San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-08
MrMRERs OLE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.
GOVERNOR NEFFS TWO HANDS


In his speech at Liberty few nights
ago Governor Ncff pointed out one of the
greatest needs of the state. His plea for
the material upbuilding OF Texas, through
4he establishment and operation OF many
factories" is one that every progressive
citizen would like to see the near future
grant, and grant unstintingly
The governor borrowed from every
awide-awake citizens stock of general in
formation when he said that Texas ranks
high in industrial possibilities. He
preached no strange doctrine when he
declared, in substance, that there should
be eliminated from the constitution every
provision that hampers the industrial
growth OF the state.
But among his immediate auditors
there must have been not few citizens
who had read the speeches he had prev
iouslv delivered in his educational tour
of the state When, at Liberty, he painted
a glowing word-picture of the industrial
opportunities offered by the largest state
in the union, his earlier speech advocat-
ing the imposition of heavy tax upon
one of Texas greatest industries must
have been recalled.
His Liberty speech is a strong reJClndcr
Ito some OF his own arguments in favor
of specific measures. 1t is all right 1or
"a public official to deal with distractions
and speak in gcncralitics, but when he
advocates the enactment OF definite laws
whose effect would be to DESTROY the
very prospect of quickened progress
(which he pictures in fine phrases, the
public may we'll begin to inquire into his
sincerity or his Judgment
z No sane man would argue against the
industrial upbuilding of his state. No
sane man would contradict Governor
Neffs assertion that one of the greatest
needs of Texas would be filled by the
building of "many factories here. But,
on the other hand, no sane lndustrialist
would prefer to invest his money in a
state where industrial enterprise is dis
couraged by discriminatory legislation or
by burdensome or prOhibitivc taxes.
1t has become somewhat notorious that
outside capital, although realizing the
/ great opportunities offered by the natural
f resources OF Texas, has kept away from
4 attitude of its government officials. With
\ in the last year or so capitalists from
other parts of the country have been
2 investigating the oil industry of Texas
with a view to the expenditure OF millions
i of dollars in an effort to develop the oil
+ fields which biologists have marked out.
/. Even now the fields near San Antonio,
( and in other parts of Southwest Texas,
are under serious scrutiny. But when
i Governor Neff began to urge the imposi-
ton of heavy tax upon production, men
who are already engaged in the develop
sment of the most productive field vet
discovered in this section announced that
in the event the governors plan should
become a law they would have to cease
their efforts to widen the field and would
be compelled even to discontinue some
F of the operations already begun.
If men who have already made invest
ments in the Texas oil industry are dis
= couraged by Governor NCfi's announced
plans, what must be the attitude of those
who have been in doubt as to whether
5 the opportunities here are good enough
for them?
The way to encourage industrial de-
( Velopment is to make reasonable cOnCes-
sions that will be attractive to investors.
( To paint beautiful word-picturcs, in one
speech, and advocate a burdensomc tax
upon industry, in another. is too much
like reckoning with the left hand and
assauiting with the right.
-OO-