Weekly journal-miner., 1911-10-04
STIRRING TALKS0N
 NEW STATE ROADS
Territorial Engineer Grand Declares The Building of Highways Will Make
 Arizona Playground of Universe


 computation had been derived from articles written regarding this race in the press of America and ventur- ed that four times this amount of publicity had been secured, of which he had received no knowledge.
 Through this race, tourists and the Automobile Association of America has designated this course as a part of its transcontinental route in all maps issued since its initiation.
 MT. Bullard added that he was thoroughly in accord with MT. Norris , idea that this body secure an enact ment by the next legislature, which shall make possible the immediate construction of highways throughout Arizona Further, he said that the committee to be appointed should in terview each candidate for a federal office, asking how he stands and de- manding that he place himself on record with regard to such enact ment before he receives the benefit of the support and influence of this association.
 "'Our Territorial Highways' was the subject diseoursed upon by Gov ernor Richard E. Sloan. He noted that good many of the delegates sat near the door which impressed him with the danger of their eseap- ing during his talk. He said he spoke from the heart in the matter of good roads for Arizona.
 "Every member understands the law as regards the act of 1909, will not critize this law; I shall commend it insofar as it affects the conditions of today. A few enthu- siastic spirits framed and introduced it and it became law through these individuals.
 "The purpose and design of this law was that good roads should be constructed. These were not to be merely local conveniences but were to be built for an the people of all Arizona.
 ''The board of control confronted great many problems at the outset. Such criticisms as have been made have been unwise, due to misappre- hension of the true conditions.
 FOur board of control has desig- hated two highways. One to be known as the North and South; the other. the East and West. The board took the map and from its best judg ment of the physical conditions, pop ulation and road materials available, fixed upon the route of these high ways, 200 miles of which have been completed. In this decision, we con- sldered not the cities to be reached, but the scenic attractions which command the attention of the great est number of the citizens of the United States. Flagstaff was fixed upon as the strategic point in the scenic section. The route via Pres cott was the most feasible route south, including a strip of over 60 miles on the ridge of the Bradshaw mountains.
 "'I wish it understood that if was the decision from the start that the Transcontinental highway, East and West. should commence at Clifton in the East and follow along the course of the Gila river. These two routes were the best possible to be fixed upon, I am convinced.''
 Governor Sloan warmly sustained the work done by the board of con- trol, stating that it had carried out the spirit and letter of the 1909 law While he admitted that the roads al ready built did not start at one end am run continuously. it must be borne in mind that this was for the reason of insuffieieney of funds. He thought such portions of highways as had been completed had demonstrated the advantage to be gained by the building of good roads and presented t as an object lesson in public utility. When the system of roads shall be completed a trip can be made from Douglas to the Grand Canyon in three days.
 "I favor the issuance of bonds and believe that with $2,OOO,0OO we can build all the roads we need. How ever, the constitution preseribes a limit of $35O,OOO, and this should be considered by your committee on leg islation.
 "We shall make a tremendous mis- take if we do not build this system of highways within the next three years Although I am about to end my official relation with this work, my interest in it will never end. Some method must speedily be de- vised to carry out this plan to a sue eessful issue.'
 One of the most stirring talks of the day was made by Territorial En- gineer J. B. Girand, who thoroughly acquitted himself of any criticisms which may have been made against