The copper era., 1909-11-18
POTTER'S PROJECT
 FOR A GOOD ROAD.
Which Will Extend AcrOcs Arizona.

Which Will Extend AcrOcS Arizona.
 Dell M. Potter, of Clifton, wa sin the city partly for the purpose of seeing the fair, but more especially for the purpose of carrying out pro- feet in which he has been interested for the last two years, the construc- tion of a trans-territorial highway to connect with similar highways on the west and on the east.
 MT. Potter was at work on this pro- ject long before the passage of the bill by the last legislature providing for territorial highway. He has secured the good will of the board of control and the assistance of the United States government. The only obstacle in the way is that furnished by the board of supervisors of Gra- ham county and that will probably be shortly removed.
 It was MT. Potter's idea that there should be good highway across the territory extending from the eastern boi der, through Clifton, along the Gila through the upper valley, thence to Globe, Roosevelt, Phoenix and west. After considerable negotia- tion, MT. Potter has induced the forestry service to expend S11O,OOO on highway through the Apache for est reserve embracing the country east of Clifton and extending far in- to New Mexico to a point where the highway will connect with a scenic highway on which the territory of New Mexico has already spent good deal of money.
 The forestry service was induced to enter into this arrangement on the condition that Graham county should construct most difficult stretch of 2300 feet through Clifton. After a conference with the super visors MT. Potter guaranteed to the government that this road would be built and the supervisors advertised for bids for construction. In reply only one bid was received and that was rejected. A readvertisement produced other bids but they were rejected as being too high. A third advertisement brought out bid of Sl7O0 which is regarded as reasonable but the supervisors have so far de- clined to take any action. The ground taken by the supervisors is that while the board at one time agreed to construct the road, that agreement was made before the in- corporation of Clifton. They now contend that since the territory lies within an incorporated town they can spend no money on it. MT. Potter has obtained sound legal advice to the effect that when the supervisors entered into a contract with him the territory was not within the corpor- ate limits and since all acts up to the present time were performed before the incorporation, the board is bound by the contract and can be made by mandamus to perform it.
 It is curious fact that a remon- strance against the building of the road by the county has been signed by certain residents of Clifton whose objection is that the proposed high way will not include the particular street on which they live or do busi ness. But the time tor remon- strances has long since passed.
 In connection with his general high way project, MT. Potter induced the board of control to include Graham county in the levy of twenty-five cents for territorial highway pur- poses. The supervisors of Ora ham county disregarded this levy and refused to make ii, but it is thought that they will take a saner view of it and carry out the order of the board of control. The members of the lat ter board are standing firmly with MT. Potter and announce that it is a matter of indifference with them whether the supervisors make the levy or not. That money must be produced; if not by taxation, it will be drawn from the bondsmen of the supervisors who are bound for the faithful and complete performance of their official duties.
 In the opinion of MT. Potter, any objection by the citizens of Graham county or any other county along the proposed highway is amazing, consid- ing the advantage it will be to all contiguous or nearly contiguous terri tory. The advantage of good roads is better understood by those who have had the use of them. Not long ago MT. Potter was in Los Angeles and he was told then that Los An geles county was about to bond itself for S3,5OO,OOO for the building of highway east and west. When he expressed surprise that county which is already gridironed with good roads should undertake to spend so much money. he was told that it was intended to be an investment which would net thirty-three and a third per cent.
 The hardest task Of M- POtter