The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1921-04-15
CLEARED LANDS
NEXT TO DRAIN
Reclamationists Discusses Many
Problems Affecting East
ern N. Carolina.

the North Carolina Drainage Associa-
tion which met here Tuesday and We'd
nesday, April u and 13; brought to
this city an assembly of notable men
for the discussion and working out of
serious problems that affect the health,
happiness and prosperity of eastern
North Carolina. The discussions de-
veloped at this meeting by Col. Joseph
Hyde Pratt, director of the n. G.. Geo
logical and Geodetic Survey; Hon. John
H. Small, father Of drainage and friend
IF every agricultural endeavor; ETon. 4.
F. Lever, of the Federal Farm Loan
Board; DR.. T. H. D. Griffits of the O.
S. Public Health Service; S. H. Nc
Crory, drainage engineer of the U S.
Department of Agriculture; G. g. Ell
lott, of Washington, D. c.; W. A. Nc
Girt, Manager of the North Carolina
Landowners Association and others will
result in incalculable benefits to the
state.
Before human beings can do a thing,
they must think and talk about it. HUI
man achievements come not haphazard,
but by studied plans. This convention
OF notable engineers, reclamationists
and health experts got their heads to-
gether here on many things of monu-
mental import. A few years ago they
thought and talked only about the drain
age and reclamation of swamp lands.
We have seen thousands of acres of
lands reclaimed according to their
dreams. Wonders have been wrought
on what were once, waste lands worth
barely a dollar an acre; now worth two
cr three hundred dollars an acre. But
now these reclamationists have another
vision. "A great part of the discussion
in the convention this week related to
the drainage of our farm lands that are
already cleared. Some one should have
thought of that long ago. Right here
in Pasquotank county we have thous-
ands of acres of cleared lands in culti-
vation that are drowned out every few
years because there is not sufficient
drainage to take care, of an excessive
rainfall. Now we have the best thought
and energy of the state directed toward
this problem by the N. G. Drainage As
sociatien. The thinking has been done,
the talking has been started; it will be
only a matter of a few. years before
great canals miles in length will traY-
erse every section of this coastal coun-
try and drainage of all lands will be a
fact.
Worth Much To This City. /
The Drainage Association Convention
was a great investment in good will
upon the part of Elizabeth City. The
delegates to this convention were de-
lighted with the hospitality and good |
will accorded them, charmed with the |
city and it's people, and they went away
to boost Elizabeth City and speak
good word for it as long as they live.
The Chamber of Commerce did itself |
proud in handling the convention. 1t
came just at time when the Chamber |
had taken on a new secretary who is !
Unfamiliar with local conditions and
customs. But the new secretary, Rich |
ard c. Job wasn't at all put out" He |
,ook hold the work of entertaining |
his convention just as if he had had
months to prepare for it.
A Delightful Banquet.
The visitors were given a delightful
banquet Tuesday evening. The banquet
vas at the Southern Hotel which is still
Undergoing remodeling and where SER
ice is not functioning just as the pro-
,rietor would like to have it. But the
,anquet went off in good shape. The
menu was well chosen and was indi-
,enous to the locality. There was North
Carolina shad, our own barn yard chick
ns-and peas, May peas grown in our
wn gardens.
And for entertainment, the guests
ad something new under the sun in
elizabeth City. A double quartette
rom the colored State Normal School
ave the. diners an unusual program of
,egro spirituals and folk songs, such as
,any had never been permitted to hear.
hose colored singers made distinct
it and a good impression. Il
Following the colored singers recital
,eslie Waldorf, Elizabeth City's pre-
lier Jazz artist loaned by the Alkrama
heatre for the occasion, and Roy l..
Community Service Song
eader kept the banqueters entertained
Or an hour. There was speaking,
hort and snappy and there was Judge
rank Winston, of BERTHE, full of fun
nd other things. The Judge did his
art in entertainment and had a good
me for himself.
The convention adjourned Wednesday
:ternoon after three busy, hard work
9 sessions and many committee meet T
gs, to meet next year in Goldsboro.
elegates who remained over Wednes-
" afternoon were shown the country t
und about Elizabeth City. h
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