Newspapers / The Roxboro Courier (Roxboro, … / Sept. 16, 1931, edition 1 / Page 2
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THE SUPREME ISSUE IS "ECONOMY IN7 PUBLIC EXPENDITURES; SAYS MAXWELL High Spots As We See Them In The Announcement Published Sunday Morning Lengthy, But Work Your Time And Attention To the People of North Carolina: While generous friends in all sec tions of the State have offered en couragement to undertake the or deal of a candidacy for Governor, the consideration that I have been endeavoring to determine in my own mind is whether such candi dacy would fit into' the needs and conditions of the time for my state and party. I have been en couraged to decide that It will, both by the expressions of friends, and by the fact that for years, In seas on and out of season, I have urged a political philosophy that present conditions demand if we are not to 1 be crushed by excessive burdens of ] debt and taxation. As from month to month econo mic conditions have emphasized the necessity for a drastic policy of re- ; adjustment in the total cost of j government, it has seemed clearer | to me that I owe .the obligation of i carrying this issue to the whole j people of the state, who beat the I burdens of government as well as reoefve its benefits. 1 The supreme issue which I "wish ; to present ? the issue which in its imperative demands dwarfs all others to be determined in the next primary, cannot be described as "economy in public expendi tures." Prom the time whence the memory of man runneth not to the contrary candidates and plat forms ha\ie pleaded the cause of economy in government. Present conditions demand the abandon ment of platform euphemisms and the adoption of plain language that* fits the times and conditions under which we live. Readjustment of Public Burdens If we are to preserve our social order; If we are to save the homes of our people; If agriculture, busi ness and industry are to survive the ordeals of this time; if we are to restore conditions that permit normal employment of labor, we must summon the wisdom to di rect and the courage to undertake and perform a substantial readjust ment of public burdens. This is the paramount issue before the people, and to the achievement of this goal I> pledge the utmost of my ability and experience in public affairs. The market value of our three prin cipal crops of corn, cotton and to bacco in 1928 was $214,000,000; in 1931 it is now estimated at $109, 000,000. Our total tax bill of $102, 000,000 is nearly equal to the com bined market value of these three principal crops. It would take the entire crop of cotton produced in the state for four years, to pay our tax bill for one year, according to the present market price of that commodity. Our annual tax bill in this state is greater than the en tire annual income of all domes tic and foreign corporations earn ed in this state. In a delution of wealth and prosperity that is ours no longer, and In our ambition to provide the broadest possible pro u? gram of public service, public ex i penses have reached a scale that | cannot reasonably be maintained. I To attempt to carry the full weight of this burden is to invite disaster to our whole structure of social service. To delay readjustment : while our burdens accumulate will | be disastrous. This is not a fleet- < ing fancy; it is a reasoned and deep conviction, based upon an in timate knowledge of ISorth Caro lina and its taxable resources. j It is not a question of method and form. We cannot meet this situation by devising new and in genious methods lor pumping water from dry holes, or adding pennies to our purchases. There must be a frank recognition of our limita tions and a courageous readjust- ' ment of our total spending to meet them. Neither actually nor relatively can we continue to meet the full meas ure of our present annual tax bill. ' It is not merely a question of our inherent inability to maintain it On relative grounds it will be dis astrous state policy to continue the effort to do so. Our annual tax bill is one-third greater than that of our next door neighbor. Virginia, which has more actual wealth than North Carolina. To continue a tax load so far out of line with neigh boring and competing states will inevitably shackle our future growth and shrink our sources of revenue on which we depend to meet it. The General Assembly First, it must begin in the minds and hearts of the people, and must find reflection in the membership of that branch of government that ! more nearly and directly represents j them ? the General Assembly. The General Assembly is the fountain head of government "in the state. 1 It is, within the constitution, su . preme. It sets the fashion and flx ! es the standards of public service. ! While expenses were bein& rapidly increased for state purposes there gradually developed a custom of | placing on legislative pay rolls a large number of employees who. had no useful service to perform. To illustrate, the salaries, wages and i transportation paid the employees of the General Assembly, exclusive I of the salaries of Representatives and Senators, has increased from less than $26,000 in 1909 to $}16,000 I in 1931. The Legislature cannot carry on its own operations on an extravagant basis and consistently impose economy upon all the other agencies of the state. ? Higher , Education A second point of approach in re adjusting our tax burdens to fit present economic conditions, should be in the total cost of higher edu cation in our State institutions of higher learning. In this suggestion I do not want to be misunderstood. While I know that we can reduce the cost to the public of higher education. I also know that it can be done without lowering the stan dard of this service to our own boys and girls. For example, out ; of a total enrollment of 6,321 stu dents at the University, State Col- j lege and the Woman's College, for the lfet fall term, there was an ' enrollment of 1,124 students from Never Failing To PLEASE - There is always stood reasons when any business remains at the old stand for years. It never fails to please That is why the Royal Cafe is an old land mark of this town. Well-thought of and patronized ? It never fails to please. Try taking the famify out from time to dine. Dining ont In a good Oafe Is always appreciated ? It never fails to please. Royal Cafe STEPHEN GEORGES, Prop other states and countries. They are here for different reasons, of courser but mainly for two reasons namely, the national reputation of our University and colleges, and the very small tuition fees we charge. We mu$t continue our pol icy of subsidizing a college educa tion for our own boys and girls, but we have no right to continue to sub sidize the college education of this army of non-residents, greater than the total enrollment of the Univer sity a dozen ye^rs ago. The pay- [ ment of fees by these non-resident students was $228,780 less than a ' per capita average of actual cost j to our taxpayers te operate these colleges. This<?ost does not include 1 any capital cost for facilities fur nished. These facilities are furn- 1 ished' by our taxpayers. Our an nual debt service requirements, on ' debts now outstandings for these three colleges, averages $118 per student,, or an additional $132,632 ps a proportionate part for the non resident students. This covers only the part of facilities for which bonds are still outstanding and that our taxpayers are still paying an nual interest on. Twenty-six per cent of our investment and annual expenditures on the University are used for the benefit of non-resi dents. With its 2,044 resident stu dents it has 720 non-residents, and ninety per cent of these are from states more able than ours to sub sidize their education. One hundred and seventy-six are fr6m New York ' State. Ten blocks of Manhattan re presents more wealth than the whole State of North Carolina. Our taxpayers owe no obligation to them, and we have no right to levy this tax on our taxpayers. Our col leges should, of course, bfe open to non-residents, but they should be charged a tuition fee that covers substantially the cost to the state of the service rendered them. Public Schools It is not surprising that extrava gances should have crept into the rapid expansion of public school costs. It was a part of the trend of the times through which we have passed with respect to all pub lic spending. Extravagance is both actual and relative. It is actual in the six thousand vacant school rooms, more than half of them in our modern school houses, built be yond the need of their time and place, and representing an invest ment in excess facilities of about j twelve million dollars. It is rela tive when, however meritorious in plan and purpose, it pushes the scope and cost of education beyond the reasonable ability of taxpayers to meet. Whatever mistakes may have been made, they have been mutual on the part of both people and educational leaders. Prank recognition of ecfinomic conditions ought to force a mutual effort, in a spirit of full cooperation and de votion to this supreme aim of our i social democracy, to Work out this problem without friction, without stinting youth's opportunity, with- , out injustice to those who give their lives to this _poble cause, and with out oppressive cost and taxation. .The cause is too sacred ? too close to the hearts of all our people ? to permit approach to its solution in any other spirit. The cost of operation of the pub lic schools will be lowered this year by at least three million dol lars. TTiis Saving has been effected without a necesasry lowering of ex isting standards. The fact that it has been generally acecpted by the teachers without complaint, shows that the teachers of North Carolina as they come in contact with the children of taxpayers have a sym pathetic understanding of existing economic conditions in their com munities. I slnoerely felieve In the education of all the children of the state at the expense of the public. 1 sin cerely believe that the broadening of our educational program since the days of Aycock has been one of primary factors in our material and cultural advance. I pledge my faith and my effort to cooperate in every practical way to help the public schools to render their best service. But I would also at every step ap ply the test to pratlcality and of ability to pay to every phase of public school costs. State's Prison Should Pay its Way The third thing in my mind in the nature of readjustment of our total burden of taxation is in the management of prisoners. This has come to be a heavy load on the taxpayers of the state. In the last two years the operation^of the state's prison has cost- the taxpay ers $510,000 more tfian its income. I do not think thatr society ought to bear this burden. I believe in the humane treatment of prisoners, not only in the limited sense of proper food and clothing, but in the broad er sense of opportunity and induce ment for reformation. But outside of prison the earnings of one com mon laborer provide the common neceslsties for a family, and I am convinced that the labor of a pris oner can be made to equal his own common necessities. The state's prison should pay its way, Reduction of Debt A fourth point in the readjust ment of the cost of government lies in a business-like, non-political control of our public debt. North Carolina does not posess sufficient wealth to sustain a 550-million dollar public debt. There must be an unrelenting stand to limit pub lic bororwing to actual necessities and to decrease our public indebt edness and its annual load of inter est. The orderly reduction of state and local debt I conceive to be one of the most important and difficult problems that will face the next administration. We must work out schedules that will consistently re If baby has COLIC A CRY in the night. Colic! No cause for alarm if Castoria is handy. This pure vegetable prepara tion brings quick comfort, and can never harm. It is the sensible thing when children are ailing. Whether itl the stomach, or, the little bowels; colic or constipation; or diarrhea. When tiny tongues are coated, or the breath is bad. Whenever there's need of gentle regulation. Children love the taste of Castoria, and its mildness makes it safe for frequent use. And a more liberal dose of Castoria is always better for growing children than strong medicine meant only for adult use. CASTORIA CAN YOUR WIFE CHANGE A TIRE? Honestly, aren't you asking too much of Pate to truat those old tires when your wife drive*? Hailing strangers for help, if she has a puncture, ia often disagreeable. You'd feel a lot better if you knew she were protected also against possible accident. It will ease your mind and be easy on your purse to have us put on some new Goodycars now. GOODYEAR ALL-WEATHER Other sizes equally low Site Each 4-40-21 <29?4.40> $ 7.05' 4.50-20 (29x4.50) 7.45 5 XXV 19 (29x5.00> 9.15 6.00-20 (32x6.00) 13.90 Tube* alio low priced For example, a big, hiuky, full-overused tire now (OKI only $705 in the 4.40-21 size GOODYEAR TATHFINDER Crowell Motor Go., Inc. * Roxboro, N. C. r f duce our debt and maintain faith and credit. State Support of Public Schools | The state has definite.'/ commit- 1 ted itself to the policy qf full re sponsibility for the constutlonal school term of six months. It re- 1 duced the property tax for this purpose 15 cents on 1930 values in ' every county, thus equalizing the standard and cost of schools in every county. As the original spon sor of the program to eliminate all state tax on property, accomplish ed in 1931, I would again undertake to remove this IS cent levy as soon as any fair and consistent means can be found to do it. I Taxation In support of our increasing pro- 1 gram of public expenses we have, in session after session of the Gen- ' eral Assembly, ransacued the whole range of tax possibilities? in in come, inheritance, corporate fran chise, privilege and license. By al most s common consent the last Legislature went to extreme limits in imposition of these taxes to snpport its program of property tax relief. It should be our constant aim to improve "the text and ad ministration of our tag laws, to keep abreast of changing condi tions, to attain a higher degree of equity In our tax lexies, and to pro- ' vide necessary revenue. But the taxes now imposed on business and industry clearly reach the danger ; point. I thoroughly believe that emphasis should now be given to an adjustment of spending, rather than to a further search for new forms and methods of taxation. Al TIME 18 MONEY Not tomorrow or next year, bat right now is the time to accumulate money. Ki;ht now is all the time there is or ever will be. So take the money you save, out of the income you're earning right now, and get ahead! $1.00 starts an account, Right now! DURHAM INDUSTRIAL BANK OF ROXBORO most every form o t taxation, in Its last analysis, reaches back to thoee who toil and produce wealth. More taxes is not a remedy for tow much taxes. Quadrennial Re- Assessment I have always t?lieve<l in the quadrennial reassessment of real estate, and in making this regular stated inquiry reflect the variations in actual value, and as between par ticular clases of property. I was actively engaged, under official re- 1 sponsibility, in organizing for this work this year when the General Assembly interrupted it. It finally I left responsibility with every local board to hear complaints and make 1 adjustments. Perfection is lmpos- ^ sible. but equality In valuation should be our constant aim and diligent pursuit. It is the mast vital point in property taxation. Glaring inequalities and favoritism breed contempt for the law. The custom of quadrennial valuation was handed down in wisdom by our fathers, and should be maintained. , One Word More I ask this much of public confi dence: This is an" honest statement of what A. J. Maxwell believes. It is not colored for campaign pur- ; poses. It is consistent with what the public has lor ye? n known to be my views. It la baaed on an intimate knowledge, gained over a long period of yean, in conscien tious study of our problems and the taxable resource* of the state. We were getting head over heels into fiscal difficulties before prosperity left us. I believe that I am otter ing the only sound way out. And I have confidence that, win or lose, North Carolina will be a safer state for the farmer, the laboring man, the home-owner, the home-renter, the business man, and the manufac turer, because of my use of the op portunities of a candidate for Gov ernor to carry this Jsfcue to the people. We are standing at the forks of the road. As it seems to me one leads to more oppressive taxation, and to more forms of oppressive taxation, to sustain a level of pub lic expenses beyond our means ? t n a t burdens agriculture and shrinks business and industry; the other to a reajustment of these burdens to meet our necessities, and to maintain an inviting field for producer, capital and labor. o Bees respond to the range of the thermometer just as do humans. LAUGH yourself into o year's growth I THE NEW WILL ROGERS I - hr YOUNG AS you FEEL Striped tie and silk hat ? Girl friend and all thatl * Will cuts loose with coltish capers.. Front page news in all the papers! ? with FIFI DORSAY Directed by Frank Borzage fk 1 MONDAY AND K * InAO TUESDAY, SEPT. X dl aVV 21ST-22ND. Matinee Monday 3:00 ? 3:30 p. m. Evenings 7:30 ? 9:15 p. m. 'V Why risk your neck for i|.98* SOONER or later worn tires are going to let go. That maybe dangerous. Honestly now, is it worth taking the chance of going into a ditch or having a smash-up due to a blowout, when you can get fine new Goodyears like these for so little money? If you have any doubts about the * condition of your tires, drive in. We will look them over and give you the low-down. You can believe what we say ? we couldn't afford to be any thing but on the leveL We know that as well as you do. ?Cheaper than accidents ? look ?t these low prices on all sizes: GOODYEAR PATHFINDER >0 * 3 V, 4 40 21 . 4 50 20 . 4.50-21 . 4.75-19 .|4 3t... . 4.98... . 5.60 . . M?... . 0 45 . 5.00-19 ,6*8 1.25 21 8.57.. WO- It MO.. Pair . I 8.54 9.60 10.90 11.19 12.90 13.66 16.70 Crowell Motor Company, Inc. Roxboro, N. C,
The Roxboro Courier (Roxboro, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Sept. 16, 1931, edition 1
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