The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-06-01
FEAT OF
ROAD BUILDING
REMARKABLE PIECE OF ROAD BE-
ING CONSTRUCTED I'M ARIZONA
TO ACCOMMODATE TOUR OF
sTuDEsAKER cARs-FLANDERs
PATHFlNpER's GOOD WORK.

To build, for the especial use of an
automobile tour. a stretch of road over
seventy miles in length. traversing a
country that has heretofore been ac-
cessible only to pack animals is the
unique feat of a body of public spirited
residents Of northern Arizona.
The new road connects the railroad
of Ash Fork with the government res
ervation at Grand Canyon. The tour
for which 1t was constructed Is the
first of its kind. including as it does,
baker cars, nearly all of which are
owned in Phoenix, the Arizona metro
polls.
When the tour was first announced
it was the intent OF the Phoenix men to
drive their cars to the canyon by a
rough roundabout route, following the
lines of the Santa Fe railroad by way
of Williams. But the citizens of Ash
Fork objected. They readily appre-
ciated the fact that their W town was
missing a fine chance to show itself to
advantage on the map. A committee
accordingly told the Phoenix people
that they would guarantee a more di-
rect route, via Ash Fork. Then they
went to work with their picks and
shovels, working out halfway, where
they met a similarly public-spirited
gang of roadbuilders from Grand Cam
yon, who had laid out the second half
of the trail. The whole job was under
the direction of the veteran Bill
Bass. who antedates railroad building
in that region and has been locally
credited on many occasions with hav-
Ing dug the Grand Canyon himself.
This feat Mr.. Bass modestly denies,
however.
The Studebaker Flanders go" path
finder for the tour recently made the
trip to the canyon over the new road,
Though the car carried five men and
their baggage, the run was easily made
at an average speed Of nearly twenty
miles an hour.
The entire distance over the new
road logged slightly more than seven
ty-three miles. About half was typi-
cal desert country, inhabited by
prairie dogs, coyotes, a few antelope
and an immense herd of wild horses
The other half is similarly arid, but
rather hOuIllullOub TUT llAOl Vt JIG
twenty five miles the road follows a
tortuous valley. There is no human
habitation between Ash Fork and
Grand Canyon, and not q single well
or stream of water, except in the rainy
season. now several months past. Had
an accident of any Gripping kind
taken place, the crew of the a would
have been forced to walk to civiliza-
ton. No such event occurred, however
the tourists arriving in a state of mind
that enabled them to fully appreciate
the majestic beauty of the great clert
through which the Colorado rushes OF
It's way to the sea.
The new automobile route which thu
Studebaker tour is establishing will
appeal strongly to eastern motorist
In search of a new touring field. Asl
Fork citizens look forward to a stead!
stream of travel, setting in as soon al
the advantages Of the trip become
generally known.
In the meantime, Arizona in gen.
eral is waxing increasingly enthusiast.
tic over the tour. Among those who
will take part are the governor anC
attorney general of the new state
Owners of ELM "30'' and F1ander!
400" who live in Prescott, Tuscon and
other cities have asked permission t.
| Join in the cavalcade, and have beer
assured of a welcome. The trip of thu
pathfnding al has been widely chron.
icled throughout the state. Rules arr
being drawn up for the event and som
valuable prizes have been donated, in
Guiding the governors cup" a fin