The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1920-09-28
UP TO THE NECK IN POLITICS

The Metropolis OF MONDAY COLI
tanned two news items that were un'
interesting appearing as they did on
different pages but that become inter
esting when brought together. One
was the comment of M. M. Smith,
chairman of the state road depart
ment on the report that Gov. Cats
would not reappoint him when his
term expired as it will next month.
Mr.. Smith said that politics and not
mis- own record was the ruling factor
and added;
ut will be sad day for the people
of Florida whenever the road depart
ment is dragged into the mire of pol
itics. There hasn't been one scratch
of politics in the department since its
existence. The present board has
studiously avoided getting into it."
On another page was statement
of what another member Of this
board, that according to the chairman
has studiousE avoided getting into
politics, was up to. The story says:
mo better investment can be made
by the men and women Of this state
than to vote in favor of the proposed
constitutional amendment for good
roads at the November election"
said Ed Scott, of Arcadia, member
of the state road department, while
in Jacksonville Friday. Mr.. Scott
held a conference with F. o. Miller,
chairman of the Florida State High |
way Bonding Campaign Committee,
H. H. Richardson, campaign manager
Of that organization, and other goood |
roads enthusiasts, declaring that he
came to Jacksonville as citizen Of
Florida to help the cause along"
Mr. Scott should have kept out Of
politics at least for one day while Mr..
Smith was making this statement of
he non-political status of the board.
But we will have to go outside the
columns of the Metropolis to take an
'ther peep at Sr. Smith. We find
lin little less than two months ago
It st. Augustine presiding over the
Constitutional amendment convention
md the Florida Motorist says of his
'pening address:
Mr.. Smith stressed the necessity
or the meeting and further empha.
lied the fact that it was not a call
made by the legislative committee of
ne Florida State Automobile Asso.
lation, primarily, but call of the
legislature of Florida to the people Of
florida of the state to vote for the
mendment and provide funds to
leet federal aid"
II this sort of thing is studiously
voiding politics the students must he
cry dull for they do not learn any.
hing. and, by the way, Mr.. Smith has
queer ide aas to the effect of the
admission by the legislature to the
eopie OF a proposed constitutional
mendment. When the legislature
nbmits 1t, it is through. It is then
p TO the people and 1t would be
fossiy presumptuous and grossly i'm.
roper in the legislature to tell the
sople what to do. 4
But as a matter of fact the state \
'ad department is in politics up to
e neck, 1t is fighting for this bond
and snarling like a dog I
having a bone at anyone who inter.
res with its plans. If this bond !
nendment is defeated the state IN
Q long run will raise more money
roads than If it is adopted for il Z
III pay out nothing for interest hut I
ture boards will handle tho money! I
q get credit for what is done r. I
e state planks down five million dol. Z
IS a year to this board, without anv I
Fectlohs as to the interest the bond !
all bear, without any command 70 Z
Il them for not less than par This Z
ara will be able to do as it pleases
reports biennially so it is under M Z
'traint excep THE fact that it is 70. Z
lfed to tel the people what II had
Ne not less than two years after II !,
it.
rms board was created to bni,d -
IDS and see that in their constrpc
N the people get their moneys
run II was not created to tell tho
'ple how much to spend on roads
how to get the money and when II
. this it plunges into politics in
n a way as to deserve to loso the
lfidence of the people.