The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-01-23
ROAD BOOSTERS
TOTALLAHASSEE
Claims of West Florida COun-
ties to Be Presented to State
Road Commissioners

'If' Pensacola and Escambia county
are to get the full benefits OF paying
both federal and state road taxes
they will pay into the state and nation
al treasury during the next five years,
the people of this section must get be-
hind the movement of good roads
building in this county" said c. H.
Simpson. in speaking to the good roads
boosters yesterday afternoon at the
city hall. Mr.. Simpson was elected
chairman and Fred Marsh secretary
of the meeting yesterday.
1t was the purpose of the meeting
to elect delegates to go before State
Highway Commissioners, who meet
in Tallahassee Jan. IS. and present
the claims of this section of the state
for more and better roads. The dele
gates were requested especially to look
out for the interests of the bridge over
Escambia river The meeting was
called by Chairman Herrider to work
up interest in the coming meeting of
the commissioners.
According to figures given out by
Mr.. Simpson, over five million dollars
will be spent in Florida in road build
ing. This amount will be spent where
designated by the state commissioners.
In addition to this large sums will be
provided in the different counties by
bond issues. Unless the West Florida
counties go before the commissioners
with sufficient strength they are losing
the biggest opportunity for good roads
that will ever be presented, he said
The counties will be paying taxes into
the national and state funds, but not
receive one cent in benefits unless the
claims are presented properly before
the commissioners.
Mr.. Simpson cited several instances
of where funds had not been properly
distributed and insisted upon a strong
delegation going from Pensacola to
Tallahassee If this county would get
its share of good roads.
The biggest proposition before the
delegates, he said further, was to Sc
cure the connection of roads already
started and his connection could be
made only by bridging the Escambia
river. He gave reports Of engineers
and the estimates given by them show
ing the feasibility of the bridge but,
he declared, there was tendency to kill
the bridge project and. thus divert traf-
fic to other places.
James A White was elected chair
man of a committee of six, the others
to be appointed, and these six were to
secure funds and send at least three del
egates to the Tallahassee commission
ers meeting. As many delegates from
Pensacola should go to the meeting as
is possible and the committee is en-
powered to defray expenses of at least
three of these delegates. Other citizens
of the county who are interested and
can possibly do so are requested to
communicate with Messrs. White or
Herrider in relation to the trip
The delegates to Tallahassee will
come back by the big good roads con-
vention to be held at Dothan JAN 30
Other than regular delegates to this
meeting will also attend the meeting
at Dothan. Parties who can go, are
to communicate with Mr. |
Herrider.
Meetings similar to the one held yes /
terday afternoon are being held in other !
counties in West Florida and dele |
gates to the state meeting are being
instructed in claims to be given to u
state commissioners. These meetings. /
have all been very enthusiastic and |
funds raised in part for defraying ex- I
penses of delegates to the state meet |
ing.