Copies

May 3, 1913

Hon. R. E. Austin
Albemarle
N.C.

My dear Austin:-

Yours to hand with enclosures. I received the same letter identically. I think you wrote a very diplomatic letter and covered the ground. I am afraid I cannot do as well as you. In the first place the Board instructed the Superintendent and Executive Committee not to make these bills. They were instructed not to hire an engineer. They were never authorized to spend thrityfive hundred dollars or any other amount on the residence now being used by the Superintendent. If he finds himself embarrassed he has no one to blame but himself and the Executive Committee. In fact, the Board is the one to feel embarressed and that is embarressed.

The Governor was here yesterday and through his kindly influence we were enabled to settle our street car strike. I saw him twice and intended to talk things over with him in regard to the school but he was so busy with the strike matters that I did not have the opportunity. He remained in session with the officers of the Company and the citizens committee all day until ten o'clock in the evening, without stopping for supper, when the matter reached the final settlement. I was busy myself after that time and only had time to say goodby and thank him for his splendid work in settling the strike for us when he left the city this morning at nine o'clock for McDowell County where he makes a speech on good roads today. I feel prouder of him every day he remains in the Governor's chair. He only has one guiding star and the name of that is RIGHT. When he sees it he never falters and there is no power or thing that can turn him away. He is not afraid of anything nor anybody and dares to do right.

I will answer our Superintendent's letter as soon as I can get myself into a frame of mind where I think I can do so without talking ugly and I will send you a copy.

I am surprised that you still hold that the copy of the by laws is correct, but as you are the author I am quite sure that I am in error and not you. I am not inclined to think that Section 1 applies to the election of the Superintendent, but only to the election of officers named therein. Later on when the matter of Superintendent comes up the word "appointment" is used, but at any rate the present incumbent expires by limitation the last week in November.

Sincerely yours,

McB

Enclosed in: 1913, May 9. McBrayer to Craig.