The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1920-10-09
BUS|NESS-L|KE
TALK FOR BONDS
Champions of Road Amendment Pre-
sent Their Side Of the
Case

man, ana II II. hIcnafQSOn, manager,
of the state bonding campaign COM
nlittee, presented the case for the
constitutional amendment to permit
the state to bond for highway sys-
tenn. which is to be voted on Nov. 2.
Mr.. Miller is a member Of the legisla-
tire from Duval county, and was
chairman Of the special good roads
committee Of that body Mr.. Rich
ardson was for six years secretary of
the Jacksonville chamber Of COM
merce. Short talks were made by,
Col. r. F. Rogers and Frank Harris,
editor of the Banner. urging the inn
|portance of voting for the amend
Innent and for the highway system.
Mr.. Miller and Mr. Richardson
pointed out that the big thing IN
volved in the bonding proposition is
the matter Of Florida's getting her
pro rata share Of the federal good
reads monies. The state to get the
federal funds must meet them with
funds. These state funds must be
derived, the speakers pointed out, by
direct taxation or by bonding, and the
advocates Of the bonding method be-
llieve that it is the best for the inter-
i lests of the taxpayers and the state.
Mr.. Miller and Mr.. Richardson, as
Representatives of the convention
which met in St. Augustine in July,
are advocating that the bonds be
taken care of by an increase in au-
tomobile licenses. a plan that is be-
ling used IN other states and is not
new. The speakers stated, however,
that while they would urge the legis-
ilature, in the event that the amend
ment is voted. to use the auto license
method for obtaining interest and
sinking funds, they held open minds
lon this, and would favor any better
method proposed. They offered
figures which they believe proves the
iauto license plan to be the best.
Mr.. Miller and Mr.. Richardson re-
stressed by opponents Of the bond
Iplan They pointed out that certain
section Of the press of the state has
ibeen fighting the facts in the case.
One of the main objections made is
THAT the amendment to the constitu-
tion would give the legislature toe
much power. and enable that body to
put an intolerable burden upon the
lstate. Mr.. Miller and Mr.. Richardson
stated that the legislature at present
lhas the power to place any amount o1
direct taxes on the people and that
there is no comeback through the su.
prene court They resented the slurs
and personalities resorted to by the
Opponents of the bend issue, and sale
that where the people are learning
the facts IN the case they are favor
ing the issue.
Tue speakers gave most of theil
time to a business-like outline of theil
lease They pointed to the nationa
II and state highway systems as pro
iposed, to the vast appropriation
! made by Congress for building per
, manent roads, and referred TO th'
Townsend bill now before Congress
!, (which provides for an appropriation
!. ..lof $425. 900 900 TO be pro rated among
the states for nationally connectes
lup system of highways. to be bull
under federal engineer supervision
land requirements, to be maintained b,
]; "a patrol system, and to connect ever.
: state i'm the union. They pointed d
!. 1.-THE system of state roads, as desig
5 mated by the state road department
= to connect MP every county seat Il
!. the state, and stated that this system
: could be built in about six years b,
{ bonding, and that 1T would take abou
!, twenty years or more by direc
0 taxation method In answer to tn
lobjection that many of the c0untie
have already bonded and have goo
J. roads and would therefore not wan
e Ian additional tax to help the back
e ward counties. Che speakers pointe
Iout that the state roads must conforT
4 tic federal requirements, be not les
o than sixteen feet wide and Of q per
Imanent character The speakers sal
that most of the roads already bull
liz the state were nine feet and woul
therefore have to be widened, and
! lmost cases did not meet federal spec
: lfications in other respects and fun
!. thermore that there is the state an
-
y federal maintenance Of the roads /
!. be considered.
= IN answer to the contention tbs
1.-THE proposed amendment would Civ
: the legislature power to bond th
7. state at every session to a sum of NJ
8 exceeding five per cent of the tot:
q assessment, the speakers called after
:, tion to the fact that the word tissues
7 in the amendment is plural They ais
8 stated that before bond buyers woul
, purchase the bonds test of Il
amendment and its provisions woul
be made in the courts They state
t; that the proponents of the bond issl
70 would urge that the legislature Dor
= for only such amounts as can be &c
lnomicaIly expended by the state ros