30 o’clock, at the home of
Mrs. John Mac Edwards. Mrs.
James Toms will be associate hos
tess, and Mrs. Grover Enopier
will have charge of the program
In Pensive Mood
i
“Doc” T. R. Burgiss caught by
the cartdid camera while in a
pensive mood during the ball game
at the recent Alleghany County
Fair.—Photo by H. B. Zabriskie.
Governor Hoey
spoke Tuesday
in Smithfield
—at a political rally, at
which he stepped into the
midst of the general election
campaign with an appeal to
voters to support all Democratic
candidates. The chief executive
asserted that the Democratic par
ty would stand on its record in
the state and nation. The rally
was held Tuesday night.
Hoey declared that the farmer,
the laborer, the business man and
the average citizen would have
“nothing to gain by returning to
the days and doings of Republi
can rule.’"
“The condition of this nation
today, as compared with other
countries and in contrast with the
last Republican administration,
justifies the belief that the
American people will not consider
returning the control of our na
tions’ affairs to the Republican
party.” he said. “What has that
party to offer our people? What
solution is proposed for our na
tional problems ?"
As North Carolina’s “record of
progress,” the Governor cited: “A
fair and just tax system; a bal
anced budget; advancement in
education, health, welfare, social
service, and every humanitarian
cause; a well-developed road pro
gram; prison reform; and steady
reduction of the public debt.”
The Governor said that the
election was of major importance
and pointed out that North Car
olinians will vote for a United
States senator, 11 congressmen,
three supreme court justices, an
attorney-general, a utilities com
missioner, a labor commissioner,
12 superior court judges, 21 sol
icitors, the entire General Assem
bly, and hundreds of couny of
ficers.
THE YOUNG WOMEN’S
CIRCLE WILL GATHER
—tonight (Thursday) at 7:30
o’clock, at the home of Mrs.
Robert M. Gambill.
i.
A Home Economics
Department has
been added here
—as a part of the curriculum in
Sparta High School.
Miss Lois Roberts, Asheville, is
the teacher in this department.
Miss Roberts is a graduate of
Berea College, Berea, Ky., and
comes highly recommended.
A letter from
the president to
R. L Doughton
—in whidh the chief execu
tive asked that the Ninth
District North Carolina Con
gressman seek another term
in the national House of Rep
resentatives, was read at the re
cent big Statesville Democratic
rally when Representative Dough
ton opened his campaign for re
nomination. The letter was read
by Sidney B. Gambill, of Wash
ington, D. C„ a former secre
tary to Congressman Doughton.
The. letter follows:
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON, D. C.
February 25, 1938
Dear Bob:
Since our discussion a few days
ago I have been very much con
cerned at the thought that you
feel obliged to retire from the
House of Representatives. So
greatly concerned have I been
that I feel impelled to write to
you in the hope that you may
reconsider your contemplated ac
tion and decide to continue in
the public service.
No one knows better than I
what your service as Chairman
of the Ways and Means Com
mittee in the past six years has
meant to me and the nation. It
would be a great loss to the
country to have you leave this
post.
In concrete results the legisla
tion piloted by you to enactment
has included many of the most
important measures of my admin
istration, Of course that part of
your work is a matter of public
record but, in addition to such
distinguished accomplishm e n t,
there has been a great service
which you have rendered person
ally. Your counsel, your sound,
mature judgment on public ques
tions and the steadying influence
which you have exerted has been
of invaluable assistance to me.
I know that under all the
circumstances it will be a person
al sacrifice for you to remain
but I trust that in view of the
important work that we have
ahead that you may see your
way clear to continue in public
service and help to do the job
entrusted to us by the people
ol the country.
Now, Bob, I know that I am
asking a lot of you and regard
less of whatever your course mav
be I want you to feel assured of
my grateful appreciation of your
distinguished service.
With affectionate regards,
Very sincerely yours, ’
(Signed)
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT
A revision of
southern freight
rates is favored
—by President Roosevelt,
according to an impression
received Tuesday by a
White House caller, The
caller represented the chief execu
tive as being convinced a revision
of present schedules had become
necessary.
Frank M. Dixon, Democratic
nominee for governor of Ala
bama, said the Chief Executive ex
pressed belief the system included
unfair differentials which demand
ed correction.
The Alabaman did not quote
Mr. Roosevelt on the means of
effecting the changes, but his own
suggestion was the enactment of
legislation forbidding geographical
differentials in rate-making.
Later Tuesday, the President
told his press conference Dixon
came in to pay his respects. Ask
ed if freight rates entered into
the discussion, he said they had,
adding that every southern gov
ernor who called on him talkec
about freight rates and verj
properly so. ,
A cooperative
bull sale will be
held October 20
!—in the new livestock
Pavillion at Hillsville, Va.,
' sponsored by Galax Associ
ation of Commerce, the
| Dairy Extension Division of V.
! P. I., Blacksburg, Va., and the
[ Carnation Company. The sale
[will be held at two o’clock in the
' afternoon.
I respectively, and the Carnation
['Company. The sale will be held
| at two o’clock in the afternoon.
I This is the second cooperative
I bull sale held in this section, a
j similar one having been conduct
ed at Galax last spring.
There will be approximately
[sixteen bulls in the sale, eight
Holsteins and eight Jerseys. These
bnli calves have been selected by
R G. Connelly, of the Dairy Ex
; tension Division, V. P. I., and
;»»v from'some of the best dairy
: herds in Virginia.
All of the calves are from
dams with known record and are
remarkably good offerings. The
breeders are consigning these
bulls to the sale putting them up
at public auction and taking
whatever they bring. In nearly
every ease these bull calves would
bring considerably more on the
farm than they will at the sale
but these progressive breeders be
lieve. that this section is rapidly
developing in dairying and are.
willing to make this sacrifice in
order to help establish pure bred
lines. It is suggested that several
fanners in the same community
go in together and buy one of
these calves.
Any further information de
sired may be obtained from the
county farm agents, Warren B.
Giersch, Galax, or a Carnation
representative.
Milk production in the sur
rounding territories has been very
satisfactory this fall because of
the mild weather. So far pro
duction is perhaps above normal,
it has been pointed out.
There is a considerably above
a\eiage amount of food this year,
due to the exceptionally fine sea
son during the past summer, and
then is, undoubtedly, more feed
than has been produced in this
| section for many years. The
growing use of lime and phosphate
I fertilizers is reflected in the in
I creased yield of tame hay. An
enormous yield of Soy Beans has
[been reported and most of the
Soy Beans was put up in excellent
i ®hape as it has not rained any
recently.
Twenty-five silos have been
built in this territory in the past
['0 months and prospects are
that considerably over a hun
dred will be built next year. This
will have a marked effect on pro
duction of -winter milk at a profit
, it is said. ’
| Price of dairy products are
owe*’ than a year ago but ac
cording to Dairy reports, the re
j lation between dairy products
and the price of feed show more
of a profit than ordinary. More
farmers are planning to milk
cows throughout the winter than
j ever before, it is reported
i ne Sparta Public
Library has been
recognized
—by the North Carolina State
Library Commission, and is list—
j ed in statistics compiled by the
; commission of North Carolina
I Public Libraries.
The fortitude of
Columbus and his
aides was praised
:—Tuesday by President Roosevelt
: on the eve of Columbus Day. The
following statement was issued by
| the chief executive:
, “Each recurrence of Columbus
! Day brings to all of us a greater
appreciation of the heritage we
have received as a result of the
faith and courage and fortitude
of the Genoese navigator and hie
brave companions.
“Because of their {Vision and
determination we are sharers in
a new world.’*
A LIST OF PRIZE WINNERS
AT THE AGRICULTURAL FAIR
—held here September 23-24, due
to its lengthiness, has been de
ferred until next week for pub
lication in The TIMES. It was
stated last week that the list
would appear this week, but thei
postponement became necessary.