The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1920-10-15
ine Bond Issue Discussed From a Bus
ness and Practical Standpoint and
as Matter Of State De-
velopment


son and Al Harris. who are making
hurried campaign Of the state in an
effort TO popularize the proposed con-
stitutional amendment providing for
bond issue for the building of good
roads.
Mr.. Miller is chairman of the Good
Roads Association and a member OF
the Florida legislature from Duval
county; Mr.. Richardson is manager of
the Bonding Campaign Committee and
was for six years secretary of the
Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce
and Is now a member of the Southern
settlement Association; Mr.. AL Har-
ris is an editorial writer on the Jack
sonville Metropolis under its new
management.
Colonel Robert f. Rogers, postmast-
er OF Ocala, always eloquent of tongue.
presided at the meeting in the court
house, Friday night and made what
seemed 10 us a most parctical and
convincing argument in favor of the
bond issue on a line with the very ex-
cellent letter he had printed in the
last weeks issue of this paper
The meeting was not advertised TO
any great extent yet a fair sized audi.
once was I'm attendance and among
the number were some ladies who are
taking an increasing interest in cur
rent issues as they are to pass on
them.
The Ocala Star, though opposed 20
the bond issue. was fair and tolerant
enough 20 print the following report
Of the meeting which is substantially
correct and we take pleasure in repro
ducing IL In our columns.
Short talks were made by Col r. F.
Rogers and Frank Harris, editor Of
the Banner. urging the importance of
voting for the amendment and for the
highway system.
Mr.. Miller and Mr.. Richardson
pointed out that the big thing involv-
ed IN the bonding proposition is the
matter OF FlOrida's getting her pro
rata share Of the federal good roads
monies. The state to get the federal
funds must meet them with funds.
These state funds must be derived.
the speakers pointed out. by dierct
taxation or by bonding. and the advo-
Gates Of the bonding method believes
that Il is the best for the interests OF
the taxpayers and the state. Mr.. Mil
ler and AR. Richardson, az representa-
tives Of the convention which met in
Sc Augustine in July, are advocating
that the bonds be taken care Of by an
increase IN automobile licenses, a plan
that is being used in other states and
ls mut new. The speakers stated. how
ever. that while they would urge the
legislature. an the event that the
enc aent Is voted. 10 use the auto
license method for obtaining interest
aud s.nking funds. they held open
minds on this. and would favor any
Better method proposed. They offered
nrures which they believe proves the
auto licunse plan to DO the best.
Mr Miller and ar. Richardson re-
plled 60 some of the objections most
nlressad ~ opponents of the bond
plan They pointed ont that a certain
section of the press q the state has
been fighting the facts In the case.
nne az the main objections made Is
that the amendment to the e0nstitu-
fien would give the Legislature too
much power. and enable that body TO
pef an intolerable burden upon the
state. Mr. Miller and Mr.. Richardson
stated that the legislature az present
has the power 20 place any amount OF
alrect taxes on the people and that
there 4 no comeback through the su-
ureme court They resented the slurs
ana personalities resorted to by the
onpanents of the bond issue. and said
that where the people are learning
tha facts IN The case they are favor
lna the issue.
rhe speakers gave most Of their
ums 20 3 business-like outline OF their
case. They pointed 20 the national
and state highway systems as pro-
aorsd. 10 the vast appropriations made
~ Congress for building permanent
se.as. and referred 70 the Townsend
hia nov before Congress which pro-
xlaes for an appropriation OF si2o.0oo.-