Arizona republican., 1913-11-21
SCENIC ROAD
 IS PER|LOUS
Pasadena Millionaire Dis cusscs Beauties and Bug bears of Ocean-tO-Ocean Route When It's Wet and { Slippery

'The Ocean to Ocean Highway be- tween Black and White rivers is posi- tively the worst and most dangerous stretch of mountain road l have ever seen at this wet season of the year The Globe Roosevelt-Phoenix road is one of the half dozen stunning scenic roads in the world"
 Those two statements, one so flat tering and the other filled with the bitterest of criticism fell from the lips of Hulett c. Merritt, the Pasadena millionaire, world motorist and good roads worker, and in the source ac- quired the stamp of entire truth. Merritt, Mrs. Merritt and Arthur Haben and wife, relatives of Mrs Merritt are en route from New York City to their homes in California
 Arizona should bond herself for twenty-five millions at once This state could double it's population in three years if it would do this and eXpend the fund of good roads. I am glad to see MaricOpa county take the lead, and if the state itself cannot is sue the bonds under present laws. the counties should take up that burden There is nothing in the world so good for a new community as a complete system of good roads.
 As for the ocean to Ocean high way, it is perhaps the best scenic route Arizona has, but it is impassa- ble in winter. No one should be aI- lowed on that road while it's wet It is by immense good luck alone, that we are able to tell of our ex- periences now. There are half a dozen cars at different points along the route, which I believe will be there all winter. unable to get out on account of the terrible condition of the roads On the mountain should CTS, the roads slope toward the down side with never a curb or protecting wall to save possible wrecks Once our car skidded over the bank, and but for the presence of mind of the chauffeur, would have gone all the way to the bottom As it was, he managed to speed up a bit and aI- lowed the ear to lodge against a pine tree. Then we had to rig up a rope and pull the machine back on the trail.
 By all means, spend money on that road. For the eight or ten months in the year the road is safe, it is worth immense sums of money to Arizona. In the east it is well known for it's scenic attractions, but it should not be called the all year round route.
 T could go on for hours about that road. I have every foot of it etched into my memory by toll and danger, and I can describe it all in detail. But I simply want to say that Arizona is disgraced by that road, in it's present condition. There is enough natural road building ma terial along most of it's length to build a magnificent, safe, convenient road clear to Socorro, New Mexico, where it connects with the north and south road between Albuquerque and Fl Paso
 "TranscOntinental tourning need hold no bugbears to travellers now. If they will all pursue the sensible course and rest while they must, keep well posted by wire about the condition of the road ahead of them, there is no more danger or hardship in a New York to San Francisco run than in a jaunt up Central avenue. There are good clean hotels all along the route, good going most of the way and good people wherever you may find yourself.
 The Merritt party is touring in big Alec, specially equipped for road work, and there is little fear that it could be stalled short of a tremendous washout, and a precipitous hill. The machine attracted a deal of attention in the Overland garage, where it is being stored.
 While in Phoenix, Merritt is visiting with "Bilr' Horrell, whom he knew in California. Road conditions per Yuma.