Graham guardian., 1915-01-29
JANUARY 20, 1915
A HIGHWAY COMMISSION

There is considerable talk over
the. State by people who are deeply
interested in good roads as to the
advisabilty OF aboIishing the Once
of State engineer ana substitute IN
its place highway commission.
A bib has been prepared for sub
mission to the Legislature, which, II
it becomes a law, will make it possl-
BILE to get results that will create a
great highway system throughout
the State in an economical wav.
Under our present system OF
building highways there does not
seem much chance for Graham
county to get on the map with a
good State highway. We are un-
fortunate, perhaps, in not having
rich mining companies and other
big interests within our borders,
that could call attention to the needs
of our county for a State highway.
Therefore, we feel neglected and
believe we are entitled to better
treatment and not always left to
the last to be thought Of when
highway work is being planned by
the authorities in charge Of the
building and completion of the State
highway.
The proposed i'll would create a
highway commission and would
abolish the office of State engineer.
The commission would consist of
three members, one of whom would
be appointed annually by the COVER
nor for three years.
The State would be divided into
three districts: The northern dis.
trict comprising the counties of
Apache. Navajo, Coconino and Mo-
have. The central district compris-
ing the counties of Greenlee, Gra-
ham, Gila. Maricopa and Yavapai.
The southern district comprising
the counties of Cochise, Santa Cruz,
Pima, Pinal and Yuma A commits
sioner would be appointed for each
district.
Each commissioner would take
care of his district and in connection
with the boards of supervisors OF
the counties included in his district,
would select such highways that
would constitute the State highways.
He would also advise officers OF
counties, cities and towns in regard
to the construction. maintenance
and repair of highways.
A public meeting would be held
quarterly in each county in each
district for the purpose of discussing
questions relative to the public high
ways.
The bill further provides that all
county engineers shall be practical
civil engineers, skilled in road con-
struction and maintenance. Also
that all construction work, main
tenance and material required for
the State highways shall be sub
mitted for bids.
There is much in the proposed
law that is good and if carried out
would result in each section of the
State getting the undivided atten-
ton of a commissioner who would
work in harmony with the boards of
supervisors, thus getting the results
needed.
As far as Graham county is con
cerned, we see nothing ahead of us
in the way of a permanent highway,
though we are situated very favor
ably, geographically speaking, for
the establishment of highway sys-
TEN that would insure an increase in
travel from the East coming through
our State.
The office of State engineer is ex,
pensive anyway you look at it, and
it's results, which may be very salts
factory in some quarters, do not as
sure us that we will be taken care
of MS we deserve and as We believe
we have a right to expect. We
should have equal treatment with !
other counties when it comes to the
construction and maintenance of a
State highway through our county.
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