Newspapers / The Alleghany News and … / Dec. 21, 1939, edition 1 / Page 1
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DEVOTED The Alleghany Times TO THE CIVIC, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF ALLEGHANY COUNTY Volume No. 15. GALAX, VA. (Published for Sparta, N. C.) THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1939. Number 32. This Week in Washington Washington, Dec. 20 (AS) — The second regular session of the 76th Congress meets on Jan. 3, -but the army of lobbyists for a hundred special interests has been on the job for several weeks, and every returning mem ber is made aware, by more or lees devious means of communi cation, that it would be smart for him to vote for this, that or the oher proposal—or else. “Or else” in a year when all the Representatives come up for re-election calls for little expla nation. Of course, it is> never— or hardly ever—put as bluntly as to say to a member of Con gress that if he doesn’t vote for a given proposal the heat will be turned! on and he will lose a lot of votes which would be ex tremely useful in his district. But when it is considered that practically half of the members now sitting got in by such close margins that a shift of only a thousand or so votes would have elected the other fellow, it would: stem as if it wouldn’t take much more than a hint to swing a good many members’ votes. That is the popular notions of the way the lobbyists work. It has been made the theme of many a romantic piece of fiction, and a lot of folks who don’t know how the wheels actually go ’round in Washington are inclined: to think of their Congressmen as rather spineless weaklings con cerned with nothing but their own personal continuance in of fice. That is a wrong picture, for several reasons. High Principles First, it is not as easy to in fluence the average Congressman or Senator to vote in favor of any measure which he does not honestly believe is for the pub lic welfare, as many folk thing it is. The average of high and honorable principles, on every question of importance that comes up for consideration in Congress, is probably higher than in any other legislative body in the world. There are honest differences of opinion, and; a pref erence to follow the party lead ership, but the record of the first session of thi9 Congress carries its own evidence that there are many members who put their hon est convictions above party pol icy. To be sure, there will be a lot of votes cast, and on important questions, because of their pos sible effect upon the success of one party or the other; but on the whole, the controversial issues will be determined by the ma jority opinion of their merits. There is no likelihood: of a short session. There will be too many questions on which members cvf both parties will want to put themselves on record, for one thing. And for another, the activities of the lobbies, working with pressure-blocks inside of Congress will be greater than in ilin fi ref cocoinn Possibly more controversy will be aroused over the tax situation than on any other one subject. It is difficult for outside observers to see how increased! taxes can be avoided, if even part of the President’s program for enlarging the national defenses is carried through. And on that matter the belief in Washington is that the public is pretty solidly be hind the President. Batter Feeling Toward B wanes* The problem is . how to raise the additional billion or so with out cutting essential expenses in other fields, and without adding to the tax burden on business. There is a much more tender feeling toward business apparent here than there has been in the past. The force of the argu ment of business interests that they cannot put more men to work if they are not allowed to make profits is being felt at both endfe of Pennsylvania Avenue. The only alternative to increasing (turn to page 5, please) The German luxury liner Columbus was scuttled —Tuesday night to thwart a british man-of-war which was hot on her wake. The liner was aflame and sinking in the Atlantic Tuesday night while an American naval cruiser performed a dramatic rescue of the entire Columbus crew of 579. The 32,381-ton liner, third largest in the Nazi merchant ma rine, had slipped out of Vera Cruzj Mexico, last Thursday in a desperate attempt to elude the British fleet and: possibly reach Europe—but her gamble failed. First word of her grim end came from the XJ. S. Cruiser Tus caloosa, which flashed that she was being scuttled about 400 miles east of Cape Henry, Va. A British destroyer was in the vi cinity, the Tuscaloosa reported, but there were no signs that any hosti'ities had occurred. While dusk gathered over the ocean the Tuscaloosa hastened to pick up tb“ German seamen who, it was indicated by word receiv ed here, had pulled away from their craft in small boats. Terse, matter-of-fact messages told how the Tuscaloosa, commanded by Captain II. A Badt, saved every last cue of the Germans, includ ing nine women who were pre Sumec to be stewardesses. The Tuscaloosa then headed for New York to land the German crew at Ellis Island. Behind her the sky was lit with flames, for the Columbus; was afire from stern to stern and was slowly settling to her doom. Behind her also 22 empty life boats were adrift near the scene. The ravy hydrographic office, on hearing this, broadcast a warning that the boats, as well as the Columbus, were menaces to navi gation. The big liner, however, was not expected to remain a menace long, for officials understood that her sea valves had been opened to make her founder as fast as possible. The Columbus had been at Vera Cruz from the beginning of the war until last week. She had put into that port hasily when the outbreak of hosilities caught her on a Caribbean cruise. When she left there she had food and fuel enough for 50 days. Consternation was evident at the New York offices of the North German Lloyd Lines, owners of the vessel, when news of the sinking was received there. “Oh, my God,” said Manager John Schnoeder, “it’s one blow after the other.” A few hours earlier, however, another German ship—a freighter tentatively identified as the Arau ca out of Tampico—had better luck. It fifed into Port Ever glades, Fla., harbor a jump ahead of a British cruiser. First word of the dramatic end of the Columbus, which occurred only two days after the destruc tion of the cornered pocket battle ship Graf Spee off Montevideo at Hitler’s order, was flashed! to the world from the Norfolk Navy Yard. The December meeting of the Methodist Women’s —Missionary Society was held! on Friday afternoon, December 15, at the home of Mrs. Beal Poole, with Mrs. R. T. Burchette associ ate hostess. The rooms were attractively decorated with holly, poinsettas( and other Christmas greenery. The president, Mrs. J. T. In skeep, presided during the busi ness session. At the social rour, the hostess es, assisted by Jimmy Poole, serv ed chicken salad) with accessories, fruit jelk> tart with whipped cream, and coffee, to sixteen guests. Mrs. J. T. Inskeep invited the group to meet at her home at Roaring Gap for the January meeting. Planning Annual Visit To Sparta And Alleghany County . . Out For Governor . . . J. M. Broughton (above), of Raleigh, who announce*! his can didacy for Governor of North Carolina last week, subject to the Femocratic primary. He is a prominent Raleigh lawyer and Baptist leader. The German battleship Graf Spee was sunk —Sunday, December 17, the Nazi pocket battleship be ing blown up by its crew, at the command of Adolf Hitler, to save her from defeat and destruction at the point of British naval guns. Captain Hans Langsdorff and ‘every member of the crew” which went out to scuttle the Gratf Spee were reported by officials to have reached safety aboard other boats before the 10,000-ton war monster, her hull shattered and her wreckage aflame from the explosions of internal mines, sank in 25 feet of water three miles from shore, within sight of the city. The German freighter Tacoma, carrying two or three hundred members of the crew, anchored! in Montevideo harbor late Sunday night. The captain immediately was arrested for violating a port closing order earlier in the day and Uruguayan authorities said they would intern all Graf Spee crewmen who remained in Uru guayan waters. The remainder of the crew—about 700 men— were reported en route to Buenos Aires aboard tugs and launches and will surrender to the Argen tine government. J. M. Broughton, of Raleigh, has entered the race —for the governorship iof North Carolina, his an nouncement as a candidate for the Democratic nomi nation, subject to the state-wide primary to be held May 25, 1940 having been announced Tuesday, December 12. In making his announcement, Mr. Broughton, who is a promi nent Raleigh lawyer and Baptist leader, sai'd in part: “In entering this campaign I do so upon my own initiative and responsibility and not as the can didate of any group, bloc or po litical faction. My candidacy will be addressed to all Democrats in the State. If nominated and elected, I will be under no obli gation except to serve the people of North Carolina to the best of my ability. It will be my purpose during the campaign next spring to dis cuss fully the issues that may arise upon all public questions in which the people are interested. I plan to speak in every county in the state, so that the people may have opportunity to hear my views on these questions and pass upon my qualifications for this high office. While it is not feas ible this far in advance of the campaign to discuss in detail all public questions that may con cern the people of the State, I would be unwilling to make an announcement for the office o<f Governor without at least stating in general my views on essential matters of governmen. I have no panaceas to offer, no magic formulas to propose. Sound gov ernment is the best liberalism; sane progress is the best conser vatism.” The Honor Roll for November at the Irwin School —has been anounced as follows: First Grade—Wayne Petty, Al ton Atwood and Ray Petty. Second Grade—Vaughan Petty, Ammerlee Bobbitt and Ruby Nor man. Third Grade—Lorraine At wood, Daynard Atwood, Kath leen Atwoodf Grady Bobbitt and Annie Madge Bobbitt. Fourth Grade—Louis Brooks. Fifth Grade — Howard Irwin and Foster Mabe. Sixth Grade—Chester Brooks. Seventh Grade—Marie Jones. THE SPARTA PUBLIC LIBRARY WILL BE CLOSED —for the Christmas holidays De cember 23-27, inclusive. His Hat In Ring . . . W. Erskine Smith (above), of Albemarle, who announced his candidacy for Lieutenant Gover nor of North Carolina Monday in Albemarle, subject to the Demo cratic primary. He is president pro tern of the State Senate. Marcus Erwin was found dead in AsheviDe —in his hotel room Tues day. He was 66 years of age. Erwin was United 1 States District Attorney for j the Western District of North i Carolina. I Dr. George F. Baier, Jr., Bun | combe County coroner, said a i heart attack was the cause of i death. Indications were, he said, ! that Erwin had been stricken shortly after he went to bed' Mon day night, apparently as he was reading a newspaper. His eye glasses were still on and the paper was found lying in front of him. Erwin was a native of this county and a member of one of the first families to settle in that region. His father, Major Mar cus Erwin, served in both the Mexinan and Civil wars. A dance will be held in the Sparta High School Gym —tonight (Thursday), from 9:30 to 1:80 o’clock. Music will be furnished by Carl Helms and his orchestra, of Hickory. An urgent invitation is extend ed to the public to attend. SANTA CLAUS WILL BE AT SMITHEY’S STORE HERE —tomorrow (Friday) and Satur day, and parents are cordially invited to take the kiddies to the store to see him. Leo and Gene Irwin have received recent promotions —in Washington, D, C., where they are . employed. They are sons of Mr. and Mi's. Carl Irwin, Twin Oaks. Leo, who has been employed by Surplus Commodities Corpor lation since August, 1938, and is [attending George Washington Uni versity, at night, received a pro motion in July, 1939, and was promoted to the post of assistant clerk, with the Bureau of Statis tics, December 5, Gene,- who has been employed by Washington Properties, Inc., operators of a chain of hotels, as stock room clerk, since January 15, 1939, was promoted December 1, to manager of the garage oper ated in connection with the Ward man Park Hotel. Each pro motion carries with it a reason able raise in salary, W. Ersldne Smith has announced his candidacy —for the office of lieutenr ant governor of North Caro lina. The announcement was made Monday in Albe marle. The announcement was made, subject to the action of the Democratic party in the state wide primary to be held on May 25, 1940. Mr. Smith is a prominent Al bemarle citizen, and president pro tern of the North Carolina Senate. “I am a candidate for the De mocratic nomination for Lieuten ant Governor of North -Carolina,” Senator Smith’s formal statement read, “I have represented my senatorial district in every ses sion of the Senate since 1927 in which Stanly County was en titled to a Senator, with one ex ception. I feel that this legisla tive experience will be helpful to me in the discharge of the duties of Lieutenant Governor. If nom inated and elected, it will be my ambition to discharge the duties of this high office fairly and im partially to all, having in mind at all times the best interest of North Carolina and its entire citizenship.” At the last election Senator Smith was nominated and elected to the North Carolina Senate without opposition, and wps also .elected President pro tern of that body without opposition, which is [indicative of the esteem in which he is held by his constituency and his colleagues in the Senate. He was born and reared in Stanly County, and is a son of R. L. Smith, Dean of the Stanly County Bar, and one of the state’s out standing citizens and attorneys. Incidentally, R. L. Smith, Sr., preceded his son as President pro tern of the Senate for forty years, having served as President pro tern of the 1899 Senate of North Carolina. The candidate for Lieutenant Governor is a graduate of the Duke University Law School, hav ing completed his law course there in 1921 when the institu tion was Trinity College, and when Dr. Samuel Fox Mordecai was Dean of the school. Since he completed this law course he has practiced his profession in Albe marle and is recognized as one of the most capable attorneys in the state. A member of Central Methodist Church, Senator Smith has been a teacher of a Sunday School, class of young men for a number! of years. I A CHRISTMAS PROGRAM IS TO BE PRESENTED —at the Sparta Methodist Chupcif tonight (Thursday) at seven o’ clock. There will also be a Christ mas tree. , Everyone is invited to attend. » THE ALLEGHANY BOARD OF* COUNTY COMMISSIONERS —will hold the regular January meeting on Tuesday, January 2, instead of the regular meeting day—the first Monday — which falls on New Year’s Day. R. L Doughton was heard in Boone Tuesday —and provided students of Appalachian State Teachers College there, and faculty members, with first-hand information in American govern ment. The Alleghany County congressman, who represents the North Carolina Ninth Congres sional District and who is chair man of the House Ways and! Means Committee, appeared in a. chapel discussion relative to the function of Congress. Dr. B. B. Dougherty, president oi Appalachian State Teachers College, introducing Doughton, acclaimed him one of the greatest scholars in America. Despite the fact he has never attended a col lege or university Dr, Dougherty said “our congressman had fodfod Congress a great college within itself. “Following activities since he joined the 62nd Congress 29 years ago, Congressman Dough ton cited the legislative body as the only clearing house to which people can look for service. Con gress he said, “is moving faster than it has in all history, mainly because all walks of life have felt its importance to their welfare.’’ In view of current problems, Doughton expressed hi- opinion on balancing the budget in the United States. “If it is feasible” he explained “I believe a closer alliance of the ways and means committe • who raise the revenue on the one hand and the appro priations committee who voice the expenditure on the other hand could be formed.” In conclusion the speaker is sued a challenge for more diligent study of government. “We ought to know who to send and what our representatives are ^.do ing. There’s nothing more im portant to the people of all walks of life than our government. If it fails all fails and we ought to familiarize ourselves with its weak and strong points.” Gamer is believed to be in the race —for president to stay, and was cast by political friends in Washington, D. C., yes terday in the role of the chief—and thus far, the only— anti-third term candidate of the Democratic party following his announcemen at Uvalde, Tex., that he would accept the presi dential nomination. Gamer’s 44-word statement was generally interpreted as put ting him in the .race to stay, whether or not President Roose velt seeks a third term. Garner’s friends explained, how. ever, that this did not mean the vice-president was running as an anti-Roosevelt candidate. It meant, they said, that while Gar ner was in sympathy with many New Deal objectives, he felt that no man should have a third term. Thus the quiet campaign which has been carried on by Garner workers for months was expected) to be brought into the open im mediately, aimed largely at so lidifying the elements of the party which are against Roosevelt for a third term for one reason or another. The president, at Hyde Park, had) no comment on the vice president’s announcement. Simi larly, Frank M. McHale, Mc Nutt’s campaign manager, declin ed comment at Chicago. LIBERTY WOMEN’S MISSIONARY UNION —will hold its regular monthly meeting at the home of Mrs. F. W. Cheek this (Thursday) after noon, at two o’clock. All members are urged to at tend.
The Alleghany News and Star-Times (Sparta, N.C.)
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Dec. 21, 1939, edition 1
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