Imperial Valley press., 1912-12-26

the ocean-to- ocean highway
is helping greatly to foster and encour-
age the undying friendship between our
two cities and between San Diego ana
he coming better for that purpose.
81 believe in cutting loose from Los
Angeles at once and joining with San
Diego in order to make an open and
fearless fight for the ocean-to- o-oceaD
highway"
Following is the substance Of the
editorial appearing in the Arizona Ga
zCtte Of December IL, written by Mr.
Akers:
at was clearly manifested at the
meeting at the board of trade rooms
on Thursday that the citizens of Phoe
nix are not at all pleased with the ac-
ton of Los Angeles in reference to the
ocean-to-ocean highway. Sentiment
was very strongly in favor of new or
Sanization, and that Arizona, at least
the southern part, should cast her for
tunes with san Diego in this great
movement. The Los Angeles people
pledged themselves to this route.
but have since been favoring q north
ern route across the state.
"OVer year ago the Ocean-to-
Ocean Highway association was formed
at meeting held in the Adams hotel.
Delegates were present form Arizona.
New Mexico and California. 1t was
agreed that each delegation should
designate the route for the highway
through its state. The Arizona dele
gates decided on the so-called central
route, passing through Phoenix and
Globe.
There was a split in the California
delegation. The Los Angeles delegates
wanted the road to pass through Braw-
Icy and Banning, leaving out San Diego.
This did not suit the San Diego people
at all. They We're perfectly willing
that Los Angeles should be designated
as the western terminus of the high
way, but they wanted it to so through
their city. The facts were on their
side. for the way through Brawley and
Banning is very difficult one. 1t con-
tains great stretches of sand and there
are long reaches without water.
''But the Angelenos outnumbered the
San Diegans and prevailed. San DIesL
then Withdrew from the convention.
The report of Los Angeles was sub
mitted.
''John :. Mitchell of Los Angeles was
selected president, with the under
standing that he would Immediately
send out organizers 10 secure mempero
Of the association in all states east 0f
the Mississippi to be crossed by the
proposed road.
Nothing of the sort has been done
by Mr.. Mitchell and the other Los An
geleS gentlemen who, with him secured
control of the official machinery Of
the organization. Moreover, they have
not kept their word and consistently
worked for the central route through
Arizona At various conventions and
in many ways they have shown that
through the northern part OF this state.
or through Colorado and Utah, if it
suits their convenience to do so. They
would like to have Phoenix left off tha
route the same as they want San Di-
ego left off. There is good reason for
Los Angeles fear Of both Phoenix and
san Diego, cities which in all ways
surpass her. Los Angeles d0esn',
want them on the road over which
thousands Of tourists will travel to-
ward the Pacific coast.
1.-The following appeared in the Los
Angeles Times under San Bernardin0
date line: To boost the northern
route for the -tO-Ocean highway
via the Grand canyon. Needles and San
BernardinO the people of Needles have
organized a good roads association with
Judge l.. Root as president and H. E.
Benedict as secretary. An automobile
party of score or more of machine.
from northern Arizona points and
Needles will make the run across the
desert TO San Bernardino to meet with
the good roads enthusiasts Of this city
for further boosting of the highway
Complete logs and maps Of the north
eTn Arizona roads are being made BY
representatives Of the Arizona Good
Roads association. MOhave county will
at once vote on a bond issue Of SiO0.-
600 for improving the proposed high
way across that county. while COcOnino
county will do the same. Supervisor
Butler Of this county. through whose
ditrict the road will pass from Needless
Ia san Bernardino. announces that he
will lend every possible effort to max
ing the road 4 fairly good auto ROAD
all the way to Needles. but this will be
made even better. The good roads, the
magnificent scenery and the presence
Of hotels at frequent points on the
northern route will be sure to bring A
number Of autOists.
This shows the danger in which
Phoenix and San Diego alike stand. Tho
Gazette wants to see good roads built
70 every town and hamlet in the state,
but nature made the central route
through Arizona the logical one for =.
national highway. The transcontinental
road is to be used. and if it goes over
any other route it VIII be closed by
cold weather, snow and rain at least
two or three months each year Moth
ing Of the kind will ever happen on the
GlobephoeniX route. which is always
passahle 365 days in the year
Phoenix and Arizona can expect
nothing from Los Angeles. The time
to Withdraw from the Ocean-to- Ocean
Highway association, line up with San
Diego and begin to work in earnest for
a national road that will be open all
| The year is right now"