The Bismarck tribune., 1921-08-29
Big ROAD PLAN
FOR MINNESOTA

st. Paul, Minn., Aug. 29.-Minneso
ia this year is launching an enlarged
public highway development program
under the Babcock Plan, formulated by
Charles M. Babcock, state commission
err of highways, and adopted under al
amendment to the state constitution
by vote of 526, 1886 to 199,603.
Federal aid Forthcoming on the for
mer basis, Minnesota will have avail
able this year approximately $685.
900 for state trunk and county loca
road improvements. Commissioner
Babcock has just returned from Wash
iington where he fought for fedora
highway legislation for farm-to-mar
ket roads as provided in the Mime.
sofa program. The 1921 highway funt
estimate is exclusive of paving anc
other street improvements being made
by cities and towns through local ex.
penditures.
Previous to the adoption Of the Bab-
cock Plan, all public highway mainte-
nance and improvements in Minnesota
were made by county and city author
tiles. The Minnesota Highway depart
ment acted largely in an advisory ca
pacty, especially on federal and state
projects. Highway funds represented
the federal aid apportionment of $2,-
$4,000 a year, and the proceeds of a
1-mill tax apportioned in aid to coun-
ties and on local levies, and last year
made a grand total of about $751;
0OO, 1000.
The Babcock Plan, adopted by con
stitutional amendment, transfers to
the state about 1000 miles of arteria
or trunk highways for future mainte-
nance and improvement. 1t provides
that an onerous tax may be levied, in
Lieu of other taxes, on motor vehicles
and that the proceeds, together with
any federal funds apportioned, shall
be used for the 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 re-
gions making Minnesota known as a
state of ten thousand lakes.
Adoption of the constitutional
amendment followed vigorous cam
paign directed by seni-public cor
poration which had branches in every
community in the state and raised for
its support approximately 100000 in
contributions. Minnesota newspapers
were given the lions share of credit
for the success Of the campaign and
continue to cooperate with the high
way department toward maintaining
public interest in good roads now that
the new plan is being launched.
The amendment became effective
Jan. l, 1921, but because of many ad-
ministrative problems presented the
legislature did not provide the depart
ment machinery until April Is. After
extensive investigation and study, the
One-man system Of highway admins
tration was adopted in preference to
the commission or board plan. High
way statutes were completely recodi-
fled. ~
A schedule of motor vehicle taxes
was worked out, owners paying in lieu
of other taxes and licenses, except
wheelage levies in some cities, 2 per
cent annually on the basis of the fac
tory price listed, with depreciation al
lowances of 25 per cent after 3 years
and SO per cent after five years, and
tax minimums of $12 on pleasure cars
and SIS on trucks. Nearly $6,00O,OO0
this year is expected under the sched-
ules 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
trunk routes temporarily designed and
taken over by the state for mainte-
nance.
An "army" of 1926 patrolmen COW
ering the system to smooth temporary
routes until permanent improvements
can be extended, Il, - -
Another big -maiptenanse force,