Williams news., 1904-01-30

y kind for the year 1904. Weunder- stand that everything is running along under last years contracts but it would seem that since the statutes provide for it yearly, the county contracts for 1904 should have been let the first of the pres ent year as customary heretofore. The reason given why this is not done, being A. T. Cornish's absence So far as the printing contracts are concerned. the printers and papers are getting the regular work at last years prices, but in view of ths fact that this is an election year and there will be considerable ex- fra work which was not covered by last years bids, it would appear that new contracts should be let. There is a statute providing that no paper can do legal printing till 1t has been published at least one gear. Therefore the board could not throw the county printing to new paper were it started But it seems there is report in circulation that certain circle has designs of purchasing one of the papers now published in the county, and possi- ply the holding off in the adver- Using for bids on the county print ing and advertising is to give them time to perfect their plans. We know not what the boards real reasons are in delaying these mat ters, as every other county in the territory has already let their print ing contracts for this year, but their delay certainly gives the re- port an appearance of truthfulness. 1t doesn't make any particular difference to us who gets the work so long as we get a square deal, but the boards action in delaying the printing contracts as we'll as others, causes us to feel that there is some deal afoot which has not yet come to a head Probably there are some who want county offices who expect to have the county printing support a paper which will assist in their election. If such is the case we'll state here that if we're here this fall the NEWS will contain some mighty interesting reading matter that will not assist in the election of the people connected with the deal.
 The snow on the hills hereabouts Is rapidly disappearing. Local weather prophets differ somewhat as to when the next fall of white is due
 Travel to the Grand Canyon is picking up. The platform at the local depot about train time pre- sents as busy scene as the St. Louis union depot at times.
 We hope to be able to announce shortly that something is doing at the mines north of Williams. This will give number of men employ ment and make Williams mining center of the first water.
 Candidates for positions at the town election to be held in April are already announcing themselves at Flagstaff. It's little too early yet here. First of March is time enough. Ten chances to one, then. the positions will have to hunt the men. Of course it is none of our busi- ness but the name of the local ho- tel ought to be changed as it is misleading. Many people think the Grand Canyon hotel is at the brink of the great gorge while it is located here in Williams. Recent newspaper comments on the fire in the hotel all stated that it was the hotel at the Canyon. The name is a misnomer, and it should be changed.
 The NEWS yesterday received a letter, signed property owner," calling our attention to the fact that there are some things going on in d saloon down the line which should be stopped. We turned the letter over to Mayor Nellis and suggested that he investigate the matter We seldom pay attention to anonymous letters and anyone addressing this paper should sign their name so that we can judge as to the grounds for complaints.
 There seems to be considerable figuring going on just at present relative to the construction of new in town. The Odd Eel 1 lows are getting ready to erect an opera house; Henry Laub may shortly put up new building next his present one, extending from Railroad to Williams avenue; s.