The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-01-23
PUSH GOOD ROADS
Board of Trade Will Call a
County Meeting.
George N. Palmer and Engineer
Thompson Tell of the Convention
Held in st. Paul.
From Mondays Daily.

|
George M. Palmer and City Engineer
Thompson, delegates to the good roads
convention held in St. Paul last week,
made report to the board of trade this
morning.
Mr.. Palmer stated that he attended the
first days session of the good roads con-
vention. 1t was a fairly good meeting
and all parts of the state were represent
ed by men who took deep interest in
the proceedings. The session was of
great benefit to the good roads move
ment. Senator Eberhart of Blue Earth
county and other members of the senate,
and number from the house were in
attendance and it is the belief of those
behind the movement that the present
legislature win act upon measures that
will do much to advance the cause of
good roads. Mr.. Choate of Minneapolis
read paper in which he criticised
severely the acts of the legislatures of
the past in the distribution of the road
and bridge fund. Letters were read from
state highway commissioners in other
states in which the state aid question
was discussed. 1t is proposed that fund
of about 100000 shall be raised and under
the direction of the highway commission
the fund shall be distributed The
Brownlow bill, introduced in congress,
was referred to. This bill provides for
the appropriation of $2O,OOO,OO0, which
would give 100000 to Minnesota. Mr..
Palmer suggested that the board under
take the formation of county organiza-
ton.
1t was brought out by Mr.. Palmer that
the previous attempt to organize a coun-
ty association was frustrated by those
who labored under the delusion that
the bicycle riders were behind the move
ment and they wanted to bond the coun-
ty for a larg sum of money.
Mr.. Willard wanted to know if any
thing was said in the state meeting in re-
gard to doing away with the poll tax.
Mr.. Palmer stated that every speaker
was opposed to the poll tax system.
Mr.. Thompson said there is a law now
on the statute books providing for the
collection of the poll tax, but it is never
enforced for the reason that town super
visors are opposed to it.
Mr.. Thompson was pleased with the
Of tho ,ta4 oopuapfio,, and bo II
ed that several very excellent papers
were read. One in particular by r. III.
Hall of Olmstead county, member of
the county board, gave a great deal of
light on the matter of road building. Mr..
Hall expressed willingness to attend a
good roads meeting in Mankato whenever
asked to do so.
Mr.. Thompson said one great obstacle
to road improvement is the continual ad.
vocacy of macadam. The farmers on the
western prairies object to this. Roads
should be improved with the material at
hand, and that designated by the COM
mission. This commission is to be al
lOWou DuO pO,UUU duuudliy 1OI dll CA
penses, the members to serve without
pay. The idea is for the commission to
hold meetings throughout the state for
the purpose of working up interest and
educating the people up to good roads.
In Dakota county, Mr.. Thompson sail,
each township pays the county surveyor
$25 per year and all road work is done
under his supervision.
| Mr.. Thompson was satisfied that the
representatives from this county would
assist in the passage of legislation
favorable to good roads.
| Senator Eberhart is chairman of the
committee on legislation for good roads
having been appointed by President
/ Cooley of the state association.
The board of trade authorized the APP
pointment of committee of three to
have charge of the matter of calling a
good roads convention.