The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-05-26
WHICH ROAD TO TAKE?

The current political campaign to seiecC
q governor of the state of North Carollna
is being termed by many the most lmpor-
tant election in the history of the state
since the beginning of the twentieth CEN
tury. Certain it is that the four-cornered
race for the Democratic nomination be-
tween Clyde R. Hoey, Sandy Graham, Dr.
Ralph Mcdonald, and John McRae, is at
tracing the interest of the entire nation.
A short time ago comment on the situation
appeared in the Washington Merry-Go-
Round, conducted by Drew Pearson and
Robert S. Allen. Sundays New York Times
carried a picture of Dr. Mcdonald and a
haf-column news story on the campaign.
The North Carolina situation is being
watched by political observers over the en-
tire nation. More important, the North
Carolina situation and developments are
being watched by industrialists of the ma
ton. ...... . ...
North Carolina was the first of the
southern states to develop mdustrlally, and
this state far oatstripped her sisters in the
early years of this century in the develop
ment of industry. North Carolina was also
the first of the southern states to develop
a great state highway system, and is the
first of all statest to have highway system
and school system supported entirely by
the state government. Such developments
cost money The bonded debt of the state
increased greatly and legislators were
forced to seek every available source OF
revenue in order to. support the ever in
creasing cost of the government. ,r..
Now, Just what has been the trend of
taxation in North Carolina The trend, in
the first place, has been away from the
land tax, a laudable policy in itself, as it
has the tendency to increase ownership OF
real property in the state. In the second
place, the trend has been to tax industry
and what politicians commonly term "the
corporations" Such policy was only
slightly detrimental in its early stages. The
industry of the state was on sound foot
ing and could we'll bear a great portion OF
the tax bill of the state ...
In these past few years northern and
eastern ndustrialists have looked to the
south and great many industrial plants
have moved from the populous centers,
with their labor and other difficulties, to
the southern states. North Carolina, as
the leading industrial state of the south,
has been largely favored The opinion pre-
walls in the south and in other sections that
industry will probably continue its move
ment to the south. North Carolina, of
course, is anxious to secure her share of
these plants. ,sese f~ d, ....,... : -,
But, climate, labor conditions, and the
other natural advantages of this state will
not bear more weight in the minds of the
industrialists than the problem of taxation.
This present campaign is certainly one of
the most important ever held in the state.
1t will determine the sentiment of the peo-
pie toward taxation, Should DIR: Melon
aid be elected, the indication, in the minds
OF observers in, other states, will be that
the state fasors further shift of taxation
to industries, for that is essentially the
platform of DR.. Mcdonald.
Can North Carolina secure a lust nor.
hon not industry as it mosessio the, south
when the privilege tax is higher: than tina,
of any saVe"fesr of the entire A. states
Can North Carolina secure her fair shar,
of moving iRdustry when her incone ss,
rate on corporations is higher than all ssy,
one of the 4S statess -. ~ s. !.
This, is no campaign declaration agains
Dur. McDonald. The people of the Dem,
cratic party of North Carolina have
right to speakSeut for their choice. 18TH