Arizona republican., 1895-02-09
FOR ROAD AGITATORS.
Suggestions Which May Prove of Value to
 Many "Cranks."


 be the material support.
 The natural steps to be taken at any time and in any place are probably four in getting at it.
 First, to awaken interest.
 Second, to enlist support.
 Third, to organize effort, and
 Fourth, to direct procedure.
 In awakening interest it is first nee essary that the agitator be more or less familiar with the history of road build ing, of improved roads, and the advan- tages accruing by reason of good roads both in social and a pecuniary way.
 The requirement. of a sufficient knowledge of these matters to be inter- esting will not require any very eX- tended study or preparation, and even though the information may be ex- ceedingly perfunctory, yet the prospect of advantages of any kind will excite sufficient curiosity to lead to an intelli- gent investigation of the matter.
 Literature can be secured that will materially aid in the investigation. Engineers estimates of cost of con- struction, of the different classes of improvement, of the advantages of one kind of road over another in the cost of moving loads over them, marketing produce, periodicals devoted to such enterprise, consular reports, statistics, etc, etc.
 Beside the personal work to be done, the local papers should be used. Every issue should mention the subject in some way or other that will not fail to arrest the attention of it's readers and, if possible, to provoke discussion.
 When interest has been awakened. even though the citizens do not rise up in mass and demand the improve ments, as they probably will not do, for the masses have to be handled as well as educated on any new depart ure; the next thing is to enlist support.
 Care must be exercised to enlist, if possible. the most influential, and a sufficient number, and have them so much interested as to be pledged to the improvements sought.
 Men are much like sheep when a new opening or departure presents itself; all hesitate until two or three make a start then all are likely to follow speedily.
 Over the names of few such leaders thus enlisted, if practicable, call a meeting of the citizens for the purpose of considering the matter of improve ments
 At the meeting the disadvantages, inconveniences and discomforts of the present condition ought to be fully re- hearsed and, if possible, every one at tending should be induced to add his complaint to the general protest.
 Men are always ready to complain and in this matter, contrary to all rule, they should be given every opportunity and encouragement, for they thus predicate themselves to the right side of the question.
 The next step may now be taken and an organized effort made. The very first meeting may and should be per manently organized; chairman and secretary and committees chosen, reso- hltions of disapprobati0n and, if neces- sary, reprobation of tl.e present condi- tion of things passed, petitions or com nuuications to the necessary author ilies prepared and forwarded, or dele gations sent.
 If the first meeting be too soon to do all this successfully, the meeting should pe adjourned from time to time until the Sentimentwill support the de- sired action.
 Now comes the last and most impor- tant step, and, withal, the most diff cult of exact description, in the promo tion of the enterprise. The direction of procedure is that rounding up of sentiment, support and effort which will crystalline into favorable decision of the proper authorities, and the bal anee will be the detail of legislation and the preparation of plans to con sumnate the work, and is beyond the question, or is rather the fruition of the effort of ''how to get at it"
 It will require wisdom to consum- mate this last step, for, while it may be easy to excite interest and expecta- tion, to enlist support or even to organ ne effort, yet all this will fall short of reaching the desired end unless due care is had to the proper understand fig Of the feasibility of the project. The natural advantages must be taken into account and made the most of. The raising of funds must be so shaped as to be least burdensome to the people by whom paid, and the proper distribu- tion of the improvements pointed out, and all this must be in aid of the proper authorities.
 It cannot be successfully foretold