The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1920-10-29
ESSAYS ON GOOD ROADS
THEY WERE WRITTEN BY
SCHOOL CHILDREN
All Advocate the Adoption Of
Amendment No. 1; Perma-
nent Highways

The following are the three best
essays Xritten in Blue Earth county
on the subject of Good Roads" and
were written by three girls. The con-
test has been. state wide among the
schools and the people OF Blue Earth
county >are proud to have three win
ners residing here.
Cathaleen Cuddy, 229 State street,
writes as follows:
THE question that people should be
most interested in at present Is the
Good Road Amendment No. /.
This Amendment will permit two
changes. The establishment OF seven
thousand miles Of main trunk high
way extending over the entire state.
1t will also increase the motor vehicle
license fees to privide funds to i'm
prove and maintain the system.
The roads will be made OF gravel,
concrete, brick and other materials
needed. Eyery road will be drained
and graded to insure the best service
all the year around.
"The fees shall be raised from the
motor Licenses but better roads will
lower the upkeep of the cars. All a.
round 1t will save on gas, on tires and
other important necessaries. 1t will
will enjoy riding.
Seventy routes make up this sys-
tenn. These proposed roads will es-
tablish closer communication between
town and city people. They will
make 1t easier for boys and girls to
stay in the country. It will be better
for the children who are going to
school in the city from the country.
The number of summer tourists will
be increased which will help town
and country to prosper. ...
Anybody who Is at all interested in
this Amendment vote yes, on Nov
ember 2. 1t win make Minnesota
farms accessible and will link the
towns together in a long chain, with
roads equal to every. reasonable de-
The essay written by Elsie Wrucke,
Good Thunder, reads:
Zone day as Mr.. Smith was going
to market with load Of grain, he
met Mr.. True, his neighbor. They
both stopped for a while to talk
Mr.. Smith said: Wen, / suppose Nov
ember will be quite an exciting day
for u.s. Why, said Mr.; True. it
won't be for me; all I'll do, is to go
and vote mo- because those roads are
just to- use up our money. 'Wellp
said Mr.. Smith, You're the first man
I've heard talk that way. Don't you
realize that these roads are going to
save in tires and gasoline. twill not
cost 80 much to send yours and every
body's children to school. 1t will add
millions of dollars OF wealth to the
state, by reducing market prices, and
help to develop the agricultural re-
sources OF the state. If the roads
were good, neither you nor / would
have lost SO much grain, in coming to
town. WheretI lived last year, was
within five miles OF the state highway
when it rained we had to go about
two miles out Of our way in order to
get to town. Now, am on the
Daniel Boone trail and let me tell
Welt said MIR. True, But the
money, I haven't got any to throw
away You have AGAR, said Mr..
Smith, and If they raise yours and all
motor vehicle owners taxes to eigh-
teen dollars a year,Ithe fund would
soon be raised I guess you are right
after ALL said Mr.. True. Sure am
said Mr.. Smith, Because it will free
the state Of the expense of keeping up
owners will gain back threefold by a
saving on the cost1of operating cars
well, / think I've changed my
mind, and when election time comes
around, I'll vote yes
Everyone else had better take this
advice and when collection time ap-
pears, all vote yes and put Amend
ment No. 1 over the top"
Catharine Willard, Mankato, writes:
Every state can benefit by good
roads and highways. Men in the
state Of Minnesota have realized that
no business growth Is possible with
out good transportation facilities and
have proposed an amendment to the
constitution, called the Babcock plan.
If the voters adopt this plan, seven
thousand miles OF good roads will be
constructed and improved as public
highways. The funds for such a pur-
pose will be raised by taxation Of mo-
! tor vehicles and without raising any
money by general taxation.
These roads will reach into all
parts Of the state, connecting every
important city, town and village.
Smaller roads will reach from the
trunk lines. into the rural districts
and give the farmers an outlet to sell
their products.
Nearly all foodstuffs, wearing ap-
parel and other necessities can. be
hauled over these roads, or public
highways. The time spent in switch :
ing, loading, and unloading these
goods on a freight train, is mucn
longer than sending the goods direct
ly by truck on these good roads, to
their destinations II more things
could be carried by truck, it would
greatly relieve the congested condi-
tons of the railroads
THE paved and graveled roads will
mean economy to the car owner, as
bad roads cost over twenty per cent
more to him In driving his car. 1t will
also mean that he can be sure always
Of good road and not be derendent
on the weather
zone Of the problems IN the United
States today. Is that of inducing the
boys and girls to stay on the farms.
If the good roads are built, making 1t
possible for them to visit their neigh.
bors and the nearest town, more OF
them will stay on the farms Country
children can, then, have all the advan-
tages OF education that the city child
rem have.
1.-THE ten thousand lakes in Mimi
esota are Of great interest to the
tourists from other states, who will
spend millions of dollars here il good
roads can be constructed to travel
over No other state has SO many
beauty spots, and we should make