The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-01-06
BABc0ck ASKS INQUIRY
State HIGHWAY affairs
Wants Work Of Department Fully Observation-Disclosures All
Good Roads Supporters-Has Made Recommendations
To Legislature.

work of the department" in order thas
ANY possible doubts may be cleared
up" is asked in public statement made
'lby c. M. Babcock, upon leaving the
Office of commissioner of highways a.
the end of the year. Mr. Babcock In
his statement thanked all those who
have cooperated in making highway de-
velopment in Minnesota possible, de-
clared that he will always be interested
in the highway program, and rendered
his cooperation to the new commis-
sioner. Mr.. Babcock said:
Before leaving Office want to ex-
press my sincere thanks to all those who
have cooperated in making possible the
highway development which has taken
place in Minnesota in the last quarter
century, and especially in the last dozen
years since the trunk highway plan was
drafted and put into effect This pro-
gress would not have been possible ex-
cept for the interest and assistance
given by a great many civic organiza-
tions and public spirited individuals,
state officials, members of the legisla-
ture, members of county boards, and the
newspapers of the state
Il am leaving this Office at the re-
quest of the Governor In making this
change he is entirely within his rights
He has given no reason and it is not
necessary for him to give any The law
provides that The commissioner OF
highways may be removed from Office
by the Governor at his pleasure
I am leaving this work with some
regrets. Although the greater part Of
'Ghe trunk highway system has been
completed, there are still some essential
parts of the original state highway pro-
gram which I would have liked to see
finished before retired to private life.
had also hoped to work out a more
balanced and efficient system for the
improvement of our secondary roads.
have always had them in mind but
traffic requirements made it necessary
to improve the main highways first
From a personal standpoint, how
ever, have no regrets, for have good
reason to believe that as far as my
personal fortune is concerned, I would
have been in better position If I had
never held this office But there is
more satisfaction IN achievement than
in personal reward. I hope, in the
| twenty three years I have served the
| state, seven as a member of the old
highway commission and nearly six
teen as commissioner, that I have ac-
complished something worth while and
lasting for the social and economic
welfare of Minnesota.
Besides the satisfaction of having
at least tried to achieve something of
lasting value for my state, value
deeply the friendships I have made,
both in my own state and in many
other states and foreign countries. I
hope that may retain these friend
ships as long as I live. The greatest
asset any man can have IS a good
reputation, the confidence and respect
of those who know him and associate
with him.
Every man in public Office must of
course be subject to certain amount
of suspicion, gossip and inSinua&ion-
This office has been no exception, and
this has been particularly true OF the
last two years. There have been many
yelled charges and rumors regarding
the letting of contracts. There have
also been open charges of waste and
extravaganza, made by men seeking
high Office.
"All the books and accounts OF the
department have been examined regu-
larly and in detail by the Public Ex-
aminer ever since the department was
created, and the accounting system is
the one which has been recommended
and approved by the public examiners
under all administrations. In none of
these examinations has there been any
criticism of the department All con-
tracts, purchases and payrolls have been
approved by the Department of Ad-
ministration and Finance since the es-
Enlistment of that body. But in order
that any possible doubts may be cleared
up, and in justice to myself and my
associates, am requesting that the
coming legislature make thorough in
vestigation of all phases of the work Of
this department. hope that this in
quiry may be started early and that
both branches be represented by car
able and impartial members in this in
vestigation. shall be glad to cooper
ate with the committee in getting at
the facts
AFTER twenty-three years of official
connection with highway development
in Minnesota, I of course cannot sud-
denly forget my interest in this field Of
activity. I shall always be interested
in the highway program, and I shall be
glad to give my cooperation to my sue
cessor in every possible manner. I am
sure that those of my associates in the
organization who remain with the de-
partment will always give the same
loyal service which they have given In
the past and know that if this or
ganization is not disrupted the work of
highway improvement and maintenance
viii go on in an effective manner"
That the trunk highway system in
Minnesota is little more than rs per
cent constructed and permanently i'm
proved" so that the Legislature may
consider adding new routes, is the
statement made by the Commissioners,
IN the biennial report of the State
Highway department for 1882. Copies
of the section of the report dealing
with legislative recommendations were
Continued on page four