Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1908-12-19
SHOULD COMPLETE
SCENIC HIGHWAY
Work Lagging and
Road Falling Into
Bad Condition
MIGHT Be SHORTENED
By Changing Grade Rest of
Highway Could Be Built
in Short Time.

An examination OF the work per-
formed by convicts OF the territorial
penitentiary during the past few years
on the scenic highway shows that
| considerable has been ACCOMPLISHED,
and that 1t will be the best public pol
icy in many ways to complete the
scenic highway from Santa Fe to Ra-
/ ton.
From the Santa Fe end to the west
line of the Pecos National forest.
| about II miles of road were built
! three years ago This, however. is
not in good repair, as, since then, no
repairs have been made thereon and
wind and weather have played havoc
with that portion of it.
Al the Las Vegas end of the scenic
highway, construction stopped one
mile east fthe boundary line of the
Pecos National forest. Twelve miles
have been constructed. and this part
of the road is in good condition. The
road from Las Vegas to the Hot
Springs, six miles in length, is also
in use and in good shape. On the
Santa Fe end 12 miles of the road
are constructed through the forest re-
serve. This section, also, Is not in
good condition and needs considerable
repairing. A survey made last year
by competent surveyors makes the
length of the road about 50 miles. but
it is believed another survey would
enable the authorities to cut this
private wagon road are constructed
and could be used.
Halt in the Work.
If a per cent maximum grade
were allowed the road could be cur
tailed considerably and the trip could
be made very easily from Santa Fe
to Las Vegas in day.
On the Ration end near the Colorado
line between Ration and the crest of
the mountains where the Colorado line
is, about seven miles of very good
road have been completed this year.
At present there are no convicts
employed all the detachments having
been called in for the winter Season,
and because of the great expense at
tending the work, although but very
few guards were needed, and scarce
ly any escapes were reported during
the years during which convicts were
employed in construction of the scenic
highway The entire length of time
during which the convicts We're en-
ployed was 600 days. From 20 to 40
convicts was the number employed
and, generally speaking, two. guards
were sufficient to keep them straight.
Ex-Gov. Prince Interested.
Last week Hon. H. Bradford Prince
had long interview with Chief For
ester Clifford Pinchot relative to the
building of the scenic highway through
the Pecos forest reserve. 1t is doubt
full whether the Bureau of Forestry
has power under existing law to ex-
pend money for such purpose, as the
appropriations are made for SPECIFIC
objects, but Mr. Pinchot is anxious
to assist if possible, and it is hoped
that some way will be found to bring
this about. He has asked for certain
information which will be furnished
as soon as possible, and then it IS
hoped that some proposition may re-
suit that can be laid before the next
legislative assembly. The whole ter
ritory Is much interested in the COM
pletion of this part of the Highway,
as it constitutes the most important
link in the great Canine Real which
will traverse the whole Of New Mex
leo.