The Mankato free press., 1921-09-02
Enlarged Program Carried
Out This Year
UNDER BABC0CK PLAN
With Federal Aid MinnesotaWil|
Have $26, 1893, 900 Available
For Highways
ASSOCIATED Press Dispatch

ASSOCIATED Press Dispatchl
st. Paul. August 27-Minnesota
this year is launching an enlarged
public highway development program
under the Babcock Plan. formulated
by Charles NJ. Babcock,s state COM
missioner Of highways, and adopted
under an amendment to the state
constitution by vote of 526, 936 to
199,60S.
Federal aid forthcoming on the
former basis, Minnesota will have
available this year approximately
S26,333, 900 for state trunk and coun-
ty local road improvements. Com.
missioner Babcock has just returped
from Washington where he fought
for federal highway legislation for
in the Minnesota program. The 1921
highway fund estimate is exclusive
of paying and other street improve
ments being made by cities and
towns through local expenditures.
Previous to the adoption of the
Babcock Plan. ali public highway
Minnesota were made by county and
city or town authorities. The Mimi
esota Highway. department acted
pecially on federal and state aid
projects. Highway funds represent
ed the federal aid apportionment OF
S2,S40,000 a year, and the proceeds
of l-mill tax apportioned in aid to
counties and on local levies, and last
year made a grand total of about
SIS 1000, 900.
The Babeoek Plan
The Babcock Plan, adopted by con
stitutional amendment, transfers to
, the state about 1000 miles Of arter-
ial or trunk highways for future
maintenance and Improvement. II
provides that an onerous tax may be
levied, in lieu of other taxes, on mo-
tor vehicles and that the proceeds
together with any federal funds
apportioned, shall be used for Ehe
Improvement Of the trunk highway
system.
Trunk highways listed in the con-
stitutional amendment extend into
every section of the state, through
the important cities and towns and
the regions making Minnesota knows
as a state of ten thousand lakes.
Adoption of the constitutional
amendment followed vigorous
campaign directed by a semi public
corporation which had branches In
every community in the state and
raised for its support approximately
100000 in contributions Minnesota
newspaper were given the lions
share Of credit for the success of the
campaign and continue to co-oper-
ate with the highway department to-
ward maintaining public interest in
good roads now that the new plan
is being launched.
The amendment became effective
january !. 1921: but because OF
sented the legislature did not pro-
vide the department machinery until
April 25. After extensive investiga-
tion and study, the one man system
Of highway administration was a
dopted in preference to the commits
sion or board plan. Highway sta
tutes were completely recodified.
Motor vecicle Taxes
A shedule of motor vehicle toxes
was worked out, owners paying IL
lieu of other taxes and licenses, eX-
cept wheeling levies in some cities
two per cent annually on the basis
of the factory price listed, with de-
probation allowances of twenty five
per cent after three years and fifty
per cent after five years, and tax
minimums Of S12 on pleasure cars
and SIS on trucks. Nearly $6,000,
600 this year is expected under the
schedules given.
In the first three months of road
building under the new plan. the fol-
lowing was accomplished About
$500 of the 1000 miles of truck
routes temporarily designed and
taken over by the state for mainten-
ance.
An army" Of LIPS patrolmen COW
ering the system to smooth temper
ary routes until permanent improve
ments can be extended.
Another big maintenance force
equipped with $50 trucks and fifty
tractors-surplus was equipment re-
built for road work-shaping ur
highways for patrolmen where ne
cessary. -
Office and field forces increased
from small number to nearly 5000
employees, exclusive of hundreds on
contract work. Administration ex-
pense held to less than seven pei
cent of total expenditure. Approx
mately SS,000,0 900 of new construction
for 1921 completion In about seven
ty-five scattered sections placed un-
der contract at prices from fifteen to
fifty per cent below 1920 levels
charged counties.