Henderson daily dispatch., 1939-01-05
Governor Is Seen
Riding For A Fall

Continued from Page One-l
mendation likely to escape without a
great deal of adverse criticism. This
particular item will draw fire from
both extremes. These who want the
absentee abolished in toto will not
be suited; while on the other end Of
the line the western "boys" aren't
going to cheer loudly over the COVER
nor's expression of favor for correc-
ion of abuses arising from the pre-
sent Jaw.
His silence, so complete as to be
almost audible, on the subject of
any retirement plan for teachers and
State employees, is already subject for
Acid comment in many quarters.
Other Proposals Approved
Elsewhere along the line the Hoey
exhortations were almost unani-
mously approved. No fault what
ever was found, in early comment,
with his stand for balanced budget,
his general recommendations for i'm
provement of the States educational
system, his discussion of parole, pro-
5ation and the general handling of
he crime question, the manner in
balanced budget, improved highway
safety measures and advertisement
of the State.
In general, it can safely be said
that first reactions to the address
were noticeaibly favorable, despite the
exceptions and criticisms already
noted.
Indications that the governor knew
he was stirring up veritable hornets
lest on the diversion question are
clean and unmistakable. If both
diversion" and constitutional amend
ment", two topics so closely related
as to be Siamese twins, be treated as
one, there was no other subject to
which His Excellency devoted so
much time in his message.
These two sections covered no less
than four of the thirty-four and a
half pages of the message. Needs of
agriculture, with three and a half
pages, and education" with three,
came nearest to approaching this
volume of words.
There seems little doubt that the
governors memory went back to the
1887 session when his administration
and prestige came so near taking a
re7l, honest Humpy Dumpy fall that
only a House recess and an intensive
bit of pressure application saved the
day with compromise" which per-
mitted contingent diversion only.
UncquivOcal Stand
But there is certainly no doubling
and no mistaking the governors
stand. He is unequivocally for con-
tinuation of the present policy of al
lowing the sales tax to be applied to
gasoline sales and the proceeds turn
ed into the general fund, if and when
the balance in that fund is insuffi-
cient to meet legislative appropria-
tons. He contends that this is not
diversion" at all, but merely the ex-
tension and application of the sales
tax to gasoline as well as practically
everything else sold in the State
He is equally as unequivocal and
rrmistakable in taking his stand
staunchly and sturdily against any
constitutional amendment banning di-
version. He even goes to the length
of picturing "Mother North Carolina"
being grossly mistreated by "son"
one of his characteristically appeal
ing stories
All of which means that there is at
least one issue on which he is not
going to led the Assembly round by
the nose. All signs have been that
the lawmakers will be kindly dis
posed toward him and will 60 far in
giving him just what he wants, but
the powerful petroleum industry, rep
rcsentatives of highway users, and
associ2ted groups have waged a pow
orful campaign of propaganda and
persuasion over a period of more
than a year. They are not going tc