Weekly journal-miner., 1911-10-04

of abnormal number of good road experts
 "In 1909 after the law was en- acted, we were for nine months with out available funds. In that time we made and did preliminary sur vey work. In 1910, when money be- come available we immediately start ed construction work. For the work done. I take no credit. These sears on the face of Arizona may some day reflect some credit upon myself, and I hope they will"
 Mir. Grand agreed that convict labor was the most efficient avail able and outlined what had been ac- eomplished by this class of workmen in other states. Work by them, in his opinion, would be better done re- gardless of any expense which might be involved.
 "We can build one mile every day with convict labor in Arizona. Ten years hence, we shall have one of the finest playgrounds in the uni verse. One of our sunsets is worth a trip to Italy. There is no stronger attractions anywhere for the tourists than in Arizona.
 "Our greatest difficulty will be in taking care of the great influx of pleasure seekers, which we must in- evitably expect upon the completion of this system of highways. The re- turn will be beyond our fondest ex- pectations.
 "Of the $3OO,OOO levied for this work, we have expended but $2OO,OOO. We can build roads at an average cost of 5000 per mile and this is cheap road-building anywhere"
 Del NJ. Potter of Clifton, told of the tremendous amounts appropriated and to be appropriated by different other states in the Union and by foreign countries, for the construc- tion of their highway systems. New York, Illinois, and Ohio alone have plans under way for the expenditure of over $15O,000, ,000. The wonderful spread of interest in the last two years throughout the country, in his opinion, will make it necessary for all candidates seeking office to stand on good roads platform as their para mount issue. .
 MT. Potter believes we can secure federal appropriations, in the matter of roads through forest reserves and Indian reservations. He believes too much stress cannot be laid upon the importance of getting the assurance from candidates that this must be one of their principal efforts in the securing of legislation of the new state.
 He concluded by stating that in other states, particularly those east of the Mississippi, $1O.OOO was figur- ed as the average cost per mile for road building; in Arizona, $25OO would be the cost. Arizona is the first state to designate a road as transeOntinental highway; thus Ari- zona is in the lead in this, as in other matters pertaining to public benefit. Mir. Potter read statistics of population, tending to show that the designation of the East and West TranseOntinental highway in the south is inevitable.
 In the absence of MT. Ling, Tom Weedin gave 8 rattling good speech on the subject of "GoOd Roads as Factor in State Growth" He be- lieves that the development of local roads is of more importance than transcontinental highways.
 "Get into every little village. ham let and ming camp; then you will best develop your Commonwealth.
 A report, written by Barney Smith, chairman of the Good Roads Commit tee for the Yavapai supervisors, out lining data showing that this county has more mileage of good roads than any other county in Arizona was en- thusiastically received.
 Telegrams of felieitation were read by the secretary from Reese M. Ling. Henry F. Ashurst and D. R. Purdy.
 President Norris moved an ad- journment until tomorrow to enabe the delegates to make the loop ride. Carried.
 Automobile Ride.
 At 3 o'clock the bankers assembled in front of the Yavapai club and posed for a group picture. Soon after this the good roads convention ad- iourned and the members of both organizations became the guests of the Prescott Automobile Club who took the visitors for the forty-five mile ride around the loop returning in time for the delegates to partake of a most delightful informal lueh at the club. This lunch is probably the last that Manager Williams will serve in Prescott as he terminates his connection with the club within few days and on the 18th sails for Japan.