The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-04-05

commendable work. The law should
allow two or more counties to jointly
employ such demonstrator IL desired.
Agricultural Prizes for Boys and Girls.
ANY policy which tends to encour-
age and increase agricultural activ-
tiles is of unquestionable value TO our
state. Florida has an unlimited
amount of rich and productive Lard
and 1t has unlimited possibilities for
agricultural expansion. Every rea-
sonable effort should be made to pro-
mote our farming interests. The am
bilious boys and girls OF the state
win readily respond TO the encourage
ment which might be offered to them
by contests in growing the crops to
which the soil of their respective sec
tions are adapted.
II suggest the wisdom of legislation
being enacted which would authorize
the county commissioners of the var
ious counties to offer prizes for such
contests. In some few communities in
the state, contests of the kind have
been inaugurated with splendid re-
suits
Public Road Commission.
Within the past decade the public
has become more or less alive TO the
necessity of and the advantages deriv-
ed from good roads This good road
| sentiment has become quite general
In Florida. A large number of the
counties of the state are either by di-
rect taxation or by funds raised from
bonds, engaged extensively in road
construction and Improvement With
the expenditure of the large sums of
money which is now being applied and
mil tn PrHfr ha -,
larger amounts for road building, 1t
viii be both wise and economical to
have the roads OF the counties laid
out with system; to have them made
Of proper materials and scientifically
constructed. There is no avenue for
greater waste of public funds than in
road building, when the work is car
ried on in a slip-shod fashion, with
out proper skill, comprehensive sys-
tenn and suitable material
'I believe that the county should be
the unit for the road building; but
while the first object should be to
serve the people of the county. which
defrays the expense, each county
should be neighborly and cooperate
with the adjoining counties in making
proper and suitable connections for
highways.
ITO advance the good road move
ment, to bring about greater efficien-
cy in road construction in the various
counties Of the state, to ascertain the
most advisable methods, the best ma
terials to be used, and in a general
way TO have the road building of the
counties placed upon the most econom-
ical and business like basis. believe
| IL advisable TO have created a State
Road Commission, to be composed of
three members, who shall be allowed
their expenses when engaged in the
public business, but who shall serve
without salary.
"The said commission should be
granted ample authority to conduct
all inquiries, to make all necessary in
Ivestigations, and take all necessary
action for the advancement of the pub
lie road improvements in the state
The Commission should be authorized
to employ a Highway Engineer, at a
salary not exceeding twenty-five hun
ldFed dollars per annum, who should be
required to investigate and report up
| on the methods OF road construction
fbest adapted to the varions sections OF
| the state, and define standards for the
Iconstruction and maintenance OF the
highways in the various counties of
/ the state, suggest routes for the state
highways, and perform such other dut-
les incident to and properly connect
ed with such position. He should al
| so cooperate and-advise with the
boards of county commissioners and
county engineer with reference to
county roads.
| "To defray the expenses of such
commission an annual appropriation
OF not exceeding six thousand dollars
should be made"