Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1919-05-20
SHOW DOWN ON
STATE HIGHWAY
DISPUTE COMING

COLUMBUS, May 2G.-When the leg
lslative committee or Une Georgia
Highways association recommended 10
me association that the report of the
.'aJority of the highway committee
u the Georgia :. ,sembly be endorsed
~ the Georgia Highways Associa-
ny, the committee accepted the che A.
.ngt of Judge T. E. Patterson in me
Macon papers, April ITO tear to
hreds" any highway program til at did
not coincide viii his individua'a views.
What the Georgr. Highways associ-
alton will do with TIE report of its
committee will I0e decided at the
statewide meeting of the association
10 be held in Atlanta May 20 and 80.
The associ2tion of county commits
sioners of Georgia will be in session
during May 2S, 20 and 30 also in At
ianta. There will likely be a lively
tight IN that organization over the
same Question as we'll as in the Geor-
gia Highways association meeting,
The reason for the fight is because
certain gentlemen, including Judge
z. E. Patterson, chairman of the Pris-
N Boarf, and the highway depart
ment are supporting what purpQr~-
% be the report of the minority of re
highway committee of the Georgia as
sembly.
The two reports are vastly differ
ent in principle.
The report of the majority, S. M.
Turner, chairman, G r. Arnold, Julian
"a Smith, and c. NJ Strahan, secre-
larry, is in the form of five bills. The
first provides for motor fees and their
use by the the highway department.
The second reorganizing the highway
department to conform to federal re-
luirements, creating a state system of
highways connecting county seats and
providing for their construction. The
third is an amendment to the conSti
tuition authorizing tax levy for high
ways. The fourth is an amendment to
the constitution which authorizes state
highway bonds. The fifth provides for
nond issues for highway construction
The report of the minority of the
ommittee-Senator Andrews-pro-
Eides that all highway legislation
hall be dependent on and included in
an amendment to the constitution. 1t
also provides for the appointment of
welve highway commissioners,
highway engineer to be elected by the
people with salary, and other fees all
letails fixed in the constitution.
The report of the majority provides
or the appointment of three highway
commissioners, who shall employ
highway engineer and all the organi-
ations of the highway department, the
creation of the state highway system
nd provisions for starting work are
not dependent on the possible adop-
lion of an amendment to the consti-
ution two years hence, and infleXi-
Die they cannot be changed without
waiting two years more for a consti-
utional amendment providing for
same.
All the pros and cons will doubtless
De brought to light during the two
meetings in Atlanta. If there is a rat
II the wood pile it will be smoked out
One thing is sure, the Georgia High
ways association proposes the light
hall be turned onto the highway leg
Station proposed for Georgia with the
objects in view that nothing be hidden
hat the people of Georgia shall know
what they are getting and that in the
shortest time and in the most eff
cient manner Georgia shall have state
ystem of permanent highways.