The Wilmington morning star., 1941-01-09
The New Administration

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Governor J. M. Broughton, whose Inaugural
ton is the event of the day in North Carolina,
takes up his duties at a time OF great un-
certainty in world affairs and deep concern
for national security.
In the years ahead he will be beset by
many intricate problems, immense difficulties,
great anxiety and mental and physical strain.
Particularly, will it be hard for him, at the
start, to lay down his administrative policy
with any large hope that conditions will not
arise to force many revisions.
The world is changing too rapidly, the trend
of affairs shifts too suddenly from day to day,
for him to chart a course now without reallz-
ing that he must be ready to alter it as need
arises. Within a year, or even within weeks,
Governor Broughton may find it essential, IN
order to keep abreast of the shifting needs
at home and harassing developments abroad,
to make many changes in the plans he now
has in mind for the benefit and advancement
of the state.
OF one thing we may be certain: under his
leadership, North Carolina will do its best in
the service of defense-the chief task of Amer
lea today-and at whatever sacrifice is re-
quired.
OF another, and this is particularly crafty
ing to Wilmingtonians, we are equally as
sured. Because the new governor has taken
a keen interest in the river situation here,
we know that he will use his administrative
influence for development Of the Cape Fear.
There are certain improvements which it
would be we'll to strive for, for the benefit
of the people and the institutions of North
Carolina. Each is closely related to our most
pressing national undertaking. Among these is
rehabilitation of the state defense council, with
a full-time directing head in Raleigh and ade-
quate representation in Washington, to see
that North Carolina is given its opportunity
for service and gets its full share of defense
projects, including, for example, shipyards un-
der the Presidents recently announced pro.
gram.
Another, affecting the school system, is more
pay, a retirement plan and sick leave for
teachers; more vocational education, without
neglect Of the so-called liberal and academic
studies. Ali of these measures have been be-
fore the state at one time or another and
some are in contemplation. The time low is
right to inaugurate them.
Still another is a lower fee for motor We
hicle license and a change in the time of
collection-either before or after December,
when Christmas takes everybody's available
cash. Thought could well be given to compul.
sorry liability insurance for all vehicle owners
and operators, and to truck lanes in ill cities
and traffic lanes around towns.
A thorough survey of the tax situation might
show that the sales tax can be removed from
more foods and that the use of tokens as a
means of collecting the tax would be of mu-
tual advantage to merchants and consumers
and prevent petty sales tax "rackets." 1t
might be well to consider a state tax on divi-
dends of outside corporations operating in the
state, in proportion to the income derived
from business in this state.
A study of social security might reveal that
higher benefits under present statutes a r e
possible and that a retirement plan for all
state employees is feasible.
1t might also be found that county consoli-
dations would be advantageous. A commission
might be set up to report to the 1913 legisla-
ture on this question. As for housing, it might
be we'll to provide the necessary machinery
for creating county authorities to undertake
county housing projects. Wider powers for the
state board of housing, created in 1888, with
the object of giving it review power over all
projects, would be helpful.
These are matters which would strengthen
North Carolina, and the stronger the state the
better will it be able to do a creditable job
IN the interest of national defense and ma
| tional welfare.
Gains In Stature