The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-03-10
State Highway Commission.

The Free Press is one of the few
newspapers in Minnesota that has never
been favorably impressed with the plan
to appoint state highway commission
whose duty it shall be to look after
road construction, believing that more
simple plan can be adopted for the
bringing about of highway improve
ment.
The bill that has been prepared by the
Joint senate and house committees pro-
viding for the appointment of the So
called highway commission, is up to the
legislature for its acceptance or rejec-
ton. The bill provides for a commits
sion of three members; one from the
first, second, third or fourth congress
sional districts; one from the fifth, sixth
or seventh districts; and one from the
eighth or ninth districts, appointed by
the governor for one, two, and three
year terms, and the expiration of such
terms for three year terms, one member
being appointed each year.
The commission is to employ an engi-
neer and an experienced road builder as
secretary at salary of $1,000 per
year, who shall give bond of $4,000
He shall give advice, assistance and SUI
pervision as to road construction, and
may be required to attend public meet
ings held by the commission, his travel
ing expenses being paid while engaged in
the performance of his duties. He is
to- investigate and determine the loca-
ton of road material, and the most APP
proved methods of construction. An an
nual report is to be made to the gov
ernor giving maps and data as to state
roads constructed, and of the general
character and location of road material,
road construction and the needs of the
state, An appropriation of $4,000 per
year is made to support this branch of
the, work
The commission is to apportion the
state road and bridge fund among the
counties according to the requirements
of the constitution, and establish regu-
lations for the construction of state
roads. Boards of county commissioners
are authorized to designate highways as
state highways, and to improve them in
accordance with such regulations, the
secretary of the commission if possible
to make required surveys, grades and
specifications and to supervise the work.
If he finds it impossible to do this, he
may employ the county surveyor or
other competent surveyor or road build
er to act under his direction and report
to him. The cost of the construction
and improvement of state highways
shall be certified to the state highway
commission on Dec. l, each year. The
commission shall certify the amount to
be paid from the state fund to the state
auditor who shall pay the counties the
amount due. The bill provides that if
highway is to be constructed on the
boundary between two counties, the
commission shall apportion the aid to
be received by each county and author
ICES the counties to do the work jointly
if the boards of county commissioners
are able to agree.
1t is understood that the members of
the commission must serve without pay.
This may appeal to some men who are
filled with patriotic desire to do some
thing for their state, but The Free Press
goes ON record with the statement that
few years hence will find the COM
missioners clamoring for good, fat sal
aries. These state commissions and
state boards are becoming quite numer-
Gus as well as expensive
49,