Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-05-23
A Florida Example
In Road Planning.

The people of Polk county, Florida, are contem-
plating bond issue of one and a half million dol
lars for the construction of two hundred and sew
enteen miles of good roads that will serve every
section Of the community and connect at six diff
ferent points with the highway systems of neigh
boring counties. The project is interesting not
only for its broad scope but also as example of
efficient planning
Its promoters have secured bids and awarded
contracts for the work be done, with the under
standing that If the bonds voted the contracts
thereupon will become effective; otherwise they
will be void. The people thus know precisely
what TO count on in the way of cost and results.
They know how every dollar of the proposed bond
issue will spent, and the quality and location of
every mile of road be built. Having this definite
and comprehensive knowledge of the proposition,
they may be expected to indorse it. This fea-
ture of the Polk county plan is noteworthy because
many admirable enterprises of the kind have failed
simply for the they not made sufficient
IL clear TO the public. Progress and achievement
are very largely matter Of informing and educat-
ing the popular mind.
Another interesting feature of the Polk county
plan is its proposed method Of paying on the bonds
The entire issue it is expected be retired with
out any increase whatsoever in the tax rate. The
secretary of the County Good Roads Association
states in this connection:
The bonds are for twenty-five years at
five per cent, in serial issue. Fffty-thousand
dollars of the first series, with accrued interest
thereon, is TO be repaid the sixth year from
date. In the meantime, during this fve-year
period. the interest is TO be paid seminar
nuaIy. From the sixth year, and for the
next four years, like amount of $50, 900 is to
be repaid At the end of this second five years.
$4,000 per annum is to be repaid during
ten-year period and, following that $780,
mn auuuun for five wears This Won
will note retires the entire issue in twenty
five years from date. and is arranged as
TO enable the county to meet the increasing
payments with decreasing interest), and as
the county tax valuation has increased ITO
per cent during the past hve years, at the
rate Of % per cent per annum, that it will
readily be seen that the financial ability of
the county is unquestioned in the matter of
meeting the payments from time to time"
II the countys tax valuations increased annually at
the rate of twenty-five per cent without adequate
roads they will grow still rapidly with the
stimulus which an excellent system of highways
will give to agricultural and industrial and COM
mercial interests Thus the one and half mil
lion dollars worth OF improvements will pay for
themselves
The surest means OF enhancing a county's
wealth is to develop its by wellbuit and
weIl-kept roads Good roads increase the value of
farm land in every district they traverse More
than that they increase the prosperity the farm
ers themselves by broadening the facilities and
lessening the cost of marketing crops. Good roads
are town-builders fostering every field OF industry
and trade. and drawing the people together in SEN
timent and activity for the common good. They
also sustain and encourage public schools and pro-
mote the community's social no less than its
economic welfare.
Every dollar voted for good roads, if it is spent
under efficient supervision, is investment, not
an expense. 1t means economy and service and
progress There is nothing more costly to the pub
lie than poor roads. and nothing more profitable
than good roads.