Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1902-06-04
RIGHT OF WAY SECURED.
The Phoenix and Eastern Secures
 Assistance from Phoenix.

The Phoenix Democrat of this morning has the following to say on railroad matters affecting the build ing of the Phoenix & Eastern:
 "At the meeting held at the Adams hotel, under the auspices of the board of trade last night, several hundred of the most prominent and influential men in the county were present.
 ''The meeting was called for the purpose of listening to the proposi- tion of Frank M. Murphy regarding the building of the Prescott & East ern road, which will run from Phoenix to Benson.
 "Mr. Murphy stated that he had completed all the data and estimates of the railroad which he proposed to build, and that he was ready to go to work at once. Work will begin, said Mir. Murphy, 'as soon as the rights of way between Phoenix and Mesa are secured. Of course, we have part of it now, and while the company may be perfectly able in completing it, there is no doubt but that the people who are so benefited should exdress their appreciation by lifting this part of the work from our shoulders
 "'The road, when completed to Benson, will connect with the Phelps Dodge road, which runs to Fl Paso, and there it will connect with one of the great lines running east, giving you an eastern outlet in more direct manner. It has been suggested that the Phelps-Dodge people might, through the influence of some other agency, refuse to comply with this, but as have the contracts and agree meuts already signed and in my pocket I do notsee how they can get out of it. A.
 "Then I am now preparing to build a road from Congress Junction west, touching the most prominent places in the territory and will connect with the Santa Fe on direct line to the coast, thus giving you transconti- mental line, which will mean as much or more to you than the transconti- mental lines you have figured on be- fore. This one is certainty. and l am now ready to start to work when ever the deeds of the rights of way from Phenix to Mesa have been se- cured. I do not want something for nothing, and to show that I intend to build the road, and as quickly as pos sible, you may place the deeds in some bank where they are to remain until the road is completed.
 Mir. Adams then offered motion that the citizens present at the meet ing pledge themselves to support Mir. Murphy to the extent of securing the rights of way. Dr. Ford amended this by stating that the citizens not only pledge the responsibility, but that they guarantee that the rights of way be provided, and at once. This was accepted without a dissenting voice. Judge Street was given time in which to appoint bis committees.
 Mir. Murphy was then requested to discuss the water question and the proposed reservoir. He stated that he would build the reservoir if the people would give him the same kind of indorsement as they had just given him on the railroad. He did not care to commit himself too far, unless he knew the sentiment of the people of this section regarding the proposed bill and the prospects of its passing as 1t stood.
 Mir. Woolf stated that he thought of the matter, and did not believe the chances were good for the passage at this session. MT. Murphy stated that he was going to Washington shortly, and would do all in his power to secure the passage of the measure if there were certain amend ments made which would meet with the requirements of the people of the territory.
 ''If the enabling act should pass" ," said he. "and the people refuse to ac- cept the conditions and vote it down, what condition would the valley be in? Would it not be well to attach saving clause in the shape of an amendment, providing that if the county refused to spend this S2,0OO,- 900 to bui d the reservoir, that they could vote a guarantee that the county would aid in the construction of such a reservoir"
 A motion was then offered and car ried that Mir. Murphy be given power to act in securing influence in Wash ington, and have the enabling act so amended that saving clause could be inserted il the bill, providing the county did not vote the bonds, for the building of the reservoir, that the people could vote subsidy bonds for the building of the reservoir.