The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1904-06-23
NATIONAL AND STATE AID.
Good Roads Advocates Favor Both
Plans Because They Embody
the Same Principles.

In the northeastern states, from
Maine to Pennsylvania, more progress
has recently been made in building
good roads than in any other section
of the United States. This is mainly
due to the adoption of the state aid
plan.
: New Jersey was the first state to
adopt this plan. The law enacted there
in 1891 provided that the state pay
one-third of the cost OF Improving
the roads, and the counties two-thirds,
part of which may be charged up to
the towns in which the roads are
built. The farmers were at first OPP
posed to this law, but now they are
enthusiastic in its support. More than
q million and a half dollars has been
appropriated by the state under this
law. Nearly 1000 miles OF road have
been macadamized. The state-aided
roads must conform to the plans laid
down by the state commissioner OF
highways.
In Massachusetts, the state pays the
entire cost Of building the roads, bu;
requires the counties to pay back one
fourth of the cost. Nearly a half mil
lion is appropriated annually for this
purpose. Nearly $5,OO0,0O0 have al.
ready been invested in roads by the
state. AS a result Massachusetts, has
hundreds of miles of as fine roads as
any in the world.
Connecticut has also operated under
this plan since 1895. The state puts
up two-thirds of the money for road
building. The plan is considered q
great success. More than a million
and half has been appropriated and
spent, and about 500 miles of fine
roads have been built.
In New York the state pays one-hal1
the cost of building the roads, the
counties IS per cent. and the town.
ships Is per cent, and the plan is
working admirably. Last year $780,.
600 was appropriated by the legisla.
ture, and over 100000 have beer
voted since the law was enacted. II
is now proposed to raise by an issue
of bonds $50,OO0,O 900 to be spent dur.
ing the next ten years.
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont
Rhode Island and Delaware all have
state aid laws which are working sat,
isfactorily, though expenditures ant
operations are on a smaller scale thar
in the other states named.
Pennsylvania is the latest convert t.
the state aid plan. The last legislature
enacted law providing that the stat.
should pay two-thirds of the cost Of
road improvement, the counties one
sixth and the townships one-sixth
The sum of $6,500.00O was appropriate
ed to be spent in six years.
The fundamental principle on which
the state aid plan rests is that thu
public highways are for the use ant
benefit of the whole people, and tina
all should, therefore, share in the cos
Of their Improvement
From state aid to national aid is bu
a single step. Both embody the sam,
principle. 1t is an interesting fact tina
the people of these states are enthusi
astically in favor Of taking ''Uncl,
Sam" into the general scheme of CO
operation. The state highway com
missioners of New Jersey, Connecticut
Massachusetts,, Rhode Island and Yer
mont are outspoken advocates of ma
tional aid. and the New York legisla
ture has memoralized congress to en-
act the Brownlow bill.
II national aid would accomplish To-
the whole country what state aid is do
ing where adopted, it certainly de
serves serious consideration.