The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1923-06-01

matter what their reasons are op-
posed to this progressive measure be-
cause. il carried out. it means the
liberation Of the mass of Georgians
from economic disadvantages and the
giving to them of the most efficient
facilities for the marketing Of their
goods.
Experience has shown that such q
plant as proposed will pay for itself
AND IN THE END BECOME A
SOURCE OF PERMANENT AND
INCREASING REVENUE TO THE
STATE, its owner, thereby materially
| Tightening the tax burdens on the pro-
ducers or enabling the expenditure OF
larger sums on the building of better
highways or the establishment OF bet
ter schools
A State Port and Terminals Is not
like a highway system or bridges for
which bonds have been issued. They
are not sources of direct productive
income. A State Port and Terminal
plant is an income producer from the
day it is opened The bonds issued for
its construction do not represent
dead investment that the people must
carry. They are the outward sign or
great publicly owned and publicly
managed enterprise, the earning
power of which provides the interest
on the bonds, provides the sinking
fund to pay for the bonds, and speed
lily provides in addition surplusage
to go into the State Treasury for such
use as the Legislature in its wisdom
may dictate.
THE PROPOSED STATE PORT
AND TERMINALS is A MONEY
MAKING INVESTMENT, BASED
ON THE CREDIT OF THE PEOPLE.
THE PEOPLE DO NOT PAY FOR
IT. 1T PAYS FOR ITSELF. 1t has
done so elsewhere. 1t will do so in
Georgia, this, one Of the richest pro-
ducing States in the Union, one Of
the worlds most productive empires
the possibilities of whose varied de-
velopment we are just approaching
The State Port project represents the
cooperative effort of the united ueo.
Pie of Georgia to place themselves in
the most advantageous position pos
sible for the profitable handling Of
their own products. The moneys paid
for its services. instead of passing
INTO the Golfers Of private enterprises,
will defray the interest and cost of
operation, and provide the surplus to
wipe out the bonds when due. 1t
means. if consummated, that the pro-
ducers of Georgia will be working for
themselves and not for others. and
that. in addition to the enhancement
of the value OF their products. scien-
tific:4lly marketed, the profits of hand
ling will remain at home for the good
Of Georgia.
What is being asked of the General
Assembly at its approaching session
is that the people of Georgia be glvop
an opportunity to express themselves
On this progressive proposition. that
the neople be given the chance to vote
as to whether they wish State Port
and Terminal system or not A
REFERENDUM OF THE PROJECT
TO THE PEOPLE FOR DECISION
AT The NEXT STATE ELECTION
is WHAT is SOUGHT. Why should
any one oppose this who has the wei
fare Of the people, the producers, OF
Georgia, really at heart?
Georgia cannot remain stationary
Its people must check the tendency
to retrograde that comes in the wake
of the boil weevil THEY MUST
ARISE AND DEMAND THE FULL
EST OPPORTUNITIES FOR Tie
MARKETING S A r { LY AND
CHEAPLY OF THEIR PRODUCTS,
now that they are of necessity branch
ing out in their agriculture and indus
tries. The more they study the State
Port and Terminal proposition Tie
more they will enthuse over what 1t
means for them and the less the posi-
bility Of any opponents being able to
becloud the issue and prevent the pro-
ducers from getting the relief and the
assistance they are entitled to.