85 Years Ago: January 18, 1940

Dublin Courier Herald, Dispatch and Press

CITY COUNCIL ADOPTS BUDGET

Calling for expenditures of some $5,000 less than during the previous 12-month period, a budget for operation of the city of Dublin during the 1940 fiscal year was adopted by the mayor and council at last night’s regular bi-monthly meeting.

The budget, balancing with expected revenue, calls for the expenditure of $117,450 during the current 12-month period. Expenditures during the 1939 year totaled $122,056 and for 1938 the expenditures were $107,899.43. 

Revenue for the current year was estimated at $117,450 against a revenue of $120,651.76 during last year and $111,612.44 during the 1938 year.To make up for loss of revenue due to abandonment of street taxes, the Mayor and Council voted unanimously to pass an ordinance requiring all automobiles in the city of Dublin to bear a city tag, costing $1.25 annually.   

The new tag, viewed as an advertisement for the City of Dublin as well as a means of making up for revenue lost by abandoning street taxes, must be purchased by March 15 from Clerk Millard Rogers, the Council voted. The city attorney was ordered to draft the necessary ordinance, including a provision for prosecution of motorists during the coming year.

Taxes – advalorem. public service corporation and intangible – continue to furnish the largest amount of revenue to the city, figures in the 1940 budget showed. Expected revenue from this source was set at $55,000 after exemptions under the homestead and personal property exemption act had been subtracted. On a tax digest of $4,200,000, the city of Dublin would normally collect $64,500.00 at the present rate of taxation of 15 mills.

Public service corporation taxes bring in another $4,000 and intangible taxes produce approximately $300.  Exemptions were estimated at $7500 and the amount estimated to be carried over was placed at $6,300, making a total of $13,800 to be deducted from the gross tax revenue of $68,800.

The water department was expected to bring in the next largest amount with $4,000 while licenses were expected to produce some $20,000  in revenue during 1940.

Councilmen think that the tags will bring in about $1,000 a year.

COUNTY JAILER MAKES REPORT

More than 1,000 persons were locked up in the Laurens County jail during 1939, Sheriff I.F. Coleman estimated today on the basis of a report to the Georgia Welfare Department concerning the number of state prisoners handled by local authorities.

Sheriff Coleman said that Jailer W.W. Wright’s report showed that 889 state prisoners were handled in the county during last year. He said this was a narrow increase over 1938 when 887 state prisoners were locked up in the county jail.

Although no definite check on the total number of persons locked up during the year was made, Sheriff Coleman estimated that “more than 1,000 persons” passed through the doors of the county jail in the 12-month period. A breakdown of Jailor Wright’s report reveals that of the total state prisoners handled, 325 were white males, four were white females, 485 were negro males, 52 were negro females, two were white males under 16 years of age, one was  a white female under 16 years of age,  four were negro males under 16 years of age, and there were no negro females under 16 years of age. There were 14 insane persons jailed during the year, the report revealed.

Sheriff Coleman said that his office handled a larger number of criminal warrants than those showed since some posted bonds immediately and were not jailed. He estimated that between 200 and 300 more criminal warrants were served than showed up on the jailor’s record.

Concerning civil cases, Sheriff Coleman said there was at least a 50 per cent drop in the amount of civil cases handled through his office during 1939 as compared with the previous 12-month period.

“There was the least suing and levying during 1939 that I have ever known of,” the sheriff said.

CONTEMPT CASES

Recorder Dawson Kea today promised a promise in the form of a warning  – to lodge contempt of court charges against persons in Dublin summoned to court who fail to turn up at the appointed time.

Judge Kea said that city officers did not bring a number of people to jail but gave them summons to court as a courtesy. Many have been disregarding these summons, the recorder said, and police have been detailed to bring them to court.

“In the future,” Judge Kea emphatically declared, “charges of contempt of court will be filed against anyone, whether summoned as a witness or a defendant, who fails to appear when so ordered by city officers.”

Judge Kea held a light post-week end session of court this morning, turning out 11 cases in all. Nine of the defendants drew fines of $5.00 each, making a total of $45.00 collected, and the remaining two cases were dismissed. 

BONDS IN SINKING FUND

Purchase of $10,000 worth of Postal Savings Bonds to bring the county sinking fund to within $6,000 of the required amount as of July 1, 1940, was announced today by Ordinary W.H. Adams, County Bond Commissioner.

Ordinary Adams said the County Commissioners purchased $10,000 worth of postal savings bonds bearing interest at the rate of approximately three per cent per annum, bringing the total monies set aside in the sinking fund to $343,900.01.

Setting aside $16,666.66 annually since 1920, the Commission must have $349,999.86 in the sinking fund by July 1 as required by law. Purchase of the postal savings bonds leaves the sinking fund only $6, 099.85 short of the amount needed five months hence.

Before the latest purchases of bonds were made by the County Commission, Ordinary Adams reported, the sinking fund totaled $333,900.01. This amount was $566.81 above the amount needed in the sinking fund July 1, 1939.

The sinking fund, it was said, is made up of bonds – U.S. Savings Bonds, U. S. Government bonds, and Laurens County bridge bonds redeemed – bearing interest at the rate of approximately three per cent annually. Some $3,000 is paid into the sinking fund. 

2 WARNINGS ISSUED

Two warnings, directed at Dublin parents and motorists using the streets of this city, found their genesis in the office of Chief of Police J.W. Robertson today.

Chief Robertson asked Dublin parents to co-operate with him in keeping youngsters from shooting rifles inside the city limits of Dublin. Chief Robertson said that he had received numerous complaints from all over the city concerning firing of .22 calibre rifles.

“I hate to make cases against boys for shooting rifles inside of the city limits and making their parents pay fines, but if it keeps up we are going to enforce this city ordinance against such,” the Chief declared.

Chief Roberson also advised motorists, either local or transient, to abide strictly by the city ordinance against straight exhausts, cut-outs on cars, and driving without mufflers in the city limits.

SEWER PROJECT STARTED

Work on a large scale sewer and water main extension project in Dublin will begin as soon as the present paving job on Bellevue Avenue is completed by WPA Workers, A. Newcomer, area engineer of the WPA in Macon, has informed the Mayor and City Council.

Mayor Dee Sessions read a letter to the “City Fathers” last night from Mr. Newcomer in which he stated that the water and sewer main extension project, already approved by the WPA, would probably be the next job in Dublin to be undertaken by the government agency.

Although the project is a city-wide job, work on the North Dublin sewer, running from North Jefferson Street to the Oconee River, will be the first portion of the project undertaken by the government agency. This project, covering a distance of 7,400 feet, makes available sewerage for a large part of north Dublin, at present unable to get sewer connections. 

Moran Roberts, Dublin City Engineer, said that the North Dublin project takes in North Jefferson and North Franklin streets, and Hillcrest subdivision  as well as the Scottsville section of the city. 

Other work under the city-wide sewerage and water main extension project will probably follow closely upon the heels of completion of the North Dublin job.  

Mayor Dee Sessions and Aldermen Martin Willis, E.B. Mackey, Milo Smith, W.P. Tindol, P.C. Hutchinson, and M.Z. Claxton were in attendance at the meeting.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DEDICATION

Henry Memorial Presbyterian Church of this city will be dedicated at a service to be held in this church on Sunday morning at 1130. Dr. Rutherford E. Douglas of Henderson, Kentucky, will preach the dedicatory sermon, and a special musical program will be rendered. The choir will sing an anthem, “Open the Gates of theTemple,” and Edgar Evans will sing “TheTrinity” with two organ accompaniment. Members of the choir are Mrs. C.C. Crockett, Mrs. Fred L Brown, J.F. Hart, Noble Marshall, and Mr. Evans.

Following a custom of the Presbyterian Church, the building is dedicated only after all debts have been cancelled. The church is used for worship, however, immediately after construction is completed, and the local church has been used continuously since completion. All obligations have been retired, and the members rejoice in the privilege of dedicating this house of worship.

The public is invited to attend

CADWELL TAKES TWO

The Cadwell girls defeated the Rentz girls, defending sixth district champions, their first defeat on their home court. The game was one of the best games witnessed this year. It was a guard’s game as both teams were stronger in that department.

The Cadwell girls jumped to an early start and were leading 3-1 at the end of the first quarter.  In the second quarter the Cadwell forwards scored nine points whlle the Cadwell guards were holding the Rentz forwards to five points, and as the half came, Cadwell led 10 to 6.

The third quarter saw the Rentz girls tie the score at 10-all. The fourth quarter opened with Rentz shooting a goal and going into the game with only two minutes left to play.  It was at this point that Cadwell was awarded two foul shots. They made them both, tieing the score at 12-12. Cadwell received the ball at center and Smith, Cadwell forward, tossed in a one-hander from the pivot to put Cadwell out in front as the game ended.

The guards for both teams were outstanding, with Edna Bedingfield turning in the best game of the season for Cadwell, and Mildred Flury performing well for Rentz.

The boys game was one of the hardest fought this season, with the play so fast that several times it seemed to get away from the referee. 

The Rentz boys jumped to an early lead and were not headed until midway the last quarter when the Cadwell boys tied the score at 17 all; then Rentz was awarded two foul shots, making them both, and then tossed in a field goal as the game ended, giving them a 4-point advantage with the score, 21-17.

The game was so rough that very little basketball was shown, and this seemed to handicap the Cadwell boys more than the Rentz players. These two teams will again meet, in Cadwell on February  2. This will give both defeated teams a chance to even things, and a capacity crowd is expected.

The line-ups:

Cadwell girls: 

Smith, Bedingfield, Burch and Evans – forwards

Dixon, Braswell, and Bedingfield  – guards

Rentz girls: 

Lindsay, Register, Coleman, and Rowe – forwards

Knight, Flury, and Gay – guards

Cadwell boys: 

C.J. Wynne and Mullis- forwards

Bedingfield – center

F. Wynne, Collins, and Stevens – guards

Rentz boys:

Rowe and Bracewell – forwards

Knight – center

Daniell, Faircloth, and Baggett – guards

DUDLEY NEWS

     By Mrs. W.C. Resseau

The most outstanding feature of our school last week was the chapel program on Friday morning.Teachers quite often are shown just how they act and do by a group of students presenting a “mock faculty.”  Last Friday morning, though , the “tables were turned” on the students when the faculty attempted in a 15-minute program to give the students an idea of how the teachers think they                                                                                               look. Superintendent Powell opened the entertainment with a piano solo; Mr. King did a clever imitation of the cornfield dance; and a rhythm band composed of all the teachers closed the program.

Due to the moving of several students during the Christmas Holidays, the fifth grade had to make some changes in their class officers. Vice President Betty Ann Hogan took the place of presidency left vacant by Don Horton. Annette Parker was elected to the vice president’s office.

The other officers and committeemen are as follows:

Treasurer – Morris Dixon

Secretary – Earl Rogers

Reporter – Margaret Walters

Librarian  – Conley Ingram

Bulletin Board – Frances Cullens, Everette Hudson

Flowers – Gladys Lister

Board  -Coleman McNeal, Flossie Renfroe 

Desks  -Earl Ethridge

Pencil Sharpener – Betty Joe Johnson

Quite a number of students have not been able to return to school since the holidays because of flu and other illnesses.

The boys and girls basketball teams would appreciate your seeing them play Brewton on Friday night in the Dublin gymnasium.

The fifth and sixth grades are glad to have their teachers, Mrs. Simpson and Mrs. Page, back with them after a few days’ absence.

Friends and patrons of the school are reminded that P.T.A. meets next Wednesday in the school auditorium.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fordham entertained with a 6 o’clock dinner at their home on Wednesday evening, honoring Mr. and Mrs. Doyle Bedingfield and Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone Jansen.

Mrs. Jansen is the former Miss Edith Chambless of Rentz, and Mrs. Beddingfield is the former Miss Betty Crocker of Marshallville. Both were brides of the holiday season.

KITCHEN CLINIC PLANNED

Miss Willie Vi Dowdy of Athens, an extension service economist on home improvements, will conduct a Kitchen Clinic in Dublin for members of the Laurens County Home Demonstration clubs on February 14, announced Miss Nelle Robinson, Laurens County Home Demonstration Agent.

All members of the clubs are urged to be present to take part in what is expected to be an informative and interesting meeting. She will set up a modern well arranged kitchen and explain its usage with emphasis on labor-saving, time-saving, and step-saving arrangements and equipment.

Assisting Miss Dowdy in construction of the equipment will be G.I. Johnson and George Ogelsby, agricultural extension engineers of Athens.

MRS. STEPHENS AT FASHION SHOWS

Mrs. R.L.Stephens of the Stephens Department Store is now in Charlotte, North Carolina, attending the National Shoe Convention,where she is viewing and purchasing new spring styles for the local store. The National Shoe Convention is a display of all leading manufacturers of men’s, women’s, and children’s shoes.

Mrs. Stephens will also attend the big world style show in New York on January 23 when the spring opening of ladies’ wearing apparel will be on display. This style show, at which the year’s latest creations and Easter millinery is shown, is nationally famous.  Many of these same styles are always shown in the Stephens style show which has become an annual event looked forward to by all of the ladies of this section.

In December Mrs. Stephens attended the openings for the many advanced showings of clothing that is suitable now and for some weeks. Several purchases made at this opening are now on display at the $23, 370 ORDER FOR SCHOOL LET Stephens store, and others are coming in regularly to provide for the new spring needs of ladies in this section.

The present trip will keep Mrs. Stephens away for showing and making purchases for all types of new spring items so that she will stay in touch with the newest fashions and purchase all of the items needed to make women smartly dressed.  

AVON PLAYERS HERE

The internationally famous Shakespearean actors, the Avon Players, have been signed to present two of the Bard of Avon’s dreams in the Dublin High School auditorium on Friday afternoon and night, according to Superintendent A.J. Hargrove.

These widely acclaimed players will present “As You Like It” at 1:45 and “Hamlet” at 7:30 p.m. TheEnglish Department is sponsoring the plays.

Tickets can be purchased at Beddingfield Pharmacy, Oatts Drug Sore, or Hatcher’s Pharmacy.

ORDER FOR SCHOOL LET

A contract has been let to John A. McCowen Co. of Fitzgerald for building the new Hampton Mills Consolidated School. The $242,370 contract was let yesterday afternoon

The new school will be composed of Mount Carmel, Dexter, Buckhorn, and New Salem school districts.

The building will be located in Dexter and is to be a 21-room brick structure.

Work is scheduled to begin on Monday.

Councilmen estimate the tags would bring approximately $1,000 net into the coffers of the city government during the current year.