Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1903-10-27
The Tonic Basin Wagon Road.

as 10 the stuN IStDlillS VI securing
good wagon road. by the most direct
route. between the Tonic basin dam
and the nearest railroad point in the
Salt River valley. There is some divi (.
sion of opinion. however, as to the
most practicable method of obtaining
the road. although it is practically GER
tain that, in the end. the method which
shall have been found the best and
most economical for all concerned will
have the support of large majority OF
our citizens. 1t is advisable, therefore.
that there be a full discussion of this
interesting subject. Here are some
facts and suggestions which are worth
considering.
which it win be necessary to move into
the basin by wagon freight from Globe
or from this valley. foots up $1,000
tons. we understand. OF this amount,
the near future. and therefore necessa-
rilv from Globe. Twelve thousand tons.
approximately, would be the tonnage
from the valley during three years.
The exact character of this freight
would be disclosed only by an analysis
OF Mr.. Davis estimates. but 1t must
be taken for granted that a large per-
centage of it would be purchased away
from here, IN carload lots, from which
local merchants would receive no direct
benefit Another large percentage
comprising hay. grain and miscellane-
Gus farm produce, would 20 from the
ranches of the valley.
1t has been estimated that, in order
TO secure the road it would be neces-
sary for the towns OF Phoenix, Tempe
and Mesa. to vote bonds in the sum OF
100000 to provide funds for cOnstruc-
ton through the Superstition noun
tains.
The bond proposition has two rea-
sons back of it: First that unless it
can be shown that the road is a neces-
saIy part of the outlay required for
secretary of the interior has no author
fly under the reclamation act, TO built
the road. second. the very just conten
ton that, whereas the cost of the res
exclusively, and the towns will benefit
immensely. it is but just that the towns
should provide the funds for the road.
II has been suggested that. inasmuch
as a bond issue of 100000 would
amount to a subsidy of SO per ton for
each ton of freight hauled from the VAL
ley, and as much of this freight would
come from abroad and. possibly. would
be hauled by contractors from else
where. the cost of the road might prove
greater than its value to the valley.
At least some OF this objection falls 20
the ground, however. when it is re-
membered that the road will be for all
time. will require practically no sub
sequent expense for repairs. and will
be a favorite highway for travellers
who may come to the valley for the
purpose OF seeing the reservoir.
Considering, therefore. that the
assume any additional burden. and
that, in fact, the towns could afford
10 do something for the ranchers in
view of the advantages which will ac-
crue to all from the reservoir. there is
much to be said in favor of the prop
osition of Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa
could afford to furnish the proposed
100000
But is a bond issue of this size nee
Cssary? May it not be possible that
the problem can be solved without
placing this debt upon the towns and
also without increasing the cost of the
reservoir to the ranChers?
AS everybody knows. there is a great
difference between the published tariffs
from the coast TO Globe and from the
coast to Mesa. This difference would
cut a large sum from 100000 in the
transportation of Il, 900 tons. Were there
a railroad to Goldfeld. the advantage in
lower railway tariffs and the great ad-
vantage of lower wagon freights from
Goldfield would possibly amount to
quite 100000. The distance from Cold
field to the dam is ten miles less than
the distance from Globe to the dam.
and there would be tremendous diff
ference in favor of Goldfield. Freight
ers operat ting from Globe would be
found asking a great deal more than
freighters at Goldfeld, for the Cold
field freighters would get much cheaper
supplies than could the Globe freight
ers.
IN word, is it not possible to haul
freight from Goldheld instead of Globe
and save large proportion of 100000?
This presupposes, of course, an extern
sion of one of the railroads from Msea
to i9oldfield. But is this not practical
BILE? Has any effort been made to get
the Phoenix & Eastern OF the Maricopa
G. Phoenix & Salt River Valley rail-
road. or both combined, to construct
a railroad from Mesa to Goldfield? 1t
should require very little time to as
certain whether it is possible to secure
the construction of a railroad from