October 1st, 1919.

Mr. C. R. Hilton,
Nokomis Mills,
Lexington, N.C.

My dear Mr. Hilton:-

I have just read your kind letter of the 29th, and deeply appreciate the sentiments therein expressed. My one desire and prayer is to give to all the people of North Carolina an absolutely square deal while I am Governor.

The only way that we can build up this great State is to promote the prosperity and the happiness of the ninety and nine. We want our people to understand that the prosperity and happiness of each man is essentially linked with the prosperity and happiness of every other man. I am doing what I can to try to bring about a better understanding between people who work with their hands and with their brains and the people who work with their money and their brains. All are essential to well developed civilization. For employers to be unjust to employees, or for employees to be unreasonable with employers will always result in injury to the business upon which both employers and employees are dependent for a living. The spirit of mutual good-will and mutual helpfulness will pay the largest kinds of dividends both in wages and in happiness to all the men who are engaged in any business enterprise.

Of course, employees have certain fundamental rights which employers must respect, and employers have certain fundamental rights which employees must respect. All that I want to know is the right side of the question, and I will then do all in my power to maintain that side.

Sincerely yours,

[unsigned]

B-G