The San Mateo item. (San Mateo City, Putnam County, Fla) 189?-19??, 1908-10-31

II
Not over 10 per cent on wood
work $4,000 81. e.. e.. o.. $3.50
Not over per cent on iron
work $4,000 e. o.. e.. .. .. SOC
Two men at $500 a year. e. 1000
Interest on bonds, $4,000, at
per cent e. e.. go e. =. =. 2,150
$3.50
Which is provided for, together with
sinking fund in estimates made, and
this interest could be used for other
purposes.
We find the expense would be not
far from $5,45O, which includes in
terest on cost Our figures, 10 per
cent. for keeping up wood work came
from Captain VIII Boyd, who knows
as much or more about wharf build
ing here as any man. He is willing
to contract under bond for damages
to keep up the wood work at 10 per
cent.
III. A. Ford, former superintendent
Of the old Florida Southern Railway,
has had some experience in iron
bridges. They need paint three times
in ten years and are practically indie.
structible. Two men. no doubt, could
be found in your section at $500 each
per year to handle the draw.
Now, the old ferry boat takes in,
In fares, over $1,000 per year, and
any one who stops and thinks at all
knows that the bridge will do at the
very least six times the business, or
$4,000 and people in Palatka, Hast
ings, Federal Point, East Palatka and
San Mateo, that we have asked, say
that It will do at least ~ times as
much. People In all these places use
the bridge good many times a year,
and the people who do use the ferry
now would use the bridge six times
as often, because they can go and
come when they please and not drive
one to Ave miles and find the ferry
broken down. There are not many
people In Palatka who own horse
or have money enough to hire one but
what would drive to Hastings, Fede-
raj Point or San Mateo Sunday af-
ternoons, for instance, and we needn't
mention the people on this side that
will be driving across to Palatka.
Our tourist friends haven't much else
to do but drive in winter, and with
the bridge and hard roads they will
get out and see the country. II this |
isn't what we all want, for heavens |
sake how else do you expect to get |
new settlers?
Some people object to the bond is.
sue, because they say 1t will increase
taxes.
Any school boy can figure out the |
amount needed-S11,00O per year, to
pay interest and provide the sinking
fund as per estimates made, for the
$4,000 issue
AS we are now assessed 2 1-2 mills
for hard roads, and as 1t requires but
a trifle over one mill more to make
the $1,000, we have no doubt but
what the commissioners can make Il
up as figured by taking one-half mill
from general fund Of 2 SIS; one-quar-
.er mill from general road mainte-
nance OF 1 IA; one-quarter mill from
general bridge maintenance of / 1-S.
gwen II we had to pay this mill in
extra taxes, who would object II we
get something to show for Il?
The commissioners have made their
inal payment on Rice Creek bridge,
md have this money now to use for
,ther purposes. They would also
AVE about $1,000 now being paid the
erry over and above it's revenue. One
thousand two hundred dollars at least
rom fines and forfeitures, some in.
rease in county valuations from year
o year and all In all we believe they
an carry the bond issue through with.