The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-01-10

representatives from all the counties
and cities between Mankato and
Minneapolis met at Shakopee Fri
day to discuss the matter of obtain
ing the support of the counties in
terested in carrying out the work
of building a federal postroad from
Mankato and Minneapolis by way
of the Minnesota river valley, should
this route be designated by the
state highway commission as the
most favorable one. The meeting was
characterized by the general feel
ing of enthusiasm of all the dele
gates present All seemed greatly
in favor of having the road progress
Sed as soon as possible.
Efforts Should Be Appreciated.
The farmers and business men in
the county should greatly appreci-
ate the efforts of the committees in
working so ardently to get this road
designated. Enthusiastic co-Opera-
ton with the farmers is especially
| expected.
The valley road will connect
with the federal road which has
been proposed to run from Chicago
TO the Black Hills, by way of WI
mona, Owatonna and Mankato. If
this road is built there will be over
hundred miles of excellent road
from the cities through Mankato to
Good Thunder: for the fourteen mile
stretch which is to be built from
Nankato 10 Good Thunder under the
| Elwell law has now been started.
Must Provide For Upkeep.
Attorney II. L. Schmitt also spoke
on the proposed road He said that
the principal trouble with it seemed
! to be the same as the airship prob
| lem, the upkeep. IF the road is
! designated he said, each county
will have to provide for the upkeep
to the tune of $50 per mile per
year if necessary This does not
| mean that $50 a mile will have TO
! be paid every year, or even any
year, but that if that much is re-
| uuired TO keep the road in condi-
| ton the county will have TO pay
| $50 nar mile The enthusiasm for
! the Mortified route was somewhat
| dampened when the county commits.
| siOners found this out They also
! thought that the $4,000 from the
| federal government and the state
appropriation would about build the
| road and that it would cost the
| county almost nothing. but when
! they found out that the county must
also give $4,000 toward making the
road they were not so anxious Mic
! ollet county will have about nine
miles of this road to take care OF
and Blue Earth will have only about
! six miles. lie Sueur county will
have about ten miles, and this is
| the reason why the county commits
! sioners are not quite so enthusiastic
! over the road as those of other
! counties.
Pledged City For $50.
President Crandall reported that
at the meeting in Shakopee which
| he had attended he had pledged the
! city to the amount of 500 for the
running expenses of the organiza
| ton. His action was sanctioned by
| the club and the club also decided
| 10 pay the expenses of the other
| club members who represented the
! club there. 1t was moved that q
| committee of six be appointed to &C
before the lie Sueur county commits
siOnerS at their next meeting and
1 put the valley road matter before
i them. The committee is also to be
authorized to speak on the subject
), at the meeting of the county com
| missioners of this county as there
are some new members now on the
board who are not thoroughly &C
quainted with the matter. The eX
penses of this committee will alst
be paid by the club.
Judge Cray made a short repor
for the good roads committee of tn,
club and said that on account of the
| illness of the chairman, George NJ
Palmer, nothing had been done late
ly. Work on the Good Thunde
road has been commenced and al
the farmers have been very willin:
TO pay their share of the cost al
provided under the Elwell law Tn
der this law, the state pays half tn
cost, the county one-fourth and tn
property owners benefited one
fourth.
Good Roads Subscriptions.
c. E. Wise reported on the goo
roads subscription committee an
: said that SO far only $1,000 of tn
required $4,000 had been pledged
The pledges state that the subscrt
er will pay a certain amount ever
year for five years and it was hope
70 raise $4,000 every year. MI
Wise said that the money came yer
hard, but he thought that it coul
be raised Mr.. Wise said that whe
the one-mill road tax is levied
will be double burden on som
who have subscribed literally to thi
fund and who will also have to pa
the one mill tax. He thought tina
coed with the money already pledged
: This was thought unadvisable by tn
) club as it was unfair to the one
who have subscribed.
Judge Cray discussed the one mi
: tax and how it would affect tn
{ proposition before the club. 9TH
one mill tax amendment was rat
fled by the people" he said. IAN
in the whole state, when it is levie,
will bring in 81 100000 for state roa
: work. Government lands are also 81
= aside from time to time to be sol
: for the same purpose. This none
: is under the direct control of I'll
state highway commission and ca
not be dispensed eXcept by TIL;
=, body. 1t will be doled out to IL
n counties who need the money mo
!, and which are doing the most
!. help themselves. Each county ca