The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-10-10

OF Lake City, who is chairman of the
resolutions committee Mr. Boozer
said that he had communications from
all members of his committee and
that they thought it useless to go be-
fore the governor or any one member
of the state highway commission, so
they sent copies of the resolutions
passed at Gainesville and Ocala to the
governor and the chairman of the
highway commission. He had a letter
in reply from Governor Hardee, which
he read. In substance the governor
said that he is sure the state road de-
partment feels the Importance of
road No. 2 and that he thinks the de-
partnlent intends finishing the work
on it as fast as it can. He called
attention to the number of convict
camps along the route of No. as a
proof of his belief Mr. Boozer said
he found little consolation in this re-
ply. He stated the present road de-
partment knows nothing at all about
building roads and that politics must
be taken out of this department be-
fore we can secure service He ac-
cUsed the state road department of
building only such roads as pass
through towns in which its members
have their residence
L. H. Chazal, of Ocala, said that
Marion county has the money ready
but can get no satisfaction from the
state road department, He stated,
however, he was informed the depart
ment is selecting sites for convict
camps in the county and that this may
he an indication of intended action
Mr.. Phillips offered resolution
thanking the travelling men for their
pledged support. Resolution passed.
Mr.. Hampton added one more blot
on the name of the state road depart
ment when he called attention to the
fact that it allowed a vast supply of
road material to stand at Camp john
son uninsured and that it was a COM
plete loss by fire. He stated that this
alone shows a lack of sense on the
part of the road department.
Mr. M. NJ Smith of Fruitland Park,
spoke somewhat in defense of the
state road department, of which he
was formerly chairman. He said that
,,-ho,, +Lo Ioro T,,+ oro+ +ba GA00
900 in bonds from Columbia county
the bond market was so low that it
would have been folly to sell them.
He said he doesn't know why they
are not sold now and he doesn't know
why the department hasn't used the
Sl65, 900 it has in cash from Hamil-
ton. He said he didn't know why
the state won't build the Marion
county roads unless it is that Marion
won't turn the money over to it. He
says that in Columbia county, road
No. /, Lake City to Jacksonville, is
Of first importance for that short dis
tance will give completed highway
down the state on the east coast and
that you can come back either from
New Smyrna or Melbourne. He said
that he has heard and believes that
Mr. Hillman said he wants the road
from Live Oak to Jacksonville and
the rest doesn't worry him.
Mr.. NJ o. Overstreet of Orlando,
made short talk and blamed the in
action of the road department on pol
itics controlling and the Jacksonville
ring boosting the department.
Mr.. Phillips showed that the COM
nittees to be sent to the next road
department meeting would have some
preliminary work to do and Gaines
vile was decided on as headquarters
for this committee until the time of
meeting.
The convention decided to meet in
White Springs with the Georgia rep
resentatives of the National Highway
Association on the day before the
next regular meeting of the state
highway commission.