davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1934-12-13
2-CENT TAX ON
CHECKS TO END
United States Levy Ends on
December 31st = Del
aware Tax S1S0,000
UP TO NEXT CONGRESS

The Federal levy Of two cents
for every check drawn upon
bank account which thousands of
Delawareans have been paying at
the rate of approximately 100000
a year comes to an end December
81. This applies to Smyrna as
well as all other towns in the state.
Wilmington users of checks are
said to be paying the government
a total of between $1,000 and S.
600 a month or about 100000 a
year, under this two-cent tax, Ed
ward M Taylor, secretary and
treasurer of the Delaware Trust
Company estimated. There are
ten banks in Wilmington affected,
Mr.. Taylor said, seven of which
are members of the Wilmington
Clearing House Association. In
the State outside of Wilmington
where there are some forty banks,
including the two in Smyrna, issu-
ing checking accounts, Mr.. Taylor
estimated that the Federal revenue
on the check tax down state have
been equal to that in Wilmington,
and possibly more, thus making
the unofficial estimate ranged from
$18O,O0O to 100000. The revenue
thus derived was sent by the banks
each month to the U. S. Treasuy,
subject to check up by the Treas
ury. All types of checks were af-
fected, including the certified,
cashier, treasurers' and travellers.
The tax has never meant anything
to the banks, except additional
bookkeeping expense.
Smyrna times., 1934-12-13
WIDEN ROAD
TO REHOBOTH
Stretch From Five Points to
Shore Resort Is Four
Feet Wider
NOW OPEN TO TRAFFIC

The widening of the road from
Five Points to Renoboth Beach to
an extra width of four feet has
been completed this week by the
Old Line Construction Company
which secured the contract. The
Company was fortunate in receiv-
ing very good weather after their
start and the work of laying the
concrete was finished much sooner
than anticipated at this time. AL
though the shoulders are now be-
ing filled in, the road is open to
travel with plenty of width for
careful drivers and affords consid-
cradle satisfaction not only to the
residents of Rehoboth Beach but
to people of Smyrna, Kent County
and a large part of the entire State
who have formerly been compelled
to use the narrower road. This
narrow road has been more or less
a menace, especially when the
summer traffic was at its height.
Smyrna times., 1934-12-13
MUSKRAT FUR TRAPPING ON:
FEWER "RATS"; HIGHER PRICES

cent reduction in the number of
"rats" taken this season as COM
pared with last year. A few of
the trappers whose marshes are
tidewater, bordering along the
Delaware River and the Chesa-
peake and Delaware Canal, have
caught nearly twice as many"rats"
during the first five Gays this sea-
son as compared to last year.
Many of the animals caught so far,
however, are running small and
very few black rats" have been
taken. One bright spot in the sea-
son so far for all trappers is an in
crease in the price being paid for
hides since the season opened. The
prices offered the opening day
were fifty cents for good brown
hides and one dollar for good black
hides. Since then sixty-five cents
and better was being offered by
buyers for brown hides with one
dollar continuing for black furs.
Smyrna times., 1934-12-13

The muskrat trapping season
which opened last Saturday week
has been quite successful so far on
some marshes and not nearly so
good as last year on others. The
industry is a Live one in this Sec
ton from Leipsic, Bombay Hook,
Taylor's Bridge and on to Della
ware City. The season with mild
weather, but the intense cold of
the past few days has made trap
ping more arduous on account of
ice. Reports from Fort Delaware,
where Minnesota muskrats were
let loose last Spring to help i'm
prove the number and qaulity of
the breed indicate that less than
a third the number of rats have
been taken so far this season COM
pared with the number caught last
year. Reports from some of the
trappers on the inland marshes be-
tween Bombay Hook and Port
Penn indicate about a fifty per
Smyrna times., 1934-12-13
ROTARY HEARS
GEO. E. DUTTON
Dean of Delaware College U.
of d., Newark, Tells Of the
Student Life
WELFARE CONSIDERED

The Smyrna Rotary Club at their
meeting last Thursday evening had
as their guest speaker Mr.. George
E. Dutton, Dean of the Mems Uni
versity of Delaware. Mr.. Dutton
briefly gave a description of the
many matters pertaining to the
student life of the boys of Della
ware. The major studies Of Arts
and Science, Engineering and Ag-
riculture, while some of the stud
les prepares boys for entrance to
advance schools of study; upon
graduation from the advance
schools they are prepared to follow
a professional career. In inter
viewing young men who desire to
enter college, Dean Dutton, told
some very amusing details as Civ
en- by the applicants. A require
ment for entrance to Delaware
College is scholastic standing, to
stay in college the student must
attain a mark of so per cent while
rs per cent is the passing grade.
The success of Delaware College
graduates in higher schools of ed
ucation was related. Dean Dutton
concluded by stating that parents
of students are always welcome
for personal interviews concerning
the welfare of their sons career
while at college. The Smyrna Ro-
tary members welcomed three new
members to their club: William
Nowlan, George Pappas and Harry
P. Jones. President H. P. Hall ad-
ministered the Rotary charge to
the new members. Visiting Ro-
tarians: H. C. Evans, NJ. Simon,
Mp. Morris of Dover Club. George
E. Dutton guest Of the club.
Smyrna times., 1934-12-13
SMYRNA HIGH
SCHOOL NEWS
Committee Appointed To
Erect a Christmas Tree
In the Library
OTHER SCHOOL NOTES

On every hand the Christmas
spirit is in evidence throughout
our schools. A special committee
has been appointed to erect a
Christmas tree IN the new library,
now known as the Walter o. Hof-
fecker Memorial Library. This
will be done during the week. A
special effort will be made to make
this years tree as attractive as
possible. The scheme the commit
tee has in mind is to have light
blue lights with silver balls.-The
report of the school nurse for the
month of November shows that
there were one hundred siXty-three
pupils examined, of whom one hun
dred sixteen had some physical de-
fectS. In all, one hundred sixty
seven defects We're observed, four
of with were corrected. Six pu-
pills were excluded from school on
account of infectious disass and six
were referred to their family ply
sicians. Thirty-seven were excus-
ed from physical education during
the month on account of not being
physically fit to participate in the
activities. First aid was admins
tered to fifty-four in fifty-four
cases. Our school nurse gave
twenty-nine health talks, and made
eleven visits to homes of pupils
Due to inclemency of the weather,
physical education on the school
grounds was discontinued, al
though a number of pupils were
anxious to continue However, it
was felt that outside activities
should be curtailed until more sea-
sonable weather is at hand. 1t is
sincerely hoped that the new gym
nasium will be ready for occu-
pancy and use Of physical educa-
tion classes soon after the Christ
mas holidays.-The results of the
banking for last week were as fol
lows: Number in attendance, 804
number of depositors, 81; amount
deposited for the day, S28.19;
amount deposited to date this
school year, 1854. 81.
Smyrna times., 1934-12-13
DAIRYMEN MEET, NEWARK
state Association to Discuss Bill
for Coming Session Legislature

State Association to Discuss Bill
for Coming Session Legislature
William l.. Richards, of Will
mington, will be one of the two
speakers to address the Delaware
Dairymen's Association in Wolf
Hall, Newark, on Thursday night
next, December 20, at 7.30 o'clock.
Professor T. A Baker is secretary
of the association Before the day
of the meeting George Green, of
near Newark, president, is expect
ed to appoint a legislative commit
tee to study suggestions for legis-
lation the group will recommend
to the State Assembly. 1t is ex-
pected that the association will
support the State Grange in its de
mand for compulsory testing for
Bangs disease in cattle and in
demnity payments for destroyed
stock. Mr.. Richards was selected
to present the dealers side of the
dairy situation.
Smyrna times., 1934-12-13
KILLS BROTHER
FOR INSURANCE
Mrs. Mary H. Carey and Sons
of Sussex Charged With
Numbering r. r. Kitchens
FOUR HELD FOR COURT

Mrs. May H. Carey, 81 years old,
and her son, Howard, 27, has ad-
mitted before Magistrate William
j. Mustard of Georgetown, that
they and another son, James, "a,
killed Mrs. Carey's brother, Rob
ert R. Kitchens, 55-year-old car
penter, in his home at Omar, near
Georgetown, on the night of No
vember 7, 1927, police announced
after a closed hearing. The ad-
missions were made to State De-
tective Ottie Donoway and Pri-
Yates Martin Hall and Horace j.
Hickman of the State Police after
a three-hour examination The
motive of the murder, according to
police was to obtain Kitchens
$4,000 life insurance. At first Mrs.
Carey and her son Howard, Vigor-
ously denied charges despite that
James and a third son, Lawrence,
81 years old, were said to have told
the police that their mother plot
ted the murder of her brother and
carried it out with the aid of How
ard and James. Following the ex-
animation the accused waived a
hearing before the magistrate and
were committed to Jail without
bail. Lawrence was held without
bail as a material witness. On
Thursday, after a severe grilling
he is said to have told of the muir
der of his uncle. According to the
police he said his mother planned
the killing. Mrs. Carey, Howard
and James, are alleged to have
beaten him to death with a g.
pound sledge hammer and white
oak cudgel. James is said to have
admitted shooting him in the head
to make sure he was dead. Fol
lowing Kitchens death Mrs. Carey
took out letters Of administration
on her brothers estate, giving the
name of near relatives, herself anC
two nieces, Almira Kitchens anC
Ethel Kitchens, of New Britain
Pa. She gave the value of person
al property at S2,225 and real es.
tate at $500. She later received
$1,000 of the insurance money.
Smyrna times., 1934-12-13
AT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Rev.James r. Galley, Minister, An
nOunces Services For the Week

Two gentlemen entered a car
while train was being made up
and took comfortable ceats. AS
they were sitting there grimy
trainman came in and told them
to go forward. Whats the mat
ter with this carr" they inquired.
Nothing" replied the trainnan,
'only it's not coupled to anything
that will take you anywhere"
Many people today are looking for
the religion of the comfortable
seats-a religion that does not
make one work, a religion that
does not make one feel his respon-
sibility to his God and his fellow
men; but that religion is not coup
led to the power that will take
them some where. They must get
in the car that is operated by the
Lord Jesus Christ; that car will
take them to eternity. The COM
Portable seats, however, are miss
ing. Humility, meekness, poverty
Of spirit, and a desire to serve are
the qualities of those who ride
with Him Be sure that our car
is connected with the Power which
shall carry us across Put eternal
safety above physical comfort, and
ride with Christ into Gloryl- The
Young Peoples Discussion Group.
will meet this evening, Thursday,
at the home of Miss Winonab
Skinner at 7.30. Any one who de
sires portation to this meet
ing may come to the Manse at
7.15.-Choir practice will be helG
at the home of Mrs. Mary Westfall
on Friday evening at 700 o'clock.
Please note the hour.-The usual
services will be held on the Sab
both: 10 a. M, Sabbath School;
IL a. m, sermon by the minister;
6.45 p. m, Young Peoples Meet
ing; 7.30 p. M, evening sermon
The mid-week prayer meeting will
be held in the chapel on Wednes-
day evening at 7.30 p. m. Let us
join together in the House of God
for an hour of prayer, praise and
bible study.
Smyrna times., 1934-12-13
SMYRNA 10Th
CENTURY CLUB
Meeting Friday Addressed By
Prof. Glenn S. King of the
High School Faculty
"R 0 B E RT BROWNING"

American flags decorated the Club
House last Friday night celebrat-
ing Delaware Day, and the opening
exercises were of patriotic nature.
America was sung followed by sa-
Lutte to the flag and the singing Of
"Our Delaware" The program was
in charge of Mrs. E. S. Dwight,
Chairman of Education, who was
happy in selection of speaker and
soloist. Miss Williams, dietician
at the Welfare Home. a lyric so
prano, rendered a group of songs
to the delight of her audience.
She sang II Send My Heart Up to
Thee; "Ah, Love-But a Day.;
The Years at the Spring" by
Mrs. H. HI A. Beach, and "Dedica-
tion," by Franz. Prof. Glenn
King of the High School Faculty,
gave talk on Robert Browning"
a scholarly and thoughtful thesis,
analyzing the poets style and char
acteristics and giving examples OF
his work. This also was a rare
treat. Next Friday, December "A,
there will be a Doll Show at
the Club House preceding the
program. The show will open at 2
p m. Mrs. Mary 3. Evans will re-
new THE Thatched Roof" by Bev-
erly Nichols and Miss Easton will
give the music.
Smyrna times., 1934-12-13
OF STATE GRANGE
Holding Annual TwO-Day Session
in Milford This Week

The annual meeting OF the Della
ware State Grange assembled at
10 o'clock Tuesday morning in the
Grange Hall, Milford. with the
State Master, Robert P. Robinson,
presiding. During the afternoon
session John c. Saylor, secretary
of the Central Labor Union, of
Wilmington, was the speaker, TAX
ing as his subject, The Relief Sit
uation in Delaware" About 300
members of the subordinate grang-
es attended. Mr.. Robinson sub
mitted his annual report at the
opening session. Yesterday morn
ing State Treasurer George S. Will
liams spoke on Estate Finances as
Regards the State Financial Prob
lem" and the annual election of
officers was held. The annual din
ner was held in the Grange Hall,
Wednesday night, at 8 o'clock, at
which time the principal speaker
was John A. McSparran, secretary
of agriculture in Pennsylvania
Mr.. Robinson presided at the din
ner and introduced the speaker.
Smyrna times., 1934-12-13
BABY CHICKS
SEXING SCHOOL
Russell E. Wilson, County
Agent, Calls Attention to
Meet of POultrymen
LECTURE AT U. OF d.

Those poultrymen in Delaware
who would like to learn how to de-
termine sex in baby chicks will be
given this opportunity at a sexing
school which will be held in Wolf
Hall at the University of Delaware
on Friday, January rs, according
to plans which have been announc-
ed by H. S. Palmer, extension
poultryman, and secretary of the
Delaware State Poultry Associa-
ton. Arrangements for this school
are being made by a special COM
mittee consisting of H. S. Palmer,
w. G. Newton, H. r. Baker, Oliver
Suddard and Byron Pepper, in CO
operation with the extension SER
vice of the University of Delaware,
the State Board of Agriculture and
the Federal extension service. The
school will start at 900 o'clock in
the morning, and will continue
throughout the entire day, and an
enrolment fee of $4,000 will be
charged each individual to cover
the cost of 100 baby chicks which
will be furnished each one in at
tendance. H. l.. Schrader, senior
extension poultry husbandman,
from the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture who is an ex-
pert in determining the sex of
baby chicks, will give lectures and
personal instructions in connection
with this school, Mr.. Schrader
has addressed previous poultry
meetings in Delaware, and is
known by number of the leading
poultry raisers in this state. Poul-
trymen who are planning to attend
this sexing school are requested to
send in their enrolment cards to
Secretary Palmer at Newark, Del
aware, not later than December
%, in order that plans may be
completed well in advance for TAX
ing care of all detailed arrange
ments. Although this school is
being planned primarily for hatch
erymen. any other person is eligi-
BILE to enroll upon the payment of
the entrance fee.
Smyrna times., 1934-12-13
ENTRANCE TO
CANAL MOVED
Moved 312 Feet at Delaware
City to Get Greater Depth
For Large Boats
LIGHT MARKS CHANNEL

When it was learned last week
that U. S. E. D. pile Driver No.
IA had been driving pilings in the
southern entrance of the Delaware
City Branch channel of the Chesa-
peake and Delaware Canal, it was
thought the government was
blocking the channel so that boats
of any size would be unable to use
it. Investigations however, dis
closed that severel clusters of pill
1ngs had been driven in the south
ern entrance. Most of the pilings
were driven along the sides of the
waterway, howevre, to mark the
channel. One cluster Of five pilings
had been driven in the center of
what looked to be the channel of
the southern entrance, or intersec-
ton of the branch channel with
the main canal. The Government
had no intention of blocking off
the local branch channel, however,
and the reasons for driving the pill
ings in the branch channel are con-
tanned in the following memoran-
dunn to navigation interests by r.
Y. Taggart, Assistant Engineer, u.
S Engineer Sub-Odice, Chesapeake
City, Md.-'"The southern entrance
to the Delaware City Branch Chan
mel of the Chesapeake and Della
ware Canal has been moved 312
feet east where there is 7.2 feet of
water on local low tide Entering
the branch channel the flashing
white light that marks the en-
trance is to be kept on the port
side of the vessel. The controlling
depth from the southern entrance
to the Fifth street bridge in Del
aware City is. 4.6 feet on local low
tide; from Fifth street bridge to
Delaware River, 3.3 feet" From
the above explanation it is seen
that the entrance at the southern
end of the canal has been moved
eastward about 100 yards where
here is a greater depth of water.
Smyrna times., 1934-12-13
ASBURY Nj. e. CHURCH NOTES
Rev. j. l.. johnson, ID. d., Pastor,
Announces Services For Week

Rev. j. l.. Johnson, ID. d., Pastor,
Announces Services For Week
The services at Asbury on the
Sabbath will begin at 10 o'clock
when all the departments of the
church school will meet for devo-
tons and lesson study. At this
time the departmental activities for
Christmas will be announced. The
morning worship will be conducted
at eleven o'clock when a most de
lightful musical program will be
given by the choirs of the church
and the pastor will have for his
subject Life A Trust" The Ep-
worth League devotions will be in
charge of Phyllis Armstrong at
6.45, and it is hoped that every
member of the League will be
present. At the hour for evening
worship, 7.3O, the Young Peoples
and Junior Choirs, assisted by the
Senior Choir, will present the
Christmas Song-A-Logue THE
Best of All Gifts The program
viii consist of a professional hymn
sung by the three musical groups
the congregation. Selec-
ton by the Senior Choir. The
Shepherd Story will be given by
Meredith Todd. Evelyn Robinson
will present the Son-A-Logue and
Dorothy Riggs will give the story.
The two choirs will sing the Choir
uses, in which the account of the
nativity will be given in a most
beautiful and thrilling fashion.
There will be solos, duets, quar-
tettes, and antifonal responses,
closing with Silent Night" This
will be the first of series of de-
lightful services marking the glor-
ious Christmas time. Thursday
evening, December 18th, the sec
ond and third Quarterly Confer
ence will be held in the assembly
room of the church, the District
Superintendent, the Rev. DR.. E. c.
Hallman, will preside. All MEM
bers are requested to be present.
Smyrna times., 1934-12-13
ATTEND All CLUB BANQUET
Members of Smyrna Club Partici-
pate in Annual Affair at Dover

The third annual All banquet
was held Friday evening in the
Gym of Dover High School. Smyr-
ma was represented by over so per
cent of the members of the club.
Those attending were: Reynolds
Bradley, Homer Stevens, Elsie
Lockerman, Mary Louise Hurd,
Emily Downes, Robert Deakyne,
Walter Downes, Elinor Smith,
Howard Deakyne, Jr., M. Louise
Deakyne, Hazel Willis, Ida May
Wright, Marie Heinold, Ruth Jean
Garrison, Erika Reimann, Tracy
Ennis, Clifford Heinold, Ethel v.
Roe, Virginia Heinold, Philip Will
hams, Marion Rothwell, Karl Vog-
ell, Mrs. Howard Deakyne, Sr.,
Mrs. Edith Smith and Mrs. Will
liam Roe.
Smyrna times., 1934-12-13
SMYRNA GRANGE OFFICERS
James r.. Fleming Elected Master
For the Ensuing Year

AT the regular meeting of Smyr-
ma Grange Wednesday evening of
last week, election of officers re-
suited as follows: Master. James
r. Fleming; overseer, Charles r.
Pryor, lecturer, Mrs. Howard c.
Deakyne; steward, Arthur Moffett,
assistant steward, Philip Williams;
treasurer, Walter T. Massey; sec
retary, Mrs William Nowland;
gate keeper, Howard c. Deakyne;
chaplain, Edgar T. Heinold; Ceres,
Mrs James R. Fleming; Pomona,
Mrs. Elwood Kemp; Flora, Mrs.
Norman Short; lady assistant
steward, Ethel Flemingff pianist,
Mary Hynson-
Smyrna times., 1934-12-13
FIRST SNOW OF YEAR HERE
Ground Covered Monday Morning
With a White Mantel

Smyrna had it's first snow Mon
day morning. When our citizens
awoke the ground was covered and
trees and roofs gave evidence that
winter was here. Along with it
was a cold wave that sent the
mercury in the thermometer down
to II degrees. The cold wave con-
tinued all day Monday and Tues
day with the coolest weather so
far this winter. Tuesday evening
the thermometer registered low
with snow squalls but not sufficient
to cover much surface. Ice was
reported and Lake Como was froz-
en- but not of sufficient thickness
for skating.
Smyrna times., 1934-12-13
To Take a Census of Farms

Depression and other factors of
the past few years have combined
to make the forthcoming Census of
Agriculture by the Federal Gov
eminent the most important ever
undertaken since the inception of
farm statistics in 1910. The Gems
us will begin January 2, 1885.
Smyrna times., 1934-12-13
as Assistant Manage

Transferred as Assistant Manager
Samuel G. Hoekstra, who for
several years has been the Smyr-
ma representative of Metropolitan
Life Insurance Company, has been
promoted to assistant manager for
this district His duties require
his moving his family to Dover, a
matter of deep regret.
Smyrna times., 1934-12-13
LIGHTS BY SATURDAY
Non-Arival of Transformer to Be
Used on Pole Line, Cause of DELAY

The Christmas lights nave been
strung in the bushes section of
Smyrna and town officials have
been awaiting the arrival of a
transformer from the Eastern
Shore Public Service Company in
order to turn the lights on. This
will probably be done Saturday
night. BY that time stores will be
open evenings until Christmas.
Smyrna times., 1934-12-13
" CHURCH NOTES

(~..s. s.,s : Barton, An
|ss,.'''' ss.ss' For the Week
Ia x. Marx Barton,
(>snessss ss'es's :, Episcopal
~ The following
ks, ae1t' the Third in
os,a'.,.c o., Celebration Of
ks,a.a l a. m, morning
h.ssase'e'.' subject Of the
y. ,'',aa ,,,aal'ed Of Stewards
Qss,1 1aiunr1," and
sssas' sa'ds it is well for
4 snd 40 true to the
fAsj,. Wednesday next
kaar spa Prayer and ad-
h.dr Practice to follow
' every member
Smyrna times., 1934-12-13
Smyrna Firemen Clear SIO9. .26

SHHyIHd rTrefnen CIpar SIU9.E6
AT the meeting of the Citizens
Hose Company, No. 1, of Smyrna,
Monday night, official report was
that they cleared S1O9.26 from
Mixed Pickels," recently given at
the Town Hall.