Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-03-04
OF
MOODY TOBE
EASY, Wade
'Wardlaw, Opponent,
Not Formidable Be-
lieves Writer; Has
Presentable Record

AUSTIN, Texas, March 3.-Devel-
cpncnts Of the week clearly indicate
the intention OF Governor Dan
Moody 20 announc his candidacy
Tor reelection as governor Of Texas.
In fact, the meeting Of the state DEM
ocratic executive committee pro-
voked n virtual declaration Of his in
tention 10 that effect.
IL is doubtful IL Moody will feel
the political necessity Of waging an
aggressive campaign for reelection.
Doubtless he will make many
speeches over the state during the
spring and summer, but these will
be, IN a large measure. simple re-
ports TO the people of his steward
ship OF their highest office.
II - evident now that Moody will
nave but one opponent-Louis j.
Wardiaw of Fort Worth, who issued
ms preliminary platform this week.
a careful study Of il does not dis
close any radical suggestions nor Of
ierings Of any panaceas for all po-
iitical ills. II declares for better
schools. lower taxes, good highways,
fewer bond issues BY the counties,
economies in the state government
and other demands, nearly all Of
which have been made by all candi-
dates for governor in the past two
or three decades.
Moody Has No Fight
In view OF the fact that Ward
laws platform, so far, offers moth
ing particularly new, in view of
Moody seeking a second term. in
view OF the fact that there has been
no scandal or particular weakness in
Moody's administration, and in view
OF precedent for forty years in Civ
ing a governor a second term. IL IS
entirely probable that Moody will
not ave 20 wage an aggressive fight.
In making his reports to the peo-
pie Of his stewardship Moody prob
ably viii put emphasis on his adj
mi~nistration Of the highways de-
partment and p~enitentiary system,
with comments on the schools and
taxes.
The legislature appropriated S.
100000 for the p~enitentiary at the
beginning Of Moody's term. This
money was used to pay the debts Of
the institution and leave enough cash
Tor It to operate on a cash basis.
The saving by that method amounted
to 5000, 900 last year.
Moody viii show that the peniten-
tiary system planted only long staple
cotton, graded it with its own CLASH
fer and sold it in 100-bale lots and
got premiums amounting to about
100000. He will show that the
management cancelled the lease on
one farm which had been operated
at a loss for six out Of the past seven
years. and leased out its own farm IN
Red River county after it had shown
a similar percentage Of loss.
School Funds Large
The governor will report to the
people that every dollar that has
been set aside for highway construc-
ton la been used and spent to the
best possible advantage and that
tnat department IS being run as eff
GENTLY as q big corporation.
Moody will point out that for the
first time in history there is a per
capita scholastic appropriation OF
Sis, and that for the first time every
rural school in the state that quail
fled for state aid has had a full six
month term.
Relative TO appropriations, Moody
probably will show that the legisla-
ture appropriated about $4,000, 900
for his administration, that about
$1,000 900 Of this was used to pay
back debts of the state and that So
bOO, 600 was used to refinance the
state, making the total cost Of his
administration about S45, O00, 900 or
n little less.
Raised Gas Tax
II assailed on the subject of Raso-
line taxes, he will show that when he
went into office the highway depart
ment owed about $4,000. 900 for work
already done and that more than s6.-
600 600 in federal aid awaited the
state when matched, thus creating an
immediate need for nearly S13,-
100000.
His administration raised the gas
cline tax q net Of two cents for one
year. bringing a net increase in
taxes q between Ss,000,0 600 and So
100000. ard after that year the tax
Is automatically reduced to two cents.
= ret gain Of one cent. with an esfi- |
mated net increase Of about 81. O00 :
UOO, making a total net increase III
gasoline taxes Of slightly more than
was needed when he took office ~
meet current demands.
On the subject of ad valorew 4.~as
Moody probably will be able "a nrove
thas I2r the two years Of his admin
~iSsratios the combined rate will BE
tSNeE tan Tor any like period since
Lanpoei1s administration, when the
"aters-Pieree oil fine was paid.