The Monroe journal., 1920-08-24

comm unity investment, IN TOTAL uiS-
regards of higher taxes.
In Randolph about two hundred
miles of gravel surface roads were
constructed a few years ago. They
do not compare in value with hard
surface roads. but the land holders
in the communities through the
roads were built voluntarily aided in
building the roads TO the extent of
about half the cost. In other words.
they voluntarily helped TO construct
roads through their respective COM
munities and as a result of enhanced
values are paying higher taxes. but
the old homestead seemed 10 be con-
tented the last time | passed through
that county and some of them related
with manifest feelings OF pride the
story of how the spirit of cO-opera-
tive community service became ae-
tive with hundreds of men and teams
hauling gravel surface and spreading
II on the road beds as a very valuable
community investment.
| wish | had more reason to be
hopeful that the Wilmmgton-C c Chaf-
lotte highway through this county
will be hard-surfaced some time in
the near future.
would like to see Marshyille.
Monroe. and Vance townships vol
UNFAIRLY vote bonds upon themselves
to pay portion of the cost. il the
major portion can be obtained from
federal and state funds. In my con-
tenjion for the application Of the
principle of compulsory aid from
land holders along highway that
is TO be hard-surfaced | have moi
meant that il be applied literally and
solely TO the lands that touch the
highway. 4 fair way would be 10
grade the assessments higher on lands
directly on the highway and diminish
the rate on the outlaying lands that
are enhanced in less proportion. This
would be so complicated in admins
tration that the townships unit could
be more readily administered.
Land values are acquired more
from environment and community
life and community assets than from
productive capacity. Some OF the
fertile alluvial lands In eastern North
Coralina can be bought al from ten
10 twenty dollars per acre. in unset
tied communities.
But in some counties where resi-
dences are close together, where
roads are good aud where schools are
accessible. lands that are no more pro-
ductive than the ten TO ,twenty-dollar
acre lands bring $3.50 per acre.
There is no investment that will
add more community value TO lands,
and add Il more quickly, than the
construction OF a hard surface road
through a community. and | believe
am safe in saving that the imme-
diate enhancement has never been
less than hundred per cent. There
fore. my previous illustration IN
which John Smiths ten thousand dol
lar tract of land had acquired tat the
expense ~ al the tlS-payers) ten
thousand dollars additional value was
mo, oveIdraWn. | want John not only
To pay taxes on the ten thousand
u hich the state has given him, but
want him 20 have enough regard for
the principles of equity and justice to
pay a thousand dollars. IN easy IN
lstallments. under long time bonds. as
small part of this valuable invest
mcnt This will leave him nine thou
sand dollars net. with 9 possibility OF
further enhancement q t'ie years &c
BY And for his own financial vel
fare | would urge John not TO sell
That additional nine thousand will be
worth vastly more TO his estate than
big life insurance policy and will
cost much less to carry. And as a
further token of appreciation foi
state Discrimination in his favor