The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1923-05-11
ROAD BOND LIMIT
HALTS THE WROk
That Which Is Absolutely
Necessity to Be Done
e.
RULINGOFADVISOR
Trunk Highway Funds Must
Not Be Used On Cross
Units

County reimbursement bond is
sues under the new 1923 law for
state trunk highway improvements
will be limited to necessities, the
state highway department this week
advised County Auditor G. L. Ken
nedy.
The policy is framed TO prevent
the taking of trunk highway funds
for minor local improvements be
fore important projects more need
ed to serve the greatest number or
taxpayers are carried out.
The statement from the depart
mert follows ruling on the new
law given by the attorney general and
points out changes from the old re-
endorsement bond law. The de-
partment estimates that about $4,-
100000 Of new bonds will be issued,
against more than Sl1 100000 that
would be piled up under more
liberal policy and added to the $26.-
100000 now charged for payment
from automobile tax receipts.
Needed Improvements First
Charles NJ. Babcock, state high
way commissioner, after receiving
the ruling from the attorney general
and counseling with his engineers,
announced that only bond ploJecLs
TO carry out needed improvements
will be approved.
Minnesota adopted a state trunk
highway development plan by five
TO two vote OF the people. said the
commissioner The principle is
that a system or main highways be
improved on a state wide scale and
without regard to county or other
local lines. The department cannot
sanction departures from this first
observation-disclosures that would put
minor local Improvements ahead
and take state money that logically
and Justly should be used for more
necessary betterments on more i'm
portapt and heavier travelled high
ways"
Under any other policy, 1t was
pointed out, money needed for i'm
proyement Of highway carrying
1000 or more vehicles a day might
be diverted to an unimportant pro
$50 vehicles daily.
Early Action Planned
The new reimbursement bond
authorization subject will be taken
up this week IN many counties,
some boards having called special
meetings for that purpose. Under
the old law D three fifths vote Of
the board would pass $125.000 or
bonds and a unanimous vote $3.50
GOO while larger amounts could be
voted at county elections. The new
law simply authorizes issues up to
$3.50, 600 by a three fifths vote OF
the commissioners.
The old authorization resulted in
larger percentage OF paving than
would have been built otherwise.
This was because the commission
ers, believing ttat other needs
would be provided from regular
state funds. insisted that the county
bond money be used for hard sur
facing
Comparatively few paving inn
provements are planned under the
new law.
Suggests Proper Move
The statement from thu highway
department invites the County
Board to first decide on improve
route and terTnini After APPROVAL
Is given. tue board will proceed
with right OF way acquisition or
ether Necessary preliminaries and
with the sale Of the bonds, while
the state is calling for bids and
awarding the contract. The law
requires that all projects be under
state specifications and supervision.
the county now viii be relieved af
all responsibility and insured spe-
cfEr reimbursement Operations
are to start in each instance as the
bond proceeds are turned over to
the state treasurer.
Any balance over the cost OF the
agreed undertaking. the law pro-
, vfdes. shall be expended on other
sections Of trunk highways In the
county within a year