The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1920-07-23
STATE BONDS FOR ROADS"


The following from the Times
Union is worth the close perusal of
every taxpayer:
Within the next few months advo-
Gates of the proposed constitutional
amendment, which would allow the
legislature to issue twenty million
dollars worth of bonds for road con-
struction, will be arguing of the won
derful benefits that must follow
general appropriation for and state
supervision of road construction. The
plan for financing the proposed debt
will likely not be very strongly put
forward, although there are firm be-
levers in the efficiency of the plan.
Still the main campaign will be made
for better roads and this is slogan
that could win almost anywhere and
at any time. This, perhaps, is the
one exception where the people had
best stop and consider the details, be-
fore taking step that could easily
mean general advance in taxation
and a lowering of the states credit,
at least to investors.
Since the plan was announced
some time ago we have steadfastly
opposed it, and brought upon our
selves the undeserved title of obstruc-
ticnist, and even been forced to smile
over charges, sometimes made by
newspapers which are constantly
looking to discover something wrong
here to the effect that we oppose the
great road-building plan from ignor-
ance. But we have studied the propo-
sition from various points and it
doesn't seem to work out any better
one. way than another. The announc-
ed intention of the promoters, to have
| legislation enacted at Tallahassee to
compel the owners of automobiles 20
| pay back the money used from the
state treasury for road construction
| is one of the features which we feel
sure is not practicable. just nor ex-
pedient. The revenue-raising plan
as proposed would not work out as de-
clared. There is no guarantee that
the legislature would accept the plan,
even if it was feasible. Counties
which have spent millions in the con-
struetion of good roads would not en-
dure heavy taxation for the build
ing of roads in other parts of the
state. These are few of the objec-
tions to the project. and there are
others.
At first it was noted that very few
newspapers of the state were discuss
ing this proposed constitutional
amendment. Tt was not generally un-
derstood, and until lately only the
propaganda of the advocates of the
scheme appeared Within the past
week or two decided opposition to the
amendment has appeared in many
newspapers. The following from the
Winter Haven Chief, is a complete
answer to those who have said "Of
course the counties with good roads
will want the amendment adopted
they wouldn't be so small as to wish
to hold back just because they had
spent some money"
"While we in Polk have the name
of being one of the progressive coun-
ties Of Florida we are not so progress
sive that we are darned fools. The
people here believe in good roads. We
have built them and find them a good
i Investment but we are betting a
doughnut that Polk county will not
sit in twenty million dollar game to
help build roads for backw0ods coun-
ties that are too non-progressive and
stingy to build them for themselves
We hope there will not be a single
vote in Winter Haven precinct for the
proposition. This is the first time
the Chief has ever refused to sup
port proposition for good roads but
this one isn't fair to up-to-date COM
Imunities, therefore we are against ii
and expect to stay so unless some
means is devised to reimburse pro-
gressive communities for the money
they have already spent so they will
be on equal footing with those who
have said by their acts that they don't
give kick whether or not they have
roads,"
The Tampa Tribune. which has
steadily and consistently opposed the
proposed amendment, recently said:
"The second great objection to the
plan which makes tax on automo-
biles bear the entire bond charge fol-
interest and sinking fund. is that it is
| a rank taxing of certain class fo1
| the benefit of the whole, in rate
never considered by men who have
| the equities of the people to preserve
Why should John Doe, salaried mar
| in Bradentown who owns nothing but
/ an automobile, be taxed on that auto.
mobile for building permanent road
through ten thousand acres in Sumter
county owned by Richard Roe who