The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-18
ALABAMA MUST HAVE BOTH.

state. Neither the highway nor the edu- cational demands of Alabama can be escaped. They are inevitable. The sources whence the revenue must come, however, are separate and distinct, neither interfering with the other. When they voted the bond issue of twenty-five million dollars for highways, the people of Alabama endorsed the policy of plac- ing the cost of such highways upon those whose highway requirements are most vital, namely, the owners of motor ve- hicles. The owners were among the leaders in advocating that policy. The principle of a gasoline tax for highway construction is widely approved through out the country and it's equitability has been established.
 The schools are properly charge upon the whole people, because that is an ob- ligation the whole people have accepted. Governor Brandon was elected on plat form of educational betterment, but he has not redeemed his pledge, and now throws back upon the people the respon- sibility for finding the necessary revenue. In view of the governors failure, the peo- ple cannot afford to fail or to reject the responsibility. It is believed that the proper enforcement of the tax laws would bring into the state treasury more than, enough money for all school needs. The governor has not seen fit to continue that policy of enforcement of the tax laws and collection of escaped taxes which at the time of his accession was so rapidly bringing the state into position of enviable financial ease. Nevertheless, the money can be found for schools, and it is hoped that the governor himself is not entirely neglecting to devise some plan for it's discovery.
 As for the highways, it is easy to prove that motorists pay for good roads whether they get them or not. Every person who operates a motor vehicle on poor roads paws a gasoline tax, whether he will or no. One difference between paying a good roads tax and poor roads tax is that in the first case the motorfst pays 1t into the public treasury and in the second case he pays it to the gasoline company. The important difference is that in the first case his tax goes to produce good roads and thus constantly reduces his tax by reducing the amount of gasoline he consumes per mile. In the second case, he keeps on paying the tax without re- ceiving in return any betterment ln the highways. It is with these facts Tn mind that the North Carolina highway com mission makes the astonishing claim that it's new paved roads are not costing the people cent. Instead, they are talk ing the money they once expended on the extra gasoline demanded by poor roads and are investing it in paved roads. On this basis, therefore, it is not surprising that enlightened automobile and truck owners not only do not resist gasoline tax, but actually demand it, when they are assured of its efficient and economl- cal expenditure by highway bodies. There has properly been objection to the present gasoline tax imposed by the state of Alabama because there IS no perceptible return in benefit to the gaso- line consumer. He is forced to pay both the bad roads tax to the gasoline com panv and the additional tax imposed by the state-a very unjust situation. The Alabama tax is divided among the coun- ties instead of being kept ln state luna where it's expenditure would be both tangible and permanent.
 That is to say, it would be both tangi- ble and permanent if properly expended bv the state in definite and connected construction of high type paving. un- der an improper and unsystematlc ex- penditure, it is obvious that Alabama mo- torists would pay the double tax to gaso- line companies and the state treasury without commensurate highway benefit. Money alone will not build roads. Money must be under the direction of those ot h. telligence and enlightenment in highway matters, if it is to bring an adequate re- urn. Such qualities have been detlclent Tn the expenditure of the twenty-five million dollar bond issue, and will be equally lack ing in the future, unless ana uhtil Ine administration of highways and highway funds is vested in men of adequate ca nacitv and vision, free from personal bias and political consideration. Politics mixed with the best of road materials spells them. That is what is the matter with Alabama highways-politics and lg- norance on the part of some of those in control of highways. The question ot improving the personnel of the highway commission is one the people must have solved, for that is their one hope of escaping a dual tax, one part to the oil companies and one part to politics.
 But Alabama must have highways and Alabama must have schools. No matter what they cost, they are worth It, pro vided we get good paved roads and good schools. There can be no proper prog ress in rural school betterment until the ..aaI, oro b,,il+ Sunerintendent Mur-