Tobacco lax Could Cripple Industry In State And South B. C. Mangum, president of •the N. C. Farm Bu~< m, lashed out today at those who would impose a tax on tobacco pro ducts as ‘‘penny win and pound foolish.” ‘‘lt is time,” Mang ’m bristled, ‘‘for citizens of North Carolina to do some serious think’ng about the consequences a tobac co tax would have not only on our farm economy, but indus try as well. Moreover, if tobac co isl taxed, the door would be opened for any one of a number of comodi .ies to ccme under the scrutiny of biannual revenue hunters.” The farm leader pointed out that the state is now ge'ting s3l million in direct taxes f'om tobacco manufacturing and pro cessing opera ions. “This “ he said, "amounts to about six cents per package. Tobacco rp. I ’esents 42 percent of our to'al $-340 million farm income. Noth Carolina produces more tobacco and tobacco products than any other state. Taxing tobacco would cripple the indus’ry in the state and eventually in the Sou h. ‘‘Tobacco consumption is de creasing and much of the de crease is attributed to excessive taxes and an i-smoking at'acks. If our own legislature uses it as a supposedly ‘lush’ ta source— what can we expect from other states ” Mangum reasoned. ‘‘You can now buy a package of cigarettes in Raleigh so- less ♦han the tax alone in New York City," Mangum reported. "Nei ghboring states a"e wai'ing to see what we will do. If we ap ply a tax, they will raise theirs 47 legislatures 'The economic j,.. - no other sta'e is so dependent up on a single product. It is time allied industries many ©f whom owe their very existance to the tobacco economy of the s ate realize which side of their ‘bread is buttered' and lend the farmer a helping hand," Mangum cautioned. I f: I TAKING INVENTORY? j If you’re a businessman 1 you no doubt check your ! stock at least once a year But what about your in- I surance? Unless, you give j it a yearly check, it might be out of date. See us i today; well help take i stock of your insurance needs. Robert's Insurance Agy. j Burnsville, N.C. i gJjjjg j LIFE & CASUALTY | * Tr.Jittturi ol fit .ft .'I/,, c * j Surety c.o ./«