Los Angeles herald., 1907-05-12
DESERT SIGNS
READY FOR USE
COUNTIES SLOW TO ERECT
POSTS
more Than Half Of Fund Appropriated
by Legislature Has Not Been
Expended-Supervisors
to Blame

During the past month State Min
eralogist Aubury has received many
complaints from miners and prospec-
tors, who state that sufficient num-
per or guide posts have not been erect
ed In the desert regions Particularly
Is this the case in San Diego county
At the legislature OF 1905 Mr. Aub,Irv
secured an appropriation of $4,000 for
the purpose of purchasing the neces-
sary posts, the bill allowing the an
preparation, providing that the state
was to furnish the metallic posts. an
chors and guide arms, and that the
supervisors of Kern Inyo, Riverside.
Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura
and San Diego counties were to erect
them at the expense of each county.
The appropriation was placed under
the control of Hon. N. Ellery, state
highway commissioner.
Both Mr. Ellery and State Mineral
ogist Aubury have devoted much time
and expended considerable effort in an
endeavor to have the boards of super
visors of the above named counties
attend to the erection of these posts
The supervisors were assured that they
would be supplied with all the posts
applied for, and it was only necessary
for them to make such application
and give assurance that the posts
would be erected.
Many More Needed
Up to the present time Inyo county
has been supplied with 100 posts, Riv-
erside SO, Kern 2S, Los Angeles 20, San
Bernardino 100. The supervisors of
Ventura and San Diego counties have
stated that no posts were required
Mr.. Aubury states that anyone fa-
miliar with the desert section can
readily see that the number of posts
| t.
inadequate for the deserts needs, and
he believes that some means should
be devised to place additional posts
in that region. He further states that
there Is now an unexpended balance
in the hands of the highway commits
sioner of $2644.l6, which sum Is intend
ed for the purchase of the guide posts,
and as the state is prepared to make
this expenditure it rests with the
boards of supervisors to make appli-
cation for the posts and to see that
they are erected.
Whether it has been because of
lack of interest on the part of the
supervisors or lack of funds that the
posts have not been applied for has
not been determined.
Miners Make Application
The state mineralogist suggests to
the miners and prospectors who are
operating in the different districts
where these posts are lacking that they
advise the supervisors where these
posts are needed. Some miners have
advised Mr.. Aubury that if the posts
were provided they would gladly de-
fray the expense of erecting them, If
persons recognizing the necessity for
the posts in their districts, and who
would assist in placing them, would
communicate with their supervisors to
this effect It might be the means OF
securing the posts, as all acquisitions
on the highway commission must come
through the supervisors.
The placing of the guide posts on
the desert means the material assist
ance in the development of the coun-
try. and it would appear that as the
state has made an appropriation 1or
the purchase Of the posts the
counties would bear the small expense
of erecting them. Hundreds OF pros
nectors from outside states are now
seeking to develop the desert section.
These men are totally unfamiliar with
the roads, trails and water holes ana
some consideration is due them wnen
thew are endeavoring to build up m
dustries and benefit the counties wnlch
have been called upon for an lnnnltes-
| imal amount to erect these posts'