Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1925-03-05
BABCOCK EXPLAINS
ROAD SITUATION
State Highway Construction May
Be Pared To Tenth Of
Average.

program 10 less than one-tenth OF the
construction OF the last few years n
the rehnancing plan now before the
legislature 10 rejected.
In the last few years about 81, 000,.
900 annually has been spent on trunk
highway construction. Without the re-
funding OF county reimbursement
bonds, now proposed In a bill before
the legislature. the total amount
available In 1925 would be about 81
100000. G. NJ. Babcock. highway com
missioner. said.
Mr.. Babcock said he believed no
funds would be available In 1925 from
the gasoline tax. which the legislature
now proposes to impose. He forecast
test in the courts and he pointed
TO the experience of the Michigan
highway department. The legislature
In that state imposed a two cent gas.
oline tax In 1923. Frank Rogers, Michl.
gan highway commissioner, Just has
informed Mr.. Babcock that tests In
the court have established the validity
OF the tax and the money Just has
become available after nearly two
years delay.
II reflnancing is rejected and the
motor vehicle tar schedule In main.
tanned. Mr.. Babcock said only $500. 900
would remain for new construction In
1925. A maximum OF $4,000 900 would
be obtained from the motor vehicle
tax. To maintain the trunk highway
Hystem. s4.000,000 would be needed
and s4,500.000 would have to be placed
In the sinking fund. In accordance
with requirements laid down by the
states public examiner. The $500. aO0
remaining would be met by $4,000
federal aid This aid Is to be met dol.
lar for dollar by the state TO maxi
mum OF s2,i00.000 from the federal
treasury.
Mr.. Babcock emphasized that with
$if,000,000 available In the last year
for trunk highway construction. the
state Is tagging behind other ag.
gressive states In road building.
Child Labor Amendment Defeated.
The much discussed child labor
amendment 10 the federal constitution
was rejected by the house OF repre-
sentatives.
After four hours OF debate the low,
or house of the legislature voted ss
to So In favor OF Joint resolution re.
jecting the proposition.
The resolution OF rejection as
adopted by the house now goes to the
senate. II the senate goes on record
as rejecting the twentieth amend
ment. the secretary OF state In Wash
ington viii be notified. II the senate
fails to adopt the amendment, or II
II dies" In tho last.mlnute rush oi
the legislature, the authorities al
Washington are notified OF Mime
sofas action In formal way.
The house started on resolution
10 ratify the amendment The first
move of the opposition was to force
a vote on an amendment changing
the word ratification" TO rejection
where II appeared In the joint resolu
ton. On this test OF strength. the
opponents OF the child labor ,mend
ment won, 81 TO IS. Then. on the
vote to adopt the joint resolution sc
as amended. the vote was IS TO 50
against the amendment.
The battle on the child labor
amendment developed q wealth OF
last.minute support for Its ratlfica
ton. Since the opening days. OF the
legislature. the spirit OF the house
has been decidedly against the ratihca
ton. Up TO week or no ago II was
difficult 20 hnd many legislators who
were in favor OF ratification. But
during the last week the measure
clearly gained strength.
Ask Board Refundlns elli.
A proposal TO extend provisions OF
the Adams bill for refunding OF coun
~ reimbursement highway bonds &c
the entire outstanding issu, OF SIS.
100000 was being discussed BY
members OF both houses OF the legis
iature. The bill as introduced takes
care OF only sss.s7i.ooo OF the bonds
the rest TO bs met directly. from the
highway fund when they mature.
Increase In the iron ore tonnage
tax from TO 10 per cent. proposed In
a bill by s. A. Stockwell OF Mime
apolis. would mean virtual confsca
ton OF mining properties. the house
committee was told In the first house
argument on iron mining OF the SEES
sion.
The industry Is overdeveloped
minos through the two ranges are
being surrendered. and development
OF new mines through drilling Is at q
standstill. all because OF hurdensoms
taxation" u. p. Scalion OF Crosby,
said. He declared n tax OF Sis on
every ton o. ore Is being assessed,
including an ad valorer tax. the tar
on stock piles. the tonnage tau and
the royalty tar.
sili Tightening Marriage Laws Passed
The Mcknight marriage bill.
stripped OF the provisions which
would eliminate common law mar,
riages In Minnesota. was passed by
the house by q vote OF rs to a. The
bill now goes to the senate. Another
measure introduced by the committee
ON public welfare. as a committee
bill which provides for the sterilisa-
flnf NJ fha faahfa n.lnl.I al t.-.~.