Kerr Scott played hardball over Charlotte road

David Henderson of Charlotte, son of a federal judge, was a member of the N.C. General Assembly when Gov. Kerr Scott, father of the late Gov. Bob Scott, was in office from 1949-1953. Henderson saw a column of mine mentioning the Scott family's willingness to tackle outrageous ideas, and he sent along an anecdote demonstrating that the Scotts liked to play hardball as well. Here's Henderson's note:

"Bob 's daddy, the Hon. Kerr Scott, was not above 'outrageous' ideas. When I was in the Assembly in '51, he sent a messenger to direct me to vote against the Powell Bill (which called for a diversion of Highway funds from Scott's rural roads program to city streets. Being from Charlotte, I sent him, a 'non-compliance' reply. He then sent word that if I did not comply, he would 'close down construction of Independence Blvd.' I didn't yield and he DID stop construction.

"Later, when my dad D.E. (Zeke) Henderson came off the federal bench, Scott wanted to appoint him a Superior Court judge. Dad declined, and Scott sent a telegram which I remember distinctly. 'I never can get a Henderson to do what I want when I want it. (signed) Kerr.'"