The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1922-11-17
WANTS ADEQUATE
HIGHWAY FUNDS.
STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
RECOMMENDS WAYS OF
FINANCING.

Bonds to help Minnesota to GO
on with its highway program. keep
ing PAGES with other good roads
states, automobile tax revisions and
other changes in existing laws are
to be recommended to the Legis-
lature of 1923 by the state highway
department, Commissioner Charles
NJ. Babcock announced this week.
First, the department proposes
that the reimbursement bond law be
put in effect again for the benefit
of counties which did not act under
its provisions. The law was orig
mated in the 1919 Legislature to
prevent possible neglect of pro-
posed trunk highways in anticipa-
ton of the passage of Good Roads
Amendment No. l. 1t authorized
their respective portions of proposed
trunk routes, implying that interest
and principal would be paid from
the trunk highway fund when ere
ated. Many counties sold bonds in
different amounts under this law, 1t
is explained, and gained leads over
others. The highway department
proposes to even up the program by
giving all counties like npportun-
sold will depend upon votes OF
county commissioners as before.
Many other states now joining In
the better roads movement with lib
eral funds available, highway Off
up its program to retain its pres
ent reputation as leader and pro-
fit by the most direct returns. To
IL Of &afo
trunk highway bonds of $4,000
ed under Amendment No. !, are to
be recommended to the legislature.
Besides extensive grading and gray
cling improvements, this viii insure
some paving on heavy traffic Sec
tions where the cost of maintaining
even unsatisfactory gravel surfacing
is more than would be the cost OF
paving, bond interest included.
Changes of motor vehicle taxes,
without reduction of the aggregate
revenue from this source, will be
supported by the highway depart
ment. 1t will be maintained that
the average automobile and truck
owners already save on car expense,
gasoline and tires through road bet
terments in amounts equalling OF
exceeding their taxes. While the
scheme under which old cars are
taxed higher than new of the same
makes and models, the officials said
big declines in car prices must b
considered in fixing new rates. Any
other action would seriously cripple
the plan that is giving Minnesota
better roads in record time and a.
cost below average.
Highway officials declar'' them
selves in favor of the gasoline tax
under which light cars pay more
than heavy machines and each car
in proportion to mileage it covers
but insist that it should be only a
part of the tax. They contend that
taxable property value considera.
tons cannot be ignored in any fan
and just plan. However, each cent
a gallon on gasoline in Minnesota
would take about 81 a year from
the average car owner and yield ST..
$4,000 annually for extra or ad.
ditional improvements on the roads
also it would permit tourists from
other states to contribute to the
cost of roads they use here
The greater good roads saw.
ings, they claim, would make il
highly profitable investment and
the road program would be materi-
ally advanced from year to year.
Commissioner Babcock, comment.
ing on the cry for lower taxes, said