The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1920-10-29

.hefrw own immediate. vicinity. but all
over the statA,. for the car made II pos
sible to all parts OF the state. In the
face of this advancement Of travel we
are following the road building methods
Of forty years ago. The roads today are
state wide proposition. and 1t is unfair
to suppose that counties are to bear the
burden OF building and maintaining these
state highways. which are for the people
of Minnesota and oil other states. The
great expense being assumed by the
counties is shown by the fact that five
years ago we were raising in Blue Earth
county road and bridge fund $4,000,
and this year 500; 600: o, amen nan mt
relieved Of the building and mainten-
ance of ninety-fve miles Of roads which
will be assumed by the state. These
same roads last year cost us $4s,Oo0. TO
remove all autos in the county from the
personal nroperZX tax list would reduce
our tax about $4,000, but IL we were re-
lieved of the burden of $4,000 on the
state roads clear saving OF $4,000
would be realized on the taxable pro-
perty of the county. and we could take
that $4,000, and spend it ON the lateral
or side roads.
Cost OF Building Roads
The cost of building the 1000 miles Of
state roads Is to be paid by automobiie
and truck owners of the state who will
be taxed In accordance with the horse
power, weight and cost OF ten cars. NO
general tax for the building and main
tanning of these roads is contemplated as
the state believes that the tax derived
from the taxation Of autos will furnish
all Of the money which can be USED pro-
fitably in road building. One OF the OBJ
jections one hears Is. that the system
will cost too much, but 1t is to be paid
for by the automobile owners who use
the roads the most and profit by better
roads. For that reason it would seem
that no one would object on the grounds
of general tax. which Is not contemplat-
ed. 1t Is also argued that the state
is true that the bill gives the power to
the state legislature to raise $10O00.0O0
each year for seven and a half years, but
the interest ON these bonds Is to be paid
from taxes from the same source. II the
full amount of bonds to the amount OF
SIS. 100000 were raised the interest would
increase the taxes Of the state $3,7b0.O00
per year The small increase in taxes
to every tax payer will be seen when it
Is stated that IL one paid taxes on $S.-
600 worth of property. and the entire
cost Of the interest were levied on the
general property OF the state: u would
which is ample proof that no one need
worry about the bond issue. IL an issue
Is made. Twelve counties in Wisconsin
to build good roads. Illinois has bonded
herself for s60.000.000. and Missouri Is
seeking to pass an amendment by which
to bond itself for s60.0o0.o00 for the same
The danger of bond issue. if
there is an issue. owing to the
cost which Is so small to the general
axable property that 1t need not be con-
sat we sbs 20 lose nOs arge 'as Of
federal aid. The rural districts will al
so lose about forty percent on the entire
tax to be assessed against autos in this
~ foxy lie o.
posed to be paid by the cities of the
first class. Duluth, ST. Paul and Minne-
apolis, and not one dollar OF this forty
percent can be spent in those cities. Thus
an opportunity of getting a large amount
of aid from the federal government and
the cities of the first class by adopting
this amednment.
The benefits to the state, are so great,
that 1t would seem impossible for any
one to vote against the PLAN FARMERS
will be benefited by better roads Whlcn
will reduce hauling costs. bring about
better educational facilities in the con-
solidated schools, which will mean an
equal chance for the boy and the girl IN
the country to get as good an eduGatlon
and equal chance with the city children:
Better roads will mean better social
conditions and better home life and will
result In more young people remaining
on the farms than otnerw use , 1000
closer to the city. which will permit OF
taking in all Of the attractions. of the
cities. It wiz permit Of getting medical
services that cannot be obtained other
wise. There Is not physician in Man,
kato using horse drawn AVN venice We M,,r a nc
In case of summoning medical AID from
Mankato after prolonged wet spell,
farmer now would have to send team
for the doctor, for the roads in their
nrasaok condition, would NOT he Da SSa Bile
to an automobile. Good roads will bring
advantages ell over the state and otner
states and to every auto owner. AUTOS
are being used very drg s t IN ina nany
tourists seen everywhere during the
summer. Minnesota is natural sum
mer playground Our 10000 lakes
are proving to be a great great, and vast
Of us are taking advantage OF the pleas
ures to be obtained there. When II is
known that Minnesota has great sys-
tenn of good roads. the influx OF tourists
will increase by the thousands. This
will mean q great increase. in farm lands
as many of the tourists will settle in this
state, and the more that come. the more
will be the advance in land prices.
Minnesota is one Of the greatest states
in the unfcS. The building and main
tenance of these state roads means much
for the future developement OF tne sta. :.
and every voter should plan to do his
part to help carry out the plan whicn
means so much to the state. He should
plan not alone for himself. but for TOR the tn
IS the nlaI1 fails il will be from ignor-
ance of what the plan really means and
the selfishness OF the voter who may
think that the state roads go by tneiT
60 that the entire $4,000 miles of roads
in in this state win be materially benefit
Cd II is an opportunity for this state
and other states to secure the oeneIi.s
baneft nv their use, the autoists
Who will save more in the operation OF
tbeir cars that the tax will cost them.
FRED GARRISON INJURED