Imperial Valley press., 1913-01-08
GOOD WORK OF THE
YUMA ROAD CONVENTION

San Diego Sun: Col. Ed Fletcher,
who was elected president Of the goou
roads organization formed at Yuma
Saturday, today gave this summary OF
the results:
First. The organization Of a good
roads association in every detail who
will work in absolute harmony, the
definite line being from San Diego
through Imperial valley to Yuma, Phoe-
Ink, and eastern Arizona to New Mexico,
this being the route Of the Southern
National Highway association.
Second. This association, through
the boards Of supervisors of each coun-
ty, will Immediately proceed to make
surveys, secure rights of way and
grade good dirt road the entire length
OF the route from San Diego to the
New Mexico line.
"Third. The main obstacle to Sc
curing the proposed route was the
question OF bridges across the Colo
RADIO river. the Gila and the Salt rivers
"The San Diego-Arizona Interstate
| association, backed by the committee
consisting OF Gov. G. w. P. Hunt OF
Arizona, U. S. Grant Jr., Dell NJ. Pot
ter, president Of the Southern National
Highway association; DR.. j. A. Ketch-
erside, president of the Yuma chamber
+ commerce; Lynn B. Orme, president
the board Of supervisors Of Maricopl
county; C. H. Akers Of the Arizona Ga
zette OF Phoenix; Fred Jackson, ]. T
Wight Of Dixieland, John E. Boyce and
Ed Boyd, both supervisors Of Imperial
county, and F. E. Elliott, chairman OF
the board Of supervisors Of Yuma cOun-
ty, sent telegram to Congressman
Carl Hayden guaranteeing to raise two
thirds Of the cost Of bridge across
the Colorado river providing congress
would appropriate the other third OF
the cost Of the bridge. This bill has
already been introduced into congress
and we have every assurance that i
will pass.
"President Orme Of the Maricopa
board Of supervisors, also F. E. Elliott
chairman of the Yuma board of super
viSOrs, at the convention pledged tC
have built within a year all the neces
Sary bridges from Yuma to Phoenix
The money is now available for :
100000 bridge over the Gila river.
Governor Hunt Of Arizona has
agreed to call an extra session Of the
legislature and see by the papers thu
it has been called. At the next ses-
sion Of the legislature a bill will DC
introduced submitting to the vote G.
The people an sS,OOO,OOO or 100000
900 bond issue for good roads in Ari
7ona.
"From Phoenix east the route lies
past the Roosevelt dam to Clifton and
Globe. A good highway has already
cen built anu all the necessary bridges
are in.
There were live boosters from I'm
perial valley, all Of whom came over
ty machine. Arrangements have been
made for a mass meeting within tn
next six weeks in Imperial valley, and
it is proposed to have a bond issue
Of 100000 to help along the good
work. There were IS delegates pres
ent, &c Of whom came from Imperial
and San Diego counties, and 40 from
all over the state Of Arizona. Absolute
harmony prevailed, and the convention
was an inspiration to all.
Dell M. Potter, president Of the
Southern National Highway association,
aroused great enthusiasm in his address
on the subject of the southern ma
tional highway. A national convention
will be called in North Carolina in
February, and it is proposed to put
through national highway from ocean
to ocean that can be kept open the
year dTOuIlu.
mo one at the convention was more
enthusiastic than Governor Hunt Of
Arizona. A vote of thanks was giyen
Governor Hunt, Colonel Potter and u.
S. Grant for their interest and attend
ence at the convention. | wanted Gov
ernOr Hunt to take the presidency Of
the organization, but this he refused .
do, his reason being that as president
Of the organization he would be put in
a delicate position as governor Of the
state in advocating the good roads
movement.
II am satisfied that great good has
been accomplished for the good roads
movement by this convention. l an.
absolutely satisfied that we Will get
good dirt highway in any event from
here to Phoenix, whether we win lie
national highway or not, as this organ
lzation is going to stay with this prop
osition until success is ours.
Don't Forget