The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-02-06
Security of Good Roads Asso-
citation Says Minnesota
4 Program Shows II
CUTS LOCAL LEvlEs
North Dakota; Like Arkansas.
May Loose Federal Aid,
He Declares ~,

pending in the state senate would
result in lower road taxes has been
substantiated by the experience OF
Minnesota, j. E. Kaulfuss, sccre-
tary of the state association, de-
clared here today.
The proposed legislation in the
North Dakota senate is similar in
some respects to the so-called Bah
cock plan in Minnesota, but differs
in that no bond issues are provided
and in other respects, the secretary
added.
"In the first year, under the Bah
cock plan in Minnesota, more. than
81 ,5OO,OO0 in road levies by counties
and townships were saved the state
of Minnesota" Mr.. Kaulfuss assert
ed. 1.-THE county road and, bridge
levies dropped from $lG843, ,6S2.0O
to $1O,O22,4sS and the township re-
duction was from $6,s62,650 to &c.
1868, a decrease of $543,00O.
while the North Dakota plan
calls for no bond issue as does the
Babcock plan. yet in other respects
the two are quite similar" Mr..
Kaulfuss continued. estate funds are
to be provided by increasing the
auto license fees somewhat and using
such state funds with federal aid on
state highways.
Though the North Dakota an
! nual levy for county and township
roads and bridges is considerably
less than that in Minnesota, the
reduction that may be expected will
probably be just the same, or about
sl,5oo,OoO annually.
Save in Upkeep
"In other words, the autoist and
road users as Ito be called upon TO
| furnish the financing for state nigh
way improvement. According to act
ual experience in Minnesota, the
larger automobile license receipts
are more than offset for car own
ers in better roads, savings on cal
upkeep, tires and gasoline. Even in
large cities, which cannot share In
trunk highway funds, automobile
owners and truck owners express
willingness to pay higher licenses
to speed the highway program and
to increase the autoist's savings.
"The association asserts its mea
sures contitute the principal if not
the only contructive program which
at the same time will result in 8
decreased tax on property.
| Pointing out that North Dakots
cannot afford to have loosely gov
erned highway administration, Mr.
Kaulfuss said that the state of Ar
kansas has been denied further aid
from the federal government IN
road building, pending the passage
of certain legislation and :h'
meeting of other requirements a
specified by the federal aid roat
acts. The U. S. Secretary of Agri
culture, he says, has formally re
commended to the Governor of Ar
kansas that the state highway de
nartment be provided with suffi
cient funds to maintain its own en-
4 gineering forces, that the state trea
2Asurer be designated as the receive
of federal aid paid to the state, AM
that satisfactory maintenance Of
federal aid projects be provided.
Welcomes Probe
In regard to the impending senat
investigation of the state highwa
department, the following statemen
was issued for the good roads asso
citation: h.
: "Whatever may be the outcome o
the inquiry, the results should sho'
the necessity and desirability of en-
acting some such legislation as ser
ate bills No. a., as and 46, whic
are sponsored by the association.
"The association, Independent 9
any connection with the state high
}. way department and not intimatel
familiar with it's operations. is OF
: viously not in position to either dt
fend it or otherwise.
at is gratifying, however,
: note that State Engineer Robinson
for over four years the execntiv
;, head of the department, welcome
u according to reports, thorough il
. vestigation.
J. ut is believed that much valuabl
WOTk HAS UCCu uOuCS SVuSAuSAA"6 vs.
J, handicaps and difficulties which hi
: to be encountered. No more impor
g ant item could possibly be disclose
e than the fact that, under presel
laws, the state highway departmel
J. is not entirely properly constitute
J. empowered and financed to moi
u certainly insure efficient, effectiv
y expeditions and economical VOL
y and results. @e
Corrective intent
!. "The associations three measur
te are expressly drawn TO correct
m guard against such condition, al
n unless changes are made in Il
y present laws, North Dakota may su
p fer the same consequences az h
In Arkansas, to whom federal aid h
p. been denied because the state hig
ce way department could not functi'
properly under existing laws. e
ID "The investigation in the sta
n senate here may be viewed with So
Sc isfaction by those who believe
to the cause Of better roads, for +,
I'd and impartial examination can sh'
\. only three principal things: fir
Id that the state highway principle
= sound; second, that federal aid 4
" highways is desirably and thil
lie. that such legislation as senate bi
J. II Nos. A, 46 and 46 are necessary
rt. . ~