The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-10-09
THE BOND AMENDMENT.

Several of the state papers opposed
to the amendment authorizing a $780,
0oe, 900 bond issue for Florida have
tried to create a bugaboo by declaring
that this amount is out of all reason.
They are also opposed to placing a
debt against the good name of Florida.
While the anti faction waves It's red
flag of danger the state of Missouri,
with nothing like the same reasons for
desiring good roads, is after not a
twenty million dollar bond issue but
one for sixty millions of dollars, and
the Missouri Federation of Women S
Clubs has given its endorsement to
the issue.
Escambia county women, by their
endorsement and active participation
in the bond election for 100000, reg
istered strongly in favor of permanent
roads for Flroida. These women, nine
ty per cent Of whom, ii is. estimated,
voted for good roads, were far sight
ed enough to see that bad roads are a
liability, and that permanent roads for
| Eseambia county mean in the end a
direct saving to the people.
What is true of county roads is true
Of the entire state highway system. We
shall never have good roads in Florida
until we are willing to pay. for them.
The federal government has shown a
disposition to aid in >road construc-
ton in any state where the people
are publicAspirited enough to do their
part towards their own state develop-
ment. The federal government re-
quires that every dollar put into the
funds of the state highway department
must be matched by dollar raised by
the state. BY act of congress-, ap-
proved July IL, 1916, the United States
government was empowered to aid the
different states in the construction of
ruraF post roads, and for other pur-
poses. One of the provisions of this
act is that when any amount of gov
eminent money is appropriated to IA
state that state shall appropriate an
equal amount of money for the pur-
pose of building roads and bridges in
the state. Since the passage of this
Act of Congress, the amount of money
apportioned to Florida is $3.150,258.97.
In orders TO accept the terms of the
Act of Congress, and to provide an
amount of money equal to the amount
furnished by the government, in 1919
law was PASSED by the stae legisla-
ture providing that a levy of two mills
be made to provide money to meet the
government aid, and in addition the
value of the labor of state convicts. On
account of this additional amount of
money to be handled by the State
fIosfa department., an additional bond
of $4,000 for the state highway engi-
neer was provided for the faithful
performance OF his duties. The amount
of federal aid available for the coming
year is s1,147, 44792.
The last named amount is the last
of the government fund available I'M
der the present national legislation,
but there is bill pending now, and
which will be taken up when congress
convenes in December, whereby s425.
100000 will be appropriated for feder-
al aid for state road building. This
amount is about double to that which
was provided on the last occasion.
With the bonding amendment carried
in November and the interest, sinking
fund and maintenance provided from
the income from motor driven vehi-
Giles as recommended by this commit
tee, there will be no necessity for the
two mill tax to be continued to pro-
vide funds TO meet the fedora. aid.
This gives two excellent reas 1ns for
voting for the anendment-fo- it is
votes that will carry the issue. If we
do not raise a fund in some legitimate
way. we shall fail to secure our right
full share of federal aid. If we vete
for the amendment, we shall not only
secure the money to match the federal
aid, but we shall reduce instead of in
creastng the state rax,. by removing
the two mill tax.
In addition to these two reasons for
voting for the amendment, we have
the tax falling upon the people who
should justly bear it, and who, in
stead of finding this burden by pay
ing 1t, and insuring permanent roads,
reduce their own expenditure. ANY