The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-10-26
4 STAGGERING BLOW TO HENDER'
SON COUNTY

The Timcs-News is informed that a large
industry planning To locate in Henderson
county has been prevented from doing so
bv the action of q single landowner, who
demanded an unreasonable and eNorbltant
sum for his holdings.
We are informed, also. that the proposed
industry IS one of the largest and most I'M
rortant that has ever sought 4 location in
Western North Carolina; that it is con-
Germ commanding millions OF capital; that
the proposed industry for Henderson coun-
IL desired to- purchase a large body OF land
and would have made a development and
established an industry at a cost of several
million dollars.
This company, knocking at our doors,
did not ask for any concessions, contribu-
tions. free site. remission of taxes, or any
special favors whatever. What it desired
was 10 be able to purchase 4 site suitable
for its needs ut fair prices for the large
acreage of land necessary to make the de-
vclopment.
This company would have planted here
i'm Henderson county one of the largest in
dustries i'm North Carolina. Its location
here would have definitely marked the be-
ginning of q new era in this and adjoining
counties: first and last thousands of peo-
ple would have been employed in cOnSuuc-
ton work and the completed plant would
have employed large number of people
throughout all the years to come. The tax
able values OF the county would have been
increased by millions of dollars. A poor
and struggling population measured by
conditions i'm other sections of the State)
would have been lifted out of financial dit
fcultjcS and given fair start on the road
10 mdreamcd-of prosperity. 1t Is conf
IDENTITY believed by citizens cOnversant with
the details of the proposition that this one
enterprise would have doubled the popu-
lation of Hendersonville in q few years,
and would have transformed large sec
ton of the county into an industrial area
which would have attracted the attention
of the country at large.
All of this is lost to the county because
one land owner, holding a few acres of
land which was the key to the proposed
development. placed 4 valuation on his
land which he himself acknowledged was
many times its actual value. This land
owner was offered several times any rea-
Sonable price which could be placed on
his property.
AS an example of short-sightedneSS, lack
of judgment. lack Of consideration for the
welfare of ones neighbors and the adj
vancement Of progress and prosperity of
an entire county and section of the State,
we dare say this action has never been
equalled in North Carolina.
That is putting the statement in the mild
est language this newspaper can command.
If we used the language we believe is rich
" merited in this case The Times-NewS
would probably not be permitted the privi-
lege of the United States mails.
Of one thing we are certain, and that IS
that there is not enough money in North
Carolina to induce this newspaper to take
the responsibility for course which pre-
vents legitimate and desirable develop
ment, advancement and progress, the COM
ing of industrial prosperity to large area
of the State, and the employment of thou
sands of our fellow citizens profitably.
The public is we'll aware of the fact that
The Times-News yields place to no one in
its belief in the principle of the rights OF
individuals; and we admit of course, the
legal right of property owner to refuse
to sell his property or to place on 1T any
price he sees fit to name; but this news
paper, smphatically, does not believe that
any citizen has a moral right under all
49, - - - 81 .