Published: September 23, 2008 05:18 pm            

50 Years Ago – Sept. 17, 1954

From The Randolph Guide

Striking employees of United Brass Works continued to picket the Randleman plant today while company officials say they haven’t been approached by the group.

“We have been given no reason for the walk-out and have not been approached by any of the striking group,” said J.H. Berkelhammer, assistant to the president. He added that the plant continues to operate normally. Company officials said that 14 employees walked off the job last Wednesday.

“We were given no reason and were not given any terms of settlement,” Berkelhammer said.

The strikers are members of Local 159, Sheet Metal Workers International, AFL-CIO. The picket lines have been described as “peaceful and without incident.”



Sheriff Wayne W. Wilson said today that a warrant would be issued charging Irving Berkelhammer, president of United Brass Works, with possession of whiskey and wine, which was seized in the company building some 10 days ago. The intoxicants, approximately 70 gallons, were taken into custody and stored in the courthouse.

Attorneys for United Brass have filed a motion to suppress evidence in the case. The motion claims a search warrant was not valid in all respects. A hearing on the motion has been set before Judge Reid Thompson on Monday. If the motion is granted, the whiskey and wine would be returned to the owner.



Randolph County and Asheboro leaders are preparing to make the former airport property south of Asheboro a drawing card for new industry. Officials have given approval of the installation of an eight-inch water main to the old airport property. Work is expected to begin immediately and completed prior to planned resurfacing of U.S. 220. The county and city officials also gave tentative approval of a new road into the area, near the county home. It’s believed the improvements will attract new industry.



The Randleman Board of Aldermen has voted to change the water and sewer rate structure. The minimum charge for water for users inside and outside the city shall remain the same: $1.75 for city users and $3 for outsiders. However, the board reduced the minimum from 3,000 to 2,000 gallons per month. Any additional water used will cost 50 cents per 1,000 gallons.



Precinct meetings and rallies are being planned by both local political parties. T. Worth Coltrane, chairman of the Republican Executive Committee, said a wiener roast and an Asheboro precinct meeting are on tap. The wiener roast will be Friday evening at the Speed Brady Store on Old Farmer Road. The precinct meeting will be held at Republican Headquarters.

Richard Clark, chairman of the Democrats, announced a number of precinct meetings at various times and locations.

A four-township rally is in the offing for Democrats in Archdale, New Market, Prospect and Trinity. The rally is tentatively set for Oct. 16.



The Randolph County Farm Bureau met Thursday night at Ce-Tell Restaurant and set a membership goal of 200.

– Compiled by Larry Penkava, The Randolph Guide

        

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