The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1923-03-08
DEVELOP MINNESOTA

The following from a recent issue
of the Long Prairie Leader relative
to the proposed issue of $2O,000,00(
certificates of Indebtedness to improve
and extend the Babcock road system
of Minnesota, is of interest:
zone of the most frequently
expressed statements of opposi-
ton to the proposed road bond is
sue of twenty millions is the gen.
eral absurdity Of going ahead
and building that mileage of
roads before the roads have been
protected and safeguarded with
a law limiting the size and weight
and speed of truck traffic. The
Highway Department certainly
fell down hard in trying to put
on its advanced road program be-
fore it had fathered a road pro-
tecting bill of the kind referred
to. Perhaps the most commonly
heard statement about the pro-
gram is this, whats the use of
building expensive roads for the
heavy haulers to pound 20
pieces?" Until the Highway De-
partment come forward with
practical and effective solution
of the heavy hauling problem, it
is not going to win popular favor
with larger building program
Brother Lee has neglected to state
that the necessity for the bond issue
is to care for $4,000, 900 bonds issuel
by over 80 Minnesota counties, for
State highway improvements. It ,ust
so happens that Todd was one of the
counties to take advantage of the law
passed in 1919 which permitted coun-
ties to issue $25O,0OO in bonds ir
anticipation of the passage of the
Babcock Amendment. These bonds
have all been taken over by the High
way department. The Herald does not
believe, however, that Editor Lee
rs narrow enough to oppose propo-
sition affecting many Of the other
counties in the State, after TODD
county had been taken care Of.
The Herald cannot We. see how
heavy traffic can be kept Of the Bah
cock highway, but trucks and busses
should be taxed sufficiently to pay
their full shave in the upkeep Of the
highway.
AT the time of he enactment Of
the Babcock Amendment it was gem
orally understood that Minnesota
would issue $10O,OOO,OOO in bonds to
improve the trunk highways of the
state. In less than two years after
the enactment of the Constitutional
amendment tremendous Roadway
has been made in building roads not
only on the so-called trunk highway
but the other roads of the state have
been materially improved. This has
been made possible because money
formerly used on the main arteries is
now available for the laterals.
If Editor Lee or any other citizen
OF the state, could come in personal
contact with Commissioner Babcock
and listen to his explanation of the
proposed plan for the Certificates of
Indebtedness issue, he would favor il.
NOT only are the better highways a
Doom to every citizen of the state, but
they are a magnet which draw thous-
ands of people to the state each year
who leave millions of dollars scat
Tered In every hamlet in the state
money which would not otherwise be
spent in Minnesota. The Babcock
plan If enacted, will permit every
county in the state to take advantage
OF the $25O,O00 bond issue. It will
put Minnesota in a position to get
every dollar of Federal aid to which
= IS entitled, and Motor Vehicle tax
viii pay off the Certificates of Indebt-
edness in the 20 year period without
increasing the burden of the indiyidu-
a tax payer nickel.