Henderson Daily Dispatch

Patrol Issue
Might Cause
Real Battle

Daily Dispatch Bureau,
In The Sir Walter Hotel.

Raleigh, Oct. 11—Tucked away in the recommendation for establishment of a State Department of Justice there is listed at least one matter likely to become a lively legislative issue if it gets into the 1939 General Assembly—transfer of the highway patrol to the proposed Department of Justice.

The gentlemen who studied the Department of Justice program no doubt can cite numerous reasons why the patrol should be under the law-enforcing department, rather than under the revenue collecting, but when it comes down to the practical matter of getting it there, political toes are going to be stepped on and there is going to be determined opposition.

(Continued on Page Two.)
Patrol Issue Might Cause Real Battle
(Continued from Page One.)

In justice to the present commissioner of revenue, A. J. Maxwell, and to immediately past commander, Arthur Fulk, it should be said here and now that within the last couple of years there hasn't been much complaint about the patrol's political activities, but it is such a handy political instrument to have lying around that no practical politician can be blamed much for hating to give it up.

Commissioner Maxwell has recommended that the patrol personnel be increased, but there is nothing to indicate that he would regard with favor any plan to take it from under his wing though he has gone so far as to say he feels its a matter for the legislature to decide.

"I didn't put it under the department and I wouldn't cry if they took it away," he once told your correspondent.

But just the same, watch out for fireworks if the proposal is seriously advanced. There will be brought out any number of reasons why the patrol should stay right where it is. Boiled down, all of them will amount to the fact that it's handy to have as a political asset.