The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1919-05-26
A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION
"a. P. Jordan. Punta Gorda)


This legislature seems on the eve
on enacting financial legislation which
is sure to cause a very serious con-
dition in Florida.
Mr.. w. Al. McWilliams, who has
ably represented St. Johns county in
the Senate for twelve or fourteen
years, gives out the following state
ment through the Tallahassee CORES
pondent of the Times Union:
1fThe appropriations made by this
legislature in all probability will ag-
gregate $5,000,000 or very near that
amount. Our assessment roll is $780,
100000. Taxes will be paid on about
1920, 100000, thus allowing about 10
per cent for delinquents. 1t there
fore, can readily be seen that our
state millage will amount to in the
neighborhood of fifteen mills. 1t is
eight and a half mills now. And
am not taking into account the two
mills for compulsory dipping and
other proposed additional assess
ments for various purposes. [ have
endeavored to point out this to the
Senate time and time again, but ap-
parently without avail. If this leg
islature is not careful, our taxes will
be doubled next year"
The people of the peninsular por-
tion of the state. which comprises
| two-thirds or more of the entire state,
during the past few years. have voted
upon themselves an immense bonded
/ Indebtedness, which has made taxes
higher than they have ever been be-
fore. One result of this is seen In
the great increase in the amount of
property advertised for sale for nom
payment of taxes. Every county in
South Florida now presents through
the newspapers the biggest delin-
quentent tax list that it has ever had.
This is proof that the tax burden
| has reached the limit of the peoples
ability to bear and the proposed in
crease by legislative enactment, if put
into effect, cannot but cause wide
spread disaster.
Not only have the people of the
various counties and districts taken
upon themselves an immense bonded
debt for public improvements, but
thousands of individuals, merchants,
fruit and vegetable growers and
others, are operating on borrowed
money on which they are paying 8
to 10 per cent interest. Now, add
$4,000, 900, or even half that amount to
their burden, and what can follow but
/ disaster?
Here in this little town of Punta
orda, the total state, county, district
and municipal tax is now over per
cent. on the valuation of the property
taxed. The propositions of the legis-
lature would bring this rate up to G
per cent. or over. The prospect is
simply disheartening to contemplate
! 1t is safe to say that every mem
Der of the legislature, both Senate
and House, was elected on a platform
of economy, on either an expressed OF
an implied pledge to work for a re-
duction of taxes. The governor, in
his campaign for election, openly
promised to exert himself to the
same end.
i The people elected these men in the
belief that they were not only honest
but had the brains and ability tc
solve the problems that were sure tc
come before tbem. If they have not
the ability, if the problems are toe
deep for them, they ought to have the
Ecandor, honesty and patriotism to say
so-to adopt resolution setting
forth the fact that they are unequa
to the task and calling for a specia
election to choose men of competence
to take their places, and then resign
adjourn and go home. 1t is evidenf
they are not keeping their pledges o.
economy which they made to the peo