The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1906-09-01
i OR COOL r ADS.
Cook County Advised to Get in Line
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Thesne gestion is offered by our,en.
terprising Lake county: neighbors that
/ this county can help much in the cause
OF good roads in: this section of the state
by the organization OF a good roads as
sociat ton to cooperate with like associ-
atlons now orgahized in Lake and St.
Louis counties. The suggestion is, we
are convinced, worthy the earnest con-
slderation OF all citizens. - Tt is point
out that by working together such or
carnations will be able to WELD a con-
siderable influence ln securing state aid
for the building and maintenance of
needed public highways.
BY constitutional amendment adopt
cd four years ago there is created fund
for highway Improvement, which is to be
disbursed under the direction of state
highway commission created by the
same act. This fund is accumulated by
tax levy of 1-20th of a mill, aggregat-
ing $4,000 annually. Adding to this
the interest from the improvement land
fund brings the total annual revenue to
this fund up to $4,000. None of the
fund will be available until March, 1907.
1t will be distributed among the eighty
three counties OF the state according to
the Judgment of the commission based
upon the necessities and interests of
the people of the state. The maximum,
to any county win be 3 per cent, or
$2,1OO; and the minimum one-half per
cent, $3.50.
It is not the intention of the commits
sion to advocate the construction of ex-
pensive highways, but rather to assist
IN the construction suitable to the needs
of the people and to their ability to
maintain. Any county board may des-
ignate county road or specify por-
ton thereof in It's county as a state road
and construct pr improve the same in
accordance with the regulations of<the
highway commission relative to state
roads. The law further provides that
the state engineer, who, is appointed by
the commission, shall, when practicable,
assist the county surveyor in locating
such road, establishing grades and pre-
>parlng plans and specifications for such
work, as we'll as for bridges and culverts
thus making the state engineer consult
ing engineer of the different counties.
The highway commission and state
engineer will disseminate information in
regard to all matters pertaining to the
construction and maintenance of roads
and bridges, and to this end the state
engineer is preparing for free distribu-
lion pamphlets relating to the construc-
ton and maintenance of earth roads,
which will be followed later in the sea-
son by pamphlet on gravel roads, Gull
verts and bridges :. 49,. 49, -
The main object to be gained by an
improved sy stem of highways is the re-
duction in the cost OF transportation.
The Office OF public roads in Washington
has been engaged for number of years
IN investigating road conditions in all
countries and as result of these inyee-
legations We find that the cost of trans
portation to the farmer of the Unite d
States is three times what it costs the
farmers of Europe to market an equal
tonnage of produce. The average &C ST.
of transportation ia the United States
over the ordinary roads OF the country
is 25c per ton per mile, while the cost of
transportation in European countries,
where perfect system Of highways pre-
walls, is from 6 to IL cents per ton per
mile. J.
If Cook county is to share justly the
fruits of this wise legislation we must
adopt the suggestion AMI emulate the
example OF our Lake county neighbors.
and oroop;1o