The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1923-08-24
MINNESOTA BREAKS
ALL RECORDS
(By J. L. Jenkins in Chicago
Tribune).

Tribune).
One mans energy, forehanded-
ness and good road craftsmanship is
credited with the completion in two
years time of a traversable state
highway system in Minnesota total
ing exactly 1000 miles.
The man is Charles M. Babcock
state highway commissioner and or.
iginator of the roads plan which in
this surprisingly short length OF
time brought the state from the
rear to one of the foremost ranks
in highway development, and from
mud trails to smooth gravel roads
each of which carry an average OF
ITO vehicles day in both tourist
and local traffic
Since the constructive state plan
was adopted at the 1920 election
the highway department thus Great.
ed has completed 5000 miles of
grading, gravel surfacing, and con-
crete paving, reshaped 1000 miles,
and resurfaced more than 500 miles
on the system, according to the
commissioners report made today.
It has recruited 1000 patrolmen
whose sole duty is to drag and keep
smooth each average S mile section
on the state trunks and maintenance
crews to care for longer sections
and help the patrolmen to improve
the bad spots along their beats. And
it has worked out a system of num-
erical marking, direction, and eau
ton signs which make it possible to
travel almost anywhere in the state
with reference to a state highway
map only and to drive at night in
comparative safety.
All Of this work has been done on
a trunk highway fund revenue of
not more than $10,000,000 year
and without the issuing of state
bonds to cover the huge improve.
ment. Despite the sweeping cam
paign for better roads and a favor.
able highway sentiment that reaches
into the most remote communities
the department failed this year to
carry its vast proposed bond issue
of $20,000,000. Legislators, pressed
for authorization of the first issue
voted against it, declaring that the
"pay-as-you-go" plan seemed to
them best for the state at this time
and that rush work and bigger ex-
penditures on the system would re-
suit in high construction prices In
all other lines and bring the cost
of farm labor to prohibitive point
throughout the state.
Until 1920 county and township
officials had complete charge of Min
nesota roads. A state highway de-
partment was formed in 1905 as q
purely advisory body and a general
tax levy of one-twentieth of mill
was voted for state aid in maintain
ing county roads. The tax rate was
increased as traffic became heavier
until it is now 1 mill, yielding ST.
100000 a year.
Commissioner Babcock was a
member of the original commission.
From the beginning he urged bet
ter system of roads to aid the farm
er and predicted the rapid develop
ment of the automobile and its sub
sequent need of thorough highways
and permanent improvements.
Unlike many other states, the road
plan taxes motor vehicles on factory
prices instead of weight and horse
power. The present license is issued
on the basis of per cent of the
factory list price Of the car. A dis.
count of rs per cent is made on cars
more than three years old and Of
SO per cent on cars over five years
old. The tax minimum for pas
senger cars is set at $12 year and
on trucks at SIS. This tax averag
ing $16.95 for each vehicle yielded
about $2,000,000 in the first two
years the plan was operated.
Advocates of gasoline tax of
cents gallon to aid in road build
ing are sweeping the state now, ant
gasoline tax amendment will be
voted, it is believed, at the 1924
general election.