Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1911-11-05
The No-Man's Land Across the River

The No-Man's Land Across the River.
Miss Sharlot Hall, the territorial
historian, has performed a valuable
public service in making an investi-
CATION of that unknown part of Arizo-
ma which lies north of the Grand
| Canyon. The interview with her,
| published in Fridays Republican, al
though necessarily giving only an out
tenseIy interesting story, and it has
at least called public attention to
the immense potential value of the
isolated and neglected section through
which she Travelled. And the data
which she has gathered officially
pie and to the legislature against any
proposal to cede that country to
Utah.
The state of Utah is determined to
obtain possession of the Arizona
strip" if the people of Arizona can
| be induced to part with it for any
moderate consideration. and there was
possibility. until Miss Hall made
her investigation. that lack of in
formation might lead Arizona to give
favorable consideration to Utah's pro-
posals.
The Grand Canyon. more than a
mile deep and many miles wide in
most of its course through Arizona,
as effectually prevents communica-
ton between Arizona proper and the
strip" on the other side as if the
two sections were hundreds of miles
apart But they will not be always
thus separated. At Lees ferry there
is an excellent site for a bridge, upon
which government engineers have
made a favorable report. A span of
approximately three hundred feet
would cover the chasm. and the con-
struction of approaches to this cen
trail span would not be difficult. AL
together the bridge project is wholly
feasible and the cost would be well
within Arizonas means. Very posi-
bly, the state of Utah, finding that
acquisition of the strip" is impossi
BILE, would join Arizona in the con-
struction of a bridge at Lees ferry,
so as to afford a thoroughfare be-
tween the two states.
The territorial highway. now under
construction from Phoenix to Flag
staff, may be easily extended to Lees
ferry, and with a bridge across the Colo
RADIO river at that point. the wonder
full no-man's land on the north side
would be made readily accessible.
And what would be found on cross
ing the bridge, leaving the Utah
trail, and travelling to the west and
southwest? Miss Hall tells us that
it is a country Astounding in a wealth
of timber. and of agricultural and
mineral resources. 1t abounds in
sublime scenery. The altitude gives it
an ideal climate. 1t has an area of
more than 10000 square miles. we
should guess, although we believe the
government has never reported the
exact area.
Probably not dozen citizens Of
Arizona living on this side of the
canyon, have ever explored the strip.
The public only knows in a vague
q section of Arizona which is larger |
than some states, and that because
of it's remoteness from civilization it
is reputed to be an abode of out
laws
There must he no thought of part
ing with the strip" no matter what
inducements Utah may offer, and it
should be the policy of the state to
construct a bridge across the Colo
RADIO at Lees ferry as soon as pos
sible.
Then. with that new and strange
section made easily accessible, it will /
be quickly developed into country
worth many millions of dollars.