The Dermott news., 1915-04-01
The Bond Amendment Decision

state were awakened thoroughly to the advantages and desirability or substantial improvements like water works. sewer systems, street paving and the like, because other cities that are forging ahead have them. Now that they have investigated the matter. 1 looked into both sides of the question. i the cost and the acruing benefits, they are convinced that the improvements ! should be made as a matter of busf- | ness investment for their respective i communities They will now go ahead and secure the Improvements no mat fer whether they are allowed to issue municipal bonds or not The big thing was an understanding of the needs of tho improvements. That realized, the method will be incidental and the means forthcoming
 This explains why cities like Darda- nelle. Harrison. Pocahontas. Lake Vi- lage and others. upset at first by the blow to Amendment No II, have re- formed their plants and with genuine vigor are now coming back with de termination to secure for themselves modern municipal convenienees. They decline to be sewed up by little con stitutional prohibition on bonds.
 Harrison. in Boone County. is typi- cal of the fine spirit that the progress sive towns are showing This city had arranged for an issue of municipal bonds. so certain were her people that the l5.0oo majority of those voting on the question at the last election. had sealed the approval of the issue for municipal bonds With the amend ment killed. Harrison about faces and comes right back with an improve ment district plan to provide the city with needed sl00.000 system of wa terworks.
 Lake Village has set it's face stead fly to the front on the proposition of paving and sewer Improvements. and has chosen committees of business mon to provide an Improvement dis trict in place of tho anticipated muni- cipal bond plan. Dardauelle is going ahead on the same plan. and Poca- hontas will secure her waterworks sys- tenn If she has to appeal to the busi- ness men in a donation waY Heber Springs will work cut her improve ments under the district plan
 Other towns. such as Fayetteville Malvern, Bonneville. Leslie. Benton and Black Rock, which had planned municipal Improvements have not had time to make definite arranEemcnts. but IL k believed all Of them will 70 ahead under the improvement district plan Only a few minor projects, such as municipal buildings. will be hald up ultimately by the defeat of tho municipal bond issue
 An important fact also Is the halt of the past two years fin a building way. many communities havlur waited 10 see what would be the outcome of the municipal bond issue before going ahead with Improvements These ci- ties arc now at that point where they can delay no longer and the improve ments must be made to meet increas- ing needs. For two years they have been educated by q campaign showing the value of Improvements to the community by way of attracting desir. able investors and giving their own people the advantages Of modern uv- ing Now the state will begin 10 reap the harvest of this splendid sowing Tho friends Of Amendment No IA. if they receive no other eommendation from the state at large, are to be con- graduated for leading the hundreds of municipalities of the state into the light of improved city conditions
 Incidentally should 1t be desired to again revive the municipal bond issue through an amendment to tho state constitution. this can be done at the election in 19lS. But il Is highly prob able that, in the meantime the stead fly growing demand for new consti- tuition, as shown by the almost unani- nous House vote on tho Yarger Bill in the last legislature will force the adoption of q more workable state con stitutiou. adapted to the growing needs of the state and with more discrimL
 
 tleges of communities organic law Interpreted fin the light of tho changed economic and social condt tions of the past twenty years
 Another and final consideration of the highest importance. to take tho place in n way of the loss sustained under the defeat of the bond amend mont, ts the prospective work under the new general road law of the state. the Alexander Bill. which has already prompted activities fin the formation of no less than 300 miles of pike roads in dozen different counties, and which, within the next two years. will probably develop millions of dollars in high grade construction work and add infinitely to the values of tho property of the state
 The bond amendment, though inef-