Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-05-10
TEXAS DAILY PRESS LEAGUE


The proposition OF Chairman X. S. Sterling OF the
atate highway commission that the state issue bonds
in the amount OF $500. 100000 to 550y00oy000 for con-
strurtion Of a state system Of highways. the bonds to
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
ineffieiency, 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.. S%terling's suggestion is very ap-
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 tsx-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-
tenn. a condition the present highway commission has
made strenuous efforts 10 correct in the disposal Of
such funds as IL has at it's command. In counties such
as Cameron. HiJalgO. Nueces, Kleberg, Bexar. Dallas,
where countless thousands Of dollars have been cx-
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
w Nt kht lVHcfuit punt VI AiRAchN
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 vehicle-in the form
of a 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-
uals who do not pay a cent Of tax. other than the mo-
tor vehicle license and gasoline tax, would bear their
just 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 it 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 thu
lack of good roads. Even II the Sterling plan IN.
volved greater expense. the object Mr.. Sterling has /,
mind would be well worth while and would repay the
people Of Texas many times over by enhancing the
value of their property, by stimulating industrial ex-
pansion and developing the states rich natural re.
sources, and by placing the burden OF cost where \.
belongs.