Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1912-07-26

Another forward step Is the
method of administration of state
roads and county roads. The COM
bination between the county or
ganization and the state organiza-
ton will tend to greater efficiency,
county boards being appointed by
the Road Commission to serve with
out compensation, and to disburse
the county funds for road purposes
under the supervision of the state,
and being subject to removal by
the commission. This will afford
each county in the state in the next
five years a system of roads in
every part thereof, that will result
in the increase in value of adjacent
property, and the reduction of cost
of transportation to the farmer Of
his products, not considering the
comfort and pleasure in travelling
over well built roads, either afoot
or in touring car, free from dust,
chuckholes, sand or heavy grade.
State automobile tax has been
levied on all machines, irrespective
of size in the state. Those who can
afford automobiles can well afford
to pay ten dollars per annum. The
roads are not made entirely for
automobile men, and in the strictest
sense are not made for them at all.
1t is the farmer. the poor pedes-
trian, that will primarily be ben
eftted by this work. OF course,
the automobile has assisted in pro-
noting the sentiment for good
roads, but those who feel that good
roads are being built entirely for
automobile were never more greatly
mistaken.
Only one failure on the part of
the state highway commission if
failure is the proper world, can be
mentioned, and that is lack of con-
centration on some definite system,
such rs the Canine Real and keep
ing at it until it is completed.
This road was advocated by the
people and defined by the lcgisla-
ture long before any rea! idea of
highway improvement was consd-
cred. The state seems almost NOR
ally bound to build this highway
along the route of the early Span
ish explorers, principally because
this trunk line affords an artery of
transportation thru the most thick
" settled agricultural portion of
the state of New Mexico. Esti-
mates of the cost of this Canine
, Real should be made and a certain
portion set aside annually for its
early completion. The best portion
of this road has been built in Dona
, Ana county by the aid of state and
county monies.
The most needed work on roads
for the more immediate future
consists not so much in road con
, struction but in the various forces
for road administration and tn
construction of work to take place
after July |, 1913. The machinery
should be assembled, expert mel
on road mat ters shoult
=, be employed, organization o
convict camps should be arranged
= for. A definite study of stat
. highway systems and n repor
!, thereon, working thru the count,
boards by first securing count,
, road maps on a definite scale shoul'
:, be had. The county road boar,
\, should be selected of public spirite,
men, irrespective of party aifilia
! tions, and their chief attribut
. should be their interest in publ
highways in their county. The
should be men who can afford t
give some time to this work wit
compensation. The state shoul
care for and watch over the exper
- diture of all counties. The pul
=, chase of equipment from manufa'
- turers should be carefully scrutiI
lied in order to make sure that
>, the funds contributed by the cit
:, zens of the state for road purpos'
=, are actually expended for road pu
~. poses.