The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1923-03-09
ROAD BOND Plan
TOPIC FOR TALKS
c. M. Babcock To Addres.
Meet In Mankato
FRIDAY, MARCH Is
Two O'clock In Afternoon; AZ
Orpheum Theatre; No
Admission Fec

Minnesota trunk highway funds.
without bonds, will build less thai,
$3,500,000 OF new construction this
year, compared with more .han $10,-
100000 built in 1921 and 100000
last year, according to official hg-
ures in the highway bulletin.
Federal aid added, the funds for
use on the trunk routes or so called
Babcock roads this year will ap-
proximate $6,500,000 but more thar
$3,0OO,O00 will be taken by repairs
and maintenance, the bulletin states.
with less maintenance demands, :.
adds a; lso the total funds NJ were ;2.7oo.ooo
In 1921 and $10,S00,000 in 1922,
The 1923 total available for trunk
routes which carry four fifths az
the highway traffic, is about one,
third that for county and township
roads.
Need of the Bonds.
The bulletin points out on this
showing that 1t will be impossible
last two years without bond funds.
1t submits that unless bonds are is
sued. some improvement which 9TH
erwise could be made this year,
must wait for three years while
others on the 1924 program cannot
be undertaken until as long as six
years.
"The bond plan will set the high
way program ahead five years." is
the announcement on the official fig
ures. ut will give the public the
use OF more good roads in each of
the next twenty years from the
CO. I'll "a.
the cost so that this generation will
promptly and the next generation
will have good roads to Tar more
than Offset the amount Of debts
against them.
Farmers, buSinessmen-all class
es OF citizens, are continuing de-
mands for road improvements on the
highway department and on the
boards of commissioners in all coun-
ties. it adds.
Offers Of Bond Plan.
The state highway department of
fers the bond plan which will make
possible the fulflllment of most OF
these demands-hasten every i'm
provement asked for and all with
out any increase in taxes.
Here are the outstanding points
of the highway bond plan:
No road or auto tax increase wi
result.
Bonds and interest will be pail
wholly from motor vehicle taxa~
through the trunk highway sinkir
fund required by the state coast,
tuition
Projected highway improvement
are public necessities which must b.
made by the state within a fer
years at most.
Highway construction costs nov
are back to pre- war levels of 1917
the lowest OF record and below
those in prospect experts advise.
Permanent improvements will
mean savings in maintenance TO
more than pay all interest on the
bonds.
No Increase On Auto Tax
No increase will be necessary in
the agreed SIS average tax on an
tomobiles and all bond figures are
based on that rate.
Bond money will be used only for
permanent improvements which will
last not less than twenty and as
long as 100 years -right-of- way.
grading, ETC.
Longest mileages to be improved
will be of grading and graveling
pavement to be built only where
economy demands.
! Bond plan will give the public the
use of more good roads every year.
and especially during the next FIVE
years-will put six years building
into two years.
The bond proposals are to apply
the best business practice to the
highway program and they offer the
only method CT relieving the tax
payers of today of the burden OF
paying for past and future as we'll.
as present improve them
fairer measures of highway benefits
for their highway dollars.
Babcock To Speak Here
C.. w. Babcock. state highway
will speak at the
Orpheum theatre in Msnkato on Fri
day afternoon, March is at two
o'clock and he will explain the pro
rosed bond issue. 1t is especially
desirable that farmers attend this
meeting. Those who may be oppos-
ed to the bond proposition are urged
to be present, as Mr.. Babcock Is de-
sirous of presenting his case ~
those who differ with him. He will
he glad TO have questions asked from
those who may not understand the
proposal. The meeting will be open
to everyone. Ladies are invited.
Business pren should attend also.
Senator w. A. Just and Reuresen
tative3 4. 7. Veigel and Thon',@
TAYLOR will he invited to be presc:it
at this gathering.