The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1922-01-12
URGES COUNTY and
Town COOPERATION
HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER BAB-
COCK POINTS WAY TO GET
BIGGER RESULTS.
ADOPT A DEFINITE PROGRAM
COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP AU-
THORITIES MAY COMBINE
FUNDS FOR RESULTS

Stearns County, with other counties
in the state, can secure complete
system of good local roads in the
shortest time and with least expense
by adopting a definite program of
systematic improvement; pooling it's
road and bridge funds with those of
the townships, and applying modern
road building methods.
Charles M. Babcock state highway
commissioner, this week made the
foregoing statement and recommend
ed call for an early convention in
each county seat, or centrally located
town in the county, at which county
commissioners and the supervisors
from every township may meet with
the county highway engineer to work
out definite systematic plan of coun-
ty good roads development. By end
ing common patchwork practices, he
added, the proposed plan will pro-
duce the greatest plan will pro-
measure possible from the money
used. ass D. -
Funds available for roads other
than trunk highways in Stearns coun-
-ty last year were about 1923, and in
Todd County more than 100000, he
said, indicating the Importance of
prompt action. Good roads conven-
tions are being recommended to all
Minnesota counties-even Renville,
| Carlton = and some othrs which
are operating with success under
the plan but where a general meet
ing promises additional benefits.
Minnesota county and township
road funds combined are consider
ably larger than the trunk highway
total" said Mr. Babcock. "While the
trunk mileage is less it requires more
improvements and maintenance, and
all things considered, local road inn
provements should easily keep pace
with those on the trunk routes. We.
are suggesting the county roads con-
ventions because we believe great ac-
complishments possible from county
] town cooperation" ~
4 Commissioner Babcock made it
plain that the criticism is drawn by
} the practices of long standing, and
not by the efforts of the county or
) town road authorities whom he cred
tied with earnest work to get results.
But new and far better methods can
be employed to great advantage, he
added, predicting hearty cooperation
of the local officials to that end.
! County and town road officials in
convention with the highway engi-
neer should agree upon a definite
plan of road improvements based up
on the actual needs and importance
of each road and extending over three
or more years." said Mr.. Babcock.
"They should then pool town with
county funds to carry it out. Bet
ter methods, heavier equipment and
so forth, and the systematic plan can
be combined and best results-in-
creased satisfaction for ax-payers
and even more road jobs for farmers.
| Every county engineer I am sure, will
be glad to assume the extra work put
upon his office because of the bigger
benefits, that will come.
"Just as the trunk highway pro-
jects disregard county lines so will
town lines disappear from the belt
county plans as the state highway
department advises and assists coun-
| ties with state aid and other work, so
will the counties help the townships"
Current funds in Minnesota last
year totalled $1S,799,52 for local
roads entirely under county and town
control, and $S,690,000 for trunk
highways under the state department,
according'tp official figures quoted by
John Mullen, deputy commissioner
and chief highway engineer.
To $1O,843,682 of county and
! $685., 560gof town tax funds was
added $2,084, 900 of state aid to make
up the local road total. That was
exclusive of $1,3O8,794 of street and
road funds in the cities and villages
outside of st. Paul, Minneapolis and
Duluth. Motor vehicle taxes of
about $5,750,0O0 and a federal aid
: of $2,S40,000 represented the trunk
total, aside from reimbursement bond
funds estimated at $8,250,000 voted
/ by counties under laws no longer in
effect.
/ $50 it is plain, said Mr.. Mullen,
1 that the great, sum raised for local
] road work should be well used; also
j that the Babcock plan is mainly a
/ farmers road plan, the so-called
farm road funds exceeding the trunk
i funds even in 1921 when the big part
! of the bond money was used. !"