The Wilmington morning star., 1944-05-26
Mcdonald Hit
By Broughton
For Snliirches
NEUTRALITY ENDED
candidate Taken To Task
For Making Charges
On Booze Deal

r,ntiv ended his guberna-
toriai campaign neutrality to-
right and said that charges
hr Dr.. Ralph W. Mcdonald
that cuts, commissions and
cratuities were involved in
the purchase of $4,000 cases
of Rocking Chair whisky
"are utterly without founda-
ton and are wholly un-
worthy"
'Wbile I have heretofore pub
1clv announced my neutrality in
ihe current campaign and have
strictly adhered to this policy I
cannot permit these unwarranted
assertions to go unanswered" y
the governor said in a statement
issued a few hours after his re-
turn from Brunswick, Ga.
He referred to a speech which
Mcdonald made here Monday
night. in which the candidate ask
ed these questions: How much
money was involved? What would
have been the ordinary commits
sion for the salesman making the
deal? Who got the commission in
this instance? Is all or part of
this money being used in this
campaign"
The transaction of the Alco-
holic Control Board which the
candidate referred to as the
Rocking Chair Deal was pre-
sented for my consideration upon
recommendation of the state board
and Of "A of the Is county boards"
Governor Broughton said. II re-
fsrred the matter to the attorney
general and upon being advised
by him that it met all the re-
Quirements of law, I gave the
transaction my approval.
This transaction wae under
consideration for more than six
months and was fully discussed
not only by the state board but
by tine "a participating county
control boards. War conditions
had made it difficult if not impos-
chile for these boards ito acquire
stocks to meet their requirements
even on a rationed basis. They
considered it their duty to exer-
else every diligence to acquire
such stocks in any legal way that
was available; and it was clearly
The duty Of the state board under
the law to render every possible
assistance in this effort. Regard
less Of conflicting views on the
sale of alcoholic beverages, the
law exists and the legal duty rests
upon its several boards.
Details Approved
Every detail of this transac-
lion was passed upon by the OIL
nee Of the attorney general. The
chairman and another member OF
The state board together with a
representative of the office of the
attorney general made trips to
New York and elsewhere in con-
nectlon with this transaction. The
United States Office of Price Ad-
mlnlStratlon passed upon the price
features OF the transactions ana
'oequate surety bond protection
Vas given to the participating
COUNTIES. Public announcement Of
Aeee details was made at the
ulne OF the contamination of the
transaction.
lhere were no commissions,
bonuses or gratuities whatsoever
involved in this transaction. At
Ieast five other states made pur-
cAaSas at the same time through
lne same company, at the same
piice and under substantially the
came conditions as involved on the
NORM Carolina transaction.
AL contracts and documents
~ connection with this transac-
.loh are public records and have
az dill times been On file in the
W. OF the state board in Raleigh
1mey are available for the ex-
anlnallon and inspection of any
VIC VINO may wish to see them.
MI Without Foundation
H.. tNese lntimations of the candi-
I mat the chairman of the state
oU'fu or members of local boards
y" ~ anybody else in this state re.
as s'seu cuts, commissions or
s ssa!ullles, or that funds were de.
1--we, nHea IN this transaction to be
l,S IN this campaign, are utter
W Without foundation and art
WI. "uolly unworthy. The chairman
b bnu me members of the stats
iva aoaPo OF Alcoholic Beverage Con
flJI We're appointed by me ane
+b nave the highest confidence il
E fae5n' likewise express full con
L lo1 in the members of tn,
.Gedl boards, who have sought Il
bblsInafge a difficult duty in al
,,0,iOraole and businesslike man
Other officials of the state VIII
Wy lndirection and innuendoe
were were attacked in this address
1--we ap oeen free to make their ow
o oe In the current politics
vvd'llnpalgn. without any suggestio
ME1atsoever from me. The fact {
N'elr choice and such activity a
'0oh'lhued on Page Two; Col.