Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1940-05-08
Foes of DR.. Ralph Mcdonald
May Start Move to Gust Him
From Position In University
Continued From Page One)


would like nothing quite so we'll as
to get his professional scalp and to
get him out of North Carolina en-
tirely, if they could. 49,.
For this very reason, they believe,
he has scrupulously refrained from
any faint Of politics in his series OF
public forum discussions; and has
been very careful indeed that there
should be no evidence that his pro-
Ifessional and political activities have
overlapped in the slightest degree.
That he has been extremely active
in politics Mcdonald would be the
last person in the world to deny-in
fact he makes absolutely no bones
Whatsoever of his loyalty to Presi-
dent Roosevelt or Of the fact that he
has bent every ethical effort toward
pressing the North Carolina for
Roosevelt movement.
So far nobody has accused Nc
Donald of ever pledging himself to
refrain from political activities-ac-
tivities which he and his friends view
as completely within his rights so
long as he does not permit them to
tresspasS on the duties of his posi-
ton with the University.
1t is equally true that there has
SO far been no information that Nc
Donald is not doing a good job. II
is claimed on his behalf that his
work has actually been phenomenal
1t is pointed out that in the space
of year he started from scratch and
built up the University's radio d.
vision into one which is the envy Of
every other college in the country.
I U. N. c. programs are carried to
"Nilli"nS ev"rv week over ten North
Carolina stations and a national
hookup.
There is ample evidence that his
success in this field has attracted
national attention and admiration in
educational and radio circles all over
the state.
Officials of the University, includ-
ing President Graham, have lauded
the success of the public forum pro-
gram sponsored and conducted by
Mcdonald. Results have far exceed
ed expectations, they say; and the
forum program will be carried on
into next year with many additional
communities joining in the move
lr'ent which has already reached into
about one-fourth the states counties.
With these facts in mind-plus the
leXperience that President Graham
has always managed to stay well
ahead of the enemies who have
sought so hard to get him out at
Chapel Hill-most Raleigh observers
feel that Mcdonald would win hands
down if his or Roosevelt's enemies
force the issue with the board of
trustees.
On the other hand there is nc
discounting the bitterness with which
Mcdonald is being attacked in many
powerful circles.
This bitterness has been aroused
more by his support of J. M. Brough-
ton in the guberantorial race thar
by his activities for FDR in the cur
rent movement to give the Presiden
the solid backing of North Carolina!
delegation to the Democratic nation,
al convention.
There is all sorts of talk about the
kiss of death" Mcdonald is supposed
to have bestowed upon the Raleigh
attorney by his endorsement; but il
seems reasonable to suppose thai
there would be no real anger arous-
ed against the one-time candidate
for Governor if his support was, ir
fact, believed to be a handicap rath-
er than an asset
The Mcdonald friends believe that
any attack on him because of his
activities for President Roosevelt will
boomerang against those launching
such an offensive. They would rath-
er meet this type in connection with
the guDcrnatorial campaign
If and when the effort to get rid oil
Mcdonald is made, it will be inter-
esting to learn, if possible, the posi-
ton which Governor Clyde r. Hoey
will take.
Mcdonald is thought to have been
appointed to MS present University
post with the complete sanction OF
the Governor, if not, in fact, upon the
direct Hoey recommendation. There
is some speculation, however, about
the effect On the Hoey attitude OF
McDonald's pro-RooSeVelt activities
This, particularly, because the North
Carolina for Roosevelt movement re-
suited in placing the Governor in a
losing political position for the first
time in his administration. Mcdonald
will undoubtedly have the staunch
Is.,.,..s.. &c praSidaiat G..,n "a hII