The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1920-10-29
John n. Hohmann and George
M. Palmer Were Speakers
Last Night
Permanent HighwaysWilI Come
Out of Proposed Modern
.. Methods
Babcock Law Was Given In
Detail; Great Benefits To
Be Derived

George M. Palmer of this city
will address a gathering Of vot-
ers at the lakeview school house
at Judson tomorrow night on the
topic OF the benefits Of Good
Roads" and on Amendment No.
or the Babcock plan of good
roads. John n. Hohmann will ad-
dress a meeting at st. Clair to-
morrow night on the terms of the
Babeoek plan Of good roads or
Amendment No. I.
Good roads enthusiasts last even
ing had splendid opportunity to
hear the truth about Amendment No.
l, or the Babcock good roads plan.
and the benefits to be derived from
the adoption of the proposed amend
Ment in two addresses delivered at
Mankato theatre last night by John
II. Holman and George NJ. 1 almer,
In the absence Of Charles T. Taylor.
VINO was to have presided at the
meeting, but was indisposad last
night, w. A. Streater presided and in
troduced the speakers Of the even
ing. The meeting which was opened
by a community sing led by Miss
Cornelia Mansfield, was largely at
tended, and the audience listened
with great interest to the addresses
delivered.
Mayor e. V. Waters delivered the
address OF welcome, and dwelt at
some length upon the conditions of
roads in the early days in this tmme-
date vicinity. The roads then were
mere paths cut through thu heavy
forests, and in rainy weather were
impossible. Since that date, how
ever, the times have advanced. and
so has the valuation of property,
which has necessitated a change in
road building. The roads of even
twenty years ago will not even now
meet the demands of the ever in
creasing heavy traffic. For that
reason a heavier and better type of
road building will have TO be adopt
ed. The speaker said that ne could
not think Of better plan to meet
the demands of road building nee.
essary to meet the demands Of trafs
nc than the adoption of the Babcock
plan, for which he hoped every one
would vote yes next Tuesday.
Address BY John n. Hohmann.
Mayor Waters address was fol-
lowed by an address by John H.
Hohmann on the truth about the
Babcock plan. =
John FL Holman in opening his re-
marks about the terms Of the Babcock
good roads plan. first explained the oper-
alton Of the. present Dunn road law, the
amount OF revenue derived from taxa
ton under the law. and the manner Of
the distribution of funds thus derived.
The speaker also referred to the tremend-
Gus increase in the number Of auto
mobiles. He quoted from government
sources and brought up statistics show
Ing that on January first 1900 there were
only 3,700 registered automobiles, or
vehicles in the United States, and that
on January first 1920 this number had
been increased to over 1880. 900 and Of
this number nearly one third are farmer
owned machines. The fact was brought
out that there are as many automobiles
IN Blue Earth county at the present time
as there were In the whole United States
twenty years ago. AS result of this
mobile there came a corresponding de-
mand for more and better roads and al
so for more money for improving and
maintaining the highways. The county
commissioners and the highway COM
missioner Of the state are unable to
meet the demands made upon them for
building and maintenance OF highways.
Mr.. Babcock. the present state high
way commissioner. Mr.. Hohmann explain
ed. therefore. studied out a plan which
he submitted to the last session of the
state legislature. This plan has been al
most unanimously adopted by the both
branches of the state legislature. and
M mas ssh since been endorsed by associations
the state of Minnesota. This plan is
known and will DE voted upon November
z. as amendment No. l. Before, how
ever entering upon the discussion of this
plan, Mr.. Hohmann called attention to
certain false propaganda that is being
widely circulated to the effect that the
plan calls for concrete roads. and that
as a result the present shortage of
roads, The speaker stated first of all
the plan does provide for, nor is IL the
intention of the bill to build concrete
roads. and thas II the bill provided for
ing strong advocate Of the plan he
would use his best efforts in opposition
to 1t. Mr.. Hohmann stated taht 1t would
be absolutely wrong to limit the consti-
tuition of this state to the building on
any one or two types OF road. The speak
er urged upon the people not to pay any
attention to the false propaganda now
being circulated.
amendment Section BY Section
Taking UP the Amendment section by
section. the speaker first referred to
section one. which creates and establishes
a trunk highway system. which shall be
located. constructed and reconstructed
improved and forever maintained as a
Minnesota. That these highways shall
follow as closely as possible certain
roads designated In the bill. The man
ner. specifications and different work
shall be determined by such boards, Of
ficers. tribunals as shall be prescribed by
the law. 1t was explained that the sec
ton further provides that when rs per-
cent Of the total number of miles en-
braced In the system have been con-
structed that the legislature of the state
Of Minnesota may add new routes to the
trunk highway system. This section
also provides for highway system
connecting every county seat in the
state and every other county seat in the
state. This system will embrace about
1900 miles Of main and most important
highways of the state. the roads that
are today serving at least 80 percent Of
the travel of the state. Mr.. Holman
stated that II Amendment No. 1 carries
the state will Immediately take over
these 1000 miles of roads and the coun-
ty commissioners will be relieved Of the
duty and responsibility of constructing
and maintaining them and the county
commissioners and the township officers