Henderson Daily Dispatch

Capital Gossip

By HENRY AVERILL.

Raleigh, Feb. 20.-Perhaps the most noticeable, if not notable, fact in politics last week here in Raleigh was revival of the "It's Horton" talk. Going back some six months, the Lieutenant Governor was generally looked upon as a clear-cut favorite in the gubernatorial race. Then came denial that he is the Administration candidate, and a marked falling off in expressions of belief that he'd win. Now there is a distinct and audible rumble of cheering for the Lieutenant Governor and there's plenty of talk to the effect that potent Administration leaders who switched from Horton to Broughton are now endeavoring to do a forced countermarch from Broughton back to Horton. Whether there is anything more than deliberate propaganda behind this talk, your reporter is not now prepared to say. Of that phase, more in later reports. Your reporter went in to see Bob Thompson, just switched from Governor's secretary to head of the State News Bureau. It was 11:34 a. m. At the moment no Bob was to be found in the office. In a minute or so, in he came coatless. "A fine time for you to be getting to work," jibed the reporter. "Oh, I'm still way ahead--they tell me Bill never got here before noon," came back the imperturbable Bob. It developed in investigation had already done a good day's work. The story released out of Washington relating the tremendous growth of rural electrification in North Carolina laid great emphasis on what the Federal REA has accomplished in this state; but it failed completely to credit the State Rural Electrification Authority with its just dues. There isn't the slightest doubt in the mind of any informed person who knows anything whatever about the situation, that the efficient organization directed by Dudley Bagley has been the greatest single asset to rural electrification in North Carolina. It has been so, for its protective, as well as its promotional work. Had the Federal folks been allowed full sway, there's no telling what wild schemes would have been put over. State Treasurer Charlie Johnson reports that during his incumbency the debt of North Carolina has shown a net debt reduction of $44,797,694.49. He also claims reduction of interest on local governmental units to the extent of some $45,000,000. Back to REA for a moment. There is an undercover fight all over the state regarding taxation of rural electrical lines. So far the cooperatives organized under the 1935 "membership" act are escaping but those operating under the old "mutual" act are probably going to be forced to pay county levies. Undeterred by possibility that their rule may be challenged in the courts, members of the North Carolina Cosmetologists examining board are going ahead with preparations to give their next tests in April. Nobody so far has been carried to court for trying to practice "cosmetology" without approval of the board, but in view of the recent Supreme court decision in the dry cleaners case, it is likely that more than one would-be practitioner is likely to thumb her nose at the examiners and set up in business without its consent. The latest examination was completed February 16, with 191 of the 286 applicants passing the tests and getting approval. Applications of those desiring to take the next exams must be received by the board prior to March 23. The examiners are Mrs. Annie L. Williamson and Mrs. Gertrude Hutchinson of Fayetteville, and Mrs. Ethel Windsor of Hickory. In the administration of its affairs the company gives full-time employment to over 2,000 individuals whose earnings continually flow through the channels of trade in their various communities.