The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1922-11-16
PROPOSES ADEQUATE
FUND FOR HIGHWAY
STATE DEPARTMENT IS RECON-
MENDING WAY OF FINANCING.
REASONABLE PROGRAM
RE-ENACT THE BOND LAW
NEW LEGISLATION WILL CON-
I troll ESS-IMPORTANT
PROPOSALS SUBMITTED

Bonds to help Minnesota to go on
with its highway program, keeping
pace with other good roads states,
automobile tax revisions and other
changes in existing laws are to be
recommended to the Legislature of
1923 by the state highway depart
ment, Commissioner Charles M. Bah
cock announced this week.
First the department proposes that
the reimbursement bond law; be put
in effect again for the benefit of coun-
ties which did not act under it pro-
visions. The law was organized in the
1919 Legislature to prevent posi-
bic neglect of proposed trunk high
ways in anticipation of the passage
of Good Roads Amendment No. 1. 1t
authorized counties under certain con-
ditions to sell up the $250,oO0 each Of
bonds for use on their respective por-
lions of proposed trunk routes, i'm
plying that interest and principal
would be paid from the trunk high
way fund when created. Many coun-
ties sold bonds in different amounts
under this law, it is explained, and
gained leads over others. The high
way department. proposes to even up4
the program by giving all counties;
like opportunities, although the new
bonds to be sold will depend upon
votes of county commissioners as be-
fore.
Many other states now Joining in
the better roads movement with lib-
eral funds available, highway officials
assert. Minnesota must speed up it's,
program to retain it's present reputa-
zion as leader and profit by the most
direct returns. To that end, the first
issues OF state trunk highway bonds
Of $10,0O0,000 for 1923 and 1924. as
provided under Amendment No. 1. are
to be recommended to the legislature.
BESIDES extensive grading and gray
cling improvements, this will insure
some paving on heavy traffic sections
where the cost of maintaining even
unsatisfactory gravel surfacing is
more than would be the cost of paw
ing, bond interest included.
Changes of motor vehicle taxes.
without reduction of the aggregate
revenue from this source, will be sup
ported by the highway department.
1t will be maintained that the aver
age automobile and truck owners al
ready save on car expense, gasoline
and tires through road betterments in
amounts equalling or exceeding their
taxes. While the scheme under which
old cars are taxed higher than new
OF the same makes and models, the Of
flclals said, big declines in car prices
must be considered in fixing new
rates. Any other action would SER
lously cripple the plan that is giving
Minnesota better roads in record time
and at cost below average.
Highway officials declare them
selves in favor of the gasoline tax
under which light cars pay more than
heavy machines and each car in. pro-
portion to the mileage it covers, but
insist that it should be only part Of
the tax. They contend that taxable
value considerations cannot
be ignored in any fair and just plan.
However, each cent a gallon on gas
oline in Minnesota would take about
81 year from the average car own
er and yield $1,125,OO0 annually for
extra or additional improvements on
the roads, also it would permit tour
lists from other states to contribute to
the cost of roads they use here. The
greater good roads savings, they claim
would make it highly profitable in
vestment and the road program would
be materially advanced from year to
year.
Commissioner Babcock, comments
ing on the cry for lower taxes, said
road levies in many ways are in a
special class. Official records show
The first reduction of nearly $1,3OO,OOO
N county, township and city-village
,axes for roads and bridges came the
first year after the new highway plan
,ook effect also that larger cuts are
in future years. Local roads
will improved more rapidly in spite
Of the reductions, the commissioner
said, because the state now is building
and maintaining main highways which
formerly took a big part of local
funds. State work is being paid for
entirely from federal aid and motor
vehicle tax receipts. The auto taxes
represent asmoney which otherwise
would leave the state and go to auto-- /