Arizona republican., 1909-04-21

lead to Phoenix, but the greatest trOu-
 ble to establish a system of roads
 would be the first cost, for there were
 two rivers to bridge-the Gila river.
 at Florence, and the Salt river. at
 Tempe or some other place. The leg
 isiature believed that Tempe would
 be the most suitable place for this
 road to cross the river. and therefore a bill was passed establishing a bridge at Tempe, with the consent of the tax
 payers of Maricopa county. It was
 felt by the members of the legislature
 that territorial roads ought to run tO the center of population and the scenic points, and any road leading east from Phoenix must cross the river a. Tempe and pass through Tempe and Mesa to pass through the center of population on the south side of Salt river. and if a bridge was built at the foot of the sO-called Center street, and a terri torial highway established from Pres colt to Phoenix, crossing the river at Center street bridge. running on to
 Florence and Tucson. it would miss Tempe by one mile and a half and Mesa by a half-mile. and there is no way to establish a territorial highway if you cross the river at the foot of Center street to pass through Tempe without running three miles out of it's direct course, and Mesa would be one mile out of its direct course.
 The people of Tempe and Mesa feel that the voters of Phoenix do not un- derstand this proposition as they should This is not a local affair IL is not the building of a bridge to an nex a small community south of the river to Phoenix, but it is the building of a bridge to establish a highway crossing the territory. and the people at Tempe believe that it is of greater interest to Phoenix to establish high way from the Grand Canyon. crossing the Verde valley, to Prescott; thence south to Phoenix; thence from Phoenix south. crossing the river, connecting the towns of Tempe and Mesa, Flor ence and Tucson, and running on into the Bisbee and Douglas country. As the law is today, this can be done and will be done. The county cOmmis- sioner of roads can look over and ad- wise if certain works are done upon this road that I have just spoken of, or other roads. that the territory will take them over and maintain them as territorial highways. The cOmmis- sioner of territorial highways can ad- wise the superintendent of county roads af each county through which this road passes. and the superinte ndent of coun- ty roads can advise -he supervisors of each county and the SUI IerVisOr has power under this last act to authorize Inc superintendent or county roads tO put this system or roads in good con dition so that the territory nay take it over. and I expect in a few years to see a good road system established; one that automobiles and other vehI- cles can pass over with good deal of ease and pleasure; for it was agreed by many members of the legislature that hundreds of tourists in rhe win ter would tour through Arizona if system of roads was put in shape so they could travel over them. This county and the boards of trade cf Tempe. Mesa and Phoenix spent thou sands of dollars advertising the re- sources of our valley. and I think it will be admitted by the taxpayers of Phoenix that it is as good advertise ment for tourists passing directly through the towns of Tempe, Mesa and GnOtulN- SO NitN iiltN NtlA htAeAN eAAN- have seen. as it is to advertise their resources through the papers. Twenty nine thousand dollars was appropriated by the last legislature of territorial money to build a bridge at Florence The reason given was that territorial institution was established 2t that point A territorial highway running out of Phoenix over the old Tempe road, the first territorial institItion it passes will be the territorial asylum; next. the territorial Normal school at Both of these institutions are built and kept at the expense of thou sands of dollars to the territory and both are surrounded by beautiful grounds which are interesting and pleasing to the eyes of the tourists; so. I think, when the taxpayer votes for a bridge. he will vote for bridge over which a territorial highway can be for all time for the benefit of the most people.
 JAMES C. GOODWIN.
 Tempe April Is.