The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1911-10-26
HOW TO OBTAIN
GOOD HIGHWAYS
Bond Issue Plan For Counties
a Remedy For Present Evils.
QUICKER AND BETTER ROADS,

Direct Tax Method Might DO For the
Time Being, but the Issuing es
Bonds Will Insure Good Thorough.
fares For Generations to Come.
Many Southern Counties Using Plan.
A study of the problems connected
with the development of our nation
has shown that we take first rank in
civil government, manufactures. com.
merce and in the worlds affairs gen.
orally. yet improved public road con-
struction. the one phase of our Ameri-
can life upon which depend more
than any other the certain prosperity
and social comfort of q large majority
of our citizens. has been neglected to
a degree that is almost beyond the
power of conception, says DR.. J. Il.
Pratt. state geologist of North Caro-
lima.
The old method Of obtaining revenue
for the construction of roads was BIZ
levying u labor tax. which required
/ all ablebodied male residents OF q
state between certain ages to work on
the public highways within their re-
spective townships for u certain mum.
her of days per annum. but in lieu Of
this labor they could pay certain
amount for each day that they were
required to work. While thousands
of miles Of public roads have been
| built by this means. there are but
few miles of graded or improved roads
constructed. and ii is practically i'm.
possible to construct system Of good
roads III this way. Ii 1t does noi give
good improved roads how can they be
obtained:
Public roads are public necessities.
and the benefits to be derived from
their construction in the various coun
ties composing the state are not only
Of great value to each county. but also
to the state. Public roads are ready to
serve all classes. they are common
property of all the people. and all the
people have the right and privilege
to use them. Therefore why should
not all the people bear some OF the
expense!
To carry ont this work to the quick
est and to the best advantage the
county should issue bonds in order tn
secure the necessary funds
II iSa fair and equitable arrangement
that future generations should pay foi
portion of The improvements of OH
public roads. as they derive as great
benefit as the present generation Too
many have an i lea that to bond thci,
county will mean y very large increase
In their taxes without their deriving
any material benefits from their OK
penditures. not realizing that the in
crease in the value of property and 'h
decrease in the cost OF the maintenance.
Of the roads and th" wear aud tea:
on horses. wagons and harness is s.
much naaey saved
The issuing of bonds makes avail
able funds in sufficient quantity I"
render possible the accomplishment u:
definite and desirable results
They give almost Immediately the
benefit Of good roads. while the pay
ment for them is deferred for many
years until the county has progressed
IN material wealth to enable 1t to pay
the bonds without unnecessary incnn
veniencp
They obviate the necessity for high
road tax while accomplishing the re-
suits for which such tax would be-
levied
Let us consider briefly what II $1ON
600 bond issue would cost q county:
In the first place. | believe the bonds
could be sold as bearing ~ per cent in
terest. This will mean that the interest
on the issue of 100000 will be $45O0 per
annum II will also be necessary to put
by sinking fund to take care OF these
bonds on maturity Such a sum as Is nee
cssary can be put by each year at per
cent interest and at the end Of forty years
will cover the bond issue The amount
that 1t will be necessary to put aside each
year for this purpose will be $933 This
makes a total of s. .433 that a county win
have to raise each year to take care Of
this bond issue. This amount will not be
as much as 1t would be necessary to raise
by high tax. IS cents to 50 cents. which
some counties have levied in providing
the money for road construction Sup
pose the assessed property valuation IL
100000. a tax Of only 20 cents on the
800 would yield $4,000 annually which
would be sufficient to pay the interest on
the bonds. create a sinking fund and
leave enough money. $10.500 for the main
tenance OF the improved road and to keep
in repair the roads in the county that are
not being permanently improved
This twenty cent tax is small tax
for good roads work and II this tax
was levied without bond issue it would
usually all be spent In maintenance
of the roads without permanently i'm
proving any of them.
If a county or a township decides to
try and raise the necessary revenue
for good roads construction by direct
tax on the 500 worth Of property It
would require an exceedingly high tar
to accomplish the desired result. unless
there was situated in the county .
large city whose accumulated wealth
could be taxed for good road work in
the county. Counties situated in this
way could probably raise a revenue
sufficient to construct improved roads
throughout the county with a tax not
running over so cents on the 500
worth OF property The counties. how