Carolina Watchman

THE MAYOR'S PAMPHLET
Mayor B. V. Hedrick has just published a small booklet entitled "A Statement of Facts." This pamphlet contains a great deal of information regarding the financial affairs of the City of Salisbury. It is interesting as well as educational and we are sure it will be read and appreciated by every citizen who is interested in the welfare of our city.
Mr. Hedrick has long been recognized as one of our most successful business men. He was actively engaged in mining, construction work and manufacturing for a number of years, and later in the automobile and tractor distribution and sales. Mr. Hedrick has the reputation of being a hard worker but notwithstanding the fact that he is a very busy man he has always taken a keen interest in the affairs of government. Two years ago he was elected a member of the City Council, leading the ticket by a large majority, and since that time he has served as mayor of Salisbury.
The administration of the affairs of a municipality, when times are good, is no simple task. During the past two years, when the depression was at its worst, it has been even more difficult. The pamphlet reveals that Mayor Hedrick has made a special study of municipal government.
A municipality differs from a private conducted business in many ways, some of which are as follows: The purpose of a municipality is to promote the well-being of its citizens and to render services at cost. The purpose of a private corporation is to make money. A municipal corporation is owned by its citizens, a private corporation by its stockholders. A municipal corporation is managed by representatives elected by the people, a private corporation by directors elected by its stockholders.
After reading the pamphlet prepared by Mayor Hedrick carefully it will be evident to all that he has given much time and study to the affairs of the city. It is also evident that, by the reorganization of departments and cutting operating expenses, his administration has saved many thousands of dollars to the taxpayers.
We believe that the mayor has been altogether too modest in presenting the "facts." He has omitted a great many details. For instance, in the reorganization of the water works and engineering departments his administration effected a saving which amounts to $4,920.00 a year, which was not mentioned. The mayor's pamphlet is also free from any unfavorable criticism regarding any member of the present council or of former administrations. In his remarks regarding the sinking fund he mentions with deserving pride that the sinking fund has been increased by $92,000.00 during his administration.
Since being elected mayor of Salisbury, in our opinion, Mr. Hedrick has lived up to the platform which he adopted in the beginning "Equal rights to all and special privileges to none."