The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-04-05

LlIgulSneO from the localities OF the
state. However. the board should, and
/ am advised that they viii do so, use
every effort TO have designated as
fedora laid projects roads which ira
verse those. counties which have con-
tributed funds to the state road de-
partment. The only funds at the
command of the department is the
mill tax, which will provide little
more than 100000; the tax on gaso-
line, which provided last year about
$4,000; also ID per cent of the auto
mobile license tax, same being used
for the maintenance of the depart
ment, S. per cent of state automobile
license tax being apportioned by the
state 10 the counties.
Another source of revenue which
can be used by the state as a credit
for its 30 per cent of all federal aid
projects IS the actual work performed
by the CONFLICTS. But of course it re-
quires an immense sum of money to
equip, feed and clothe the convicts
while at work.
The department is seriously handi-
capped on account Of funds. You are
respectfully requested to consider
very seriously ways and means for
providing more funds for its use. l
recommend an increase of the tax on
gasoline, also tax on oil. I recommend
the continuance of the two-mill levy.
| recommend, also "a more economical
and efficient handling of the affairs of
the department, resulting not only in
a great saving of money, but increas-
ed road building as well. The MEM
beTs of the department as now consti-
tuted are alive to the necessity for
more efficiency and economy, and
believe can be trusted to inaugurate
a system for the elimination of much
needless expense and for the accom-
plishment of much work. What we
largely need is proper administra-
ton of the laws already in existence,
rather than too many additional and
cumbersome legislative enactments.
The Everglades
In 1850 Congress passed an act
known as the Swamp and Overflow
ed Land Grant Act" Through this
act there has come to this state more
than 100000 acres of swamp and
overlooked land, among which are the
Everglades. One of the conditions of
the grant was: "That the proceeds of
said land, whether from sale or by
direct appropriation in kind, shall be
applied exclusively, as far as neces-
sary, for the purpose of retaining
said lands"
( For the past IA years the state of
Florida has been actively and ener-
getically engaged in construction
drainage work in the Everglades, thus
/ developing one of the states greatest
natural resources.
/ The several legislatures have en-
acted laws by virtue of which the
Everglades drainage district was
created, and through which the drain
/ age work has been made possible. The
work thus far accomplished is repre-
scented in principal part by the open
ing Of 361 miles of main drainage
canal; the construction of twelve
locks and dams the survey of one
million acres of hitherto unsurveyed
lands into townships, ranges and sec
tons, and other undertakings of an
incidental though important nature
involving an expenditure to date of
approximately six million dollars
The Everglades drainage district
comprises a land area of four and one
half million acres, or larger than the
states of Rhode Island and Connect
cut combined Where a few years
ago there was an unbroken watery
waste there are now, in those sections
Of the Everglades where drainage
work is most advanced, thriving COM
r2unities and productive farms. The
holdings of the state in the Ever
and a quarter acres of land.
The money for carrying on the
drainage work is supplied by drainage
taxes levied by the legislature upon
all the lands included in the Ever
glades drainage district, but upon no
other lands. The drainage project
therefore. supports itself on its own
merits alone. In fact, it has con-
tributed large annual amounts to the
states treasury through taxes, but
has received no funds from the state
The amount of drainage district taxes
is determined and levied by the legis-
lature from time to time as need
require Based upon these drainage
taxes, Everglades district funds, au-
thorized by the legislature have been
issued by the board of commission
ers of the Everglades drainage dis
trict to provide immediate funds fol-
the work. To meet future construc-
ton expenses additional funds will be
needed, making necessary a further
assessment of taxes, accompanied by
authority to the drainage board for
the issuing of such additional bonds
as may be advisable. This will re-
quire legislative action.
There will also be needed measures
whose purpose will be the geenral adj