Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-09-24
A CHALLENGE FROM TEXAS
TO GEORGIA ROAD BUILDERS

During the past five years Georgia has led the
South in the development Of public highways but
today her record is sharply challenged by the Won
derful achievements of Texas. The Lone Star State
is setting pace which any commonwealth in the
Union viii do well to keep. Scarcely month passes
that one or more Of its counties does not vote lib
eraI bond issue for roadway Improvement or extern
sion Its area, which is more than four times that
of Georgia, makes this field Of endeavor especially
great and taxing but it ardently forth to link
every corner Of it's vast territory with welbu ana
welkept roads
During the year 1912 Texas will spend, or Will
have available, for highway development fund OF
ten million, six hundred and fifty thousand dollars
OF this amount four millions is derived from the
regular road and bridge levied by the individual
counties. Seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars
comes from what in Georgia, would be termed poll
tax But by far the most interesting and representa-
tive portion of the fund is the six million dollars
raised through special bond issues in the counties
and districts.
1t is this latter item that indicates the keen pop
ular interest which is bestirring Texas in the
cause of good roads In 1911 fortynne counties scat
tered throughout the State Endorsed bond issues of
this character, ranging in amount from fifteen hun
dred to a million and a half dollars.
Only within the past month three counties have
voted bonds for road work to the amount of three
hundred thousand dollars and within the next few
weeks three other counties are to hold similar cleo
tions which, if they are carried will add six hundred
thousand dollars to the aggregate fund.
So hearty and widespread a response the part
of taxpayers shows how alert the people as
whole to the need and the value of good roads, They
realize that money thus spent is an investment
which will yield golden and enduring returns to the
individual as well as the common interests. The
farmer realizes that it will increase the profit on his
hsrvests advance the value of his land and won
drousy enrich the life of his district The merchant
knows that it win stimulate trade, the cities that it
will extend their influence and develop their out
lying resources and so the people of Texas are will
ingly contributing millions of dollars to the good
roads
In addition to these bond issues each county lev
les an ad valorem tax for road construction and
maintenance "The Commissioners court" says the
Good Roads Year Book, may levy not to exceed ff
teen cents on the one hundred dollars at their
discretion; and by majority vote at a special cleo
ton, the court may be authorized to levy not to
coed an additional fifteen cents, or a total of thirty
cents" Thus the counties doing their utmost
and doing It eagerly, to build and maintain and
to unity a statewide system of highways.
The task of Texas is heavier and more difficult
than Georgias not only because Of the formers
larger but also because it lacks Georgias plan
Of convict labor. Texas Of its state con-
victs public road work, whereas Georgia is now
employing FIVE thousand men to that purpose
and is thus saving imense amount of money.
The reports of the United States Office of Public
Roads show that at the close of 1909, Georgia had
eighty-two thousand. two hundred and thirty miles
of roads, while Texas, at the same time, had only
fourteen thousand, four hundred and six miles 1t
is evendent, therefore, that of this State can
establish thoroughgoing system Of highways far
more easily and cheapy than Texas
neighbors But we shall do we'll to take note of the
vim and determination with which they have to
work and follow the example Of their progressive
counties in the matter Of bond issues for this inn
portant cause.