The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-07-30
REVENUE FOR eoOD ROADS
To he Drawn from the Hire Of State
COnvicts, is the Plan Of the COun-
ty COmmissiOners Association

ty COmmissioners Association
Gainesville. July s0.-The County
Commissioners and Good Roads As
sociation at it's Gainesville meeting
went on record as favoring the fol-
lowing legislation in this state:
First. That the money now received
by the state from the leasing OF con-
victs be turned over. as a present. to
the county commissioners Of each
county in proportion to the assessed
valuation. but that said money shall
be used for good roads only. At pres
ent some counties use a large proper
ton OF this fund for roads. while 9TH
ers spend it in other ways.
The Benefits Promised
This plan involves no new appro-
priation Of money by the state and no
change in the system Of handling con-
victs or the money received from the
lease Of said convicts. 1t enables coun-
ties desiring to bond and proceed to
the immediate construction of long
stretches OF hard roads to do so with
the assurance that they will have a
large annual income with which to
pay the interest and establish sink
ing fund to meet said bonds. 1t ena-
bles counties where bond issues are
unpopular to proceed with a fair
amount Of hard road construction each
year, all paid for, without any hard
ships so far as taxes are concerned
1t practically compels counties in
which no interest in roads has been
manifested to wake up and proceed to
connect up with other counties, as the
money turned over to them by the
state is not available for any other
purpose.
Well Represented
Some eighteen Of the most progress
sive counties In the state had repre-
|sentatives at the Gainesville meeting
and 1t was the unanimous opinion tina,
the most humane and satisfactory way
OF handling the cOnvicts is by the lease
system. when the same is as carefully
supervised and safeguarded as it is a,
present in this state. This opinion is
from the county commissioners them
selves. who are directly in touch with
the practical workings of affairs, and
who have themselves tried both the
lease system and the direct control
system. Such an opinion is entitled tc
respectful attention, particularly wher
indorsed by the governor of the state
who has made close, study Of these
matters.
On Statewide Basis
Second. That in order to secure har-
mOniOuS action and to have the work
Systematically planned on state
wide basis, the state board Of internal
improvement is to be authorized to
a iob Grade oncinoor nr
expert. whose duty will be to confe,
with, assist and advise the county
commissioners of the state in regard
to road matters. and that said board
of internal Improvement cooperate
with and act in an advisory way with
the county commissioners in disputes
as to the proper location OF main trunk
lines of roads, as to meeting point and
bridges on county lines, as to mater
ials to be used, proper width. grades
etc. will all be adjusted by the state
board and Its highway expert.
The state geologist, Dr. Sellards, has
an engineer in the field collecting data
as to the existing road materials fr
the various counties. and who will is
i sue a bulletin shortly on this subject
This bulletin will give in systematic
form the experience gained in the use
! of local materials under local condi-
tions and will be of much benefit tC
the road builders Of this state This in
formation will be ready before the
Legislature meets, and it simply re.
mains to get things started on svs.
tematic basis.
The Good Roads Association is yer,
much in earnest about this matter. anC
| invites the press Of the state and pub
lie spirited. progressive citizens gener
ally to help push this movement ant
get it before the legislature in prac
| tica1 form. Mr.. J. S Dauphin, O.
| Hague. Fla, is president, and Mr. c
| L. Bittinger, editor of the Ocala Star
is secretary Of the association.
| Director Rolls. Of the United State:
! Experimental Station. at Gainesville
| and Captain n. H. Cox. consulting en-
gineer with the State Geological Sur
vey. and with the state university. a
Gainesville, are the authorized travel
ing representatives OF the association
Mr.. J. w. White and Mr.. A. S. Manu. o
| Jacksonville, who are among the pio
are also pushing this matter of state
wise legislation. Any of these gentle
men. particularly the secretary an,
the travelling representative will b
help forward the work in any part o