The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1917-04-12
ROAD LAW CHANGES
Brief Review of Changes in the
Dunn Road Law-Major -,
Cooley Retires.
Woman Suffrage Defeated in Senate
Public Domain Bill Passes
in the House.

st. Paul, April 11.-Senate File No.
oO9, which is now law, amends the
Dunn road law very materially. The
State Highway Commission is abol-
lshed, and in it's stead is substituted
Commissioner of Highways with all
the powers and duties of the Highway
Commission. The Commissioner of
Highways is paid salary Of $4,000
per year; he will devote his entire
time and attention to the duties of
the office; matters affecting the high
ways of the state can now be taken
up and disposed Of without unneces-
sary delay, and that is something the
county officials and general public will
appreciate.
* * *
No one conversant with the facts
will dispute that the Highway Com
mission has rendered the state valua-
BILE services in the past, and that, too,
without cost to the state-no member
of the commission ever drew dollar
out of the State treasury for services
rendered. But the members of the
commission had large interests Of their
own to attend to, and could not in the
nature of things devote the time neces-
sary to a successful administration of
the affairs of the important and grow
ing department Of public highways.
* * *
The appointee to the position of
Commissioner of Highways, Mr..
Charles M. Babcock, is splendid man
for the place. He has served on the
Highway Commission for eight years
and is thoroughly conversant with the
duties that will devolve upon him.
Moreover, he is a frst-class business
man with fine executive ability, and
he will speedily bring the department
to a high state of efficiency. His
first assistant will be John H. Mullen,
who was deputy under Major George
w. Cooley. Mr.. Mullen is deservedly
popular with all who have come in
contact with him. For the past six
months, owing to Major Cooley's poor
health, Mr.. Mullen has been virtually
the head of the department.
* * *
A word about Major Cooley, who
on account Of his advanced age and
poor health, voluntarily retires from
the position of secretary and chief
engineer. Since the Highway Com
mission was first established he has
served the State we'll and faithfully
as secretary and chief engineer. He
is quiet and unassuming man, and
performed the arduous duties i'm
posed upon him without ''fuss or
feathers" His heart and soul were
enlisted in the cause of road improve
ment, and he has rendered the State
inestimable services. The good work
he has performed has never, save by
a few, been appreciated. He has been
subjected to much unjust criticism.
But those who know him best and are
familiar with the greatwork he has ac-
complished, appreciate him most. Fu-
ture generations will honor the men,
DRY Of Major George w. Cooley-the
pioneer in Minnesota's good roads
movement.
X X X
Briefly here are the principal
changes made in the Dunn road law:
One paid Commissioner of Highways
instead Of three unpaid commissioners.
The commissioner appointed for a
term Of six years. The State Auditor
and State Treasurer act with the Com
missioner of Highways in alloting the
state road and bridge fund to the sew
eral counties, and in setting aside a
certain per cent of the State road and
bridge fund for the maintenance of the
Highway Department., but in no event
shall the sum so set aside exceed ten
per cent Of the fund. Heretofore the
department has been maintained by
direct appropriation from the gen
eral revenue fund of the State. The
change removes the necessity of going
before the legislature for an appro-
priation at every session. A reserve
maintenance fund Of $4,000 is provid-
ed for the maintenance of State roads
where the local authorities fail or re-
fuse to act. This $4,000 is revolv-
ing fund. For instance, if $4,000 is
expended in maintaining state road
in certain county this year, next
year that amount is deducted from
the allotment made to that county
and credited to the Reserve 'Mainten-
ance fund. This provision is abso-
lutely necessary under the Federal
road law, which requires that road
5;apon which Federal aid has been ex-
pended must be properly maintained.
The amount Of State aid that may be