The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-05-17
ANSWERING THE
BOND OPPONENTS

We print elsewhere a communica-
tion from 7. M. Martin, of Gala
way, which displays an attitude
which is, in our opinion, just a
trif1e unreasonable. This would he
very poor excuse for a newspaper if
we failed to explain statements we
allowed to be made in our columns
which we think are incorrect or mis-
leading. Comment on communica-
tion is not "criticising" it, but a per-
fectly justifiable effort to put the
reader right. So tar from not Civ
ing the opponents OF the bonds fair
play, we have been repeatedly COIN
plimented by that side tor the liDerAl
space we have given to the presenla-
tion of their views. All newspapers
would not do as much; certainly very
few editors would give space to ID
communication like MI. Martin 6,
which shows an antagonistic person
al spirit wholly unwarranted by the
circumstances.
Mr.. Martin seems to think the eui-
tor is the prime mover in the bond
matter, but he gives us too much
credit. The measure is the work OF
the biggest and brainiest men Of ev-
cry portion Of the county-the men
who do things, and who foot the bills
Tor public improvements. They are
the most successful men in the county
and they represent all avocations OF
life. They look to us like safe men
to follow, and we are proud TO be
in their company. What is good FOL
them is certainly good for us and fol
Mr.. Martin. We do not think they
would impose heavy burden on US
and on Mr.. Martin when to do SC
they would of necessity have to place
ten times heavier burden on them.
selves. They are too intelligent, zoe
good business men for that.
Mr.. Martin offers no arguments
against the bond issue. Practically
his whole article is devoted to criti.
cism of the condition of the streets
of Lakeland. OF course, Mr.. Martin
knows nothing about Lakeland's mu.
nicipal matters. That is the reason
why he compares her bond issue and
street maintenance to the county
bond issue and road maintenance
They are entirely different PROPOSE
tions. The county levies a certain
millage for roads. If the bonds are
issued it will continue that millage
and the amount in excess of what Il
required for interest and sinking
fund will go to keep up the roads ant
to build more roads. Lakeland has
never before or since the bond issue
levied any millage for streets. A
small sum has been set aside in the
budget each year for repairs, anc
this has been expended since the
bond issue just as it was before, ex'
cept that nothing has had to be ex.
pended on the streets secured by the
bonds il the city had not bonded
All the streets of Lakeland would be
like those Mr.. Martin complains of
and he would not have several miles
of splendid streets to drive ovel
when he comes to town. If the bono
issue carries, the streets leading late
town will at once be taken care o.
under an arrangement whereby III,
city will reimburse the county Will
its proportion of the road tax. If thu
bond issue fails, the bad streets vii
have to stand, like the bad roads
until some other plan can be WORKED
out.
Hundreds of miles of nine-foo
roads have been built in Florida II
the past few years, and they are sat
isfactory-particularly with a ella!
shoulder, such as the bond issue con
templates. Where travel is no
heavy, a nine-foot road will answei
every purpose, the clay shoulder
providing for the passing of vehicles
and, being used for this purpose only
the clay will last indefinitely.
We trust we have answered MT
Martins Communication without
"criticising.