Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1923-06-23
AMENDMENT TO
CONSTITUTION
TVERY VITAL
Publicity Man Of Glacier to
Gulf Points Out Necessity
Of Favorable Action by
Texas Voters July Election

Fred NJ. Hcrndon Of San Antonio
secretary of the Texas Parks Associa-
tion is in Brownsville to visit the Just
ly famous abb's palm grove to secure
. number of pictures together with in
formation to be placed before the as
sociation as to the feasibility of the
state taking over that site for a park.
Mr.. Herndon will visit the seven pro-
posed park sites along the Glacier TO
Gulf Highway and will prepare n
RIGS of newspaper and magazine stories
with photographs.
Mr.. Hern6on has long been indcnti-
fled with and interested in n system of
state parks and connected system of
highways in Texas and is staunch
advocate of the new highway amend
mcnt to the state constitution which
maintain the seven per cent primary
roads in Texas. The election on this
amendment is set for July 2s.
Working for Amendment.
Those counties which think the
state government will step in and
build their roads free of cost to them
under this amendment are just kid
ding themselves" Mr.. Herndon stated
Discussing the proposed anne ndment.
1T will still be necessary for county
and districts TO vote bonds which will
be matched by the state and federal
government dollar for dollar, as at
present. but the state will be empower
ed to take over with the county's con
sent and maintain permanently the
roads after they are built.
Adoption Of this amendment TO the
state constitution means that Texas
may secure S32.000,000 or more OF fed
eral funds with which to build per-
mancnt highways if the state will then
take them over and maintain them No
state alone could raise sufficient funds
to build the roads necessary in Texas.
1t is gigantic task. but it may be
possible the state will be in position
maintain her roads without the coun-
~ bond issue.
Authority Of State not Abridged.
THE adoption of this amendment.
which means the acceptance by Texas Of
federal funds in building the roads,
does not abridge the rights and author
ity OF the the state or the Texas high
way commission in the control Of its
highways. In accepting federal funds
Texas also accepts federal standards
for their building and upkeep which
means a first class road in system Of
connected highways through the state
something that has long been desired.
1.-The system Of voting bonds to build
good roads and not providing a fund for
their maintenance has been the great
est enemy permanent roads have ever
had as the road is more often than not
worn out long before the bonds are
paid off. Under this new system If the
amendment is adopted by the people
OF the county or district voting bonds
will secure state and federal aid in
their building with the assurance that
the state and will maintain the road per-
mancntly after it is built without fur
ther coss to the county or district.
Funds for Maintenance.
"Funds for the maintenance of these
roads will come from the one cent
per gallon tax on pasoine passed by
the 3sth legislature for this specific
purpose and from excise taxes as well
as a part Of the automobile license tax,
a II isthosewtowilluse ehtsaoint
SO il Is those who will use the high
ways most WHO viii pay ~ httP '"S"'
Up. This plan is just and equitable and
does not work q hardship on any class
or individual.
"The federal government has recog-
nized the value and need for con-
ncctcd system Of highways in all states
10 connect with those Of adjoining
states and thus form system of
standard national highways to be US
ed either in times Of war or peace. and
for the pleasure Of it's people in safer
and more comfortable travel and in the
moving Of the tremendous crops Of ag-
riculture and commerce.
"A system Of hard surfaced high