Roanoke Rapids daily herald., 1948-09-21
Industrial Aspect
Is Hardly Seen
By Public
TUCKER
By RAY TU--.ER

w dSIllIle, wi, A9SPb' 81 liz
Southern revolt against Presi-
dent Truman, which may mean
the loss of majority of the his
toric confederate states to the
Democrats, has an industrial as
well as a racial inspiration and
background.
This industrial aspect is hard
ly recognized by the general
public or by White House aides,
who are not noted for their un-
Outstanding of economic ques-
tons.
The Dixie Of the 1913 presi-
dental election is new nation
al phenomenon; it is an indie
pendent, self-conscious and am
bilious area. 1t does not intend
to remain as political or eco
nomic orphan or underdog, even
if it has to assert itself by break
ing away from the Democratic
Party.
In certain respects its postwar
industralized economy has 4
closer relationship with Cover
nor Earl Warren's up and COM
ing West than with Harry S.
Humans Missouri.
DIFFERENTIALS Numer-
Gus corporations from the North
and Middle West have migrated
southwark on the promise that
they will not be troubled by la
Dor disputes. Chamber Of Com
merce boosters have advertised
that the majority Of workers
consist of native stock, not
given to union organization and
bossism. During World War II
corporation executives suffered
a minimum Of disturbances. and
they want no White House A.
F. of Lie. l. o. interference
with their system.
They intend, if possible, to
maintain the slight differentials
in industrial wages. taxes and
accessibility to natural resources
which tend to offset the greater
political control that other sec
tons have exercised in the Halls
of Congress, and too often, at
1000 Pennsylvania Avenue.
In view of the milder climate
and a slightly lower cost of liv-
ing in many respects, they resent
efforts of union organizers TO
raise wages to the same levels
as those prevailing elsewhere.
Thus it is no accident that
majority of Southern Democrats
voted for the Taft-Hartiey Act
over President Humans veto.
Nor is it without Significance
that authors of the law permit
ting the government to seize
strike bound plants in wartime
or other emergency were Sena-
tors Tom Connally of Texas and
Representative ]. Howard Smith
of Virginia. And two of the
stoutest champions of govern
ment economy and decentraliza-
ton are Senators Harry F. Byrd
of Virginia and Walter F.
George of Georgia.
REFORMS The South &C.
copied, or acceded to, economic
and racial reforms sponsored ny
Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt
largely because they were ad-
vanced in the depth of depres-
sion or during global war.
Moreover, they cordially liked
and admired F. D. R. and South
ern leaders always suspected
that he would never press his
demands for change to the
limit. He knew when and where
it was wise to stop.
Had Mr.. Truman been .
strong, heroic and appealing
figure, even the present revo-
luton, although inev its b lie.
might have been deferred. But
the combination of fairly COL
orless and unimpressive Missou-
rian and his insistence on such a
social earthquake as non-segre-
CATION in all walks of human
activity, provided an opportun-
ity that was too good to be miss
ed. 1t was a political Fort Sum-
ter.
REBUKE Dixie aims to re-
gain the partisan and legislative
power whic hit lost under Mr..
Roosevelt. It abdicated its veto
authority over nominations
when it succumbed to Roose-
velt-Farley appeals for repeal OF
the two-thirds procedure at Ma
tional conventions. Its hundred
and twenty-seven members Of
Congress, divided between the
House ad Senate, cannot domi'
nate Congressional or executive
actions regarding unions, elm
ployment and wages.
But if it can administer q
sweeping rebuke to the north
ern Democratic wing by MAX
ing Mr.. Truman the second
worst defeated presidential can
didate in history, second only Il
ALI Landon in 1896, the Lees
Jacksons and Longstreets of to
day figure that they will have
won as strategic and significan
battle as that at Bull Run,
which shocked and paralyzst
an overconfident North.
DETECTION A sensational
desertion of the Democratic
ticket by Southern states in No