The copper era and Morenci leader., 1915-08-20

Upon frequent occasions the propo-
sition of building a connecting high
way between the Clifton-Morenci dis
trict and the Mogollon Mining Dis
trict in New Mexico has been advo-
Gated, opening up a rich section tribu-
tary to Clifton.
Along the route of the proposed
Clifton-Mogollon highway are numer-
Gus ranchers who at present transact
their business in Silver City on ac-
count of lack or means of transpor-
tation to and from Clifton, although
the distance to Silver City is much
greater.
Those who are familiar with the
situation are authority for the state
ment that highway can be construct
ed to the New Mexico line from the
present Clifton-Duncan highway at a
comparative small cost and that the
distance will not exceed twelve
miles. From the Arizona-New Mexi-
co highway to Jackson, N. M, the
distance is approximately ten
miles, where a junction would be
made with the present highway be-
tween Silver City and Mogollon.
The proposed route from Clifton to
Mogollon is said to be shorter by
at least thirty miles than the route
from Mogollon to Silver City and the
reduced haulage charges by reason
of the shorter haul from Clifton would
amount to several thousand dollars
to the operating companies in the
Mogoilon district.
W. S. Bradfield, Secretary of the
Greenlee County Chamber of Com
merce, and Manager of the Gila Valley
Bank and Trust Co., last week wrote
the General Manager of the Mogollon
Mines Company, regarding the pro-
posed highway between Clifton dis
trict and Mogollon and the following
reply received by Mr.. Bradf1eld shows
that the mining companies of that
district are equally interested in the
proposition.
AS result of the reply received by
Mr. Bradfield a delegation will short
ly be appointed by the Chamber of
Commerce to confer with the mana
gers of the mining companies in that
district and if the New Mexico portion
of the road can be financed there is
no doubt that the ways and means
for the construction of that portion
within Greenlee County will be forth
coming.
The letter received from Mr.. Kid
der, manager of the Mogollon Mines
Company, is as follows:
MI w. s. Bradfield,
Manager ella Valley Bank & Trust
Company,
Clifton, Arizona.
. Dear SIR
have read with much Interest
your letter of August IL, and note
that there is a movement on foot fol
connecting Greenlee County, Arizona
with the Mogollon district in New
Mexico. The writer has been much
interested in the feasibility of this
project and has talked with severa
of the representatives from Greenlee
county in regard to the matter, par
ticularly to Mr.. Coleman and Mr.
Oscar Leighton, both of whom thinl
such a project f lsible, though there
seems to be some difference of opin
ion as to whether a road could bes
be built from Clifton or from Dun
can via Steeple Rock. The lattel
road, believe, would avoid the noun
tains to a greater extent and hence
would probably be cheaper road tt
build though somewhat longer.
AS Mogollon is settlement of some
1000 Inhabitants, dependent entirely
on Silver City and ranchers along
the Gila River for supplies, it seem:
that such road as you have in minC
would afford a good market for al
classes of farm products, fruit, etc
Hay of a rather inferior quality SELL
for not less than $50. 90 ton, and al
a large part of the freight is hauled
in by teams which would connec
with your road at Cactus Flat, thi
alone, it seems, should offer consid
cradle inducement toward the con
stru ation of a road. These teamster
are at a great disadvantage in hav
irg to ~ such a high price for al
infer y 1duct.
I prin :iral com panies opeI
attn at the present tim