Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-12-27

& The proposition to create 3 state
n snnk highway system, to be built Inc
Is one which originated with this de-
SSoaftJhent and which must stand or
3Sall ION it's own merits,'' said Mr.. Bah
cocks statement.
Il sincerely hope that no effort will
oe made by mi person, interest or
>arty to couple the program with any
'ther propaganda, and so far / have
AIKEN every possible means Of fore
failing any efforts in that direction.
IT want every man in the state Of
Minnesota to understand that the rec
lamentations of this department
nave been made in the interest Of the
people as a whole, and no considera-
ion has been given. to m particular
class, interest or party.
& what the plan is Meeting with ia
a'orable receptions is evidenced by ex-
Soresstons which lave poured into this
" office from all parts of the state. The
,nly criticisms I have heard have been
X hose based on incorrect interpreta-
lone Of the program. A few explana-
lions will clear these.
"In the first place, the amending
If the constitution to permit the issu-
ence of bonds does not remove. the
lid, as has been charged. The nlan
IS to create a system Of state trunk
highways and authorize the issuance
|. Of bonds for financing the work in
\ building them. 1t is not proposed to
permit bonds to be used for any roads
= esrSpt those in the system, and the
roads in the system are to be de-
scrihed in the amendment which will
be voted on by the people.
, In the second place, the plan is
C4that of this department and is not a
individual, party or interest. A brief
examination of the map Of the sys-
\ tem, which was given to the public
simultaneously with the announces
ment of the plan, will show that the
interest of every part of the state was
; considered when the system was out
Lined. No section of the state has
{ been faVOred-none neglected.
Another criticism which has been
heard is that what the state needs is
E roads which lead to the farmers
gate, which is not possible in a trunk
\ line system. This is taken care Of in
h plan. 1t is not contemplated to
( fund, nor the county inc township
funds. These are to be left intact for
building lateral or feeder roads.
There are in Minnesota approxi-
mately $4,000 miles of roads Of all
\ kinds, of which about $4,000 miles
are state roads. My recommendations
arel.t to take 5000 miles of the state
l roads. and include them in the consti-
( tuttoEal road system which will be
built, improved and maintained at
state expense. This will eliminate the
Identical roads which have received
approximately 80 per cent Of the
funds spent in road construction and
for the roads which lead to the farm.
er's gate, where before there was
only 50. ~"
1T is probable that it will take ID
years TO complete the reconstruction
OF the constitutional road system, il
the mendme carries; and in that
tlme the state aid. county and town
road funds should amount to more
than $60,000.000. This sum should
fipapce improvements of a character
con- Paratively as high as those Of the
trunk line system, when the differ
ence of traffic is taken into consider.
alton, Of at least $4,000 miles. This
means that. by 1881 the state should
have $4,000 miles Of highly improved
roads.
"Qn the other hand, if the amend
ment is defeated, either in the legis-
lature or at the hands of the people,
pratt PRACTICALLY ny all the money in sight
A. heavy traffic trunk lines which are
included in the proposed trunk line
highway system.
I'm conclusion, I want to frepeat
mat the proposed trunk highway sys-
\ ten, is an independent proposition. de.
\ vlsed to serve the needs Of all-farm-
\ ers, merchants, tourists, city residents
and rural inhabitants-and that it has
been devised in their interest, to be
passed upon by them at the general
election in 1920, and must not, on
peril of defeat, be coupled with any
propaganda of political party, bust.
ness interest, or individual political
d. am hifinn r. &c a h1,c;roeo 1n@rA.:.E-.
/ pure. and simple, and as such it mus
il stand or fall"