The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1921-08-10
Summary of Program on First
Lap Features Mid-Season
Highway Report -.
THIS YEAR is CERTAIN
TO- BE RECORD-BREAKER
Babcock Forces Speed in State
Trunk Highway Improve
ment Shown By Survey

Charles M. Babcock, state highway
commissioner has made public a mid
season review of activities in the Min
,nesota highway department covering
the 90-day period since Good Roads
Amendment No. L went into effect.
The summary, indicating that oper--
ations are we'll advanced on a large
Scale toward spreading early benefits
over, the entire trunk route system,
is as follows: L..
About 5000 of the 1000 miles OF
trunk routes temporarily designated
and taken over by the state for main
tenance. H..
Army of 1,126 patrolmen covering
the, system to smooth temporary
routes until permanent improvements
can be extended. ~. 80 e. 49,. o.
Another big maintenance force,
equipped with $50 trucks and SO
tractors---surplus war equipment re-
built for poad Notwithstanding up high
ways for patrolmen were necessary.
Office and field forces increased
from small number to, nearly 5000
employees, exclusive of hundreds Of
contract work, but administrat ton
expenses held to less than per cent.
Approximately $S,000,000 of new
construction, for 1921 completion in
about rs scattered sections, placed
under contract at prices from Is to
SO per cent below 1920 levels charged
counties.
! Fight continued for new federal aid
apportionment to enable Minnesota
to carry out it's full 1921 program for
GIT miles of grading, 439 miles OF
gravel surfacing and 80 miles Of new
paving. n 80 = ~ r.
Undertakings advanced as outlin-
ed, Commission err Babceck left FOR
Washington to continue the fight for
farm-to-market- road legislation in
order to add $2,225,000 of grading
and gravel surfacipg and $500, O00 of
paving to 1921 construction lists I'M
der the state development program.
49, Year Record Breaker.
However, new high records IN high
way improvement this year are as
sured the state with road funds from
all sources expected to exceed $685.
100000 The trunk funds include
nearly $6,OO0,OOO of motor vehicle
taxes, 100000 Of county bond
IllOuey dLu VI OudUly - H,o1O,VVo VI
federal aid, it is estimated, while
counties will have nearly $12,500, 900
to spend on the laterals or feeder
rcads---$1 $4,000 of local tax reve-
nue. and $1,65O,O00 of state aid.
Extra organization work accom-
plished and urgent projects under
way after the first strenuous three
months period, Commissioner Bah
cock expects the trunk system to
show steady increasing results.
while there can be no let-up, little
difficulty is anticipated in keeping
things moving. Weak sports in the
organization are bringing changes and
by fall the trunk highway forces will
aim at 100 per cent efficiency.
Strives for Practical Results.
Commissioner Babcock's policy, as
announced at the outset, is to get the
utmost in quick results this. season
by maintenance work and to stearily
build up his organization for even
better showings in the future.
'Minnescta's new highway laws
were passed and Commissioner Bah
cock was reappointed under them
April 25. Until that time the commits
sioner was without authority or
funds to make even preliminary sur
veys. He started at the very begin
ming with the construction season
already on. Then came the announce
ment that greatest stress would be
laid on maintenance this year.
Designation of temporary location
of trunk routes listed in the Babcock
amendment were rushed, and as the
roads were taken over, patrolmen
were found for the 5 or mile sec
lions. Also, big truck and tractor
fleets went lin to the field to shape
them up temporarily for the patrol
men when necessary.
d, Poor Links Fixed First.
Attention was given them to the
new construction projects. Acting on
Continued on Page E6)