The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-02-01
STATE ROAD
DEPART ME- Mt.
GIVES REPORT
Urges More Authority for
Carrying on Work and
Usi.'g Federal Help.
WOULD AMEND
| CONSTITUTION
Would Collect Single Tax
| and Prohibit Destructive
Traffic Over Roads.
SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL.

1piieAHdoSScs Jan. O1.-ASCOlIlIuSu-
dations for legislation broadening the
authority of the state road depart
ment, so as to conform to the re-
quirements of the federal aid road
act, and also to provide funds to meet
the amount appropriated to Florida
by the provisions of that act, are
included in the recommendations sub
mitted to the Governor of Florida by
Hon. Ed. Scott, chairman of the state
road department, accompanying the
first annual report of the department
for the fiscal year ending September
30, 1916, which is now in the hands
of the state printer.
The following is a brief Of the let
ter delivered TO Governor Sidney ].
Cats, containing the department S
recommendations for proposed legis-
lation:
First that section 4, of the act
creating the road department be re-
vised to give it more authority to
construct and maintain roads and
bridges. 1t also requests that the
provision calling for quarterly reports
from the various county commission
ers be stricken from the act.
1t. is urged that the road depart
ment be given the authority to desig@
nate certain roads state highways to
be maintained by funds derived, either
solely from the state or from the
state and federal government. 1t is
requested that the department be
given authority to accept the appro-
priation under the federal aid act.
Detailed reports by county officers
of all moneys RENTED to the state
board showing the sources of reve-
nue., and sending a copy of the re
port to the department and another
on file with the official making the
report.
Second.
That there be enacted a law Gre
ating a state convict road force con-
sisting of all able bodied state con-
victs, not required for the operation
of the state prison farm, and all Jail
prisoners not actually worked on the
roads in the counties where convict
ed; and that the said state convict
road force be used in the improve
ment of state highways and state aid
! roads under the supervision and con-
| troll of the state road department.
Also, that there be appropriated the
4 sum of $4,000 for the year 1917
i and the sum of $4,000 for the year
1918 for the maintenance of the said
state convict road force.
The report asks that the existing
motor vehicle license laws be repeal
ed and another enacted not allowing
municipalities and counties to levy
taxes on vehicles, but that all funds
be paid to the state, creating a single
fund, out of which, shall be paid the
| general maintenance of the state
roads. After the necessary sums fol-
this work are spent, the remainder
shall be apportioned to the various
counties, according to the amount
paid into the fund by the taxes from
that county.
Fourth.
That there be adopted joint reso-
luton submitting to the qualified
electors of the state a proposition
to amend the constitution of the state
of Florida, providing that the state
legislature, during any session there
of, be authorized to provide for the
issuance of state highway improve
ment bonds for such amounts as may
be required to carry forward the con.
struction Of system Of state road:
during the ensuing two years.
Fifth.
That there be enacted law pro.
hibiting the use of the public road.
for traffic of an unusual or destruc.
tive character and forbidding AM
load or portion of load on vehicles
using such public roads from drag
ging On the surface of the road.
Sixth.
That the existing laws with ref.
erence to county bond issues and dis
trict bond issues be so amended a:
to provide that before any election
for such county or district bonds i: