The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-05-10

will be the greatest issue of its kind
ever voted in the South. This bond
issue means more for the develop
ment of South Florida than any 9TH
er bond issue contemplated. | say
South Florida, for every county sur
rounding Polk county fels that her
dilatoriness in road construction is
re:arding the growth of the entire
section. The progressive people OF
Polk county know it and they are
working to remedy that condition
Every one of us here today is inter-
ested in this movement. We should
support it in every way we can and
use our efforts to have the bond is
sue carried by a large majority, and
not just have enough votes to make
it valid.
We can hardly imagine what ST.
! 100000 will do in road construction
for this community; 225 miles of
paved roads connecting practically
every city and town in the county;
the best of communication; better
service; greater value for produc-
tions; better educational facilities,
with greater benefits; those are some
of the important direct results of
better road conditions.
With the passage of Polk county's
bond issue, it will mean that during
thepast two years and a half more
than $10,O00,0OO has been voted for
the building of hard roads n the
country districts of Florida. This
means an average expenditure of
$12. so for every man, woman and
child in the State; certainly it is
worth that much to every one. 1t is
the most decided step toward devel-
opment that the State of Florida
could make. 1t will bring more tour
lists than any other one improvement
and will make life more pleasant for
all.
By the end of the present year
there will be 5000 miles of hard
surfaced roads for continuous tour
| ing that will attract the tourist
This does not mean 5000 miles of
individual roads, for some of the
rohds overlap othersI and neither
does 1t mean that the 5000 miles in
all of the hard surfaced touring roads
that we will have. 1t will make 1t
possible for our visitors to cover
practically the entire State, to see
the various sections and what those
sections produce. In advertising
alone, the money expended is value
received. On one 6O0-mile route in
the New England States $4,000, 600
was spent by tourists in hotel ac-
commodations and automobile Access
series, in one season. A 3,OO0-mile
loop would have brought the expen-
ditures up to $50,00O,0O0. If Florida
can secure one-tenth. look what
value it will be to the State.
The Central Florida Highway AS
sociation is now endeavoring to Sc
cure enough support from the hotels
and garages in the State to issue a
, four-color touring map of the State
of Florida. If our plans materiaiize,
there will be put into the hands of
the touring class of automobile own
ers, who tour during the winter
months.
The folder will show the distinct
! trips that may be taken in the State.
and log will be provided for each
of these tours.
1t will be the first authentic, de-
scriptive touring folder ever gotten
out for the State, and it is patterned
after the folder that brought the
tourists to the New England States,
who spent 100000 in one season.
The sole object of the Association
is good roads that are connecting
roads, for the people,an they ask
the support Of every individual in
this land of sunshine.