Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-05-10
A Logical Road Program

The proposition Of Chairman r.. S. Sterling OF the
state highway commission that the state issue bonds
in the amount OF $685. 600 900 to s55OOOOOOO for con-
struction Of a state system Of highways, the bonds 20
be retired over a long period Of years with revenue
obtained from the gasoline tax. should appeal TO every
Texan who is interested in the progress of the state
Chairman Sterling proposes that as much Of this
money will be used each year for highway improve
ment as can be spent to good purpose without waste or
inefficiency, and that the counties be repaid money ex-
pended on state roads, in proportion TO the present
value Of the roads; the various counties to use these
funds in the construction Of much needed lateral roads,
or TO retire bonds with which they have financed lat
eral road programs.
The logic of Mr.. Sterling's suggestion is very APP
parent. The issuance Of these bonds by the state
would place no unjust burden upon any individual or
community. The bonds would be retired by revenue
created by the highways-the gasoline tax-and a
more equitable adjustment Of the burden could not
be conceived.
The progress Of the state has been retarded By the
lack Of good roads and an efficient state highway sys-
ten, a condition the present highway commission has
made strenuous efforts to correct in the disposal Of
such funds as il has at its command. In counties such
as Cameron, Hidalgo, Nueees. Kleberg, Bexar, Dallas,
where countless thousands Of dollars have been ex-
pended on state highways and feeder roads, the full
value OF such highways is not returned to the tax
payers for the reason that there is no connected sys-
tenn Of state highways to bring these county systems
TO the highest possible point Of efficiency.
II must be admitted that under our present system
of financing highway construction there are many in
CAPABILITIES in the adjustment Of the tax burden. but
under the plan proposed by Chairman Sterling these
would be eliminated. The burden would be placed
where il belongs-upon the motor vchicle-in the form
of n gasoline tax. The increase in valuations upon
property along the highways would be absorbed in the
county and state taxes, and no property will carry the
burden OF the new highways. Thousands OF individ-
usls who do not pay a cent Of tax. other than the mo-
tor vehicle license and gasoline tax, would bear their
jus. proportion Of the cost Of highway construction.
the amount Of tax being automatically fixed BY their
use Of the highways.
Under the present system no county can obtain any
help from the state unless il contributes part Of the
cost Of construction for designated roads. Counties
without sufficient valuations to do this. or unwilling
to vote bond issues, stand as obstacles to development
Of an efficient system Of state highways. and. in fact.
penalize the counties with greater valuations or which
are more progressive. This situation initiates against
efficiency and progress, a situation that cannot be
corrected until the state highway commission has
ample funds with which TO carry on its statewide
program.
The progress of Texas has been retarded BY the
lack Of good roads. Even il the Sterling plan in
Nolved greater expense. the object Mr.. Sterling has IN
mind would be well worth while and would repay the
people Of Texas many times over BY enhancing the
value Of their property. ~ stimulating industrial ex-
pansion and developing the states rich natural 70.
sources, and by placing the burden Of cost where +.
belongs.