The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1921-08-11

months period, Commissioner Bah
cock expects the trunk system to
show steadily increased results.
While there can be no let-up, little
difficulty is anticipated in keeping
things moving. Weak spots in the
organization are bringing changes
and by fall the trunk highway forces
will aim at 100 per cent efficiency.
*kx
Commissioner Babcocks policy, as
announced at the outset, is to get the
utmost in quick results this season
by maintenance work and to steadily
build up his organization for even a
! better showing in the future.
Minnesota's new highway laws
were passed and Commissioner Bah
cock was reappointed under them on
April %. Until that time the COM
missioner was without authority or
funds to make even preliminary sur
veys. He started at the very begin
ming with the construction season al
ready on. Then came the announce
ment that greatest stress would be
laid on maintenance this year.
Designations of temporary loca-
tions of trunk routes listed in the
Babcock amendment were rushed, and
as the roads were taken over, patrol
men were found for the 5 or 6 mile
sections. Also, big truck and tractor
fleets went in to the field to shape
them up for the patrolmen where
necessary.
Attention was given then to the
new construction projects. Acting on
the principle that a chain is no
stronger than it's weakest link, pol
icy of first building up poor stretches
in long milage Of otherwise good
roads was adopted.
Commissioner Babcock with John
H. Mullen, assistant commissioner
and chief road engineer, began tour
of trunk routes. Covering about 200
miles day, they picked out sections
in need of early improvement. Then
as the order of projects took form,
directions were wired to the St. Paul
offices, survey parties were dispatch
ed and plans made on which to cali
for bids. =
Promoting competition by aroang-
ing three lettings on lists of 81 1000
900 each about month apart, Com
missioner Babcock secured bids on
grading and graveling about 40 per
cent under 1920 costs, and Is per
cent lowe ron paving in spite of big
increases in railroad rates. Special
precautions were taken to insure 4
completion of the work this season.
Commissioner Babcock and his as
sistants also gave aid to various coun-
ties on planning and putting under
contract about $5,00O,OOO of trunk
highway improvements financed with
county reimbursement funds.
A large amount of odd work was
advanced. Surveys and investiga-
tons were made of routes in doubt
Or controversy. Efforts were not
forth to give courteous attention to
many petitions presented and COM
munications received.
Among other special work, plans
we're 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.
The first lap finished and the new
good roads machine running as fast
as funds will allow, Commissioner
Babcock left for Washington to di-
rect the campaign of highway execu-
tives in progressive states for con-
tinuation by congress Of federal aid
apportionments on the established
basis.
Reports are that the fight will be
successful, but the commissioner is
concerned in prompt action that the
Minneota 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 |
have been active in this
move for farm-to-market legislation |
rather than erich mems boulevards" |
plan.
BETTER BUTTERFAT PRICE
The Sank Lake Creamery will pay i