Arizona sentinel and Yuma weekly examiner., 1914-06-11
ARIZONA COUNTY SEATS ID BE
 CONNECTED BYNETWORK IF ROADS

, facing than to any other in connection , with the construction of these high , ways; therefore, it is of the greatest importance, in the event this amend ment carries, that the highway ad visory board consist largely of men whose training and experience will enable them to aid, by their advice the state engineer in properly solv- ing the road surfacing and other kin dred problems. It is necessary that they be of such standing in the state as to insure confidence among the peO- pie that this fund is being honestly and efficiently expended for the pur- pose it was intended. They will have all the authority necessary to do this; !; authority to inspect the work, to ex- anime the accounts and to make pub lie their findings. Publicity Is the best and only necessary safeguard Io put around the expenditure of public funds. It protects both the public and the honest official.
 The chief advantage to be derived 1 by the sale of bonds for the construc- tion of these roads are:
 First, the people can realize in a few years the benefits of a well-con- structed system of state highways that it will take more than 20 years to com plete with our present state road ap- populations;
 Second, the cost of construction O. the proposed highways will be con- siderably less if carried on cOntinu- ously to completion than if construct ed piece by piece, year by year, in the fourteen different counties as $ now being done;
 Third, that the cost of maintenance for the same reason will be less, for a large continuous mileage can be more efficiently and economically maintained than can disconnecteu units;
 Fourth, that as posterity benefits by the development of our resources. posterity will share the burden;
 Fifth, that.the increase in the value of lands and in the volume of busi- ness will be immediate and substantial and will probably be sufficient to meet the increased tax rate necessary to pay theinterest on, and to retire, the bonds;
 Sixth, that improved roads will re- suit in large savings in the cost of transportation by reason of lighter grades and more stable wearing sur face decreasing the expense of opera tion of all vehicles and affecting a great economy of time. The saving in the item of wear and tear upon vehicles using the state highways will alone justify the expenditure;
 Seventh, this is the beginning Oi the era of overland travel and the tourists who will be attracted to the state by reason of a Well-cOnstructeG system of state highways will be in such great number that should one submit even a moderate estimate the unkind would accuse him of being either a dreamer or inspired by ul terior motives. The amount of reve- nue that will be derived from such a source can be appreciated by all who have visited our sister state on the west; in addition to the pecuniary profits, these travellers will furnish a medium of advertising the undevel oped resources of the state, the value of which is beyond measure.
 To initiate constitutional amend ment requires petitions signed by 3243 qualified electors, which have to De filed in the office of the secretary oi state before midnight of July 2.
 I would appreciate very much your opinion as to the merits of the pro- posed amendment
 Yours, very truly,
 LAMAR COBB,
 Arizona State Engineer.