The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1921-08-12
FAST ROAD W0hk
IN FIRST so nays.
BRIEF SUMMARY Or PROGRESS
ON FIRST LAP SHOWN BY
HIGHWAY RECORDS.


Roads Amendment No. l went into
effect. The summary, indicating tina,
operations are well advanced on q
large scale toward spreading early
benefits over the entire trunk route
system, is as follows:
About 5000 of the 1000 miles OF
trunk routes temporarily designated
and taken over by the state for main
tenance.
Army of 1,126 patrolmen covering
the system to smooth temporary
routes until permanent improvements
can be extended.
Another big maintenance force,
equipped with $50 trucks and SO
tractors surplus war equipment re-
built for road work-shaping up high,
ways for patrolmen where necessary.
| Office and field forces increased
from small number to nearly 5000
employees, exclusive of hundreds on
contract work, but administrator
| expense held to less than per cent.
Approximately $8,000,000 of new
construction for 1921 completion in
about IS scattered sections, placed
under contract at prices from Is to
SO per cent below levels charged
counties.
Fight continued for new federal aid
apportionment to enable Minnesota to
carry out its full 1921 program for
GIT miles of grading, 438 miles of
gravel surfacing and 80 miles of new
paving.
Undertakings advanced as outlined,
Commissioner Babcock left for WASH
ington to continue the fight for farm
lto-market road legislation in order to
add $2,225, 900 of grading and gravel
surfacing and $500, 900 of paving to
the 1921 construction losts under the
state development program
This Year Record Breaker.
However, new high records in high
way Improvement this year are as
sured the state with road funds frem
all sources expected to exceed $26,-
600, 000 The trunk funds include
nearly $6,000,000 Of motor vehicle
taxes, $5,000,000 of county bond
money and probably S2,s40,000 of
federal aid, it is estimated, while
counties viii have nearly $12, 500, 600
to spend on laterals or feeder roads
$10,850,000 of local tax revenue and
81 $4,000 of state aid.
Promoting competition by arrang-
ing three lettings on lists of 81 ,0O0,-
900 each about month apart, Com
missioner Babcock secured bids on
grading and crawling averaging
about 40 per cent under 1920 costs.
and Is per cent lower on paving in
spite of the big increases in railroad
rates. Special precautions were taken
to insure completion of work this
season.
County Projects Swell List.
Commissioner Babcock and his as
sistants also gave aid to various
counties on planning and putting
under contract about $5,000,000 Of
trunk highway improvements financed
with county reimbursement bonds.
A large amount of odd work was
advanced. Surveys and investiga-
tons We're made of routes in. doub.
or controversy. Efforts were put
forth to give courteous attention to
| many petitions presented and COM
munications received.
Among other special work, plans
were made to mark all trunk routes
with their respective numbers on vel
low stars, significant of the North
Star state. This big task is being
pushed now in all districts.
Fighting for Federal Aid.
The first lap finished and the new
good roads machine running. as fast
as funds will allow, Commissioner
Babcock left for Washington to direct
the campaign of highway executives
in progressive states for continual
ton by congress of federal aid appor-
tionments on the established basis.
Reports are that the fight will be
successful, but the commissioner is
concerned in prompt action that the
Minnesota program of new highway
construction for 1921 may be carried
out in full and not curtailed nearly
SO per cent.
The National Farm Bureau fedora
ton, civic and commercial and other
organizations have been active in this
move for farm-to-market legislation
rather than @rich mans boulevardss''
| plan.
Extra organization work accom-
plished and urgent projects, undez
way after the first strenuous three
months period, Commissioner Bah
cock expects the trunk system to
show steadily increasing results.
While there can be no let-up, little
difficulty is anticipated in keeping
things moving. Weak spots in the
organization are bringing change.
and by fan the trunk highway forces
win aim at 100 per cent efficiency.
1 Strives for Practical Results.
| Commissioner Babcock's policy, =
announced at the outset. is to gel
The utmost b quick results this sea