New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1919-02-05
OBI IONS DIVIDED
(0l6QU ]
BABcocK PROGRAM: In STATE
LEGISLATURE UP FOR
SHARP CRITICISM
ENACTMENT OF GOOD ROADS
LAWS FOR MINNESOTA
DESIRED BY ALL

DESIRED BY ALL
The good roads program is one of the
most important problems before the
state legislature during its present session.
The greatest attention thruout the state
his been attracted by the bill introduce d
by Senator McGarry and supported Ky
c. NJ. Babcock, state highway commits
sioner This bill now in the hands of
the committee on Public Highways is
defined as an act proposing an amend
ment to the constitution of the state Of
Minnesota, providing for and establishing
atrunk highway system to be constructed
improved and maintained by the state;
establishing and authorizing the creation
ola fund for such purpose by the taxation
of the motor vehicle, the issuance Of
bonds and otherwise If adopted the
amendmentrwil be known as article 16
Of the state constitution.
.<-.s Interests Differ
There is doubt in the minds of many
legislators as to whether the measure can
be amended SO it will pass, but it seems
to be certain, that legislation will be
enacted for at least starting a good roads
program in the interests of all. These
interests naturally differ: The problem
in rural communities is to get good
roads that will insure the farmers easy
access to markets. The problem in the
cities is to favor leading industries and
enterprises so owners can make more
money and at the same time be able to
provide more jobs. The political prob
lem is to create more offices, strengthen
a party machine and in general devise
means so more of the faithful can be
rewarded at the expense Of the public.
Besides, there are always special interests
eager for public improvements, because
the more improving done, the richer they
will become. But the people " no pay
the bills want to be sure the improve
ments will really benefit them and not
some contractor, summer resort pro-
prietor, land holder or other individual
or concern.
Big Project
The highway program in it's present
form, is the most ambitious public devel-
opment project ever advanced in Mime
sofa. 1t provides for the building OF
truck highway system reaching 6,23S
miles turnout the state to he forever
maintained by the state The roads
proposed will cost the state $10O,OOO,-
600, which means the state will go in
debt for this sum. This necessitates
a new heavy taxation Of motor vehicles.
The proceeds from this auto tax will
be credited to the trunk highway fund.
All bonds sold will be for term OF not
more than 20 years. They cannot be
sold for less thanpar and accrued interest.
The rate Of interest shall not exceed five
per cent, annually. H..
Cbjectons Made
Sentiment on the new plan is divided
among the legislators as we'll as among the
people thruout the state, if present
indications at the capitol are correct.
Objections are made to the state going
100000, 900 in debt, as the governmental
policy of Minnesota has been to prac-
tically keep the state out of debt. But
the supporters Of the plan contend that
e $1O0,0O0,O0O debt would be an
Investment and they: point to the states
Of Illinois ard Michigan incurring debts
fer good road building.
Want Gravel Roads
MAJ farming communities insist that
the present need is system of gravel
reads built once and after this is done it
will be time enough to consider asphalt
OR other high-priced highways. Legis-
lators, it is said at the capitol, taking
bread and common sense view of reasons
for political and social unrest in Mime
sofa are among ccntenders fer gravel
reads. They see two ways to partially
satisfy farmers who admittedly have a
just complaint against existing conditions.
One is to provide roads so after far !,
mer does his seasons work and pro-
duces his crops he is sure Of getting that !,
crop to market and selling it. The
other is to put an end to market gratis
50 after farmer disposes Of his product
a combination Of interests will not tf ke
the profits he has earned End is entitk Il
to. It is pointed out that the first
problem in Minnesota is to get a good
gravel road into every farming COM
munity. When this is done the time will
be ripe for considering greater develop
ment and improvement, the opponents
Of the present program say.