Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1928-10-19
DEMOCRATIC CRY
OF EXTRAVAGANZA
REFUTED BY BUCK
[COntinnsd from first bagtl

that the per capita debt is forty-two
dollars, and to top this off, they
compare it with the per capita debt
ten years ago. 1t is true, the State
has bonds outstanding amounting to
between twelve and thirteen million
dollars. OF State bonds unredeem-
ed, it happens that am the one who
has been privileged to supervise the
expenditure of nine and one-half
millions of that sum, together with
nine million more of county and fed
eral money, in building and main
tanning our system of state high
ways. Moreover, the Highway De-
partment has paid into the sinking
fund for the redemption of highway
bonds 81, 100000, which with accrued
interest and other credits, reduces
the State debt to $9,409, 900. Add to
the States share the monies which
the three counties have contributed,
and still owe, and our citizens have
1872 million of their own funds in
vested in hard surface roads, built
under State supervision. | speak of
this outlay of money as an invest
ment-it is that and nothing less, it
is self supporting and pays hand
some dividends in actual cash. This
year alone, the revenue from high
ways will exceed two million, which |
is equivalent to over II per cent on
the commemorative present invest |
ment.
Obligation Not Yet Fulfilled
Furthermore, the States obliga- |
tions to our citizens for improved |
roads is not fulfilled, and will not
be until the tax now levied on real
estate for county road purposes is
entirely done away with, and dirt
roads, many of which are now neg
lected, rendered serviceable.
THAT there should be a system in
augurated by the State for the main
tenance of dirt roads, appeals to me
as desirable, providing the taxpay-
ers are to directly benefit therefrom,
by reduction in county taxes, COM
mensurate with the capital outlay,
such work would save their govern
ing bodies.
Need Commercial Highway
when considering improvements
or additions to our present system
of modern highways, 1 look to the
time not far in the future, when our
State, because of it's geographic To-
cation and because the transporta-
ton of freight by highway is in its
find it desirable to ,
build through highway for com !
vehicles only. That there :
will be need for such a road in time, d,
is apparent to those familiar with 6
the freight now carried out of the =
Delmarva peninsula over the Della
ware roads. When the volume of
truck traffic is sufficient to finance
and maintain a truck highway, the
States agricultural interests and
The owners of pleasure cars, are en- =
titled to the means of separating the =
.wO classes of vehicles. Until such l
4 time arrives, 1 favor the extension
md completion, as early as highway r.
income will permit, of 4-lane bou- T
evard between Wilmington and the L
Capital.
Good School Work "
'The best index of the life of an "
American commonwealth and the -
ervice she is rendering the nation, a
S her system of free schools. 1 am -
Enthusiastically convinced that the ~
uture greatness and prosperity of "
he State depends largely upon edu- az az
alton. II
I'm late years those responsible ~
Or our State administration have '"
cen censured by few for the will
III waste as believe it is express w
d, of the States money spent for ue
chOOls. To those familiar with the y"
plendid work that has been accom- WI
lished during the past eight years aL
r longer, in erecting modern school Oh
Ouses and in the supervision of the Sc
tate's annual education program,
lie only fitting conclusion to be co
laced upon such attacks is that VIZ
ley who make them are opposed to
wing the next generation and those pa
no follow, any comforts or scholas- re
C advantages that they themselves
not to have. Such an at tel
tude is blow at progress and at a ct
ldiment of civilization. In my own Br
cart 1 do not believe that our good
linking people wish otherwise than phi
do all they can for the welfare of
II schools, and such tactless criti- is
SIN is released for want of better ent
rage to feed those who are willing
+ others to do their thinking. spt
Delaware Advances Mr.
According to the United States !
lreau of Education, during 1924 ant
, Delaware expended for elemen- mo
ry and secondary schools the same
Mount per pupil as did Indiana, in Mr.
uding both current expenses and CIR
pital outlay. Twenty-Five states
ent more and twenty-fOur less. In ant
e light of the fact that Delaware's SUI
ility to finance education puts her TOW
18th place among the states, it
n be seen that our expenditures en-
r education are conservative We're Mr.
necessary to raise the major por- Be-
IN of our school costs by taxes on col
aHdnu personal property, as is the toh
Sc in many states, it would be z
cessary to increase our school tax ow
tie to figures from to 10 times the bu1
esent rate. Our splendid system rer
financing schools so lightens the stu
Id upon taxpayers that no require b,i
INT of modern education should be odd
elected in Delaware. While recent G
gislatures have appropriated, in n
easing amounts to meet educa- bo1,
nal needs, their appropriations, 1 Sat
derstand, have never been such as oo
make possible the maximum eff
iency of our school system. In co..
tie of the fact that ample funds o. o.
We been available from which to ~ ".
Ike adequate appropriations with IGa
increase of taxes, am reliably liI-'
Ormed there have not been avail 81 d d
e sufficient funds to purchase text "