The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1923-06-21
Good Roads Are Re-
turning Generous Benefits
$24 Cash Saving From SIP Auto Tax
According to Farmers Own
Figures

what are you going to do with
this auto tax money?
A farmer asked the question as he
planked down SIP on the counter in
the motor vehicle department at the
capitol to pay 1928 taxes on a new
car.
'"Turn it over to Henry Rines, state
treasurer, without taking out even the
l3 cents the tags COST" the clerk
answered. "The treasurer will pay
good roads bills with it, so to find
out exactly what you'll get for the
SIP you will have to go on. Univer-
sity avenue to the highway Offices"
Acting on the suggestion, the farm
err with his boy drove to the high
way building in the new car. They
had travelled to st. Paul in their
Old machine to get quick delivery on
the new one.
This building musa have taken
the taxes on a lot of ca~s," remarked
the farmer as he entered the highway
department building. He learned
later, however, that although de-
signed expressly for highway depart
ment needs, the building is leased
not state owned-and the rent is
about cne-fourth of the rate for of
flee space in downtown buildings in
st. Paul.
Charles M. Babcock, state high
way commissioner, told the visitors
that people who understand the
highway program are supporting it
and hose who want to talk good
roads always are welcome at the
Highway department offices. His ques-
tons brought out that the farmer
lives So miles from St. Paul on
farm Which is 8 miles from his trad
irg point, reached over 4 miles of
county road and like distance of
state trunk highway.
"And you want to know what your
SIP auto tax will be used for
what ecu will get for your money"
repeated the highway commissioner.
First. il you run your car $50 days
in the year, the tax is little less
than 5 cents day. How far was
it run last year,"
''It goes to town and back nearly
every day and some days twice."
answered the farmer. "The boy
drives it to high school in town, we
haul cream in it, and then the folks
go in to the movies summer nights
and to church"
cit ran 400 miles last year."
interrupted the farmers boy. "And
we made three trips up north, to see
my brother who is married"
elbow much gasoline did you use
coming to st. Paul today?" Mr.. Bah
cock inquired.
cit took about three gallons in
the old car this morning used to
take over four when the car was new
but the roads wern't near so good
them" said the boy.
"You saved Is cents worth OF gas
oline coming up and will save as
much on the return trip" suggested
the commissioner. sThe savings on
tires are even bigger, so you are in
pocket at least 81 on this trip to
charge off against the cents day
tax"
"But we don't come to st. Paul
every day." objected the farmer.
"Your car ran over 1000 miles
last year." continued the commission
er, "and at 20 miles a gallon the
saving was equal to the whole $12
tax, wasn't it? And you saved as
much or more on tires-so you're get
ting back So for 81, without reckon
| ing the extra comfort and convenience
from better roads,"
IT pay county and town road taxes
too, and that makes more than 5
cents day." said the farmer.
$50 does every farmer who is
served only by the trunk highways
and whose land fronts on them, but
| not q cent of his local taxes goes on
the trunks it is all used on your
county and township roads. You
are using the trunk highways more
than your local roads.
minneapolis, st. Paul and Duluth
car owners pay more than third OF
the auto taxes and it all goes on