Correction Made Following

Discrepancy in Figures on Disbursements

to Date by Department.

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$106,000 TO BE

SPENT DURING

PRESENT YEAR

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$395,739 Paid to State by Automobile Owners.–Large Sum Spent on

Highwater Highway.

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Brown county readers may recall a recent article furnished by the state highway department showing how the county and adjacent territory have profited by the trunk highway program to date, in which expenditures in this county were given as $689,779 first and later as $251,625 in the total of items.

Correction Made.

Immediately upon having the discrepancy called to attention, the department sent out information that the $251,625 item is correct and that the larger amount appeared through a clerical error in the office, as probably was surmised. The note adds by way of sustaining confidence in bulletins more than excusing the error, that the aim was to get the facts to the public as evidenced by the items given in detail with the correct total. Although more than a thousand items were copied, it explains, only one other similar clerical error was found.

All other figures for Brown county were correct as published, the bulletin states, reiterating that the majority of trunk highway users in this section of the state are enjoying highway betterments costing in excess of their contributions in motor vehicle and gasoline taxes to date.

Credit of $106,000.

As for the merits of the proposition as affecting Brown county: Actual disbursements in the county to date total $251.625, and there is a present bond account credit in addition of about $106,000 waiting to be invested. This will probably be expended during the coming season.

Improvements on

Highwater Road.

The auto and gas tax receipts have totaled $395,739 or about $40,000 in excess of the disbursements and present credit balance. However, residents of this part of the county, at least, if those in the west end do not, will agree that the Highwater crossing and other improvements in Nicollet county, but contiguous to New Ulm, are of greater benefit to this county than to Nicollet. Hence, it is submitted that Brown county and adjacent territory have profited much under the state highway program.

Slowed Highway Work.

The fact that Brown county did not arrange to issue reimbursement bonds for highway work, until the last hour, in December a year ago, furnishes a possible clue as to the reason that more funds were not spent by the Highway department in Brown county. Brown county stood in her own light for several years.

Figures as to Road Work.

On Trunk Highway No. 7,37.5 miles in length, there has been spent the sum of $196,474 by the state. This is divided as follows: Maintenance,$21,099; improvements, $97,409 during the past year, and $77,966, expended prior to 1925. Trunk Highway No. 15, 17.4 miles in length has had $27,828 expended thereon. During the past year the maintenance bill was $6,724 and improvements totaled $527. There was $20,578 expended prior to 1925.On Trunk Highway No. 70, 11.6 miles, a total of $21,456 has been expended by the state. During the past year $4,992 was the maintenance bill and $168 was expended for improvements. Prior to that time $16,295 was expended. Unclassified reimbursements, refunds, etc., amount to $5,867. The total of these expenditures is $251,625, as stated above.

The estimated gas taxes paid in 1925 are $35,395, and the estimated auto taxes for the same year are $89,499. The total auto taxes prior to 1925 are $270,844, making a grand total of auto and gas taxes of $395,739,as stated above.

Brown County Journal

April 2, 1926