RALPH McDONALD'S
PROGRAM FOR
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Western North Carolina
1. Enlargement and expansion of -the college
at Cullowhee into a full-fledged Western North
Carolina College ? not simply a Teachers' Col ?
lege, but a fully standardized State College of
Liberal Arts and pre-professional or vocational
training at the college level. It will be not only
a splendid teachers' college; its work will be
broadened so that, as fully as possible, there will
be right here in the West the same kind and qual
ity of college opportunities that are so readily
available to the Piedmont and Eastern sections
at Greensboro, Chapel Hill, Raleigh and Green
ville.
2. Similar enlargement and expansion of the
College at Boone.
3. Establishment of a Mineral Research In
stituted staffed by the best experts available in
the nation, with laboratories, equipment and
field facilities to explore thoroughly and pro
mote the development of
the vast mineral resources
of the western region. This
Institute should be placed
in the heart of the mineral
area. If results through the
first few years of operation
j justify it, this Institute may
be developed into a College
of Mines, similar to those
which have helped to enrich
, Utah, Texas and Colorado.
1 4. A highway system in
keeping with the resources of the western area
in agriculture, industry and tourist trade.. Im
mediate construction following the war will in
clude:
I
(1) Additional hard-surface inlets into the
Great Smoky Mountains National Park from key
towns.
(2) Hard-surfacing of needed links in the
highway system to provide first class connections
throughout the west. Several such links and new
highways are badly needed.
(3) Broadening, straightening and improv
ing present highways through the beautiful
areas of this region.
(4) All-weather surfacing and maintenance
of school bus routes and other secondary roads
so that the thousands of farm families now iso
lated in bad weather may have access to schools,
churches, markets and medical service.
5. Establishment at a suitable location in
Western North Carolina of a new institute simi
lar to the Caswell Training School for feeble
minded at Kinston. There are at present more
afflicted people waiting to get into the Caswell
Institution than there are patients there. This is
one of the most urgent needs of the State. i
6. Establishment of an Agriculture Depart
ment Test Farm in the area West of Asheville,
where research can be carried on in fruits, feed
crops, burley tobacco, vegetable crops; beef,
dairy and sheep husbandry, thus helping to in
crease farm income in this area.
7. Promotion of new industry. No region
anywhere excels the mountain area of Western
North Carolina in power facilities, climate, man
power and other factors for industrial develop
ment. The industry of the future will feature
more and more the combination of semi-farming
and industrial employment for workers in manu
facturing. Western North Carolina is a natural
mecca for such industry. The full resources of
the state government will be put behind a pro
gram to bring new industry into this region.
8. Systematic and vigorous advancement of
the tourist business throughout Western North
Carolina. The most ideal summer and winter
mountain resort areas are found throughout the
entie region from the Blue Ridge west. Properly
advertised and promoted, these attractions will
draw millions of people from throughout the
country. Through adequate state news and ad
vertisement service, scenic highways, small State
parks, and every other practical and available
means, Ralph McDonald's administration will
encourage the tourist trade to the utmost.
9. State backing for the Western North Car
olina Fair. In its brief existence before the war
this agricultural event was proving its useful
ness. In such manner as the pioneer leadership
of this institution may need and desire it, Ralph
McDonald will advocate State backing, financial
ly and otherwise, to enable the expansion and
development of this enterprise to its fullest use
fulness to the Western area.
v 10. Proportionate representation for West
ern North Carolina counties in appointive posts
of the State administration and in member
ship on all State Boards. Few high appointments
and only a small representation on State Boards -
have been ordinarily granted to this important
region.
McDONALD IS AGAINST ANY|TAX ON LAND