Arizona republican., 1911-10-21
SLOAN TALKS
ABOUT ROADS
Governor Tells People of
Douglas About Import
ance of Highways and
Progress in Road Build
ing in This Territory.

The feature of the good roads cele-
bratiOn at Douglas Tuesday and
Wednesday was the address of Cover
nor Richard f. Sloan, delivered on the
last named day. Governor Sloan's adj
dress in part was as follows:
1T is always a pleasure for me TO
visit Douglas. This city is a cOntin-
ual source of wonder TO me- 1t seems
that Douglas is always having some
public celebration. Some are more eX-
citing than others and some, as | re-
call them. are not altogether pleasure
able. The time is now ripe for the or
ganiZatiOn of society of hOusetop
spectators of the battle of Aqua Prieta
If such a society Is formed. want to
be one of its charter members. Ser
iOusly speaking. however, it is a mat
ter OF cOngratulation that peace, order
and prosperity are being re-estab-
lished in the sister republic
The attitude of the United States
was firm, yet consistently mild. The
national government demonstrated to
Mexico and the world that all il
wished TO do was to preserve peace.
| did not come here, however, TO speak
of national affairs, or of war ! came
here to celebrate a victory of peace.
the opening of the Bisbee-DOuglas
branch of the territorial highway. |
have not seen this work yet but will
before the day is over. | want to tell
you now that if | find the work is not
well done it shall be my business to
see that it is well done before the
termination of my term of office
Nothing during my term has in
terested me as much as road building
! early became convinced that no law
which could be enacted by the legisla-
ture could be so important as those
relating 10 the construction of public
highways. Probably all of us could Of
fer helpful suggestions were it TO be
repeated today. In fairness ! may say
it was mighty good beginning of a
mighty good work. Under the pro
visions of the bill many miles of fine
roadway have been completed. There
are also two magnificent bridges to
be counted in the construction work
One OF these spans the ella and the
other is at Camp Verde. A third
bridge is being constructed over the
Salt river. In view of these statistics
| consider the 1927 900 OF the public
money at our disposal well spent
We have levied another 100000
with which to carry on the work. With
this sum We can accomplish much. In
view of the fact that the state of Cal
ifOrnia has declared a bond issue of
SIS 900, 600 for the same purpose our
and the results accom-
plished are little short of marvellous |
We are blessed with the abundance
of the best road making material in
the world in this territory Countless
ages have disintegrated the rocks pro
vided by nature and this granite is
better than any thing else which could
be brought from other places or pur-
chased anywhere.
There has been a bond issue of
from S2OOO,OO0 to 100000 pro-
posed for completing the system of |
| do not know whether |
his would be the best way to accom- |
plish the end or not Arizona is com |
speaking, poor. The tax |
roll of the territory is now levied upon |
ABOUT S100000,000 worth of property. |
When we consider that the city of Los |
Angeles alone Ievies upon $500, 900, 900,
We see that Arizona while possessing
great potential wealth, TO be developed
in the future. is now poor.
Il am persuaded that the present
system of highways can be completed
with from two to two and a half mil
ion dollars. ! have not decided yet |
whether it would be best for the new
state TO assume the burden of such a
pond issue as this. | am certain the
Dond issue could be sold at par if the
legislature would exempt IL from tax
!, lion Do not misunderstood me when
speak of the necessity of economy.
Arizona has been aided greatly by the
rational government. There will be
.emands TO be met under statehood 4
nat have not arisen hitherto. | do
rot mean either to convey the idea
hat the cheapest government is the
pest at all times; but | do mean TO
say that economy of government is the H
pest policy. If the legislature. in its
wisdom, should see fit to issue the
ponds. l. as a tax payer, Will pledge
ny hearty support and will cheerfully
lay my portion of the interest. If,
-uring my life time the bonds should
nature. | will gladly pay my proper
ION of the principle.
Good roads are being constructed
n New MexicO, Colorado and Califor
lia and Arizona must keep the pace
The has begun. The state cannot af-
ord to stop now. 1t would not be good
BUSINESS policy. She has scenic Won
lers. attractive in the extreme to tour
SITS from all parts of the world as
veil as to inhabitants. Nothing will
'e so greatly calculated to bring in
'estors as will good roads connecting
owns and cities with the surrounding
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