The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1933-09-09
EHRINCHAUS'
POPULARITY
HAS new RISE
Not Politics But Belief Sc
rious Crisis Loomed, Be-
hind Tobacco Action
BY J. c. BASKERVILL
The Times News Bureau
Sir Wnirer Hotel

RALEIGH, Sept. 9.-The dom
inant factor back of the decisive
action taken by Governor ]. C.
B. Ehringhaus last week in is
suing a proclamation virtually Or
dering all the tobacco warehous-
es in the state to close was his
conviction that crisis was at
hand in the tobacco growing sec
tons and that it was his duty as
governor Of North Carolina to
assist the tobacco farmers in this
crisis, according to prevailing
opinion here. There are still some
few who maintain he was ac-
tuated by political motives in
taking the action he did in an eff
fort to counteract the wave of
criticism that had swept the state
following the reorganization of
the state highway and public
works commission few weeks
ago, after which it was charged
that he was ''politicalizing" the
commission.
But those close to the governor,
especially those who have been
following his course during the
past week, are convinced that
any attempt to inject political
consideration into his activities
in connection with the tobacco
situation are doing him an in
justice. On the other hand, they
are sure that he was motivated
only by a sincere interest in the
welfare of the tobacco farmers,
the conviction that they were be-
ing Disseminated against in
Washington, the conclusion that
something definite had to be done
right away and that it was up to
him to take charge of the situa-
ton in order to prevent possibly
serious consequences. The recent
criticism that had been heaped
upon him to the effect that he
was lacking in decision and try
ing to dodge responsibility may
have been ranking under his skin
and fastened his decision to act
decisively in this tobacco crisis.
But this factor was only Incl
dental, the basic reason being
that he was sure the tobacco
farmers were justified in their
contentious and that serious sit
uations might result unless def
mite steps were taken by the gov
eminent to help them and help
them this year by increasing
prices for tobacco this fall. For
until Governor Ehringhaus took
hold Of the situation, there was
no indication that the agricul
tural relief administration in
Washington had any intention of
even trying to help the tobacco
farmers this year. Now, as re-
suit of the Ehringhaus expedi-
ton to Washington, where it was
prepared to encamp until some
definite assurance of immediate
assistance was obtained, the ad-
ministration is bending every Of
fort to bring some help to the
tobacco farmers right away, as
well as next year and in succeed
ing years.
Another factor that undoubt-
eddy had good deal to do with
the speed with which Governor
Ehrnghaus acted in closing the
tobacco warehouses last week,
was that he was over in the to-
bacco growing sections of the
state, supposedly on his vacation,
and hence in much closer contact
with conditions as they really
We're than if he had bee here in
Raleigh, it is generally agreed
He had been out among the to-
baeco farmers, talking with them
and hearing of their problems
They came to him at his home in
Elizabeth City and told him how
desperate was their situation and
of the bitter feeling among the
tobacco farmers generally both
toward Washington, where thew