The Chapel Hill weekly., 1963-05-26

stone. and it has already moved
to implement its role" The Uni
versity must be the arsenal of
the local bootstrap operation; it
must train the TEACHERS to man
the education effort.
Another significant development
which must be increasingly en-
phasized. Mr., PearSall said, is
guidance and placement - the
cOlmSelng of students early in
their. high school careers, in
terms of opportunities and re-
sources available for education
and employment. The program,
even in its infancy, has already
had sanitary effects. Students
who otherwise might be unable
to enter college for lack of funds,
or unSure OF a course OF study,
will have a readymade guide that
reaches back to the moment they
enter high school.
But ii education is q point of
departure, Tom PearSall has gone
far beyond that. Change to him,
growth, is an essential. and
desirable one that must be ac-
cepted and encouraged
I'm one of these people who
doesn't want to look back to the
good old times" he said.
The changes in the last twenty
years, or even the last ten have
been incIedlble. Ten years ago.
we had on our farms here l26
tenant families. Tod ay we
have siXty-SiX. In those days
man with a mule could plant
maybe IL acres of peanuts
day, Today we plant peanuts
four rows at a time with a tract
or, and a man can plant 80 acres
in one day. The effect can be
seen on rural communities and
churches and schools. Is there
any reason to believe this isn't
gong to continue? We've got to
accept it psychologically and ma
terially.
Any political party preaching
lIasSez-faire or status quo is 60
ing to be left way behind. If the
Democrats, Or the Republicans,
or any candidate feels that North
Carolina can relax. that party or
that candidate will become a
memory.
On taxation. which may be a
MAJOR issue in 1864. Mr.. PearSall
admits to having thought Of him.
sell as a conservative.
North Carolina has a fair Sys-
ten of taxation. 1t covers every
facet Of the economy and the
reople. which is its virtue. Every
body contributes. It's not a boun-
iY you're paying, its a fee for
d service. I've always looked on
myself as a conservative on tax
2tfon and spending. As chairman
Of the Appropriations Committee
| held the line when the dollars
were sort OF scarce. and as
Speaker of the House, my choice
Of an Appropriations Chairman
reflected this too. At the same
time | tried to recognize the
needs We have. | supported the
Good Health Program. was the
Speaker the year that was enact
ed into law"
There are always economies to
be effected, fat to be trimmed
without 'slicing viSeera however.
You always have the OppOrtuni-
ty to spend tax dollars more
wisely. A lot of agencies need
better coordination Agricul-
ture with Public Health, with
Welfare. with the Employment
Security Commission. Their eff
forts could all be better coordinat-
ed. Any Governor would be very
soundly advised to make such an
effort. 1t would save money, but
would also come nearer accomp-
fishing the goals and doing it
quicker"
In terms of roads. Mr.. Pear.
sail does not subscribe to further
bond issues at the moment. -
In the absence of any emer.
gency, I'm in favor of pay-as
you. 90 construction. The State
ought to be able to keep abreast
of its needs. Wien the Federal
Interstate system is complete
and the main arteries are open
the congestion in our urban areas
should be relieved. I believe
There is a need for improvement
in our east-west arteries. for in
dustries and for tourists. but
doubt sufficient revenues for ar
east-west toll road would result
As a private citizen, Tom Pear,
sail ranges as widely over the
spectrum as his work in public
Citizens in Rocky Mount have
trouble keeping up with the --latest
Pearsall enterprise. Primarily
he is a farmer with extensive
holdings and is one of the major
producers Of corn. small grains
peanuts, cotton and tobacco ir
the Nash Edgecombe Halifa>
area. The farming has led natur
ally into operation of a general