GOVERNOR WELL
PLEASED OVER
TAX REDUCTIONS
Raleigh—Governor Gardner .ana
lyzed the tax figures released by the
tax commission and found in them a
fulfillment of his pledge to reduce the
taxes throughout the state.
There is undisguised satisfaction in
the governor’s office. His party has
effected this reduction without a
^ sales tax and has imposed the taxes
upon wealth. The executive is not
afraid of the issue next year. He does
not believe that within or without
the party can there be successful at
tack on the tax policy.
He will match his own achieve
ments aeainst the federal administra
tion which, according to calculations
of tax experts, has made a "drastic
cut” of 1 per cent. The North Caro
lina executive is in position to sym
pathize with Mr. Hoover.
The most radical of all the under
takings, the superimposition of 100
county road systems upon the state
has carried no embarrassments to Gov
ernor Gardner. He cites the 21 cents
road tax throughout the state and
points to its abrogation. The one in
crease in taxes was for debt service,
but that is state salvation.
Here is the way his excellency sees
' it:
"The tax reduction brought about
by the last general assembly, as
tabulated by the tax commission, is
very interesting in all its details and
clearly indicates the downawrd curve
of taxation on land and property in
North Carolina.
"As I understand the report from
83 counties, the last general assembly
reduced taxes on the average through
out the state 33 cents for schools and
12 cents net for roads, or 21 cents
gross reduction for roads, making a
total nr* reduction on the average of
45 cents on assessed valuation of pro
perty in this state for schools and
roads.
"It developed, however, that the
counties, many of them, in the past
had nQt levied sufficient taxes for
debt service, that is interest and prin
cipal on debt, and this year they
levied sufficient to take care of this
county obligation. This has resulted
in an average increase of 16 cents for
debt. This item of increase, which the
general assembly could not prevent,
has operated to keep the total reduc
tion from being as large as it other
_ wise would have been from the sav
ings brought aboo*»f rom roads and j
schools.
"The wisdom of the general assem
bly in taking over the roads at this
time has been made manifest bv con
ditions in which we find ourselves. If
the counties had been forced to rely on
property taxes for road maintenance
this winter, we should find county
roads in many instances not main
tained because of inability to collect
taxes, jails bulging with county pri
soners, and county road machinery
run down and not in operation con
dition.
"Except for the foresight and de
termination of the legislature to face
the facts and act accordingly the
taxes for this year would average
$1.50 instead of $1.06.
"In any event I do not hesitate
to say that the 1931 general assembly
reduced taxes on land and property
more than any legislature since the
establishment of ihe state, and no
other of the 44 state legislatures that
sat this year approximated anything
like the tax reduction made by the
representatives of the people of North
Carolina.”
And here is the way it strikes Dr.
Fred Morrison, secretary to the state
tax commission:
"The 1931 tax rate for 83 counties,
released today by the tax commis
sion, show a straight average coun
tywide rate for these counties in
1930 of $1.39 reduced in 1931 to
$1.06. The tax reduction on property
for this year averaged 33 cents on
the $100 of assessed value as com
pared with the 1930 rate.
"The assessed valuation for 40
counties, for which figures are avail
able, shows an average reduction of
4 per cent. Therefore, if the 1931
rates had been levied on 1930 values
which would show the correct actual
comparison of the 1930 and 1931
rates, the present average rate would
be $1.02 instead of $1.06. The aver
age reduction in rate from 1930 to
1931 based on the same valuation
each year is, therefore, 37 cents for
the 83 counties.
"The average reduction for the six
months school is 33 cents. The re
duction for current operation of the
six months term is 34 cents. The re
duction for capital outlay is 2 cents,
and the increase for school debt serv
ice is 3 cents.
"The gross average reduction in
rate for maintainence of county roads
is 21 cents. That is to say, the
straight average levy for county roads
last year was 21 cents. This year
there is no property tax for road
maintenance.
"The levy for the county general
fund was decreased 1-2 of 1 per cent.
The levy for the poor was increased
2 cents. County debt service for
general county purposes and roads
shows an increase of 16 cents. There
were small increase in other levies
for special purposes.
"Since the 21 cents reduction in
the levy for rpads was offset by the
16 cents increase in the levy debt serv
ice, and the small increase in the
levies for purposes other than schools
except the reduction resulting from
the levy this year being made on a
smaller assessed valuation.
"In appraisnig the tax reduction
effectuated by the 1931 general as
sembly we find a straight average re
duction of 35 cents for the current
operation of the six months school
term, and 21 cents for road main
tenance, an increase of 3 cents for
school debt service—making a total
of a 19 cents increase in the total
levy by counties for debt service—
that is, for bond repayment and in
terest, and an increase of about 3
cents for miscellaneous county levies.
The average net reduction in the total
county-wide levy for all purposes in
the 83 counties, including the in
creases for debt service, remains at
33 cents on the 1931 valuation. It
would be 3 8 cents if the 1931 valua
tiontion had not been reduced below
the 1930 valuation.”
i I
CHAMBER
OMMERCE
OLUMN
By R. E. L. NIEL
Christmas! with its season of good
cheer, its privilege of giving and its
joy of receiving. Christmas! With
young and old, recipients of Old Kris
Kingles’ largess, with happiness in
the very air and with the spirit of
"Peace on Earth, Good will towards
men” abroad. Christmas! With thank
fulness to the Giver of All good gifts
and with an abiding faith in His good
ness and mercy. Christmas! the fore
runner of the new year when the
trials of nineteen thirty one will have
become relics of the past and nineteen
thirty-two will offer its hopes and
opportunities for increasing blessings
and prosperity.
The South and its splendid position,
even during these times of stress and
trial, is portrayed in the following
from the president of the Gulf States
Steel Company printed on the front
page of a recent issue of the manufac
turers Record:—
"The great importance of the South
is indicated in its phenomenal growth
in culture, wealth, diversified agricul
ture and industries since the begining
of the twentieth century. And just
as the South reached the peak of its
recent material prosperity in advance
of the rest of the country, so at this
time signs are not wanting to indi
cate that the South will lead the nation
back to prosperity and that the quick
ening of a new agriculture and indus
trial demand is near at hand.
"Gulf States Steel Company is a
Southern concern, drawing its raw
materials from Southern mines, man
ufacturing them with Southern labor
and selling its products in Southern
markets to Southern consumers. Its
recent large investments in new plate
and sheet mills prove its full confi
dence in the South of the furure.”
The Charlotte Chamber of Com
merce has sent out cards asking for
"Christmas Loyalty Memberships.’’ It
is urging those who are not now on
the rolls to become members at once
and in addition are asking that those
Farm Program Planned
At Group Conferences
Out of the group conferences of
farmers, farm women and extension
workers being held in North Carolina
there are emerging some definite plans
for better farming methods in the
State next year and the years to come.
"We are highly pleased with the way
in which our sectional meetings have
been received so far,” says Dean I. O.
Schaub, director of extension at State
College. "At each of the meetings
there have been some 150 to 200 per
sons who have met with us to hear
the outlook fpr farming next year and
to help us develop definite and sen
sible suggestions to pass on to the
State in our extension activities. At
each of the conferences, we have had
two or more good farmers from a
county, two or more progressive farm
women and the county home and
farm agents.”
members who are already co-operating
with the organization increase their
subscriptions where possible. The Salis
bury Chamber of Commerce is not
unlike its bigger neighbor and a few
"Loyalty Memberships” at this time
of Christmas cheer would do muck to
make a happy holiday for those en
trusted with the direction of the
organization. It is wondered sometimes
• i-i •• i • ii r n 1 •
ii me ciLiz.ciiMiip ui sjaiio
buryknown, are in the least interested
in the need of the Salisbury Chamber
of Commerce in these days of business
trials for increased co-operation, for
just a little material encouragement,
for even a hearty word of commenda
tion for the course it is pursuing for
the common good of this community
and its environs? No personal appeal
will be sent to the many who should
come enthusiastically to the aid of
their city’s trade body, but if cities
like Charlotte need to remind its peo
ple of the desired expressions of "loy
alty at this time, certainly Salis^urians
might take the "hint.”
A manufacturer of a Salisbury pro
duct that already is selling to the
capacity of its producers capital de
sires to expand and only a small
amount of capital is necessary, some
thing like $2,000. The product has
proven is worth and if the small
amount necessary could be secured
and incorporated into a stock com
pany it would add just one more local
industry that would surely increase
in the coming years and perhaps at
tain nation wide distribution. Are
there a few citizens of means who
might be interested? If so drop a postal
card to the Chamber of Commerce
and details will be given.
Salisbury is fortunate that its Main
street is part of the Piedmont High
way, "The Main Street of the South”
and also "The Main Street of North
Carolina.” It is peculiarly fortunate
that where the latter, U. S. No. 70
and N. C.. No. 10, turns off to the
west it continues along a wide thor
oughflre. Many cities are experienc
ing criticism at this time for the nar
row streets into which turns are made
from the through travel route. Salis
bury turns its traffic right and left
at the junction of Main and Innes Sts.
and no difficulty whatever is experi
enced by the traveller. This situation
gives the visitor an opportunity to
see Salisbury’s principal business thor
oughfares and whether they stop over
a season or not, they take with them
a birds eye view of just what a splen
did city this is. Truly is Salisbury for
tunate in many ways and with in
creasing tourist travel it will more
and more become known for its
opportunities and its excellence as a
place in which to do business, to live
and to be happy and prosperous.
City Licenses
PENALTIES
All persons, firms and corporations en
gaged in any business, trade or occupation
within the City are required to obtain a
City License. City Licenses are due and
payable during June of each year and a
penalty of twenty per cent for failure to
secure license is provided by law after
July 1st. t
Inasmuch as notice of this penally has
not been published, the City Council has
decided not to penalize anyone for failure
to obtain license until after January 1,
1932. After which date twenty per cent
penalty will be added to licenses.
B. V. HEDRICK, Mayor.
-
STYLES in women’s clothes are no
more changeable than those in
popular songs. One year it’s the
"Boop-boop-pe-doop” type and the
next ballads.
Lately the slow melodious style of
number, referred to by musicians as
a “torch” song is all the rage. One
of the biggest hits of this sort has
been “I Surrender Dear” which I in
troduced some time ago.
“I Apologize” is along the same line
of thought, and it was with the popu
larity of such songs as “I Surrender
Dear” in mind that I have picked it
as an outstanding number and one
sure to be very successful. Written
by A1 Hoffman, A1 Hoodhart, and Ed.
Nelson, it has a beautiful melody that
is easy to remember and a lyric that
is nicely written ana intelligently
handled.
Songs like this one are especially
appealing in the fact that they bring
a bit of freshness into the “boy and
girl” situation, through the suggestion
of a lover’s quarrel. That coupled
with the really outstanding melody
of “I Apologize” leads me to pick it
as my “Song of the Week.”
Incidentally, when I sang it re- <
cently on one of my Cremo programs, I
I had more requests to repeat it than ;
any number I have sung in some j
time. !
Reviewed by )
ZEB VANCE CHANGED “TAR HEEL”
NICKNAME TO WORDS OF PRIDE
Asheville.—A political address by
Zeb Vance in 1864 when he was seek
ing re-election as governor of North
Carolina, changed the term "Tar Heel”
for North Carolinians from a symbol
of derision to a name of pride.
So explained Haywood Parker in
an interesting talk at the Rotary club
luncheon at Battery Park hotel.
"Two years ago,” Mr. Parker began,
"I was talking with F. Roger Miller
about the origin of the designation
'Tar Heel.’ Neither of us knew how
the nickname was started. Each of
us determined to find our.
we have tailed in that aim, though
we have learned much else. In fact, I
believe the manner in which the term
completely changed its siginficance
more interesting than the manner in
which it originated.
"In folk lore journals we find
material which leads to the belief the
term 'Tar Heel’ was used by the
British before the colonies won their
independence. Workers in naval stores
plants often wore no shoes. Tar would
stick to their heels. The name 'Tar
Heel’ was applied to the poorer classes
of people with derision.
"Gradually the name came to be a
Public Employes
/To Get Holiday
Because Christmas falls on Friday
this year, city and county employes
will be given two days surcease from
labor, it was announced today.
The county courthouse and the city
offices will be closed Friday and Satur
day of this week,and will not reopen
until Monday, December 28.
A Merry Christmas to You!
term for all classes of residence of
this state. It was always used as a
taunting expression.
"But today we are proud to be
called Tar Heels. Our university stu
dents sing 'I was Tar Heel born and
Tar Heel bred—and I’ll be a Tar Heel
when I’m dead.’ Why the reversal of
meaning?
"During the civil war North Caro
lina soldiers were often uneducated
and poor men. Their knowledge of
military matters was not always so
great, perhaps, as that of residents of
other states which until then 'had
made greater advance in culture.
"Soldiers of other states would
tease the 'Tar Heels’ but the Tar
Heels usually managed a clever re
tort, frequently implying a bit of tar
on the heels of the other men would
make them stick better in battle. At
any rate, the North Carolinians
adapted themselves to military rou
tine and did become good fighters.
"In 1864 Zeb Vance went to Vir
ginia to address some North Carolina
soldiers. They were eligible to vote
and be sought their political sup
port in the candidacy for governor.
When he stood before the men, Gov
ernor Vance hesitated. "I hardly
know how to begin,” he said. "I
can’t call you fellow soldiers, since
I no longer am a fighting man. I
can’t call you fellow citizens, since
none of us are citizens of this state.
"But—I can and will call you Iel
low Tar Heels.” Mr. Vance paused
dramatically and for a few monments
there was silence. Then the soldiers
stood as one man and thundered
forth a mighty chorus of cheers.
"For the first time the term 'Tar
Heel’ had beeA used without its de
risive significance. It had been en
nobled into a word fraught with
brotherly love and idealism.
“And from that day to this Tar
Heels have been pioud of their ap
pellation. The old symbolism of the
n.ickmme aided and even the sol
diers themselvesi fought more val
iantly as a result of Mr. Vance’s Tar
Heel fellowship.”
* * Yin W KKKKKM WWmSWW »» ««»»»»»»
I O-P-E-N+N-G S-A-L-E)
We are now located in our new store at 127 EAST INNES STREET |
| where we have much more rooiji and can serve you better than ever before. §
| Our Prices Speak For Themselves! |
| Now is your opportunity to buy Valuable Christmas Presents at a Real |
I Saving .. Not shopworn Furniture . . All New! 1
« ^-s
i P^ w —il
| KITCHEN CABINETS
Fully Equipped
| $23.50
»
Of
3- Piece Velour
Living Room Suit
$39.00 value.
$35.00
3-Piece
Mohair Suit
$69.00 value.
$45.00
Odd Vanities
$30.00 values.
$12.50
Metal Smokers
$1.25
| We Have a Lot Of Slightly Used Furniture at
| REAL CLOSE-OUT PRICES!
| Salisbury Cut-Rate Furniture Co.
I E. Innes St. Phone 1099
I We Deliver Free In Surrounding Territory
:<cc
Overstuffed jC£
Chair and |
Stool
$30 value
S' $|g.00
PUll-UP |
CHAIRS
$ E|.00 up
w S
GENUINE |
SIMMONS IRON BEDS
IN COLORS |
$5.00 up
Mattresses_$5.00 up 1
Springs-$3.00 up |
: *
SECRETARIES £
Walnut or Mahogany
Values up to $55.00. f
$21.50 $34.50 |
_